Qin Yuan saw her father deep in thought and knew that he was interested.
Sure enough, her father made a decision: "Tomorrow, we shall open the ancestral hall and record Yuan'er under Madam's name. Then, I'll put my pride aside and discuss with the Gu Mansion."
The stepmother looked indifferent but knew he couldn't let go of the marriage with the Dingbei Marquis, so she didn't ruin the mood.
Qin Heng sneered disapprovingly.
Qin Yuan paid no mind, excused herself with the maids, and returned to her own courtyard.
Hong Ye angrily said, "Master's heart is biased to the extreme, couldn't he just send the Second Miss far away? Why must he ruin the Miss's marriage?"
Cui Ming fretted, "Miss has spent so much effort on Mr. Lin, all for nothing. Who knows whom the Matchmaker has connected with red strings for the Miss."
Qin Yuan leisurely washed off the white powder on her face, revealing a lotus-like complexion.
It had been ages since she had seen herself look so beautiful.
In this new life, let the distressing days be Qin Wan's burden.
She hummed softly, "On Dingbei Marquis, of course."
The two maids couldn't bring themselves to believe it.
Gu Jinghui, the Dingbei Marquis, was a war hero deeply trusted by the Emperor. His fondness for Qin Wan was solely because the Old Madam Gu felt that after generations of the Gu family fighting on battlefields and living hard lives, they should marry a daughter from a scholarly family to change their fortunes.
Second Miss Qin Wan was a legitimate daughter, her birth mother Mrs. Cui was a branch of the noble Qinghe Cui Family, and her father was the Sacrificial Officer of the National Academy, having many students under him. Although their rankings were vastly different, this marriage was decided.
On the other hand, the First Miss Qin Yuan's birth mother Chen was a good concubine, with ancestors who were Imperial Physicians demoted to civilian status due to offenses. Chen's dowry was minimal, and even less was left by the time it reached her.
By any measure, the Dingbei Marquis wouldn't arrange a marriage with the First Miss.
Qin Yuan calmly ate and slept as usual.
However, Hong Ye and Cui Ming were anxiously seeking news everywhere. While Qin Yuan noticed, she let them be.
The next day, Qin Yuan was officially listed on the family registry and under Mrs. Cui's name.
Lin Ziqi came to annul the engagement and exchanged tokens with Qin Wan.
To avoid suspicion, Qin Yuan didn't go to the front hall, choosing instead to rest with a round fan in the pavilion.
In the Capital City, even a small plot of land is precious; the Qin Mansion isn't large, so activities must be confined. Qin Yuan, disliking her cramped and shabby boudoir, could only lounge in the pavilion to catch the breeze.
She had not been sitting long before found by Lin Ziqi, who spoke with affection: "I knew you'd be here, Yuan'er."
Qin Yuan half-covered her face with the round fan, her moth-like brows slightly furrowed, scrutinizing her former husband from her past life.
Currently, Lin Ziqi had not yet gained weight, his face lean. Perhaps due to the betrothal, he wore a newly made teal robe, looking quite refined and handsome.
Qin Yuan spoke seriously and sternly, "Mr. Lin, do you have any business?"
Now that Lin Ziqi was affianced to Qin Wan, she needed to avoid any impropriety.
Fortunately, during their past interactions, she had been quite cautious, giving only things like coal, soup, or snacks. They often met at the Qin Mansion but never exchanged letters. Although she had helped Lin Ziqi transcribe some essays, no substantial evidence was left in others' hands.
Seeing Qin Yuan trying to distance herself, Lin Ziqi withdrew his outstretched hand, sighing, "Yuan'er, I... I have no choice, please don't blame me."
After over a decade of marriage, Qin Yuan certainly knew what kind of person Lin Ziqi was.
Qin Wan wanted to marry him; Lin Ziqi could not refuse, after all, Qin Wan was the legitimate daughter, the Qinghe Cui Family a noble clan, with ample family wealth.
Back then, she could get close to him and secure a marriage agreement because Qin Wan didn't fancy him.
Otherwise, her stepmother would never have allowed her careful scheming.
Qin Yuan said softly behind the round fan, "Please be careful with your words, Mr. Lin; you are now my brother-in-law. There's no need to bring up the past."
