The father and son trio squatted in a secluded spot, watching Housekeeper Cao send the Wuguan Baozhangzheng out of the mansion. Shortly after, he came out and called for Gu Shiliu to go to the accountant and draw some silver.

Upon hearing about the silver, Mr. Xu immediately perked up, his eyes wide open.

The father and sons hurried back into the room, just in time to hear Housekeeper Cao saying to Marquis Gu, "Chief Wang’s godson said if it’s our Sixth Master donating for a virtual title, just give some to the kids running errands and it’ll be fine. They will soon send the fifth-rank garrison commander’s official document and resume. Sixth Master just needs to fill them out, and there’s nothing else to worry about."

Mr. Xu listened enviously.

He used to disdain this brother-in-law for having no title, and now he spends a little money to gain a status, even if it’s a virtual one, it’s still higher than his.

Clearly, the Gu Family doesn’t care about this; otherwise, they would have donated a title long ago. For a moment, he felt some regret that when his sister was alive, his brother-in-law was an idle pretender. After she died, he went ahead and donated for a title, gaining not a speck of benefit for him.

Sixth Master Gu stood by, hands in his sleeves, lips turned down, showing some dissatisfaction.

"Since we’re not doing any actual work, why not donate for a civil servant position? It would also be helpful for social interactions."

Marquis Gu was taken aback.

Qin Jijiu, standing nearby, said, "Perhaps it’s due to the connection with the Dingbei Marquis, who has military merit."

Only then did Sixth Master Gu stop speaking. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Qin Siyuan joked, "Now you’re an official. In the future, we’ll have to greet you as Commander first."

Sixth Master Gu quickly waved his hand and replied, "What does it matter? I’m still myself."

Lin Ziqi was extremely envious and a bit sour, "Sixth Master, you no longer need to lament your lack of title. Even if we pass the scholar’s exam, we only start at seventh-rank and not as grand as Sixth Master’s position."

Upon hearing this, Qin Siyuan’s expression darkened.

Originally, due to his elder brother’s advice, Sixth Master Gu distanced himself from Lin Ziqi. Now, he acted as if he didn’t hear him, only asking Housekeeper Cao, "Is it only possible to donate for a military position? Speaking of which, having a garrison commander write poems seems a bit pretentious."

When someone mentions a garrison commander writing a poem, it lacks the elegance of a certain scholar writing one.

Lin Ziqi couldn’t help but laugh "pfft," then quickly covered it up, thinking to himself that Gu was always pretentious. But he said aloud, "Sixth Master, you’re really humorous. I lost my composure. But Xin Jiaxuan was also a military general, and his poems are robustly praised. Why bother over these superficialities?"

Qin Jijiu couldn’t help but furrow his brows slightly.

This son-in-law was becoming increasingly aloof.

Sixth Master Gu earnestly said, "Ziqi’s right, I indeed became too concerned."

He wanted to write better poems, and truly shouldn’t take these superficial titles to heart.

Thus, Sixth Master Gu instructed Housekeeper Cao, "Then let’s proceed as such. Having a virtual title spares us from dealing with those snobbish people, and we can conduct my wife’s funeral with more respect."

Mrs. Xu had often criticized and resented him in life, and he hadn’t been good to her. Now that she’s gone, making her departure dignified is the least he can do.

Qin Siyuan sighed in relief and offered a suggestion to Sixth Master Gu, "When people venture out to write or paint, they often use a pen name, not their official position. Think of a good pen name instead."

Sixth Master Gu nodded repeatedly, "Brother Siyuan, your consideration is thorough. You’ve been busy preparing for exams, and now you’re compiling a poetry collection. We’ve not seen each other for a while. I miss you dearly. If you pass, you’ll likely go home to honor your ancestors. If you have a position in the capital, we can often meet. If stationed elsewhere, we’ll have to rely on correspondence."

Nobody understands him better than Brother Siyuan; a bond established at first sight.

As they chatted happily, Lin Ziqi was once again left aside.

Lin Ziqi’s face gradually turned somber.

Gu Jinghui already disliked him, conversed little after initial pleasantries. Qin Siyuan had also become estranged. Gu’s words about "snobbish people" seemed directed at him. He sat there, feeling utterly out of place.

An unspeakable jealousy clogged his heart.

His head seemed to throb faintly.

At this moment, Mrs. Cui was discussing the Lin Family with Qin Wan and Qin Yuan.

"It’s hard to see your sister now unless for the Sixth Madam’s funeral. If not for this, we might not meet until Mid-Autumn. Your sister-in-law is truly difficult; I once respected her for raising Lin Junren alone; she seemed educated and reasonable, but she’s unexpectedly troublesome."

Qin Yuan was about to speak when Mrs. Cai inquired, "Madam, should we set up the altars now?"

Qin Yuan handed out a token and said, "Calculate the materials, set it up quickly, Housekeeper Han has arranged for monks and Daoists to come tomorrow. Prepare the altars, there’s much to do."

Mrs. Cai accepted the token and hurried out.

Only then did Qin Yuan turn back to Mrs. Cui, "Is Lin Junren’s old mother keeping your sister locked in? I heard from Qin Heng that they often visited even if it’s inconvenient for a married woman to frequently return. In urgent matters, priorities must be set; it’s normal for Lin Junren, as father’s student, to visit more with his wife."

Previously, the old lady was difficult but not to this extent. After all, her dowry was thin, and the Lin Family relied on her for expenses.

Mrs. Cui’s eyes reddened, sighing, "You said previously, but it’s only been a few months. Who knows how much worse it will get? Even the maids are scolded, it’s sinful. Before, Wan’er quarreled, involving the chiefs to mediate, and we yielded, ordering Wan’er to visit less. Now she demands even more."

She poked the silent Qin Wan, "Why aren’t you speaking?"

Qin Wan had been silent since arriving, answering only a few questions, like a figurehead.

After being prodded by her mother, she weakly responded, "Mother-in-law tells me to observe the rules of a new bride. She said sister is also a new bride and doesn’t run to her parental home like I do. You and father said to mind my status and visit less. What can I do?"

Hearing this, Mrs. Cui angrily said, "How many people are in the Lin Family compared to the Marquis Mansion? Besides, your sister manages the household affairs at the mansion. Your mother-in-law initially said you’d manage the house. Now she listens to her, asks you to use your dowry to support her grandniece. What’s this? It’s far from decent after all her talk of respectability."

Qin Wan felt ashamed, whispering, "Mother, let’s not hinder sister from her work. Let’s visit Old Madam instead."

Mrs. Cui hastily looked at Qin Yuan, sighing, "Yuan, I didn’t intend to complain, but it’s been long since seeing your sister, and seeing you manage well made me speak."

Qin Wan’s face grew even more pale and wooden.

Qin Yuan smiled, "It’s nothing, just family chatter. Later, I’ll accompany you."

In a previous life, after following Lin Ziqi back to the capital, Mrs. Cui often lamented how Qin Wan was mistreated at her in-laws, hinting she should speak up for her. Qin Yuan had grown used to such complaints.

If Mrs. Cui didn’t complain, it would indeed seem odd.