Hearing Qin Heng’s pitiful words, the onlookers couldn’t help but point fingers at the owner of the Book Sea Pavilion.
The owner of the Book Sea Pavilion felt a darkness descending over his eyes. If this continued, his reputation would be in jeopardy.
Brother Ximen blinked his eyes, asking Qin Heng, "Who in your family has the authority to make decisions?"
Qin Heng answered every question, providing detailed explanations.
"The Old Madam and Madam of the Dingbei Marquis Mansion are ranked official’s wives, naturally serving the Empress Dowager and the Empress in the palace. Later, there will be a grand inspection, and the Dingbei Marquis is managing the Great Camp outside the city, surely too busy to come to Ranxiang Inn?"
He then turned to ask, "Sister Baozhu, isn’t that right?"
Gu Baoshu sighed and said, "Indeed, later the two princesses will come to Ranxiang Inn to meet Young Master Nantang. If it weren’t for being stopped by the people of the Book Sea Pavilion, I would have already gone to welcome the princesses."
The owner and shopkeeper of the Book Sea Pavilion were at a loss for words.
Clearly, these three forcibly started a conversation, and when words failed, they sprayed saliva all over them.
Now, they were blamed for delaying the important affairs of the marquis’s daughter.
The owner of the Book Sea Pavilion knew that these people intended to cause trouble unnecessarily, and quickly tried to explain, "Miss Gu, I truly came here to hear Mr. Songshan’s strategies. It is said that the four classes are the foundation of a nation, and commonly it is said that every individual has a duty to the rise and fall of the nation, so naturally, I am also concerned about this matter."
Qin Heng asked, "Did you speak those words sincerely?"
"Of course, I was sincere," the owner of the Book Sea Pavilion said with a helpless expression, "Do I need to swear an oath for you to believe me?"
Qin Heng asked again, "Do you think Mr. Songshan’s words are reasonable?"
The owner of the Book Sea Pavilion hesitated, "...this...this..."
Qin Heng’s expression changed, about to explode in anger.
Lin Ziqi hurriedly squeezed in, pulling Qin Heng aside, "Brother Heng, why are you pestering Mr. Qin Zhou here? When I return, I will have a good talk with your father-in-law."
Seeing him put on the stance of a brother-in-law, trying to help the owner of the Book Sea Pavilion, Gu Baoshu was furious, raising her eyebrows in displeasure, "And who are you? Why do you speak in such a manner? What’s your connection with him? What gives you the right to say Brother Heng is pestering?"
Little Brother Hong was also displeased.
"Isn’t this the scholar who was embarrassed because of his concubine in front of Ranxiang Inn a moment ago? So you sent your concubine home and came back again?"
Xiao Dong puffed his cheeks without speaking.
Lin Ziqi, blushing, hurriedly explained, "I am Qin Heng’s second brother-in-law, distantly related to the Dingbei Marquis Mansion. It is understandable that Miss Gu does not know. Brother Heng is still young, not knowing Mr. Qin Zhou is an imperial student. Even though he is not yet appointed, he has painstakingly managed the Book Sea Pavilion for many years. Everyone in the scholarly world has bought strategies published by his family, and he is virtually known by everyone."
With these words, the expression on the face of the owner of the Book Sea Pavilion eased somewhat.
Lin Ziqi added, "You are still young, speaking nonsense, and should not offend Mr. Qin Zhou."
As he spoke, he was about to apologize to the owner of the Book Sea Pavilion on their behalf.
"Children from our relatives are still young, not knowing Mr. Qin Zhou, please, Mr. Qin, do not hold this against them."
"It’s alright, it’s alright," the owner of the Book Sea Pavilion quickly said, "Ignorance is no crime, the Book Sea Pavilion is mostly managed by the shopkeeper now, as I rarely deal with its affairs and have devoted myself to nature.
Today, I coincidentally heard that someone was discussing strategies here. Out of curiosity, I came to take a look, not expecting to be misunderstood by Miss Gu and Mr. Qin."
Qin Heng was suppressed by Lin Ziqi’s status as a brother-in-law, and Gu Baoshu was not as quick with words as fists, seeing that the owner of the Book Sea Pavilion was about to escape unscathed.
A big brother, following Ximen and others to watch the commotion, sneered, "This scholar who pampers his concubine can also make decisions for the Dingbei Marquis Mansion and Jiujie Mansion."
Lin Ziqi quickly glanced at this person, seeing his scholar attire, with a conspicuous reddish mole on his left cheek, immediately said disdainfully, "A scholar is not allowed to discuss, how come you are discussing a scholar’s personal matters here?
You are also a scholar, how can you be like a gossiping woman making troubles out of nothing?
Today is the Empress Dowager’s birthday, do you want both sides to fight?
You are so eager for chaos in the world, what kind of wise books have you read?
In the future, you probably can’t become a parents official, but instead collude with bandits."
Due to the reddish mole on his face, his appearance is somewhat flawed, and this person’s path to fame will be challenging.
These words directly hit the sore spot.
The scholar did not rebut, just lightly glanced at Lin Ziqi.
That glance was devoid of joy or anger, indifferent yet sent chills down one’s back.
Meeting such an aloof stance, Lin Ziqi’s bit of arrogance as a scholar vanished instantly.