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

Chapter 133: Chapter 133: You Never Know What Might Come

While they were talking, more scholars invited by Lin Ziqi arrived.

Seeing them, Qin Siyuan was even more certain that Lin Ziqi was gathering people to highlight his poetic talent.

It’s just uncertain whether that noble would truly come to enjoy it.

The group walked leisurely on the embankment, chatting and laughing, as they toured Yu Yuantang.

A Fishing Platform was built here by the previous dynasty’s Emperor, thus creating scenic spots like the Imperial Forest and Fishing River Bend. Later, a famous chancellor built Wanliu Hall, and Yu Yuantang became a place for elegant literary gatherings.

Every year, people come here to enjoy cherry blossoms in spring, get close to water in summer, view leaves in autumn, and play in snow in winter.

Currently, it’s midsummer, and Yu Yuantang, with its spring-fed pond, shimmering water reflections, willow shade, lotus fragrance, distant reed beds and paddy fields surrounded by hills.

The hills are densely forested, where nobles would hunt for wild rabbits and pheasants, relishing in the joys of nature.

Sixth Master Gu frequently visited here, boating with a group of charismatic scholars. It was here he met Aunt Zheng, but this time Lin Ziqi was hosting the gathering in simplicity, so it was just a group observing from the water’s edge.

Due to the family’s teachings, Qin Siyuan disliked extravagance. With his father passing away early, he lived with his widowed mother, hence had no particular feelings about it.

Other scholars came to network with future Advanced Scholars and Sixth Master of Dingbei Hou’s Family and naturally could compromise.

Sixth Master Gu was happy talking with Qin Siyuan and didn’t care if there would be boating or entertainment by singers and dancers.

After walking for a while, they reached the Fishing River Bend. Feeling somewhat tired, they saw some tea stalls and eateries by the roadside and paused.

Lin Ziqi said, ”Why don’t we rest here and compose poems?”

Qin Siyuan nodded.

Sixth Master Gu also nodded in agreement.

Others concurred.

Lin Ziqi further stated, ”Since I’m organizing the poetry meeting, I’ll set a rule. Today’s gathering isn’t merely for fun, but for making friendships through poetry.”

”Yes, exactly.”

The scholars who weren’t well-versed in poetry and were merely invited to make up the numbers nodded in agreement.

Sixth Master Gu felt this gathering was different from previous leisurely ones, more serious and dignified, naturally having no objections.

Qin Siyuan nodded and said, ”That’s how it should be.”

Otherwise, why come here? In such hot weather, one might as well stay home and study.

Seeing everyone agreeing with him, Lin Ziqi proudly continued, ”I’ll present several topics here for us. Each of us can choose one or more, composing as much as we can. If someone writes slowly, they can do less. Once finished, we’ll evaluate them slowly.”

”That’s fine.”

Everyone thought it was a good arrangement.

Lin Ziqi added, ”It doesn’t matter if it’s five or seven-character verses, or lyrics. We are unfamiliar with one other, so let’s write what we’re accustomed to. Shall we?”

”Certainly.”

So, Lin Ziqi and the group occupied two adjacent tables inside the tea stall, ordering a few pots of tea and some snacks like melon seeds.

Having never played like this before, Sixth Master Gu didn’t mind the stale tea leaves and hard snacks. Sitting beside Qin Siyuan, he asked enthusiastically, ”Brother, how are your poems?”

Qin Siyuan smiled and replied, ”Just proper, still far from Brother Zi Qi.”

Sixth Master Gu looked at Lin Ziqi admiringly, ”Brother Zi Qi indeed has great talent. Brother, you’re humble, so I suppose you’ll be the head of this poetry society.”

Lin Ziqi quickly waved and laughed, ”Please, poetry emphasizes artistic conception. Even if one doesn’t recognize words, if the conception is there, good verses can be said. Without it, even a famous poet can only utter old clichés.”

”Well said,” noted two men seated at the outermost table of the tea stall, appearing suddenly.

One was older, with fair skin, red lips, white teeth, possessing an imposing presence even in tranquility. The other was in his prime, slightly short and lean, with a long face featuring two mustaches.

Both wore black silk robes, their identities elusive yet indicating a life of comfort.

Lin Ziqi hurriedly stood and respectfully asked, ”Do you have any insights?”

The older man said, ”No insights really. When I was younger, I enjoyed writing poems. Now I lack that mood, and thus stopped. But hearing your words moved me deeply, hence voiced my approval. Please don’t blame this old man for disrupting your enjoyment.”

Lin Ziqi laughed, ”You’re very polite, sir. Fate brought us together, why not compose poems together?”

The man in his prime waved it off, ”Forget it. We’ll listen aside. Entangled in mundane matters, we’ll leave soon after sitting for a while.”

Lin Ziqi bowed and sat.

Qin Siyuan immediately understood these were the nobles Qin Yuan mentioned.

He and Lin Ziqi were scholars. These two recognized their status but were clearly indifferent, showing that scholars seemed ordinary to them.

Qin Siyuan glanced at Lin Ziqi, noting a gleaming brightness in Lin Ziqi’s eyes and enhanced determination in his expression, confirming Lin Ziqi anticipated their arrival.

Gu Jingjun poured tea for the two, smiling, ”I’m just here to make up the numbers. Brother Zi Qi should take it easy on me later.”

Qin Siyuan lowered his head and chuckled quietly.

They were all here as numbers for Lin Ziqi today.

But Qin Yuan hinted to him that this opportunity mustn’t just favor Lin Ziqi.

Lin Ziqi smiled, ”Sixth Master often engages in poetic gatherings, surely won’t be troubled by topics I’ve set. You’re close to Siyuan, if you’re stumped, ask him for a few lines.”

Gu Jingjun asked, ”Is it allowed?”

Lin Ziqi replied cheerfully, ”Of course, today we’re gathering through poetry, not competing for rankings. Just getting to know each other and if we connect, we’ll increase the difficulty in future.”

Gu Jingjun said, ”Then next time it’ll be my turn to host.”

Qin Siyuan remained silent, awaiting Lin Ziqi to propose topics.

After leisurely sipping tea, Lin Ziqi spent some coins to request the store for writing tools.

The store was equipped for frequent scholarly visitors, though the supplies weren’t top-notch: half a piece of ink stone, thick ink, brushes with worn tips, and coarse paper.

Yet Gu Jingjun was delighted by novelty, undeterred by the quality.

Lin Ziqi quickly wrote down eight poem topics, listing them on a sheet, circulating for everyone to see.

Fewer than eight people had arrived, Qin Siyuan quietly pondered whether Lin Ziqi planned to tackle them all. These topics were already marked by his younger sister, so he felt prepared and undaunted.

After resting, everyone dispersed. Some sat down for a break, while others wandered to enjoy the scenery and seek poetic inspiration. Qin Siyuan urged the lazy Gu Jingjun to stand, saying, ”Let’s stroll and have a look around, perhaps inspiration will come.”

Gu Jingjun indifferently replied, ”I’m not a pregnant woman, no ideas in my belly, same old stuff whichever way I write.”