My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead

Chapter 59: Chapter 59: There’s No Way She’ll Have It Easy

Qin Jijiu said blankly, ”The Qin surname... Why did that Qin want to wipe out the entire Cui family? What is this all about?”

Gu Jinghui eagerly waited at the entrance of the Imperial College to catch his father-in-law, hoping the wisest man of the Da Xing Dynasty would explain it to him, but unexpectedly, his father-in-law didn’t know.

Facing Qin Jijiu’s puzzled gaze, Gu Jinghui quickly added, ”Yuan’er said it, it’s a story from a book, very famous, many people know it.”

Qin Jijiu: ”...”

Your daughter said it, why are you asking her father?

Upon reflection, how many books has Gu Jinghui read?

Yuan’er has always known how to read people’s emotions and would never tell a rare story to trouble Marquis Gu.

”Oh, oh, that one,” Qin Jijiu realized and said with a smile, ”Son-in-law, is this what you’re here to ask? This will take a long story; Qin Heng is always thinking about you. Come, let’s go back and have some drinks, and I’ll slowly explain.”

Gu Jinghui immediately said, ”Alright, Father-in-law. Wait for me a moment, I’ll be right back.”

Once Qin Jijiu nodded, Gu Jinghui took his servant to nearby shops to buy wine, food, fruits, and vegetables.

A son-in-law visiting empty-handed is inappropriate.

Qin Jijiu stood by the carriage, stroking his beard, and smiled at the driver, ”The eldest son-in-law is quite polite.”

Although Marquis Gu’s rank and family status were higher than his, he still respected Qin Jijiu immensely.

This made Qin Jijiu feel dignified.

Especially in the bustling entrance of the Imperial College, being watched by many, Qin Jijiu truly enjoyed it.

The driver smiled and said, ”Congratulations, sir, Marquis respects the elder and cherishes our eldest daughter.”

Qin Jijiu nodded.

The eldest daughter is beautiful and sensible, how could she not capture the Marquis’s heart?

Unlike what the younger daughter said, that Marquis only cared about that woman with the Zhao surname.

Causing Mrs. Cui to fret for two nights, he didn’t dare to visit the concubines.

”The eldest daughter is gentle yet decisive, she could live well no matter whom she married, I’ve never worried about her.”

While speaking, he waved to Lin Ziqi who was hovering nearby, ”Ziqi, come over.”

Lin Ziqi hurried over, bowed, and asked, ”Father-in-law, why are you standing here? Is there anything the matter?”

”Your brother-in-law was just here asking me something; I invited him to the house for a sit down. You should come along and bring that lad Qin Heng. Tell him his eldest brother-in-law rode a magnificent horse here; ask him to take leave and come home for dinner.”

Lin Ziqi laughed and said, ”Sure, I’ll go find Qin Heng right away.”

Knowing that his eldest brother-in-law was coming for dinner at home, Qin Heng immediately followed Lin Ziqi out of the Imperial College. At the entrance, he saw Qin Jijiu chatting enthusiastically with Gu Jinghui, and beside them was the servant holding that alluring dark horse with white hooves.

”Eldest brother-in-law, you’ve come.”

Qin Heng immediately dashed over, unable to take his eyes off the horse, examining it meticulously.

Lin Ziqi and Gu Jinghui exchanged greetings, but they hadn’t much to discuss.

Qin Jijiu laughed and said, ”Come on, come on, let’s talk at home.”

Qin Jijiu and Lin Ziqi boarded the carriage, Gu Jinghui rode the horse, and Qin Heng eagerly asked, ”Eldest brother-in-law, may I ride the horse too?”

Though intimidated by the imposing Gu Jinghui, the horse was simply too tempting.

Gu Jinghui understood and reached out to pull Qin Heng up; accompanied by a shout, Qin Heng found himself on horseback.

With a flushed face, Qin Heng said, ”Eldest brother-in-law is remarkable.”

Qin Jijiu teasingly poked his head out and said, ”Marquis, don’t spoil him; he’s still a child and is quite reckless.”

