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

Chapter 387: Fortunately, the Marquis Is Ill

Chang Qingling stood up and bowed gracefully, with a gentle smile, "It’s no problem. The Marquis Mansion has many visitors, and it’s understandable that the Marchioness might have overlooked. I originally intended to leave after staying briefly, but ended up having a good conversation with Mrs. Lin, so I stayed longer."

Lin Ziqi holds no official position, but out of respect for the Marquis Mansion, everyone still refers to Qin Wan as Mrs. Lin.

Chang Qingling speaks with utmost propriety, so even if Qin Yuan dislikes her, she must still give her some respect for Qin Wan’s sake.

Moreover, Qin Yuan has no reason to treat her unfavorably.

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "So that’s how it is, I didn’t expect you two to find common ground, it must be destiny."

After the two were seated, just as she was about to ask some casual questions like where they were staying and whether they were accustomed to life in the Capital City, Gu Baoshu leaned in and asked, "The Chang Family is from a military general’s family, while Mrs. Lin and my sister-in-law are daughters of the Qin Family, educated in poetry and books since childhood. I wonder what topics Sister Chang and Mrs. Lin found so engaging?"

Her heroic eyebrows slightly raised, her eyes wide and full of curiosity. Anyone could see that Gu Baoshu was eager to know the answer to this question.

Qin Wan, sitting to the side, felt an inexplicable heat on her face, so she busied herself with the tea, gently stirring the leaves.

Chang Qingling was momentarily stunned and hesitated, "We were just talking about trivial matters of a young daughter’s life."

Gu Baoshu was slightly disappointed, but still asked, "What kind of trivial matters?"

Everyone: "..."

Qin Wan shifted uncomfortably.

In the heat of the moment, she had inadvertently revealed quite a bit about Qin Yuan and the Marquis Mansion. Now that she was questioned repeatedly, it seemed inadvisable. If Qin Yuan found out later, there might be some trouble.

Chang Qingling was somewhat upset, but dared not show it, so she deflected, "Little Sister Gu is still young. If I were to discuss trivial matters with you, it would probably be things like the Qixi Festival or polo. We women just talk about these things, wait till you’re older to listen."

She was a married woman, and Qin Wan was also married. Though her words were somewhat crude, she managed to deflect the question.

However, Gu Baoshu wasn’t one to be easily deterred and persisted, wide-eyed, "I don’t believe it. Most of the Gu Family are involved in the military, only Sixth Brother enjoys poetry and painting. There’s hardly anyone in our family who can have a pleasant chat with Sixth Brother."

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but cough.

Chang Qingling’s and Qin Wan’s expressions became somewhat tense.

Gu Baoshu looked obediently at Qin Yuan, quickly explaining, "Third Sister-in-law, I, I just want to know what topics the daughters of a military general’s family can talk to those of scholarly families about."

This statement gave Qin Yuan a headache.

Chang Qingling’s eyes shifted slightly, and she covered her mouth with a handkerchief, laughing softly, "Oh my, Little Sister Gu’s words are puzzling. Could it be that Little Sister Gu has no topics to discuss with the Marchioness?"

While deliberately scrutinizing the two sisters-in-law before her.

Qin Wan glanced over, with a smile appearing at her lips.

Gu Baoshu didn’t catch the hidden implication and hurriedly said, "How did you know, Sister Chang? My Third Sister-in-law manages affairs inside and outside the Marquis Mansion and is always busy. I want to get closer to my Third Sister-in-law, but can’t find suitable topics. Things she excels at, I don’t know, and things I’m good at, she probably hasn’t learned. That’s why I sought advice from Sister Chang and Mrs. Lin, hoping you won’t hesitate to guide me."

Qin Wan felt quite complex in her heart upon hearing this.

In her past life, this arrogant little sister-in-law steadfastly sided with Sixth Lady Gu and Mrs. Zhao, yet never really troubled her, and passed away a few years after marriage.

She knew Gu Baoshu was just a spoiled little girl without malicious intent.

But how did Qin Yuan manage to win over Gu Baoshu?

Chang Qingling laughed again, "I misunderstood Little Sister Gu, but the Marchioness has been in the mansion for nearly half a year, why aren’t you more familiar with your little sister-in-law?"

Qin Yuan was about to speak, however, the usually oblivious Gu Baoshu suddenly became upset and exclaimed angrily, "You’re so dull, it’s one thing to be secretive, but constantly trying to sow discord between me and my Third Sister-in-law. Let me tell you, my Third Sister-in-law and I are extremely close, we’re the best in the world, so don’t waste your efforts thinking others are fools who can’t see through you, believing only you’re clever."

Qin Yuan: "..."

So Gu Baoshu understood people were trying to drive a wedge between them.

Chang Qingling certainly didn’t want to be known as causing discord, so she held her ground and retorted, "If you’re best in the world, then how come you don’t know what topics to discuss with your Third Sister-in-law?"

Gu Baoshu angrily put her hands on her hips and snapped, "What do you know? My Third Sister-in-law hasn’t been married that long, my mother and Third Brother said I have great talent in embroidery, and locked me up for months to focus on learning embroidery techniques, so I could shine at the Qixi Festival. I’ve hardly had any time to chat leisurely with my Third Sister-in-law. My Third Sister-in-law is beautiful and manages the household well, deeply valued by my mother and brother. Of course, I want to be close to such a wonderful sister-in-law, we are the best in the world."

These words were said smoothly.

If it weren’t for the reality, Qin Yuan might have been convinced.

Not only Qin Yuan, but Qin Wan also wouldn’t believe it.

It was no secret that Gu Baoshu didn’t know how to sew, and boasting about shining at the Qixi Festival was simply laughable.

Qin Yuan had to step in and smooth things over.

"Madam Chang, Little Sister Baozhu is childish, please be tolerant. She is just highly curious, often wanting to get to the bottom of things. If she offended you, I apologize on her behalf."

This attempt to smooth things over was extremely awkward.

But it had to be done.

Gu Baoshu might have trouble reading people’s expressions, but Chang Qingling also has her flaws, so Qin Yuan was somewhat annoyed and no longer addressed her as Miss Chang.

Of course, Chang Qingling understood and her expression turned unpleasant.

Qin Yuan intended to have Gu Baoshu’s nanny coax her away, but Gu Baoshu started lashing out at Chang Qingling again, sternly saying, "I know my Third Brother was once engaged to your older sister, but it didn’t work out. That engagement was years ago, now my Third Brother is married to my Third Sister-in-law. It’s best if you not visit as frequently in the future."

Not even mentioning others, Qin Yuan was quite surprised by her words.

Who would expect an unmarried girl to speak like this?

Gu Baoshu indeed dared to speak her mind.

Chang Qingling was not one to meekly accept an attack, responding sharply, "Little Sister Gu is still young and speaks without care. I won’t hold it against you, but the Marchioness must give me an explanation. I am not a helpless woman, you cannot spout nonsense at will. I came only due to the friendship between the two families, if this is how guests are treated, no one will dare visit henceforth."

Qin Yuan immediately signaled to Mrs. Dai, and they both worked to placate Chang Qingling, "Baozhu is young and ignorant, and likely heard some erroneous words elsewhere. You, being generous, shouldn’t take offense, let’s not argue with her, we can go elsewhere for a cup of warm tea."

Chang Qingling remained unmoved, coldly laughing in public, "Fortunately, the Marquis suffers a malady, otherwise, after hearing Little Sister Gu’s words, others might think I harbored inappropriate intentions toward him."