My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead-Chapter 160: Qin Yuan’s Meager Fortune

Doctor Liu brought the carrier pigeon inside, opened the window shortly after, and released the pigeon.

The pigeon cooed softly and fluttered out of the courtyard.

No one was aware of this.

Qin Mansion.

Mrs. Cui and others had already received the news that the Marquis Mansion had closed its doors to visitors, and were already somewhat apprehensive. Unexpectedly, they then heard that the Dingbei Marquis Mansion had voluntarily sealed itself.

Mrs. Cui felt a bit panicked and asked Qin Jijiu, "Is this serious?" 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Qin Jijiu stroked his beard, unable to come up with anything, and only said, "Fortune favors the bold, I think the General is resilient, and Yuan’er is fortunate, there should be no issue."

Mrs. Cui sighed, "Why did smallpox suddenly appear? They even had to seal their mansion; does this mean leaving life and death to fate?"

Qin Jijiu also sighed.

"They had no choice but to seal their mansion; smallpox came from the Dingbei Marquis Mansion. If many people in the Capital City become infected, the Dingbei Marquis Mansion would inevitably be held accountable."

When there is no natural disaster, but smallpox appears, it must be a human calamity.

The matter of human calamity can be big or small, and if someone intends to frame others, it becomes more complicated.

Although Qin Jijiu did not understand medicine, he had read numerous historical texts and knew that human nature is unpredictable, and officialdom is perilous.

"From now on, we must also behave ourselves and not bring trouble to the Dingbei Marquis Mansion. The son-in-law returns victorious from the Northern Border, and who knows how many eyes are watching."

Mrs. Cui nodded repeatedly.

The next day, Mrs. Cui told Qin Wan, who came to visit.

These days, Qin Wan’s mind was entirely on Lin Ziqi, completely unaware of the outbreak of smallpox in the Capital City.

The Lin Family had little contact with the Marquis Mansion, and Gu Jinghui did not send any message to the Lin Family.

"Smallpox?"

Qin Wan frowned.

This didn’t happen in her previous life, what’s going on?

"Yes, the Marquis Mansion has already sealed itself. Your father said they had no choice. If the Capital City is overwhelmed with smallpox, no one can bear that responsibility."

Qin Wan absentmindedly asked, "Whose idea was this?"

Mrs. Cui shook her head, "Who knows whose idea it was. The Emperor has already issued a decree, and your father heard that the Emperor also issued an order commending the Marquis Mansion for their righteousness and dispatched an Imperial Physician. They should all be fine."

Qin Wan pondered for a while, her expression gradually relaxed. She took a piece of cold melon from the desk and ate while saying, "Mother, this is the fate I told you about, but you refused to believe it. Qin Yuan is just an unfortunate person. Even though she married into the Marquis Mansion, she couldn’t bear such fortune. Look how long she’s been married, and such a big event has occurred. Smallpox is terrifying; whether she survives is uncertain."

In her previous life, she hadn’t heard of smallpox in the Capital City, but she had heard of an epidemic in Yu Hang.

So many people died.

Mrs. Cui was both shocked and horrified, "Heavens, can’t you guard your tongue? Qin Yuan is your sister; although not from the same mother, she is registered under my name. If you speak like this, what will happen to the reputation of our Qin Family’s daughter?"

Qin Wan rolled her eyes, "I know, I’m just saying it in front of you."

Mrs. Cui said, "If your father hears this, who knows how he’d scold you."

"He just likes that Qin Yuan married well, but that’s all. Mother, rest assured, there’s no such thing as unearned wealth or unearned hardship in this world. Didn’t I tell you, Lin Ziqi is destined to be a dragon among men, and his poems have caught the eye of nobles. You will see that I’m right. Qin Yuan has a low fate and can’t handle great wealth."

Mrs. Cui closed her eyes, "You should just live well with Lin Ziqi, don’t be like a sieve leaking everything all the time. People will think you’re mentally unstable. I don’t want to hear such words from you again."

That day, Mrs. Cui kept a close watch on Qin Wan and didn’t let her talk to Qin Jijiu and sent her away without staying for a meal.

Qin Jijiu found it strange.

Mrs. Cui was always keen to keep Qin Wan as long as possible, always saying she was suffering grievances at the Lin Family.

"Why did you send her back so early today?"

Mrs. Cui said, "I was just thinking our daughter is already married, and if she keeps visiting her mother’s home, her mother-in-law might not be happy."

Qin Jijiu frowned, "Did her mother-in-law show her a poor attitude?"

Mrs. Cui wanted to say yes. These days, hearing Qin Wan mention Mrs. Lin’s behavior, she felt very uneasy.

However, she knew that Qin Wan wouldn’t take her word for it.

If Qin Jijiu, out of fatherly affection, said something in front of Lin Ziqi, Qin Wan might return home in frustration.

Thus, Mrs. Cui could only endure.

"No, no," Mrs. Cui started criticizing Qin Wan, "Your daughter, always thinking she’s the smartest, constantly saying Lin Ziqi will surely succeed and rise gloriously, even if her mother-in-law gave her a cold shoulder, she wouldn’t mind."

The more Qin Jijiu listened, the more he felt something was amiss in Mrs. Cui’s words, but since Mrs. Cui was also fond of her daughter, if Qin Wan was truly wronged, she wouldn’t hide it.

Thus, he didn’t pursue the matter further.

After returning home, Qin Wan found herself increasingly amused the more she thought about the situation, and any dissatisfaction from Qin Yuan and Marquis Gu’s love and comfortable life dissipated.

"This is what father often said, finding happiness in contentment, that fate is constant."

Mrs. Lin, seeing her joyful face, asked, "Wan’er, did you get some good news from home today?"

Qin Wan reined in her smile and shook her head, "No, I just remembered my husband went to Yuyuantang for an outing and wrote a good poem, sure to gain the noble’s appreciation."

Hearing her daughter-in-law praise her son’s talent, Mrs. Lin was also quite pleased and laughed, "My Ziqi is talented, and he will undoubtedly pass the exams and rise to prominence, and then you’ll be a government official’s wife."

Both firmly believed that Lin Ziqi would succeed gloriously in the future. As they talked more excitedly, Qin Wan ordered some dishes to be bought and prepared, keeping one portion at home and intending to deliver another to the Imperial College.

Not having seen Lin Ziqi for a few days, Qin Wan found everything she did meaningless.

Mrs. Lin, putting on a stern face, said, "It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the child. Let the old lady go. You’re too young to be out in the open. I’ll go and speak to him properly, bringing your good with me."

With no other option, Qin Wan handed the food box to Mrs. Lin.

Mrs. Lin took the food box to the Imperial College and asked someone to call Lin Ziqi out.

Lin Ziqi, hearing his mother had come, wondered what the matter was and hurriedly came out, sweating profusely.

Feeling tender for her son, Mrs. Lin took a handkerchief and wiped his face, "Son, there’s no need to rush. You study hard and must take care of your health."

Seeing her like this, Lin Ziqi knew there was no big issue at home, so he laughed and asked, "Mother, why did you come? It would have been better for Qin Wan to come. She’s young and should be active."

Mrs. Lin pursed her lips, "She’s just a pampered young lady, and I’m used to hardships, I don’t mind these things. These are good dishes made by your mother; eat well, take care of yourself, and next spring you will certainly succeed."

Lin Ziqi sighed, "Mother is the best to me."

Just as he was about to take the food box, a sudden pain struck his temple, darkness clouded his vision, and he couldn’t even stand.