Today, Qin Guan wore a moon-white pleated long skirt embroidered with orchid patterns, topped with a tea-white short jacket and an outer layer of jade-white long cape adorned with embroidered hundred-flower intertwining vines and a white fox fur collar. As she stepped out from behind the beaded curtain, she captivated everyone’s gaze like an ethereal spirit born of serene orchids and cool moonlight.
Her hair was jet-black, her willow-leaf eyebrows as dark as ink, and her bright eyes clear like a shallow stream reflecting moonlight, shimmering with captivating radiance in their subtle fluctuations. She first straightened herself and glanced toward Qin Yan before allowing Fuling to assist her down from the carriage. Since her carriage was the last in line, she took a few steps forward after alighting. Though it was merely a short distance, her graceful demeanor was as noble as bamboo and as elegant as autumn orchids. The slight sway of her skirt as she moved resembled white lotus blossoms gently trembling in the breeze. Though her beauty was dazzling beyond compare, it carried no air of aloof pride; instead, it exuded an innate, transcendent elegance that even Hu Shi could not bring herself to dislike.
"Xiang'er pays respects to Aunt—"
"Shuang'er pays respects to Aunt—"
Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang both stepped forward and bowed in greeting. After curtsying, they waited for a long while without receiving a response from Hu Shi. When they lifted their gazes, they saw Hu Shi’s eyes fixed intently behind them. Not only Hu Shi, but all the maids and servants beside and behind her were staring transfixed at their backs, their expressions of awe all too familiar.
Qin Xiang frowned, while Qin Shuang sighed helplessly. Without even turning around, they both knew exactly what Hu Shi and the others were looking at.
Soon, Qin Guan came to stand beside Qin Shuang. She lowered her eyes and curtsied as well.
"Qin Guan pays respects to Aunt."
Her voice was clear, melodious, and serene, devoid of exaggerated emotion despite the long separation, and without a trace of flattery or coquettishness. Hu Shi’s stiff smile suddenly widened, her lips curling upward as she forcibly masked the depth in her eyes.
"Good, good, good! Aunt has been eagerly awaiting the three of you for so long, worried that your third brother wouldn’t know how to care for young ladies and might have let you suffer." As she spoke, Hu Shi cast an affectionate, chiding glance at Qin Yan, who merely smiled without replying. She then stepped forward, clasping Qin Guan’s hand with one hand and drawing both Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang closer with the other. "Xiang'er and Shuang'er are here for the first time, but Wan Yatou—Aunt watched you grow up. I’ve missed you dearly since you left, and now I’ve finally welcomed you back."
Qin Guan kept her eyes lowered. "How has Aunt been all these years?"
Hu Shi had a round, moon-like face and amiable phoenix eyes. Dressed in luxurious attire today, her dark hair was styled in a cloud-like bun adorned with hairpins and pearls. Well-preserved, she appeared much younger than Lin Shi of Jinzhou. Though she often wore a smile that gave her a warm, approachable air, for some reason, Qin Guan always felt something hidden beneath those genial eyes.
Seeing her gentle inquiry, Hu Shi’s smile deepened further. "Well, well, well! It’s been years, and you’ve grown up so beautifully. When you stepped out earlier, Aunt almost didn’t recognize you. Seeing you in such good health puts my heart at ease."
As she spoke, Hu Shi looked Qin Guan up and down, growing more pleased with each glance. "Truly wonderful, truly wonderful! The older you get, the more you resemble your father and mother. Your eyes are like your father’s, but everything else is the very image of your mother. It’s impossible not to adore you—we should have brought you back sooner."
Hu Shi continued speaking exclusively to Qin Guan. While Qin Shuang merely pursed her lips without much reaction, Qin Xiang’s faint smile appeared somewhat strained.Qin Guan's lips curved slightly, appearing somewhat reserved as she remained silent. Hu Shi patted her hand before turning to Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang. "Xiang'er and Shuang'er, since this is your first time in the capital, don't worry. Treat this place as your own home. Your uncle has been looking forward to your arrival. Come now, let's go inside quickly."
The winter wind was chilly, and standing outside for too long wasn't advisable. As soon as Hu Shi finished speaking, Qin Xiang immediately took hold of Hu Shi's arm. Hu Shi affectionately patted Qin Xiang's hand while allowing Qin Yan to support her on the other side. She then instructed an elderly woman beside her, "Ayu, you and Steward Zhou should unload the luggage of the three young ladies and the heir apparent and deliver them to their respective courtyards. Make sure they are settled properly, then instruct the kitchen to prepare the meal and notify the master. I'll take them inside to look around first."
