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

Chapter 114: Chapter 114: All My Efforts to Please Her Were in Vain

The Sixth Lady Gu’s words were interrupted.

She looked at Brother Cheng with displeasure and mocked, ”You’ve not even studied elementary school, how do you plan to follow the scholar in studying?”

Brother Cheng glanced at Qin Yuan and lowered his head.

The Sixth Lady Gu never liked these two children much, but she tolerated them for the Marquis’s sake. Now, seeing Lady Zhao fall from grace, she couldn’t help but show some signs of her true feelings.

”Brother Kang and the other children go to elementary school, waking up early every day to study, and at night they still have to do homework by lamplight. It’s quite hard work. The scholar spent ten years studying arduously in the cold to get where he is today, not to mention the challenges of the Advanced Scholar exams. It’s not something you can do just by talking about it. Considering how you usually brawl and fight, even finishing elementary school will be hard for you, so don’t even think about pestering others.”

It’s laughable to think that even real relations can’t manage to study together with him.

And you think it’s your turn.

Brother Cheng’s small hands clenched into fists, and he sat with his head lowered.

Qin Yuan thought this child had learned to endure much more than before.

Sister Yu saw her brother being wronged, tears brimming in her eyes, her lips trembling, and her nose red, as if trying hard to endure it.

Old Madam Gu smiled to mediate, ”If you want to study with Young Master Qin, you’ll have to wait until you grow up. Young Master Qin is currently busy studying at the Imperial College for the Advanced Scholar examinations. Even if he had the time for a private school, he would probably teach at an academy, not in a beginners’ study. You haven’t even started studying in a beginners’ study yet, so just wait patiently.”

”What is an academy, and what is a beginners’ study?” Brother Cheng asked earnestly, looking up at the old madam.

”A beginners’ study is for teaching you to read and recognize words. Once you’ve learned your characters, the academy will then teach you the Four Books and Five Classics for knowledge. Learning must be done day by day; take it step by step.”

The children at home have had tutors before, Old Madam Gu was very clear about it.

Brother Cheng lowered his head, thought for a moment, then lifted his head and looked steadily at Qin Yuan, saying, ”I will study hard.”

The Sixth Lady Gu glanced at him disdainfully, chuckled lightly, and went to talk with Zhenzhen.

Qin Yuan thought about it and said, ”As for studying, you must first find a teacher to enlighten you, start writing, and learn to read and write. My cousins and brothers learned this way. Mother is right; you can’t become a fat man with one bite. When your father’s family sends someone to discuss with your mother, the Marquis will know how to arrange it. Otherwise, he would have already hired a teacher for you.”

Brother Cheng replied obediently.

Qin Yuan looked at him more favorably.

Qin Siyuan and Sixth Master Gu only returned after the meal was laid out. Qin Yuan noticed that the two of them were not as distant as before, showing that Sixth Master Gu hadn’t mixed with scholars for nothing over the years.

Sixth Lady Gu repeatedly wanted Xu Zhen to make an impression in front of Qin Siyuan, but was always blocked by Sixth Master Gu and Old Madam Gu. Qin Siyuan remained meticulously rule-abiding, keeping his distance.

In the end, not many words were exchanged.

Xu Zhen inevitably felt a bit disappointed.

After the meal, Qin Siyuan bid farewell and went to sit for a while in Wutong Garden. Sixth Master Gu reluctantly held Brother Qinxian’s hand, repeatedly promising to visit the Marquis Mansion to talk to him in the future.

When Qin Siyuan left the Marquis Mansion, Qin Yuan asked him to finish a poem and bring it back to her before going to Yu Yuantang.

”Thank you, dear sister.”

Qin Siyuan was filled with gratitude. He hesitated for a moment and asked, ”What about Sixth Master Gu...”

He wasn’t sure how to get along with Sixth Master Gu, so he could only ask for Qin Yuan’s opinion.

After all, Sixth Lady Gu was not very straightforward.

Qin Yuan smiled and said, ”Just get along with him according to your own thoughts.”

Qin Siyuan understood.

Qin Yuan was telling him not to maneuver around Sixth Master for her sake, so he smiled and said, ”Lin Ziqi has mentioned Sixth Master Gu to me several times, saying we should keep in touch in the future. After all, we are relatives. I thought he was affectatious and extravagant, but it turns out he is quite easy to get along with.”

Qin Yuan said seriously, ”Sixth Master Gu likes to go boating and compose poems. He has several concubines in the inner courtyard, and not long ago, he redeemed a singer from the brothel. Now he’s making a fuss about redeeming a pipa player. Last time you didn’t see Brother Heng because he got into a fight with Sixth Madam and got his face hurt. I know my brother can keep his lips sealed, and wouldn’t gossip outside, so I’m telling you. He has been accustomed to being so carefree. You are serious about the Advanced Scholar exams. If you can guide him to the right path, that’s good, but you mustn’t let him waste your time.”

Qin Siyuan hasn’t married yet; Sixth Master Gu is a veteran in romantic affairs. If he leads Qin Siyuan astray, the second aunt will have suffered in vain all these years.

Frankly, even amorous pursuits should wait until after becoming an Advanced Scholar.

Qin Yuan didn’t want her efforts to go to waste.

Qin Siyuan immediately said, ”Rest assured, cousin. I dare not forget the Qin Family’s ancestral teachings.”

”That’s good, I just reminded you for nothing.”

”Cousin is my mentor, your advice is always appreciated,” Qin Siyuan spoke sincerely. He learned so much at the Marquis Mansion today; if his cousin were a man, he would definitely never part from her.

Seeing it was getting late, Qin Siyuan hurriedly bade farewell. Qin Yuan asked Shen Changle to send him out. She stayed in the hall herself, sighing softly.

Hong Ye came back from outside and quickly asked, ”Was it because cousin’s poetry showed no improvement?”

Qin Yuan shook her head, ”There was much improvement.”

”Then why are you sighing, Miss?”

”Sixth Master wants to befriend cousin, while Sixth Madam wants to betroth Xu Zhen to cousin. I can see there will be more to this dispute.”

Cui Ming said, ”Today cousin almost got taken to another place. Who knows what kind of accidental encounter they wanted, just like in the storybooks. And this happened in the Marquis Mansion.”

Hong Ye was shocked.

This was too inconsiderate.

Qin Yuan said, ”I absolutely cannot leave any household authority for her.”

They were plotting against her mother’s family; this was intolerable.

The next day, Qin Yuan encountered this aunt and niece pair again in the main room.

Xu Zhen was even more affectionate and warm towards her, sweetly speaking and currying favor, as if they were really close.

Sixth Madam Gu directly asked, ”Third sister-in-law, do you think Zhenzhen is good?”

Qin Yuan smiled and said, ”Do you think Zhenzhen is good?”

”I think my own niece is good in every way,” Sixth Lady Gu smiled and said, ”This is human nature.”

Qin Yuan said leisurely, ”Yes, this is human nature.”

Sixth Lady Gu hadn’t caught the meaning yet, but Nanny Zhao hurriedly pulled her, signaling her not to create more awkwardness.

After Qin Yuan left, Sixth Lady Gu asked Nanny Zhao, ”Why did you pull me just now?”

Nanny Zhao avoided Xu Zhen and whispered, ”Third Madam meant you think Miss Zhen is good, but she thinks her own cousin is better?”

Sixth Lady Gu thought for a moment and realized it might be what she meant, but also felt it might not be.

”Why do daughters of scholarly families speak so cryptically?”

The two mumbled in low tones, and Xu Zhen overheard, expressing disbelief, ”I’d always thought Third Madam liked me. Have I been trying to please her for nothing?”