Chapter 400: The Ladder Delivered to the Door

Qin Yuan hadn’t even said to let him in, but Hong Ye was already blushing and backing out.

The blossoming feelings of youth couldn’t be more obvious.

Qin Yuan chuckled and said aloud, "Let him come in and speak."

Gu Shiliu then stood outside the beaded curtain and reported, "Madam, I have something to report."

Qin Yuan replied, "Sixteen, just speak directly."

After a moment, Gu Shiliu said, "...uh...Marquis asked me to inquire from Madam regarding Doctor Li’s prescription for the herbal bath; how should it be arranged?"

Qin Yuan asked, "Does the Marquis want the herbal bath in the outer courtyard or in Wutong Garden?"

Gu Shiliu laughed awkwardly, "I guess it’s naturally meant for Wutong Garden."

Qin Yuan also laughed.

Both understood why Marquis Gu had been so preoccupied before, and now mentioning this seemed a bit subtle.

Qin Yuan said, "Then arrange it in Wutong Garden. However, since the Marquis received an imperial decree yesterday and will have to report regularly, let’s arrange the herbal bath for the evening."

Gu Shiliu replied, "I’ll report back to the Marquis then."

Then he asked, "Madam, there’s one more thing. Shen Changle asked me to bring a message asking if Madam has time to write a few more Firefly Poems?"

Qin Yuan straightened up and asked, "Why? Are there not many scholars challenging?"

Gu Shiliu explained, "The number of scholars challenging is increasing. Madam may not know, but the Firefly Poems contest at the Imperial College has recently become famous across Capital City."

"Then why does Shen Changle ask for more poems?"

"The owner of Book Sea Pavilion sent someone to the Imperial College yesterday to challenge, and Shen Changle is worried about holding the fort."

"Book Sea Pavilion? Doesn’t he look down on us?"

"It’s because Shen Changle...seeing that Madam has been busy with the mansion’s affairs lately, took it upon himself to hire many flower sellers at the Qixi Festival to sell poetry collections. Coincidentally, a talented woman won the top prize with her poems and praised the collection, saying the poems were excellent, the printing exquisite, the illustrations beautiful, perfect for women of leisure. The newly printed batch has sold out, and Shen Changle is busy reprinting. The owner of Book Sea Pavilion sent someone to negotiate with him but they couldn’t reach an agreement, so..."

Qin Yuan paused, then laughed, "Shen Changle isn’t asking me to write poems; he’s having you convey his success."

Gu Shiliu laughed too.

Qin Yuan asked, "Did you tell Sixth Master?"

"Of course, I told him last night," Gu Shiliu laughed, "Sixth Master didn’t sleep all night, writing poems saying he wants to learn from that Xie Butterfly and also write three hundred Firefly Poems."

Qin Yuan chuckled.

Xie Yi never held office, his poetry style fresh and natural, his words elegant and clean, and he loved butterflies all his life, writing three hundred odes to butterflies, earning the name Xie Butterfly. Due to his poetic style’s similarity to Jiangxi’s Xie Lingyun, he was called Jiangxi Xie Kangle.

Is Sixth Master Gu determined to emulate Xie Butterfly?

That’s quite appropriate.

Gu Shiliu continued, "The owner of Book Sea Pavilion mocked Sixth Master before, saying Sixth Master was pretentious with incomprehensible poems, claiming the Marquis Mansion were crude folk, thinking a little money allowed them to print and sell poetry collections, disgraceful. Ha! Now they aren’t looking down."

At this, Gu Shiliu was truly relieved.

Qin Yuan laughed, "Isn’t sending someone from Book Sea Pavilion to challenge a good thing?"

"Why does Madam say so?"

Gu Shiliu was puzzled.

Qin Yuan thoughtfully said, "In the literary world, there’s never a definitive first nor second. Even a rustic farmer who captures the essence can write beautiful lines. We set the contest at the Imperial College, which naturally limits things. Now with Book Sea Pavilion sending challengers, doesn’t it give us more options for poems?"

Gu Shiliu thought about it, then laughed, "Indeed, Book Sea Pavilion is sending us poems."

Qin Yuan continued, "But don’t be too happy too soon; Book Sea Pavilion definitely has ulterior motives in challenging."

Gu Shiliu quickly asked, "Are they also trying to publish a collection?"

Qin Yuan replied, "Not many can write good strategy essays, and those who can usually hold titles. That Xie Butterfly Sixth Master mentioned had excellent poetry without any titles yet was famous far and wide; many such people exist. If Book Sea Pavilion aims to publish a poetry collection, it’s indeed not difficult."

Gu Shiliu was silent.

He understood Qin Yuan’s point—it’s easy for Book Sea Pavilion to publish a poetry collection, but publishing a strategy essay collection is challenging.

Then Qin Yuan said, "When soldiers come, handle them; when water arrives, block it with earth. I originally wanted to make the bookstore famous among scholars nationwide before doing something bigger. We would encounter Book Sea Pavilion eventually; just see what move they make. Tell Shen Changle not to get flustered, just continue the contest properly, and once the poetry collections sell well, there will be benefits for him."

Gu Shiliu quickly asked, "Madam, nothing else for me to relay to Shen Changle?"

Qin Yuan shook her head, chuckling, "Just keep a calm heart; Shen Changle won’t be fazed by Book Sea Pavilion’s owner."

Gu Shiliu nodded, "I also think Shen Changle is talented, with many ideas others can’t conceive; it’s no wonder Madam trusts him. Yet I’m still worried; despite Shen Changle’s skills, he has only entered the publishing scene with one poetry collection, while the Book Sea Pavilion’s owner has been in business for years and isn’t one to be offended by booksellers."

Qin Yuan laughed, "What’s there to fear? If Shen Changle can’t manage, doesn’t he have Mr. Songshan?"

Then she got up and said, "Alright, just relay the message, and I’ll find time to write the poems. Let Sixth Master ask Mr. Songshan to write a few more."

After thinking, she added, "Also send word to my father and cousin, telling them to compose a few poems in their spare time."

Since Book Sea Pavilion is stirring the situation up, let’s make it bigger.

A ladder presented, why not step on it?

Gu Shiliu agreed to everything.

Qin Yuan finished her arrangements and proceeded to the courtyard where discussions were held.

The courtyard was already filled with stewards and housekeepers, and she arrived a bit later than usual. Many affairs Hong Ye handled directly by example without delay.

Therefore, nothing was held up.

A young maid saw her enter and hurried to serve tea and was about to call Hong Ye but was halted by her raised hand, sitting quietly aside, observing how Hong Ye managed things.

After watching for a while, Qin Yuan nodded silently.

Hong Ye was as capable as in her past life, no, even more capable.

In the past life, Hong Ye was making money with her in West and East Markets, competing with Mrs. Lin with wits.

She hadn’t managed so many people and affairs before.

Her wonderful Hong Ye should live a fulfilling and vibrant life this time around.

Qin Yuan instructed Hong Mian to fetch brush and ink, then listed recent affairs inside and outside the mansion, marking some items before saying, "Hong Ye, from today onward, the circled matters are all yours; just report back to me every few days."

Hong Ye had just dealt with Mrs. Cai, heard this, turned around, and asked, "Miss trusts me that much?"

Qin Yuan replied, "Why? Are you not ready to take it on?"

Hong Ye leaned over to check, after a while, said, "Who said I’m not ready, just..."

Hong Mian, watching eagerly beside, immediately said, "Sister Hong Ye, why worry? Everything listed here are things Sister Hong Ye usually manages. If Sister Hong Ye gets too busy, feel free to delegate to me and Mo Zhu."