My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead

Chapter 155: Chapter 155: Sixth Master Inspired by Brother and Sister-in-law

Shen Changle gave him a slap on the back and laughed, ”Didn’t you tell me about it? I really have to thank Brother Sixteen. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have thought of this business. No matter what happens in the future, I’ve relieved Sixth Master of some troubles and earned some silver for Madam’s shop. Big or small, I count as a contributor, don’t I?”

Gu Shiliu was puzzled and asked, ”What did I tell you?”

Shen Changle said, ”Didn’t you say it yourself? If the Assistant Minister of Rites and the Academic Administrator both commend these poems, how can it be lacking? Do you know what kind of person the Assistant Minister of Rites is? The spring examination examiners and those overseeing the imperial examinations every year are all chosen from the Assistant Minister of Rites, and the Academic Administrator of the Capital City is even more so, overseeing local imperial examinations. Although his rank isn’t high, he has many disciples and extensive social connections. The owner of the Book Sea Pavilion doesn’t believe your words because he’s a fool.”

Half of the frustration in Gu Shiliu’s heart dissipated involuntarily.

Shen Changle continued, ”I once heard that Lord Sacrificial Officer privately praised Madam for her exceptional talent, though she’s reluctant to show it. The young master came from his hometown to enter the Imperial College, his academic foundation is strong, but he’s somewhat lacking in poetry skills, and even Lord Sacrificial Officer couldn’t help with that. However, after being advised by Madam, the young master could compose poems that earned praises from both gentlemen. So I thought if we do this business, Madam definitely has a way.”

Gu Shiliu’s mouth opened wide enough to fit an egg, and it took him a while to say, ”Admire, admire, Brother Shen truly is astute, able to see such an opportunity from just a few words. But, are you really going to run the bookstore business in the future?”

Shen Changle nodded with a smile, ”Of course, of course, isn’t it relying on Brother Sixteen for support? As for how big the business will be and how it’s done, I’ll leave it to Madam. But for the first business deal, I’m determined to show Sixth Master and Madam my capabilities. After all, isn’t idleness just idleness? Don’t you think so?”

As Gu Shiliu went over the whole matter, he increasingly felt that Shen Changle was truly a rare talent, handling things with such finesse and thoroughness. You see, in his eyes, the matter seemed as difficult as reaching for the sky, but to Shen Changle, it was flexible—big or small, advancing or retreating.

Even if it’s just this one trade, it’s a surefire win. After all, it’s a small grocery shop; who would worry about offending the Book Sea Pavilion?

Gu Shiliu and Shen Changle went together to find Sixth Master Gu. The servant who was keeping watch outside scrutinized Shen Changle and said, ”Our Sixth Master has declared that he must earnestly study poetry and books, and will see no one.”

Shen Changle smiled and said, ”We’re here to discuss the important matter of printing poetry collections with Sixth Master, and it can’t be delayed. Please report swiftly.”

Gu Shiliu glared at the servant, ”Hurry up, tomorrow they seal the mansion, Brother Shen can’t stay long in the manor.”

The servant dared not put on airs any longer, went inside for a while, then came out and smilingly invited them in.

Inside, Sixth Master Gu sat behind a table with disheveled hair, holding a poetry collection by Zhang Jiuling in his hand. Papers filled with writing were scattered on the table, and the pen lay haphazardly on the papers, drawing out long ink lines.

”You all are saying you want to print poetry collections?”

Sixth Master Gu looked at Gu Shiliu with curiosity.

Gu Shiliu nodded and said, ”The Marquis heard Sixth Master say these poems are good, so he suggested finding someone to print and sell them, keeping some in the mansion for Sixth Master to give away.”

Sixth Master Gu was startled. He originally thought about having Marquis Gu arrange for someone to transcribe and bind just a few dozen copies, but he didn’t expect such a large affair.

”This... this... should we...”

Sixth Master Gu felt inclined to say forget about it.

Gu Shiliu immediately said, ”The Marquis does this out of deep affection for his younger brother, to vindicate Sixth Master. But who would have thought that I faced no small amount of difficulty when I went out to find a bookstore to undertake the printing.”

