Cui sighed inwardly.

At this point, the simple-minded girl was still comparing herself to Qin Yuan, but now she could only compare herself to Madam Yu from her son-in-law's family.

As for the idea of ​​a wife's status and honor being elevated by her husband, even if that were to happen, that would be a matter for the future.

But seeing that Qin Wan had finally cheered up again, Cui Shi really didn't want to spoil her mood, so she said, "Don't talk nonsense. I have never mistreated or tormented her. The doctor comes to our house every year to check her pulse. How could she not have children? Just because she stood up for you, you shouldn't say such things. If your father hears this, he will surely scold you again."

Qin Wan whispered, "I don't know if Qin Yuan can have children, but everyone in the capital knows that Lord Gu can't. Mother, don't you know that?"

Startled, Cui's hand trembled, and the bone she was holding fell into the plate with a dull thud.

"Weren't they saying it was all just a rumor?"

"Heh," Qin Wan curled her lips into a meaningful smile, "We all thought it was just a rumor before, but we only found out after Ziqi met Xu Tang..."

She lowered her voice and whispered, "These words came from the chief physician who treated Lord Gu. How could they be false? The Emperor already knows. Otherwise, why would the Emperor have changed his mind when he used Lord Gu as a weapon to deal with the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers?"

Cui's expression grew increasingly grim.

Qin Wan became increasingly excited as she spoke: "His Majesty is worried that the direct line of the Gu family is about to end. Sixth Master Gu is in poor health, and the child is like him. In the future, the Marquis of Dingbei's mansion will only be an empty title... Fortunately, the war is over, and the Marquis of Dingbei's mansion is no longer needed. His Majesty also wants to uphold the principles of loyalty between the ruler and his subjects, so as to avoid being condemned by future generations. Otherwise, how could Marquis Gu's life be so easy?"

Lin Ziqi was skeptical when he told her, but she believed him immediately.

Otherwise, how come Lord Gu and Lady Zhao didn't have a single child in their previous life?

The root of the problem lies with Lord Gu.

The thought that she had a child while Qin Yuan would never have one made Qin Wan feel less suffocated.

All the loneliness, desolation, resentment, and indignation from my past life have been let go.

Madam Cui's face darkened. She said, "Yuan'er doesn't even come back to tell us about something like this. Does she still consider us her parents? Your father even said these are all rumors."

Qin Wan's eyes darted around, and she said, "Maybe she's also being kept in the dark. Otherwise, why would Old Madam Gu praise her so highly, and why would Marquis Gu boast about his beloved wife everywhere? It's all just an act to fool her into thinking she's young and naive. Think about it, Mother. No matter how beautiful or capable my eldest sister is, she's still just an illegitimate daughter of the Imperial Sacrificial Minister's family. Marrying into a hereditary Marquis's mansion is already a step up for her. What mother-in-law and husband would treat her so well? If you ask me, something's definitely fishy."

Madam Cui sighed, "Every day, my children are a burden. Why are your marriages so troublesome?"

Qin Yuan is still very young.

Am I destined to live like this for the rest of my life?

The child hasn't come back yet.

Does this mean she feels the Imperial Academy can't support her? Or is there something else going on?

Cui couldn't eat anymore, but Qin Wan's appetite increased greatly, and she even took a food box with her when she left.

Seeing her behavior, Cui felt even more annoyed.

In the evening, Qin Jijiu lay on his bed, feeling drowsy and ready to fall asleep, but Cui Shi pulled him into conversation, rambling on and on without any rhyme or reason.

Qin Jijiu sighed, "We've been married for so many years, what's on your mind? Just tell me."

Cui said, "I heard Wan'er say..."

Before he could finish speaking, Qin Jijiu turned over impatiently, suppressing his anger, and said, "If you're going to plead for my good son-in-law again, then don't say anything more."

Cui was furious. She stretched out her long fingernails, pinched the soft flesh of Qin Jijiu's waist, and twisted it hard.

"Aww~!"

Qin Jijiu shouted.

The mansion wasn't very big to begin with, and the houses were packed together. This shout startled Qin Heng so much that he shuddered.

What's so good about getting married?

Qin Heng shook his head.

This commotion means Mom and Dad are fighting again.

After getting married and having children, this is the kind of troublesome life I lead. Sigh, why can't people just think things through?

In the darkness, Qin Jijiu sat up abruptly, clenching his fists and baring his teeth, wanting to punch Cui Shi but not daring to. After panting for a while, he finally said, "What's wrong with you now, you old hag? Can't you talk things out?"

Madam Cui also sat up, and said with displeasure, "Is that the tone you're using? Are you trying to speak properly?"

She was feeling incredibly frustrated and was looking for an opportunity to vent, so she got up and lit a lamp. After a big argument, Cui said, "Your second son-in-law is now getting close to that poor football-playing guy from the Xu family and has heard some incredible news."

"You can't expect anything good to come out of a dog's mouth. Let him study properly and stop scheming all day long. Don't let him associate with those shady people. I don't want to hear a single word he says. He's always causing trouble. Doesn't he know he'll be failing the exam next year? Look at Siyuan, he's oblivious to everything else and only focuses on studying the classics."

Qin Jijiu was furious.

Recently, their family has been in turmoil because of their second daughter's family.

Madam Cui sneered, "This concerns your eldest son-in-law, and your eldest daughter's entire life depends on this. Aren't you going to listen?"

Qin Jijiu fell silent.

After a long pause, she said softly, "Then tell me, what exactly is it that keeps you up all night? Let me help you calm down, and then we can go to bed early. We have to go to court tomorrow."

Seeing that it was getting late, Cui Shi didn't dare to make a fuss anymore, so she repeated what Qin Wan had said to Qin Jijiu.

After pondering for a while, Qin Jijiu raised his eyebrows and asked, "What are your plans for this matter?"

Madam Cui was furious: "What do you intend to do? Your good daughter has suffered a great injustice, yet she doesn't come home to complain. Does she think her family is incompetent and can't support her?"

Qin Jijiu sneered, "What backing? Lin Ziqi is just a Juren (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations). We can't back him up either, and we have to rely on our eldest son-in-law's influence."

Cui said dejectedly, "Is this how it is?"

Qin Jijiu said, "Don't make a fuss yet. Yuan'er is a woman of her own mind, but she is still young and may not be able to think of things. Pick a day to go and talk to her, and see if Madam Gu is as Wan'er said, feeling guilty and that's why she coaxed Yuan'er."

Cui could only nod in agreement.

The two turned off the lights and went to bed, but neither could fall asleep, tossing and turning.

Madam Cui sighed, "Yuan'er is beautiful and knows how to behave. She is much more shrewd than Wan'er. I thought that after she married into the Marquis's mansion, she would suffer some difficulties and be bullied, but after having a son or daughter, she would gradually gain a foothold in the mansion and her future would not be too bad. Who knew it would turn out like this?"

Qin Jijiu kept his eyes wide open and remained silent in the darkness.

Madam Cui then asked, "If our eldest son-in-law is truly impotent, should we advise Yuan'er to divorce him? Heng'er is growing up day by day, but he can't concentrate on his studies. Lin Ziqi is unreliable, and he has already developed a grudge against us."

The implication is that, at present, the only person they can rely on is Lord Gu. If Qin Yuan divorces him, who knows what kind of situation her other son-in-law will be in.

(End of this chapter)