Qin Yuan agreed.

In the previous life, there were also several prominent families who suffered due to lending printing money and were caught by their rivals, leading to public disputes, implicating many officials within the families.

The battle for succession concerns the life and future of each faction’s family, and there’s always someone who uses every possible means without any limits.

After discussing several major matters, everyone was somewhat exhausted.

Sixth Master Gu stood up, took a couple of steps, and with a smile said, "I, an idle person without responsibilities, have listened to you all for half a day and feel somewhat enlightened."

Marquis Gu glanced at him without speaking.

Mr. Songshan seized the opportunity to instruct Sixth Master Gu.

"Everything requires action. You only listen, but how much can you understand? If you want to accomplish something, you must work diligently with focus. For example, when you write poems or paint, if you never produce works, how can you expect to become a renowned figure? Isn’t that self-deception?"

Sixth Master Gu stopped and seriously asked, "There are so many things in this world; do I have to exhaust myself in every single one? There are always things one excels and does not excel in. As you said, our talents are innate, so shouldn’t I focus my efforts on what I am good at?"

Mr. Songshan laughed heartily, saying, "Foolish child, those who focus on self-cultivation find their deficiencies daily; those who focus on practice see their surplus daily. What is lacking daily is surplus tomorrow, and what is surplus daily will be lacking tomorrow. I speak of self-cultivation, yet you speak of knowledge."

Everyone: "..."

Sixth Master Gu appeared puzzled, looking to Qin Yuan for help, and said, "May I ask Young Master Nantang to explain Mr. Songshan’s words; they are truly profound."

Qin Yuan chuckled and said, "Mr. Songshan’s words are those of Mr. Yangming, later recorded by his disciples and spread to the world."

Mr. Songshan nodded.

Qin Yuan continued, "This passage discusses whether focusing on self-cultivation or gaining knowledge and insight is more important. Mr. Yangming says that focusing on self-cultivation will always reveal one’s inadequacies. Focusing on knowledge and insight makes one feel increasingly knowledgeable. Over time, those focusing on self-cultivation will acquire increasing wisdom due to their inadequacies. Those constantly feeling knowledgeable may, in fact, become less knowledgeable."

Sixth Master Gu was about to argue.

Qin Yuan added, "What Mr. Songshan means is that your focus is on knowledge, while his refinement in practice refers to self-cultivation."

Sixth Master Gu was enlightened and then fell into deep thought.

Mr. Songshan stretched lazily, yawning, "It’s getting late; let’s disperse."

Qin Yuan remarked, "Weren’t you going to discuss with me? How is it that after finishing my matters, you all decided not to continue the discussion?"

Mr. Songshan glanced at Marquis Gu and said with a smile, "There’s no need to discuss now."

Marquis Gu nodded.

"I’ll discuss it with you in detail when we return."

Qin Yuan said, "If that’s the case, then let’s disperse."

As everyone exited the room, they saw Cui Ming leaning against a pillar, dozing off, with several nannies and maids holding Sheep Horn Lamps standing silently under the porch.

Looking at the sky, Mr. Songshan was surprised, "Have we really discussed until this late?"

Cui Ming hurriedly asked, "Marquis, Madam, are we heading back now?"

Qin Yuan nodded, being led away by Gu Jinghui, hand in hand, surrounded by the crowd.

Mr. Songshan gazed at the couple’s backs, sighing, "A true virtuous couple."

Sixth Master Gu raised his head and looked at the sky, where no clouds lingered; the autumn night’s moonlight was bright like white silk. He sighed softly, saying, "Indeed."

Mr. Songshan turned to him and said, "Indeed, it’s an enormous blessing for a man to marry a wife to his liking. When you decide to marry, be sure to choose wisely."

Sixth Master Gu no longer looked at the moon but said to Mr. Songshan, "I wonder if I will have such a fortune."

Mr. Songshan said, "If you are fortunate, you will naturally marry such a good wife. However, one should not always wait for fortune to be granted by the heavens; you must cultivate it yourself."

Sixth Master Gu muttered to himself, "Cultivate myself?"

"Exactly!"

Mr. Songshan explained, "If you possess virtue and fame spreads far and wide, wouldn’t you secure a good match from a respectable family? Isn’t this what I mean by cultivation? Furthermore, one shouldn’t remain lost in a sea of flowers forever. Beware that the dazzling flowers can cloud one’s eyes, and excessive romantic pursuits make it difficult to find a good match. One’s fortune is limited, so do not be overly greedy. You surely can’t take all the good things in the world for yourself."

After speaking, he strode away.

Sixth Master Gu reached out, "...Ah... I..."

In the cold, bright moonlight.

Sixth Master Gu watched his own shadow, murmuring to himself, "Am I dashing? It seems I am not. But am I not dashing? I have so many concubines."

Whether he was dashing or not, Sixth Master Gu couldn’t provide himself with an answer.

The servant couldn’t help but yawn and urged, "Sixth Master, the night is chilly; you should take care of your health. Let’s return to the room and consider these matters further."

Sixth Master Gu snapped out of his thoughts, "Yes, yes, yes. It doesn’t matter one way or the other; the person is already here in the mansion."

Wutong Garden.

After taking a medicinal bath and changing his undershirt, Marquis Gu threw aside the gauze covers, sat heavily on the bed, and stared eagerly at Qin Yuan, saying, "Why aren’t you sleeping yet?"

Qin Yuan glanced at the paper list brought by Hong Ye, casually responding, "Soon, very soon."

Marquis Gu lay down discontentedly but waited a while longer.

As soon as Qin Yuan got into bed, he tightly embraced her.

Recently, he developed a new habit of needing to cuddle his young wife to fall asleep peacefully.

Qin Yuan, unaccustomed to the heat, tried to evade but couldn’t.

Even so, Marquis Gu complained, "Don’t move further inside; I’ve followed you to the inner side of the bed."

Qin Yuan retorted, "With such a large bed, can’t you sleep a bit further out?"

Marquis Gu’s jet-black eyes shone brightly in the dark night, "All right."

Qin Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.

Thinking it might be cooler now.

Unexpectedly, Marquis Gu shifted her towards the outside, making no real difference.

Qin Yuan fell silent.

He said, "This is fine too. Just don’t roll further inward."

Unable to hold back, Qin Yuan remarked, "It’s a bit warm; don’t hug so tightly."

Gu Jinghui finally loosened his grip slightly. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"A little more."

He released her just a bit further.

"Can’t you loosen up a bit more at once?"

"No, I can’t," this time Gu Jinghui resolutely refused, giving the reason: "Mr. Songshan said, ’Secrets must not be shared with more than necessary ears.’ If I’m too far, what if someone overhears me discussing important matters with you?"

Qin Yuan secretly rolled her eyes.

Marquis Gu continued, "Speaking of which, what was that cryptic game you and Mr. Songshan were playing?"

Qin Yuan smiled, "Take a guess."

"I can’t guess," Gu Jinghui’s voice sounded somewhat frustrated, "The words Mr. Songshan said to you were beyond my understanding. By the way, do you find those eloquent and gentle gentlemen more attractive?"