"I don't want to live anymore, how am I supposed to live like this..."
The woman's shrill screams seemed to stretch into a long thread, causing Qin Yuan to frown slightly and open her eyes in displeasure.
Just as he was about to lash out, he was startled by the sight of the slightly worn, rain-washed-sunlight-colored gauze curtains on the canopy bed.
She had only taken a nap on the sandalwood couch in the Prime Minister's study, but when she opened her eyes, she found herself on this simple bed.
"Miss is awake?"
Qin Yuan turned her head at the sound and saw Hongye, who looked more than ten years younger, standing in front of her with a worried expression.
That's really strange.
Before she could speak, with a creak, Cuiming, who had long since died, rushed in, her face contorted with grief, and sobbed as she said to her, "Our young lady is truly unfortunate; her perfectly good marriage is about to be ruined. Madam says that Master Lin will marry the second young lady instead."
Hongye's face suddenly fell: "Second Miss fell into the water at a flower viewing party, and none of the old women and maids around her saved her, but it was Young Master Lin who saved her. I really don't know what to say. What will happen to our eldest Miss? She was supposed to get married in two months."
Qin Yuan was in a daze for a long time before she realized that she had been reborn, and her younger sister had also been reborn, even earlier than her.
In her past life, she pretended to be sick and stayed at home embroidering her wedding dress. Her younger sister, Qin Wan, went to the flower viewing banquet and returned overjoyed. She came to her room to boast that her future brother-in-law, Marquis Gu, was not only a skilled warrior but also handsome and extraordinary, and was deeply favored by the emperor. The Marquis's mansion was incredibly wealthy, like oil being poured on a raging fire.
Her husband, Lin Ziqi, came from a poor family with only a widowed mother. When he was studying, he had to beg for money from the Qin family. Since ancient times, it has been said that a woman should obey her husband after marriage. After marriage, the status of the two sisters became worlds apart.
These words stuck with Hongye for the rest of her life, and she would bring them up from time to time, all because the two sisters later became worlds apart.
However, she was the cloud in the sky, while Qin Wan was the mud on the ground.
In her previous life, after she married Lin Ziqi, Lin Ziqi ranked seventh in the second class of the imperial examination. He first became a probationary official, then entered the Hanlin Academy, and became a lecturer in the Hanlin Academy. He walked in front of the emperor and gained face. He was then transferred to Jiangxi, Suzhou and Hangzhou, starting as a county magistrate. In less than ten years, he became a high-ranking official. During this time, he made several great contributions that won the emperor's favor. He was personally selected by the emperor to enter the cabinet and become a prime minister. She also benefited from her husband's rise to prominence.
Everyone respectfully calls her Madam Lin, which is extremely prestigious.
After Qin Wan's grand wedding, she and Lord Gu became bitter enemies because of a concubine. Lord Gu and his concubine lived a loving life behind closed doors, while Qin Wan spent her days in tears in the main courtyard. Unable to conceive, she chanted Buddhist prayers and burned incense every day, almost going mad.
Her stepmother even came to her door to ask her to use her status as the wife of the Prime Minister to support Qin Wan in the Marquis's mansion and give that arrogant concubine a good beating.
It was during the festival, and she was busy managing the household affairs of the Prime Minister's residence. She couldn't find the time to attend to her family. A few days later, Qin Wan suddenly died from a cold. Even after her death, she didn't see Lord Gu shed a single tear. Her funeral was extremely hasty.
Qin Yuan scoffed lightly.
In this second life, Qin Wan is still just as clueless, even trying to steal her marriage.
Qin Wan is the legitimate daughter, so she can only have what Qin Wan doesn't want. She needs to make plans early.
Help me up.
With red eyes, Hongye came over to help her out of bed. Looking around, Qin Yuan felt uncomfortable seeing the bare, snow-cave-like boudoir, having grown accustomed to the luxury of the Prime Minister's residence.
That's just how people are; it's easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality.
But when she looked at her delicate, fair fingers, she felt a surge of joy; this was the best time of her life.
Qin Yuan said calmly, "Bring me a mirror."
Cuiming quickly brought over the mirror.
The mirror reflected a face so tender it looked like it could be pinched to release moisture, bright and beautiful. She didn't have time to look closely, so she quickly applied a layer of white powder to her face and changed into a worn-out dress, making her look much more haggard.
Not long after, her stepmother, Cui, sent someone to summon her to the front hall.
The old woman who delivered the message looked at him with pity and said, "Madam wants to speak with the eldest young lady."
Hongye slipped a small purse into the old woman's hand, and the old woman added, "The master is here too."
Qin Yuan nodded her thanks, and with the help of the two maids, she walked unsteadily to the front hall.
In the hall, the father and stepmother sat at the head of the table, while the younger brothers Qin Heng and Qin Wan sat on either side.
As soon as Qin Wan saw her enter, her face turned pale and her eyes red as she rushed forward, crying out in a hoarse voice, "Sister, I'm so sorry, please kill me."
"What's wrong with my sister?" Before Qin Yuan could even greet her parents, her pale lips trembled as she asked softly, "What did you do to make me kill you?"
Qin Wan covered her face and cried uncontrollably, choking back sobs several times before she could speak.
The stepmother's gaze was unfriendly, clearly indicating that she hated her for making her beloved daughter feel embarrassed by her words.
In the end, it was the younger brother, Qin Heng, who said firmly, "Eldest sister, second sister was pushed into the pool today. It was eldest brother-in-law who rescued her. There were many people watching. Second brother-in-law saw it too."
In just a few words, everything that needed to be said was said.
Qin Yuan's face was blank, her eyes glazed over, as if she were quite frightened.
Madam Cui, the stepmother, frowned, her brows furrowing into a deep frown. She said sternly, "Wan'er was also harmed like this. Now, the only way to quell the rumors is to let Wan'er marry Lin Ziqi. Otherwise, how can the Qin family's daughters have any reputation left?"
Before she could finish speaking, Qin Wan knelt down with a thud and cried, "Sister, I... I have no other choice but to marry Brother Lin in my current state. Please, have mercy and grant us our wish."
Qin Yuan couldn't help but shudder at the thought of Qin Wan, who was so arrogant and spoiled in her past life.
She tried to help Qin Wan up, but Qin Wan remained kneeling and said repeatedly, "Sister hasn't forgiven me yet. I've prevented you from marrying Brother Lin. You can hit me or scold me however you want, even if I die kneeling in front of you, it's nothing."
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