Sixth Master Gu immediately stopped talking, asking with surprise, ”Third Brother really thinks that way?”

Gu Shiliu replied, ”Of course he did. The Marquis repeatedly instructed that it must be decided today. Tomorrow, when the mansion is sealed, I won’t be able to operate outside.”

Sixth Master Gu’s expression turned serious, he inhaled through his nose, clenched his fists, and said, ”Fine, let’s print it then. You said you faced difficulties? Tell me in detail.”

Gu Shiliu had been waiting for this line and immediately recounted the owner’s remarks from the Book Sea Pavilion, his own endurance, the obstacles he faced before discovering the truth, and how he met Shen Changle at his wits’ end—telling it in a meandering and moving manner.

Sixth Master Gu was alternately filled with anger and delight, especially upon learning that Shen Changle had received the sister-in-law’s approval to do it in earnest. Sixth Master’s heart was pounding like a drum as he bit out, ”Yes, let’s print more. Even if we’re not steaming buns, we need to at least stand up for ourselves, and let that Book Sea Pavilion owner learn not to look down on others.”

Though his poetry wasn’t remarkable, Brother Si Yuan’s had been praised. The Book Sea Pavilion owner, speaking harshly and self-righteously, particularly needed their faces to be beaten.

Shen Changle laughed, ”Madam thinks the same. Since the poetry society’s works are excellent, they must be engraved to rectify your names. As for Book Sea Pavilion’s business, Madam might even want to dabble a bit.”

Sixth Master Gu’s face alternated between red and white, and after a long while, he said, ”Very well, please assure sister-in-law that I’ll study poetry with Si Yuan, and I will improve.”

Shen Changle complimented, ”I’ve heard that Sixth Master loves reading but was delayed by poor health in his youth. Since the young master arrived in the Capital City from his hometown, he has been diligently studying, seldom going out for social engagements. For him to connect with Sixth Master shows he also feels Sixth Master has good character, and with effort, great things can be achieved.”

Sixth Master Gu was immediately comforted and nodded heavily, ”I regard Si Yuan as my intimate friend, and Brother Si Yuan is completely open with me. Our two families are also relatives by marriage; this is our bond.”

Gu Shiliu promptly brought the topic back, ”How many copies does Sixth Master wish to print? How should the layout be arranged? Once decided, Shen Changle can proceed with the printing. Otherwise, it’ll be dragged out for several months, and by then the Book Sea Pavilion might have forgotten their wicked deeds.”

Retaliation should be swift and fierce.

Sixth Master Gu stood up, searched the bookshelf for a few poetry collections, and handed them to Shen Changle, ”Use this format, and as for the order? I think arrange them by title. Place Brother Si Yuan’s poems at the front, followed by others, with Lin Ziqi’s in the middle...”

Shen Changle nodded and took note of everything.

After it was all discussed, Shen Changle requested Sixth Master Gu to write an order slip so he could get the silver from the accountant.

Sixth Master Gu considered for a moment and wrote down an amount for five hundred copies, allowing Shen Changle to decide the number.

Shen Changle thought for a moment and said, ”Since I’ve never done this before, it’s better to take more at first, in case it’s not enough and we have to come back again.”

Sixth Master Gu said, ”Then take fifteen hundred taels of silver for now. If it isn’t enough, we can discuss later; if there’s extra, just return it. This matter can’t have you and Third Sister-in-law working in vain; profits must be considered.”

Shen Changle laughed, ”We are all one family, how could we short-change ourselves? Let’s get this thing underway; beating the face of the Book Sea Pavilion is the priority.”

This statement delighted Sixth Master Gu, and he nodded with a smile.

Shen Changle then went with Gu Shiliu to Sun Accountant to fetch the silver.

Sun Accountant eyed Shen Changle, pinching the slip of paper between two fingers and shaking it as if discarding something dirty. His face was filled with suspicion, ”Madam’s shop is going to print books for Sixth Master and needs this much silver?”