novelraw Chapter 282: Investigate Thoroughly
Chapter 282: Investigate Thoroughly
When the incense pills arrived, Prince Qi asked, "What is the use of this incense?"
"One is called Sandalwood Dragon Brain Pills, used by ladies when they chant scriptures to calm the mind and refresh the spirit. There is another that can soothe the stomach and calm the nerves, ideal for when summer creates restlessness, preventing sleep and eating well."
Prince Qi nodded, "Let’s head back."
The carriage from the Prince Mansion swiftly turned around, Prince Qi picked up an incense pill, held it under his nose, and sniffed lightly, then asked, "How much does this incense pill cost? Can ordinary families afford it?"
"One tael of silver for ten pills. Ranxiang Inn says they don’t make much, but many ordinary women purchase them since they can regulate the body and have some medicinal use, unlike ordinary incense pills used for fragrance. Ranxiang Inn says it’s made from common materials and is a new product, hence affordable now, but not in the future."
Prince Qi slowly nodded.
Upon returning to Prince Qi Mansion, Prince Qi went to the study first, removed the pocket from his body, and instructed someone to light the incense pill, then quietly sat for a moment.
The scent quickly filled the room.
After a while, Prince Qi stood up, took a small ornamental hairpin from the box on the desk, and played with it attentively, his eyebrows relaxed, murmuring softly, "Seems like the scent left in my carriage last time was also the work of Young Marquis’s wife."
He had carried the memory of that scent for a long time, initially thinking he imagined it, but didn’t expect she truly excelled in blending medical incense.
Once the incense pill burned to ash, Prince Qi called the guard captain, "Go investigate Dingbei Marquis’s wife, be thorough."
...
Gu Jinghui returned to the outer courtyard and heard Sixth Master Gu calling him, "Brother, Third Brother."
"What’s the matter?"
Gu Jinghui frowned.
He was immensely busy and the last person he wanted to deal with was Sixth Master Gu at this moment.
Yet Sixth Master Gu insisted on sticking to him, eagerly presenting a treasure.
"Third Brother, take a look at this, see if what I wrote is good?"
Gu Jinghui took the note and read aloud.
"Now that the illness in the mansion is gone, the hibiscus in the garden blooms brightly, the lotus leaves shade the sky, fish frolic in the pond unable to discern north, south, east, or west. If you can come, we shall welcome you with warm wine, and join in drinking while boating on the lotus pond!"
"Did you write this?"
Gu Jinghui was quite surprised.
"Of course, I wrote it. I want to invite Qin Siyuan to gather at the mansion and discuss the next poetry meeting."
The printing of the poetry collection boosted Sixth Master Gu’s courage, making him eager to strive further.
Gu Jinghui said, "Written well, I think it looks very good, indeed quite literary."
"Really?"
Sixth Master Gu looked suspiciously at his third brother.
Though pleased with the praise from his third brother, he knew his third brother’s scholarly ability fell short, so his praise meant nothing assured.
"Really."
Gu Jinghui contemplated then said, "Why not have someone send it to show your third sister-in-law."
"Alright," Sixth Master Gu agreed readily.
She’s family, so there’s no shame in that.
Qin Siyuan had long said scholarly pursuits require humility in questioning, moreover, his third sister-in-law’s knowledge far exceeded his own, he respected her greatly.
The servant took the note to the second door to find the nanny to deliver the message.
Gu Jinghui asked, "Sixth Brother, how many poetry collections did Shen Changle send you? Spare me some, I’ll give them to General Jin for a look."
"Probably not."
Sixth Master Gu resisted somewhat.
"Why?"
Gu Jinghui was greatly baffled.
Sixth Master Gu said, "General Jin and others aren’t fond of poetry; such things are appreciated by scholars. Giving them to them out of politeness will just be hollow praise, thrown in a corner to gather dust. It’s better to invite them for drinking and feasting."
Gu Jinghui cast him a sideways glance and said, "First bring me a few dozen copies, that’s an order."
Sixth Master Gu: "...Alright..."
Gu Jinghui no longer acknowledged him, instead instructed the servant, "Go to the theater and find a storyteller who can narrate the Three Kingdoms; just say they’re invited to stay at the mansion for a few days to recite to me when there’s time, the payment will be generous."
Since reading is slow, better to hear it told.
He always found a way to finish the book.
His sixth brother’s words awakened him, suspecting his young wife secretly resented him similarly.
The servant hesitated, "Is Marquis inviting the solo storytellers or the new type with musical accompaniment?"
"Get a good one, who can narrate Three Kingdoms clearly, if they can elucidate the Spring and Autumn Period and Warring States, all the better."
The servant dashed off.
Sixth Master Gu perplexedly asked, "Why did Third Brother start listening to the Three Kingdoms, and even invite someone to the mansion to narrate?"
Gu Jinghui was reluctant to admit he struggles to read it and his young wife won’t teach him, so he had no choice but come up with this plan.
"I have my uses," Gu Jinghui said sternly.
Sixth Master Gu: "..."
The note was quickly returned, and the servant said, "Sixth Master, Madam said it’s well written, but, the two young masters have stayed for a long time at the Imperial College, not seeing Sixth Master and Sixth Madam, should we delay a few days?"
Marquis Gu looked at Sixth Master Gu.
"Madam’s consideration is well founded, they’ve been troubled at the Imperial College for so long, it’s a relief to return, and given Sixth Sister-in-law is unwell, they must be heartbroken. If you persist at playing, the children might resent you in future."
Sixth Master Gu thought for a moment and said, "No matter, we’ll bring the children along boating then, Siyuan’s knowledge is good, and every time I hear him speak I benefit, if the children can early spend time with him, they might absorb some literary influence. They cannot always stay at Mrs. Xu’s sickbed side."
Seeing him so resolved, Marquis Gu ceased persuading as he had a pile of his own matters to tend to.
Sixth Master Gu then instructed the servant, "Go relay what I said to the Marchioness."
Marquis Gu said, "You are meticulous."
Sixth Master Gu said, "Third Sister appreciates it, I must be grateful, Third Brother, I won’t chat further, I’m off to writing posts now."
The servant, given instructions, again hurried to the second door, seeking the nanny to help convey the message.
Qin Yuan heard it, smiled, and instructed the nanny, saying, "Go tell Sixth Master I understand. My cousin is acquainted with the children at the Imperial College, Sixth Master has it under control."
The nanny complied.
Cui Ming sighed and said, "Sixth Master truly likes our cousin."
Hong Ye viewed it differently.
"Rather, it should be said the cousin likes Sixth Master."
"Why say so?" Qin Yuan raised an eyebrow, smiling as she asked, "Tell me in detail."
Hong Ye said, "The cousin, upon entering the Imperial College, studied diligently, socialized little. Among those he did associate with, there wasn’t anyone like Sixth Master. Sixth Master has poor reputation among scholars, showing few consider him genuinely. Take Lin Junren – being acquainted first, yet Lin treats Sixth Master indifferently. But the cousin deals sincerely with Sixth Master, and Sixth Master isn’t ungrateful, both share sincere affection and thus grow closer."
Cui Ming said, "What you say makes sense."
Qin Yuan nodded and said, "Makes sense. I previously warned my cousin, said Sixth Master has a flighty nature, many concubines, never imagined after Sixth Master befriended cousin he seemed like a changed person. If long-lasting, Sixth Master is bound to transform."
In conversation, a housekeeper arrived to report, "Marquis invited Mr. Songshan from outside to stay at the mansion, allegedly exceptional in storytelling. Marquis instructed that proper arrangements be made."