Chapter 152: Truly Satisfy Him Once

Gu Jinghui didn’t react to the earlier words, but was annoyed by the latter: "How could the Xu family end up like this, engaging in such a business? Do they not care about their descendants?"

Hong Ye hesitated for a moment before saying: "The Marquis may not know, but in the Capital City, those who make a living by lending money at high interest have significant connections, otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to collect their debts."

Gu Jinghui was stunned.

Qin Yuan had seen quite a bit in her past life and had heard a little about it, she said: "I’ve heard this before. Those who can run a casino usually have connections in the government office, and they must pay a lot of silver to officials every year. With the protection of the office, the casino can continue to operate, otherwise, who wouldn’t want to get a piece of such a profitable business? Those who lend money at high interest in casinos must also have some skills."

Gu Jinghui had a question in his mind. How would a gentlewoman raised in a civil servant’s household like Qin Yuan know these things?

He couldn’t help but glance at Hong Ye.

The maid in front of him, gathering information like a scout in the army, told her master everything, regardless of whether it was appropriate or not.

Hong Ye, who was inexplicably burdened with the blame, shivered immediately.

Qin Yuan continued: "Since someone in the Xu family does this, they are involved with all kinds of people from every walk of life. They might find someone even more easily than we could."

Gu Jinghui nodded thoughtfully, "I’ll go back to the outer court first, there’s still some matters to handle. You should rest early, I’ve entrusted you with all the affairs in the mansion. If you find it too much, don’t overexert yourself."

Qin Yuan blinked and said: "If it were half a month ago, I certainly wouldn’t have been able to handle it, but now, it’s better. However, if someone in the outer court disobeys, I’ll have to use the rod, and the Marquis mustn’t feel heartache then."

"... Why would I feel heartache?"

Gu Jinghui looked at Qin Yuan inexplicably and said: "I only feel heartache for you."

Qin Yuan blushed instantly.

Hong Ye tried hard to hold back her laughter, fortunately, Marquis Gu was busy and left quickly.

As Marquis Gu reached the covered bridge, Hong Ye’s laughter could be heard, followed by Qin Yuan’s coquettish scolding.

Gu Jinghui paused to listen for a while, and the servant following him, holding a tray, dared not move.

"Let’s go."

Gu Jinghui lifted his foot and left, feeling secretly annoyed.

It’s truly torturous having a wife he can’t touch.

Back in the outer court, Sixth Master Gu was already waiting. As soon as he came in, he asked, "Third Brother, I was at Yu Yuantang Society, and promised to find someone to copy poetry collections. What should I do now?"

Hearing "Yu Yuantang" these days gave Gu Jinghui a headache.

Sixth Master Gu mumbled on, "Brother Qinxian’s poetry is so good, I can’t wait to copy and distribute it for others to see. Moreover, my poetry has improved a lot this time, even Brother Qinxian praised me."

Gu Jinghui frowned and asked: "Is Qin Siyuan’s poetry really that good?"

Sixth Master Gu replied: "Certainly, that day we even met the Assistant Minister of Rites and the Academic Administrator, both praised his poetry. Previously Siyuan always said he wasn’t good at writing poems, he was truly too modest. Only one of Ziqi’s poems could compare to Siyuan’s. At the society that day, I saw he originally wanted to stand out, but unexpectedly, he lost to Siyuan, and looked a bit miffed, leaving early as if he didn’t want to stay with us. After all, Siyuan truly treats me sincerely, conversing with me all the way without any disdain."

Gu Jinghui snorted through his nose and said: "You really have self-awareness. What have you learned all these years? Hmm?"

Sixth Master Gu’s face darkened.

Gu Jinghui remembered he promised the Old Madam to treat him well, and asked gently: "Have you eaten?"

"I have."

Sniffling, Sixth Master Gu wanted to leave.

Gu Jinghui said: "Bring me the poetry collection, let me have a look. Lin Ziqi is too cunning, you should have less contact with him. Instead, Qin Siyuan is highly regarded by the Sacrificial Officer, and you get along with him, so spend more time with him."

This wasn’t the first time his Third Brother told him not to get too close to Lin Ziqi.

Sixth Master Gu thought he already saw through his Third Brother’s pettiness, but he also felt Lin Ziqi wasn’t as forthright as Qin Siyuan.

He said spiritedly: "Third Brother, what you say is strange. If Lord Sacrificial Officer didn’t favor Lin Ziqi, would he marry his daughter to him? However, I’ll listen to you."

Gu Jinghui’s eyebrows couldn’t help but raise slightly.

Wanting to discipline Sixth Elder wasn’t entirely without reason.

Yet Sixth Master Gu smiled and handed over the manuscript, ingratiatingly saying: "Third Brother, I’ve been ready."

Gu Jinghui responded coldly: "Hmm."

He opened the manuscript and looked carefully. It did seem that Qin Siyuan’s poetry was indeed better than Lin Ziqi’s.

Gu Jinghui said: "Let Gu Shiliu arrange this matter. You just stay quietly in the mansion these days, don’t bother with other things."

Sixth Master Gu put down a burden and nodded repeatedly, saying: "Then I’ll let you work, Third Brother, I’m going back to read."

"Read?"

Gu Jinghui raised an eyebrow and asked: "Are you really reading?"

"Of course, Brother Qinxian told me that as long as I read and practice more, I can also write good poems. He doesn’t look down on me for my lack of scholarship, nor does he try to curry favor because of my status."

Sixth Master Gu couldn’t wait to tell all the good things about Brother Qinxian to his beloved Third Brother, so he could see that he also had a genuine and sincere friend.

Gu Jinghui covered his forehead with his hand and said: "Your Brother Qinxian is your third sister-in-law’s cousin, isn’t this title inappropriate?"

Sixth Master Gu immediately fled.

Gu Jinghui called for Gu Shiliu and said: "Find someone to have these poems printed and put in a bookstore for consignment, and send some to Sixth Master Gu to distribute."

Sixth Master Gu earnestly wanted to promote Qin Siyuan’s poetry, also repeatedly praising his own creations.

Out of brotherly affection, Marquis Gu decided to fulfill his wish once.

Gu Shiliu asked in surprise: "Are these Sixth Master’s poems?"

"Wrong, these are poems written by Sixth Master Gu."

Gu Shiliu nodded, understanding.

Heard that some people gather scholars and poets to write poetry, then print and sell them, to gain fame.

Looks like Sixth Master Gu wants to do the same.

Gu Shiliu respectfully said: "I’ll make sure to do it well."

He immediately went to find the owner of the largest bookstore in town, handing over the incense-infused manuscript, saying: "Sixth Master Gu from Dingbei Marquis Mansion wants to have the poetry collection printed and sold at your esteemed store. Please print five hundred copies first, price is negotiable."

The bookstore owner sneered, refusing even to take it, saying: "If your master wants to become famous, go elsewhere. Everything sold here is genuine and substantial, those who seek to pretend elegance need not humiliate themselves."

Gu Shiliu, angered, clenched his fists, ready to argue.

The bookstore owner continued: "This is under the Emperor’s nose. Without any background, you can’t open such a large bookstore. I respect the reputation of Dingbei Marquis, but I won’t flatter the powerful by disgracing the literary world. If you make a scene here today, you’ll only damage your master’s reputation among scholars."