At this critical juncture, he also wanted to hear what exactly the daughter of Qin Jijiu had to say.
Even the Ninth Princess and Princess Fuyun stopped arguing, both looking at Qin Yuan and Qin Wan.
Qin Yuan, holding herself with poise, slightly returned a courtesy and asked, "I wonder what Mrs. Lin means by this? What relation does this matter have with Mrs. Lin?"
Standing closer, through the guise, Qin Wan became more certain of who the person before her was.
She half-lowered her eyelids, hiding her complex expression.
Even though her mind was spinning with countless questions, it was ultimately not the right time.
"Coincidently, that day I followed my mother to the Marquis Mansion to visit my sister. My sister took us around for a stroll. Having not seen each other for a long time, we talked ourselves into exhaustion, so I took a nap by Old Madam’s small shrine.
Unexpectedly, in a dream-like state, I composed a poem, thinking... thinking it was Buddha rewarding me for my sincerity with such a wonderful piece. So, when I got home and saw my husband working on poems, I casually mentioned it.
Who knew it was actually the elegant work of Young Master Nantang.
This whole uproar is entirely my fault."
She was fully confident that Qin Yuan would help cover up her lie.
As expected, Qin Yuan furrowed her brow in thought for a while, then acted as if she had just had an epiphany.
"So that’s how it is. I suppose I went to seek some peace by the waterside pavilion outside the small shrine, suddenly inspired, and recited the poem several times in contemplation, not knowing you would hear it in your dreams. My mistake, my mistake."
Qin Siyuan was taken aback, then clapped and laughed, "Second sister, really? Why would Buddha give you a poem instead of a verse?"
Qin Wan blushed, bowing her head to fiddle with the jade pendant at her waist.
"I just thought, seeing my husband’s hard work, that I too would like to make a fine poem, believing Buddha saw my sincerity and granted me a poem... naturally, I wanted to tell my husband.
Besides... who would expect someone like Young Master Nantang to be at the Dingbei Marquis Mansion."
The three of them explained the situation like that.
But how many people actually believed it was hard to say.
Qin Yuan secretly sighed.
Was Qin Wan still dreaming of the glory that comes with her husband’s success?
Hesitation in making a decision certainly leads to chaos—this is exactly that situation.
Qin Heng approached, shaking his head, "Luckily Sixth Master Gu doesn’t know, or he’d be napping at the small shrine every day, and Old Madam Gu wouldn’t be able to get any work done."
Qin Siyuan scolded, "Really no sense of hierarchy, and you even tease Sixth Master Gu?"
Qin Heng quickly apologized to Marquis Gu with a smile, "Brother-in-law, I’m just joking around with Sister Baozhu, Brother Kang, and Fuguo’er, no other intention."
Marquis Gu pointed at him from a distance, "Sixth Elder is busy painting and not here. If he hears of this, watch out. Even your sister won’t be able to stop him."
"Hehehehe," Qin Heng fanned his face lightly, grinning, "Brother-in-law, you really should trust that I speak thoughtlessly, and if I disrespect Sixth Master in my heart, Sister Baozhu wouldn’t forgive me."
As he spoke, he winked at Gu Baoshu, "Sister Baozhu, don’t you agree?"
Gu Baoshu waved her fist the size of a small sandbag at him.
"Got it, you guys go play, don’t make a fuss here," waved Marquis Gu.
Qin Heng then went to speak with Gu Baoshu.
They were happy and lighthearted as if discussing a trivial matter.
Lin Ziqi on the side was so angry, holding his head, almost unable to stand.
That damned Qin Wan.
That damned Qin Family.
They’ve put him in such a tough spot.
Qin Yuan coughed a few times, "The whole story is now clear, and it gives Mr. Lin an explanation; it seems everything is just a coincidence, only taken advantage of by someone with intent, hence..."
Qin Wan quickly added, "Young Master Nantang doesn’t know, my husband is honest-hearted and, though slightly at fault, hasn’t lost integrity.
He studies diligently, relying on his widowed mother to support the family, not skilled in socializing.
He probably believed my brother committed a wrongful act after hearing Xu Tang and that scholar surnamed Wu’s instigation.
People fear the gossip in bed but laugh at themselves, I am pregnant with Aunt Yu taking care, and I heard from Miss Gu that she’d been colluded with Xu Tang and others trying to frame my husband.
As the saying goes, open spears are easy to dodge, hidden arrows hard to defend. My husband was used and wronged, that’s why it’s like this.
I hope the young master forgives and speaks well of my husband in front of my brother-in-law."
The beginning of her speech sounded amusing, but towards the end, Qin Yuan seemed thoughtful.
"Please rest assured, Mrs. Lin, I don’t care about these matters.
As for others, it’s fine, but I wonder how Mrs. Lin will plead for the scholar in front of your honorable father?
If Mr. Qin can forgive the scholar, then there’s no need for me, an outsider, to say anything to Dingbei Marquis."
Qin Wan’s eyes shrank, lips trembling, unable to speak.
Qin Siyuan suddenly understood and said, "This will depend on Miss Gu to explain it clearly to everyone, to avoid future confusion."
Marquis Gu agreed, "That would be best... to avoid future rifts in the brother-in-law’s heart and unresolved barriers in the father-in-law’s heart. The coincidence of getting a poem at the in-law’s mansion was planned and manipulated with intent thereafter.
If we don’t clarify everything today, future rumors will be incomprehensible no matter how many mouths try to explain."
Qin Yuan glanced at Marquis Gu.
Marquis Gu turned his face away, hands behind his back, hiding his satisfaction.
Propped up, Qin Wan hesitantly looked at Lin Ziqi, unable to decide even at this moment.
Qin Yuan couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
Her own legitimate sister had truly left her speechless.
Marquis Gu signaled to Gu Baoshu, who then shouted at the old eunuch, "Are you three still hiding the truth? Hurry up, I don’t have all day here, grandma’s waiting, and if you don’t talk, others will.
Later, I’m going to attend the grand parade and don’t have time for your circles.
If your master is displeased, he knows where to find me.
Kill or cut, Missy’s neck is clean and ready, if I frown, I won’t bear the name Gu."
Qin Siyuan found it both amusing and exasperating.
Looking beside her at Qin Heng, who stood proud like Howling Celestial Dog beside the Erlang God, he slapped his palm hard, calling out, "Hurry and bring the people up?"
No sooner had the words passed his lips, the waiting guards brought everyone up.
The innkeepers, waiters, servants, maids—everyone was present.
Crown Prince couldn’t help but open his fan, half-covering his face as he chuckled, "Has Gu Baoshu brought all the people from the shop over?"
Princess Fuyun couldn’t help but sigh, "This move by Baoshu... won’t King Jin..."
The Crown Prince being frail, King Jin is the Crown Prince’s blade, the Prince who assists in managing state affairs in future.
Let’s not forget that after the Crown Prince’s passing, he still has to assist the Grandson to the throne.
Could it be that Gu Baoshu is making a mortal enemy of King Jin?
Baoshu might not understand, but would Marquis Gu not understand?
Princess Fuyun’s glistening eyes couldn’t help but look at Marquis Gu, full of concern.