Chapter 739: Chapter 739: The Grand Ambition

Qin Yuan playfully admonished, "You’re such a chatterbox. Sixth Master truly regards your cousin as a friend, that’s why he keeps him in mind everywhere. Your cousin is truly fortunate to have a friend like Sixth Master."

Mr. Songshan sighed, "Too bad I’ve wasted my time with this student."

Sixth Master Gu’s face turned crimson, and he quickly said, "I’ll present another to Mr. Songshan."

Qin Yuan said, "That won’t do."

Mr. Songshan glared, "Why not?"

Qin Yuan replied, "Zhegui Square can only accept one entry. If you accept the Marquis’ entry, you can’t accept Sixth Master’s."

Mr. Songshan felt a bit discontent.

Qin Yuan said leisurely, "Too many heads are useless; too many feet trample the fields."

Mr. Songshan could only say, "Then don’t forget this old man if there are any benefits in the future."

Qin Yuan nodded.

"Don’t worry, sir."

After everyone left, Hong Ye asked Qin Yuan, "Why has Mr. Songshan become so fond of money? When he first came to the Marquis Mansion, he was indifferent to everything, with empty sleeves."

Qin Yuan smiled, "It’s his way of saying he wants to advance and retreat alongside the Marquis Mansion."

Hong Ye seemed partially understanding.

Qin Yuan continued, "Do you know what kind of officials the Emperor fears the most?"

Hong Ye said, "Could it be treacherous officials?"

Qin Yuan shook her head.

Cui Ming said, "Could it be corrupt officials?"

Qin Yuan shook her head again.

Hong Ye said, "It couldn’t be honest and loyal officials, right? Don’t be mysterious, miss."

Qin Yuan laughed, "The most fearful are officials without weaknesses. Without weaknesses, wouldn’t they be perfect? If everyone in the world thinks this person is as wise and capable as a Saint, making even the Emperor look inferior, then wouldn’t the Emperor have to abdicate?"

Cui Ming said, "I understand now."

"Understand what? Isn’t having no weaknesses good?" Hong Ye was puzzled.

Cui Ming said, "Miss means that if Mr. Songshan doesn’t love money and has no weaknesses, the Marquis Mansion wouldn’t dare to employ him heavily."

"Why?"

"Because if he asks for nothing, the Marquis Mansion wouldn’t know if he is truly reliable."

Cui Ming looked at the still bewildered Hong Ye and laughed, "For example, if Sixteen didn’t care for your eloquence, didn’t mind your beauty, or whether you were frugal and diligent at home, and even if you were greedy, lazy, and not a good wife, yet Sixteen would still marry no one but you, how would you feel?"

Hong Ye frowned, "Why compare like this? If he were like that, I would feel uncomfortable all over, wouldn’t that mean I’m worthless?

I fancy Sixteen because he’s skilled in martial arts, he’s good, smart, has a good disposition, and, oh, he looks just right to me.

If he lacked all that, what would I see in him?"

"Exactly, so what does he see in you?"

Cui Ming just smiled at Hong Ye.

Hong Ye suddenly realized and spat, "Miss, isn’t she just messing with people?"

Qin Yuan chuckled, "Haven’t you understood it now? Mr. Songshan is conveying that he seeks the same as anyone else — prospects and benefits. He intends to stay in the same boat with the Marquis Mansion, never to leave easily."

Unhappy that Qin Yuan didn’t defend her, Hong Ye retorted, "Maybe it’s all just an act."

"You’re quite right," Qin Yuan laughed, "That would mean his ambitions are grand."

"Why do you say that?" Hong Ye leaned in.

Cui Ming smiled, "Mr. Songshan oversees Feiyun Pavilion and has a share in Zhegui Square. If he’s not sincere about advancing and retreating with the Marquis Mansion, it would be akin to offering himself up to a tiger."

Qin Yuan seemed deep in thought.

...

After returning to the mansion, Marquis Gu went to see Mr. Songshan again.

This time, Mr. Songshan said, "Does the Marquis know why Madam wants Wang Zichuan to go to Liaodong?"

Marquis Gu was puzzled, "Wasn’t it said to trade ginseng?"

"Not at all," Mr. Songshan wagged a finger, "Think again, Marquis. Marrying Madam must be a blessing from countless past lives, I’m a bit envious myself."

"You can’t envy it," Marquis Gu was delighted, pondering seriously, "Madam just said they were to trade ginseng, do you have any other thoughts? If so, you can go talk to her yourself. If you can persuade her with your eloquence, that would be your skill."

Mr. Songshan scoffed at such opportunistic words.

"You seem to offend no one. Let me tell you, none of us know what the ginseng situation in Liaodong is like now. Madam isn’t sending them to trade ginseng; she’s sending them to loot. I must say, that’s the best usage of these bandits."

"Hahaha," Marquis Gu was stunned for a long while, then burst into laughter.

The laughter was filled with joy and freedom.

"Would you say Madam is formidable?" asked Mr. Songshan.

"Formidable," replied Marquis Gu.

Mr. Songshan said, "Do you know another thing? Madam has her sights on Yelv Xianyong and plans to use him to manage Wang Zichuan and his group."

Marquis Gu was stunned, "Even this she’s considered?"

"Indeed," Mr. Songshan said, "And Madam also mentioned that she is determined to succeed in this business, and she has a sure-win strategy. Do you know what this sure-win strategy is?"

Marquis Gu shook his head, "No idea."

Facing Mr. Songshan’s disdainful gaze, he calmly said, "Truly no idea."

Mr. Songshan sighed, "Now I truly believe that the most formidable person is you."

"Why?"

"Because you married such a formidable woman as Madam."

"Naturally, it takes a man who isn’t slightly narrow-minded, lacks a good brain, has a small heart, isn’t highly skilled, isn’t wealthy enough, and lacks handsome looks."

This truly is unparalleled, isn’t it?!

...

After returning home, General Jin ignored those blocking the road, avoided little maids calling him with headaches and stomachaches, deflected those coming with soups... a group of concubines, and went straight into Madam Jin’s courtyard.

"Haven’t seen Master in days, and as soon as he returns, he goes to Madam, doesn’t even bother to say a word to us, what a..."

The concubines whispered in one spot.

"Always acting like they don’t fight or compete, but in reality, tsk tsk..."

"Stop talking, Master has repeatedly stressed that the most important person in this house is Madam, if you can’t please, at least don’t offend."

Once General Jin entered the parlor, he shouted, "I’m hungry, hungry, bring on the meal quickly."

Madam Jin was lounging on the beauty couch, while a little maid was tapping her leg lazily, and another small one was reciting a storybook nearby.

Indulging comfortably, she couldn’t even be bothered to get up at the commotion, only saying, "I’m busy, go find somewhere else to eat, it’s all from the kitchen, tastes the same."

General Jin’s robust form shrank a bit, and a sense of grievance seeped through his thick beard.

"Is it because I haven’t returned home after following the Marquis for a few days that I’m being disliked?"

"Alright, alright," Madam Jin had to stop the two little maids, got up and said, "Let me tell you, this better be something important."

General Jin stubbornly said, "Madam is indeed disdainful of me, if there’s no matter at hand, I’m not even worthy of dining with Madam."

"Speak quickly!"

A lioness roar from the east of the river.

General Jin shrank his neck, "It’s about King Jin."

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