My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead

Chapter 652: However...

The Empress Dowager’s face was shrouded in gloom as she huffed, "The Dingbei Marquis Mansion has become arrogant once they’ve gained power."

The others remained silent.

Only Madam You spoke sharply, "Now the Dingbei Marquis is the Emperor’s most trusted minister, achieving unparalleled feats and overseeing major affairs like the Capital Inspection. None of the officials from the six departments dare disobey him. He truly is the foremost among both the civil and military servants, even we Dukes have to step back."

The Empress Dowager chuckled a few times, "No wonder, with such regard from the Emperor, it’s unavoidable to let loose a bit."

Madam You feigned alarm, patting her mouth, "My apologies for my uncontrolled tongue. If word were to get out and reach the Dingbei Marquis, who knows how he might perceive us here at Duke Zhen’s Mansion."

"Nonsense," the Empress Dowager sneered, "This is the Cining Palace. Does the Dingbei Marquis think he can control everything, even here in the Imperial Palace? Considering you’ve been overwhelmed with affairs lately, I’ll spare you from rebuke."

Madam You looked regretful, "Thank you, Empress Dowager, for your consideration. I won’t dare to speak out of turn again."

The Empress Dowager said, "Let this matter rest, and no one mention it again."

The ladies all quickly agreed.

Madam You’s lips curled slightly, knowing the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law at the Dingbei Marquis Mansion would not have a good day today.

As ladies of lower rank rarely enter the Palace, today the Imperial Garden was open for ladies to admire and wander.

The garden, rich in chrysanthemum varieties, was meticulously cared for.

It was the height of autumn now, with the garden abloom in a riot of vibrant colors, and the intoxicating aroma was uplifting.

Old Madam Gu couldn’t help but sigh, "If only we had a garden like this in our mansion, it would be lovely to have some flowers and plants."

Qin Yuan laughed, "There are many courtyards in our mansion, most are designed like gardens or with rockeries and pavilions.

Mother has seen them so often they don’t seem beautiful anymore. Marquis takes his daughter-in-law to see fireflies at night, a scene so beautiful it defies description. It’s become the subject of several poetry collections at the Imperial College.

If Mother likes flowers, tomorrow I’ll arrange a garden and find a couple of skilled gardeners. With flowers in bloom all year round."

Old Madam Gu was very pleased.

No one dislikes a daughter-in-law who takes notes of an offhand remark.

"Alright, it’s too late for this year, but come next spring, I’ll watch how you manage to create a garden that blooms all year round."

"Mother-in-law, Yuan’er, here you are, I’ve been looking all over for you," Mrs. Cui came looking.

Old Madam Gu smiled, "Your good daughter plans to create a courtyard in our mansion next year, one where we can enjoy flowers in every season. Then we can admire flowers and drink wine together, wouldn’t that be wonderful."

Mrs. Cui looked at Qin Yuan and asked curiously, "Since when did you learn to do such things?"

Qin Yuan laughed, "I’m merely offering up flowers to Buddha, finding some florists to patiently tend to them. It doesn’t need to be as exotic as the ones in the Imperial Garden. Besides, Sixth brother in the mansion loves flowers, he has planted many rare kinds. The roses and peonies he grows are excellent. I’ll instruct someone to prepare the garden, with the help of Sixth brother and the florists, arranging the flowers by blooming periods and color tone. It won’t be a difficult task."

Mrs. Cui nodded repeatedly.

It seemed Qin Yuan was getting more comfortable at the Marquis Mansion. Then she thought of Qin Wan at the Lin Family, and felt unsettled again.

Second Granny Pan came over and looked at Qin Yuan before saying, "Indeed, it’s the Dingbei Marquis’s wife, I almost didn’t recognize you. Why do you seem a bit fatigued today?"

Qin Yuan laughed, "I just circled around and didn’t see you either."

Second Granny Pan winked, "Mother-in-law and Sister-in-law suddenly felt unwell, so I came instead. I arrived a bit late."

Ever since the Jiangxi Gang sided with Prince Qi, Mrs. Pan and Grandma Pan have kept a low profile, leaving the social interactions to Second Granny Pan.

Qin Yuan knew that unless the Jiangxi Gang parted ways with Prince Qi, future social dealings would fall to this Second Granny Pan.

The two walked toward the flower pavilion for a few steps when the wives and young ladies of the civil servants gathered around, unlike before when they were ignored.

Old Madam Gu also became warmer towards Mrs. Cui.

The nobles snubbed them while the civil servants tried to win them over, with the Qin Family playing a significant role in it.

Having taken Qin Yuan as a daughter-in-law was like a blessing for the family.

Soon, the Imperial Garden was filled with people, music sounded, and people quieted down. The Chief Palace Maid of Cining Palace stood on the central pathway, loudly announcing, "Today, on the Empress Dowager’s birthday, the Empress Dowager wishes to share her blessings with everyone. If anyone has talents or skills to present, those outstanding will receive rich rewards."

Everyone praised the Empress Dowager’s grace, and the Chief Palace Maid added, "In a quarter of an hour, you can report your talents, so the eunuchs can arrange the necessary equipment for each."

Song Wenyu squeezed next to Qin Yuan and asked, "Why don’t I see Treasure Bead? I wanted to practice sword dancing with her."

Everyone just smiled without speaking.

Qin Yuan said, "Treasure Bead isn’t feeling well."

Song Wenyu was puzzled, "She’s never even coughed before, how come she’s unwell today?"

Qin Yuan smiled, "There’s an exception to everything, now there just happens to be one."

Second Granny Pan also laughed, "Did all your sisters from the Song Family come?"

Song Wenyu shook her head, "Only me and my cousin came."

Second Granny Pan chuckled, "If they all came, there wouldn’t be enough seats. With Miss Song’s good news approaching, Miss Gu Qi may not congratulate on the spot, but will likely do so later."

Song Wenyu’s face immediately flushed red.

Qin Yuan smiled and changed the subject to today’s lantern show as the Minister of Rites’ daughter eagerly asked, "I heard that today, the Book Sea Pavilion invited craftsmen from Cangzhou to hang Nine-Turn Lotus Lamps and invited many renowned poets from the Capital City. Madam, do you know if Young Master Nantang is among them?"

At these words, many ladies cast their gazes over.

Qin Yuan replied, "To be honest, today Ranxiang Inn is holding a small lantern festival. If anyone has time after the banquet, they can drop by. The shopkeeper has gathered many interesting and challenging lantern riddles. Solving them not only wins you popular southern lanterns but also elegant editions of the ’Firefly Collection’ and incense pills as prizes."

"Elegant edition?"

Qin Yuan said, "Yes, it is a finely crafted poetry selection from previous contests, perfect for the daughters in our chambers to collect. Additionally, a collection of poems by women from Gusu and Jinling was separately printed. If northern women are interested, they can submit poems too. If compiled into a collection, it would serve as a great comparison, wouldn’t it? It’s quite a refined activity."

"Indeed, it’s like a joint northern and southern poetry appreciation. It’s certainly a rare literary event."

"It would be good to see what kind of poetry the southern ladies compose."

Qin Yuan concluded, "The Book Sea Pavilion indeed invited Young Master Nantang and Mr. Songshan, both of whom do plan to attend the lantern festival, but..."