After Hu Shi gave her instructions, an elderly woman dressed in a deep purple jacket and skirt acknowledged the order.
With that settled, Hu Shi led Qin Guan and the others through the manor gates.
It was sunset, and the golden glow of the twilight cast a radiant halo over the Loyal Marquis Manor. Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang looked up and saw the imposing entrance of the manor, with the four characters "Loyal Marquis Manor" inscribed in forceful, silver-hooked strokes and gilded in gold on the plaque. The vermilion lacquered gates were wide open, revealing an expanse of interconnected buildings and pavilions stretching deep into the distance. Though Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang didn't know the name of this district, they could tell from the broad roads and the grand, stately mansions they had passed along the way that this was an area where the nobility resided.
Maintaining their composure and graceful postures, they followed Hu Shi's pace as they walked slowly forward.
Apart from Hu Shi, several elderly women of similar age to "Ayu" and about a dozen young maids had also come out to greet them. The woman called "Ayu" took seven or eight maids to unload the trunks from the carriage, while the remaining half of the entourage stayed with Hu Shi. In front of these people, Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang dared not let their guard down. Similarly, Wan He, Wan Qing, and the others stood straight-backed, their eyes fixed ahead, careful not to show any timidity that might embarrass their masters.
Once they stepped inside the manor gates, Qin Shuang and the others finally caught a glimpse of the interior. At first glance, though luxurious and elegant, the layout of the manor was not as spacious as the Qin Manor in Jinzhou. Given the scarcity of land in the capital, it was likely impossible to have an estate as expansive as the one in Jinzhou.
Though the area was smaller than the Qin Manor in Jinzhou, every item used in this residence seemed to be of superior quality. Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang glanced around, feeling that the marquis manor was both majestic and opulent, exuding an air of nobility.
Meanwhile, Qin Yan asked Hu Shi, "Why are you alone, Mother? Where is Father? Where is Chao Yu? And where is Fourth Brother?"
Hu Shi smiled at the question. "Your father is meeting with guests in his study. He's already given instructions—you don't need to see him now. He'll come find us after his meeting. As for your sister, she has gone to the palace—"
Qin Yan raised his eyebrows in surprise, and not just him—Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang also visibly reacted. Born and raised in Jinzhou, they would never have been brought to the capital if not for the recent upheavals in the Qin family. To them, the capital was a distant place, and the imperial palace was something they had never even dared to imagine. Now, upon arriving at the manor, they learned that their eighth sister, Qin Chaoyu, had gone to the palace, which naturally took them by surprise.
"Why did she go to the palace?" Qin Yan asked urgently.
Hu Shi replied as if it were the most ordinary thing, "The Empress summoned her."Qin Yan slightly furrowed his brow, then nodded. "I see."
Hu Shi wore a somewhat proud smile. Meanwhile, Qin Xiang felt her heart racing as if it might leap out of her chest. This entire afternoon had felt like a dream—entering the capital, witnessing unprecedented prosperity, stepping into the Marquis’s residence, and now hearing mentions of the imperial palace and the Empress. So... the eighth sister of the Marquis’s household could casually enter the palace to accompany the Empress...
"And what about the fourth brother?" Qin Yan asked again.
Hu Shi’s smile faded slightly. "Your father assigned him a task—he’s gone north."
Qin Yan nodded. "I see. With the New Year approaching, when will he return?"
"Likely within the next few days." Hu Shi seemed disinterested in discussing the Marquis’s fourth young master and shifted her gaze to Qin Xiang. "Are you tired? Hungry? Would you like to rest in your own courtyard first?"
Qin Xiang hurriedly shook her head. "Third Brother took excellent care of us on the journey. We’re neither hungry nor tired now, Auntie. Please don’t worry."
Hu Shi smiled and led Qin Xiang deeper into the courtyard. "Good, then I’ll take you to the main hall first and show you around along the way. The estate isn’t very large—your three courtyards are in the West Wing, all prepared for you. They might not be as spacious as your residence in Jinzhou, but I hope you won’t mind..."
"How could we? We’ll love any place Auntie has prepared for us," Qin Xiang replied softly and obediently.
Hu Shi smiled with satisfaction. "As long as you like it. You’ll be staying here long-term, so take a look later. If there’s anything you dislike, be sure to tell me early."
Qin Xiang quickly agreed, and Hu Shi led the group onto the covered corridor.
Though it was winter, the scenery within the Marquis’s estate showed no signs of bleakness. Hu Shi guided them through a few key areas before bringing the three sisters to where they would dine that evening. The last glow of sunset had sunk below the horizon, and by the time Qin Guan and the others reached Renshou Hall, dusk was settling. Another momma beside Hu Shi ordered the lanterns lit, and soon the main hall was brightly illuminated.
