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

Chapter 124: Chapter 124: What Do You Know?

The nanny said: ”Young Master Qin looks excellent, he’s already a scholar and will take the exam for an advanced scholar next year.”

The maid turned back and told Gu Baoshu, who angrily said: ”No wonder he’s been so inattentive here, claiming to help me prepare for the Qiqiao competition. Turns out he was using me as a distraction.”

Gu Baoshu said: ”You should find a way to investigate this Young Master Qin who has charmed Xu Zhen like this.”

Sixth Master Gu learned that Qin Siyuan came and left without visiting him, naturally he felt disappointed. However, knowing Qin Siyuan hadn’t gone to the main room to greet Old Madam, he relaxed, realizing there indeed was something urgent.

Seeing Gu Baoshu’s maid asking his servant about it, he got annoyed and said: ”Young Master Qin is also none of your business to inquire about. You’ve learned all these bad habits from the Xu family. Lord Sacrificial Officer spoke highly of him, saying that he is certain to attain the title of advanced scholar, and he has good looks, not to mention, mother even gifted him her treasured square inkstone.”

That square inkstone, he polished over and over as a child but never got to have it. Growing older, he wisely refrained from asking again.

After all, he wasn’t even a scholar.

Such an inkstone is meant for a handsome advanced scholar.

Gu Baoshu, upon learning, sneered, ”Everyone keeps boosting his prestige, I shall see just how remarkable this Young Master Qin truly is.”

She has always been accustomed to being spoiled, and usually only treated Xu Zhen cordially because of Sixth Lady’s sake. Now, for two days straight, she’s been relentlessly troubling Xu Zhen, who’s left utterly distressed, clueless as to what offense he might have caused to this young lady.

Qin Yuan was unaware of these matters, merely speculating with Hong Ye about where the Marquis obtained the ice basins from.

”It’s truly odd, I’ve asked around everywhere but nobody has heard of two missing ice basins,” Hong Ye said, somewhat frustrated.

Qin Yuan asked, ”Does no one know that the Marquis has returned?”

Hong Ye shook her head.

Qin Yuan thought, if it weren’t for the extra two ice basins in the room, she might have believed it was all a dream.

”Then don’t spread the news.”

Hong Ye nodded, ”I understand.”

After the midday rest, Qin Yuan lazily leaned back in her pillow, dazing off. Hong Ye said: ”Madam and Second Miss have come to see you.”

Qin Yuan was a bit startled, ”Who?”

”Mrs. Qin and Mrs. Lin are here.”

Qin Yuan: ”...”

Mrs. Cui and Qin Wan have come to see her?

Hong Ye said: ”Xiao Hong came to deliver the message, Old Madam received Madam and Second Miss in the main room, they’ll come to Wutong Garden shortly.”

”Oh,” Qin Yuan understood, it seemed like Mrs. Cui somehow found out about her fright from the horse incident and came to the Marquis Mansion with Qin Wan.

She held the marriage tie with the Marquis Mansion in high regard, and with it, some regard for herself as well.

”Alright, prepare quickly,” Qin Yuan instructed.

Hong Ye nodded and went off to busy herself.

Soon after, a young maid reported that they had already arrived at the courtyard gate, Qin Yuan hurried out to greet them.

Only to see Mrs. Cui full of smiles, her joy unmistakably tangible, while Qin Wan beside her had a somewhat strange and twisted expression.

Nanny Rong accompanied them.

Seeing Qin Yuan come out, Nanny Rong quickly exclaimed: ”Madam, why aren’t you staying indoors, exposing the wound to the wind will slow the recovery, family is no stranger here.”

Mrs. Cui paused briefly, then promptly took her hand, showing concern: ”Yuan’er, why did you come out to meet us when you’re injured? We don’t need to observe such formalities between us.”

Qin Yuan smiled and replied: ”Mother, Nanny Rong is just a bit worried about me, I’ve applied Renhe Hall’s medicine, it’s much better already.”

Qin Wan then remarked sourly: ”Never thought Renhe Hall’s Doctor Li would possess such skills.”

