Following Shen Jinshu's words, Shen Jinhua chimed in at the opportune moment, "Second sister hasn't had much schooling, so it's easy for her to talk without understanding the difficulties. Naturally, she doesn't know how hard it was for Cousin Qin Xu to pass the imperial examination."
On the one hand, she subtly mocked Song Zhiyu for her lack of wit and integrity, and on the other hand, she subtly provoked her hatred.
The reason is simple: Shen Jinhua just doesn't want Song Zhiyu to have an easy time.
The Qin family is a den of dragons and tigers, and Qin Xu is not as gentle and refined as he appears on the surface. Song Zhiyu will suffer if she marries into the family.
Shen Jinhua's inexplicable sense of superiority over Song Zhiyu probably stemmed from her confidence that she had studied for a few more years than Song Zhiyu.
"Alright, Jinhua, stop talking. Second sister grew up in the countryside. In such a remote village, the best she could achieve was a Xiucai (a scholar who passed the county-level imperial examination). It's normal that she doesn't understand the significance of a Juren (a scholar who passed the provincial-level imperial examination). After all, not everyone is as capable as your eldest brother."
Shen Jinshu covered her mouth and chuckled, her upturned eyes carrying a hint of ambiguous amusement.
She had clearly overlooked Pei Qingyan completely, not believing that the remote and impoverished Li County could produce any capable people.
Sure enough, upon hearing these words, Qin's mother's face darkened instantly, and she stared at Song Zhiyu with a sinister look, becoming increasingly dissatisfied with her.
Her son, a mere scholar, was actually looked down upon by Song Zhiyu, that good-for-nothing. It's utterly ridiculous.
If it weren't for the 20% dowry, Qin's mother would never have agreed to let Song Zhiyu marry into the family.
She had already seen the list of gifts that the Eldest Princess and others had sent to Song Zhiyu, and the strings of pearls, agates, and jade pendants on it were all quite expensive.
Even if it only accounts for 20%, Qin's mother still coveted it immensely.
As her thoughts wandered, Qin's mother had already decided on the destination of those treasures.
The pearls and agates were given to my mother-in-law, who had always loved such sparkly things.
And that jade pendant could be a perfect gift for the Prime Minister's wife's grandson's 100-day celebration, and also a way to secure a good marriage for her youngest daughter.
Song Zhiyu was unaware that the person in front of her was not only scheming against her marriage, but also coveting her belongings.
However, Song Zhiyu's things are not easy to take. These people should tighten their skin before plotting against her.
"Brother Yuzhou is a prodigy, his vast knowledge is something even I, Qin, admire. With such a brilliant young genius as Brother Yuzhou before us, it's only natural that the Second Miss has a higher standard." Qin Xu smiled modestly, his gentle and refined demeanor befitting a scholar.
He seemed quite different from the Qin family. Song Zhiyu wondered, could this be the legendary case of bad bamboo producing good shoots?
But she always felt that this refined smile seemed a little strange.
Qin's mother rolled her eyes in annoyance. Even if a cripple was once glorious, that was all in the past. The current Shen Yuzhou was no match for her son.
But she clearly dared not say these words in front of the Marquis's residence.
"I wonder what books the Second Miss has read?" Qin's mother twitched her lips, her smile half-smile, her sarcastic tone making people extremely displeased.
She had to deflate Song Zhiyu's arrogance today, to make her realize the difference between herself and Xu'er, so that she would know how to serve her parents-in-law and husband when she entered the mansion in the future.
Even though the matter was still far from being settled, Qin's mother had already thought about the future, with one tormenting idea after another, but she never showed it on her face.
Song Zhiyu raised an eyebrow and blurted out, "Books, well, I've read a few. For example, that one about how to improve one's self-awareness, and another about how to develop a thick skin like a city wall..."
The more she spoke, the darker the faces of everyone present became.
How come they've never heard of such a book?
The Qin family was even more shameless than the Chengen Marquis's family; they were equally shameless.
She happened to be in a bad mood and was looking for a way to vent her frustrations.
"Who are you calling shameless?" Qin's mother jumped up from her chair, her face darker than the bottom of a pot.
This is how Song Zhiyu speaks to her elders—sarcastic and lacking any manners.
"Why are you in such a hurry, Madam Qin? I wasn't talking about you. Didn't you ask me what books I've read? I was just answering truthfully. Why are you getting so worked up?" Song Zhiyu said calmly, her light tone infuriating.
Qin's mother almost couldn't hold back her smile. Song Zhiyu's words were practically a direct insult to her, but she had to endure it with great difficulty.
Neither Madam Shen nor Madam Shen uttered a word, but their tightly pursed lips revealed their unpleasant mood.
In a corner where no one was watching, Qin Yu gently tugged at her mother's sleeve and whispered a reminder: "Mother, please calm down and don't lose your composure."
Have you forgotten the purpose of our visit to the Marquis's residence today? Don't let a small matter cause you to lose sight of the bigger picture.
These words, with their clear implications, brought Qin's mother back to her senses. She awkwardly sat back down, her fingers still trembling slightly, her anger finding no outlet.
"A small act of impatience can ruin a great plan. Once she's in the mansion, you'll be in charge. How you deal with her will be none of anyone else's business." Qin Yu appeased her mother with just a few words.
She was always flexible and adaptable, and her accompaniment of her mother and brother to the Marquis's residence this time was not just for her brother's marriage.
She looked up toward the direction of Songzhuyuan, a determined glint in her eyes.
She couldn't let Qin's mother ruin her plans.
After calming Qin's mother down, Qin Yu subtly gave Qin Xu a wink, signaling him to proceed with the plan.
Qin Xu nodded knowingly, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes. He bowed gently and respectfully to Song Zhiyu, "Second Miss, Mother is rather blunt and may offend people. But she meant no harm to you, Second Miss, so please don't take it to heart."
I have heard that Miss Qin has always been fond of the treasures in the Treasure Pavilion. I, Qin, though unworthy, hope that Miss Qin will grant me a chance to express my apologies.
Upon hearing this, Qin's mother almost couldn't sit still again.
If Qin Yu hadn't been holding her shoulders down so firmly, she would have jumped up right then and there.
She was reluctant to buy any of the treasures from the Treasure Pavilion, but her son immediately told Song Zhiyu to choose any item. He was truly bewitched by this vixen.
But you can't catch a wolf without risking your cub. Although Qin Xu was also heartbroken, he had a longer-term vision than his mother.
If such a small favor could be exchanged for 20% of Song Zhiyu's dowry and countless shops, only a fool would refuse.
The family reunion banquet held at the Marquis's residence was a grand affair, with dozens of boxes of treasures and jewelry being carried into the residence like a flowing stream, giving Song Zhiyu a great deal of face.
He was present at the time and witnessed the whole thing. He knew clearly that all of these things ended up in Song Zhiyu's pocket, and the Marquis's mansion didn't get a penny.
This is why Shen Feng was so eager to arrange a marriage with the Qin family.
Even if it's only 20%, that's still a huge sum, enough for the Qin family to live a very comfortable life.
Unlike his mother, Qin Xu had more than just money in his mind; Song Zhiyu's powerful backer was his real target.
Gaining the favor of both the Eldest Princess and the Duke of Ling would bring him far more benefits than the Marquis's mansion had promised.
Therefore, Qin Xu made two preparations, and he would not lose out if he got either one.
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