As for Lin Ziqi's letter, that's a bit more complicated.

Besides offering greetings and comfort, he also said that although he knew Qin Yuan was intelligent and quick-witted enough to overcome this challenge, he still couldn't help but worry about her.

The subtle and restrained longing leaps off the page.

No wonder he was a Jinshi who ranked seventh in the second class in his previous life; his literary talent is truly outstanding.

The sergeant kills with the tip of a pen, the sergeant kills with the tip of his tongue, and the corporal kills with a stone plate.

Qin Yuan sneered and left it aside.

No matter how she replied to this letter, it was not a good response.

Even if he doesn't reply, I'm afraid Lord Gu will still have some suspicions.

Women have a tough life.

What men do outside the home is nothing more than romantic tales. Lin Ziqi could write a sentence or two on her own and it might affect her husband's attitude towards her, making it difficult for her to move forward in the inner quarters, and she would have no way to defend herself.

Seeing this, Hongye asked, "What did Young Master Lin write this time?"

Qin Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Take it and see for yourself."

After pondering for a while, Hongye said, "Miss, I feel like something's not quite right about Young Master Lin."

Qin Yuan said, "It wasn't enough that he climbed up Qin Wan's social ladder; now he's trying to trick me."

Upon hearing this, Cui Ming also took it and pondered it.

“Miss, the Marquis will also read this letter, won’t he? How could he write a letter like this?”

The two were once engaged; writing such a letter is an attempt to harm someone.

Qin Yuan said, "Fortunately, the Marquis doesn't believe him."

Hongye sighed, "Since ancient times, it has always been scholars who are unfaithful. It's fortunate that the Second Miss was smart enough to snatch this marriage. Otherwise, how much would the Miss have suffered in secret? Compared to him, the Marquis is like heaven and earth."

Cui Ming frowned and asked, "Miss, why would he do this to you?"

Qin Yuan chuckled: "It's nothing more than that my cousin Siyuan's poems at the Imperial Academy are getting better and better. He guessed something and was unwilling, but he was restrained by his father and the Marquis's mansion, so he could only resort to some low-class tricks."

If Lord Gu were a petty person, he would have developed a grudge against her.

The current scholar Lin has already shown signs of possessing the ruthless skill of his predecessor, Prime Minister Lin, who could kill without shedding blood.

Cui Ming said, "Miss, this matter should not be underestimated. He is a man. If he has bad intentions and wants to smear your reputation and sow discord between you and the Marquis, he will always find a way. After all, he was engaged to you before and he frequents the Qin residence. It is easy for rumors to spread."

Lord Gu may not believe it once or twice, but over time, he will inevitably harbor resentment, and Qin Yuan will be the one who suffers in the end.

Hongye also said, "Yes, Miss, you have to think of a way to teach him a lesson and shut him up."

Qin Yuan nodded.

Lord Gu's attitude today was somewhat unusual.

It's clear that she still cares about Lin Ziqi and her past.

Lin Ziqi and Qin Wan acted like villains, breaking their engagement with her, yet they still couldn't bear to see her doing well, time and time again.

This debt cannot simply be left unresolved.

Qin Yuan spread out a letter paper, wrote a few lines, and placed it next to Lin Ziqi's letter, saying, "Later, I'll have Gu Shiliu find a way to send this letter to the Qin residence and give it to my father, so he can see what kind of good son-in-law and good student he has."

They're all intellectuals, full of hidden thoughts; who doesn't know who?

Cui Ming nodded.

Hongye paused for a moment, then gave a thumbs up and laughed, "Miss is truly brilliant. This puts the Marquis at ease and lets the lord know what tricks the Lin family has up their sleeves."

Qin Yuan said softly, "Father is very good at weighing the pros and cons, but he also has his pride. Lin Ziqi is just a minor scholar. He wants to harm his two daughters. I don't believe he doesn't care."

It's likely that Qin Jijiu won't be as generous with Lin Ziqi's connections in the scholarly circles as he was in his previous life.

Next spring, Qin Siyuan's ranking will not be much worse than Lin Ziqi's. Moreover, during his visit to Yuyuantan Park, he also gained the appreciation of the Minister of Rites and the Provincial Education Commissioner.

Qin Yuan scoffed lightly, knowing that Lin Ziqi's path from now on wouldn't be as smooth as it had been in his previous life.

She's not someone to be trifled with; it's only fair to retaliate.

...

Lord Gu brought in people for interrogation again.

His menacing aura instilled fear in those who looked upon him.

The old woman collapsed to the ground, seemingly unable to hold on any longer.

Gu Shiliu said from outside, "My lord, the madam has ordered someone to send a message out."

"oh?"

Lord Gu waved his hand leisurely.

The two servants dragged the old woman out, leaving a long trail of blood on the ground.

Gu Shiliu then entered and said to Gu Jinghui, who was sitting behind the desk, "My lord, the madam has sent letters to Manager Leng, Shen Changle, Young Master Qin, and Lord Qin."

"Isn't that the scholar Lin?"

"No."

Lord Gu's face was half hidden in shadow, his deep eyes were unfathomable, and his lips were pressed into a tight line, clearly indicating that he was in a bad mood.

Gu Shiliu hurriedly said, "Madam wrote a letter to Lord Qin and attached a letter from Scholar Lin."

"oh?"

A fire ignited in Lord Gu's eyes, and his voice trembled with urgency as he asked, "What did you write?"

Gu Shiliu said, "Madam asked the Grand Master why my second brother-in-law did not know how to avoid suspicion. Please give him some advice so that he will not be ostracized by others in the future because he is ignorant of worldly affairs and has offended people."

Lord Gu let out a soft hum.

The coldness on his face had dissipated considerably.

Gu Shiliu asked with a smile, "My lord, shall I arrange for someone to send the message out immediately?"

Lord Gu then asked, "What about the others?"

Gu Shiliu said, "Madam told Young Master Qin to focus on his studies and prioritize the imperial examination next spring. Madam also agreed to the proposal from Ranxiangju to contribute their prescriptions and receive dividends every year. Madam also instructed Shen Changle to start spreading the word that pepper prices are going to drop."

Lord Gu pondered for a moment and then smiled, “I can’t help with other matters, but I do have some ideas about how to make pepper prices drop. You can also find some people to spread the word that the Prince of Qi’s mansion has changed its mind and no longer wants pepper. The wealthy merchants have already found a large amount of pepper overseas, the first batch of ships have already returned, and the second batch of ships are about to set sail.”

Gu Shiliu praised, "The Marquis and his wife have the same idea; this is exactly how the wife has arranged it."

Lord Gu smiled.

"Of course, my wife and I are of one mind. You're not married yet, so you wouldn't understand."

Gu Shiliu: "..."

Lord Gu said, "Go ahead."

Gu Shiliu hurriedly went out and delivered all the letters. He also contacted Gu Shiba, who was outside, and asked him to find Shen Changle so they could discuss how to spread the news.

Gu Shiba asked expectantly, "Is Madam finally going to make her move?"

Gu Shiliu said, "Of course, Madam has always been resourceful in her work. This time, the price of pepper in the capital is going to plummet."

Gu Shiba was somewhat confused and asked Gu Shiliu, "Sixteenth Brother, you said that the news Madam spreads is not false. The price of pepper is about to drop, and pepper can be imported from overseas every year. Why is Madam still thinking about hoarding pepper?"

Gu Shiliu said, "Shiba, are you stupid? Use your brain! Even Madam could foresee that pepper prices were going to drop, yet she still hoarded so much pepper. What does that mean?"