Chapter 326: Going Easy

Mr. Songshan excitedly stood up, pacing back and forth, increasingly resembling a proud crane.

"Young Master Nantang truly has a good plan. In this way, more people will participate, and there will be more who write and buy poems... but the choice of the contest master must be well made."

Qin Heng was perplexed and did not understand when his eldest sister had become Young Master Nantang.

Qin Yuan laughed and said, "With Mr. Songshan’s great talent leading the way, and the rest of us filling the gaps, this contest can indeed last a while."

Everyone nodded.

Sixth Master Gu, however, laughed and sighed simultaneously.

Qin Siyuan asked him, "What’s wrong with you?"

Sixth Master Gu replied, "Third Sister-in-law is extraordinarily wise, truly a female Zhuge. It seems this poetry collection will surely sell well, and you all will gain fame among scholars. I’m just happy for everyone."

Mr. Songshan frowned and sneered, "Who cares about that empty reputation."

Sixth Master Gu fell silent.

Qin Siyuan asked again, "Then why are you sighing?"

Sixth Master Gu hesitated and said, "My poetry has always been bad, and if I enter the contest, won’t I soon be eliminated?"

Qin Yuan had already planned how to include Sixth Master Gu and laughed when she heard him. "Sixth Brother, you’re wrong here. No one is indispensable, but you’re the organizer of the contest and will paint for the good works. How could your poems not be included?"

Sixth Master Gu heard this and brightened up with a smile.

Mr. Songshan disdainfully rolled his eyes and sighed, "You’re all obsessed with fame and fortune. Isn’t it better to work hard and really learn how to write poetry?"

Qin Yuan was moved in her heart and gave Sixth Master Gu a look.

Sixth Master Gu was stunned for a moment, then understood and immediately saluted Mr. Songshan.

"Then, please, sir, teach me how to write poetry, won’t you? Otherwise, if my work isn’t good and it’s printed together, wouldn’t that tarnish your masterpieces?"

"I’m just a storyteller..."

Before Mr. Songshan finished speaking, everyone interrupted, "What kind of storyteller is this? Mr., considering that he writes poems like a madman, please teach him."

After some thought, Mr. Songshan said, "I will definitely not teach him alone, but if Young Master Nantang is willing to join, I would be glad to include him."

Sixth Master Gu eagerly looked at his Third Brother, then at his Third Sister-in-law.

Gu Jinghui remained silent, letting Qin Yuan decide on her own.

Qin Yuan said with a smile, "Being under Mr. Songshan’s guidance is an unmatched privilege; collaboration is beyond my capacity."

Qin Jijiu also said the same.

Mr. Songshan immediately replied, "I dare not claim to be your teacher; if you say that, I absolutely cannot teach Sixth Master either."

Sixth Master Gu pitiably looked at his Third Brother, then his Third Sister-in-law.

Marquis Gu made a final decision: "Our Marquis Mansion doesn’t engage in nonsense. Since Mr. Songshan said so, let’s agree as it is."

"Good, I like the Marquis’s straightforwardness the most."

Mr. Songshan clapped his hands and laughed heartily.

Thus, the matter was settled.

The Qin Family left the Marquis Mansion happily. Qin Heng saw his father in high spirits and quietly asked, "Dad, when did Eldest Sister become Young Master Nantang?"

Qin Jijiu’s face changed as he scolded, "You have no filter, brat. Yesterday, I asked you to write poetry, and you only played around. Look at Sixth Master Gu, initially on par with you, but now he’s latched onto Mr. Songshan, and you won’t catch up in this lifetime."

Qin Heng was scolded and showered with spit, looking forlornly at Qin Siyuan.

"Cousin, look at Dad; he’s too much."

Qin Siyuan laughed, "Uncle wants to spur you to improve. Don’t spread it around. Keep your sister, being Young Master Nantang, a secret; it’s just a pseudonym she’s using, and it wouldn’t be good if people knew."

Qin Heng agreed, feeling wronged, "Elder Sister and Brother-in-law are so good to me, I won’t say anything."

"That’s good."

Qin Jijiu said to Qin Heng, "You’re growing up, doing nothing to earn a living. You heard it; your sister is working on an ancient poetry collection. Follow Siyuan and help, flipping through books, grinding ink. I’ll find a couple of Doctors to assist, and you learn a bit. What’s under your neck can’t just blow air, you know?"

Qin Heng, not understanding the deep meaning of his father, "Okay."

Returning to the Qin Mansion, Mrs. Cui asked them what they did at the Marquis Mansion. Qin Jijiu picked out what could be said, those important discussions were kept secret, and he instructed the two children to keep it confidential.

Mrs. Cui couldn’t help but complain, "I don’t know why they didn’t invite Mr. Lin and Wan’er. I haven’t seen them for ages, thought I’d meet them at the mansion, but they didn’t send invitations. Even if Wan’er was a bit indiscreet, she should be forgiving for my sake."

Qin Jijiu knew the reason but couldn’t tell his wife, vaguely saying, "It’s mainly Gu Family’s clan members and Marquis’s subordinates. They wouldn’t have much to say even if they came. It’s better not to, let your son-in-law focus on studying; exams are close."

Mrs. Cui felt something was off but seemed reasonable.

"Then, tell me, if you publish another poetry collection this time, isn’t Mr. Lin left out?"

Qin Jijiu helplessly replied, "Don’t worry, Yuan’er said, this time whoever writes well gets published. If Ziqi does well, he naturally will be included."

Mrs. Cui didn’t understand, "How would he be included if he didn’t go?"

Qin Jijiu eventually decided to cut Ziqi some slack, "All fireflies look the same under the sky; does he need to be at the mansion to see them? Poetic themes aren’t limited, nor are genres. It’s just about describing fireflies. If well written, that’s enough. Just find a place and take a look."

Mrs. Cui immediately sent a maid to the Lin Family, instructing her several times, "Ask Second Aunt how she’s been, find out clearly and report back."

Qin Jijiu pretended not to notice.

After everyone left, Qin Yuan asked Gu Jinghui, "What’s the resolution about Sixth Sister-in-law? I was busy yesterday, didn’t ask."

Gu Jinghui said, "Sixth Brother made his own decision; let him say it."

Sixth Master Gu, sleepless through the night, now drowsy, yawned and lazily said, "Nothing much. I just said if they don’t want see Mrs. Xu well, then they might as well not be good either."

Qin Yuan frowned and asked, "Just that?"

Sixth Master Gu said, "Just that."

Qin Yuan wanted to ask further but was halted by a tug from Marquis Gu and thus refrained.

Then Marquis Gu instructed Sixth Master Gu, "Go and rest now. Once awake, visit Mr. Songshan. Since you’re determined to learn from him, protocol and offering heartfelt gifts are necessary."

Qin Yuan laughed and remarked, "It seems Mr. Songshan intends to stay at the mansion permanently."

Marquis Gu looked at her affectionately and said, "Isn’t that what you wished for?"

"Um..." Sixth Master Gu interrupted with a face of resignation, "Mr. Songshan said he’s just teaching me poetry, not planning to accept me as a disciple."

Marquis Gu glanced at his Sixth Brother with a complex look.