Chapter 682: A Match Made in Heaven
It truly is a case where Sima Zhao’s intentions are apparent to all.
Qin Siyuan chuckled softly.
His younger cousin is indeed remarkably witty.
She clings stubbornly to Mr. Songshan, yet every word and sentence hits exactly where it tickles Mr. Songshan.
A teacher who hasn’t spoken satisfactorily always feels uncomfortable somewhere; indeed, Mr. Songshan blinked and said, "You have pushed this back to me, you’re really putting me in harm’s way! Who are these people who have been provoked?"
Qin Yuan smiled apologetically and said, "I worry that the more I say, the more mistakes I’ll make. Unintentionally exposing anything would be disastrous, wouldn’t it? So I might as well stay here with you, sir. If anyone is obstinate and insists on looking for me, I’ll just have to face them as best I can."
This reasoning is also somewhat plausible.
In summary, this is how Mr. Songshan was persuaded.
Qin Yuan then asked, "Sir, earlier you mentioned the people of Black Wind Village. Do you have any plans? Feel free to speak directly."
Mr. Songshan said, "Since we have already seen that he is the ringleader, why not apprehend him directly to minimize losses and casualties. What do you two think?"
Marquis Gu nodded, "I had long thought of this, but... currently the area in front of Ranxiang Inn is crowded with people, and there are members of the Imperial Family here. He also has support nearby, and a confrontation might be difficult to manage. We can only proceed gradually."
Mr. Songshan frowned and asked, "Could we use the government to arrest him?"
Qin Yuan’s eyes lit up, "Indeed."
Marquis Gu was a bit hesitant, "In the presence of so many witnesses, we can’t just reveal his true identity without evidence or foundation, could it be... do we need to frame him?"
Qin Siyuan listened and nodded silently.
His brother-in-law is indeed a just person.
Qin Yuan picked up a pen and wrote a few words on paper. Mr. Songshan looked at them and clapped his hands laughing, "Brilliant, at that time, even he might be doubtful and uncertain! But, what if he leaves early?"
Qin Yuan was full of confidence, shaking his head, "He won’t, if he had already let go of his desire for fame and fortune, he wouldn’t linger around here. Black Wind Village are merely bandits engaging in violence, who else would discuss scholarly matters with him? His desire for fame hasn’t ceased, and he sees himself highly, the hidden desire to compete is all too common in people."
Mr. Songshan nodded, "Since you already have a plan, just proceed."
After they finished speaking, Marquis Gu finally said, "Is there anything that requires my help?"
Qin Yuan smiled, "Certainly there is, I need to borrow the prestige of Marquis Gu and Sixth Master."
This opportunity was perfect for providing a stepping stone for Sixth Master Gu.
As for Marquis of her family, he would inevitably become involved.
Marquis Gu was displeased, "You and I are one as husband and wife, why talk about borrowing."
Mr. Songshan just laughed.
Qin Yuan said, "You are never afraid that my actions might cause you trouble with improper intentions."
Marquis Gu seriously replied, "I know you would never do such a thing. If you were a man, and we couldn’t be husband and wife, I would still become sworn brothers with you."
This made the eloquent Qin Yuan momentarily unsure how to respond.
Mr. Songshan laughed heartily, "You see, Marquis is truly sincere, he devotes all his efforts to those and things he believes in. Just as it is said: Loyalty is close to benevolence, it’s difficult to change a straightforward nature."
Qin Siyuan shook his head, "Not appropriate, not appropriate, currently it should be compared to a poem from the Tang dynasty I recently came across: Only when the green hills are rotten and the scales float upon the water, when the Yellow River is completely dry. That would be fitting."
Mr. Songshan also shook his head, "You are confined to matters of romance between men and women, not appropriate, not appropriate."
Qin Siyuan said, "Sir’s previous expression was too emotionless."
Feeling her heart pounding, Qin Yuan intervened, "We might as well use ’Cling tight to the green mountain, unyielding, roots set deep within the broken rocks. Through trials and tribulations, remain firm and strong, no matter the winds from east, west, north, south.’ to make the comparison. Marquis, once he acknowledges someone he treats them honestly, even if deceived by a scoundrel, he won’t change his nature. How about that?"
Mr. Songshan said, "Although still not entirely fitting, it’s very close. If Marquis didn’t have such a character, how could he reclaim the Northern Border."
Qin Siyuan also nodded silently.
Marquis Gu stood by, listening with a dazed expression, thinking: She who understands me is indeed my wife!
It turns out heaven delayed his marriage until he was nearly thirty, all to wait for his little wife.
She is not only a wife but also a confidant.
Not only a confidant but also a comrade.
It is truly a match made in heaven.
Yet Sixth Elder mentioned that a true bond knows no distance, but why does he feel like despite being close, he and Qin Yuan are separated by the ends of the earth?
In the end, these people are just too obstructive, like mountains standing between him and Qin Yuan.
The others hadn’t yet felt the chill coming from Marquis Gu before Shen Changle had already arrived huffing and puffing, his round face smiling warmly, saying, "Everyone discussed for a while, and transcribed the topics, they’re all here. It’s just... the noble ladies below mentioned, they also want to listen..."
Originally, it was prepared for the courtyard of Ranxiang Inn, but that place was not big enough. Instead, they moved to the pavilion to give the lecture.
Even with many people, everyone can hear clearly.
But what the noble ladies wish to hear is not how to write essay questions. Once the topic is broken down, most of them would leave, let alone the tedious parts of starting and developing arguments.
Qin Yuan said with a smile, "The scholars come here to listen to lecture topics, not to hear poetry and prose. However, if everyone is interested, we can briefly touch on it at the end."
Shen Changle seemed a bit regretful, but eventually said, "That’s true, after all, rarity is valuable."
Qin Yuan instructed him on a few matters, and Shen Changle agreed to them all. After he left, Mr. Songshan commented, "Shen Peifang worries you’ll slip."
Qin Yuan nodded, "Yes, now with the favorable winds, I should keep pushing ahead. If my lecture topics were to be challenged, it would be a loss of face and give Book Sea Pavilion a chance to belittle."
Mr. Songshan nodded, "Since you understand this so well and are well-prepared, why not showcase your talent today?"
The implication was that if her poetry and essay topics were extraordinary, what would Book Sea Pavilion matter?
Qin Yuan shook her head with a smile, "Even a centipede won’t die easily, the essay business of Book Sea Pavilion is not so easy to snatch. Besides, neither of us can exhaust all the scriptures.
In our dynasty, as long as a scholar masters one classic and becomes famous throughout the land, this knowledge will be passed down generations locally.
Currently, those who are experts in ’Ritual Records’ are located in Zhejiang Yuyao, those in ’Classic of Poetry’ are in Jiangsu Changshu, those in ’Spring and Autumn Annals’ are in Jiangxi Anfu, those who study ’The Book of Changes’ are in Suzhou, and those who are well-versed in ’The Book of Changes’ are in Fujian Putian.
Renowned scholars from these places make a name for themselves across the land. How can we compete?"
Qin Siyuan couldn’t help but praise, "You don’t take imperial exams, yet you understand all this thoroughly."
Mr. Songshan said, "Since that’s the case, what’s your plan for victory? Although my lecture is not lacking in learning, it hasn’t delved into the knowledge of imperial exams, and this is the most crucial subject.
Failing to grasp the classics the examiners specialize in, their preferred writing style, career path, personality, and position, is like subordinates only working diligently or scholars burrowing into piles of paper without understanding social norms."