My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead

Chapter 262: The Mask Shatters

Qin Wan wore a cold expression as she tried to pull her hand away.

But Mrs. Lin gripped her hand tightly with her sturdy hands.

Mrs. Lin continued earnestly, "Ziqi has fallen ill, and who knows if it will delay his exams. I can manage; I can return home and be content living as the mother of a scholar. But you are the legitimate daughter of the National Academy Sacrificial Officer; accompanying us back home would indeed be an injustice to you."

With just a few words, Mrs. Lin again cornered Qin Wan.

Qin Wan shook her hand free and sat quietly by, waiting for Lin Ziqi to wake up.

Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t tolerate such a grievance and would have long argued with Mrs. Lin.

At the very least, Lin Ziqi would have to coax her gently for her to soften.

But Lin Ziqi’s sudden fainting made Qin Wan hesitant to act out, losing the upper hand in the situation.

The cook had prepared food and concocted the medicine, while Mrs. Lin went to dine alone, leaving her to watch over the bedside.

The maid could not help but whisper, "Will miss just let this grievance slide?"

Qin Wan had her own plans and said, "At this moment, the Lin Family is in a difficult position. I will not hold grudges and will treat him well, seeking treatment for him. Even if he has a heart of stone, he should remember my kindness. This is the way of a wife."

The maid gently sighed.

It’s truly incomprehensible why the miss would abandon the War God Marquis, going out of her way to marry this penniless man.

The last time they visited the Marquis Mansion and spoke with Hong Ye and Cui Ming, their attire and demeanor were worlds apart from before. In comparison, their situation had become much more desolate. Mrs. Lin didn’t treat the maids who came as dowries well, and if the miss didn’t toughen up, it’s hard to imagine how difficult their future days would be.

It seems as if the miss has lost her mind.

Qin Wan also wasn’t in the mood to speak. After a while, Lin Ziqi finally woke up, looking sullen and unwilling to say more. Qin Wan softly said, "Ziqi, you’re awake? The medicine has been prepared; I’ll have someone bring it to feed you."

Lin Ziqi didn’t respond, just nodded slightly.

Qin Wan then ordered someone to bring the medicine. Before she could speak, Mrs. Lin rushed in with quick steps, calling out affectionately, then said, "Dear son, quickly get up and take your medicine. Let mother feed you. Don’t be afraid of the bitterness."

With that, she picked up the bowl of medicine, about to feed Lin Ziqi. Qin Wan was pushed to the side, feeling awkward whether she stayed or left.

As Mrs. Lin fed her son, she said, "You gave mother a fright. You’re my only son. If something were to happen to you, who would I rely on? Fortunately, the doctor arrived promptly; otherwise, mother would likely have cried herself to death. You’re physically weak and need to study; you must not exhaust your body. Once you become an Advanced Scholar, better days are ahead. What can’t be endured?"

Qin Wan: "..."

These words matched what Mrs. Lin accused her of previously, claiming she shamelessly seduced Lin Ziqi, but Lin Ziqi failed to notice. He merely thought Mrs. Lin was concerned about his health, saying, "It’s my fault for worrying you, mother. I studied too much at the Imperial College, resulting in a headache and fainting. It’s nothing major; this hasn’t happened before."

Qin Wan initially wanted to tell Lin Ziqi what the doctor had said, but before she could open her mouth, Mrs. Lin added, "My son, focus on recovery. Don’t push yourself too hard with your studies. Just take your medicine and recover well; it’s nothing serious."

The maid couldn’t help but roll her eyes at the side.

Lin Ziqi hurriedly drank the medicine, saying, "I’m staying with Si Yuan. He sleeps late and rises early every day, always with a book in hand. With the exam approaching, it’s hard not to feel anxious."

Mrs. Lin dismissively said, "His talent in poetry can’t compare to yours. In that alone, he can’t match you. What’s there to compete between you two?"

Both Qin Wan and Lin Ziqi’s expressions turned sour.

Lin Ziqi urged Mrs. Lin to rest. Only then did Qin Wan serve him the meal, but the couple had little to say to each other. Afterward, he said coldly, "Today, you were too thoughtless, driving mother to the point of wanting to hang herself. I usually appease her for the sake of maintaining peace, not least hoping you’d consider my position and be more accommodating. I study at the Imperial College every day; can’t you just stay out of trouble? As the legitimate daughter of a Sacrificial Officer, how can you act as a common woman without a sense of propriety? If anything happens to mother, do you think you have a chance of surviving? Next time, being slapped will be the least of your worries."

The harshness of these words was too much for Qin Wan to bear.

If she didn’t defend herself, the blame would fall on her. If Lin Ziqi and Mrs. Lin spread such words, how could she live?

Qin Wan trembled with anger and choked out, "Husband, why don’t you ask what mother was causing a fuss about? If she threatens to hang herself over such matters daily, even a hundred lives wouldn’t be enough to pay back."

Lin Ziqi had no intention of comforting her.

Today wasn’t supposed to be his day off; he had been fretting over the poetry collection sent by Shen Changle. Seeking leave to rest at home, he hadn’t expected home to be so tumultuous.

Lin Ziqi glanced at Qin Wan with remorse.

Seeing his silence, Qin Wan trembled even more and sharply said, "Last time’s quarrel with your mother was embarrassing enough. My parents haven’t called me back since. This time, it was only because of the poetry collection that my mother summoned me. Before leaving, I told her to instruct the cook if she wanted anything. She refused to eat and started a commotion upon my return. When I tried to explain, she threatened to hang herself. What do you think I’m doing?"

Tears streaming down her face, Qin Wan cried, "My parents have distanced themselves from the two of us. Today, they asked to see me. If I didn’t go, what would they think? Your mother treats me like this, yet you slap me without understanding the situation."

Lin Ziqi’s mind was wholly preoccupied with the poetry collection. Suppressing his displeasure and frustration, he perfunctorily hugged her and asked, "What did Father-in-law say about the collection?"

He was really curious about Qin Jijiu’s opinion of his poetry.

However, Qin Wan refused to indulge him, saying, "My father said that even Sixth Master Gu can now compose coherent poems. Though not outstanding, they’re straightforward and clear. He also draws well. Once the collection is published, no one will say he’s merely a frivolous wastrel."

Lin Ziqi’s face briefly flashed a look of distaste before he pressed, "And what else?"

Fixing her gaze on him, Qin Wan continued, "Cousin Si Yuan has had a breakthrough, producing excellent works. This collection contains poems by two esteemed officials and an afterword, which will undoubtedly be widely circulated. Both you and cousin Si Yuan will benefit, and when you enter the court, you can support each other."

Lin Ziqi’s facial muscle twitched, his handsome face becoming slightly distorted.

With half-closed eyes, he looked at Qin Wan.

The coldness in his eyes barely masked the violence beneath, and the gentle gentleman’s facade was fragile, liable to shatter with the slightest touch.

Since Qin Wan had read the poetry collection, she naturally saw that among the poems he composed that day, only the one she had read in her dream could rival Qin Siyuan’s. The rest were far inferior.

All this trouble was because of Gu Jingjun, that dandy, who insisted on pretending to be cultured, using the Marquis Gu’s influence to make such a grand display.

Heaven knows how much it infuriated him when he heard five hundred copies were going to be printed.

Yet, he had to put on a show of being deeply honored, publicly expressing his gratitude for the benefits from the Marquis Mansion.