Chapter 69

Madam Qin saw her nephew kneeling before her, asking for her daughter’s hand, and felt helpless. "Buxun, your cousin causing you trouble again?"
She loved her sister’s child dearly, but as an elder, she naturally favored the weaker one. Yunu had been weak since childhood, so people couldn’t help but care for her. Even knowing Buxun had suffered some slights in the household, she turned a blind eye.
But this proposal was truly unexpected. "Your cousin is always mischievous and childish, maybe joking with you. Don’t take it seriously, Buxun. Besides, she is no different from the nun practicing with her hair braided; she cannot marry."
Thinking of that malicious woman’s ruthless nature, her own poison, and Aunt’s helpless attempt to intervene, Buxun felt a tightness in his chest.
He spoke gravely: "Cousin is fair and beautiful, honest and lively, truly rare in character. Those in the Wei household before were nothing compared to her, the stepmother hiding needles in silk, or a father favoring younger siblings… Such a good cousin is rare indeed."
He dared say it, Madam Qin hadn’t heard such words. Yunu was their only daughter; in their hearts, she was perfect, though headstrong. Buxun’s words now were genuinely embarrassing.
"Get up and tell Aunt how your cousin forced you."
Madam Qin was not a fool. She didn’t truly believe her nephew sincerely wanted to marry, and Yunu couldn’t marry yet. After performing rites and cutting ties with Sanggong Palace, discussing marriage would be appropriate.
"Buxun truly admires his cousin, but Aunt thinks he lacks fame and will be undervalued in the clan in the future…"
"Child, don’t speak nonsense. You are a fine child, resembling your mother, diligent and talented. Your elder brother said you plan to continue studying for the imperial exam next year. Ambitious indeed. Someday, you will marry a virtuous, capable wife. Even when I am gone, I can rest assured with your mother."
Their words exchanged quickly. Madam Qin didn’t outright refuse, but obviously the “virtuous, capable wife” had nothing to do with her pampered daughter.
"Aunt…"
"Buxun, go back. Your servant said you were still studying at midnight. Your health matters. This matter needs thought."
Hidden Pear Courtyard
Qin Jinxiu wore a light apricot-pink gauze skirt, layered with a smoky purple robe, tying her arms as she played shuttlecock in the courtyard.
The young girls cheered her on. Since shaking off her weak body, it was like a withered tree flourishing again. Riding, archery, throwing pots, kicking balls, it was all effortless. Despite her “reckless” reputation, she was actually straightforward and capable.
"Second Miss is amazing! Already sixty-three kicks."
"Sixty-four."
"Sixty-five."
… She spun, catching the shuttlecock with a red-feathered tip. Focused, she delivered a beautiful flying kick. Suddenly, a shout: "Jinxiu!"
She missed, and a cry came from the courtyard gate.
"Madam!"
Qin Jinxiu turned and saw her mother, forehead flushed, a shuttlecock on the ground.
She hurried over. "Mother, are you alright? I’ll fan it for you."
"Huff huff…"
She massaged Madam Qin’s forehead. Her mother was furious from being hit by the shuttlecock, ready to scold, but saw her daughter’s clever, coaxing look.
"Mother, does it hurt? Come inside and sit."
Madam Qin, doting, didn’t mind. She gestured for her inside. Her daughter’s hair damp with sweat, face flushed from the sun, looked healthy.
It was slightly aching, more activity was better than her previous frailty, where she needed maids to help her walk.
But this visit wasn’t simply to see her daughter.
Qin Jinxiu helped her mother inside, saying sweetly: "Mother, I learned some tea-making. Let me show you."
Madam Qin waved her off. "Not yet. Let’s talk about your cousin. Do you know he came to propose?"
Qin Jinxiu rolled her eyes, acting shy and coquettish: "I leave it to you, Mother."
Madam Qin froze. Leave it to her? She hadn’t agreed yet! This daughter, once weak and slow-witted, was now clever and plotting even within the family!
She snorted. "Your cousin came today to propose. Don’t tell me you didn’t meddle."
"Mother, would your daughter do that?"
It was an unfair accusation, yet deep down she cursed her cousin countless times. The plot was supposed to have the male lead solve this. In the story, after she requested it, Madam Qin would scheme to marry her daughter off to the Wei family, preserving the last shred of favor.
That had been in the past. Her body had been weak; even as the magistrate’s daughter, no one would propose. Marriage was mainly for heirs and family prosperity. With her body, marrying would have meant waiting for an outsider to bury her, dragging until the male lead married, well into her twenties. Where were these daughters to marry at such age?
Furthermore, the Qin family had suffered some misfortune. Though spared due to the male lead, they were no longer a great household.
Her health now depended on the finest medicine; ordinary families couldn’t care for her. Hence, the moment she mentioned it, Madam Qin was ready to break ties and send her to her nephew.
Otherwise, a careful and dignified woman like her wouldn’t act this way.
