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

Chapter 665: Making Trouble

The fierce appearance was indeed frightening.

So much so that the women present screamed and cried.

Qin Heng was also startled. What Yuan Da said made him seem like no decent person—could he really be a mountain bandit?

He was just about to call out for Gu Baoshu when he heard a "smack" sound. Brother Ximen had already slapped Yuan Da across the face, making him stagger.

"You oaf, have you forgotten what you promised me?"

The commotion attracted the attention of the Five Cities Military Department personnel guarding the area. A clerk with a few soldiers, their hands firmly on the hilts of their swords, approached and asked, "What’s going on here?"

Brother Ximen couldn’t help but twitch his eye.

These soldiers were strong, skilled in archery, and adept at sword fighting. Directly engaging in a melee with them wouldn’t end well, but he couldn’t just stand by and watch them take people away either.

Knowing this was a shop of the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, it was possible the mansion’s guards were nearby, even if they hadn’t shown themselves yet. The sweat couldn’t help but start dripping down Brother Ximen’s forehead.

The man with a red mole on his face stepped forward and bowed to the clerk, saying, "Sir, someone here is pretending to be drunk. His companion is helping him sober up, which caused some commotion."

Seeing him dressed as a scholar, the clerk’s expression softened significantly, and he instructed, "You’d better keep things quiet. Ranxiang Inn is a shop of the Dingbei Marquis Mansion."

Brother Ximen lifted a leg and flipped Yuan Da to the ground, stepping on him, and shouted, "Are you still acting crazy?"

"I’m not acting crazy anymore," Yuan Da said, a bit wronged, but he had come to his senses.

Now wasn’t the time to make a move. His elder brother was right beside him, and he couldn’t spoil his brother’s mood.

"Big Brother, I just drank too much of the yellow wine, but I won’t dare do it again."

Others thought this "Big Brother" was Yuan Da calling Brother Ximen, but in reality, he was calling the scholar.

The scholar said, "Brother, if you go to the garden, you must keep a close eye on the people. Those watching the lanterns here are either rich or noble, and many are scholars—offending them is not an option."

Brother Ximen quickly said, "Thank you for the reminder, Big Brother. I understand," then put on a smiling face, bowed to the clerk, and slipped a piece of patterned silver into his hand, "My brother drank too much and caused a drunken disturbance, thinking he could be some hero like those in the storybooks. There’s no need for the military officers to worry. I’ll keep a close watch on him."

Little Brother Hong and others hurriedly gathered around and said, "Officer, tonight we were drinking together, and this Brother Yuan drank quite a bit. Upon hearing that a poem was required to enjoy the garden, he, not knowing how, caused a ruckus when the alcohol took effect."

The clerk, having accepted the silver and gauging its weight, no longer blamed them: "I recognize you; you’re from the Hong Team. This brother has impressive tattoos. Today is the Empress Dowager’s birthday, and guards are posted everywhere. Be careful, or you may end up in prison."

"We won’t, we won’t. Thank you, officer."

Little Brother Hong and his companions felt quite honored and repeatedly promised with smiles.

So the clerk led the soldiers back into the crowd.

Brother Ximen and the scholar exchanged glances, making gestures to each other to stay calm. After all, now was definitely not the right time to act.

Qin Heng observed this and said, "I’ll go inside first to chat with my sister. Brother Ximen, take your time playing outside."

Shen Changle laughed and said, "The madam has been waiting for you."

Qin Heng asked Qin Siyuan, "Elder brother, will you come with me?"

Qin Siyuan nodded.

On the side, Yuan Da was subdued by Brother Ximen, his hands tied with a belt, and handed over to an attendant, "We’re going to the garden first. He’s drunk and will sobers up sitting here. Please keep an eye on him."

The attendant nodded and said, "It wasn’t appropriate to say earlier in front of everyone. You’re all friends of Young Master Qin. You can just go into the garden together."

After they left, Yuan Da pestered the attendant, asking, "What kind of relatives are Young Master Qin and the Dingbei Marquis Mansion?"

The attendant laughed, "Aren’t you a friend of Young Master Qin? How come you don’t know this? The Marquis married Young Master Qin’s elder sister, making him the Marquis’ brother-in-law—an actual relation."

"Oh," Yuan Da slurred his words, "we always socialize as we please, not caring about such details. But I truly respect the Dingbei Marquis. He’s a real man."

The attendant chuckled again, "When our Marquis returned to the Capital in triumph, how many eyes were on him? In the entire Capital, out of ten people, there must be twelve who respect him. Everyone says our Marquis is just like that!"

He gestured a thumbs-up as he spoke.

Yuan Da nodded.

Seeing that Yuan Da could speak clearly, the attendant went to chat with other customers in the front.

Qin Heng and Qin Siyuan, one following the other, entered the shop, just as Qin Yuan and others finished their meal. Seeing Qin Siyuan come in, Gu Baoshu smiled.

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but smile too.

Qin Heng exclaimed, "Oh, what family’s young gentleman is this?"

Gu Baoshu joked, "He’s one of our Gu Family."

Qin Heng snorted, circling Qin Yuan twice, and said to Gu Baoshu, "The young gentleman’s surname is Qin. How could he be from the Gu Family?"

Gu Baoshu replied, "Well, I’m from the Qi Family too."

Qin Heng said, "You can also agree to be from the Qin Family."

Gu Baoshu stopped responding to him.

Qin Siyuan laughed and said, "How come you’re dressed like this? But you do indeed look like a scholar from the south."

As he spoke, he made a bow, "Student Qin Siyuan greets Young Master Nantang."

This was his way of expressing thanks to Qin Yuan for her guidance while dressed in men’s clothing.

Qin Yuan smiled and lifted him, "Brother Si Yuan, there’s no need for such formality."

Sixth Master Gu, waiting for them to finish their lively interaction, came over and said, "Brother Si Yuan, how come you found the time to come tonight? I haven’t seen you in so long."

His face was full of grievance.

Qin Siyuan smiled and said, "Sixth Master, why have you become thinner recently? I know you’re striving for perfection in your paintings, but you must not overwork yourself and should pay more attention to your health. I’ve heard Xiao Dong complain several times."

Sixth Master Gu looked deeply touched, "I thought you’d forgotten me in your efforts to study. I’ve been working hard to publish a poetry collection quickly, but now that it’s printed, I must rest for a few days."

Qin Siyuan advised gently, "You are one of my few friends in the Capital whom I miss dearly. As Shen Changle said, there will be many books to publish in the future, all needing Sixth Master’s illustrations. This is not something that can be rushed.

Sixth Master, you must have a plan to avoid straining your body. Even when I study, I dare not overstay the night."

"Yes, yes, yes, what you say is absolutely true. I’ve taken it all to heart,"

Sixth Master Gu said earnestly.

Gu Baoshu clicked her tongue and said, "Why don’t you listen to me and Xiao Dong then?"

Sixth Master Gu glared at Gu Baoshu.

Gu Baoshu then asked, "What was the commotion outside just now? I heard some of it from inside but didn’t pay much attention."

Qin Heng said, "I didn’t know that was what you wanted to hear. First, Lin Ziqi brought his cousin concubine to cause trouble, then Yuan Da and his group came to enjoy the lanterns, pretending to be drunk and riled up the Five Cities Military Department personnel.

Yuan Da said the strangest things, shouting about fighting and killing. It was just a lantern, yet he insisted on snatching it. Fortunately, Brother Ximen woke him up with a slap."

After a pause, he continued, "Sister Baozhu, I feel that the scholar who came in is quite peculiar."