She intended to leave, but Lin Ziqi blocked her.
"Mr. Lin, please behave."
Qin Yuan wanted to leave when Qin Wan hurriedly entered, displeased, sarcastically saying, "So sister is here, what were you and Brother Lin talking about, may I listen?"
As she spoke, she tugged Lin Ziqi's sleeve.
Qin Yuan halted, lowered the round fan, revealing a captivating and gracefully smiled, "What worries you, sister? What belongs to you cannot be taken by anyone else. Mr. Lin was merely apologizing to me. He is now my brother-in-law, and as a woman educated in propriety, does propriety, does decency, and honor, would I go so far as to snatch a sister's husband?"
Having snatched her brother-in-law, Qin Wan was too angry and ashamed to speak.
"I shall not disturb you two further, goodbye."
Qin Yuan turned and left elegantly.
Behind her, Lin Ziqi's persistent gaze made her uncomfortable.
Then she heard Qin Wan's coquettish voice, "Brother Lin, sister is going to marry into the Dingbei Marquis Mansion soon, how can she still have any thoughts of us; only I have sincere feelings for Brother Lin. Such a great marriage she abandoned, only preferring to marry you."
Excellent!
Qin Yuan tightly grasped the round fan in her hand.
Yesterday, when Qin Wan fell into the water, it was indeed premeditated with Lin Ziqi.
Qin Wan, you venomous fool.
To swap the marriage, completely disregarding your own and the Qin family's reputation, there will be bitterness to endure in the future.
Watching Qin Yuan's slender figure disappear at the second gate, Lin Ziqi felt a pang in his heart and lowered his head to ask Lu Wan, "Is your sister to marry into the Dingbei Marquis Mansion?"
Qin Wan confidently replied, "If I don't marry into the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, naturally, sister will."
Lin Ziqi couldn't discern his feelings, laughingly saying, "Could the Dingbei Marquis still insist on marrying a Qin Family daughter? Qin Yuan's status is different from yours."
These words easily lifted Qin Wan's spirits, erasing her previous concerns, and she giggled, "Because of us, my mother feels guilty toward her, fearing her future marriage prospects, she has decided to acknowledge her as her legitimate daughter."
"Mrs. Qin is indeed kind-hearted, treating your sister so generously, I believe you'll truly be a gracious wife in the future."
"Naturally, Brother Lin, you are destined for great things, and I will certainly support you as your wife."
Lin Ziqi beamed with joy.
Though he didn't understand why Qin Wan, always so proud, had suddenly developed deep feelings for him, it was indeed an excellent match.
A few days later, Qin Yuan's marriage was also arranged, as Qin Wan had mentioned, it was indeed the Dingbei Marquis Mansion.
Hong Ye excitedly urged Qin Yuan to change clothes and busily groomed her.
"Who would've thought Miss would have such good fortune."
Cui Ming added, "This time heaven sided with Miss, the Matchmaker must've heard my prayers."
Their joy was due to their mistress's good fortune, and Qin Yuan smiled, "Once at the Marquis Mansion, you'll rise with the tide, perhaps the monthly stipend at the Marquis Mansion will be two taels more than ours."
The two maids were overjoyed, supporting Qin Yuan to the front hall.
Upon her arrival, stepmother Mrs. Cui approached warmly, holding her hand, and said, "Yuan'er is truly blessed, once married, you'll be the Madam of the Marquis Mansion. The Marquis is nearly twelve years your senior and will accommodate you in everything. Always remember your mother's family in the future."
Qin Yuan just blushed and smiled silently. Seated prominently, her father too was beaming, elated at securing such a good match.
"Letters have already been sent to the hometown; once received, the clan leader will update the family registry for you."
With the revised registry, she would truly be a legitimate daughter.
Qin Yuan immediately made a graceful bow, "Thank you, Father, thank you, Mother."
"You are my daughter, naturally, I must think of the best for you."
"Your dowry will be prepared according to a legitimate daughter's share, and the dowry left by Aunt Chen will be handed over to you. Your mother has also prepared something extra for you."
Qin Jijiu looked delightedly at his obedient eldest daughter, and suddenly realized that this match was indeed more suitable for his elder daughter than for his second.