Chapter 135: Testing Each Other

After returning to the tea stall, the three of them silently recited the poems they had composed.

Lin Ziqi looked at Qin Siyuan with a cryptic gaze and said, "Brother Siyuan, your poetry today is quite different from usual."

Qin Siyuan also responded, "Your poem today, Ziqi, has an added sense of graceful elegance, unlike your usual style."

Both felt something was off about the other.

Their words were filled with probing.

But they couldn’t speak it out openly, so they kept their inner turmoil in check and earnestly completed the remaining poem topics.

The others’ poems were also gradually being completed.

Even Gu Jingjun managed to finish five out of eight topics.

After everyone exchanged and read the poems, they all praised Qin Siyuan’s work for being lively and grand, sometimes possessing a majestic style, making it the best. Lin Ziqi’s poems were also good, especially the one on fishing, which was wonderful, but overall, it was still a bit inferior.

Coming last was Sixth Master Gu.

Sixth Master Gu didn’t mind at all but was happy for Qin Siyuan, saying, "Dear brother, you’ve always been too modest and low-key. Your poems are very well written; surely many who hear of them will recite them."

Lin Ziqi couldn’t help but scowl.

Still gesticulating, unaware of Lin Ziqi’s darkened expression, Sixth Master Gu continued, "Why don’t I have these poems copied and bound into a collection as our poetry society’s anthology and distribute it, so others can also see?"

Several well-off scholars immediately echoed, "With the talents of you two scholars, surely you can make the gold list. For us to be in a poetry collection with future Advanced Scholars, what a blessing it is. Sixth Master Gu’s suggestion is indeed elegant."

Lin Ziqi remained silent.

He had initiated this poetry society, taking these considerations into account.

Those with money would contribute money, those with strength would contribute strength, and he would contribute his talent.

However, now he had to share a large portion of the glory he meticulously structured with Qin Siyuan, which left him somewhat displeased.

Yet he couldn’t reject this generous gesture offered to him, which was truly infuriating.

Qin Siyuan smiled and said, "This will take quite an effort."

Having dabbled in the arts for many years, Sixth Master Gu was naturally adept and said immediately, "No problem, I can find a few poor scholars to copy them. The binding can be done by the shops in my family; we can have more copies made. With your poems circulated, we’ll become renowned as well. How could we not do such a good thing?"

"Indeed," the others agreed in unison.

Qin Siyuan had no objections anymore.

The owner of the tea stall came out, smiling, and said, "The two gentlemen who were drinking tea here just now left a message to have your poems copied, so they can have a good read when they return from the foot of the mountain."

Lin Ziqi was both happy and angry. Happy his poems could now meet the eyes of the two gentlemen.

Angry that he had misjudged Qin Siyuan as a supposedly upright gentleman, who took advantage of him.

Gu Jingjun asked in surprise, "The two gentlemen?"

The owner smiled and said, "Yes, one is the Minister of Rites, and the other is the Academic Administrator of the Capital City. You are fortunate to have caught the attention of these two gentlemen."

Everyone beamed with joy.

Even Gu Jingjun, who was the least skilled poet, was delighted.

Lin Ziqi said, "In that case, it would be rude to refuse."

He set about copying, but due to selfish motives, he omitted Qin Siyuan’s name from the lines. The owner standing by said, "The two gentlemen requested that every poem leaves the author’s name."

Lin Ziqi sheepishly laughed and said, "I forgot, I was copying too hastily."

Qin Siyuan looked over, smiling, and said, "How about I copy while you proofread?"

"...Sure...it would be a help."

The two harbored their own thoughts, yet no one else noticed.

After finishing copying the poems and handing a copy each to the tea stall owner and Gu Jingjun, Lin Ziqi asked, "Will everyone continue to explore, or shall we part ways here?"

The purpose of today’s poetry society had been fulfilled, and Lin Ziqi was reluctant to linger.

Qin Siyuan asked Gu Jingjun, "Are you going back?"

Gu Jingjun grabbed Qin Siyuan and said, "Dear brother, the scenery here is so beautiful, why don’t we take a walk, and you can accompany me with poetry along the way?"

He was in high spirits, eager to compose poems until late at night.

Lin Ziqi said, "I have matters at home and may not be able to accompany you two."

The others, seeing Lin Ziqi leaving, also said, "We are leaving too, Scholar Lin can take our carriage back to the city."

Lin Ziqi agreed with a smile.

Qin Siyuan took Gu Jingjun’s carriage, accompanying him for a stroll by the Yu Yuantang, where they poetically engaged along the scenic path, finding it rather enjoyable.

As they walked, a commotion erupted ahead, indicating someone had fallen into the water, a woman at that.

The two stood at a distance, stopping behind weeping willows on the bank, watching through the cascading branches as people jumped into the water from a pleasure boat, while others on the boat pointed and shouted, seemingly instructing on how to rescue, until finally, someone was pulled aboard.

Gu Jinghui speculated, "Perhaps it was a courtesan accompanying guests. Some people rely on their family background to bully those girls, and they can no longer endure the humiliation, jumping into the water out of anguish."

Qin Siyuan remembered Qin Yuan’s words and couldn’t help saying, "You should also avoid such lakeside outings often; it would ruin your reputation if word spreads. You’re not the same as them, why put yourself in such a position."

As the words slipped out, Qin Siyuan realized he was being presumptuous, but unexpectedly, Gu Jinghui agreed without hesitation.

Seeing the sun leaning west, they didn’t linger further. As they passed the Horizontal Street, Gu Jingjun looked out from the carriage window, seemingly catching sight of a figure, exclaiming in surprise, "Stop, stop."

The carriage stopped, and Gu Jingjun rushed out, but the person was already out of sight.

Qin Siyuan followed him down, asking, "Did you see someone?"

"I didn’t get a clear look either, perhaps I was mistaken."

Qin Siyuan said, "We are not far from the Qin Mansion now, why don’t we part here?"

Gu Jingjun insisted on escorting him to the Qin Mansion. After both got off the carriage, they reluctantly conversed for a while longer before finally parting ways.

Returning to the small courtyard, Qin Siyuan changed into his old clothes, picked up a book, but couldn’t concentrate on reading.

His second aunt came in and asked, "Siyuan, weren’t you with Mr. Lin at Yu Yuantang today? How come he returned first and spoke so strangely when he met me?"

Living under someone else’s roof, it’s inevitable to be mindful of others’ words and deeds; even the slightest disturbance affects one’s mood.

Qin Siyuan chuckled dismissively and said, "What can an outsider like him say?"

His second aunt continued, "He was talking about how one should be upright and act decently, against opportunism..."

Qin Siyuan was so taken aback that he almost laughed out of anger, "That’s exactly what I want to tell him."

"Why?"

Remembering this matter involved Qin Yuan, Qin Siyuan chose not to elaborate, saying ambiguously, "Mother, just treat his words as nonsense. He is the opportunist. I can’t say much else."

His second aunt, knowing her son’s nature, nodded upon hearing this and said, "I won’t disturb your reading; get some rest early."

In his mind, Qin Siyuan thought, Lin Ziqi sure has thick skin, first coveting my second sister’s status and dowry to break the engagement with my eldest sister, then trying to plagiarize my eldest sister’s poetry. Does he think slight modifications can hide the original beauty?

On second thought, my eldest sister’s talent is extraordinary, and after Lin Ziqi’s alterations, it’s far inferior to the original.

He’ll regret this eventually.

Gu Jingjun returned to the Marquis Mansion only to find the household in upheaval and immediately rushed to the outer courtyard. Grabbing Gu Jinghui, he said, "Third Brother, I think I saw that nanny."