Qin Wan lowered her eyelids, as if lost in thought.

Lin Ziqi had already released his embrace, his tone distant, and said, "I know asking you to curry favor with your elder sister has wronged you. Who can I blame but myself for being useless, without any position even now? It’s inevitable for you to feel uncomfortable mingling with these noble ladies."

Her sparse brows slightly furrowed with resentment.

Qin Wan’s heart trembled. She hurriedly explained, "How can my husband say such things? If I cared about those matters back then, how would I have married you?"

Lin Ziqi frowned slightly, then relaxed his brows and smiled, saying, "I knew my Wan’er wasn’t a petty, opportunistic person. It was my momentary lapse of judgment. You gave up on the Marquis back then to choose me, a poor scholar. How could you care for these worldly views? In your heart and eyes, there’s only me. When I someday achieve great success, I will not disappoint you. We are destined to be a harmonious and loving couple."

The words on her lips were swallowed back. Even if Qin Wan was unwilling, she could only nod and agree.

Lin Ziqi held her tightly, whispering in her ear, "Your cousin has gained fame with his poetry collection selling well, even the Assistant Minister has approached him to propose marriage. Now the Marquis Mansion is hosting a poetry contest. Your father-in-law wants to compile an unprecedented poetry collection. This is an excellent opportunity. Your brother-in-law now has the Emperor’s favor, and the civil servants of the Pure Stream seek his help. After the spring exams next year, he might gain further benefits. Be active socially; we are family by marriage, and it’s no big deal to bask in some of their glory, isn’t it?"

In short, with a little help, his future would be as bright as the sky.

Qin Wan softened her body and said with a charming smile, "My husband is wise; Wan’er will do it. Luckily, Wan’er married you early. Otherwise, when your poetry becomes widespread, I fear even a Princess would seek your hand."

"Silly girl, you are a blessing in difficult times; marrying a Princess is merely a decoration. I will always be Qin Wan’s husband in this life, and even if a Princess seeks my hand, I will not be moved," he said warmly.

Qin Wan nestled in Lin Ziqi’s arms, closing her eyes in happiness.

Next year, when Lin Ziqi ranked high, her good days would arrive.

Although Qin Yuan was more illustrious than in her previous life, making her feel stifled, Lin Ziqi was to be the youngest Grand Secretary of the Da Xing Dynasty, renowned for his talent and deeply respectful and loving toward his wife. Such a good man couldn’t be compared to that crude and indifferent soldier.

Wrapped in silk and satin, yet lifeless, what meaning was there in that?

Qin Yuan had no idea what she had missed!

Qin Wan soon comforted herself.

In the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, people came and went, and many family members from the Direct Lineage were left to help.

Qin Siyuan spoke with Sixth Master Gu for a while and was then invited by Mr. Songshan.

The two talked about poetry for a while and then discussed current affairs.

Qin Siyuan recalled what he saw and heard on his journey from Jinling to the Capital City and asked Mr. Songshan, "After years of peace, the common people grow wealthier by the day, especially in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions, where merchants thrive, marketplaces flourish, and every household is joyful. Why is it that along the way from my hometown, I still encountered so many poor people selling their sons and daughters, and even some forming bandit gangs for survival?"

Mr. Songshan gently shook the feather fan in his hand, chuckling lightly, "May I ask, why do you read books?"

Qin Siyuan replied, "Naturally, to achieve fame and honor my ancestors."

Mr. Songshan sighed and said, "Do you know why scholars of the Da Xing Dynasty’s early days read books?"

Squinting his eyes, Qin Siyuan said, "Mostly to pursue scholarship and to become saints."

Mr. Songshan stood up, paced a few steps, stretched his neck, clasped his hands behind his back, and gazed into the distance. After a while, he spoke in a melancholy tone, "My enlightening teacher was the retired Grand Tutor who, after returning to his hometown, used his entire salary to open a school, only eating meat once every ten days."

"My family were tenant farmers for generations. It wasn’t until my grandfather’s time that we scrimped and saved to buy dozens of acres of good land. To afford these acres, five generations lived together without splitting the property. In my father’s generation, not only did we keep the land my grandfather passed down, but we also added seventeen acres of paddy fields. Without any accidents, my generation should increase that."

Qin Siyuan, clueless, just stared blankly at him.

The Qin Family, once a grand clan, now in decline with dwindling landholdings. To fund his studies, his widowed mother sold land every few years. Though he studied hard and earned the title of scholar, allowing him tax-free land registration, local clerks and gentry befriended him financially. Even so, life in the Qin Mansion was not easy.

For someone of Mr. Songshan’s background, succeeding through study was extremely difficult.

Indeed, Mr. Songshan said, "If not for my teacher’s generosity, providing education for the village and allowing us to learn, I could not have completed my studies. The textbooks, ink, paper, and food were all supplied by the school. Only after I passed as a Scholar did the school cease their support."

Qin Siyuan sighed, "It truly is a noble deed; your teacher is indeed a benevolent person."

Mr. Songshan said, "I once asked my teacher why he did such things. He said his teacher did the same. When the dynasty began, gold and silver were worthless, but rice was precious. His teacher, who held a second-rank official position, had an annual grain salary of five hundred dan and often lamented the difficulties of the world. A high-ranking official only received such a salary; how could the poor survive? As scholars, we should work on self-improvement when in adversity, and help the world when in success. Hence, he distributed his salary to local students. My teacher, having received grain, endured hard days, achieved success, and remembered his teacher’s words, he followed suit."

Qin Siyuan lowered his head, silent.

Mr. Songshan said, "In the past, there were fewer scholars, and everyone valued integrity. Great scholars composed poetry or paintings only for admired men of integrity, indifferent to status or money. But now, from the court to the common folk, extravagance grows. Travel norms, wedding, and funeral expenses are staggering. With more scholars, the bonds between people grow weaker, and prominent scholars demand extravagant sums for their works. Fame-seekers abound. What is the purpose of studying? With scholars unconcerned with the people or the world filling the court, how can the people live well? Would you not agree?"

Qin Siyuan, face flushed, sighed, "Yes."

Mr. Songshan said no more.

Qin Siyuan remained silent for a long time, then rose to take his leave.

Returning to the Imperial College, Lin Ziqi asked him, "Why did you return so late? I was planning to wait for you, but since the Marquis Mansion arranged a carriage for Wan’er, I returned home with her."

Qin Siyuan replied, "I spoke with Sixth Master for a while before Mr. Songshan called me over."

Lin Ziqi then tentatively asked, "Was it the same Mr. Songshan guarding the poetry contest?"

Qin Siyuan nodded.

Jealous yet envious, Lin Ziqi said, "I wonder when the elder brother met such a person. How come I knew nothing of it?"

Despite being relatives, why could Qin Siyuan acquaint himself with Mr. Songshan, but not he?

Before Qin Siyuan could respond, Lin Ziqi continued, "With the poetry society at Jade Spring Pond, you were the first I thought of. I heard the poetry composed at the Marquis Mansion’s night banquet gained admiration. Why didn’t you or Sixth Master think of me?"