Chapter 388: Heartfelt Confessions

As soon as these words came out, the expressions of the women around turned strange, and their gaze towards Qin Yuan became inexplicable.

"Does the Marquis have an ailment?"

Qin Yuan was inexplicably bewildered.

What ailment does Gu Jinghui have?

How come she didn’t know?

Facing the obscure and bizarre gazes of the crowd, Qin Yuan realized what was going on and felt it was even more absurd.

Isn’t she clear about whether Gu Jinghui has any such issues?

Is Chang Qingling here to make friends or foes?

What position does an outsider have to say such words?!

Qin Yuan let go of Chang Qingling’s arm, not wanting to bother with her any longer.

In this mess, Gu Baoshu’s contribution is indispensable, yet Chang Qingling isn’t entirely innocent either.

Mrs. Dai stepped back two steps, covered her nose with a handkerchief and snorted: "What kind of person is this, really, speaking more foully than dog shit."

Gu Baoshu froze for a moment before reacting, jumping three feet high immediately, and shouted with her hands on her hips: "The one named Chang, you wretch, you’re not here to burn incense for my sixth sister-in-law, you’re intentionally causing trouble here, get out quickly, shameless creature, don’t stick to our mansion for no reason. You never have a good word to say, you dare to speak nonsense that even I dare not listen to, how despicable, bullying my sister-in-law who is a noble lady and can’t curse others. I told you to stop wandering around my house, my third brother doesn’t fancy someone like you, you just spread rumors about him. Get out fast."

She then ordered the nannies to call the servants to bring water to wash the floor.

"You’ve made my sixth sister-in-law’s mourning hall stink, wash the floor quickly, and if you let pests in here to disgust people again, we’ll give you a beating. No wonder people like this have no place to go, so they can only come to the Capital City, I’ll admit defeat if you ever set foot in the Gu Family again. Don’t think you’re that remarkable just because you’re connected to the Crown Prince or the Ninth Princess."

Throughout, Qin Yuan couldn’t say a word.

If it weren’t for a few aunts holding her back around the waist, Gu Baoshu would have started a fight.

Chang Qingling left in tears, with nobody stopping or persuading.

Gu Baoshu continued to curse for the time it takes to burn an incense.

Qin Yuan couldn’t stop her and had to let the nanny beside her escort her to rest.

Feeling ashamed, Qin Wan used the excuse of seeking Lady Yu to slip away, strolling and observing as she went, unknowingly arriving at the lotus pond in the outer courtyard.

In her past life, she often wandered here, reciting poems from Lin Ziqi’s collection.

Unknowingly returning to an old place, Qin Wan paused and observed carefully.

In her past life, she admired Lin Ziqi’s exceptional poetic talent, his novel ideas, and lively wording, lamenting that Qin Yuan was fortunate to have him. If she could live with such a person, even for a day, she would have no regrets in life.

But now that her wish has come true, she feels increasingly underwhelmed.

"Am I too opportunistic? Should I wait longer, endure more, and everything will be better once my husband becomes successful."

Qin Wan sighed heavily by the pond, her mind weighed down.

She didn’t know how long she stood there; the wind moved the lotus leaves, rising and falling, spreading a faint fragrance that brought close the playful laughter of a girl and the voice of a man from afar.

Qin Wan’s face turned grim, hearing the voices growing nearer, before hiding in a dense shrubbery.

Soon, the pair speaking arrived.

"Cousin, when we were little, we often picked lotus seeds and leaves together, this pond at the Marquis Mansion is truly huge."

The girl’s voice was soft and sticky, with a gentle pant.

"Yes, back then you said you’d marry me when you grew up."

The man replied tenderly.

Qin Wan couldn’t help but clench the meat between her thumb and forefinger to stop herself from rushing out to confront them; the girl was the Lady Yu she was seeking, and the man was Lin Ziqi.

Lady Yu said mournfully: "Why bring this up? Since childhood, I’ve regarded cousin as my husband, now I can no longer aspire to it. If not for aunty kindly bringing me from the countryside, countless people would mock me for being jilted and unable to marry."

Lin Ziqi sighed, reached out to embrace Lady Yu, and comforted: "It’s all my fault, you should just comfortably stay here. Once I become an Advanced Scholar, I’ll talk to the Qins about making you a concubine. We grew up together, our affection runs deep. I have you in my heart, rest assured. I should have said these words earlier, only there are too many people at home, lacking the opportunity; now that everything is expressed, don’t think of marrying someone else just to spite me, alright?"

Lady Yu first nodded with a smile, tears in her eyes resting against Lin Ziqi’s chest, and after a while, pushed him away sorrowfully: "But my sister-in-law doesn’t quite like me. She’s the National Academy Sacrificial Officer’s daughter, of noble status, while I’m a country girl, lacking insight; her disdain is understandable. Just when I arrived, she gave things she herself didn’t want, if I keep staying here, she’d surely devise ways to drive me away, afraid cousin can’t be the master then."

Qin Wan, furious, clutched her chest tightly, her eyes almost aflame.

Lin Ziqi was unfazed: "She’s spoiled by the Qins, don’t worry, she wouldn’t dare. She spent much effort to marry me, would never defy me."

"You lie, I don’t believe you."

"Really," Lin Ziqi began coaxing her: "Father-in-law initially planned to marry the eldest daughter to me, but she fell for me, claimed I was exceptionally talented and destined for high achievements, thwarting the marriage to wed me instead, like mother, she hopes I become successful, looking forward to being a titled lady in the future."

Lady Yu coquettishly, Lin Ziqi spilled everything.

In the end, he promised: "You know my family is struggling, relying much on father-in-law, but rest assured, I shall treat you well, no worse than her, only lacking the main mistress title. I will share riches with you later."

Lady Yu giggled: "Of course I believe cousin’s affection for me. Who can blame cousin’s exceptional talents attracting sister-in-law’s attention? And you couldn’t help but sideline me. Isn’t it because life became better that you brought me to your side? If my stomach cooperates in the future, and I bear a son, cousin will educate him well, making him outstanding like you. Who knows, perhaps I’ll also have a titled status, living gloriously."

Her words touched Lin Ziqi’s heart thoroughly.

He immediately vowed never to let Lady Yu down, just spring exams were upcoming, he couldn’t be distracted, urged her to stay beneath and please Qin Wan, once he became an Advanced Scholar and appointed an official, they’d be beyond concern.

Expressing heartfelt words, the pair failed to notice someone beside the pond witnessing and overhearing it all.

In late summer and early autumn, the weather remained mildly warm, squatting in the shade, Qin Wan felt the chill seeping through her delicate embroidered shoes, rising from her feet into her heart instilling shivers.

Never did she expect Lin Ziqi harbored such thoughts.

Lady Yu expressed abundant gratitude in her presence, her words sweet as honey, coaxing considerable items, yet reverted to such remarks behind her back.

"Have I misjudged?"

Qin Wan felt increasingly disinterested.

In her past life at the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, though estranged from Marquis Gu, living lonely, Old Madam Gu and Marquis Gu never tormented her, everything from food, clothing, shelter to transport was of the utmost quality, unlike the Lin Family always scheming against her.