Chapter 617: Chapter 617: What Is the Current Situation

Mr. Songshan shook his head as if facing a formidable beast: "Love deceives people. Let me tell you, from ancient times, love has deceived people."

After speaking, he gave Qin Yuan a deep look.

Qin Yuan was puzzled.

Mr. Songshan took a sip of tea and asked slowly: "You wouldn’t have come just for this, right?"

Qin Yuan replied: "Of course not, there’s also the matter of the Mo Family."

"Oh?" Mr. Songshan seemed somewhat helpless: "You couple, one comes in the evening, and then you come in the morning, like a rushing tide. Did you perhaps come up with something new last night?"

Qin Yuan said: "Yes and no. Yesterday, the Marquis talked about the Mo Family’s conduct, which aroused suspicion. You know, Daxing has been established for many years, and the border towns have seen much warfare, with both sides using every trick available."

Mr. Songshan nodded: "Exactly, the Silver Theft Case back then had extensive involvement and came fiercely. There was the Treasure Paper Case that implicated the Former Crown Prince’s maternal family, followed by the Silver Theft Case that dethroned the Former Crown Prince, involving Dingbei Marquis Mansion. Monk Zhiguang’s robbery was related to Earl Chengen and the Yelv people. The Mo Family has followed the Gu Family for years, with deep ties. Outsiders would probably not think this way."

Qin Yuan nodded: "The Mo Family Girl and my husband’s fourth brother are infatuated. If not for finding the remains, the Old Madam would have thought she married and had children long ago, and wouldn’t be so concerned. As you said, love blinds people, and no one would casually think this way. This matter still requires detailed investigation by Feiyun Pavilion."

Mr. Songshan said: "Don’t worry, Madam. Whatever is hidden here, as long as there’s a trace left, it will be unraveled. Just afraid that over the years, the scene has changed, leaving no trace behind."

Qin Yuan thought for a moment and said: "I wonder if His Highness Prince Qi has any useful information."

The Treasure Paper Case and the Silver Theft Case harmed Prince Qi’s relatives and maternal family, so he must want to clear their names.

An alliance between both parties also facilitates information exchange.

Mr. Songshan promptly agreed: "I’ll send someone to inquire right away."

Within such a short time, many messages came, and someone waited outside for approval to get silver.

Mr. Songshan sighed secretly; life, when idle, is deadly idle, and when busy, terribly busy.

But he still enjoyed being busy, and needed to recruit more people.

Qin Yuan sat without leaving, and Mr. Songshan couldn’t drive her away.

In her view, just letting someone manage Feiyun Pavilion is too underutilizing.

There were several more matters pending after finishing this one, as each and every one related closely to the Marquis Mansion.

Mr. Songshan had firmly tied himself to the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, so naturally, he spoke freely and completely.

Once the talk box is opened, it’s hard to close.

When speaking to Marquis Gu, it was measured, but with Qin Yuan, it was unrestrained. An hour later, they were discussing how to stand against the Book Sea Pavilion.

Qin Yuan said: "Listening to your words is better than reading books for ten years. It’s a pity Shen Changle wasn’t called today."

Mr. Songshan quickly waved his hand: "I will only speak frankly with you, I wouldn’t say these things to him."

If Shen Changle were here too, he wouldn’t get any sleep day or night.

When would Dingbei Marquis’s wife leave? Every time she came she’d stir up so much; he liked it, but really was a bit tired today.

Qin Yuan seemed not to notice his guest-moving intentions and continued on her own: "Originally, I just wanted to help Sixth Master vent and win some face for the Marquis. But now I feel, if we can control business affecting the nation’s scholars, wouldn’t that be better? What do you think?"

Mr. Songshan’s spirit was rejuvenated.

Qin Yuan added: "Princess Fuyun was betrothed by Empress Lin to Zhang Hanlin. Zhang Hanlin won the title of Champion Scholar years ago, but remained frustrated at Hanlin Academy. Who doesn’t say Empress Lin, like a stepmother, has a sweet face but a bitter heart, an appearance like a Buddha, a heart like a snake. Yet now everyone says she’s truly muddled! Prince Qi originally could only rely on the Former Crown Prince’s old people and the declining aristocratic families, but now his power has increased significantly; with the Jiangxi Gang standing by his side, occupying nearly half the civil servants’ positions in the court."

Mr. Songshan was inspired and burst into laughter: "Just a woman with no insight, relying on the Emperor’s power to intimidate others. The Crown Prince is not promising, doesn’t the Emperor know that? Even if Prince Qi grabs power, he still can’t protect it."

"Please elaborate."

Qin Yuan listened attentively.

Mr. Songshan talked eloquently about the court situation: "The Crown Prince is sickly, hence his position benefits the Emperor the most.

Doesn’t the Emperor understand the grievances of the Former Crown Prince and others? It’s just that he needs this kind of situation.

This Capital Inspection incident, stirred by the Emperor and Three Dukes and Nine Ministers for the Crown Princess Consort’s position, shows the Emperor prefers entrusting the kingdom to his sick Crown Prince rather than giving it to his healthy sons. Not because he’s muddled or Empress Lin deceived him, but because this is what the Emperor wants.

The Former Crown Prince was virtuous and talented, well-guarded by aristocratic families. But precisely for this, he lost his life. Even if the Crown Prince left behind the Imperial Grandson, when the Emperor passes away, would the healthy uncle submit to a helpless young nephew? Emperor Jianwen is a living example."

Thinking of the previous life where the Crown Prince, Prince Qi, successively vanished, and other princes openly and covertly contested, yet the Emperor remained robust... Qin Yuan fell silent.

Even until her death in the previous life, the struggle for the throne remained unclear.

Qin Yuan, stunned inside, then said: "The alliance between the Marquis and Prince Qi..." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Mr. Songshan said: "It’s just taking it step by step. Even if not allied, would people believe the Marquis and Prince Qi had no connections? It’s better to ally, maybe prolong survival a bit."

Thinking of how Marquis Gu couldn’t step out of Dingbei Marquis Mansion in the previous life...

Qin Yuan wasn’t sure whether Mr. Songshan’s words were right or wrong.

"Then why are you getting involved?"

"I’ve travelled the world and remained aloof, feeling quite bored. Besides, the Marquis invited me from the theater to teach, isn’t it like Liu Bei visiting thatched cottages thrice? Although I’m no match for Wolong Fengchu, I also wish to enter the world and build some achievements."

If unaware of Mr. Songshan’s previous fame and his refusal to come out of seclusion no matter who invited him, she might have believed him.

Qin Yuan: "Hehe, since it’s like this, please exert more effort. I’ll rely on you for my cousin’s Advanced Scholar exam preparation. Honestly, I plan to compete with Book Sea Pavilion in policy writing business, initially just for minor squabbles, but it seems impossible now."

Mr. Songshan stroked his beard and laughed: "Why seek afar when what’s nearby suffices? Who can compare to Lord Sacrificial Officer of the Imperial College."

Qin Yuan shook her head: "My father truly should stay away from business, as the saying goes, a small heart drives a thousand-year boat."

Mr. Songshan thought and said: "When your cousin asks me for academic wisdom, I certainly won’t hold back. Rest assured. Since you’re not using your father’s name to compete with Book Sea Pavilion, what are your plans?"

"Naturally, I’ll use Mr. Songshan and Young Master Nantang’s names," Qin Yuan smiled easily, "Since Book Sea Pavilion has come forward, we should display the demeanor of eminent scholars."