Gu Jinghui shook his head, ”No problem, even my younger sister rides horses and enjoys polo; how could a young man not love horses?”

Qin Heng felt that his eldest brother-in-law truly understood him.

Following Gu Jinghui and riding the steed for a while, it was enough to boast for half a year.

Lin Ziqi, who hadn’t much experience riding and didn’t enjoy it: ”...”

Qin Jijiu occasionally talked with Marquis Gu through the window, and Qin Heng constantly chirped his opinions about the horse, with Lin Ziqi quietly sitting inside, occasionally conversing with Qin Jijiu.

And so they arrived at the Qin Mansion.

Lin Ziqi felt the journey was much longer than usual.

Upon learning that the Marquis son-in-law had come, Mrs. Cui hurriedly arranged for trendy fruits and ordered the nanny to bring refreshing sour plum and lemon drinks bought from outside.

If Lin Ziqi came alone, he wouldn’t receive such hospitality.

After organizing everything, Mrs. Cui stopped him, smiling, ”Wan’er just arrived not long ago, and now you’re here too; have a meal together before you leave.”

Lin Ziqi asked, ”Why is Wan’er here?”

Mrs. Cui chuckled dryly, ”She came to ask me for a couple of embroidery patterns, I kept her for a chat. She was about to leave, but then you all arrived, so you might as well dine together before going back.”

Lin Ziqi could only nod.

He understood that Qin Wan disdained the poverty of the Lin family, where eating and drinking were lesser than the Qin Mansion. His mother, accustomed to frugality, disliked Qin Wan’s spending on such indulgences, often blocking her, which caused Qin Wan to throw fits. On this day, she must have seized the opportunity while he was at the Imperial College to enjoy the feast at the Qin’s.

Mother-in-law was covering for Qin Wan.

But what could he say?

Gu Jinghui brought a range of gifts, including a bouquet for the incense room.

Mrs. Cui’s eyes narrowed with joy, ”Son-in-law, there’s no need to bring gifts when you visit.”

Gu Jinghui replied, ”Your son-in-law came unannounced, so I simply bought some ready-to-eat food and fruits from the street to save Mother-in-law some trouble. Please forgive the presumptuousness.”

Qin Jijiu laughed heartily, ”Marquis is so cautious, it’s no problem, no problem, Ziqi is a regular at our house, you should come often too, no need to be so formal.”

Lin Ziqi: ”...”

Mrs. Cui smiled as she retreated, arriving at the backyard, she said to Qin Wan, ”Marquis and Mr. Lin came together, brought many gifts, and were very thoughtful. It seems, his heart is indeed with Qin Yuan.”

Qin Wan chuckled and said, ”Impossible, he’s just putting on a show; if he truly cared, why didn’t he bring Qin Yuan along?”

Marquis Gu, being a nobleman, never lacked courtesy.

In the past life, when she attended banquets with Marquis Gu, they managed to maintain the facade, but once behind closed doors, they wouldn’t exchange half a word.

”Last time, when Ziqi and I were in West Market buying things for cousins, we saw her standing alone. When asked why Marquis wasn’t with her, she avoided answering directly.”

”Mother, that Zhao woman from the Marquis Mansion and her sister-in-law are quite troublesome; they’re like snakes and rats in a hole. Even with extraordinary skills, Qin Yuan wouldn’t be able to handle them.”

Mrs. Cui looked at her skeptically.

Well, she’s already married, discussing this further is pointless.

”What’s with Mr. Lin’s cousin? It wasn’t mentioned before; why did she come after your marriage?” Mrs. Cui felt uneasy.

”In the past, Mother-in-law was focused on Ziqi’s studies, so she couldn’t care for her. Now that she has time, she wants someone for company. The cousin grew up with Mother-in-law, but has not visited since the Lin family moved to the Capital City.”

”Then why come now? Did the cousin not decide on her future? Mrs. Cui listened, feeling increasingly uneasy.