Qin Yuan never expected that Qin Wan would be so incompetent, having been bullied like this by Old Madam Lin in such a short time.

Qin Yuan sighed inwardly. The Cui family had been troubled by Qin Wan's marriage for two lifetimes.

She thought that Qin Wan could at least hold on for a while longer.

Qin Yuan relaxed her back, leaning softly against the cushions. She looked at Qin Wan and said lazily, "You don't know, my sixth sister-in-law has been ill for a while. The head of the Imperial Medical Academy told us to make preparations long ago. Now it's just a matter of issuing the order and telling them to hurry up and carry out the arrangements as planned. The Imperial Observatory said the funeral will be held in three days. There won't be any guests these days, only relatives and in-laws. We mother and daughters have time to talk, but after the funeral, I'm afraid we won't even have time to catch our breath. What's going on with that cousin? Has she already arrived at the Lin family?"

Qin Wan's face turned ashen, and she lowered her head in dejection.

In front of Qin Yuan, she couldn't explain the complicated conflicts in the Lin family, but Cui Shi was unwilling to hide it, and spat, "They're here. They said they were coming not long after they got married, but they postponed it because they heard that there might be a smallpox outbreak in the capital. Otherwise, they would have come long ago. Now Old Madam Lin has another helper."

Qin Yuan had experienced Lin Ziqi's cousin in her previous life. She looked gentle and weak, but was actually sharp-tongued and mean-spirited, and got along very well with Lin's mother.

Qin Wan stammered as she explained, "My cousin's marriage in the countryside didn't go through, and she's always looking disheveled and listless. My mother-in-law was worried and suggested that she come to the capital to find a good match, so that she might become Ziqi's right-hand woman in the future. That's why we're being generous with the money, and we're also looking out for her to remember our kindness."

Madam Cui said angrily, "It's just that you've given money, and people will only remember the kindness of your mother-in-law and son-in-law. They might not take your good intentions seriously. These are all minor matters. Judging from what you've said about that cousin's character, she's probably not petty. If she stays at home for too long, she might cause trouble."

Qin Yuan nodded.

Lin Ziqi's cousin is indeed audacious. When she accompanied them to their post to choose a husband, she was picky and looked down on everyone. In the end, she slept with Lin Ziqi.

Qin Wan said, "Mother, I know what I'm doing."

Madam Cui was furious. "Fine, fine, fine, you know what's going on. I was just meddling in other people's business."

Qin Wan hurriedly said, "Ziqi is a filial son. He told me to go along with my mother-in-law for now. Once I pass the imperial examination and become an official, my mother-in-law will naturally stop being so petty. Ziqi is talented and intelligent, and he will surely make a name for himself in the future. Now that I'm married into the Lin family, I will naturally follow him wherever he goes. If he becomes a high-ranking official, I will be a lady of high rank. What are these trivial matters?"

Cui hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.

Qin Yuan chuckled inwardly.

Qin Wan still harbors the dream of becoming the Prime Minister's wife someday. Can't she see that everything has changed?

Qin Yuan said, "Next year in the spring imperial examination, my cousin and brother-in-law should both pass with flying colors. I wonder how they will be selected as officials. Also, I wonder what my second aunt thinks about my cousin's marriage."

Madam Cui laughed and said, "Your father said the same thing. They are both sure to become Jinshi next year. It's just a matter of who will be ranked higher. I recently heard your father praising Siyuan for his rapid progress. If there are no surprises, he will definitely be ranked in the second class."

In his previous life, Qin Siyuan ranked at the bottom of the second class, while Lin Ziqi was seventh in the second class. That was indeed true.

Qin Yuan asked, "Is there any news about my cousin's marriage?"

“A while ago, the Ding family of the Ministry of Revenue wanted to arrange a marriage. Their daughter read that collection of poems and took a liking to Siyuan’s talent. Your second aunt wanted to agree as soon as she heard this, but your father said it would be better to wait until Siyuan passed the imperial examination and then discuss it, so he postponed it for the time being.”

