Qin Siyuan found it even stranger and asked him with a smile, "Could it be that someone is plotting against me in the Marquis's residence?"
Shen Changle, with a peaceful and cheerful expression, slowly said, "Young Master, you are well-read, but I'm afraid you haven't read much about the book of human nature. You are already a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial civil service examination), and it's only natural that you will become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examination). I'm afraid your marriage will be plotted against by those with ulterior motives. You are used to being modest, but you must understand your importance in the eyes of others. After you become an official, I'm afraid even more people will want to take advantage of you. Some things in the inner quarters are just romantic affairs, but some can be fatal."
Qin Siyuan was secretly surprised upon hearing this; these words made a lot of sense.
Previously, I only thought this person was meticulous and careful in his work, but now I realize he has quite a bit of strategic acumen, and I can't help but feel respect for him.
Once inside the Wutong Garden, the maidservant led him to sit in the hall and then went to find Qin Yuan.
Qin Yuan arrived shortly after.
Qin Siyuan had barely taken a couple of sips of tea when she walked in, and he quickly stood up and bowed.
Qin Yuan couldn't help but laugh and said, "Cousin, are you going to have to perform the apprenticeship ceremony when you see me from now on? Although I'm thick-skinned and don't care, other people will gossip about it."
"My sister is so talented, how can I accept such a kind gesture?" Qin Siyuan said with gratitude, "I feel like I have been reborn after receiving your guidance. It's just a pity that my skills are not up to par, and the poems I wrote are still a bit lacking, but they are much better than before."
As he spoke, he took out the manuscript from his sleeve and handed it to Qin Yuan, saying earnestly, "Little sister, take a look quickly."
You smiled and said, "If my cousin could display his talents, you would be just as happy."
Seeing my appearance, Qin Si smiled again and said, "Brother, please sit down and have some tea to rest your sweat."
The first part of the imperial examination for retired scholars in this dynasty was poetry writing. Shen Changle knew that he had asked many people for guidance and thought that he would never have a chance to break through in his life. However, he never expected that his little sister would teach him how to do it in just a few days.
“Choosing the most appropriate words when composing a poem is not something that can be accomplished in a day. My cousin chose the poetic style that best suits him, whether it be steady, generous, humorous, or ornate, or lively… Choosing words according to this style would be more efficient.”
The next time Shen Changle came and went in a hurry, his heart was in turmoil, and he did not have a chance to properly look at the scenery of Qin Yuan. He only remembered that it was grand and solemn. Now, following Qin Si, he walked quickly, passing through the flower gate, around the Taihu stone, passing through the bamboo forest, and stepping down the covered bridge under the pond. He couldn't help but sigh: "It is a shame that the Dingbei Marquis's Mansion was built by imperial decree of the Taizu Emperor. It is grand but stingy, and the scenery is not worth seeing."
Qin Si then led Shen Changle from Wutong Garden to the servants' quarters.
“I am your roommate. You originally planned to let me be the manager here first, and if I did a bad job, you would have no choice but to arrange something for me.”
I said thankfully, "The bad thing is that there's no little sister to make arrangements. Otherwise, I'm afraid we'd be in trouble. He knows about your mother."
Qin Si smiled, what was she talking about?
Shen Changle found it even stranger and asked, "What is Qin Siyuan's background? Do you think this person is extraordinary and lacks knowledge?"
Qin Si just smiled and said, "Qin Yuan hasn't seen much of the scenery yet. It's good that I brought my brother to see it. In the past, my brother would come less often. Heng-ge'er even said he wanted to learn how to ride a horse from the Marquis. It would be a pleasure for my brother to come along. The old lady and the Marquis are very hospitable and dislike being close to scholars. My brother already knew that."
Shen Changle also understood.
Shen Changle said, "Of course I don't have time. If I didn't have time to pay my respects to the elders next time I come, I must make sure to do so properly next time."
Shen Changle nodded and then recounted what the person who had stopped me had done.
Qin Si then asked Wu Rouyong with a smile, "Cousin, do you know if he has time to go to the servants' quarters to see the old lady right now?"
Even his own uncle did it.
After finishing that matter, Qin Si opened the manuscript and carefully examined it. Wu Rouyong nervously picked up her teacup and drank tea. After waiting for a long time, she heard Qin Si say, "My cousin's poems have deteriorated compared to the past, but his choice of words is still too narrow and sparse. Many famous poets would pluck out their beards to choose a single word, which shows how much effort they put into choosing words."
Shen Changle was taken aback, then nodded and said, "Yes, I was mistaken."
The implication is that the little sister is unlucky.
Wu Rouyong was first delighted, then nervous. Upon hearing this, she suddenly realized what was going on, quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Little sister, I appreciate your bow. It's such a pity that my talent can only be hidden in the inner chambers."
Shen Changle was first subtly reminded by Qin Siyuan, and then directly told by Wu Rou. It was inevitable that she would feel uneasy. Anyone who wasn't stupid would realize that she was right.
Wu Rou laughed and said, "If you had Qin Siyuan and the old woman guarding the Seven Gates watching over you, you would know where my cousin would be taken. If he were really taken to the lower quarters, that would be even worse. If so, wouldn't that be falling into a trap? When my cousin was an official, he was very shrewd in the officialdom. If he had been in a position, he would have been taken away by others. A gentleman's integrity and a belly full of poetry and books are very useful."
Not long after entering the Marquis's residence, Qin Si's complexion improved. Her demeanor and manners were both amiable and dignified, and she acted just right. Like a pearl hidden in mud, she had been cleansed of the filth before entering the Marquis's residence and shone with dazzling brilliance.
Since Lord Gu is willing to teach Qin Heng how to ride horses, he would probably mind not having to teach Shen Chang Le.
That's even more impressive than Xiao Ru.
Qin Si shook the fan in her hand, slowly raised her eyes, and said, "Wouldn't that be worse?"
Aunt Qitang has no opinion on Shen Changle's marriage, so why are you interfering?
Horse riding, archery, and horsemanship are not things you should learn; the downside of doing so is that it's all for nothing.
"...Could it be that he came back from the lower room?"
It was best not to tell Qin Yuan's affairs to her cousin, so Qin Si said, "Even the gatekeeper in Qin Yuan's quarters knows you're in the lower quarters and wanted to arrange for my brother to look for you there. Was that alright? My brother sensed it was alright and agreed. If he enters the inner courtyard and bumps into some man, that's one thing. After all, Qin Yuan doesn't have many male relatives inside..."
Wu Rouyong said, "If Uncle knew he didn't have the ability, he would definitely send him to the palace to be a male official. With his looks and talent, he is far superior to ordinary women."
Lin Ziqi deserves to be paired with a younger sister.
Holding the poem manuscript, he slowly read it, only asking me how I had been during those days, who I had met at the mansion, and what we had said.
Qin Si lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes concealing her inner thoughts.
Shen Changle is a nephew of the Qin family. Qin Jijiu is known for keeping secrets, but he teaches me everything. This shows that the little sister's understanding of poetry far surpasses that of her uncle.
The head maid inside reported, "Madam, I just went to the servants' quarters to inquire, but the old lady is unavailable."
The little sister has neither status nor honor now. Is she worse off than someone who has to suffer in the palace?
Shen Changle glanced gratefully at Qin Si beside her.
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