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

Chapter 649: Interpreting the Hexagram

The crowd escorted the clan elders out of the ancestral hall and into the wing rooms of the courtyard, entering sequentially to pay respects to the clan elders, the elder ladies, the clan leader, the clan leader’s wife, and Old Madam Gu.

Though Old Madam Gu did not originally qualify for such reverence due to her age and position, Marquis Gu, being of the direct lineage and having outstanding achievements, had generously contributed to establishing a lasting legacy for the clan at Dingbei Marquis Mansion. As a result, Old Madam Gu was invited to attend, accompanied by Qin Yuan.

When Gu Jinghui entered, he first glanced at Qin Yuan’s expression, relieved to see it unchanged from usual, and only then felt at ease.

After the ceremonial greetings, the clan leader kept Gu Jinghui and sent for the host to explain the prophecy.

The host looked at it and smiled broadly, congratulating, "Madam drew a good prophecy."

The clan leader said, "We must trouble the host to interpret the prophecy for us."

The host folded his hands, his face kind and serene, saying, "Amitabha Buddha, my studies in interpreting prophecies are shallow, and I can only explain from the surface of the prophecy; as for the deeper meaning, the nobles must comprehend it privately."

"Then let’s have the host speak from the surface, as the clan members are all waiting outside now," the clan leader requested with a smiling face.

The host did not keep them in suspense and immediately said, "Da Xu’s hexagram is Qian below and Gen above, the sky and mountain meet, implying the need for diligent accumulation and storage. It’s a minor auspicious hexagram."

The clan leader joyfully remarked, "Isn’t that so? Recently, Dingbei Marquis Mansion has significantly increased the clan’s sacrificial fields and shops, which will greatly improve the lives of the clan members in the future. The descendants have the clan’s support in their literary and martial studies. After years of silence, talents in the Gu Family will emerge in abundance; now is the time to gather strength."

The host nodded and added, "The clan leader speaks rightly. Deep roots naturally yield flourishing branches, which is indeed a joyful matter."

The elders were all smiles, naturally praising Dingbei Marquis Mansion again.

Once everyone quieted down, the host continued, "The hexagram text indicates Da Xu, favorable integrity, not dining at home brings fortune, benefits from crossing the great river. Favorable integrity requires adherence to inner righteousness, unaffected by external influences, prioritizing virtue. Not dining at home suggests drawing sustenance from court, not solely pursuing personal gains. Crossing the great river signifies difficulty amid fortune, requiring brave advancement."

The clan leader nodded and gifted two envelopes of silver to thank the host, then turned to the elders, saying, "Nothing can be achieved overnight; Dingbei Marquis Mansion has spent money and effort for the clan, and we must unite as a group to overcome difficulties."

The elders nodded in agreement, saying, "The clan leader speaks rightly; Dingbei Marquis Mansion is our direct lineage, and the children and grandchildren of the clan should follow him unwaveringly. As long as he remains stable, the clan will also flourish."

The clan leader found a eloquent junior to explain the host’s interpretation of the prophecy to the clan members; not long after, cheers erupted from outside.

The clan leader laughed and said, "After all these years, everyone stays hidden. Now the ancestors have spoken; we no longer need to suppress ourselves. Look how delighted they are, cheering loudly outside."

Everyone in the room laughed too.

When the auspicious hour came, the dishes were already prepared, with tables set up both inside and outside the courtyard, and everyone divided into genders and took their seats.

The women took turns leaving their seats to pay respects to Old Madam Gu and Qin Yuan.

Old Madam Gu, overwhelmed by the flattery, grinned widely and said, "Blessed by the ancestors, Hui’er not only cleared past disgraces but also married such a wonderful wife; I wake up laughing even from dreams."

Everyone praised, "Marrying a wise wife is important, and we must later seek out families with educated daughters to form alliances; now that the Lord Sacrificial Officer and Dingbei Marquis Mansion have allied, the Gu Family is destined for resurgence."

Qin Yuan pretended to be shy, lowering her head and picking at her food, not speaking.

Gu Baoshu sat at another table.

The table was filled with unmarried girls, and naturally, she extolled Qin Yuan’s virtues: "My third sister-in-law and I are the best in the world; her good qualities far exceed what you know. Let me tell you, the fragrance she concocts sold out at Ranxiang Inn. Do you know how much silver it sells for per tael?"

After bragging for a while, Xiao Hong leaned over and whispered, "Seventh Miss, Madam asks if you’re not hungry; hurry up and eat before it gets cold."

Gu Baoshu finally quieted down and picked up her chopsticks to eat.

As for Marquis Gu, if he weren’t in a hurry to return to the Great Camp, he would definitely share with everyone how his young wife is wholeheartedly devoted to him.

After the banquet, the clan leader’s wife couldn’t help but say to the clan leader, "We used to call Jinghui ’Three Woodhead,’ but now, who is a woodhead; he’s like a teapot brewing dumplings—unseen, but remarkably clever."

The clan leader laughed and said, "Calling him ’Three Woodhead’ was just a joke; how could he really be a woodhead? If he were, how could he serve as a companion reader to the Former Crown Prince in the palace? The Former Crown Prince’s maternal clan led the Four Great Families back then; if he were a woodhead, how would the Former Crown Prince value him most?"

The clan leader’s wife sighed, "So many years have passed in a flash; the Former Crown Prince fell, Old Marquis and several gentlemen are gone, and we all thought the Gu Family would live in humiliation and steal their existence; who could have foreseen this!"

"This is called ’Never belittle the poor young man.’ Others ridiculed him as an immature youth, and few took his vows seriously. Some branches returned to home and abandoned martial for trade; now they see the clan rising again and send letters wanting to return."

"They made such an unpleasant ruckus when leaving; didn’t they go seek another family branch? Why come back again now? Letting those petty people have their way isn’t right."

"That won’t happen!" the clan leader said immediately, "Now our entire clan is united with Dingbei Marquis Mansion for better or worse; how many generations apart are the original branch and us now? The ancestors couldn’t live well within the clan, so they followed the Grand Ancestor Emperor through bloody battles for their riches. Had they been well cared for by the clan, they wouldn’t have started another branch here."

"Yes, when more people get involved, thoughts become scattered. Those who left should not return. Speaking frankly, the matters arranged by Dingbei Marquis concern the heads of everyone in the clan."

"I understand. You should visit the Marquis Mansion more often, and talk to the aunties there. Look at Ninth’s branch that has moved to the Marquis Mansion; they’re living more comfortably. If Dingbei Marquis succeeds in this matter, I see Jing Cheng’s Commander position being solidified."

The clan leader’s wife scoffed, saying, "As if you need to say; Cheng brother’s wife even said that the aunt found a miracle doctor for her to conceive a child. Haven’t you seen Cheng brother fawning over the Marquis incessantly? Ninth’s branch even complained that Cheng brother thinks of himself as one of the Marquis Mansion’s people now."

"Really?" The clan leader was surprised, "There is actually such a capability."

Seeing the hour was late, he promptly stood up and put on his shoes, "I won’t talk to you further; I didn’t get a chance to mention during the banquet, there are matters with Jinghui that I need to take care of."

The clan leader’s wife said, "So late, who will you look for?"

"What do you know, you housewives?" The clan leader laced up his shoes and headed out, continuing to say, "Empress Dowager’s grand birthday is approaching, and someone is plotting trouble; this is the perfect opportunity for our clan members to gain merit."