Hu Shi took her seat at the head of the table. Having already inquired about the three sisters’ preferences during the journey, she remarked, "Usually, Yu’er is the only girl in this household. Now that you’re here, the four sisters can enjoy each other’s company."
She glanced at the darkening sky outside and frowned. "Why hasn’t she returned yet?"
Qin Yan raised an eyebrow. "Could it be that the Empress invited her to stay for dinner?"
Hu Shi’s lips curved slightly. "That’s possible." She then turned to Qin Guan. "Guan’er, I read the letter your third brother sent. I heard you’ve also taken up medicine? And what’s this about the Anyang Marquis and his wife adopting you as their daughter?"
Qin Yan would naturally have informed the family of these matters, so Qin Guan wasn’t surprised. When Hu Shi asked, she briefly explained the circumstances. Hu Shi looked at her with wide-eyed astonishment. "You’re becoming more and more like your father and mother. I remember your second uncle also loved reading medical books from a young age. I never expected... you showed no inclination during your years at the Marquis’s residence."
Qin Guan lowered her gaze. "At that time, Father and Mother had just passed away. I couldn’t adjust and found everything dull."
Hu Shi nodded. "Yes, you hardly even left your room back then."
She then looked at Fuling behind Qin Guan. "Is this Fuling?"Qin Guan nodded, and Fuling hurried forward to kowtow to Hu Shi. Hu Shi smiled approvingly, "Good, good. Serve your mistress well. From now on in the Marquis' residence, you will not be treated unfairly."
Fuling expressed profuse gratitude, after which Hu Shi inquired about the maidservants accompanying Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang. Wan He and the others stepped forward to kowtow. Hu Shi then said, "Chaoyu has four senior maids and eight junior maids. Since you've only brought two servants each, tomorrow we'll first assign four additional helpers to assist you. Once new servants are purchased, we'll complete your full complement."
Upon hearing this, Qin Shuang quickly responded, "Aunt, you are too kind. Back in Jinzhou, we only had six maids at most. It would be best to maintain the previous arrangement. There's really no need to add four more junior servants." She paused, then added somewhat apologetically, "Eighth Sister has been raised in utmost luxury since childhood, naturally different from us. Aunt need not insist on giving us the same treatment as Eighth Sister."
Hu Shi sighed helplessly, "How can that be? Naturally, all four sisters should have equal treatment."
Just as Qin Shuang was about to speak further, Qin Xiang also chimed in, "Aunt, your consideration is much appreciated. Adding four more would already be more than sufficient. Any more would make us feel uneasy. Our arrival in the capital has already caused you great trouble."
Hu Shi looked at Qin Yan with a wry smile, "Your cousins are truly so considerate of me..."
Qin Yan smiled and offered a few words of agreement. Though Qin Guan also voiced her assent, she understood clearly in her heart: their relocation to the capital had been decided long ago. If they truly intended to provide them with the same number of servants as Qin Chaoyu, the additional staff should have been purchased already. These four prepared in advance were precisely what they were actually meant to receive.
Qin Guan disliked having too many people around her, yet she felt somewhat resigned about her aunt's calculations.
With three additional Qin young ladies suddenly arriving at the Marquis' residence, her aunt remained unwilling to let anyone surpass Qin Chaoyu. Qin Guan didn't know what Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang thought, but for her part, she preferred to avoid unnecessary complications. Having only Fuling and Baiying by her side suited her just fine.
No sooner had this thought settled than a hearty male voice rang out—
"How have our three nieces been considerate of you?"
The voice carried laughter, and both Qin Yan and Hu Shi immediately stood up. Qin Guan and the others quickly rose as well.
A figure in dark robes flashed through the main hall entrance, instantly altering the atmosphere in the room.
Qin Shu, past forty years of age, stood tall and straight. His face, somewhat resembling Qin An's, was slightly leaner and longer. A pair of imposing sword-like eyebrows, combined with his hearty laughter, gave him an air of noble dignity and authority, yet without making others feel tense or fearful.
The three Qin sisters immediately curtsied in greeting. Qin Shu laughed heartily, walking toward the main seat while studying Qin Guan and the others. From the start, his gaze settled on Qin Guan, swiftly appraising her from head to toe before briefly glancing at Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang. Hu Shi, observing his gaze from the side, felt her smile fade slightly.
"Rise, rise quickly. You must be tired from your journey to the capital. No need to remain standing—please be seated."
