Chapter 643: Intentional or Coincidental

Qin Wan’s newly bright eyes dimmed again.

"Your second brother-in-law is certainly talented, but..."

Lin Ziqi is indeed talented, but his talent doesn’t reach the level of Young Master Nantang, who is the focus of everyone’s attention.

In her previous life, Qin Wan was very familiar with the poems and songs praised by Lin Ziqi, but in this life, Lin Ziqi could not create such poems. Instead, it was Young Master Nantang’s poetry...

Qin Wan couldn’t suppress the urge to approach Young Master Nantang to investigate.

Qin Heng seemed not to understand her expression, cleared his throat, and said, "Whether it’s a mule or a horse, it must be displayed at some point, isn’t it? Si Yuan’s poetry was indeed not good in the past, but now that he has opened his poetic senses, even I, who doesn’t like reading, can recognize its excellence, and father praised him highly at home.

The talent of your second brother-in-law must also be displayed; even if the Qin Family is biased, can everyone be so?"

These words were a bit heavy.

Qin Wan understood that recent days had caused discord between her parents due to the poetry collection, and even her brother had grown resentful. She forced a smile and said, "You are very right, if your second brother-in-law’s head stops hurting, let him give it a try."

"Right," Qin Heng lowered his voice and said: "It would also prevent him from complaining at home and venting on you for his mother’s issues."

"...Hmm..." Qin Wan lowered her head, her voice choked.

Now she couldn’t say anything against Mrs. Lin, but Lin Ziqi was still nice to her.

If, if Lin Ziqi has lost all his former talent, what could she possibly hope for?

Qin Wan leaned against the door, watching Gu Baoshu help Qin Heng onto a horse at the alley’s entrance, then sighed quietly and returned to the house.

Qin Heng sat behind Gu Baoshu, asking against her back: "What are we going to do next?"

Gu Baoshu held the reins with her hands, looking ahead, pondering, but snapped back after being asked, "We are going to find Little Brother Hong; you speak up then, because I am not very familiar with him."

Qin Heng exclaimed, "So this requires me; what great thing do you need them for, tell me first."

Gu Baoshu said, "I want to make an achievement, so that Third Brother and Mr. Songshan will not look down on me anymore, are you in?"

Qin Heng became enthusiastic hearing that: "Then explain it, and I will tell you if I’m in."

Gu Baoshu didn’t hide from him, as the people she needed were just these few.

After listening, Qin Heng was startled: "You mean Brother Ximen and Yuan Da might be bandits from Black Wind Village?"

Gu Baoshu cursed: "Why are you yelling so loudly?"

If things aren’t kept secret, they leak, as Mr. Songshan said.

Qin Heng rubbed his head, confused, and asked in a lowered voice: "Don’t you always want to associate with those martial heroes? Why do you now want to catch them for merits?"

Gu Baoshu snorted: "I was raised by my mother; the people closest to me are, besides my mother, my brother, sister-in-law, and nephews. Those father and brothers I never met shouldn’t die in vain, if it weren’t for the printing theft case ruining the Former Crown Prince, they wouldn’t have been secretly harmed. Even if I don’t speak of it, many in the court know, but my family isn’t strong enough for support.

I see you as a spirited man, and since we are relatives through marriage, only then do I speak frankly, perhaps Qin Jijiu also knows of this."

"How did you get this information?" Qin Heng asked, having calmed down but still curious.

Gu Baoshu smiled proudly: "Previously, family members always liked to hide things from me, but recently, maybe they thought I was leaving the Capital City, they didn’t conceal it much. Actually, even if they didn’t tell me, I have ways to find out."

Qin Heng resonated deeply: "They always think we’re kids who don’t understand the gravity and keep things hidden."

Gu Baoshu said: "Some time ago at Duke Zhen’s Mansion, Third Sister-in-law was almost humiliated, and our family inadvertently offended the Crown Prince, King Jin, and Duke Zhen’s Mansion. The Wild Donkey People are lifelong foes, Monk Zhiguang was captured in our family temple, and the tax silver stolen in the printing theft case was hidden under our family temple, with Black Wind Village getting involved. You say, aren’t the people from Black Wind Village in cahoots with them?"

A companion of your enemy is also an enemy.

Because sooner or later they will join forces.

Qin Heng said: "Your guess isn’t without reason."

Gu Baoshu said leisurely: "Originally we wouldn’t have the status to interfere with these matters, but now they’re jumping into my bowl themselves."

Qin Heng laughed heartily, then hesitated a bit.

"I just feel they see us as brothers, and yet..."

Gu Baoshu stopped her horse, turned back, stared forbiddingly with crossed brows, making Qin Heng break into a cold sweat: "I might relate with them instantly, but it was just an acquaintance over drinks, not life-and-death related. It’s really me clearing the way and helping where the road is rough, with chivalry first, don’t you think?"

Qin Heng caught up, laughed dryly: "I understand, Mr. Qi, later we could treat them to a drink to repay the kinship."

Gu Baoshu nodded: "We could spare them too, but given my family’s looming crises, there’s no room for generosity.

Mr. Songshan is worn out, even lost much hair, my mother cries over the fellow’s daughter who died in the family temple, Third Brother is occupied with duties, busy beyond measure.

Everything needs priorities, Dingbei Marquis Mansion is my footing, and Qin Mansion is tied on the same rope.

Pleasure is pleasure, business is business, we must have clarity in heart."

"Exactly, exactly," Qin Heng immediately declared: "This young master is not ignorant; relating this to my second brother-in-law’s case, if he wishes to collude with Xu Tang against my cousin, I would naturally choose my cousin first. I’d rather bring my sister back and find her a better match, if not, surely our Qin Family can support a lady."

Qin Heng wouldn’t have dared say such things before, but after associating more with Gu Baoshu, the etiquette and such came naturally.

Gu Baoshu nodded: "Fine, then I will keep you in the ranks; otherwise, you could just stay put at home."

"...What... Fine, what do you mean?"

"Interpret it however you like," Gu Baoshu galloped ahead: "After tomorrow’s ball game, we have to rush to the family temple for the memorial service, and many things rely on the brothers. The Emperor never leaves soldiers hungry, I will give you some silver taels to divide among them later."

Qin Heng immediately forgot his worries, laughed: "Hahaha, good brother, Little Brother Hong listens to me most, we’ll surely get the work done well for you."

...

Wutong Garden.

Qin Yuan had just finished dinner when Mr. Songshan came by. After sitting, he skipped tea and said, "Madam, do you know that Seventh Miss made some acquaintances with martial artists while playing ball and went to Li Xingshou’s place today to drink flower wine? That’s no big deal per se.

But... I’ve had people check and they and those men are all part of the same group, uncertain whether it’s intentional upon discovering the identity of Seventh Miss or coincidental.

I worry if they stir up trouble in the Capital, Seventh Miss and the Marquis Mansion will be implicated."