Qin Jijiu was in a fit of anger, unwilling to admit defeat: "This is the person she exhausts all efforts to marry. I’ve lived all these years and still can’t understand what you and your daughter are after. Ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!"

Mrs. Cui was also angry and said, "Isn’t your daughter planning for your son-in-law’s future? If Ziqi can achieve success, it would be good for him to help your son who doesn’t like to study."

The implicated Qin Heng glanced unhappily at his second sister and found a corner to sit down.

Qin Wan cried, "This has nothing to do with Ziqi. I only saw that Brother Siyuan and Sixth Master were favored by the Emperor, which made me wonder who is guiding them behind the scenes. This is human nature, why are you so angry, Father?"

Qin Jijiu glared with rage: "I’m telling you, one shouldn’t be too greedy and want everything. Who is Lin Ziqi? Being able to marry my legitimate daughter is already his stroke of luck, yet he still envies Siyuan! Siyuan is one of the Qins. And what is Sixth Master Gu? He’s the only surviving brother of Marquis Gu!"

Qin Heng frowned in silence.

Qin Wan sobbed, "Father, let’s pretend I never mentioned it. You don’t have to say anything more. I just thought that guiding one is like guiding two, adding one more Ziqi, how troublesome could that be? Even if it’s for the sake of Marquis Mansion, aren’t we also related to them somehow?"

Qin Jijiu was both angry and amused but unable to divulge the reason, hesitated several times before finally saying, "You should give up this idea. Instead of thinking about these things, let Lin Ziqi compose some good poems. I might push aside my face and talk to your sister. Don’t think about anything else. Siyuan is not a petty person. If he can introduce Ziqi, he won’t refuse."

Who is behind all this?

Ah!

Saying it might scare you two to death.

It is his eldest daughter! 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

The eldest daughter can help Sixth Master Gu and Qin Siyuan, but absolutely won’t help Lin Ziqi.

Upon receiving Lin Ziqi’s letter sent by Qin Yuan, Qin Jijiu almost tore it apart. He endured till now without speaking it out, partly to save Ziqi’s face, and partly for Qin Wan and Qin Yuan’s sisterly bond.

Seeing her father’s obstinacy, Qin Wan felt her blood rush to her head, and fainted, falling to the ground. It was Qin Heng, who had been silent all along, who rushed to support her.

"Wan’er, Wan’er..."

Mrs. Cui, in a panic, cried and scolded Qin Jijiu, "Why can’t you speak properly? Look at how you’ve pissed your daughter off."

Qin Jijiu was also a bit flustered and quickly called someone to fetch a doctor.

After checking the pulse, the doctor smiled warmly and said, "Congratulations, your daughter has a happy pulse. Lord Jijiu, you’re about to become a grandfather."

Mrs. Cui finally felt relieved but then grew worried about something else: "Is this pregnancy stable?"

"It’s alright, but your daughter’s liver qi is somewhat stagnant, so it’s better for her to avoid stress and overthinking."

After sending off the doctor, Mrs. Cui asked Qin Jijiu, "Who is it really? Why can’t you introduce Mr. Lin to him? Can’t you speak to your daughter properly? Even if Lin Ziqi is not great, he is still our son-in-law, and Wan’er is our daughter."

Qin Jijiu regretted a bit now, saying, "Alright, alright, I’ll speak properly. Once your daughter wakes up, you tell her, the person is Young Master Nantang, a friend of Mr. Songshan. Now, Mr. Songshan is a guest at Marquis Gu’s home. Even when Sixth Master Gu wanted to be his disciple, Mr. Songshan was reluctant to guide him, only willing due to Young Master Nantang. As for this Young Master Nantang, he’s as mysterious as they come. Would I refuse if I could agree? Do you think your precious son-in-law is noteworthy in their eyes?"

Mrs. Cui sighed.

Sitting beside her, Qin Heng straightened up, intending to say something, but Qin Jijiu gave him a look, "Brother Heng, come, follow your father to the study."

Qin Heng had no choice but to obediently follow his father.

Qin Wan woke up an hour later, seeing Mrs. Cui sitting by the bed in a daze.

"Mother."

Mrs. Cui turned her head, seeing she had awakened, she laughed and cried, "Good child, you didn’t even know you were pregnant. You mustn’t get angry so easily from now on, understand?"

Qin Wan was taken aback, "...I-I’m pregnant?"

Mrs. Cui nodded, "You must take care. The doctor said your liver qi is stagnated, so avoid anger whenever possible, and protect the child carefully."

Qin Wan was in a daze.

In her past life, she had no children, but now she actually has her own child in this life.

"...Mother... I have a child... Mother is going to be a grandmother..."

Qin Wan suddenly burst into tears, unable to stop sobbing.

Mrs. Cui quickly embraced her gently, comforting, "Yes, yes, our Wan’er will be a mother, and I will be a grandmother."

The mother and daughter talked for a long while.

Mrs. Cui instructed many things to take notice of, finally saying, "Earlier, while you were asleep, I asked Yanhong about what you’ve been up to lately. If you’re worried about Lady Yu, once the child is stable, you should promote Yanhong to a concubine; she will be an extra helping hand."

"Mother!"

Qin Wan’s face turned somber.

Mrs. Cui sighed, "I’ve long said that Mrs. Lin is difficult, Lin Ziqi’s cousin is suspicious, and you didn’t believe me. Now you do, don’t you? As someone with experience, would I harm you? Yanhong’s contract is in your hands; she’ll naturally side with you. You are pregnant, and someone must attend to your husband. If you don’t arrange for Yanhong, aren’t you giving Lady Yu an opportunity?"

Qin Wan shook her head, "Mother-in-law calls Ziqi away any time he and I are together for fear of delaying Ziqi’s exam preparation, especially since Ziqi’s head ailment persists. Considering that, it’s hard to act without spawning rumors."

Seeing her demurring, Mrs. Cui knew her reluctance and stopped trying to persuade her, for fear of sparking more anger.

Qin Wan asked, "Where are Father and Brother?"

Mrs. Cui replied, "Your father felt embarrassed after you fainted and took your brother to the study, leaving a message for you not to waste your efforts on this."

After hearing this, Qin Wan lowered her eyes in thought for a long while before asking, "Mother, how is older sister’s learning? Her poetry?"

"Your older sister?"

Mrs. Cui frowned slightly in thought, replying, "When you both were young, the tutor praised her a few times. It would upset you then. I guess Aunt Chen taught her something, and she hasn’t stood out since. Your cousin spoke of her once at a family banquet, saying her learning was decent. For a girl, how much knowledge can she have? Your father also praised her in front of the Marquis, raising her status. Why do you ask about this now?"

"Nothing," Qin Wan smirked at her suspicion. Both she and Qin Yuan studied under the tutor. If Qin Yuan were truly skilled, she would have known.

This mysterious Young Master Nantang could never be Qin Yuan.