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

Chapter 91: Chapter 91: This Advanced Scholar Is a Good Thing

Facing Sixth Lady Gu’s probing gaze, Qin Yuan shook her head and said, ”There’s still no word from Seventeen, and the Marquis has just gone to the Great Camp. It wouldn’t be proper to disturb him over such a matter. If you hear anything, just let me know.”

Sixth Lady Gu immediately smiled and said, ”Naturally.”

She shook the round fan in her hand, reflecting privately whether she ought to simply buy and stock some pepper.

After just a few days, the silver price of pepper had been raised significantly, enough to make one’s heart skip a beat.

Once Nanny Rong saw that the two of them had fallen silent, she nudged the backs of the two children, softly urging, ”Haven’t you greeted the guests yet?”

Sixth Lady Gu seemed to only then notice Brother Cheng and Sister Yu and laughed, ”Why are both of you staying in the main room?”

Brother Cheng and Sister Yu greeted Qin Yuan and Sixth Lady Gu with their respects.

Brother Cheng’s head was bowed, and a flash of dislike passed over his face.

Sister Yu, on the other hand, showed no concealment of her displeasure towards Qin Yuan, offering a perfunctory salute.

Qin Yuan did not mind, thinking of them as mere visitors, not expecting their respect in the future; only polite appearances were necessary.

However, Old Madam Gu’s expression was somewhat displeased.

Xiao Hong glanced at her worriedly, while Sixth Lady Gu, smiling and fanning herself, enjoyed the spectacle.

Nanny Rong explained, ”Lady Zhao is ill, and the Old Madam is concerned that the children might delay her recuperation at Fengxuan Pavilion, so she’s looking after them for a few days. With these two children here, the Old Madam has become much livelier.”

Sixth Lady Gu laughed, ”The Old Madam is truly so compassionate. These two little ones are quite lucky. Our Brother Kang and Fuguo’er still keep saying they don’t want to go to the Imperial College for school, that they would rather serve their ancestral elders for life.”

This was spoken in all seriousness.

Old Madam Gu couldn’t help but laugh, saying, ”Those two monkeys, they claim to miss me, but I fear they just don’t want to go to the Imperial College. When Sixth Master was weak, fearing there wouldn’t be enough descendants, he pushed you to have children. He still complains it delayed his studies, and now he’s intent on making them Advanced Scholars.”

Qin Yuan simply laughed.

When Sixth Lady Gu mentioned her sons’ studies, she couldn’t help but ask her, ”Third Sister-in-law, since your family manages the Imperial College, tell me, is there a trick to becoming an Advanced Scholar?”

Sitting nearby, Sister Yu absentmindedly played with the handkerchief in her hand.

Brother Cheng, however, perked up his ears to listen.

Seeing this, Qin Yuan laughed and said, ”Though my father manages the Imperial College, he cannot guarantee my brother will become an Advanced Scholar. But I do see some hope for my cousin, who became a scholar back home before moving to the Capital City to study at the Imperial College.”

Old Madam Gu commented, ”Exactly, if entry into the Imperial College guaranteed being an Advanced Scholar, wouldn’t it be something extraordinary? Not just anyone can enter the Imperial College.”

Sixth Lady Gu sighed, ”I raised these kids too delicately when they were young, never letting them tumble or fight, and they haven’t learned martial arts either. Sixth Master insists they go to the Imperial College to study, saying he never achieved academic honor himself and his sons definitely must. Don’t laugh at me, Third Sister-in-law; if they don’t become Advanced Scholars, I don’t know what Sixth Master will do.”

The younger generations of Dingbei Marquis Mansion naturally have spots for the Imperial College, but no one can ensure they’ll excel; when neither literature nor martial arts are achieved, what can be done?

Qin Yuan heard a rare hint of truth in her words and answered sincerely.

