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

Chapter 722: Chapter 722: The Elephant Adorned with Jewels

At these words, Qin Yuan and Old Madam Gu were both stunned.

Old Madam Gu laughed and said, "It seems you’ve learned a lot following your third sister-in-law these days."

Qin Yuan glanced at Gu Baoshu but said nothing.

Gu Baoshu said, "Indeed, the Ninth Princess said she managed her palace’s affairs from a young age. I can’t fall behind others either. My third sister-in-law is only a few years older than me, yet she has managed the household meticulously.

As the saying goes, one is influenced by one’s surroundings, so naturally, I must improve as well.

Mother, rest assured, going to the White Crane Academy and staying with scholars for a few years, perhaps I too can achieve both scholarly and martial excellence."

Old Madam Gu’s expression softened a bit.

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Jade must be polished to become a vessel. It seems that although the Marquis was strict these days, it was beneficial."

Gu Baoshu couldn’t help but pout.

Old Madam Gu asked, "Yuan’er, do you think Treasure Bead should go to the White Crane Academy? From the time she was just a little baby, I’ve kept her by my side, raising her. She’s never left, and I can’t help but worry. Truly, ’A child travels a thousand miles, and the mother worries.’

Gu Baoshu couldn’t hold back: "Mother, don’t worry. When I return, I’ll find a husband and never leave the Gu Family or you again. We’ll have plenty of time together."

Old Madam Gu, annoyed, said, "Go, go, go. Leave quickly."

Gu Baoshu immediately stood up and bowed.

"At your command. I shall obey."

With that, she darted away.

Qin Yuan poured tea for Old Madam Gu and placed it by her hand before saying, "Mother, I heard that people are born from the energy of heaven and earth. Treasure Bead’s innate disposition is already set and hard to change. But physical deficiencies can be remedied through nurturing and upbringing. Reading and understanding are akin to a re-creation and can cultivate wisdom.

Though Treasure Bead may endure some physical hardship going to the White Crane Academy, it benefits her in opening her mind and understanding."

Old Madam Gu sighed.

Nanny Rong said from the side, "I have an idea, but I’m not sure if it’s right."

Old Madam Gu scolded jokingly, "You old thing, just say it."

Nanny Rong laughed, "When the madam entered the Gu Family, didn’t she bring literacy to the house? Not only the Marquis but even the Sixth Master and Seventh Miss became eager to read and study."

Old Madam Gu was thoughtful, sighing after a moment: "I once heard a master say that cultivating blessings without wisdom is like an elephant adorned with jewels. Cultivating wisdom without blessings is like an Arhat carrying an empty bowl.

If you only cultivate blessings and not wisdom, you’re as foolish as an elephant in the palace decked with treasures. If you only cultivate wisdom and not blessings, even an Arhat has to carry an empty bowl begging for food.

Children born into families like ours naturally have blessings.

Let it be, if she can cultivate understanding and wisdom, she will benefit endlessly and will have both blessings and wisdom in her next life."

Qin Yuan was a bit moved.

Old Madam Gu truly loved Gu Baoshu deeply.

Old Madam Gu picked up her tea, gently sipping for a while, then continued: "The Capital City has suffered greatly. We should contribute some money and grain to help those in need, as it’s also accumulating blessings for the children."

Qin Yuan was momentarily stunned, then nodded in agreement.

After leaving the chamber, Xiao Hong said, "Madam is truly impressive. With just a few words, she changed the Old Madam’s mind. Now, Seventh Miss can have her wish."

Qin Yuan softly said, "You are still young and thus do not understand. It’s not my ability, but Nanny Rong’s, and the Old Madam’s deep love for Seventh Miss."

Xiao Hong, not quite understanding, asked, "Why cultivate both blessings and wisdom?"

Qin Yuan thought for a moment, then said, "In the Buddhist belief, the most important thing in life is the dual cultivation of blessings and wisdom. Only blessings without wisdom lead to ignorance. Although you gain the blessings of wealth, you might still fall into animal paths. Only wisdom without blessings means that even as a reborn Arhat, you cannot escape poverty and hunger. Thus, a talented and wealthy person must come from dual cultivation."

"Oh!" Xiao Hong exclaimed, staring intently at Qin Yuan with sparkling eyes, impossible to ignore.

Cui Ming admonished, "You child, how rude! Why are you staring directly at the madam?"

Xiao Hong quickly lowered her head and whispered, "Madam is both talented and wealthy, surely having cultivated both blessings and wisdom superbly. I wanted to look a bit longer to bask in the fortune but forgot my manners."

Qin Yuan chuckled, "No need to be so frightened, just be more mindful in the future."

Cui Ming teased, "Perhaps she’s mesmerized by Madam’s beauty. Looking every day isn’t enough, perhaps you should draw a portrait and look at it when you’re free."

The speaker intended no meaning, but the listener took it to heart.

Xiao Hong resolved to find someone to paint a portrait of the madam to admire every day.

She had a fervent thought that reaching the pinnacle of dual cultivation was akin to an alive Bodhisattva.

Serving a living Bodhisattva, one should be devoted, and if guided even slightly, it would surely accumulate her own blessings and wisdom.

Later, Xiao Hong became the third most trusted person after Hong Ye and Cui Ming, loyal and clever, deeply trusted and loved by Qin Yuan.

Returning to Wutong Garden, Gu Baoshu was already waiting and upon hearing Old Madam Gu relented, she beamed with promise: "Third Sister-in-law, rest assured, my time there will not be wasted in vain. I will study hard and broaden my horizons."

Qin Yuan smiled, "You don’t need to become an Advanced Scholar or a talented person, so you don’t need to study too hard. The purpose of reading is to understand principles. The books contain many stories about being a good person, classmates come with diverse personalities, not to mention the teachers at White Crane Academy each having their strengths. You should observe and listen more, gently temper your temper, and in time, your brothers will surely be impressed."

These words resonated with Gu Baoshu, especially since she harbored ambitions for achievements, and she earnestly replied, "Third Sister-in-law, rest assured, I will not become a fool who only acts recklessly. It is said that there are relatively many female students reading in the academies in the south, but it’s rare in the north. Going to study from the north to the south is perhaps a first; I will not disgrace our ancestors. Third Sister-in-law, you shall see."

Qin Yuan chuckled, quickly reigning it in, "I believe you. However, your brother will miss you. Talk to him properly, don’t keep angering him."

Gu Baoshu completely forgot that going to White Crane Academy was to avoid marriage and to keep clear of Old Madam Gu and Marquis Gu, lest they discover her actions and punish her. Her mind was only on her grand plans, and spiritedly she said, "My third brother always looks down on people. When I return from White Crane Academy, I won’t neglect my martial arts; I will surely shock him."

After a pause, she laughed heartily, "Maybe he won’t become a Confucian General before I do. By then, Lord Sacrificial Officer might scold him to tears."

Her lively demeanor astonished Hong Ye and the others.

After seeing her off, Qin Yuan went to the front courtyard, saying to Mr. Songshan, "These days, Treasure Bead is eager to leave the Capital City, not even staying for the festivities. I see her ambitious stride and suspect there’s more to it. Have people keep an eye on her; her head is full of tales of knights-errant and lady warriors. If she mingles with some idlers and gets caught up in their trap, who knows what could happen."

Mr. Songshan agreed, also noting, "These days have been so busy, my head is spinning. When this matter is concluded, many young men from the Gu family will be gaining positions at the Five Cities Military Department and Patrol Camp due to their contributions. Gu Jingcheng won’t escape the role of Vice Commander. It’s thanks to your careful planning, madam."