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

Chapter 60: Chapter 60: Since Ancient Times, Wealth Stirs the Human Heart

Qin Wan said, ”Originally, it was settled, but the man’s side regretted the engagement. My mother-in-law said to wait until Lin Ziqi passes the Advanced Scholar exam, and then it will be easier to find a good match for my cousin among his fellow students at the Imperial College.”

Mrs.Cui smiled, ”Your mother-in-law sure knows how to plan.”

Qin Wan said, ”This isn’t bad. If she marries well, Ziqi will have more support in the future.”

Mrs.Cui said, ”Be careful with this cousin talk, don’t let anything else happen.”

Qin Wan scoffed, ”Ziqi only has eyes and heart for me. He’s not that kind of person. My cousin is a country girl; what insight could she have? How could she compare to me?”

Not that kind of person?

Like Marquis Gu?

Mrs.Cui sighed inwardly.

Knowing she couldn’t talk sense into her daughter, and fearing it would only annoy her further, she smiled and said, ”Today they’re eating outside, so we’ll eat inside. After you eat, go back with your husband. You’ve lost some weight in just these few days apart.”

Qin Wan complained, ”Ziqi’s mother is really difficult. Even meals have to follow rules. When I buy something with my own money to eat, she stops me. There’s hardly anything on the table I can eat, and she says that Ziqi is studying hard and needs to eat first. Ziqi has spoken to her a few times, and then she cries.”

Mrs.Cui frowned and said, ”Didn’t you say your in-laws are the most agreeable and easy-going?”

Qin Wan said, ”She may not speak loudly, but she cries incessantly. Ziqi asks me to bear with it, saying he’ll be good to me and repay me well in the future.”

Mrs.Cui: ”...”

Lost her appetite. What is going on?

Outside, after three rounds of drinks, Qin Jijiu started talking more, mentioning how Qing Feng killed Cui Zhu, saying, ”After losing his wife, the powerful figure in Qi State, Cui Zhu, married a widow named Tang Jiang. After they had a son, they wanted to leave all property to the younger son, planning to disinherit the two legitimate sons from the previous wife. Tang Jiang’s son from her previous marriage was also brought into the Cui family and, along with Tang Jiang’s brother, was favored by Cui Zhu. They united to leave the two legitimate sons with no way out, joining with Qing Feng to take back their wealth.”

Gu Jinghui asked in shock, ”What happened then?”

Qin Heng quickly said, ”Brother-in-law, I know this. I studied it at the Outer Residence.”

Qin Jijiu smiled and tested his son, ”Then tell your brother-in-law.”

”At that time, Qing Feng resented Cui Zhu for his power and wanted to eliminate him. Seeing the internal chaos, he was naturally glad and lent soldiers to Cui Zhu’s sons. During a meeting between Cui Zhu and Tang Jiang’s eldest son and brother, they killed the two. Cui Zhu fled to ask Qing Feng for help, who then sent troops to invade the Cui family and killed the two sons. Tang Jiang committed suicide, and her youngest son happened to be outside, thus surviving. Cui Zhu returned to his home with gratitude, only to find that all the family retainers had fled, and realizing he had fallen victim to Qing Feng’s plot, he had no hope of revenge and thus also took his own life. In the end, the youngest son secretly returned, buried his parents, and fled to another country.”

Qin Heng spoke fluently, leaving Gu Jinghui stunned.

Qin Jijiu said, ”What you said is correct. Tang Jiang was too beautiful, and because Qi Zhuanggong admired her, they had private meetings and were also killed by Cui Zhu. Later generations said that once Cui Zhu married Tang Jiang, the Cui family was doomed.”

Lin Ziqi frowned, not understanding why the story was mentioned, and interjected, ”Cui Zhu originally went for a funeral, saw the widow Tang Jiang, and his thoughts were stirred. This is indeed the downfall of heroes over beauties. It might have been all right if he married Tang Jiang, but bringing Tang Jiang’s son from her previous marriage into the Cui family was wrong. When Tang Jiang had the younger son, internal and external coordination made the legitimate sons naturally endangered.”

