Everyone understands the little affairs of scholars.
Otherwise, why do we keep organizing all these social gatherings?
Now, before a large audience, it’s the perfect time to show off one’s talents. If by chance a noble takes notice, it could be endlessly beneficial.
For a time, many respond.
Shen Changle let out a breath, his round, joyful face full of smiles, squinting as he said, "Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, those who can guess three or more riddles in the garden can submit a challenge at the exit."
"What are we waiting for, let’s hurry inside."
"Yes, yes, those who have poems hurry and write them, if you can’t think of anything don’t take up space, others are anxious too."
Shen Changle laughed and reassured, "No rush, no rush, there are plenty of riddles and prizes, take your time to line up."
"May I ask when Mr. Songshan and Young Master Nantang are arriving?"
"Before the grand festival," Shen Changle said, grinning, but he added, "They still want to watch the grand festival. After the festival, they might go to see other lantern shows."
Which means they’ll only stay until about half an hour before the grand festival.
The scholars grew more anxious, "Coming before the grand festival, we should hurry."
Someone quickly ordered their servant to go to the Book Sea Pavilion and inform, "Quickly tell Li Juren and the others that Mr. Songshan and Young Master Nantang will come to Ranxiang Inn, only until the grand festival, so if they want to see them, they must first participate in the lantern riddle challenge at Ranxiang Inn and guess three or more. Tell them to hurry, more people are coming and it might be too late."
"Right, it doesn’t matter when to see the Nine-Turn Lotus Lamp, this place waits for no one. I also need to send a message to call my classmates."
Listening, Shen Changle secretly thought, "Madam’s plan is really clever. See, this has brought people over from the Book Sea Pavilion. No matter how nice the Nine-Turn Lotus Lamp looks, it’s only enjoyable for a brief moment, what we have here is much better, once they come, they won’t want to leave."
Seeing more scholars gathering in front of Ranxiang Inn, Shen Changle entered the store, stood before a private room, and reported, "Madam, many people have arrived outside, the garden tour has started."
Qin Yuan responded, "Has Mr. Songshan arrived?"
Shen Changle said, "Not yet."
Qin Yuan said, "Wait until he arrives."
Shen Changle thought for a bit and went to the back door to instruct someone to welcome Mr. Songshan.
Inside the house, Gu Baoshu looked at Qin Yuan, who was dressed as a man, and laughed, "Now that you’re dressed as a man, I’ve changed back to women’s clothes. After the festival, how about we both dress as men and go have some fun?"
Qin Yuan had bound her chest, wore a Dongpo Scarf, had false mustaches on her lips, drew her eyebrows thick and flat, wearing a blue robe, she looked exactly like a frail scholar from Jiangnan.
Beside her, Yang’er and Hehua wrapped their heads with cloth, dressed as attendants.
Qin Yuan said in a raspy voice, "After the festival, I’m afraid there will be chaos, don’t know if we can stop that band of thieves, what fun could that be?"
Gu Baoshu swung her legs idly, weakly said, "That’s true, after the festival you will return to the mansion with our mother, I will stay here to help Third Brother catch thieves."
Is catching thieves not more interesting than watching lanterns?
Though the lanterns are indeed beautiful, even the prettiest thing gets boring after a while.
The dagger strapped to her waist was already restless, anxious to drink the thief’s blood.
Qin Yuan smiled, "Actually, I have a big matter I want to enlist your help with."
Gu Baoshu sat up straight and asked, "What big matter? Third Sister-in-law, just instruct me."
Qin Yuan said, "Didn’t you say Brother Ximen wanted to stay a few more days for Li Xingshou? I think we should lend him a hand."
"How to help?" Gu Baoshu leaned closer, full of expectation.
Qin Yuan smiled cunningly, "Today at the ball game, the Ninth Princess seemed quite interested in Brother Ximen, if he could establish a connection with the Ninth Princess, wouldn’t it be more direct?"
Gu Baoshu was dazed for a while, then burst into laughter, "Oh my dear Third Sister-in-law, you truly are the best, aren’t you?"
Seeing she understood, Qin Yuan said, "Let that brat Qin Heng help you, if not, there’s still Xiao Dong."
"That would definitely work," Gu Baoshu replied nonchalantly, "Three stinky cobblers are worth a Zhuge Liang, with the three of us together, there’ll definitely be a way. Third Sister-in-law can rest assured."
Qin Yuan continued, "Once that’s done, I have more tasks for you."
Gu Baoshu patted her chest, "Just say it, Third Sister-in-law."
Qin Yuan spoke seriously, "After the festival, I will return to the mansion with mother, you must escort my cousins, brother, and Xiao Dong back, if time does not permit, send them to a safe place, so they won’t be implicated by the bandits."
Gu Baoshu nodded, "Alright, leave this to me. Be assured, with me around, they’ll be fine. Besides, we set things up so meticulously, the bandits might not have the chance to cause trouble before they’re dead."