On the day of the gift-giving, friends and relatives all came to present Qin Yuan with generous gifts and shower her with compliments.
In her past life, the gifts given to Qin Yuan were insincere, merely to keep up appearances.
Qin Yuan had Hong Ye and Cui Ming make a register, and all gifts were recorded.
Previously, even those modest gifts were noted down by her, and she later returned generous gifts in kind.
This time, she did things even more grandly.
As expected, those friends and relatives left happily, praising her as a truly blessed person, generous and understanding.
But things were a bit awkward on Qin Wan's side.
Hong Ye said that Qin Wan smashed numerous porcelain items, cursing them for being snobbish.
Qin Yuan just took it as a joke.
Two days later, the Dingbei Marquis Mansion sent betrothal gifts, filling Qin Yuan's courtyard to the brim.
Friends and relatives gathered around to watch, whispering praises.
Even Qin Yuan, who was accustomed to good things, thought the Dingbei Marquis Mansion had spent lavishly, though she wondered if Qin Wan had received as much in her previous life.
Hong Ye and Cui Ming were so excited they couldn't sleep, while Qin Yuan remained composed and indifferent.
Hong Ye said, "Miss, the Marquis Mansion is truly wealthy, with those gold ingots, that jadeite, that white jade. They are really generous."
Cui Ming clicked her tongue in wonder, "Seeing such an occasion in this lifetime makes it all worthwhile."
Qin Yuan smiled, "This is just the beginning. The Marquis Mansion's betrothal gifts are but a drop in the ocean; who ever brings out their entire fortune for a bride?"
Hong Ye chuckled uncontrollably.
Cui Ming asked, "What is it?"
Hong Ye said, "Thinking that such good fortune belongs to our Miss makes me happy. Second Miss always wanted to outshine Miss, who knew she would falter in marriage?"
Cui Ming also felt cheerful, "We must go to the temple and pay our respects, offer some incense to the Bodhisattva."
Qin Yuan remained silent.
Both she and Qin Wan understood that this marriage falling upon her was not surprising.
When Marquis Gu was young, he was engaged to his childhood sweetheart, but before they married, the girl fell ill and died.
Later, when Old Marquis Gu encountered trouble, Marquis Gu took over his father's duties and fought many years at the Northern Border, unable to worry about marriage.
When he returned triumphantly, he was nearly thirty and brought back a woman and two children of seven or eight. Rumors spread that they were his beloved concubine and children, and families of equal status were reluctant to marry their daughters into the Marquis Mansion.
The Old Madam Gu was eager for Marquis Gu to marry, wanting a daughter from a scholarly family to transform the family status, and thus, the daughters of the Qin Family were suitable.
In her past life, Qin Wan caused chaos with that woman and two children, rendering her and Marquis Gu strangers.
Qin Yuan didn't care about these matters.
Having lived a full life, she viewed romance with detachment.
In her past life, she endured hardships with Lin Ziqi, painstakingly planning for him, yet when they attained some wealth, Lin Ziqi filled his residence with wives and concubines.
In their early years, Lin Ziqi promised never to forsake her, but upon ascending to power, he envied her talents, needed her for household management and strategy, and yet sought to suppress her with his concubines to make her compliant.
All the tactics of balancing were used on the wife who journeyed with him, truly disheartening.
In the eyes of others, she was the dignified Madam Lin Xiang, but inside, she lived in suffocating frustration, her hair turning gray before forty.
This time, she just wanted to live well, open her heart, enjoy herself, manage her own enterprises, and do what she desired.
The Marquis Mansion was the perfect choice for her.
No longer bogged down by the Lin Family, nor having to exert herself to elevate Lin Ziqi to a high position due to the marriage bond.
Marquis Gu offered her the dignity of being the Marchioness, and she would turn a blind eye to his private matters.
With the status of Marchioness, she could accomplish much, without struggling from the bottom as she did in her past life.