Now it was different. Her daughter was lively and energetic. Even if her reputation was a bit poor, once they performed the ritual and severed ties with Sanggong Palace, marrying her off to either Governor Qin or one of the young men under her elder brother would be ideal. With her father and brother watching over her, she would enjoy a lifetime of comfort.
In truth, Madam Qin did not believe in ghosts or divine intervention, but seeing her daughter’s health recover, she couldn’t tell if it was thanks to the Tianshan Snow Lotus or Sanggong Palace’s mysterious power.
It was hard to say. A few days ago, when her daughter had been captured by bandits, the household had quietly searched for her, careful not to damage their reputation.
Now that she had been found, the discussion of hunting down the bandits immediately involved several grown men, including the chief clerk’s son, in the study. It was a dangerous business, something that should have been postponed, but now it had to be addressed.
Thinking this through, Madam Qin decided the ritual could be moved forward a bit. But the customary offerings and temple observances before the ritual could not be skipped.
She glanced at her daughter, who was sneaking peeks at her. "Wen Xin, go prepare the paper money, incense, and prayer banners for Miss tomorrow. Su Wen, get the snacks ready for her journey and night. The escorting guards, let Qin Da coordinate the numbers…"
After this string of orders, the two girls immediately went to work. Left beside Qin Jinxiu were the former maids, who had been demoted from first-class to third-class maids due to their poor supervision that day.
Still, it was a favorable outcome. That day, the eldest son and Madam had planned to punish them, but it was the Second Miss who saved them. Even if Qin Jinxiu later gained a worse reputation, they would still think their mistress was wonderful.
Seeing that Madam Qin was not taking her words seriously, Qin Jinxiu suddenly muttered, "Mother, do you think I’m not worthy of my cousin?"
"Child… why would you think such a thing? You are my heart, the daughter of our Qin household."
Seeing her daughter’s unwilling expression, Madam Qin finally revealed her concerns. She explained: "Your cousin comes from the Wei family in the capital. They have a large, complicated household, full of rivalries between sisters-in-law and mothers-in-law. With your temperament, you’d probably be back in Huaizhou crying to me after a few days of marriage."
She didn’t mention that her nephew had a reserved, cunning nature and no real interest in her daughter. If he were coerced into marriage while staying temporarily in her household, he might not treat Jinxiu well in the future.
"I just like my cousin," Qin Jinxiu mumbled. In front of Madam Qin and Prefector Qin, she behaved very obediently.
Madam Qin pinched the bridge of her nose, tired. Watching her daughter tiptoe and pout, stubbornly insisting on her cousin, she groaned: "But didn’t you admire the little prince?"
"Mother said the little prince wasn’t easy to get along with. I do admire him, but I’m tired after all these years. And my cousin is… better looking than the little prince."
This last sentence seemed to be the real reason she changed her mind. Madam Qin couldn’t help twitching her mouth.
"Mother! Please agree with me. Besides, if the future husband knew I stayed a few nights in the bandits’ den, he might divorce me."
"…That day, it was your cousin who brought you back."
Though Madam Qin did not respond immediately, her hesitant expression suggested she was about to relent.
"Once the ritual at Sanggong Palace is complete, then we’ll discuss your matters."
This was agreement. Qin Jinxiu hugged her mother’s arm and cheered: "Mother, you’re the best! Look, I brewed tea, Jiang Lin taught me. I even invested 100 taels with her to open a small tea house. Monthly profit is over ten taels. Soon I’ll recover my investment."
She wanted to show she was now sensible and could earn money, putting her mother at ease.
Although Madam Qin knew her words were somewhat exaggerated, she was happy. A child who strives for progress was better than a girl who rode and played all day, leading people to think her a reckless noble.
In the past, she hadn’t had the heart to discipline her, and now she couldn’t suddenly correct her behavior. That she was willing to "reform" was best.
Madam Qin also resolved to treat Jiang Lin better, a proper, upright girl whom her daughter could learn from without fault.
Soon, the master they had invited arrived. Qin Jinxiu watched the old goat-bearded Taoist, tilting her chin arrogantly at Jiang Linlang beside her: "Look, my mother invited a charlatan claiming he could remove karmic consequences. I know his tricks: a little sulfur in wine, ashes on talismans, it creates the illusion and fools people for money. My mother gave him 500 taels. Might as well give it to me; I could do it myself."
In Qin Jinxiu’s eyes, Jiang Linlang was annoying but at least now part of the Qin household and her sidekick. Whatever "mischief" she got up to, she would include Jiang Linlang.
Jiang Linlang covered her mouth and laughed, though it was a proper, lady-like laugh, teeth hidden, eyes polite.
She had once found Qin Jinxiu bratty, foolish, and troublesome. After that ordeal and over a year of interaction, she realized she was just a paper tiger, slightly amusing.
Recalling recent rumors, Jiang Linlang asked: "I heard your adoptive mother is arranging a marriage with Young Master Wei. That’s why she invited the master here so quickly?"