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

Chapter 726: Chapter 726: The Pawn Crossing the River

Qin Yuan said, "Can we talk in a different place?"

Wang Zichuan hesitated a bit.

Qin Yuan silently awaited his decision.

Mr. Songshan pointed at Wang Zichuan and laughed heartily, "Neither of us could even catch a chicken, so we’re not afraid of you, could it be that you are afraid of us?"

This provoked Wang Zichuan to immediately respond, "Why would I be afraid? But are you here to persuade me to switch sides? I must decline."

Qin Yuan said, "Not at all, we are all disciples of Confucius. To hear the truth in the morning and die by evening would be enough. We must at least be wise ghosts even in death."

Mr. Songshan said, "You, too, are a hero who dances with death. Coming to the Emperor’s domain to stir trouble means you’ve cast aside considerations of life and death, yet you won’t even listen to a few words?"

Wang Zichuan stiffened his neck and said, "What’s there that I can’t listen to? It’s just that the guard brother might not give this convenience."

Mr. Songshan laughed, "There’s no need to worry about that. We have a good relationship with Marquis Gu, so surely the guards will show some leniency."

Wang Zichuan blushed and sheepishly said, "I only realized after entering prison, even heroes are afraid of the jailers."

Qin Yuan said, "As the saying goes, a pawn crossing the river is worth half a cart. Never underestimate the pawns, especially the prison guards."

Wang Zichuan laughed heartily, "Indeed, indeed."

Mr. Songshan thought secretly, although phrases like "When tigers dwell in deep forests, all beasts are terrified; when trapped in a pit, they beg for food" are fitting, but this saying pierces Wang Zichuan’s heart more.

Despite his young age, Qin Yuan is very skilled at reading people.

Once you’ve grasped someone’s mind, everything else becomes easy.

Mr. Songshan was confident that today’s matter could be settled.

The three found a quiet solitary cell in the prison for their conversation.

Once they had settled, Wang Zichuan asked, "May I ask who you think I should choose?"

Qin Yuan smiled, "Whoever you choose, it shouldn’t be the Crown Prince or King Jin."

Wang Zichuan stammered, "I don’t know how to put it, it’s not that I..."

Mr. Songshan waved his hand, "Enough, enough, no need to bring this up again. It’s just..."

"Just what?"

"Can you not guess why Black Wind Village’s attempts at peace have failed so many times?"

Wang Zichuan looked up, blankly staring at Mr. Songshan.

Mr. Songshan smiled mysteriously, "It seems you still don’t understand why you are trapped here. Let me give you a hint. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, a fire raged in the city, and King Jin went missing."

Wang Zichuan’s face turned ashen, his initial eagerness to converse with the scholars utterly gone.

With his head drooped, he returned to his cell. The chubby one was the first to approach, asking, "Big brother, what exactly did they tell you? Like a little demon, they’ve drained your spirit."

The others laughed, "What little demon, that was a tender young scholar."

"Quiet!" Suddenly, a harsh shout came from outside, and the water and fire stick struck heavily on the bars.

Everyone quickly fell silent.

Wang Zichuan suddenly widened his eyes and whispered, "I understand."

"Big brother, what do you understand?" They crowded around him, heads pressed together, waiting eagerly for him to speak further.

Wang Zichuan pounded his fist heavily and whispered, "I understand why I was caught."

...

After leaving the prison, Marquis Gu personally escorted the two back to the manor. Mr. Songshan, feeling a bit down, couldn’t help but ask Qin Yuan, "Can we succeed by saying this?"

Qin Yuan said, "Sir, don’t worry. Wang Zichuan, being the big brother in Black Wind Village, seeks the prestige and recognition of the court. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be trying to negotiate. The reason it hasn’t worked out so many times is simply that he desires a high position but can’t get it, and he’s unable to properly arrange for so many of his brothers."

Mr. Songshan asked, "Then do we persuade him to join Prince Qi next?"

Qin Yuan shook her head.

Mr. Songshan asked, "What are your plans then? I’m all ears."

Qin Yuan said, "Naturally, to have him align with the Marquis."

Mr. Songshan glanced at the smiling Marquis Gu and said, "So you and your husband had already discussed this."

Qin Yuan shook her head.

Marquis Gu also said, "We are one in body and mind, naturally attuned to each other, no need for discussion."

Mr. Songshan exaggeratedly exclaimed while covering his teeth.

"I haven’t even eaten bayberries, and my teeth are already aching."

Marquis Gu was puzzled, "What are bayberries? Eating them makes your teeth ache? Then why eat them?"

Born and raised in the north, never having been to the south, naturally, he didn’t know what bayberries were.

Mr. Songshan sulkily put his hand down and ignored him.

Qin Yuan said with a smile, "I convinced him to align with the Marquis, and only then could I persuade him."

Mr. Songshan pondered for a moment, then smiled and nodded at Qin Yuan.

Marquis Gu paid no mind to the riddles they played, looking out the window to check the time, he stood and said, "I must be going, there’s still a heap of work waiting for me."

Mr. Songshan lazily said, "Go on, I’ll ponder over the news. It really is like a donkey, waking up to grind the mill."

As soon as Marquis Gu left, Gu Shiba and Hong Ye came over, saying, "Madam, the kitchen indeed lost quite a bit of food, and the guards didn’t notice at all. Could it really be an inside job? How brazen."

Mr. Songshan, about to leave, sat back down, interested in watching Qin Yuan handle the case, unexpectedly finding the fire at his own door.

Qin Yuan turned her head and said, "This will trouble you, sir."

Mr. Songshan’s thin and long neck nearly twisted, "Ancestor, even a donkey needs a break, right?"

Qin Yuan said, "Did you forget? Our house has always been strictly governed, suddenly causing such a stir, there must be a reason."

Then she squinted at the ceiling.

Mr. Songshan turned his neck back, furrowed his brows, and said to Gu Shiba, "Since that’s the case, assign a few to watch their comings and goings, see if there’s any smuggling out of the manor."

Gu Shiba complied.

Mr. Songshan continued, "Go and summon Gu Ershi, also invite Brother Qi and Old Lady Qi."

Gu Shiba scratched his head and whispered, "Could it be... why involve the Qi family mother and son?"

On the night of Mid-Autumn, Old Lady Qi performed great feats. Sitting in the guest courtyard admiring the moon, not a single thief noticed her. When the guards chased them away, she secretly tripped quite a few with rope.

Mr. Songshan looked up at the ceiling.

Gu Shiba: "Huh?"

Also looked up at the ceiling, seeing and seeing, nothing perceived.

Seeing Gu Shiba missed his cue, Mr. Songshan coughed and said, "Just go arrange it, no need to avoid people, making it an uproar might also make the kitchen crew restrain themselves, it’d be unsightly if truly caught."

Gu Shiba had no choice but to arrange it.

When Brother Qi helped Old Lady Qi arrive, Gu Ershi was already waiting aside. Qin Yuan and Mr. Songshan were playing chess, and upon their arrival, she reached over, capturing one of Mr. Songshan’s pieces, smiling, "Captured your pawn."