Chapter 260: Impossible

"What do you mean, it’s not possible?"

Mrs.Cui glared at Qin Wan.

Qin Jijiu also furrowed his brows, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. His voice was gentle, but Mrs.Cui could see he was displeased.

"Sixth Master Gu can use this poetry collection to wash away his reputation as a playboy and a fool. As relatives, we should be delighted to see it happen."

Some things can’t be spoken outright and can only be hinted at.

Qin Wan kept flipping through the pages, trying to find a flaw, and finally said unhappily, "Everyone else is a mink tail, and his dog tail mixed in here is just for show. Maybe it’s because of the fixed..."

Before she could finish, Qin Jijiu interrupted, "Enough, as a woman you must be cautious and prudent in your words and actions. How can you speak randomly behind others’ backs, especially with the connection of being relatives? Heng’er and Si Yuan went to the Marquis Mansion to see Yuan’er, and the meeting gifts from Marquis Mansion were not thin. Even for the sake of your brothers, you should not say these things. Imagine what it would be like if it got out."

He paused and continued, "Even if his poetry is not good, it’s still decent. His paintings are quite excellent. Without the silver and connections he used, this poetry collection wouldn’t have been published. Both Ziqi and Si Yuan owe him gratitude."

Qin Wan pouted and stayed silent, then flipped through the poetry collection again and said after some time, "How could Si Yuan’s poetry be even better than Ziqi’s? How is that possible?"

She was only looking for mistakes earlier, but now realizing Qin Siyuan’s poetry actually overshadowed Lin Ziqi’s, she felt anxious and angry, inevitably speaking without care.

Qin Jijiu heard this and frowned again.

Mrs.Cui said, "Child, can you speak properly or not?"

A married daughter is like water spilled.

Qin Wan’s eyes were only seeing Lin Ziqi; sometimes she did wonder if Lin Ziqi had given Qin Wan some sort of enchantment.

At this moment, Qin Wan couldn’t care less what her parents were saying, her fingers trembling as she kept flipping through the pages manically.

In a past life, Lin Ziqi’s poetry excellence caught the favor of two great officials. Many years later, this poem was mentioned before the Emperor, who then appointed Lin Ziqi to enter the capital and become an official.

After entering the capital, Lin Ziqi’s fame spread far and wide, and trapped in the Marquis Mansion, she had heard some of it. When idle, she would repeatedly play and chant Chief Minister Lin’s poetry.

How come Lin Ziqi’s poetry was no longer as outstanding as in her previous life?

On the contrary, Qin Siyuan, who was not known for poetry, had several stunning pieces.

"Impossible, I couldn’t remember wrongly."

Qin Wan was emotionally turbulent, murmuring uncontrollably.

In her previous life, Qin Siyuan reached only the bottom of the second class, narrowly missing falling into the third class as a fellow scholar.

Her mother complained while visiting, saying if Qin Siyuan had any artistry in his poetry, he could have been recorded in the first class.

Unfortunately, Qin Siyuan never opened up, wasting her father’s many years of guidance, not only did he not score well but he failed to be adaptable, only able to be placed outside for a minor official position.

Qin Heng was even less suited for studying, her father’s accumulated connections all facilitated the marriage of Qin Yuan’s husband.

Ultimately, among the Qin family’s children, the most illustrious was a seemingly unremarkable daughter.

Upon hearing this, Qin Wan gritted her teeth, almost spitting blood from anger.

She truly was indignant; why could Qin Yuan live so well, when Lin Ziqi was so impoverished back then that he often came to her house for free meals, and Qin Yuan sent some soup to him and became the Prime Minister’s wife.

If she could do it all over again, she would surely cling tightly to Lin Ziqi, letting Qin Yuan experience the bitter days she endured.

She had indeed returned, but why did it not match her prior life at all?

"Son, have you been possessed?"

Mrs.Cui hurriedly embraced her, also quite frightened.

Qin Jijiu angryly asked, "What’s gotten into you again?"

Qin Wan startled, replied, "Father, when did Si Yuan’s poetry become this good?"

Qin Jijiu looked at her with a frown, asking, "All for this?"

Qin Wan said, "Yes, Si Yuan’s poetry is regular, without creativity; isn’t that what father often says? I’ve also read Si Yuan’s poetry before. It’s not that I’m favoring Ziqi, simply praising Ziqi’s work, Si Yuan’s poetry is far inferior to Ziqi’s, how is it now producing such excellent poetry?"

Qin Jijiu struggled to respond, finally saying after a while, "Recently Si Yuan has enlightened."

"I don’t believe it."

Qin Jijiu said, "Why not believe it? Your cousin Si Yuan has solid knowledge, just lacked artistry in poetry. These days, somehow, he’s suddenly understood. As for Lin Ziqi, he wrote an excellent poem, far beyond usual work."

He picked up the poetry collection to show Qin Wan.

Instantly, Qin Wan’s derogatory words were stuck in her throat.

Lin Ziqi’s best poem was the one she claimed to obtain through dreams.

"What is going on?" Qin Wan’s heart filled with panic.

It shouldn’t be like this, it absolutely shouldn’t be this way.

Mrs.Cui comforted her by saying, "Since ancient times there’s no first in literature, this time’s printed poetry collection, Ziqi’s fame has spread, and his future career paths will be smoother. Perhaps a ranking in the imperial exam could be higher, shouldn’t you be happy?"

Qin Wan was not at all happy.

Qin Jijiu was already impatient, devoid of sympathy, said, "Your cousin Si Yuan’s enlightenment, if he achieves high scores in the future, only holds benefits for you, no disadvantages. Why this long face? In the future, when seeing your second aunt, control your temper lest small domestic matters impact the men’s relationships."

Clearly, he felt she had low painstaking, couldn’t tolerate people.

Mrs.Cui hurriedly gave Qin Wan eye gestures, signaling her to restrain herself, unable to defend herself, Qin Wan could only lower her eyes and agree, her appetite much lesser than usual.

Once Qin Jijiu left, Mrs.Cui said, "It’s not that I say this to you, loving your husband should have limits, never disrupt the order. To speak bluntly, you are Lin Family’s wife but also a Qin Family’s daughter; your natal family is your support. In the future, if Lin Ziqi and his mother treat you poorly, having a capable brother can still manage fairness for you. Your brother is no scholarly type, Siyuan achieving high scores is naturally a good thing for you?"

Qin Wan felt bitter but couldn’t articulate it.

Mrs.Cui continued, "I know you are unhappy with Siyuan surpassing Ziqi, but studying is distinct; in this dynasty countless scholars show astonishing talent, and also many scholars read until their hair turns white, still just a student. Even being destined for high scores doesn’t mean officialdom leads to affluence. Look at your father, considered the head of Pure Stream, life is still tight; keep things reasonable, Ziqi’s family foundation is thin, without many clan members to support. Your cousin in future could be colleagues and support each other. Don’t get mad again letting mother hammer you."

Qin Wan lowered her head without a word, burdened with thoughts, she said goodbye, also nagging Mrs.Cui to borrow the poetry collection, claiming to show Mrs. Lin.

Mrs.Cui, slightly annoyed, waved her hand, "Take it, take it, didn’t the servant say it? Sent it to the Imperial College, you’re fixated on this one."

After returning home, Qin Wan hid in her room, flipping through the poetry collection over and over, scrutinizing every word and sentence; the more she did, the more she sensed something was amiss.