The statement was conventional, as everyone would say.

Gu Jinghui asked, ”What does that mean?”

Lin Ziqi looked at the Marquis Gu in confusion and said, ”The son Tang Jiang had earlier was older and heavily relied on by Cui Zhu, naturally hoping the family wealth would fall into his half-brother’s hands, ensuring lasting wealth and power. With his uncle, they already had influence, and with Tang Jiang uniting to speak ill of the two legitimate sons in front of Cui Zhu, who could kill Qi Zhuanggong for Tang Jiang, how could he not be confused enough to replace the legitimate with the illegitimate?”

Gu Jinghui suddenly slammed the table, shouting, ”How can such things exist, such foolish people.”

Qin Jijiu pondered momentarily, suddenly understanding, poured a drink for Gu Jinghui and said, ”Come, come, come, dear son-in-law, drink this toast. If you drink it, I have more stories to tell.”

Gu Jinghui drank it all at once.

Qin Jijiu had his son refill his brother-in-law’s glass.

Gu Jinghui drank it all at once again.

Qin Jijiu glanced at Lin Ziqi.

Lin Ziqi understood, smiled, and said he wanted to toast his brother-in-law.

Gu Jinghui did not refuse, drank three more cups, only his face slightly flushed.

Lin Ziqi watched Marquis Gu drink like drinking water, puzzled over how Qin Yuan could live with such a coarse man.

These things even elementary school children know, but Marquis Gu had no idea.

Judging from Qin Yuan helping him with poetry and policy papers, her talent was impressive.

But all of Marquis Gu’s skills seem only in fighting and weaponry.

Indeed, an accomplished wife with an inept husband.

Lin Ziqi felt regretful, with indescribable thoughts spreading in his mind, he suddenly said, ”Big sister reads history well; brother-in-law should ask Big Sister more often in future and definitely won’t be ignorant.”

Qin Jijiu looked at him, smiling, ”Ziqi doesn’t know, Yuan’er challenges the Marquis in jest with this question.”

Lin Ziqi sipped his wine and sighed, ”Big Sister is indeed surprising.”

Qin Heng said, ”Big Sister is the best among us at reading, and our cousin Si Yuan said if she were a man, she’d likely pass the scholar exam too.”

Qin Jijiu noted Lin Ziqi’s slightly red eyes and ears and hurriedly laughed, saying, ”What do you youngsters understand? Your cousin Si Yuan was joking with her. Is it that easy to pass the scholar exams? Not many in the country could do it. Yuan’er just had the advantage of being close and read more books, her memory is good, and you truly can’t match her in this.”

Lin Ziqi took another sip of wine and said no more.

Gu Jinghui nodded proudly, ”Yuan’er is exceptionally intelligent and knows reason, taught well by father-in-law. My mother praises her every day, saying marrying her is indeed my blessing.”

This remark shocked Lin Ziqi, causing his wine glass to fall to the ground, shattering.

”Silly boy, quickly help your second brother-in-law walk around to sober up. His tolerance is low, and he can’t drink much,” Qin Jijiu promptly instructed.

Qin Heng wanted to continue listening to his brother-in-law and father talk but could only pout and support Lin Ziqi out.

Gu Jinghui watched Lin Ziqi’s figure with deep meaning in his eyes.

Marquis Mansion, main room.

Old Madam Gu was also greatly astounded by the story. After Qin Yuan left, she said to Nanny Rong, ”Ancient people have made such mistakes, we can’t be foolish as well. Daughters from scholarly families are different; they consider matters more deeply. Wealth moves people’s hearts, let alone the riches of a Marquis Mansion. Quickly persuade Zihe to come back and expel Bai Que, for such things can’t tolerate any favor.”

Must quickly find a way to send Lady Zhao and the pair of twins away.

Waiting any longer will make her sleepless.