My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead

Chapter 293: The Pretentious Brother-in-law

"Oh, it’s Mr. Songshan?!"

Usually calm and composed, Qin Siyuan exclaimed in excitement, startling both Qin Yuan and Qin Heng.

Qin Siyuan was so shocked that he could barely control his expressions.

"Mr. Songshan is quite famous in the lands of Wu and Chu. Why has he come to the Capital City? And hiding in a theater to tell stories? Is he troubled by something or avoiding someone?"

When Qin Siyuan spoke of Mr. Songshan, it was like Qin Heng mentioning Marquis Gu, filled with admiration and reverence.

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but laugh, saying, "Yes, it’s that Mr. Songshan. Earlier, I didn’t dare to believe it, thinking it might just be a coincidence, after all, there are many in this world with the same name and title."

As soon as she finished speaking, Qin Siyuan seemed overwhelmed with joy, suddenly stood up and bowed twice to her, saying, "Thank you, cousin. You truly are my mentor, my teacher, my good fortune. I’ve long heard of Mr. Songshan’s fame, and now having the chance to meet him, it’s just... I’m... I’m so thrilled."

Qin Yuan looked at the stunned Qin Heng and said, "Si Yuan, you might be celebrating a bit too early. Although Mr. Songshan is in the Marquis Mansion, he is just staying temporarily and presents himself to the public only as a storyteller. Whether or not he takes notice of you is uncertain."

Qin Siyuan said, "I think the method my cousin suggested is quite good. We’ll deliberate further tonight and see how it goes tomorrow."

Qin Yuan nodded.

Having the will is enough.

Qin Siyuan added, "I just remembered that the Imperial College has students from both Wu and Chu. Perhaps we can ask them, cousin, please think of a way to keep the gentleman for a little longer."

"Of course," Qin Yuan answered with a slight smile.

Qin Siyuan hurriedly took leave with Qin Heng.

The next day, after a night of secret discussions, the Qin Family brothers arrived early again.

"The brother-in-law is here again?"

Marquis Gu seemed a little startled.

Yesterday, after an audience with the Emperor, he was pulled aside by King Jin for drinks at the palace gates. On his way home, he ran into several officials, so he got back very late and stayed in the outer courtyard study.

Having just woken up with a hangover, he hadn’t even had a chance to talk with his little wife before the brothers-in-law arrived again.

Gu Shiliu said, "Yes, they said they heard from Madam yesterday that Marquis found a storyteller from the theater who can narrate both the ’Three Kingdoms’ and the ’Spring and Autumn Annals’, and they want to come and listen."

Marquis Gu thought for a while and said, "In that case, let’s invite Sixth Brother and Madam to join them."

Sixth Brother to accompany the brothers-in-law.

He himself accompanied his little wife.

When Gu Shiliu went to Wutong Garden, Qin Yuan had just finished breakfast and was discussing the arrangement of flowers for the banquet with the housekeeper and Hong Ye. Seeing him, she smiled and asked, "What’s the matter?"

Gu Shiliu said, "The young gentlemen of the Qin Family have arrived; Marquis invites you and Sixth Master over."

Qin Yuan knowingly asked, "Why have they come again?"

"I heard Marquis invited the storyteller from the theater. They’re a bit curious."

Qin Yuan said, "In that case, why not invite the Old Madam as well."

Old Madam Gu, being cooped up in the mansion all day, it’s also a bit stifling.

Gu Shiliu said, "Then I’ll go and invite her."

In the end, almost the entire Gu Family came except for Sixth Madam and the Seventh Miss, filling up the seats completely.

Gu Jinghui pulled Qin Yuan to sit next to him, asking, "Why did you call so many people here?"

Qin Yuan said, "We’ve been cooped up with nothing to do for so many days, and now that there’s a storyteller in the mansion, naturally, we wanted to come over and listen too. Whether it’s one horse or a herd, it’s still herding horses. Hearing Mr. Songshan talk about the ’Spring and Autumn Annals’, you were able to fool my father. It shows just how good he is. Might be good for the kids to listen too."