Qin Guan's eyes flickered over Qin Shu for an instant before she demurely lowered her gaze and took her seat. Qin Shu looked at them again, then suddenly focused on Qin Guan. "Wan Yatou has grown up. Her features resemble her mother's, but her eyes take after Second Brother."
Hu Shi smiled and said, "The Marquis is right. I said the same earlier."
Qin Guan stood up once more and addressed him separately, "Uncle."Qin Shu nodded, not deliberately engaging Qin Guan in conversation, instead turning his gaze to Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang. "Are these Xiang'er and Shuang'er?"
"Xiang'er pays respects to Uncle."
"Shuang'er pays respects to Uncle."
After Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang rose to bow in sequence, Qin Shu acknowledged them formally. "Good, good. Both of you take after your mother. Speaking of which, I did see you once when you were children, but you couldn't even walk yet—naturally, you wouldn't remember. In the blink of an eye, over a decade has passed, and now you've grown into young ladies."
While speaking, Qin Shu observed the expressions of the three sisters. After offering a few more words of advice about settling in comfortably, he waved his hand. "Well then, you must be tired from the journey. Let's serve the meal. Yan'er has worked hard this time too."
Qin Yan had been standing beside Qin Shu since bowing upon his entry, clearly showing great respect for him. When Qin Shu patted his shoulder, Qin Yan hurriedly replied, "It was my duty. I'm not tired."
Qin Shu laughed heartily and invited everyone to take their seats. Perhaps because his demeanor was so jovial, Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang soon grew less tense. Qin Guan, however, felt a flicker of surprise. She had only occasionally heard her father speak of the various princes and officials at court, and her impression was that his assessment of this Loyal and Brave Marquis wasn't high—she distinctly remembered the words "scheming" and "ambitious." Later, learning that the marquis sought to join the Ministry of Personnel had clarified things further. Yet now, this Loyal and Brave Marquis appeared to be a man of upright and cheerful disposition.
No sooner had this thought crossed her mind than Qin Guan noticed the marquis's gaze lingering on her more frequently and longer than on the others. She immediately dismissed her earlier assumption. No, she shouldn't let her guard down. If Qin Shu was such a figure, not only could his expressions shift endlessly, but his true intentions would never be something one could easily decipher.
The group took their seats in order, and soon the table was laden with an abundant spread of dishes.
The three sisters sat beside Hu Shi, who kindly served them food. "I didn't know what you'd like to eat earlier, so the kitchen prepared a mix of southern and northern dishes. Please, have plenty."
The sisters acknowledged her, with Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang eating more elegantly than usual. Hu Shi watched them with satisfaction. "Your mother has raised you excellently. Your manners and grace could outshine even those here in the capital."
Qin Shuang took this praise to heart, her face brightening with delight. Qin Shu also nodded. "Indeed. Though your father may not have set a good example, your mother is truly commendable. Tomorrow, you should each write a letter to your mother in Jinzhou to reassure her."
Though it was the truth, the remark about "your father not setting a good example" made Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang blush with shame. After all, they had a father whose misconduct had brought them disgrace.
Qin Xiang lowered her head further. Hu Shi glanced at the three sisters and changed the subject. "The New Year is just a few days away. Since you're here with your aunt this year, let's celebrate it properly. Rest for the next few days. In about four or five days, the various New Year markets in the capital will be in full swing. Your third brother can take you out to explore. You'll be living in the capital long-term, so it's best to familiarize yourselves with the surroundings. If you need anything for your courtyard or wish to buy anything in the coming days, just let your aunt know."
Qin Yan acknowledged this, and Qin Guan and her sisters expressed their gratitude as well.Regardless of Qin Shu and his wife's true intentions, at least on the surface, both were beaming with smiles. At the banquet table, they showed considerable concern for Qin Guan, Qin Xiang, and Qin Shuang. Gradually, Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang grew more at ease, and Qin Guan also shed her earlier wariness. Although she now differed greatly from the former Ninth Miss, her naturally quiet nature likely prevented Qin Shu and his wife from noticing anything too unusual.
The first meal at the Marquis' residence was filled with harmony and joy.
After the evening meal, as Hu Shi was having the dishes cleared and replaced with desserts and tea, a woman suddenly entered from outside. "Marquis, Madam, the young lady has returned—"
At these words, Hu Shi's face brightened even more with delight. She had just risen to her feet when five or six slender figures emerged from the dimly lit courtyard outside. Immediately afterward, a bright, clear, and haughty voice rang out, "Have the two elder sisters and Ninth Younger Sister from Jinzhou arrived?"
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