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

Chapter 412: A Familiar Face

This voice was too rough and low for a woman.

Qin Yuan hurriedly asked, "What did you say? Where is she playing horse polo? And what does it have to do with my cousin?"

The woman stepped back and said hastily, "Madam, I’m just here to report that they’re playing horse polo on the open grounds of the Martial Arts Academy at the Imperial College, and it’s said that the loser will be at the winner’s disposal. The Yelv Clan members grow up on horseback, how can Seventh Miss and a group of noble ladies win?"

Without waiting for Qin Yuan to ask further, she retreated another step and said, "I sneaked out, and need to rush back. If I’m discovered, I might be punished. Please, Madam, don’t ask anymore. If you don’t believe me, you can send someone to the Imperial College to check."

Saying this, she had already retreated to the door and then turned to leave.

"Ah..."

Qin Yuan called out, wishing to keep her for more questions.

Just as the woman was about to descend the steps, Gu Jinghui coughed lightly from behind the screen. The guards lurking nearby suddenly intercepted, but the woman seemed to have anticipated this, and with a swift leap, she was under the porch.

Gu Shiliu and others rushed out, but the woman leapt several times, her toes touching the railing, heading towards the courtyard gate.

"I only came to deliver a message because I have benefited from Seventh Miss, why do you push me so hard?"

The woman’s headscarf was shot off by the hidden weapon wielded by Gu Shiliu, she became anxious and turned back to shout loudly.

"You’re sneaking around, how can others not suspect?"

Gu Shiliu continued to chase closely, still refuting her.

Gu Jinghui did not pursue her further, instead, he emerged from behind the screen and stood in front of Qin Yuan, asking, "How much of what she just said do you think is true?"

Qin Yuan frowned and said, "I’m afraid about seventy to eighty percent is true, Seventh Sister seems to have some interest in my cousin, I had some suspicion, but it’s not easy to speak openly about it. But why did she happen to compete with Yelv Guza’s people today? There was a poetry contest at the Imperial College, she had been there before, so it’s not unusual for her to go again."

Gu Jinghui said, "In any case, we must go and see."

It was only then that Sixth Master Gu came out and said slowly, "I will go too."

Marquis Gu frowned and said, "It’s better for you to stay at home, in case male guests come..."

Sixth Master Gu interrupted him, "Tomorrow they should be moved to another place, who would come at this time? Moreover, it’s still alright for Treasure Bead to go out and see the poetry contest, but playing horse polo might harm her reputation if it’s spread."

Giving Qin Yuan a subtle glance, Sixth Master Gu continued, "If I go, I can still say Treasure Bead was stirring things up for the sake of my and Siyuan’s close friendship."

Qin Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Alright, let’s go together."

Marquis Gu asked in surprise, "Why are you going too?"

Qin Yuan replied, "I have my reasons for going, just take me along. I am Treasure Bead’s sister-in-law, and there are some things you can’t say, but I can say them."

Marquis Gu had no choice but to say, "Then let all go, have the guards arranged properly."

The group discussed and decided to go to the Imperial College together.

Shortly after, Gu Shiliu returned sullenly, looking somewhat strange, "We didn’t catch the person, but I seem to recognize her."

Marquis Gu asked with some surprise, "Even you couldn’t catch her? She’s Yelv Guza’s concubine, why would you recognize her?"

Gu Shiliu hesitated for a few sounds and said, "She had the advantage, this person is not from the Yelv Clan, she had followed a variety troupe to the mansion for a performance some time ago. At first, I didn’t recognize her all made up, but later, when I chased her to the mansion gate, I recognized her."

Implying that once recognized, she let the person go.

Qin Yuan laughed and said, "No wonder she said she benefited from Treasure Bead before, Treasure Bead almost hit her with rewards. Feeling a bit guilty afterwards, I called her individually and rewarded her with some silver, and Treasure Bead also gave her some hair accessories. She thanked us profusely, saying her mother was ill and needed money, I didn’t expect to not see her for a while and she ended up being Yelv Guza’s concubine."

Gu Shiliu also sighed.

In the midst of discussion, the carriage was ready, and the guards, dressed in gear and robust horses, accompanied them on either side.

Marquis Gu left Gu Shiliu and Gu Shiba behind to watch over the mansion well, then boarded the carriage himself to join his young wife and younger brother for the Imperial College.

Arriving at the side gate of the Imperial College closest to the Martial Arts Academy, the gatekeeper poked his head out to take a look, and seeing the carriage from the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, quickly came out to move the road barrier, asking, "Is it the Marquis going to the Martial Arts Academy to watch the hustle and bustle?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Jinghui poked his head out to ask, "Why do you ask?"

Seeing indeed the Dingbei Marquis in the carriage, the gatekeeper grinned cheerfully, "The Martial Arts Academy is hosting a horse polo match drawing a lot of spectators, the overseer said any carriages with a family emblem shouldn’t be stopped, now that the Marquis is going, there’s still a place to park, if late, there might not be."

Marquis Gu laughed, "Indeed, we’re here to watch this, thanks to your words, hopefully there’s still a place to park."

The gatekeeper said as he moved, "There is, I’ve been watching this gate for twenty years, I have a sense."

In the carriage, Sixth Master Gu sighed.

"So it’s true that something is happening."

After sighing, he glanced at Qin Yuan’s expression, speaking softly, "Treasure Bead is still young, her temperament may not settle down for a while, anything she does is with temporary enthusiasm, once the spirit fades she lets go."

This was being concerned that Qin Yuan would hold a grudge against Qin Siyuan and Gu Baoshu because of it.

Qin Yuan understood this concern and said, "Treasure Bead is hasty, loves to stand up for justice, who knows why things stirred up, we’ll know once we go and see."

Gu Jinghui also said, "Her polo skills are quite good, but Yelv Clan people grow up galloping on horseback, how come they chose this contest? Really foolish."

With an expression of high expectations yet disappointed.

The road barrier had been moved aside, the guards tossed the gatekeeper a silver ingot, and they all galloped in.

The gatekeeper stuffed it into his pocket with thanks and shouted, "Once inside head north, then there’s the parking area; park the carriage and head east, everything is taking place there."

Gu Jinghui and the group reached where the gatekeeper mentioned, parked the carriage and rode hurriedly towards the practice field.

From afar, you could hear the bustling noise of people, horse whinnies, occasionally mixed with whistles, applause, and boos.

Persistently, Qin Yuan insisted on riding a horse; Gu Jinghui rode very cautiously beside her, while Sixth Master Gu raced at the forefront as if he couldn’t wait to pull Gu Baoshu out immediately.

Gu Jinghui discreetly warned Qin Yuan, "Be careful later, there are horses everywhere. If someone accidentally throws something over and alarms the horses, don’t be afraid, stay close to the horse’s back, and don’t let go of the reins."

Qin Yuan smiled and agreed.

There were many people and horses gathered at the edge of the practice field, their joining in instantly crowded the surroundings.

Qin Yuan gazed ahead, the Yelv Clan’s women racing on the polo field were well-built, their heads wrapped in brightly colored scarves. They galloped across the arena recklessly, shouting loudly, quite imposing.