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

Chapter 392: I’ll Pay for Dinner, All Right?

The Ninth Princess angrily got into the carriage, cursing, "What’s so great about it? In the end, she still has to marry a pauper."

The Crown Prince couldn’t help but laugh quietly, "Mother’s maneuver was clever."

Cherished for over a decade, yet this marriage offers no leverage.

The siblings of Prince Qi must surely be fuming in private.

The Ninth Princess raised her face and asked, "Is Mother paving the way for Brother’s marriage?"

The Crown Prince nodded, "Indeed, you’re very perceptive."

The Three Dukes and Nine Ministers are reluctant to marry their legitimate daughters into the Eastern Palace, so Empress Lin has arranged for Princess Fuyun to marry a poor family member as a groundwork.

No matter the outcome, he won’t lose face.

The alliance between Prince Qi and Fuyun’s husband’s family holds no weight.

The Ninth Princess scoffed, "We are Father’s beloved children. How could they compete with us? Fuyun only has a title, yet she thinks she’s the most noble and cherished princess, utterly clueless. If I wanted, I could ask Father for as many titles as I want."

Her mother is dead, her maternal family is defeated, and yet she thinks she can rise again, ha!

...

Qin Yuan had been busy all day and just returned to Wutong Garden, not yet seated comfortably, when Nanny Rong came looking for her.

"Nanny Rong, please have a seat," Qin Yuan hurriedly ordered the young maids to make tea and instructed someone to bring an embroidery stool for Nanny Rong to sit.

After sitting down as instructed, Nanny Rong gave a few dry laughs and said, "The madam has had a tiring day; I shouldn’t have come looking at this time, but..."

Qin Yuan had already guessed the intent, asking, "Is it because of Madam Chang and Little Sister Baozhu’s quarrel?"

Nanny Rong nodded.

"Yes, the Old Madam is feeling quite upset."

Qin Yuan said, "Seventh Sister is a bit impulsive, but Madam Chang indeed has some inappropriate behavior. I didn’t watch over them closely, which was my fault. In the end, I had to let Seventh Sister’s nanny coax her back. Is she going to complain to Mother now? Such childishness, making Mother unhappy too."

Nanny Rong said, "Madam may not know, although the Chang Family had old ties with the mansion, that was years ago, and we haven’t interacted for over a decade. Originally, the Old Madam didn’t want any connections with the Chang Family, especially since Madam Chang left the Chang Family to live in the Capital City for uncertain reasons. Just trying to avoid a complete fallout by dealing with her occasionally. If Madam Chang doesn’t come, we wouldn’t be in contact."

Since Old Madam Gu isn’t blaming the two youngsters for making a spectacle at the mourning hall, she must be concerned about something else.

Nanny Rong wouldn’t directly say it.

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "That’s good. According to me, Madam Chang was indeed inappropriate. Little Sister Baozhu offended her, but our Marquis did not, yet she spoke such words, truly stepping over the face of the Marquis Mansion. People who gossip for no reason like this, I cannot forgive. Since Mother doesn’t like her, there’s no need to bother with her in the future."

Nanny Rong’s gloomy expression suddenly brightened, and she loudly asked, "Madam, are you serious? So, Madam Chang was really talking nonsense?"

After speaking, Nanny Rong realized it was inappropriate, lightly slapped her own face, and said, "I got carried away and spoke crudely, please don’t mind it."

Qin Yuan smiled, pushed the teacup towards Nanny Rong, and said, "Have some tea, Nanny. This is the newly brewed Maple Dew Tea. It takes several brews to bring out its flavor. They started brewing it this afternoon, and Nanny seldom visits, so let’s enjoy the tea and talk slowly."

Nanny Rong tasted it and nodded, "Good tea, well-brewed."

Only then did Qin Yuan softly say, "The Marquis does indeed have some itchiness."

Nanny Rong couldn’t drink her tea anymore.

Qin Yuan continued, "Doctor Li examined him and said that the Marquis caught the cold evil at the Northern Border, leading to blocked meridians, requiring proper treatment for some time to recover."

Nanny Rong focused intently on Qin Yuan, holding her breath until the last word, then sighed with relief.

"As long as it can be cured, that’s good."

Qin Yuan comforted, "Previously, when the Marquis felt unwell, coincidentally the Dean was there for consultation and asked a few questions. It’s unclear how it became such a rumor; truly baffling. Nanny doesn’t need to worry, as Doctor Li’s medical skills are superb. Even Old Lady Qi’s eyesight is improving, let alone this minor ailment, which will get better gradually."

Just how gradual this will be depends on her mood.

Seeing Qin Yuan calm as a mountain, Nanny Rong could finally relax completely and laughed, "Amitabha Buddha, as long as you two are well, that’s good. Seventh Miss went back to the upper room and cursed, making the Old Madam anxious, wanting to send someone to find you but worried about people gossiping and solidifying this rumor. Who knows what kind of wretch spread such malicious rumors, deserving to be thrown into the eighteenth level of hell to be tongue-pulled. Now, I’ll go back and explain it well to the Old Madam."

Upon saying this, she stood up in haste, neglecting even her tea.

Qin Yuan was about to rise to see her off, but Gu Jinghui had already lifted the curtain and strode in.

Nanny Rong saw Marquis Gu himself, with a composed demeanor and vigorous steps, not at all like someone afflicted, and felt more assured.

Marquis Gu asked, "What’s Nanny Rong doing here? Did Mother have any orders?"

Nanny Rong quickly waved her hand, "It’s nothing, I came to chat with the madam, as the Old Madam stayed in the mansion for years without going out much, lacking news. We only learned they came to the Capital City when the Chang Family visited. The Old Madam is thinking of taking the madam out for a walk after the funeral. I was just having a chat."

Marquis Gu just replied, "Oh," seemingly indifferent to the truth.

At this moment, Nanny Rong couldn’t be bothered with him, eager to rush back and bring the good news to the Old Madam.

After Nanny Rong left, Gu Jinghui then asked, "Yuan’er, what’s for dinner?"

As if nothing had happened.

Qin Yuan frowned, lightly asking, "Is Marquis dining here? Sixth Brother is quite heartbroken, so maybe Marquis should dine with him in the outer courtyard instead. If Sixth Brother is too sad to eat, what will we do if he lacks strength during the funeral procession?"

Gu Jinghui chuckled dryly a few times, "How could it come to that?"

Qin Yuan remained calm and said, "Escort the Buddha to the west, be a good person to the end, Marquis, you should accompany Sixth Brother more."

These days, Gu Jinghui had been avoiding her, not even sending back messages, leaving her anxious. If it weren’t for Mrs. Xu’s funeral arrangements, she would have confronted him.

Now he has come to her willingly, truly a case of a path to heaven ignored, a gate to hell sought after.

She undoubtedly could not be blamed.

Gu Jinghui frowned, his usually stern face full of helplessness, awkwardly asked, "Can’t I just have a meal with you? Why is Madam so petty, I... I’ll pay for the meal."

Qin Yuan sneered, "Of course you can, but the small kitchen hasn’t prepared a portion for Marquis, suddenly wanting a meal with nothing available. Marquis just had Sixteen take your clothes away, saying you were going to stay with Sixth Brother, and now you’re backing out, what would others say about that? Marquis, after all, is a man whose words are as reliable as gold, isn’t he? Words have consequences, consistency and accountability are what define such a person."