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

Chapter 443: Chapter 443: Cultivating Oneself and Nurturing Character

Marquis Gu was stunned: ”...”

Mr. Songshan was just saying that marrying Qin Yuan was a stroke of luck.

Not only did others say so, but he himself also felt the same.

Mr. Songshan raised his teacup and took a sip. His demeanor was like savoring a glass of fine wine, and he sighed leisurely: ”Marquis, I’m afraid you’ve long forgotten what I told you earlier.”

He paused, then slapped the table in exasperation: ”Look, Marquis, everything now is in your favor. Isn’t this good fortune? Otherwise, why do you think the Minister of Personnel is so accommodating today? If he intended to make things difficult for you, it wouldn’t be like this. I heard the Minister of Personnel and the Prime Minister both enjoy playing polo, and they’ve even spent a lot of money privately to build a field outside the city. His change in attitude towards you probably has something to do with that chuk-guk match.”

The implication was that the Marquis’ performance that day caught the eyes of the Minister of Personnel.

Qin Yuan smiled and said, ”It’s a coincidence that the Minister of Personnel’s daughter sustained some scratches, and Treasure Bead gave her some Jade Beauty Cream.”

”See!”

Mr. Songshan cast a sharp look at Marquis Gu.

Marquis Gu suddenly realized that Mr. Songshan had previously remarked on his unique bone structure and how the star of his wife would assist him in achieving great things.

He used to think that reclaiming the Northern Border and preserving the glory of Dingbei Marquis Mansion in his life was already a great achievement, so he didn’t take Mr. Songshan’s words to heart.

Mr. Songshan emphasized, ”Even your brother-in-law’s little idea worked out in your favor.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Jinghui involuntarily looked at Qin Yuan, his gaze deepening.

Qin Yuan laughed and said, ”It was merely Brother Heng envying Si Yuan for being included in a poetry collection, just children’s antics, a stroke of luck.”

”Not so, not so,” Mr. Songshan shook his head and sighed: ”I had thought Young Master Nantang had exceptional insight, but I didn’t expect even you missed this point.”

Sixth Master Gu couldn’t help but ask, ”Which point exactly?”

Mr. Songshan said, ”Think about why I gave that idea to Shen Changle.”

Sixth Master Gu frowned and said, ”Didn’t you give the idea to make the picture album sell well?”

Mr. Songshan, a bit annoyed, turned away and snorted petulantly, ”Would I really care about such business ideas?”

Sixth Master Gu: ”...”

If you don’t care, why did you keep asking questions and eagerly giving Shen Changle advice?

Qin Yuan then asked, ”May I know what advice Mr. Songshan gave?”

Before Sixth Master Gu could speak, Marquis Gu said, ”Shen Changle originally planned to collect poetry for a book, imitating a gourd drawing, and have Sixth Elder paint illustrations. After all, Sixth Elder was present the whole time that day, so he could capture the essence better.”

He paused, then continued: ”If Sixth Elder can’t do it alone, we can find some painters to draw people and horses, and he can supervise them.”

Qin Yuan nodded.

Shen Changle’s arrangement seemed appropriate.

Marquis Gu added, ”Coincidentally, Mr. Songshan was there, so he offered some advice, saying that people nowadays like cuju, so we could create a special album to teach people cuju, using figures from that day’s match.”

Only then did Sixth Master Gu find an opportunity to interject.

”This method is excellent. Treasure Bead and the others performed brilliantly that day. Though many women enjoy cuju, the techniques are simple, and their horsemanship isn’t very polished. Having a booklet for guidance would be a good thing.”

Qin Yuan clapped and exclaimed, ”Wonderful! Mr. Songshan’s casual advice turned this idea into such brilliance.”

Only then did Mr. Songshan turn slightly and sit properly again.

”This is nothing. In the future, your publishing house can release books to teach children cuju and kickball,” he said.

Qin Yuan was delighted, saying, ”We can also organize cuju and kickball tournaments. The people already love these things, and with some incentives, there’ll be no shortage of participants.”

In Qin Yuan’s mind, she seemed to see mountains of gold and silver.

No wonder Shen Changle was so pleased.

Her gaze toward Mr. Songshan naturally turned eager.

But then she suddenly recalled Mr. Songshan’s earlier words, leading her to ponder why Mr. Songshan didn’t mean it for the sake of business.

If it wasn’t for business, then what for?

For the Dingbei Marquis Mansion?

For Marquis Gu?

A flash of insight came to Qin Yuan, and she smiled, ”To think that such a small idea could also contribute to the foundation of the Marquis Mansion.”

Only then did Mr. Songshan turn around and sit up.

”You’re not too dull. Finally, you understood this layer. Actually, it’s not about dullness but rather that your mind was only on business, so you naturally thought in that direction when you first thought of it.”

Qin Yuan felt slightly uneasy being told this.

Sixth Master Gu stood up for his sister-in-law first: ”Who wouldn’t think in that direction? This is a business, after all. Who usually has so many thoughts about business?”

Mr. Songshan dismissively said, ”That’s why you’re just an ordinary person. Young Master Nantang shouldn’t be.”

Sixth Master Gu was taken aback.

Qin Yuan smiled, ”No wonder Mr. Songshan calls me Young Master Nantang at first sight. I failed to meet your expectations, sir.”

Mr. Songshan said, ”Then tell me what good is in this? It’s nothing, really. Cultivating oneself is a long-term endeavor, not a one-time achievement. Even if an ordinary person gains enlightenment in a flash, they cease to be ordinary. So one must have an upward spirit and make noble wishes and aspirations.”

After saying that, he gave Sixth Master Gu a pointed look.

Sixth Master Gu knew he was being indirectly addressed.

Though uncomfortable inside, he still perked his ears up, listening humbly to their conversation.

After a brief consideration, Qin Yuan said, ”I previously only thought about not incurring the displeasure of the Holy Emperor. After all, the Marquis has made such great contributions, praised by the people, and the princes are currently vying for the throne while the Holy Emperor’s reign is stable, and the Crown Prince is weak. The Dingbei Marquis Mansion should not get involved. However, if the events of that day do not spread, it would be truly regretful. Yelv Zhi’s treacherous intentions must be publicly exposed, or else scholars might be deceived by him. Therefore, when Shen Changle suggested, I agreed, focusing on extolling the holy grace and briefly mentioning the Marquis and others.”

Mr. Songshan nodded slightly.

Sixth Master Gu was taken aback by understanding just how much was behind these simple thoughts.

The family really required someone like his sister-in-law to handle.

It’s not merely about managing household affairs.

Qin Yuan continued, ”Mr. Songshan’s method is clearly more ingenious. After the Northern Border’s reclamation, how many will mention the Marquis’ great contributions years later? Constantly proclaiming one’s achievements would only provoke others’ dissatisfaction. Moreover, Prince Qi mentioned that the civil servants in the court plan to suppress the military generals, and such actions might increase their apprehension.”

Marquis Gu looked at his eloquent young wife, his eyes filled with admiration.

Qin Yuan carried on, ”Publishing and selling such small booklets won’t incite others’ fear, yet it will subtly promote the Marquis’ martial arts. It may not be overwhelming, but it’s lasting. As long as these booklets continue to be printed, our business endures, and the stories of the Marquis defeating the Yelv Family in the Northern Border and triumphing over Yelv Guza in chuk-guk matches will forever continue. The achievements of the Marquis Mansion will always be remembered.”