Gu Jinghui couldn’t resist tapping the small mole on her upturned nose and hummed, "You’re always right."

Qin Yuan turned her head away and hummed in response.

Gu Jinghui quickly said, "I spent too long at the palace yesterday, and then was stopped by King Jin for drinks, and then on my way home, I ran into some Hanlin officials and was dragged out for socializing. That’s why I got back late and had to rest in the outer courtyard study, truly not as comfortable as sleeping in Wutong Garden."

He was heavily drunk yesterday, and his head was still somewhat aching now.

Sure enough, Qin Yuan immediately asked in a soft voice, "Did you drink hangover soup last night? Does your head hurt?"

Gu Jinghui replied immediately, "Gu Shiliu is nowhere as thorough as Madam. My head still hurts a bit now; I won’t drink so much again and return early."

Qin Yuan asked, "What did the Emperor say? You..."

Gu Jinghui said, "The Emperor does intend to use me to deal with those Three Dukes and Nine Ministers. I heard from King Jin that they’re only willing to marry daughters from concubines or side branches into the Crown Prince’s family, which enraged the Emperor. So, he’s thinking of knocking on them because the court officials are under their control, and he found me."

Qin Yuan asked, "Did Prince Qi and King Jin seek you out for their officials under command?"

Gu Jinghui nodded.

Qin Yuan sighed, "More and more people will come to you in the future. After all, their promotions are in your hands."

Gu Jinghui sighed as well.

Now that he holds military power and is involved in these matters, it seems like he’s operating at the peak, but in reality, he is walking on thin ice.

Qin Yuan asked, "What did you tell the Emperor?"

Gu Jinghui said, "What could I say? I didn’t really want to get involved in these matters. If it were ten years ago, during my youthful vigor, it might be different. During these ten years, what haven’t I figured out at the Northern Border? What my father-in-law and you advised, I echoed, though the Emperor neither agreed nor disagreed, he just told me to come back and rest for a few days and wait for news."

Qin Yuan let out a sigh of relief.

Qin Heng, on the side, said, "Sister, brother-in-law, you two are so absorbed in talking, why don’t you pay any attention to me?"

Sixth Master Gu laughed and said, "Brother Kang and Fuguo’er at the Imperial College are under Young Master Qin’s care and want to talk to you wholeheartedly, but you want to talk to my third brother wholeheartedly."

Old Madam Gu said, "Children are always like this; the small ones like to play with older ones, and the older ones like to play with adults."

Just then, Mr. Songshan walked in. Seeing the crowd filling the hall, he hesitated for a moment before smiling and asking, "Are all the nobles of the Marquis Mansion here?"

Mr. Songshan had a distinguished appearance, spoke the official dialect with a Southern accent which gave an impression of gentility.

Unlike typical storytellers in theaters.

Old Madam Gu and others took an immediate liking to him.

Qin Heng called out, "No, there are also those from Jiujie’s family."

"Jiujie’s family?"

Mr. Songshan looked in the direction of Qin Heng, bowing slightly, and asked, "Could it be Mr. Qin, the National Academy Sacrificial Officer?"

"Yes, this is my cousin, who will be taking the Advanced Scholar exam next year. My cousin and I are both studying at the Imperial College and heard you speak of the ’Spring and Autumn Annals’ so well, we came to listen."

Qin Heng immediately chimed in.

Mr. Songshan smiled and said, "I merely speak to make a living, didn’t expect to attract two students from the Imperial College."

Qin Siyuan said, "In ancient times, men of insight could discern fortune from a children’s rhyme. Who’s to say storytellers don’t hold worlds within them?"

Mr. Songshan examined Qin Siyuan for a moment, nodded and said, "This young master speaks in an extraordinary manner. Just don’t laugh at my humble skills later."

Gu Jinghui turned to Qin Yuan and asked, "Be honest now; all this mystique, you can’t fool me. Does this Mr. Songshan have some significant background?"