Qin Yuan did not expect that Qin Wan would be so incapable. How long has it been, and she has already been bullied by Old Lady Lin like this.
Qin Yuan secretly sighed; Mrs. Cui regretted Qin Wan’s marriage in both lifetimes.
She thought Qin Wan could at least hold on a bit longer.
Qin Yuan relaxed her waist, lazily leaned against the pillow, looked at Qin Wan, and said lazily, "You don’t know, Sixth Sister-in-law has been ill for a while now. The dean of the Imperial Hospital had instructed us to prepare a long time ago. Now they’re just issuing the token, letting them proceed according to the previous plans. The Astronomical Bureau has said the funeral is three days later. No guests will come these days; only family members and in-laws will be going back and forth. We have time to talk, but once the funeral begins, there will hardly be time to catch a breath. What’s the matter with that cousin? Has she already arrived at the Lin Family?"
Qin Wan’s face turned gray, lowering her head in frustration.
She didn’t dare to speak of the conflicts in the Lin family in front of Qin Yuan, yet Mrs. Cui, unwilling to cover up, spat, "She came. They said they wanted to come shortly after the marriage, but later heard that there might be a smallpox outbreak in the Capital City, so they postponed it. Otherwise, they would have come earlier. Now, Old Lady Lin has an extra helper."
Qin Yuan had experienced that cousin in her past life, seemingly gentle and weak but actually sharp and mean-spirited, greatly in tune with Old Lady Lin.
Qin Wan hesitantly explained, "The cousin’s marriage in the countryside didn’t work out, leaving her dispirited and grey-faced every day. The mother-in-law was worried, so she suggested she come to the Capital City to choose a better marriage. Perhaps she could become Ziqi’s support in the future, so she was generous with the silver, hoping she would remember our kindness."
Mrs. Cui said angrily, "But you gave away silver. What they remember is the kindness of your mother-in-law and husband, not necessarily your good intentions. These are minor issues; hearing what you say about that cousin’s nature, I’m afraid she’s not a small-minded person. If she stays long in the house, trouble might arise."
Qin Yuan nodded.
Lin Ziqi’s cousin indeed has a large heart. Previously, when choosing a spouse with them while in office, she couldn’t find anyone to her liking, eventually landing on Lin Ziqi.
Qin Wan said, "Mother, I know my limits."
Mrs. Cui was quite angry, "Fine, fine, fine, you know your limits; it’s me being nosy."
Qin Wan hurriedly said, "Ziqi is very filial. He asked me to go along with Mother-in-law for now. Once he becomes an Advanced Scholar and an official, Mother-in-law naturally won’t be so picky. Ziqi is talented, smart, and will certainly rise to prominence in the future. Now that I’m married into the Lin family, I will follow their lead. When he becomes a big official, I’ll be a lady of rank. What are these minor matters then?"
Mrs. Cui hesitated to speak.
Qin Yuan smiled secretly.
Qin Wan still harbors dreams of becoming a Prime Minister’s wife, unaware that circumstances have changed.
Qin Yuan said, "In next spring’s imperial examinations, both my cousin and brother-in-law should rank high. It remains to be seen how they will be assigned positions. Also, I wonder what Second Aunt plans for my cousin’s marriage?"
Mrs. Cui smiled, "Your father said the same. These two will surely become Advanced Scholars next year, though their rankings are uncertain. Lately, your father praised Siyuan’s rapid progress. If nothing unexpected happens, he’ll surely rank among the second tier."
In her past life, Qin Siyuan’s ranking was at the end of the second tier, whereas Lin Ziqi was the seventh in the second tier, indeed not mistaken.
Qin Yuan asked, "Is there any news about my cousin’s marriage?"
"Recently, the Assistant Minister Ding’s family from the Ministry of Revenue proposed an alliance. Their daughter was impressed by Siyuan’s talent after reading a collection of poems and wanted to marry him. Your Second Aunt was eager to agree, but your father suggested waiting until Siyuan ranks high, so they delayed the matter."
Assistant Minister Ding from the Ministry of Revenue? His rank is not low; that he approached us shows his high regard for Qin Siyuan.
The poem collection was indeed worth publishing.
Qin Yuan slightly raised her brows, thinking she must properly manage affairs to create momentum for Qin Siyuan and Sixth Master Gu.
Shaking the plain fan in her hand, Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Father has high expectations of my cousin; perhaps his ranking can be closer to the top."
Mrs. Cui nodded with pleasure.
If Qin Siyuan manages to have a promising future, Qin Heng will also benefit.
Speaking of the imperial examinations, Qin Wan’s complexion improved a bit, she glanced secretly at the two, feeling somewhat like the sober one among the drunk.
Qin Yuan: "..."
Mrs. Cui and her daughter sat for a while, then went to Sixth Lady’s courtyard to visit, chatting with Old Madam Gu for a while. They promised to visit again another day, and then bid farewell.
Mrs. Cui traveled with Qin Jijiu, and Qin Yuan instructed someone to prepare the carriage to send Qin Wan and Lin Ziqi back.
Qin Wan did not refuse, sitting in the carriage in a daze, waiting for Lin Ziqi to come out.
In her previous life, she wasn’t liked by Old Madam Gu, couldn’t compete with Mrs. Zhao, and Gu Jinghui disregarded her entirely, only supporting the mother and her two children.