In the end, the two brothers, just like in their youth, went together to the ancestral hall.

Marquis Gu walked ahead with confident strides.

Sixth Master Gu, timid yet always loving to cause trouble with his third brother, followed cautiously holding a lantern.

With a creak, the heavy door was pushed open. In the dim light, the dark and chilly ancestral hall revealed several rows of tablets and statues arranged according to ancestral ranks.

"It’s so dark, what can you even see?"

Confused, Sixth Master Gu found himself somewhat bored and murmured softly.

Marquis Gu replied, "I can see clearly."

Sixth Master Gu was a bit annoyed but dared not act out, merely holding the lantern in silence.

After a while, Marquis Gu said, "Let’s go."

"Is that it?" Sixth Master Gu asked, "What did you see?"

Marquis Gu said, "It’s done. I told you I just came to greet the ancestors, to get familiar faces, and you didn’t believe me. Isn’t the clan planning to worship our ancestors together on the Mid-Autumn Festival? I thought there are so many tablets and statues in the ancestral hall, probably can’t display them all. So, I came here to check first. We should also hold our own worship during the Mid-Autumn Festival."

"Really?"

With a suspicious look, Sixth Master Gu knew he was being deceived but couldn’t find evidence, relying solely on the other’s conscience.

Without a trace of conscience, Marquis Gu nodded, "Of course it’s true. Do you know why?"

"Why?" Sixth Master Gu listened attentively. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Marquis Gu said, "Your third sister-in-law captured Zhi Guang, that bald monk, in the family temple, and caught Yelv Xianyong on the way back as well. A young woman like her is so formidable, it must be the ancestors showing their spirit and protecting my Gu Family through her. As the descendants receiving such protection, naturally we cannot forget the ancestors. The clan plans to hold a collective ancestor worship on Mid-Autumn Festival. Don’t you think we should also conduct a worship in our own mansion?"

Sixth Master Gu was convinced.

Thinking about it, it must be ancestral protection for the third brother to acquire such a wife as his third sister-in-law.

Why hadn’t he thought of that?

Unconsciously, his gaze towards Marquis Gu was filled with admiration, appreciation, and a bit of enlightened eagerness.

Unaware that he had swayed his sixth brother in an unknown direction, Marquis Gu, seeing no further speech from him, said, "Let’s go."

Sixth Master Gu then carried the lantern and followed Marquis Gu back.

On the way, the shadows of trees swayed, and occasionally strange bird calls startled Sixth Master Gu, raising Goosebumps on his skin, and he talked more.

"Third brother, Book Sea Pavilion wants to compete with us on poetry collections business, also organized a poetry competition, but unfortunately little turnout, haha," Sixth Master Gu laughed, "So they’ve thought of other ways, heavily hired masters from Cangzhou to make the Nine-Turn Lotus Lamp, and widely invited scholars, planning to astonish the world on Empress Dowager’s birthday. You would never guess, they not only drafted Mr. Songshan but begged him to invite Young Master Nantang, saying they could offer him a hundred gold coins."

Hearing this, Marquis Gu showed interest and responded, "They actually want to invite Young Master Nantang, haha, simply wishful thinking. However, the owner of Book Sea Pavilion is indeed bold, even came to our Dingbei Marquis Mansion asking Mr. Songshan to write poetry for them, assuming we are passive clay figures? Clearly, our temperament’s been too gentle in the past. When Sixteen returns, let him stand up for you; for now, let things sit as we have many matters at hand."

Sixth Master Gu laughed, "Alright, can Sixteen handle it? Isn’t he going to study at White Crane Academy with Treasure Bead?"

Marquis Gu muttered a few words.

Sixth Master Gu didn’t delve into it. He knew his third brother’s words would come true.

Eagerly, he continued, "Speaking of resentment, the success of my poetry collection already served its purpose; Book Sea Pavilion is envious. They even discussed with Shen Changle about wanting a share, but Shen Changle naturally refused. Book Sea Pavilion arranged competitions to compete with us is but business instincts; there’s no need to be upset. It’s just this time they sent messages to Mr. Songshan, what was said truly angered me."

"Oh?" Marquis Gu raised his eyebrows, knowing his brother came to complain, asked, "What did they say?"

"They didn’t only arrange poetry, but attempted to poach," Sixth Master Gu said, "Mr. Songshan showed me the letter, saying that our Dingbei Marquis Mansion, despite looking glorious, is like a water duck building nests on reed flowers, always at risk of destruction. Mr. Songshan and Young Master Nantang, as renowned scholars, not only get used to elevate our superficial taste but might get implicated. Rather than partnering with Dingbei Marquis Mansion and be attacked, better to stay unbiased as true scholars. Book Sea Pavilion is willing to offer them this chance, for fear regret will come if they refuse now."

Upon finishing, Sixth Master Gu raised the lantern to observe his brother’s expression.

Having read the letter, he felt uneasy.

Today, hearing third brother saying they formed an alliance with Prince Qi to confront Empress Lin and Crown Prince, made his heart even more restless.

Marquis Gu said coldly, "Hold the lantern properly to light the road; if you twist your ankle, nobody will soothe your tears."

"Oh," Sixth Master Gu complied honestly.

Marquis Gu snorted coldly.

"Unexpected that the owner of Book Sea Pavilion has such insight, just acts sleazily and unlikable; since he says so, watch carefully what unfolds."

First threatening, then cautioning, even aiming at his young wife’s matters.

If not shown some severity, he won’t acknowledge the power of Dingbei Marquis Mansion.

Marquis Gu pondered myriad strategies, yet remained outwardly composed.

Sixth Master Gu continued, "Young Master Nantang is growing prominent; Crown Prince, Prince Qi, and others are all working to gather news and have devised ways to inquire. Considering our closeness with Prince Qi now, should we inform him?"

Marquis Gu replied, "This matter doesn’t need mentioning. In alliance, not everything must be disclosed to others; even my father-in-law keeps it tight. Not even my mother-in-law knows."

Sixth Master Gu assured, "I certainly won’t let a word slip."

"That’s good," Marquis Gu halted, turned, earnestly addressed his brother, "Mr. Songshan said, if Young Master Nantang fame spreads among scholars, it’s beneficial. Though indifferent to this, I realize your sister-in-law, despite her vast knowledge marrying me, is akin to none, letting her enjoy some acclaim before the world, also good. Recently, working frequently with the six departments, I realized us military folk are just known for leading troops and wielding weapons. We interact mainly with coarse people, unaware of scholars’ rules, not understanding what they think or endorse, can’t outtalk them nor outmaneuver them, hence being stepped on. Look at me, even with extraordinary merits, openly praised, still secretly curtailed, mocked as a brute. If your sister-in-law can use this fame to reclaim some ground for us, it’s fortunate for Dingbei Marquis Mansion, and for military generals."

Listening to this heartfelt speech from his third brother, Sixth Master Gu felt a torrent of emotions, musing his third brother’s transformation in words and deeds compared to before is like rebirth, certainly ancestor’s protection, he too wishes to plead before the ancestors.