MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 2

 Glossary

· Qin Yuan: The female protagonist, reborn. Former wife of Lin Ziqi.

· Qin Wan: Qin Yuan's Di Mei (legitimate younger sister), also reborn.

· Marquis of Dingbei: A military lord, Qin Wan's original fiancé.

· Lin Ziqi: A poor Juren scholar from a humble family.

· Hongye: Qin Yuan's maidservant.

· Cuiming: Qin Yuan's other maidservant.

· Cui Shi: The primary wife (Madame Cui), mother of Qin Wan and Qin Heng.

· Qin Heng: The younger brother.

· Zaixiang: Prime Minister.

· Di: Legitimate, referring to children born to the primary wife.

· Shu: Referring to children born to concubines.

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Chapter 2: What Are You Doing With My Sister?

Seeing her father's thoughtful expression, Qin Yuan knew he was tempted.

Sure enough, he declared: "The ancestral hall will be opened tomorrow to record Yuan'er under the Madame's name. I will humble myself and discuss matters with the Gu residence."

Madame Cui looked disdainful but, knowing he couldn't bear to lose the prestigious marriage with the Marquis, held her tongue. Qin Heng clicked his tongue in disdain.

Ignoring them, Qin Yuan took her leave with her maids and returned to her courtyard.

"That man's heart is truly crooked!" Hongye fumed. "Couldn't he have sent Second Young Miss to marry far away? Must he ruin your marriage?"

Cuiming was deeply worried. "Miss invested so much in Master Lin, all for nothing. Who will the Matchmaker connect your red thread to now?"

Qin Yuan slowly washed the powder from her face, revealing features as lovely as a hibiscus flower. She hadn't seen herself this beautiful in so long.

In this reborn life, she would gladly leave that life of toil and frustration to Qin Wan.

"It'll be connected to the Marquis of Dingbei," she hummed lightly.

Her two maids could scarcely believe it.

The Marquis of Dingbei, Gu Jinghui, had numerous military merits and the Emperor's favor. His consideration of Qin Wan was solely because the Old Madame Gu felt the Gu family, having served as generals for generations, had lived too harshly, and wanted a daughter from a scholarly family to elevate their status.

Second Young Miss Qin Wan was a Di daughter. Her mother, née Cui, was from a cadet branch of the powerful Qinghe Cui clan. Their father was the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy with numerous students. Despite the vast difference in family status, the marriage had been arranged.

Eldest Young Miss Qin Yuan's birth mother, Concubine Chen, was from a respectable family. Her ancestors had been imperial physicians in the Tai Hospital but were stripped of their titles after an offense. Concubine Chen's dowry was meager, and little remained for Qin Yuan.

By any measure, the Marquis of Dingbei would not be engaged to the Eldest Young Miss.

Qin Yuan remained unperturbed, eating and sleeping as usual. Hongye and Cuiming, however, fretted endlessly, gathering information from all quarters. Qin Yuan saw this but let them be.

The next day, Qin Yuan was entered into the family registry under Madame Cui's name.

Lin Ziqi came to formally break off his engagement, then exchanged betrothal tokens with Qin Wan.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qin Yuan avoided the main hall to prevent gossip, resting in a pavilion with a round fan. In the densely packed capital, the Qin residence was small. Unwilling to stay in her cramped, simple room, she sought breeze in the pavilion.

She hadn't been sitting long before Lin Ziqi found her. "I knew you would be here, Yuan'er," he said, his voice tender.

Hiding half her face behind her fan, Qin Yuan frowned, assessing her husband from her previous life. This Lin Ziqi was not yet portly, his face still lean. Perhaps because he was here to formalize his engagement, he wore a new blue robe, looking scholarly and handsome.

"What is your business, Master Lin?" Qin Yuan asked formally and sternly.

Now that Lin Ziqi was engaged to Qin Wan, she had to maintain distance. Fortunately, during their previous interactions, she had been cautious, only giving him things like charcoal, soup, or pastries. They often met within the Qin residence and had never exchanged letters. Although she had copied a few policy essays for him, even if others found out, nothing could be said.

Seeing her distance, Lin Ziqi withdrew his outstretched hand and sighed. "Yuan'er, I... I had no choice. Please... please don't blame me."

After over a decade of marriage, Qin Yuan knew exactly what kind of man Lin Ziqi was. If Qin Wan wanted to marry him, he would not refuse. After all, Qin Wan was a Di daughter, and the Qinghe Cui clan was powerful and wealthy.

