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

Chapter 638: Brother Ximen

He really didn’t choose the wrong person.

Behind Marquis Gu is the Gu Family Army, highly skilled in martial arts and adept in battle, with Qin Yuan having extraordinary intellect. Together, alongside him as the think tank, isn’t it...

A great matter could be accomplished!

Mr. Songshan’s eyes lit up, and he immediately caught onto the conversation, implying, "Madam speaks truly. As the saying goes, a passing bird leaves a sound, a passing person leaves a name; to remain silent and unknown is surely a wasted life. Otherwise, wouldn’t Liu Bowen quietly remain a minor official, and wouldn’t Dao Yan Monk simply focus on his scriptures?"

On first hearing this, it seems dull, but the examples given are all of rebellious tacticians.

Everyone present was educated and understood the underlying meaning.

Qin Yuan’s expression remained unchanged as she smiled and said, "Sir, you’re absolutely right. The Black Wind Village folks believe themselves unmatched in martial arts, possessing unique skills, and when gathered, they indulge in robbery—a feat even the court struggles to handle—but now they’ve come to the Capital City to see the lights, and even if openly they do nothing, they secretly harbor ambitions to accomplish grand feats worthy of fame in the martial world. As long as we operate wisely, how could we not subdue them?"

With that, she stood up and bowed gracefully. "I must rely on you for this matter, sir."

Mr. Songshan had no choice but to rise and return the bow.

No matter how they probed or tested with words, it was always effortlessly deflected back, but Qin Yuan’s words indeed resonated with his thoughts—she might be his kindred spirit.

"Madam, rest assured, this old man will do his utmost."

Qin Yuan sighed in relief and smiled, "Then I’m truly at ease. The Marquis is occupied with Great Camp matters, while I’m entangled in mansion affairs and can’t extricate myself, so I can only rely on you, sir. With Feiyun Pavilion assisting and your skills at hand, how can those bandits easily escape?"

Upon hearing this, Mr. Songshan laughed heartily, exceedingly delighted.

Qin Yuan sent him off, along with the matters at hand.

Glancing at how Hong Ye was surrounded, Qin Yuan didn’t approach, instead reclining on a chair to lazily rest, until Cui Ming walked in, smiling, "Just now, I saw Mr. Songshan with a bright face and hurried steps—it seems he’s rushing to undertake some grand task."

Qin Yuan lazily took a sip of tea before speaking, "You little girl, how come you’re getting mischievous too?"

Cui Ming smiled but said nothing.

Qin Yuan stretched lazily and said, "Tomorrow, we must go to the ancestral temple; it’s chaotic with a pile of events. Don’t forget to have someone watch over those dragon-phoenix twins."

All the masters of the mansion are to go to the family temple, with Mrs. Dai also attending. Those dragon-phoenix twins are only adopted children and not yet listed in the genealogy, naturally they can’t be taken along.

Staying in the Marquis Mansion will surely lead to trouble.

Cui Ming said, "Hong Mian is so clever; she’s already pointed this out."

"Oh?" Qin Yuan raised her eyebrows.

Cui Ming said, "Hong Mian mentioned if the dragon-phoenix twins stay in the mansion during the ancestral rites, without any rightful masters, they might cause trouble, so precaution is good."

Qin Yuan remained silent.

Cui Ming continued, "Hong Mian asked if Madam has any calming incense or such."

Qin Yuan pondered a bit, nodded, and said, "That’s an approach too. They still have significant use, so unless absolutely necessary, it’s best not to tear our relationships."

Cui Ming commented, "Wouldn’t it be a major achievement if Hong Mian manages to smooth things over?"

Qin Yuan laughed, "Indeed, smoothing things over is best, and if failing, isn’t there still Marquis to handle it."

Yelv Langzhu’s bloodline held within the grasp, how could it be easily let go.

...

Gu Baoshu caused quite a sensation in the competition arena, holding Qin Heng as they walked out, only to be blocked by a short, stout black man, "Hey, little brother, I’m back! Thanks to you, I’ve earned back my principal."

Gu Baoshu focused her gaze, "So it’s you! Did you really come back to bet again?"

Qin Heng shook his head, adjusting his sapphire blue hairband, smiling smugly, "Who would have thought you’d actually be genuine? Our Mr. Qi didn’t deceive you."

The short, stout black man extended his fist, tightly gripping a tael of silver, showing them, "Us folks walking the martial world, even a spit can create a hole—how could we go against our words."

These words immediately stirred their heroic spirit.

Gu Baoshu and Qin Heng exchanged glances, curiously asking, "How did the bookmakers let you bet?"

This man was blocked by the bookmakers in an alley yesterday, if not for Hero Qi’s help, he wouldn’t have escaped; how did he dare come to bet again today?

How could he have the courage?

Furthermore, with such unreliable gambling results, why would the bookmakers agree to let him play again?

Why weren’t they chasing him away?

It’s bewildering.

The short, stout black man lifted his dark face, his dense beard trembling as he spoke, very smugly.

"Isn’t it because my brother, Brother Ximen, is here! He knows everything, and as soon as he steps in, these street folk surviving on rough crafts don’t dare defy him."

Gu Baoshu’s interest immediately piqued, looking around and asking, "Where’s Brother Ximen?"

Qin Heng also inquired, "The entire body tattooed gentleman you mentioned yesterday?"

The short, stout black man laughed heartily, "He’s right in front of you, yet you’re still searching? His sumo wrestling skills are first-rate, and he’s articulate, handsome, with fair skin covered in tattoos. Today, upon arrival, exchanging just a few words with the bookmakers, they stopped holding my yesterday actions against me. That’s why I always insist on going out with him."

Gu Baoshu was stunned; there was indeed a tall, slender, handsome man in front of her, dressed in moon-white silk, smiling at them with bent eyebrows.

"...This, this is..."

Qin Heng was also dumbfounded.

Such a handsome, elegant man is siblings with the short, stout man?

This...

The short, stout black man, full of pride, turned his head to summon the person over to talk, "Brother Ximen, these are the two young brothers I mentioned yesterday."

Brother Ximen stepped forward, giving a refined bow, to which Gu Baoshu and Qin Heng quickly returned the gesture.

The short, stout black man, with a wave full of bravado, like having endless wealth, said, "Let’s go, let’s eat meat and drink wine. Been in Capital City for quite some days without enjoying any good stuff. Since we didn’t have silver yesterday, couldn’t invite you over. Today, thanks to my brothers, I’ve won some silver, how about we head to Tianxiang Building to dine and chat?"

Brother Ximen smiled, "You’re not even asking if these young brothers are willing—they’re either affluent or noble..."

Then he turned to Gu Baoshu, "Young sirs, forgive us, forgive us. My brother here is a straightforward man, feeling a connection with you and hence extending the invitation. We heard how lively it is during the Empress Dowager’s birthday in the Capital City, here to see the lights and unfamiliar with the area..."

His smile was humble, his gestures lively, naturally carrying a charming playfulness, very likable.

With a few words, he instantly made the somewhat naïve pair feel as if meeting an old friend.

Qin Heng tapped his chest, "Alright then, since you’re also good at Cuju, we indeed have much to discuss—I suggest we go to Tianxiang Building for a drink."

The short, stout black man tossed the silver in the air, "Great, we’re all righteous men, accustomed to eating big pieces of meat and drinking large bowls—provided the wine is good and the meat is plentiful."

Brother Ximen gently shook his head, "My brother is just like this; everyone in the martial world knows his temperament—please don’t mind."