Qin Yuan did not expect that Qin Wan would be so incapable. How long has it been, and she has already been bullied by Old Lady Lin like this.

Qin Yuan secretly sighed; Mrs. Cui regretted Qin Wan’s marriage in both lifetimes.

She thought Qin Wan could at least hold on a bit longer.

Qin Yuan relaxed her waist, lazily leaned against the pillow, looked at Qin Wan, and said lazily, "You don’t know, Sixth Sister-in-law has been ill for a while now. The dean of the Imperial Hospital had instructed us to prepare a long time ago. Now they’re just issuing the token, letting them proceed according to the previous plans. The Astronomical Bureau has said the funeral is three days later. No guests will come these days; only family members and in-laws will be going back and forth. We have time to talk, but once the funeral begins, there will hardly be time to catch a breath. What’s the matter with that cousin? Has she already arrived at the Lin Family?"

Qin Wan’s face turned gray, lowering her head in frustration.

She didn’t dare to speak of the conflicts in the Lin family in front of Qin Yuan, yet Mrs. Cui, unwilling to cover up, spat, "She came. They said they wanted to come shortly after the marriage, but later heard that there might be a smallpox outbreak in the Capital City, so they postponed it. Otherwise, they would have come earlier. Now, Old Lady Lin has an extra helper."

Qin Yuan had experienced that cousin in her past life, seemingly gentle and weak but actually sharp and mean-spirited, greatly in tune with Old Lady Lin.

Qin Wan hesitantly explained, "The cousin’s marriage in the countryside didn’t work out, leaving her dispirited and grey-faced every day. The mother-in-law was worried, so she suggested she come to the Capital City to choose a better marriage. Perhaps she could become Ziqi’s support in the future, so she was generous with the silver, hoping she would remember our kindness."

Mrs. Cui said angrily, "But you gave away silver. What they remember is the kindness of your mother-in-law and husband, not necessarily your good intentions. These are minor issues; hearing what you say about that cousin’s nature, I’m afraid she’s not a small-minded person. If she stays long in the house, trouble might arise."

Qin Yuan nodded.

Lin Ziqi’s cousin indeed has a large heart. Previously, when choosing a spouse with them while in office, she couldn’t find anyone to her liking, eventually landing on Lin Ziqi.

Qin Wan said, "Mother, I know my limits."

Mrs. Cui was quite angry, "Fine, fine, fine, you know your limits; it’s me being nosy."

Qin Wan hurriedly said, "Ziqi is very filial. He asked me to go along with Mother-in-law for now. Once he becomes an Advanced Scholar and an official, Mother-in-law naturally won’t be so picky. Ziqi is talented, smart, and will certainly rise to prominence in the future. Now that I’m married into the Lin family, I will follow their lead. When he becomes a big official, I’ll be a lady of rank. What are these minor matters then?"

Mrs. Cui hesitated to speak.

Qin Yuan smiled secretly.

Qin Wan still harbors dreams of becoming a Prime Minister’s wife, unaware that circumstances have changed.

Qin Yuan said, "In next spring’s imperial examinations, both my cousin and brother-in-law should rank high. It remains to be seen how they will be assigned positions. Also, I wonder what Second Aunt plans for my cousin’s marriage?"

Mrs. Cui smiled, "Your father said the same. These two will surely become Advanced Scholars next year, though their rankings are uncertain. Lately, your father praised Siyuan’s rapid progress. If nothing unexpected happens, he’ll surely rank among the second tier."

In her past life, Qin Siyuan’s ranking was at the end of the second tier, whereas Lin Ziqi was the seventh in the second tier, indeed not mistaken.

Qin Yuan asked, "Is there any news about my cousin’s marriage?"

"Recently, the Assistant Minister Ding’s family from the Ministry of Revenue proposed an alliance. Their daughter was impressed by Siyuan’s talent after reading a collection of poems and wanted to marry him. Your Second Aunt was eager to agree, but your father suggested waiting until Siyuan ranks high, so they delayed the matter."

