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

Chapter 693: Chapter 693: Singing in Tune

Qin Siyuan curiously said, ”Why, is your family actually hoping for someone’s arrival?”

Mr. Songshan laughed and said, ”Siyuan, you don’t understand, naturally, having friends come from afar is a joyful thing.”

Qin Yuan also smiled, ”Whether they come or not is not up to us to decide. In any case, our Dingbei Marquis Mansion is right there and isn’t going anywhere.”

Hearing this, Qin Siyuan couldn’t help but snort.

”Playing riddles again, I get it. Aren’t you just saying you’ve already set up a trap, waiting for someone to come knocking so you can shut the door and beat the dog.”

Marquis Gu laughed and said, ”Not necessarily, today I will teach you a lesson. The Art of War says: those skilled at offense make the enemy unsure of where to defend; those skilled at defense make the enemy unsure of where to attack.”

Qin Siyuan laughed and said, ”Alright, alright, the Marquis is adept at both offense and defense. Tonight promises to be quite entertaining.”

Qin Yuan sighed and said, ”I’m afraid you won’t have time to see others’ excitement before your own family excitement arrives.”

Qin Siyuan was puzzled.

Qin Yuan, uninterested in explanations, only said, ”Now that those who should have left have left, it’s time to talk about the main topic.”

”Oh, right, right, right,” Mr. Songshan suddenly realized, glanced at Qin Siyuan, and said, ”By now, we’ve likely discussed it enough. We still need to continue with what we should be doing, but...”

”But what?”

”It’s just that Wang Zichuan’s arrest makes it inconvenient to record the Scholar Yan’s political discourse,” Mr. Songshan said with some regret.

He had spent quite a bit of effort on it, and if it couldn’t be recorded and published because of this...

Qin Yuan laughed and said, ”Although Wang Zichuan was arrested for writing rebellious poetry, he may not necessarily be convicted. Furthermore, in the future, we’ll just throw out a few ideas on how scholars can discuss matters. If others have better plans, we can compile them for the scholars of the world to know. What does this have to do with Wang Zichuan?”

Mr. Songshan was taken aback, then suddenly realized again. Stroking his beard, he smiled, ”Right, right, right.”

He turned to instruct, ”Quickly inform them that Young Master Nantang is about to start critiquing poetry.”

”Yes,” Qin Siyuan swiftly walked to the railing. Below, groups of three or five were chatting lively. He loudly said, ”Everyone, everyone, please quiet down!”

Shen Changle quickly struck the gong, and the area under the loft suddenly quieted.

Qin Siyuan smiled and said, ”Due to the government handling a case, there was a slight delay. I’m afraid Young Master Nantang will now review a few fewer poems, please forgive us.”

”This was unavoidable,” everyone said, ”Who could have predicted someone would write a rebellious poem for no reason? It’s fortunate the government didn’t pursue it deeply, or everyone’s poems might have to be re-examined. Who knows how lively it would be now.”

They thought the government, because of the Empress Dowager’s birthday, didn’t want to make a fuss.

Little did they know, it was because the Gu family personally reported it.

”Right, please urge Young Master Nantang to start critiquing the poems quickly. We’ve been waiting so long our necks are aching.”

Qin Siyuan smiled and said, ”Young Master Nantang has already...”

Before he finished, Wu Junren raised his right arm and exclaimed, ”Wait, wait, I have something to say.”

Everyone couldn’t help but frown.

Why did a ’Cheng Yaojin’ appear out of nowhere.

The poetry recital tonight has had so many twists and turns!

Qin Siyuan hesitated a bit, ”Not sure what pressing issue Brother Wu has? Can it wait till later?”

Everyone agreed, ”Yes, exactly what important matter must be said now? We’re all here to hear Young Master Nantang discuss poetry, not to listen to someone’s rambling.”

Wu Junren looked indignant, ”If it weren’t a necessity, I wouldn’t disturb everyone’s enjoyment. Everyone came for Young Master Nantang, as did I.

I’ve read Young Master Nantang’s poetry, deeply admired it, and hold it in high regard.

But upon learning something recently, it truly is... truly unimaginable and must be verified in person to be at ease.”

These words sounded rather odd.

The crowd burst into a commotion.

Qin Siyuan was also puzzled, ”Brother Wu, your words are quite strange. Young Master Nantang, who usually lives in seclusion, agreed to this poetry talk today out of respect for Mr. Songshan. What extraordinary thing have you heard that requires verification in person?”

”...This... this is related to you, Brother Siyuan,” Wu Junren, appearing constrained, said, ”Brother Siyuan, I’ve shared a dorm with you, and we know each other well. I never expected you and Young Master Nantang to engage in such actions.”

The implication was knowing a person’s face is not knowing their heart.

The crowd was in an uproar.

Lin Ziqi quickly interjected, ”What do you mean by this? Siyuan is the nephew of Lord Sacrificial Officer. After entering the Imperial College, he focused devotedly on his studies. Next year, he’ll participate in the spring examinations. Whether it’s essays or poetry, he’s very competent. Even the Emperor has heard his name. How could he be the scoundrel you suggest?”

Qin Yuan scoffed secretly.

Look at her previous life’s husband, not even in the officialdom yet already quite adept in the art of insinuation.

Wu Junren, heartbroken, said, ”You are Lord Sacrificial Officer’s prospective son-in-law, naturally siding with family over reason.”

Lin Ziqi, annoyed, said, ”We’ve known each other for years, don’t you know my character? I’m also a well-read person, aiding reason over kin.”

In their exchange, they exalted themselves while throwing dirt on Qin Siyuan, Lord Sacrificial Officer, and others.

Qin Siyuan’s face darkened, ”Brother Wu, after all this talk, exactly what have I done to cause you to attack Lord Sacrificial Officer and Young Master Nantang like this?”

Wu Junren coldly laughed several times, ”These deeds you did, I truly cannot articulate.”

Shen Changle was angry, not caring for politeness, loudly questioned, ”If this scholar with the surname Wu can’t speak of them, why repeatedly mention? And if so, why act this way? It’s really too much.”

Lin Ziqi swiftly glanced at Marquis Gu and others, then urged, ”If you have something to verify, go ahead and say it. The Imperial family is here, and even Marquis Gu is an upright person who won’t show any favoritism.”

Mr. Songshan couldn’t help but ”tsk tsk” quietly, muttering, ”Siyuan, you’re in a bit of trouble now. A brother-in-law and a roommate teaming up against you.”

Qin Siyuan’s hand, resting on the railing, trembled slightly, evidently quite irritated.

Qin Yuan laughed and said, ”Another hit and another echo, seems to involve me too, probably related to the Poetry Collection of Traveling in Yuyuantan.”

Qin Siyuan understood too, his gaze towards Lin Ziqi was quite complex.

Feeling the introduction sufficient, Wu Junren feared overdoing it, so he said, ”I am not speaking nonsense. I am an examinee from the Imperial College, sharing a dorm with Qin Siyuan, planning to participate in next year’s spring exams with him.”

Everyone encouraged, ”We understand, please proceed quickly!”

Wu Junren continued, ”After Qin Siyuan passed his scholar exams, he entered the Imperial College. As Lord Sacrificial Officer’s nephew, his studies are solid, and I often seek advice from him intimately.

But he has a shortcoming that even Lord Sacrificial Officer couldn’t resolve.

Lord Sacrificial Officer once said his knowledge could barely pass the advanced scholar exam, but ranked highly would be difficult. Even trying several more times, it would be the same. Therefore, he’s urged to undertake the exams soon.”