Qin Yuan had just frowned when Xiao Dong exclaimed, "Sixth Master is not keeping his word! Didn't you say you were going to take good care of your health? Why are you being so careless with yourself, working day and night like this? What kind of behavior is this?"

Gu Baozhu quickly explained, "My sixth brother wants to print them out as soon as possible so that everyone in the world can know about Miss Dong's poems."

"Miss Dong?"

Everyone was taken aback.

Qin Yuan asked curiously, "Why is Sixth Master so interested in Miss Dong's poems?"

Gu Baozhu chuckled a few times and said, "I'm afraid if I tell you, Sixth Brother will beat me up when he finds out."

Qin Heng said, "Your sixth brother can't possibly beat you up?"

Gu Baozhu said, "That's just what I'm saying. It's not that I can't tell you, but you all have to keep it a secret and not spread it around, lest my sixth brother finds out and gets upset."

"Definitely, definitely," Qin Heng nodded immediately, while the others, though not saying anything, all looked at Gu Baozhu expectantly.

Qin Yuan sighed, rubbing her forehead.

This time, she witnessed firsthand how big a mouth Gu Baozhu had.

Gu Baozhu said mysteriously, "This matter has to start with Third Sister-in-law."

"Is there anything else I need to do?"

Qin Yuan was surprised.

Gu Baozhu nodded and said, "Didn't you ask Shen Changle and Cuiming to discuss how to compile a poetry collection? Shen Changle was determined to create a groundbreaking poetry collection, so she went to find my sixth brother."

Qin Heng interjected, "Sixth Master Gu was in charge of illustrating the poetry collection, and he was also the one who illustrated the previous volume. What's there to say about that?"

Are you going to listen to me or not?

Gu Baozhu glared at him with displeasure.

Fu Ge'er immediately said, "Listen, listen, tell me quickly what's wrong with my father?"

Gu Baozhu said, "Let me explain slowly."

Fu Ge'er obediently responded.

Lan Jie'er immediately brought over the tea in front of her and said softly, "Auntie, please drink."

Gu Baozhu was deeply moved.

"Okay, Auntie will tell you after she finishes drinking."

After whispering with Qin Heng for a while, I was indeed a bit thirsty.

After gulping down a few mouthfuls of tea, Gu Baozhu said, "My sixth brother didn't care much at first, but Shen Changle is a shrewd person under my third sister-in-law. He immediately took out a stack of papers from his pocket and handed them to my sixth brother."

She spoke so vividly that Kang Ge'er and the others listened intently.

Qin Heng said, "I guess it's a poem manuscript."

Gu Baozhu, somewhat displeased that her line had been stolen, said, "How did you guess that?"

Qin Heng said, "What's so difficult about that? Sixth Master enjoys writing poetry and also appreciates talented people. Shen Changle wants to use this opportunity to win Sixth Master's heart."

“That’s right,” Gu Baozhu slammed her hand on the table and said, “When my sixth brother took it and looked at it, he was stunned. He was amazed that there was a woman in the world who could write poetry so well, and that she was so much better than him.”

Qin Siyuan almost couldn't help but laugh.

Qin Yuan coughed lightly a few times before suppressing her smile.

Qin Heng didn't say it aloud, but thought to himself, "It's ridiculous. There are countless people who write better poetry than Master Gu, so why is it like this?"

But Gu Baozhu couldn't be offended easily, so Qin Heng just touched his nose and didn't say anything.

Gu Baozhu continued, "At this time, some people said that the best-written one here is Miss Dong, my third sister-in-law's close friend. If she becomes famous, her marriage will be easier to arrange. I heard that her parents intend to marry her off to a money-grubbing businessman who is much older than her, which she is very unwilling to do. My sixth brother couldn't bear it, so he said that he must finish the illustrations as soon as possible, and make them exquisite and moving. It can be considered as helping Miss Dong."

Fu Ge'er breathed a sigh of relief at the end and said, "Oh, so my father took pity on me."

Qin Yuan could hear the child's worry and smiled, "Sixth Brother is gentle and soft-hearted, and always ready to help others in need. If this poetry collection sells well, I will definitely thank him properly on behalf of Miss Dong."

Gu Baozhu asked, "Third Sister-in-law, if the poetry collection sells very well, will Miss Dong be able to find a good marriage?"

Qin Yuan paused for a moment, then sighed, "That's hard to say. Marriage is a major life event, and it's all about matchmakers. Ultimately, her marriage will be decided by her parents. Besides, what kind of marriage is considered good, and what kind is considered bad? Many marriages that seem good at first end up unhappy. It all depends on what kind of red thread the matchmaker has tied."

Gu Baozhu remained silent after hearing this.

Qin Heng laughed and said, "So that's what Sixth Master Gu is busy with. This poetry collection is sure to be a bestseller. The last one was bought by many people for collection or as gifts because of its elegance and beauty. Sixth Master Gu has put even more effort into this one, so it's bound to make a fortune!"

After exchanging a few jokes, everyone dispersed.

Xiao Dong returned to Renhe Hall, and not long after, the Marquis's residence delivered the banquet.

Upon seeing this, Physician Li said, "Every day, they send this and that, it's like a soft knife cutting people. He who eats another's food is bound to be grateful. He who takes another's gift is bound to be grateful."

Xiao Dong, who was being bossed around by him, put down the food box in his hand and said after hearing this, "If that's what Master says, then we'll eat it anyway."

Doctor Li glared at me and said, "She brought this to me as a token of her respect, so why shouldn't I eat it? I am her master, and it is only natural for a disciple to show respect to his master. You should learn from her in the future."

Xiao Dong made a face, lifted the lid of the food box, and a strong, pungent aroma immediately filled the room.

"My goodness, what is this?"

Looking at the generous serving of spicy lamb trotters, Dr. Li stroked his beard and beamed with joy.

Xiao Dong said, "This was specially made for me by my senior sister. Master, you can have Suzhou cuisine, and you can also have a portion of the braised pork knuckle with rock sugar."

Doctor Li scolded, "I just told you to learn from your senior sister, and here you are, planning to eat all by yourself. This is such a big portion, how much can you eat with your tiny stomach?"

Xiao Dong said, "Your senior sister gives you this and that, showing you care in every way, and you're still not satisfied. I'm not going to be like her."

"You little brat, you've been waiting for me here. What do you know?"

Doctor Li looked at his young apprentice with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.

This is the child he raised himself, acting as both father and mother, watching him grow from a wrinkled baby into the exquisitely handsome boy before him.

Xiao Dong looked up and said, "You're not telling me anything, so what can I know? Senior Sister said that Master probably overcomplicated things, which is why he did this. Senior Sister also said that wealth and honor are determined by fate, and life and death are predestined. Most things in this world depend on God. Overthinking and worrying won't help."

Doctor Li sighed and said, "I understand what you mean, but people have a head and a heart. How can they not think and worry? Otherwise, they would become wooden people. Maybe this overthinking is also arranged by God, right? Eat up, and if you eat like a little pig, then it will be simple."

Neither the master nor the apprentice could convince the other, so they simply picked up their chopsticks and devoured the meal. When they were stuffed, they brewed some medicinal soup to aid digestion.

When Qin Jijiu returned home, he saw his son and nephew waiting for him at the table to eat. He asked in a low voice, "Did the sun rise in the west today or what? Has your mother calmed down? Or has your sister finally grown up?"