"What's impossible about that?"
Cui glared at Qin Wan.
Qin Jijiu also frowned, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, his voice gentle, but Cui Shi could tell he was unhappy.
"With this collection of poems, Master Gu can clear his name of being a good-for-nothing playboy. As relatives by marriage, we should be happy to see this happen."
Some things can't be said outright; they can only be hinted at.
Qin Wan kept flipping through the pages, trying to find a flaw, and finally said dejectedly, "Everyone else has a sable tail, and his dog tail is just there to make up the numbers. Maybe he's just here because he's been given a chance..."
Before she could finish speaking, Qin Jijiu interrupted her: "Enough. As a woman, you should be careful with your words and actions. How can you talk about people behind their backs? Besides, you are related by marriage. Heng'er and Siyuan went to the Marquis's mansion to see Yuan'er. The Marquis's mansion gave them a very generous gift. Even if you are only doing this for your brother's sake, you shouldn't say these things. What will people think if word gets out?"
He paused, then continued, "Even though his work isn't great, it's still neat. His poems aren't good, but his paintings are quite nice. If it weren't for the money and favors he used, this collection of poems wouldn't have been published. Ziqi and Siyuan are both indebted to him."
Qin Wan pouted and remained silent, then flipped through the poetry collection again. After a while, she said, "How come my cousin Siyuan's poems are better than Ziqi's? How is that possible?"
She was so focused on finding fault that she was now flustered and angry to discover that Qin Siyuan's poem actually surpassed Lin Ziqi's, and she couldn't help but speak recklessly.
Qin Jijiu frowned again after hearing this.
Cui said, "Can't you speak properly, child?"
It's true what they say: a married daughter is like water spilled from a bowl.
Qin Wan only had eyes for Lin Ziqi. Sometimes, she really wondered if Lin Ziqi had given Qin Wan some kind of love potion.
At this moment, Qin Wan didn't care what her parents were saying. Her fingers trembled as she frantically turned the pages of the book.
In his previous life, Lin Ziqi was favored by two officials because of his excellent poetry. Many years later, this poem was mentioned to the emperor, who then appointed Lin Ziqi to serve as an official in the capital.
After Lin Ziqi entered the capital, his talent became widely known. Even though she was confined to the Marquis's residence, she had heard about it and would often play with and recite Lin Ziqi's poems when she had nothing to do.
Why are Lin Ziqi's poems no longer as outstanding as they were in his previous life?
On the contrary, Qin Siyuan, who was not good at writing poetry, wrote several amazing poems.
"Impossible, I can't be mistaken."
Qin Wan was deeply moved and couldn't help but mutter to herself.
In his previous life, Qin Siyuan only made it to the bottom of the second rank, almost falling into the third rank and becoming a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations).
When her mother came to visit her, she complained that if Qin Siyuan's poems hadn't been so lacking in inspiration, she probably would have been admitted to the top rank.
Unfortunately, Qin Siyuan just couldn't get it, wasting all the guidance her father had given her over the years. Not only did she not do well on the exam, but she also didn't know how to be flexible in her dealings with people, so she could only be sent to a remote post as a minor official.
Qin Heng was even less suited to studying, and the connections her father had built up ultimately led to Qin Yuan's marriage.
In the end, the most illustrious among the Qin family's children was an inconspicuous illegitimate daughter.
Hearing this, Qin Wan gritted her teeth, so angry she felt like she was about to vomit blood.
She was truly indignant. Why was Qin Yuan able to live such a good life? Back then, Lin Ziqi was so poor that he often came to her house to freeload. Qin Yuan brought him some soup and water and became the wife of the prime minister.
If she could do it all over again, she would definitely hold onto Lin Ziqi tightly and make Qin Yuan experience her miserable life.
She got her wish and was given a second chance, but somehow it didn't match up with her past life.
"My son, are you possessed?"
Cui quickly hugged her, also quite frightened.
Qin Jijiu angrily asked, "What's wrong with you now?"
Qin Wan was surprised and said, "Father, when did my cousin Siyuan become able to write such good poems?"
Qin Jijiu frowned at her and asked, "You only did this for this?"
Qin Wan said, "That's right, Cousin Siyuan's poems are neat but lack any inspiration. Isn't that what Father often says? I've also read Cousin Siyuan's poems before. It's not that I'm protecting Ziqi, but I'm just saying good things about Ziqi. Cousin Siyuan's poetic talent is far inferior to Ziqi's. How come he can now write such good poems?"
Qin Jijiu was a little stumped, and after a long while he said, "Siyuan has recently become enlightened."
I don't believe it.
Qin Jijiu said, "Why wouldn't you believe it? Your cousin Siyuan has a solid foundation in learning, but he just didn't have the knack for writing poetry. But these days, I don't know how, he suddenly got the hang of it. Even Lin Ziqi wrote a great poem the other day, far better than his usual works."
He took the poetry collection and showed it to Qin Wan.
Qin Wan's slanderous words caught in her throat.
Lin Ziqi's best poem was the one she claimed to have received in a dream.
"What's going on?" Qin Wan felt a surge of panic.
It shouldn't be like this, it absolutely shouldn't be like this.
Cui comforted her, saying, "There has never been a first place in literature. This time, the publication and sale of your poetry collection has spread your talent and fame. Your future career will be much smoother, and you might even rank high in the imperial examination. You should be happy."
Qin Wan was unhappy.
Qin Jijiu was already impatient and had no intention of coaxing her. He said, "Your cousin Siyuan has finally seen the light. He will pass the imperial examination in the future, which will only benefit you and not harm you. What's with your long face? In the future, you should also control your temper when dealing with your second aunt, so as not to let trivial matters in the inner quarters affect the friendship between men."
It's obvious they think she's short-sighted and intolerant of others.
Cui hurriedly gave Qin Wan a look, signaling her to restrain herself. Qin Wan was too weak to argue, so she could only lower her eyes and agree. Her appetite was much worse than usual.
After Qin Jijiu left, Cui said, "I'm not trying to criticize you, but there should be limits to how much you love your husband. You must not break the rules. To put it bluntly, you are a member of the Lin family, but you are also a member of the Qin family. Your maternal family is your support. If Lin Ziqi and his mother treat you badly in the future, having a capable brother can help you seek justice. Your younger brother isn't good at studying, but Siyuan passed the imperial examination. Isn't that a good thing for you?"
Qin Wan felt distressed, but she couldn't express it.
Madam Cui continued, "I know you're unhappy that Siyuan surpassed Ziqi, but studying is different from other things. In this dynasty, how many scholars are incredibly talented, and how many have studied until their hair turned white, still only a junior scholar? Even if they were destined to pass the imperial examinations, it doesn't guarantee a successful official career. Look at your father, he's considered one of the top officials, yet he's struggling to make ends meet. You should be more careful. Lin Ziqi's family is poor, and he doesn't have any relatives to help him. If your cousin Siyuan serves in the same court as him in the future, they can support each other. Don't go crazy again and make me beat you up."
Qin Wan lowered her head and remained silent, bidding farewell with a heavy heart. She then pestered Cui Shi for the poetry collection, saying she wanted to take it back to show Lin's mother.
Cui was a little annoyed and waved her hand, saying, "Take it, take it. Didn't that servant say he sent it to the Imperial Academy? Just keep an eye on this one."
After returning home, Qin Wan hid in her room, flipping through the poetry collection over and over again, pondering every word and phrase. The more she did this, the more she felt something was amiss.
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