Chapter 908: Chapter 744: Persuasion
Qin Yingyuanâs worried expression warmed Qin Minâs heart slightly, "Thereâs indeed a lot going on in the government office, and besides, Iâve just joined the Capital Guard Command not long ago. Iâm not yet familiar with those matters, and so I have to be diligent."
Qin Yingyuan nodded, "But big brother also needs to take care of his health and not overwork yourself."
"Mm! You came to see me so late, is there something you want to discuss with me?"
Qin Min initially wanted to advise his little sister, but as he looked at the already grown-up girl, he suddenly didnât know how to start.
When girls grow older, there are certain things that an elder brother finds inconvenient to ask about.
Qin Yingyuanâs actions in recent days naturally couldnât be hidden from him. But as a man, how could he understand the thoughts of young girls?
"Big brother..." Qin Yingyuan, after all, was a girl. Although sitting opposite her was her legitimate elder brother, with whom she had always been very close,
for such matters, it was hard for her to speak, and thus her face turned slightly red, hesitating to speak.
"I heard you had a disagreement with mother today. Could you tell me what it was about?"
Qin Min personally poured Qin Yingyuan a cup of hot tea and then looked seriously at her.
Chonglou at the door took the shoes sent by the maid and intended to invite the young lady to change her shoes inside.
"Commandery Princess, your shoes must be wet from walking over here. Itâs better to change them to avoid catching a cold."
Chonglou glanced at her Commandery Princess and cautiously spoke.
Qin Min glanced at Qin Yingyuanâs embroidered shoes and noticed the front was indeed wet, causing him to frown.
Qin Yingyuan was annoyed and glared at Chonglou. She had just mustered the courage to speak, only to be interrupted by this maid.
It seems mother was right; the maid in her room was not well-mannered and needed proper training.
When the master speaks, how can the servant interrupt?
Realizing she had made a foolish mistake after being glared at by her master,
her master seemed angry, and she shrunk back, biting her lip, nearly in tears with fear.
She was worried that the Commandery Princess might catch a cold from the dampness, and if that happened, His Highness wouldnât spare her.
"Change your shoes first; we can talk later."
Qin Minâs expression was even less pleasant than Qin Yingyuanâs. Wasnât his sister acting like this because of that person?
The once spirited, charming sister had become so troublesome, fretting all day and even arguing with mother.
Qin Yingyuan, with a heavy heart, changed her shoes. When facing Qin Min again, she decided to get straight to the point.
She knew her actions in recent days couldnât escape her brotherâs notice. Despite her motherâs forceful exterior, she was the most lenient with her.
Her brother, appearing amiable and easygoing, was actually someone not to be trifled with beneath the surface.
She considered them as having grown up together, sharing the same mother, with a bond incomparable to others, even at times making her sister-in-law step aside.
But that was only under the condition that it didnât harm the interests of the Duke of Qin Mansion and the Princessâs Mansion; otherwise, her brother wouldnât let her have her way.
"Is there anything in this house that you, big brother, donât know about? Surely youâre already aware of the reason behind my quarrel with mother?"
Qin Yingyuan decided to lay it all bare. Mother was hard to persuade, but her brother was a potential breakthrough.
If her brother agreed, heâd naturally be the one to persuade mother.
Of course, convincing her brother wasnât easy. But how would she know it wouldnât work unless she tried?
"I donât know what kind of temperament the old lady from the Gu Mansion has, but I know mother is right. Her background is too humble. Her manners probably donât even compare to those small households in the Capital. If you admire her genuine nature, I wonât stop you from associating with her. But think nothing more. Youâre just fond of her, thatâs all."
Now that his sister had brought it up, he decided to speak frankly.
"Remember! Thatâs all there is to it!" Qin Min emphasized again, stating his position.
Qin Yingyuan was deeply worried, her eyes slightly reddened.
She took a deep breath to calm herself down.
"Big brother! Letâs set aside the old lady from the Gu Mansion. Are you aware of the saying, âDo not underestimate the youthful and poorâ? Today, we may hold him in contempt, but what about the future? Who can guarantee he wonât rise to prominence and achieve high status?"
As a young girl, the only way she could persuade her brother was by emphasizing the capabilities of that person.
"I admit heâs capable, but how many years later will that be? Do you really think heâll definitely succeed in the end? The political arena is unpredictable. Look at us, today enjoying the life of an aristocratic family, tomorrow we could be disgraced prisoners, even wishing for that fate might be an overreach."
Qin Min knew who his sister was talking about, and his words were sincerely meant to advise her as his sister.
"Yingying, we grew up in an environment of luxury, but we bear the responsibility of an aristocratic family. As the legitimate elder son, I must bear the familyâs fortunes and honor. As the legitimate daughter, you should contribute to the family."
Qin Minâs meaning was clear to Qin Yingyuan. Wasnât this about arranging her marriage for a family alliance?
"I understand your feelings, but youâre nearing the age of coming-of-age and should become sensible. Grandmother was ill recently, and mother was attending to her in the palace, yet you only visited twice. Do you know how disappointed mother is in you? Even if grandmother hasnât blamed you, do you think she feels no resentment?"
Qin Min sighed deeply. If it werenât for mother attending to grandmother, Ying wouldnât have had the chance to leave the mansion.
"Big brother!" Qin Yingyuanâs eyes welled up completely, filled with guilt when thinking of her grandmother, who often showed her warmth and care.
Recently, she had been so consumed by that person, living in a fog, neglecting everything else.
Seeing Qin Yingyuanâs reddened nose, Qin Min knew his earnest advice had somewhat impacted her.
"I will start accompanying grandmother in the palace from tomorrow. But today, I must make this clear..."
Halfway through, seeing Qin Minâs expression become extremely angry, Qin Yingyuan quickly explained, "Please hear me out, big brother. If after listening, you still think Iâm being unreasonable, I wonât bring it up again."
"Go ahead!" Qin Min was somewhat angry, feeling his sister was stubborn.
Wasnât it as if that man had cast a spell on his sister, making Ying so devoted to him?
If he hadnât found out they hadnât met in private, he might have thought they were secretly betrothed.
"Gu Chengyu is highly regarded by the Emperor. I donât need to speak of his future achievements, surely you agree?"