Qin Yuan glanced at her lightly and said nothing.

The little maid anxiously said, "Why don’t I invite Sai Bianque to come and see you, Master?"

Qin Wan quickly stopped moaning, "No need."

Qin Yuan said, "Isn’t everything fine? You should think it through yourself. If your reputation is ruined, what will Father think, what will Mother think."

"It will also affect your reputation, right?"

Qin Wan’s tone was sharp.

Qin Yuan nodded and said, "You and I are both daughters of the Qin Family, naturally we would also be affected."

Qin Wan opened her mouth to speak.

Qin Yuan continued, "If you insist on me backing you up, it’s actually easy. I could just drive her back to the countryside and force her to marry quickly. But didn’t you say that Lin Ziqi is bound to have a bright future? If he does achieve this, would he just swallow this anger for nothing? And if he brings her back..."

"...how could that happen?"

Qin Wan was incredulous.

Qin Yuan chuckled softly, "Why wouldn’t it? Didn’t both Cao Cao and his sons love to take others’ wives? Moreover..."

Qin Yuan hesitated to continue.

Qin Wan angrily said, "Then just take her life."

As soon as the words fell, she received a slap on the face.

"You! You dare to hit me?!"

Qin Wan covered her face, glaring angrily at Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan sneered, "Hitting you is nothing. If Father were here, who knows how he’d punish you! If you’re seeking your own downfall, don’t drag me along. Lin Ziqi is no fool. If I get involved with bloodshed for you, not only would it bring karma, but it would also become leverage against the Marquis Mansion in the future. What’s in it for me?"

Qin Wan fumed, "You think I wouldn’t dare to do it myself?"

Qin Yuan looked at her with disdain, "Weren’t you planning to support him while he’s poor so that you could enjoy wealth and prosperity with him later? If husband and wife become estranged, what’s the point of sharing wealth? Are you sure you want to take such a big risk for her?"

"Share wealth and prosperity?"

Qin Wan laughed at herself, "Not to mention whether he can achieve prosperity. I see he abandoned his cousin, his childhood sweetheart with a marriage arrangement, just to climb up to Jiujie Mansion. I’m afraid in the future, he won’t even know how to settle me."

As she spoke, she put down her hand and glanced at Qin Yuan, "I used to have such a narrow view, thinking he was so talented, captivated by those few pretentious poems of his. Now it seems like it’s nothing much. The other day, I went to the Imperial College and read the poems of Mr. Songshan and Young Master Nantang, and realized there’s always someone better out there."

Qin Yuan knew that Qin Wan had noticed that the poems credited to Lin Ziqi throughout history were not actually his, and she laughed, "It turns out these two are also peculiar; they’ve both taken a liking to Si Yuan. Just look at how quickly Si Yuan’s poetry has improved this year; his knowledge must have grown considerably. Father used to say that our brother-in-law’s rank was better than Si Yuan’s, but now he doesn’t mention it anymore."

These words pierced Qin Wan’s heart with a sourness, and she stopped talking about Young Master Nantang’s poems.

Qin Wan sulked, "So what should I do? I can’t just swallow this insult. If I lose face, the Qin Family and you would lose face too."

Qin Yuan clapped her hands, puzzled, "Are you relying on me now? Haven’t you always looked down on me?"

Qin Wan kept a straight face, "No matter what, if I can’t live well, Mother will definitely ask you to support me, so I might as well skip that and ask you directly."

Looking at Qin Wan, Qin Yuan found it somewhat amusing.

In their past life, she often mediated at the Marquis Mansion for Qin Wan.

That was after Lin Ziqi was promoted to Vice Minister.

Unfortunately, the last time she promised Mrs. Cui to go to the Marquis Mansion to appease Qin Wan, she was delayed by the hectic affairs of the Prime Minister’s Mansion during the festival, and Qin Wan died of illness.

Speaking of which, Qin Wan had indeed given her a lot of support and convenience in their past life, but her tone was sharp and domineering, always saying she was lucky for landing Lin Ziqi.

At that time, she didn’t know that Qin Wan had secretly developed feelings for Lin Ziqi.

In this life, Qin Wan had gotten what she had wished for, yet still ended up like this.

But she wasn’t a clay Maitreya that could be molded however Qin Wan wished.

Qin Yuan said, "Naturally, as fellow daughters of the Qin Family, I should help you, but you need to be clear-headed yourself, otherwise why would I get involved in your mess."

Qin Wan lowered her head and thought for a moment, then straightened her posture, sat on the bed, and bowed respectfully, "I ask for Elder Sister’s guidance."

Even Cui Ming was surprised.

She hadn’t expected the spoiled second young lady to learn to be flexible.

After all, it’s always easier to be taught by circumstances.

Qin Yuan took a sip of tea and said slowly, "Tell me what kind of life you’ve been having at the Lin Family these past few months and what you wish for, so I can help you."

By now, Qin Wan had completely let go of her pride, and she spoke indiscriminately.

Both Hong Ye and Cui Ming gasped repeatedly as they listened.

The Lin Family indeed was capable of anything.

By the end of her account, Qin Wan added, "Aren’t I right to be angry? When I got married, Mother said I was too naïve, but I thought his mother was just a widow, and it was quite difficult for them with a son who got grades. She was just a bit soft and tearful. Who would have thought she was a scheming old hag."

Qin Yuan nodded and asked, "What did Mother say?"

Qin Wan continued, and after a long speech that left her mouth dry, the little maid quickly offered her tea, which Qin Wan drank in one gulp, then said, "I cannot stand this humiliation any longer. I have a child in my belly. If the child grows up and Lin Ziqi’s house is filled with women and more children, I’ve invested so much dowry in him, what for?"

Qin Yuan nodded and said, "This is easy."

Qin Wan paused, "Really?"

Qin Yuan teased with a light laugh, "Yes, because if in the future he can only be a small official, wouldn’t he still have to rely on the Qin Family’s connections and your dowry? How could he have a house full of women and children?"

Qin Wan hesitated, "What if it’s his destiny to reach the top, what can I do then."

Qin Yuan spoke meaningfully, "You forget, Father also said, destiny is made by oneself; not everything is predetermined. The path of the universe is fifty, the heavens manifest forty-nine, but men evade one."

Qin Wan: "..."

If Lin Ziqi can’t reach the top in this life, what else was there for her?

Qin Yuan changed the topic, "Discuss with Mother, make an agreement with the Lin Family that your dowry will remain in your hands, and you’ll handle the family’s living expenses. And Lady Yu should not have children, or she must wait until the legitimate son is ten years old, otherwise chase her away. What do you think?"

Qin Wan thought and then said, "I guess that’s all I can do."

Qin Wan then sent for Mrs. Cui to come in.

After hearing their words, Mrs. Cui said, "That’s the best plan. But today, we may as well make use of this opportunity your elder sister has created."

Qin Yuan smiled, "I’m here, so Mother can use it any way she pleases."

Qin Wan looked dubiously at her mother and then at her elder sister.

Mrs. Cui saw her expression and couldn’t help but sigh, "You’ve made such a mess at the Lin Family. If... ah, it’s your fate. My child, let me offer you the advice of someone experienced: a strong heart but weak fate brings hardship. Accepting your fate will make life much easier."

"Accept what fate?" Qin Wan muttered softly, "I will be the Prime Minister’s wife one day."