My younger sister insisted on marrying me and made me the Marquis' wife.

Chapter 652 However…

The Empress Dowager's face was clouded with gloom, and she snorted, "The Marquis of Dingbei's family has become arrogant after gaining power."

The others remained silent.

Only Madam You said in a shrill voice: "Now the Marquis of Dingbei is the emperor's most trusted minister. He has made unparalleled contributions and is in charge of important matters such as the capital inspection. No official in the six ministries disobeys him. He can be considered the number one person among civil and military officials. We dukes must step aside."

The Empress Dowager chuckled a few times: "No wonder, the Emperor values ​​it so much, it's no wonder he's a bit careless about the details."

Madam You feigned panic and patted her mouth: "It's all my fault for being so careless with my mouth, saying whatever comes to mind. If word gets out and Marquis Dingbei finds out, I don't know what he'll think of our Zhenguo Duke's Mansion."

"Nonsense," the Empress Dowager sneered. "This is the Cining Palace. Does the Marquis of Dingbei think he can control everything in the palace? Considering that you have been busy with many matters in your residence lately and have lost your composure, I will not reprimand you further."

Madam You looked annoyed: "Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty. I dare not say anything more."

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

The ladies all readily agreed.

Madam You smiled slightly, knowing that the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law of the Marquis of Dingbei's mansion would not have a good day.

Since low-ranking court ladies rarely had the opportunity to enter the palace, the Imperial Garden was now open to the women of the household for sightseeing and recreation.

The garden has a wide variety of chrysanthemums, which are carefully cultivated.

It is now the season of clear skies and crisp autumn air. The garden is full of vibrant colors, with exotic flowers vying for attention, and the lingering fragrance is delightful.

Madam Gu couldn't help but sigh, "How wonderful it would be if our mansion had a garden with lots of flowers and plants."

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "There are many courtyards in the mansion, most of which are landscaped gardens, or artificial hills and waterside pavilions."

Mother was just used to seeing them and didn't find them beautiful. But when the Marquis took his daughter-in-law to watch the fireflies at night, they were absolutely gorgeous, a sight to behold. The Imperial Academy even published several collections of poems on the theme of the poetry contest.

If Mother likes to look at flowers, tomorrow your daughter-in-law will prepare a garden and find two skilled gardeners to plant flowers, so that there will be flowers blooming all year round.

Madam Gu was very happy.

No one dislikes a daughter-in-law like this; she takes every casual remark to heart.

"Okay, it's too late this year. Wait until next spring and I'll see how you manage to make it bloom in all four seasons."

“Mother-in-law, Yuan’er, I’ve been looking for you for ages,” Cui said as she came to visit.

Madam Gu smiled and said, "Your good daughter said that she wants to build a courtyard in the mansion next year, where we can enjoy flowers in all four seasons. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could enjoy the flowers and wine together then?"

Cui glanced at Qin Yuan and asked in surprise, "When did you learn to do these things too?"

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "I'm just using this as an excuse. With some gardeners patiently tending to it, we don't need such precious flowers as those in the Imperial Garden. Besides, my sixth brother in the manor loves flowers and has planted many rare and exotic flowers, such as roses and peonies, which he grows very well. I'll have someone prepare the garden, and with my sixth brother and the gardeners helping, it won't be difficult to arrange the garden according to the length of the flowering period and the intensity of the colors."

Cui nodded repeatedly upon hearing this.

It seems that Qin Yuan is enjoying her life more and more at the Marquis's mansion. But when she thinks of Qin Wan at the Lin family, she feels uneasy again.

Madam Pan walked over and looked Qin Yuan over before saying, "It really is the Lady of Dingbei Marquis. I thought I had mistaken you for someone else. Why do you seem a little tired today?"

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "I looked all over but couldn't find you." Granny Pan winked and smiled, "My mother-in-law and sister-in-law suddenly felt unwell, so they sent me instead. That's why I'm a little late."

Since the Jiangxi clique sided with Prince Qi, Madam Pan and Madam Pan have been staying at home, with Madam Pan's second wife handling all the outings.

Qin Yuan knew that unless the Jiangxi gang parted ways with Prince Qi, it would be this Second Madam Pan who would be the one to socialize and entertain people in the future.

The two walked a few steps toward the flower pavilion, and the ladies and young women from the civil official's side gathered around, no longer ignoring them as before.

Madam Gu also became even more enthusiastic towards Madam Cui.

The nobles neglected them, while the civil officials courted them; the Qin family played a significant role in this.

Finding Qin Yuan to be his wife was truly an incredible stroke of good fortune.

Before long, the Imperial Garden was crowded with people. A burst of drum music sounded, and the crowd quieted down. The head palace maid of Cining Palace stood in the central passageway and announced loudly: "Today is the Empress Dowager's birthday. All people are blessed with her grace. Her Majesty the Empress Dowager wishes to share this peace with you all. If you have any talents, please feel free to show them. Those with the best talents will be generously rewarded."

Everyone praised the Empress Dowager's virtues. The head palace maid then said, "In a quarter of an hour, everyone will report their talents so that the eunuchs can arrange the necessary tools for each of you."

Song Wenyu squeezed next to Qin Yuan and asked, "Where is Baozhu? I wanted to dance with her."

Everyone smiled without saying a word.

Qin Yuan said, "Baozhu is not feeling well."

Song Wenyu asked in surprise, "She never even coughs normally, so why is she feeling unwell today?"

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "There's always an exception to everything, and now there is one."

Grandma Pan also smiled and said, "Have all the Song family sisters come?"

Song Wenyu shook her head: "Only my cousin and I came."

Grandma Pan smiled and said, "If everyone comes, there won't be enough seats. Miss Song's wedding is coming soon, and Miss Gu Qi can't congratulate her in person, but she will surely make up for it later."

Song Wenyu's face immediately turned bright red.

Qin Yuan smiled and steered the conversation to today's lantern festival. The daughter of the Minister of Rites pressed on, asking, "I heard that Shuhai Pavilion has invited craftsmen from Cangzhou to hang nine-turn lotus lanterns, and has also invited many renowned poets from the capital to add to the festivities. Does Madam know if Young Master Nantang is among them?"

Upon hearing this, many women turned their gazes toward him.

Qin Yuan said, "To be honest, Ranxiangju is holding a small lantern festival today. If you have time after the banquet, you can go and take a look. The manager has collected many interesting and difficult riddles. If you guess them correctly, you can not only win a lantern that is popular in the south, but also prizes such as the elegant copy of 'The Collection of Fireflies' and incense pills."

"Yaben?"

Qin Yuan said, "Yes, it is a selection of poems from the previous competition, which is perfect for young ladies to collect. In addition, a separate collection of poems by women from Suzhou and Jinling has also been printed. If young ladies from the North are willing, they can also submit their poems. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the two collections could be compiled and compared? It would be a very elegant thing to do."

"Indeed, isn't this tantamount to North and South composing poems together? It is indeed a rare and elegant affair."

"Let's take a good look at what kind of poems women in the South write."

Qin Yuan concluded, "Shuhai Pavilion did indeed invite Young Master Nantang and Mr. Songshan, and they are indeed coming to see the lanterns, but..."