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

Chapter 724: Chapter 724: I’m Just a Third Wheel

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but feel a bit on edge.

Mr. Songshan holds control over Feiyun Pavilion, able to deduce truth from a multitude of fragmented information as if unraveling threads. Today may be a denial, but he cannot be kept in the dark forever.

One cannot hope for others to reveal their cards while keeping theirs hidden tightly.

It’s just...

Thinking it over, he said, "It’s a long story. As a child, I learned incense making with my aunt and have quite the talent in the art of incense..."

Before he finished speaking, Marquis Gu burst in, grinning widely with his white teeth gleaming.

"Both of you are here, just perfect! Come with me quickly to the jail to persuade Wang Zichuan. He’s asking to see Young Master Nantang and Mr. Songshan before he’ll agree to talk."

"Wang Zichuan?" Mr. Songshan frowned.

Qin Yuan asked in surprise, "Why does Wang Zichuan want to see us?"

Marquis Gu shook his head and first picked up the tea by Qin Yuan’s side and drank it all, then said, "My mouth is dry after so much talking."

Qin Yuan shyly glanced at Mr. Songshan, who was sitting there stupefied, and hastily replied, "Why so anxious? You couldn’t even wait for me to serve you tea."

Marquis Gu chuckled foolishly, "We’re like one, why bother with such formalities."

Mr. Songshan inexplicably felt a toothache.

While talking about serious matters, he couldn’t just leave, so he had to sit.

Finally, Marquis Gu talked business, "I don’t know what thoughts Wang Zichuan has, but he’s been complaining about being captured before he had his fun, trying all kinds of ways to inquire about follow-ups."

He’s indeed an odd person, utterly indifferent to his safety; who knows if he has a big heart or fat guts?

Qin Yuan looked at Mr. Songshan thoughtfully, "Would you be willing to visit him in jail?"

Mr. Songshan looked at the mountain of documents on the table, then at Marquis Gu, finally stood up reluctantly and said, "Then I shall risk my life to accompany the gentleman."

Having been seen through, Marquis Gu laughed, "Heh heh."

Mr. Songshan said, "Young Master Nantang, quickly go change clothes, while I discuss some trivial matters with the Marquis. We’ll meet at the side door in half an hour, what do you think?"

Marquis Gu hurriedly said, "No need, I’ll go pick her up."

Mr. Songshan quietly rolled his eyes.

But said aloud, "That works."

Qin Yuan returned to Wutong Garden to change clothes herself and Marquis Gu said to Mr. Songshan, "Did you discover anything today, Sir?"

Mr. Songshan sat back on the chair, "I found that I am just an accessory."

Not expecting to fool him, Marquis Gu leaned back comfortably in the chair, stretched his legs, and said with a laugh, "Sir misunderstood me. Although Wang Zichuan wants to see Young Master Nantang, persuading someone as significant as Wang Zichuan, I fear you, Mr. Songshan, must take the lead. My wife is still young."

Mr. Songshan turned his long neck in surprise, "Persuade Wang Zichuan?"

Marquis Gu whispered, "Naturally, but not persuading him to surrender to the court."

After carefully examining Marquis Gu, Mr. Songshan then smiled, "As expected of the Marquis! Previously, I wondered how to convince the Marquis to follow destiny, not knowing the Marquis already had a plan."

He paused, then continued, "I wonder if the Marquis has thought about the future?"

Marquis Gu looked confused.

"What’s there to consider? I’ve already allied with Prince Qi. Now, King Jin is missing, the Crown Prince is weak, King Qishan is timid, and the rest of the princes are still young.

I want to overturn the Gu Family’s wrongful case, overturn the Former Crown Prince’s case, the Emperor and the Lin Family naturally won’t allow it!

Do I have any other path to take?"

Mr. Songshan was speechless.

What scholars need to weigh pros and cons repeatedly is so matter-of-fact to a martial artist.

Marquis Gu added, "If you’re still willing to sail in the same boat with me, we are comrades through adversity, and I shall never treat you poorly in the future; if you’re not willing, I’ll send you back to Wu and Chu for retirement without implicating you."

Speaking lightly as if inviting him to lunch.

Mr. Songshan opened his mouth to speak, then suddenly extended his hand to tap his head and sighed, "It’s foolish of me, no wonder they say a scholar’s rebellion never succeeds in ten years.

Since the Marquis has already set his mind, I needn’t worry.

Rest assured, even though I am a scholar, my word is as binding as a nail.

The great cause is not accomplished, how could I disembark halfway?

Otherwise, I’d despise myself."

Qin Yuan returned to Wutong Garden, instructed Hehua and Yang’er to change into Attendant Student attire, and after tidying herself up, sat by the west window waiting for Marquis Gu to pick her up.

She saw Hong Ye storming back with the account book angrily and called out, "What happened this time?"

Hong Ye said, "The housekeepers in the main kitchen couldn’t match the bills and was quarreling, if I hadn’t stopped them, there might have been a fight, it’s giving me a headache."

The main kitchen manages the family’s provisions; though there aren’t many masters in the mansion, there are many servants, hence there are several housekeepers.

Qin Yuan asked in surprise, "How could the accounts not match? Aren’t they reconciled day and night? And if they don’t match, what would be the difference? How could it make you unable to cope?"

Hong Ye gritted her teeth, "Not sure if there’s an insider in the main kitchen, since Mid-Autumn Festival, the kitchen’s provisions are missing a lot daily. If I catch who’s sabotaging, I won’t go easy."

Since Mid-Autumn Festival...

Qin Yuan was intrigued and asked, "What types of items are missing?"

Hong Ye said, "Meat, vegetables, steamed buns, dumplings, cakes, all missing quite a bit, there’s usually some wastage, but this shortage is substantial, even four or five strong men couldn’t consume it all. After several consecutive days, the housekeepers refused to tolerate it anymore and here we are."

Qin Yuan laughed, "Don’t pitifully stare at me, go find your Sixteen, with so much missing, don’t the guards notice? If things can be stolen under the guards’ noses, might it be ghosts?"

Hong Ye shivered.

"Miss, you’re truly mean, knowing I fear this most, yet you talk about it to scare me."

Qin Yuan said, "In broad daylight, what are you scared of?"

Just then, Marquis Gu lightly stepped on the treetops under the corridor bridge, softly landing beside the two, and asked softly, "Scared of what?"

"Ah!"

Hearing the sudden voice behind, Hong Ye screamed and crouched.

"Ghost!"

Her voice seemed to come from the depths of the night tearing her soul, causing both Marquis Gu and Qin Yuan’s ears to ache.

Considering Qin Yuan, Marquis Gu’s temple twitched, he held back, refraining from giving Hong Ye a hit to stop her horrifying scream.

Hong Ye’s scream attracted Gu Shiba, who was wandering outside.

Gu Shiba flew in and said, "Miss Hong Ye, did something major happen?"

The ignored Marquis Gu: "..."

Qin Yuan smiled, "Hong Ye was frightened, Shiba, you came just in time, Sixteen has been busy these days, you help Hong Ye investigate this matter clearly."

Only then did Gu Shiba realize his offense, and nervously glanced at Marquis Gu standing by the side, "Ma-Maquis."