Assistant Minister Ding from the Ministry of Revenue? His rank is not low; that he approached us shows his high regard for Qin Siyuan.

The poem collection was indeed worth publishing.

Qin Yuan slightly raised her brows, thinking she must properly manage affairs to create momentum for Qin Siyuan and Sixth Master Gu.

Shaking the plain fan in her hand, Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Father has high expectations of my cousin; perhaps his ranking can be closer to the top."

Mrs. Cui nodded with pleasure.

If Qin Siyuan manages to have a promising future, Qin Heng will also benefit.

Speaking of the imperial examinations, Qin Wan’s complexion improved a bit, she glanced secretly at the two, feeling somewhat like the sober one among the drunk.

Qin Yuan: "..."

Mrs. Cui and her daughter sat for a while, then went to Sixth Lady’s courtyard to visit, chatting with Old Madam Gu for a while. They promised to visit again another day, and then bid farewell.

Mrs. Cui traveled with Qin Jijiu, and Qin Yuan instructed someone to prepare the carriage to send Qin Wan and Lin Ziqi back.

Qin Wan did not refuse, sitting in the carriage in a daze, waiting for Lin Ziqi to come out.

In her previous life, she wasn’t liked by Old Madam Gu, couldn’t compete with Mrs. Zhao, and Gu Jinghui disregarded her entirely, only supporting the mother and her two children.

Even though the Sixth Lady was only a concubine’s daughter-in-law, she firmly grasped control of the Marquis Mansion’s household affairs, sweet-talking and secretly throwing countless obstacles in Qin Wan’s way.

After being reborn, the thought of facing Mrs. Zhao and Sixth Lady Gu made her scalp tingle.

She no longer wanted to endure those dead, silent, shadow-like days.

Nor did she want the cold husband, whose eyes were only for Mrs. Zhao’s trio of mother and children.

Thus, she chose Lin Ziqi.

But after her rebirth, many things felt different, which made her truly uneasy.

In her past life, Qin Yuan was quite capable, and Lin Ziqi often praised his beloved wife’s management skills publicly. But was Qin Yuan too competent?

How quickly had she grasped all the matters of the Marquis Mansion, even driving Mrs. Zhao out, eliminating the twins, and even the intractable Sixth Lady Gu had died.

Why is Qin Yuan so smooth?

The place she deemed a den of dragons and tigers, Qin Yuan seemed to thrive in.

Uneasy, Qin Wan peeked out through the corner of the carriage window. Lin Ziqi had already exited the mansion, exchanging pleasantries with Housekeeper Cao, looking amiable and smiling, surrounded by several members of the Gu Family.

In her previous life, she couldn’t be bothered with such matters. Qin Wan frowned involuntarily.

Finally, when Lin Ziqi got into the carriage, she found he had put aside his warm demeanor, his expression turned cold.

It seems Lin Ziqi isn’t quite pleased at the Marquis Mansion.

"Husband, should we leave now?"

Qin Wan softened her voice.

"Let’s go," Lin Ziqi suppressed his impatience and asked, "Did my sister say anything?"

Qin Wan said, "My sister now manages the affairs of the Marquis Mansion; how could she have the time for idle talk with me."

Lin Ziqi replied, "Don’t stay at home all the time, make sure to interact more with your sister. I’ve heard brother-in-law currently manages the Capital Inspection matters, and the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers are all figuring out ways to befriend him. You’re my wife; our future in societal connections rely on you."

While saying this, he took Qin Wan’s hand and gently stroked it.

Qin Wan leaned her body slightly toward Lin Ziqi, complaining sweetly, "You know Mother-in-law doesn’t allow me to go out, not even letting me visit my family often. How can I frequently interact with my sister?"

Lin Ziqi embraced her shoulders, comforting her, "Mom raised me, not easy at all. I keep your goodness in my heart. Please give Mom some grace for my sake. When I return, I’ll talk to her properly. If she’s worried about you going out alone, perhaps your cousin can accompany you."