Chapter 115: Truly Ashamed of My Inferiority

Xu Zhen felt very aggrieved.

Sixth Lady Gu chuckled and said, "My dear, you were raised by my sister-in-law... I’m not speaking out of discouragement or failing to stand up for our family. She is the Marchioness, and there are many people willing to fawn over her and please her. If you weren’t my niece, you probably wouldn’t even have a chance to stand before her. If she could be swayed by a few flattering words, she wouldn’t have taken away half of your aunt’s household management just days after entering the residence."

Xu Zhen’s almond eyes reddened, clearly very dissatisfied.

Every time she went to Wutong Garden to talk to Qin Yuan, she always wore a smile and racked her brains for things to say, but Qin Yuan’s words clearly showed disdain for her now.

Sixth Lady Gu glanced at her and sneered, "If you have ambition, you can find a way to marry into the Qin Family; she would have no choice."

Xu Zhen snorted heavily, "Mm."

Sixth Lady Gu added, "If they don’t want to give it to you and you still succeed, that’s skill. In the future, she will have to treat you well on account of me and her cousin. With a status, everything you do is dignified. Why are you bothered by these things now? The more helpless she is, the more it shows your capability."

Xu Zhen brightened up again and said, "I see my uncle’s flowers are quite nice. Why don’t I move a pot to Third Lady and ask her to teach me poetry?"

This was a plan to have Sixth Lady Gu assist in acquiring a pot of flowers under the pretense of gifting.

Sixth Lady Gu smiled and said, "When you move the flowers, tell your uncle how beautiful they are. Third Lady might also like them; you’re borrowing flowers to win favor."

Xu Zhen froze for a moment, asking, "Isn’t my uncle unwilling for me..."

Sixth Master Gu had subtly indicated not to meddle in the Qin Family affairs, making Xu Zhen feel he would definitely not agree.

Sixth Lady Gu coldly laughed, "He now wants to foster good relations with the Qins wholeheartedly. If you say these flowers are fitting for them, he’d be delighted to help send them to your third sister-in-law."

Xu Zhen: "..."

She felt ashamed in front of her aunt; there was still much to learn.

Qin Yuan originally planned to go out and seek Doctor Li from Renhe Hall, but upon handling the trivial matters from the housekeeper, she heard that Xu Zhen had come.

Hong Ye sighed, "Why cling again?"

Cui Ming said, "After seeing the talent and appearance of Sir, it’s even harder to let go."

If previously aimed only at the status of being the wife of an Advanced Scholar, now even more was targeted, as Qin Siyuan’s appearance and demeanor were rather rare.

Qin Yuan randomly shook the fan in her hand, saying, "The weather’s not hot now; I planned to go out, but with her arrival, who knows how long she’ll drag on."

Truly, neither close nor distant.

Ignoring her feels unkind, paying attention leads to endless chatter; will I accidentally run into her cousin someday in Wutong Garden?

Qin Yuan pondered and said, "Later, you tell people that Shen Changle has sent someone to invite me to the West Market to look at marriage shops."

Hong Ye said, "What if she wants to follow?"

Qin Yuan had to say, "Then we’ll play it by ear."

Qin Yuan was a bit annoyed by her. After delay, she went to the hall, where Xu Zhen warmly greeted her smiling, "Madam, I came early today because of a matter that required my early visit."

"What is it?"

Qin Yuan sat down with her, distinguishing host from guest, while the little maids served tea and snacks.

Xu Zhen smiled even more intimately, saying, "I admired my uncle’s flowers today and praised them, then I asked if Madam could teach me poetry, seeking my uncle’s favor to gift a pot of flowers as a token."

Saying this, she gleefully lowered herself to move the Peony from behind the chair.

The crimson double-petal Peony was in full bloom, the flowerpot was carefully paired with Ding kiln white porcelain, jade-like throughout.

Qin Yuan’s pupils shrank slightly, surprised, "Did Sixth Brother grow this?"

Xu Zhen was pleased with her reaction, boasting, "My uncle is truly attentive in planting; this Peony was brought back from Gansu Gongchang, along with some roses, though the Peony grew best. Uncle says Peonies love the cool during summer, specially ordered people to set up a canopy. Madam, I’ve exerted great effort to beg for this Peony as your student."

Actually... upon hearing it was for Third Lady, her uncle eagerly offered the best Peony, saying her keen eye was commendable.

Xu Zhen subtly glanced at Qin Yuan.

Today, Qin Yuan wore a blue coat for outings, embroidered with wisteria at the collar, vines winding in delicate intricacy, highlighting her fair skin with intertwined threads. A step-shake hairpin at her temple caught colorful feathers lightly swaying, enhancing her elegance.

Indeed, more beautiful than the flower.

Qin Yuan sighed, "Sixth Brother’s flowers are extremely well-cultivated, must have invested great effort. A gentleman does not steal others’ pleasures; I cannot accept this flower. Moreover, you speak of learning poetry? I am unworthy due to my shallow studies."

Xu Zhen’s smile stiffened, struggling and said, "Madam, my uncle agreed to send them, declining would embarrass him."

Hong Ye lowered her head and quietly rolled her eyes, interjecting, "Sixth Master isn’t petty; madam worries about not maintaining the flowers, betraying Sixth Master’s goodwill."

"Indeed," Qin Yuan laughed, "my maid grew up alongside me, understanding my thoughts. I’m not skilled at horticulture, fearing I might ruin them, losing face before Sixth Master. These flowers bloom in his garden, anytime I wish to see them, isn’t that better?"

Xu Zhen stammered, speechless.

Qin Yuan curiously asked, "Where did you hear I compose poetry? I hardly write in public."

Xu Zhen: "...This, this, I heard from Uncle and Aunt’s chats, saying Madam’s talent is outstanding, someone praised Madam’s swift poetic skills."

Qin Yuan sighed, "Sixth Brother must have been misled by hearsay; due to father’s role as Sacrificial Officer, I learned some words early, but needing no examinations, my heart wasn’t in it. Many capital ladies are poetically quick-witted, some sold printed poetry collections; if I were talented, wouldn’t fame precede me?"

Hong Ye also laughed, "Exactly, our madam’s Sacrificial Officer’s daughter, if a literary talent, her reputation should spread across the Capital."

Xu Zhen awkwardly laughed.

Qin Yuan thought of returning the flowers, Xu Zhen’s face looked very awkward, so Hong Ye said, "Why not let Madam keep the flowers for appreciation days before returning to Sixth Master, a few days won’t ruin them, even if so, Sixth Master would rescue them."

Qin Yuan clapped and laughed, "A wonderful idea! These flowers are rare cultivations of Sixth Master, truly lovely, the Peony is a floral king and the Peony is a minister; I can’t bear to return. But thinking of mishandling such beauty panics me. I’ll admire for a few days, then return; no fear of this."

Xu Zhen smiled accompanyingly, "Madam speaks wisely, thus I can explain to Uncle."

Then said no more of learning poetry.

Qin Yuan also breathed relief.