This was indeed a good marriage, even though it was Qin Wan who insisted on pushing it onto her.
It was quite... subtle.
The Lin Family's betrothal gifts were not only few in number, but their quality was poor, with many of the items being pieced together with household bedding.
Hong Ye and Cui Ming returned after seeing the gifts, imitating them for a long time.
Listening, Qin Yuan realized they were still better than what she had received in her past life. It seemed Lin Ziqi had poured all his family resources into the betrothal gifts.
After all, Qin Wan was the legitimate daughter.
Unexpectedly, while she hadn't gone to see Qin Wan's dowry, Qin Wan came to see hers, leaving with a face as dark as ink, her eyes filled with barely concealed jealousy.
This lifted Qin Yuan's spirits even more.
She had initially worried the Marquis Mansion might reduce the bride price due to the exchange of brides, but it seemed the Dingbei Marquis Mansion wasn't such a petty household.
Their wedding day was set for the same day.
Originally, Mrs. Cui had whispered to her husband that since Lin Ziqi was poor and Qin Yuan a concubine's daughter, they might as well hold the weddings the same day, so the Lin Family wouldn't face embarrassment from having few relatives and a meager dowry.
Qin Jijiu agreed.
Mrs. Cui's intention was for Qin Yuan to serve as a foil to Qin Wan's grand marriage, but now it had turned into a face-saver for Qin Yuan.
Mrs. Cui was so angry she couldn't sleep night after night.
Seeing Mrs. Cui tossing and turning in bed, Qin Jijiu said, "Wan'er is spoiled and headstrong, accustomed to indulgence by us. Being married into the Dingbei Marquis Mansion is reaching high; she surely wouldn't tolerate grievances. Lin Ziqi, after all, is my student, has been in our household for many years, and possesses good character and appearance. Familiar with our family, he wouldn't dare bully Wan'er, only cherish her well."
Mrs. Cui was torn between resentment over Qin Yuan's good marriage and anger at Qin Wan's lower status of marrying Lin Ziqi, a poor scholar. Seeing Qin Yuan's betrothal gifts compared to Qin Wan's, she had coughed up blood several times with rage.
Hearing this, her mood improved a little.
"As you say so, it seems like a good marriage after all?"
"Lin Ziqi has the potential of an Advanced Scholar, is my student, and has sought my guidance tirelessly over the years. In his career, he will have my connections to support him. How bad could he be? Although the National Academy Sacrificial Officer is fifth-rank, my legitimate daughter marrying his humble self is more than fitting. If he's wise, he'll exalt Wan'er highly."
Hearing this, Mrs. Cui felt even more at ease. She shared with her husband what Qin Wan had told her.
"Wan'er said Lin Ziqi will certainly prosper and rise easily, achieving eminent status. Is this child mad?"
Qin Jijiu frowned, not understanding why Qin Wan held Lin Ziqi in such high regard, but to ease Mrs. Cui's mind, he said, "Though Lin Ziqi is poor, he has not ceased his diligent studies and has a resilient nature. He will certainly achieve something worthwhile in the future."
But whether or not he would soar to great heights, achieve eminent status, and hold a position of power was unknown.
Indeed, diligence and resilience alone are insufficient.
In his day, Qin Jijiu had ambitions across the land but had, upon recognizing reality, relied on his wife's family's status and influence, managing only to become a Sacrificial Officer despite all efforts. His peers included numerous Advanced Scholars who also wandered through officialdom, drifting along with fate, some less fortunate than he.
Mrs. Cui turned over and fell into a deep sleep.
In the darkness, Qin Jijiu sighed in relief.
He feared Mrs. Cui and Qin Wan might do something irrational, offending Lin Ziqi and Qin Yuan.
The situation was now finalized, and there was no point in stirring things further.
As long as the Dingbei Marquis Mansion was his in-law's house, it did not matter who married in; it was his daughter in the first place.