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

Chapter 303: Your Third Sister-in-law Probably Won’t Respond

The next day.

Gu Shiliu remembered Marquis Gu’s instructions and delivered several lanterns made with fireflies to the main room, saying that the Marquis and his wife caught them yesterday, intended as a special gift for the Old Madam and the children to enjoy.

Brother Cheng and Sister Yu cheered and gathered around. Even though it was daylight and they couldn’t see clearly, they already looked forward to the nightfall.

"Foster Father is really great, he thinks about us," Brother Cheng said, holding the lantern, smiling with tears in his eyes.

Sister Yu blinked and asked, "Brother, if we hang this lantern in the room, can we see it at night without lighting a lamp?"

Brother Cheng replied, "Yes."

Sister Yu thoughtfully said, "Back when we were at the Northern Border, we never saw these. I didn’t expect the Capital City to have so many fun things."

"Yes," Brother Cheng sighed, glancing at his sister as if he wanted to say something but stopped, appearing more and more like an adult in his demeanor.

The Old Madam Gu happily asked Gu Shiliu repeatedly, becoming more satisfied with each question. She turned to Nanny Rong and said, "The couple is really harmonious. Hui’er used to not like these things, always finding them dull. But setting aside everything else, this thoughtfulness is truly rare."

"Indeed," Nanny Rong added cheerfully, "Old Madam can be at ease. The Marquis and the Marchioness are in harmony, and in the future, they will surely be blessed with grandchildren filling their home."

The Old Madam Gu smiled and said, "Did you hear? Sixteen said that the Marquis thought of sending this last night but didn’t want to disturb us because it was quite late."

Nanny Rong nodded.

The Old Madam Gu looked pleased.

"Now that the world is at peace, Hui’er has also achieved meritorious deeds, bringing honor to our ancestors and becoming more popular. It’s all thanks to good Yuan’er."

Nanny Rong agreed, "Since marrying, the Marquis has indeed changed significantly from before. Speaking of which, once a man marries, he becomes a different person. Take my son-in-law, for example. He used to wear a stern, cold expression daily. Now, he’s all-around capable, skilled in social matters, and always carries a smile. It shows that the Marquis chose the right marriage."

The Old Madam Gu grew increasingly cheerful and ordered people to bring out good items from previous years to send to Qin Yuan.

Sixth Master Gu and Mr. Songshan received the lanterns last night, and Gu Shiliu also thoughtfully told them the place in the mansion where fireflies were most abundant, saying they could go and enjoy the view when they felt inspired.

"Ancient people often said that fireflies come from decayed grass. It’s true that places rich in water and dense with plants have the most fireflies," Mr. Songshan said. "I didn’t expect the Marquis Mansion to have such a good spot. Many thanks to the Marquis for his attention to detail and thoughtfulness."

Gu Shiliu couldn’t help but smile and said, "Sir also knows that our Marquis is a martial artist; these are all things the Marchioness mentioned. I once heard the Marquis talk about a place in Yangzhou called the Firefly Garden, where a past emperor specially released fireflies."

"Yes," Mr. Songshan was somewhat surprised, glancing at Gu Shiliu, and said, "It was Emperor Sui Yang."

Gu Shiliu admitted that he had never heard of this emperor and added, "The Marquis said that fireflies are Poetry Worms, particularly favored by you scholars and poets. Oh, the Marquis also said that places like the Firefly Garden are to scholars what the cockfighting platform is to playboys. I’m just a rough person and don’t understand those things. Could sir spare some time to tell me a story?"

Mr. Songshan chuckled, "That would indeed be a long story. Maybe tomorrow, as you still have lanterns to deliver to the Sixth Master, don’t you?"

Gu Shiliu nodded with a smile and said, "Then it’s settled. Mr. Songshan’s stories have taught me a lot just by listening, and Sixth Master loves making poems. If Mr. Songshan would like to enjoy the fireflies, you could go with the Sixth Master. There’s also a great spot in the mansion to listen to crickets; the Marquis and the Marchioness have also been there."