The Vice Minister of Revenue, Ding? That's quite a high-ranking official. The fact that he would take the initiative to ask someone to arrange a marriage between Qin Siyuan and Qin Siyuan shows that he thinks highly of Qin Siyuan.

Publishing this poetry collection was a worthwhile investment.

Qin Yuan raised her eyebrows slightly, secretly thinking that she should do a better job of promoting Qin Siyuan and Master Gu.

Shaking the plain fan in her hand, Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Father has high expectations for my cousin, and his ranking might be quite high."

Cui nodded happily.

If Qin Siyuan can have a bright future, Qin Heng will also benefit from it.

When the imperial examination was mentioned, Qin Wan's expression softened considerably. She glanced at the two of them discreetly, conveying a sense of smugness that she was the only one who was sober amidst a sea of ​​drunks.

Qin Yuan: "..."

After sitting for a while, Cui and her daughter visited the Sixth Madam's courtyard, chatted with Old Madam Gu for a bit, and agreed to come back another day before saying goodbye.

Cui Shi rode in the same carriage as Qin Jijiu, so Qin Yuan ordered someone to prepare the carriage and send Qin Wan and Lin Ziqi back.

Qin Wan did not refuse, and sat in the car in a daze, waiting for Lin Ziqi to come out.

In her past life, she was not favored by Madam Gu, and she could not compete with Madam Zhao. Gu Jinghui completely disregarded her and only protected the mother and her two children.

Although Madam Gu was the wife of a concubine's son, she firmly controlled the inner quarters of the Marquis's mansion, and while she appeared sweet on the surface, she secretly plotted against her in countless ways.

After being reborn, the thought of facing Zhao Shi and Madam Gu Liu made his scalp tingle.

She never wanted to live those lifeless, silent days again.

She no longer wanted that cold husband who only had eyes for Zhao and her two children.

Therefore, she chose Lin Ziqi.

But after being reborn, many things were different, which made her truly uneasy.

Qin Yuan was capable in her previous life, and Lin Ziqi often praised her for being a loving and capable wife. But wasn't Qin Yuan a little too capable?

In such a short time, he had taken control of all the affairs of the Marquis's mansion, not only driving out Zhao Shi but also eliminating the twins, and even the troublesome Madam Gu Liu was dead.

How come Qin Yuan's life is so smooth?

In her past life, it was a den of dragons and tigers, but Qin Yuan thrived there.

Qin Wan looked out through a corner of the car window in a panic. Lin Ziqi had already left the mansion and was exchanging pleasantries with Steward Cao. His expression was gentle and he had a smile on his lips. Several members of the Gu family were also gathered around him.

In her previous life, she wouldn't have bothered to respond at all, so Qin Wan frowned.

After finally getting Lin Ziqi into the car, he noticed that his warm demeanor had vanished and he had turned cold.

It is clear that Lin Ziqi was not very happy in the Marquis's mansion.

"Husband, shall we go now?"

Qin Wan softened her voice.

"Let's go," Lin Ziqi said, suppressing his impatience. "Did your sister say anything?"

Qin Wan said, "Now that you are in charge of the Marquis's affairs, how could you have time to talk to me about such trivial matters?"

Lin Ziqi then said, "Don't always stay at home. Spend more time with your sister. I heard that your brother-in-law is now in charge of the important affairs of the capital inspection. All the high-ranking officials are trying to get on good terms with him. You are my wife, and I have to rely on you for social interactions."

He then took Qin Wan's hand and gently stroked it.

Qin Wan leaned against Lin Ziqi and complained in a coquettish voice, "You know my mother-in-law won't let me go out, and she won't even let me visit my parents' home often. How can I visit my sister's place frequently?"

Lin Ziqi put his arm around her shoulder and comforted her, "It wasn't easy for my mother to raise me. I remember all the kindness you've shown me. Please give in to my mother for my sake. I'll go back and talk to her properly. If she's worried about you going out alone, how about letting your cousin accompany you?"