Mrs. Cui also commented, ”Doctor Li frequently visited our home for consultations in the past, didn’t expect he was so capable. It’s your good luck indeed, many yearn for a box of Jade Beauty Cream.”

Qin Wan said: ”Of course, Sister’s luck has always been good; otherwise, she wouldn’t have married into the Marquis Mansion.”

Mrs. Cui cast a sidelong glance at Qin Wan.

Qin Yuan pretended not to hear, supporting Mrs. Cui as they walked deeper into the courtyard, smiling: ”Mother hasn’t visited my courtyard yet, let your daughter show you around?”

Qin Wan then said: ”The Marquis Mansion is so vast, we’ve long been weary from walking. We primarily came to check on Sister’s wound.”

Nanny Rong listening at the side frowned continuously.

Mrs. Cui was slightly embarrassed but couldn’t reprimand her daughter publicly, so she said: ”Yuan’er, your sister is quite pampered. We hurried over when we heard you were frightened yesterday. As long as you’re alright, we’ll feel relieved.”

Qin Wan remained silent, merely twisting the handkerchief in her hand.

Qin Yuan knew why Qin Wan acted this way, she simply smiled and said: ”Not a major issue, resting a night and it’s already better.”

Saying so, the group crossed the corridor bridge and entered the main room.

With her mother and sister visiting, no reason remained for them not to be invited into the proper quarters. Qin Wan and Mrs. Cui were shown to seats in the outer room of the main room, while Nanny Rong took her leave.

Qin Yuan had them serve Mrs. Cui’s preferred Dragon Well tea, with lotus seed paste pastries, in season.

The room was filled with the ethereal scent of sinking incense, and in a nearby ice basin, large blocks of ice were sculpted into floral shapes, glistening as droplets fell.

Initially a bit hot, sitting down provided both coolness and comfort.

Mrs. Cui nodded subtly, for the opulence of the Marquis Mansion was indeed unparalleled.

Items displayed on the antique racks were all extraordinary, the layout exuded grandeur.

This main room compared to hers was like night and day.

Qin Wan felt a bit dazed. This Wutong Garden, where she lived in forlorn solitude before, permeated a sorrowful, gloomy air everywhere. Revisiting the place, it revealed a different scene altogether.

Mrs. Cui remarked: ”The Marquis Mansion in summer is indeed more tolerable, such large ice, enough for the Qin Mansion to use in a day.”

Qin Wan didn’t respond.

Qin Yuan quickly explained: ”Upon hearing Mother was coming, your daughter ordered it to be arranged, in summer one shouldn’t indulge in excessive coolness, only a few ice basins were placed. Wutong Garden is ventilated all around, with ponds and flower trees, it’s not very hot.”

Mrs. Cui contentedly said: ”It’s good to cherish fortune.”

After some idle chatter, Mrs. Cui continued: ”Your father knows Prince Qi saved you, urging me to visit. Firstly, to see how your injuries are and how you’re faring in the Marquis Mansion. You’re inherently less convenient than Wan’er, who often visits the Qin Mansion with her husband, and your father worries about never seeing you. Secondly, to inform you that Prince Qi saving you merits substantial gratitude from the Marquis Mansion, but how to thank him carries great significance.”

Both Qin Yuan and Qin Wan were aware that barring unexpected events, Prince Qi would pass away in a few years.

Qin Wan, hearing this, discreetly pursed her lips, scrutinizing the furnishings differing from previous lifetimes.

Qin Yuan asked: ”What does Father mean by this?”

Mrs. Cui said: ”Marquis Gu holds a strong military position, having just made great contributions, it’s prudent to remain neutral with the princes.”

”Your daughter noted it down.”

Qin Wan lightly chuckled and mockingly said: ”Marquis Gu probably won’t have the opportunity to return to the battlefield anymore, Father’s overly anxious.”

In the previous life, Marquis Gu spent peaceful days with that lowly maid Lady Zhao, regardless of the external chaos, unimpressed.

Mrs. Cui hastily looked at Qin Yuan’s expression, glaring at Qin Wan said: ”What do you know?”