”Sixth Sister-in-law, if the children grow up healthy, not become wastrels, and not defy you, that is already excellent. As parents, there will always be plans for their future, so no need to be overly concerned about these matters. Even achieving Advanced Scholar by thirty-five is considered an early achievement. In past dynasties, there were even several who kept trying into their seventies and eighties; and many continue trying for the child student exams into their fifties and sixties. ”

”Oh, heavens,” Old Madam Gu exclaimed, laughing while patting her leg, ”Imagining Brother Kang and Fuguo’er with white beards, still taking exams with little children, makes me feel uneasy. Let them strive for what they can, if they don’t have the talent, reading and understanding is enough. Sixth Master shouldn’t push too hard, many fathers and sons take exams together after all. Sixth Master should lead his sons by example, calm down and study together.”

Sixth Lady Gu let out a scarfing laugh.

”It would be delightful if Sixth Master could willingly stay home and study with the kids.”

Qin Yuan laughed as well.

Old Madam Gu queried, ”Am I not speaking correctly?”

Qin Yuan replied, ”Indeed, indeed, what you say is akin to what my father says. My father always mentions how my brother isn’t too bright in his studies and doesn’t expect much, but insists he must be literate and understand etiquette; otherwise, there’s little difference from beasts. If lacking in talent, persevered hard work can always find a way to earn a living. He holds back closely now, afraid of learning bad habits that warp his character. There isn’t a parent who doesn’t worry about their child; things will improve as they grow.”

Old Madam Gu felt she had matched the insight of Qin Jijiu and was quite delighted.

Brother Cheng listened, transfixed.

At the Northern Border, no one ever spoke of these things; upon entering the Marquis Mansion, neither his mother nor the people around him ever discussed them.

His adoptive father had lately mentioned wanting him to study at the Imperial College.

Should he study?

Brother Cheng strained to listen to Qin Yuan’s conversation but awkwardly avoided looking at her, fearing she would notice.

After Old Madam Gu conversed with Qin Yuan for a while and inquired about Qin Siyuan’s age and preference, learning he was yet to be betrothed, she said, ”Are you going to wait until he becomes an Advanced Scholar before marriage?”

Qin Yuan smiled and said, ”My second cousin’s mother believes my cousin is exceptionally handsome, having achieved scholar status at a young age, and it would be better to wait a few years for him to become an Advanced Scholar before marrying for a better match. My father mentions the Capital City’s custom of ’catching a groom from under the ranking list,’ saying that someone as accomplished as my cousin might be taken if no betrothal is set soon; if my second cousin’s mother didn’t approve, it might be too late.”

Such truth in these words.

Old Madam Gu expressed her intent to meet Qin Siyuan and said, ”Next time your cousin visits, let us meet him, to see how handsome he truly is.”

Knowing Old Madam Gu was keen on preparing a proper gift for meeting, Qin Yuan laughed and replied, ”Of course, he’s coming in the next few days.”

Sixth Lady Gu listened enviously, wanting to meet him as well.

She had two nieces from her own family, maybe they could be first to seize the opportunity.

Brother Cheng and Sister Yu never heard these familial exchanges before and were momentarily stunned.

After Qin Yuan and Sixth Lady Gu left, Brother Cheng quietly asked Xiao Hong, ”Is studying really that important?”

Xiao Hong responded quietly too, ”Naturally, those who can study are the highest class. I learned some words, taught by my grandfather; those who came with me and didn’t know words could only sweep the courtyard, whereas I was chosen to serve the Old Madam. Isn’t there a difference?”

Brother Cheng further inquired, ”What kind of person marries an Advanced Scholar?”

Xiao Hong was stumped, and after a moment replied, ”That would require consulting Nanny Rong; I think it should be a noble lady.”

Brother Cheng said, ”Since you can read, can you help me write a letter? I want to tell my adoptive father that I’ll heed his advice and study at the Imperial College, aiming to become an Advanced Scholar.”

Becoming an Advanced Scholar is a coveted achievement.

He aspires to it too.

His sister must marry an Advanced Scholar.

So those who look down on them will see clearly.