“Cui Ming, Cui Ming,”
Qin Yuan couldn't lie still any longer.
Cuiming hurriedly walked in carrying the new clothes.
Qin Yuan was taken aback when she saw this, and said, "Don't wear this yet, we need to go to the outer courtyard to find Sixth Master."
She glanced at Cuiming and added, "I'll change it when I get back."
Cuiming felt a pang of sympathy and asked, "Does Miss have to go see patients with Doctor Li after returning from the outer courtyard?"
Qin Yuan shook her head, "It's to see those who have had close contact with patients, it's not tiring."
Cui Ming, trying to figure out Qin Yuan's thoughts, styled her hair into a simple bun without using many hair accessories. She simply tied her hair up with a hairband and then knotted it.
Qin Yuan nodded: "That's right."
She changed into a plain-colored coat and hurriedly went to the outer courtyard with the poetry collection. Hongye and Cuiming were left behind in Wutong Garden to do the accounting, and she only took Hongmian and a little maid named Moyu with her.
Fortunately, Master Gu had already gotten up from his afternoon nap and, despite the blazing sun, was sitting in the pavilion reading a book.
Qin Yuan walked straight over and saw that Sixth Master Gu's jade-white fingers were holding a book, his hair was loose, and only a stone-blue ribbon was loosely tied at the end of his hair, which made his jade face look even more gentle and considerate.
"He can certainly be considered a fine young gentleman in this turbid world," Qin Yuan thought to herself.
The Gu brothers are both remarkably good-looking.
However, Gu Jinghui and Gu Liuye are too different; one is a heroic and aloof man, while the other is gentle and easygoing.
Those who don't know the inside story would never consider them brothers.
"Third sister-in-law?"
Sixth Master Gu stood up, both surprised and delighted.
He still had fine red marks from the mat pressing against his face, and his peach blossom eyes, languid in the afternoon, seemed even more affectionate when he looked at people.
Qin Yuan nodded and asked with a smile, "Sixth Brother, do you have time to chat for a bit?"
Sixth Master Gu hurriedly replied, "I have time, I have time. May I ask what brings Third Sister-in-law to see me?"
After the two sat down, Qin Yuan placed the poetry collection she was holding on the table and asked, "Sixth Brother, are you satisfied with the poetry collection printed by Shen Changle?"
Sixth Master Gu blushed and said, "Third Sister-in-law, I'm not trying to flatter you, but the Qin family is full of talented people. Si Yuan's talent goes without saying, and the poetry collections printed by Shen Chang Le are even better than those sold in bookstores outside. I really don't know how he did it in such a short time."
He even went to thank his third brother for this.
Sending out a collection of poems like this will surely earn him praise from everyone, and it will certainly bring him honor.
Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Thank you for the compliment, Sixth Brother. However, there are some things I want to say, but I'm not sure if I should."
Sixth Master Gu quickly sat up straight and said earnestly, "Third Sister-in-law, please speak frankly."
Qin Yuan said, "I noticed that the Academician only wrote one poem in this collection. I wonder why?"
"That day, the provincial education commissioner went out incognito and saw us forming a poetry club. Inspired, he wrote just one poem."
Qin Yuan covered half her face with a round fan, revealing only her phoenix eyes, and chuckled, "When Sixth Brother printed the poetry collection, he placed the Academician's poem on the first page as a sign of respect, which was very thoughtful. However, why didn't Sixth Brother go a step further and ask the Academician to write some more poems of his choice in his spare time and add them to the later pages?"
Master Gu froze.
He was physically weak and had a literary background, so naturally he didn't get along with the sons of military generals.
Furthermore, because he failed to excel in his studies, he was surrounded by scholars with little official rank. He spent his days wandering the lake, frequenting brothels, and trying to appear cultured. Not only did he not make any progress, but he also ruined his reputation. He was truly clueless about the intricacies of official life.
"This...this..." Sixth Master Gu thought for a moment and asked, "Third Sister-in-law, is this appropriate? I've heard that civil officials are all very aloof. If I do this, won't he think I'm trying to curry favor and dislike me?"
Qin Yuan sighed inwardly.
Speaking of aloofness, this Master Gu is probably aloofer than many officials.
If it weren't for the fact that it was backed by the Marquis of Dingbei's residence.
I wonder what kind of life the gentle and considerate Sixth Master will lead.
Qin Yuan said seriously, "Sixth Master, you're mistaken. Scholars have always made friends through literature. Besides literature, wealth, power, wine, and women are all human nature. There will always be people who like them, so it's hard to say which is better or worse. And fame is something everyone likes. Which scholar doesn't want to leave a good name in history?"
Master Gu was stunned.
He was amazed that his third sister-in-law, at such a young age, saw things so clearly. Why hadn't he thought of that before?
Qin Yuan added, "When I was at my parents' home, I heard that this Education Commissioner greatly admires talented people. Why don't you ask him to write a preface for the poetry collection and also ask him to compose a few poems to add some luster?"
Sixth Master Gu clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Brilliant, brilliant! It's truly admirable that Third Sister-in-law came up with such an idea. I just wonder how we can ask this Education Commissioner to write the preface?"
Qin Yuan smiled and said, "I have an idea for you. You can leave this matter to Shen Changle. He often saw my father and his colleagues exchanging poems and songs when he was at the Qin residence, so he is very experienced. If you are not at ease, I will write a letter and have someone deliver it to Shen Changle. He can then take it to my father for advice."
Upon hearing this, Sixth Master Gu sighed and asked, "Is there anything difficult for Third Sister-in-law?"
Qin Yuan said, "There are many more. I am just an ordinary person. Even the account books in this mansion are difficult for me."
Sixth Master Gu chuckled a few times, but couldn't help thinking of Sixth Madam again, and couldn't help but sigh a few more times.
Third Brother is truly blessed.
It's something to be envied.
Qin Yuan continued, "I've heard that Sixth Master enjoys gardening and painting, both of which are refined pursuits for scholars. If Sixth Master could paint a picture of the scenery and figures from that day's lake trip and attach it to the poetry collection, it would complement each other and enhance the literary quality. Making friends through painting and flowers is also a refined pursuit. As the saying goes, those with similar interests are bound to be friends, and you can always find one or two like-minded people."
Master Gu kneaded the embroidery on his sleeve, lowered his head in embarrassment, and said, "I paint spontaneously. I doodled with my teacher when I was a child and never had a famous teacher."
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