Chapter 110: Protect Yourself

The Old Madam Gu felt a headache.

There are many good things in this world, but just because you see them doesn’t mean you should try to grab them.

Qin Yuan is so outstanding, how could her highly esteemed cousin be any less?

How can it be the Xu family’s turn to covet them?

But it’s not good to hurt feelings, so she subtly hinted, "Don’t overdo it, if it doesn’t work out in the future, how will Zhenzhen face Yuan’er?"

Almost indicating that if you and Qin Yuan end up unhappy over this, how will the two sisters-in-law get along?

However, Sixth Lady Gu didn’t care at all.

What’s the use in getting along compared to tangible benefits?

Sixth Lady Gu laughed and said, "What’s the big deal? I’m just playing the role of Wang Po selling melons, speaking on behalf of Third Sister-in-law about Zhenzhen’s advantages. It’s not like Third Sister-in-law is the one making the decision. Zhenzhen understands this logic."

Only then did Old Madam Gu feel relieved.

But soon, her concern rose again.

Because Sixth Lady Gu continued, "If we find that the Young Master Qin is indeed as good as his reputation, it won’t be impossible for the girl’s family to propose marriage."

Turns out she had this plan all along.

Old Madam Gu sighed and said, "It might not be appropriate for the girl’s side to push eagerly, better to check the boy’s opinion first."

Sixth Lady Gu laughed and said, "Mother forgot, Third Sister-in-law mentioned capturing a husband who just finished the exams. If others can identify a husband after exams, why can’t our family propose before he finishes them?"

No matter if there’s a chance or not, let’s try a few more times.

"We’re all from military families; there’s no need for so many rules."

Old Madam Gu: "..."

Saying more might make this daughter-in-law overthink.

Due to the troublesome Sixth Elder, Old Madam Gu always felt slightly wary towards Sixth Madam.

Nanny Rong secretly comforted her, "They say Young Master Qin is nice. It’s not too late to see for yourself when he arrives."

Old Madam Gu said, "Hmm, should we talk to Yuan’er? So Sixth Elder’s wife doesn’t act foolishly, making it embarrassing for everyone. Zhenzhen is young and inexperienced; we don’t want her reputation sullied by her own aunt, leaving no place to cry."

As pepper prices in the Capital City gradually increased, Sixth Lady Gu felt many things could be achieved through planning.

If you don’t contend, fight, or strategize, will a pie fall in your hands?

She understood Old Madam Gu’s hints but didn’t take them to heart at all.

"The Old Madam has good insight but lacks strategy," Sixth Lady Gu privately told Nanny Zhao, "Old Madam said to change the family’s status, and the Xu family’s daughters should no longer marry military generals."

Nanny Zhao hesitated a bit and said, "Sixth Master just advised you not to have designs on the Qin family..."

Sixth Lady Gu sneered, "What does he know?"

A fool who only knows how to squander the silver I painstakingly earned.

Only Zhang Pixiang is good at flattering.

It turns out coaxing those decent women to throw themselves at him only requires a handsome face, and he’s become more excessive in recent years, even liking the patrons who spend lavishly at the brothel.

Nanny Zhao fell silent.

Sixth Lady Gu always thought she was discreet, and occasionally inquired with Qin Yuan about the progress on purchasing pepper. Upon learning that the pepper hasn’t been found yet and Gu the Seventeenth had no news, she feigned consolation, uttering phrases like, "What’s meant to be will eventually be, what’s not meant to be shouldn’t be forced."

Unexpectedly, Qin Yuan already knew she had bought the pepper from the Persian merchant.

Shen Changle quickly mingled with the merchants in West Market, and the Persian merchant, due to urgent illness of his mother, couldn’t be bothered with Prince Qi Mansion’s intimidation. He privately cleared his pepper stock, packed up, and left the Capital City. Shen Changle informed Qin Yuan of this early.

Looking at Sixth Lady Gu’s demeanor, Qin Yuan knew even without letting Shen Changle inquire who the buyer was.

Seeing the smugness and mocking disdain in Sixth Lady Gu’s eyes, Qin Yuan pondered inwardly, wondering whether Sixth Lady Gu could truly hold on when the time came.

...

Qin Siyuan diligently studied day and night at the academy, feeling he grasped the essence of character selection that Qin Yuan had taught. Looking back at his previous poetry, it seemed almost like dog poop.

He could hardly believe these were his painstaking works.

His uncle often said his poetry had no spirit.

This was quite euphemistic.

Simply put, his work was tacky, mechanical... unworthy of being called poetry.

Qin Siyuan felt reborn, his poetic inspiration surged, and inevitably created many pieces. He picked out a few of his most cherished ones from among them, copied them into his sleeve, and took leave to visit Qin Yuan.

Lin Ziqi called out to him, asking, "Why have you been coming and going so hurriedly these days, without calling for me. Is there something going on?"

Qin Siyuan replied, "Didn’t I agree to go to Yu Yuantang with you guys? I always feel uneasy, it’s better to complete my assignments in advance."

Lin Ziqi didn’t realize that this assignment was not the same as that assignment.

Laughing, he said, "You’re too diligent, it’s just a day of outing, how much work could it disrupt?"

Qin Siyuan didn’t explain further and said, "I just need to go to Marquis Mansion to see my eldest sister, let’s not talk further."

Lin Ziqi couldn’t help but ask, "What exactly does she need your help with?"

Qin Siyuan glanced at him and said, "Well, only when my eldest sister agrees can I speak."

Lin Ziqi’s expression turned displeased as he stopped speaking.

Qin Siyuan was also unimpressed.

Everyone in the Qin family knows Lin Ziqi once had a marriage agreement with Qin Yuan; Lin Ziqi’s behavior was really lacking consideration.

Upon arriving at Marquis Mansion, Qin Siyuan hadn’t yet started towards Wutong Garden when someone stopped him near the side entrance, saying, "Young Master Qin, Madam is in the upper room, why not go directly to the upper room to pay respects to Old Madam?"

Qin Siyuan felt some hesitation.

In principle, upon entering Marquis Mansion, he should pay respects to the elders therein as a gesture of courtesy, but he should be accompanied by Qin Yuan to do so, otherwise it might be too forward.

After thinking for a moment, he said, "Perhaps it would be better to wait for Madam in Wutong Garden first and then proceed to the upper room to pay respects to Old Madam."

That person continued to persuade.

Amidst the side entrance, someone hurriedly came over, stopped upon seeing him, pulled away the persuader, and asked, "Is the young master here to see Madam?"

Recognizing Shen Changle, Qin Siyuan felt more relaxed and smiled, "Yes, I heard Madam is currently in the upper room. He suggests I go directly to pay respects to Old Madam, but I’m concerned it might be too forward."

He hadn’t handed a visiting card to Marquis Mansion upon arrival.

Shen Changle maintained a cordial facade but glanced intently at the persuader’s face, and smiling said, "Young Master Qin, are you returning a message to Madam? Why don’t I guide you, have some tea at Wutong Garden, and then let the little maids send a message to Madam."

Qin Siyuan laughed saying, "That’s certainly the best approach; once I’m done with matters here, when Old Madam is free to meet the younger generation, I’ll pay my respects then."

"Indeed, that’s the right way to do it. Young Master Qin has considered everything properly," Shen Changle said as he led Qin Siyuan towards Wutong Garden.

The persuader could only retreat unwillingly.

The more Qin Siyuan thought about it, the stranger he felt, and remarked, "This person is rather peculiar."

Shen Changle replied with a meaningful tone, "The Marquis Mansion is as deep as the sea, though Young Master Qin is a man, you must still take care of yourself."