Hearing this, Mr. Songshan nodded and said, "The Marquis holds the Marchioness in high regard, which is why these elegant activities are conducted. No wonder the Marquis invited me to the mansion to tell stories. As for watching fireflies and listening to crickets, we can discuss that later."

Gu Shiliu laughed, "Sir, you are truly clever, hitting the mark with one guess."

Mr. Songshan thought to himself, how difficult could that be? With eyes, anyone spending a moment in the mansion could probably see it.

In behavior and personality, Gu Jinghui was undoubtedly a martial artist. All this watching fireflies and listening to crickets appeared purely to please his beloved.

No wonder.

The Marchioness was stunningly beautiful, intellectually gifted, and handled matters with thorough consideration. It’s impossible that the Marquis wouldn’t cherish her. Didn’t everyone’s youthful days pass like this?

Only, Marquis Gu fell in love much later than others.

Mr. Songshan pondered a bit and said, "I’ve long heard that the Marquis respects Qin Jijiu."

After sending Gu Shiliu off, Mr. Songshan extinguished the lamp and quietly watched the flickering glow.

After a while, a soft sigh echoed in the room, "Perhaps I can stay at the Marquis Mansion for a few more days."

When Sixth Master Gu received the firefly lantern, it was yet another scenario. Gu Shiliu clearly conveyed Qin Yuan’s intention to foster a relationship between him and Mr. Songshan.

Sixth Master Gu sighed, "Third Sister-in-law’s actions are thorough and meticulous. Since Mr. Songshan managed to win over Brother Si Yuan, he must be highly talented. How could I let down Third Sister-in-law’s goodwill? Go back and tell Third Brother that I understand."

Gu Shiliu said, "Privately, I noticed Mr. Songshan seems to have some interest. How about inviting him to enjoy wine and watch fireflies, writing a few more poems? The more you interact with someone, the more rapport you build. Since he’s temporarily residing in the mansion, Sixth Master might as well engage with him frequently."

Sixth Master Gu nodded.

By the evening, he invited Mr. Songshan to enjoy the fireflies together.

Mr. Songshan had already looked through Sixth Master Gu’s poetry collection and knew his level. He thought of not going, but it would be impolite. Yet if he went, he suspected it might be boring.

He said, "The Marchioness has returned the poems I’ve written over the years, along with some insights, and I’m still pondering over them."

Sixth Master Gu looked curious and asked, "Mr. Songshan, may I take a look?"

Mr. Songshan handed the poetry notes over. Sixth Master Gu eagerly accepted it with both hands, carefully uncovering and reading them earnestly.

Witnessing this scene, Mr. Songshan’s estimation of Sixth Master Gu rose considerably. He thought that though this person might lack literary talent, his conduct wasn’t commonplace, and he treated him, a storyteller, with courtesy, meriting some association.

After a long while, Sixth Master Gu closed the notes and sighed, "Sir writes poetry well, and my Third Sister-in-law’s critiques on poetry are also commendable."

Mr. Songshan said nonchalantly, "During the Song Dynasty, Ye Mengde felt homesick while cooling off at the Phoenix Pavilion and said: ’Occasionally sparse stars fall over the painted eaves, a few fireflies glow faintly.’ The scenes he described are common, yet his ingenuity is rare. With cleverness, even ordinary scenes can yield fine verses. The spot in the Marquis Mansion for viewing fireflies must far outshine this scenery. But just the two of us admiring them feels overly dull. If Sixth Master is willing, why not invite more people to appreciate them together, writing and discussing poetry? It would be quite an elegant affair."

On this note, Sixth Master Gu opened his eyes wide, gazed at Mr. Songshan, and asked, "Sir, what do you think about starting a poetry club in the mansion?"

Mr. Songshan considered and said, "If a poetry club is started in the mansion, outsiders would be invited here. Your Third Sister-in-law probably won’t come out to join."