In their previous life, she had been able to approach him and secure a marriage contract precisely because Qin Wan had looked down on him. Otherwise, Madame Cui would never have allowed her to scheme so carefully for herself.

"Master Lin, please guard your words," Qin Yuan whispered through her fan. "You are now my sister's betrothed. Let's not speak of the past."

She tried to leave, but Lin Ziqi blocked her path.

"Master Lin, have some self-respect."

Just as Qin Yuan prepared to push past, Qin Wan hurried in, her face displeased. "So this is where you are, Sister," she said with a mocking tone. "What are you and Brother Lin discussing? Can this sister listen?"

As she spoke, one hand tugged at Lin Ziqi's sleeve.

Qin Yuan stopped, lowered her fan to reveal her striking beauty, and chuckled lightly. "What are you worried about, Sister? What is yours cannot be stolen. Master Lin was merely apologizing. He is now my sister's betrothed. I am a woman who has read books; I know propriety, integrity, and shame. Would I steal my sister's intended?"

Qin Wan, who had stolen her sister's betrothed, was shamed into speechless anger.

"I will not disturb the two of you any longer. Farewell."

Qin Yuan strode away.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Behind her, Lin Ziqi's gaze felt like a shadow, making her intensely uncomfortable. Then she heard Qin Wan's simpering voice: "Brother Lin, Sister is to marry into the Marquis of Dingbei's household. How could she have eyes for you or me anymore? Only I have true feelings for you, Brother Lin. I gave up such a splendid marriage just to marry you."

Excellent!

Qin Yuan tightened her grip on the fan. So Qin Wan's fall into the water had indeed been prearranged with Lin Ziqi.

That vicious fool. In her desperation to exchange marriages, she had completely disregarded her own and the Qin family's reputation. She would reap what she sowed.

Watching Qin Yuan's graceful figure disappear beyond the inner gate, Lin Ziqi felt a sense of loss. He looked down and asked Qin Wan, "Your sister is to marry into the Marquis of Dingbei's household?"

"Naturally, if I do not marry the Marquis, my sister must," Qin Wan stated matter-of-factly.

Lin Ziqi didn't know what to feel. He smiled and asked, "Would the Marquis of Dingbei insist on marrying a Qin daughter? Yuan'er... her status is different from yours."

His words easily pleased Qin Wan. Her previous slight jealousy vanished. "Mother feels guilty because of us, worried she might not marry well later. It's been decided to record her under Mother's name as a Di daughter."

"Madame Qin is truly kind-hearted, to treat your sister so. It seems you will also be a magnanimous wife in the future."

"Of course, Brother Lin. You are a man destined for great things. I will naturally follow your lead."

Lin Ziqi beamed with pleasure. Although he didn't understand why the usually aloof Qin Wan had suddenly become so deeply attached and sweet-tongued towards him, this was undoubtedly an excellent match.

A few days later, Qin Yuan's marriage was also settled—exactly as Qin Wan had said, it was with the Marquis of Dingbei.

Hongye, overjoyed, urged Qin Yuan to change clothes and busied herself doing her hair. "I never dreamed you would have such fortune!"

Cuiming added, "This time, Heaven is on your side. The Matchmaker must have heard this servant's prayers!"

Their happiness was for her sake, wishing their mistress a good outcome. Qin Yuan smiled. "When we go to the Marquis's household, your status will rise with the tide. Perhaps the monthly allowance there will be two taels of silver more than ours."

The two maids were delighted, helping Qin Yuan to the main hall.

Seeing her arrive, Madame Cui warmly took her hand. "Yuan'er is truly blessed. Once you marry, you will be the Marquise. The Marquis is nearly twelve years your senior; he will surely indulge you. Remember your natal family."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qin Yuan only blushed and smiled without speaking. Her father, seated authoritatively at the head, was also glowing with pleasure, happy to have secured such a prestigious alliance.

"A letter has been sent to our ancestral home. The clan head will amend the clan registry upon receipt."

Once the clan registry was amended, she would be a true Di daughter.

Qin Yuan immediately performed a graceful bow. "Thank you, Father. Thank you, Mother."

"You are my daughter; naturally, we must consider your interests carefully. Your dowry will be prepared according to the portion of a Di daughter. The dowry your birth mother, Concubine Chen, left will also be handed over to you. Your mother has also prepared a separate portion for you."

Chancellor Qin was visibly delighted. Watching his eldest daughter obediently agree to everything, he suddenly felt that giving this marriage to the eldest daughter was indeed better than giving it to the second.

(End of Chapter)

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