The cousin's family is extremely wealthy; she deserves to be a concubine.

Then there were the two cousins ​​who went to the garden.

He Zhizhu dismissed the servants, dropped her innocent and carefree demeanor, and asked Hua Sirong, "Cousin, are you settling in well at the manor?"

Hua Sirong nodded naturally, "I'm used to it. My aunt has arranged everything perfectly."

He Zhizhu looked closely at Hua Sirong, as if she could see through the truth in her words, "If one day the Marquis's mansion encounters trouble and needs your help, would you choose to ignore it?"

Hua Sirong: ...

This is a difficult question to answer!

“I want to hear the truth,” He Zhizhu emphasized.

"You've hesitated!" Their Marquis's mansion has been kind to Hua Sirong, and they should repay even the smallest kindness tenfold. How could Hua Sirong hesitate?

Although some of her mother's actions may have been motivated by a desire to repay a debt of gratitude.

Under He Zhizhu's intense gaze, Hua Sirong carefully replied, "Since my cousin wants to hear the truth, then I dare not lie to her."

My delay in replying wasn't due to hesitation, but rather because I was wondering what might happen to the Marquis's residence and how I could help.

To be honest, even if my cousin laughs at me, I was wearing mourning clothes when I remarried. By then, the young master from a good family would already have several children.

My plan was to rely on your noble family to find a poor scholar and live out my life with him. If things really go according to my plan, there will be very little I can do to help.

But the Marquis's family has done me a great favor, and whether it succeeds or not, I will do my best to help them.

Although He Zhizhu already knew about Hua Sirong's actions, she still couldn't help but ask, "Cousin, you are beautiful and have the Marquis's family as your backing, why do you have to find a poor scholar? Wouldn't it be better to find someone from a wealthier family?"

If my cousin had married someone powerful and influential in her past life, would she have been able to help her family even more?

Hua Sirong lowered her head shyly, "What my cousin said is certainly correct."

But now that I'm all alone, I naturally want to find someone easy to control.

Although I have my aunt as a support, I can't rely on the Marquis's mansion for everything. Most of the time, I still have to manage things myself.

He Zhizhu fell into deep thought after hearing Hua Sirong's words. She reflected on whether she lacked Hua Sirong's magnanimity, which was why she ended up like the person she was in her previous life.

That's right, in my past life.

He Zhizhu's nightmare last night made her convinced that it was another life she had lived.

Being able to return to her youth was something she had never expected, and she felt both apprehensive and excited.

"Last time my mother interrogated my wet nurse, Xin, at Yimei Garden, my cousin was also there. May I ask today, cousin, would you be willing to become a royal concubine?"

Hua Sirong almost lost control of her expression. What was wrong with this mother and daughter? Why were they trying to push her down the path of becoming a concubine?

“When my father was alive, he wanted to find me a husband. Being a concubine would mean having to live under the control of the mistress of the house, and I probably couldn’t live that kind of life.”

Even a prince's concubine is still a concubine!

"Cousin, please don't be angry with me. I'm only thinking about what's best for our future."

"Regardless of whether my cousin marries into a high-ranking or lowly family, there's only one thing: if the Marquis's family prospers, my cousin will prosper. Don't you agree?" He Zhizhu said earnestly, trying her best to appear genuinely confident.

Hua Sirong nodded. She understood the principle that everyone prospers or suffers together.

Now, from the day she stepped into the Muqing Marquis's mansion, she has been branded with the mark of the Marquis's mansion.

He Zhizhu smiled and said, "If it's for the good of the Marquis's mansion, would you be willing, cousin?"

Concubines of the imperial family, upon death, were buried in the imperial mausoleum, enjoying wealth and honor in life and posthumous glory. Their children, even those born out of wedlock, were rewarded; sons received titles and honors, and daughters, no matter how unfortunate, could still obtain a title in their hometown or county upon marriage.

Marrying a poor man means spending your whole life worrying about daily necessities, calculating every penny, and hoping your husband will rise above his circumstances and bring wealth and prosperity to you and your children.

But how many poor people in this world can rise above their circumstances? Your children may never achieve the success of a dragon or phoenix.

Hua Sirong said seriously, "My cousin's idea is not wrong, it's just that everyone has different ideas. Some people like beautiful clothes and fancy clothes, while others feel that simple meals are also a source of happiness."

Unfortunately, my cousin here, having grown accustomed to delicacies, also longs to try some simple porridge and side dishes.

Seeing that Hua Sirong was still stubborn, He Zhizhu said, "Cousin, why are you so obstinate!"

If you're worried about being mistreated by the future matriarch, how about I become that matriarch?

"So, are you still worried I won't treat you well? We're cousins, of one mind, let's pave a good path for our family in the Prince's residence."

Hua Sirong disregarded etiquette at this moment and directly covered He Zhizhu's mouth, saying, "What nonsense are you talking about, cousin?"

Do you think it's so easy to get into the prince's residence?

Not to mention that my sister and I are of different ages and it's impossible for us to marry the same person.

Even if they are of suitable age, there is no reason for sisters to share a husband.

He Zhizhu pouted, "It's a good thing my cousin comes from a merchant family. You have no idea how indiscriminate those scumbag men are. They have that special fetish, specifically targeting twin sisters who look alike."

Hua Sirong stomped her foot, "My little darling, please stop talking. If your aunt hears this, she'll definitely say that I've corrupted you."

The controversy surrounding the storybooks might just resurface.

He Zhizhu raised an eyebrow. "Throughout history, how many sisters have shared a husband?"

Hua Sirong: "I can't control others, but that won't work on me." I disagree.

Bah! Who wants to be a concubine in your future husband's family?

He Zhizhu gritted her teeth, "If I had your kind face, I would beg you with my head down, hmph!"

The more Hua Sirong looked at her cousin, the more something seemed off. She thought about what her cousin had said earlier and picked out the key points.

"The reason you want to drag me into becoming your concubine is based on the premise that the Marquis's mansion has suffered a disaster. Since you have the means of prophecy, why don't you nip this problem in the bud?"

"As long as we avoid the calamity befalling the Marquis's mansion, the girls in our household, whether it's you or me, can still marry whomever we want."

In short, no one can stop me from marrying a poor scholar.

As for you, He Zhizhu, it's not necessarily true that you really want to marry that prince. It seems like you've unilaterally chosen a sucker.

He Zhizhu rolled her eyes, then regained her usual liveliness. "Even as the legitimate daughter of a marquis, I wouldn't dare to say I can marry whomever I want. You are just..." The unfinished words were left unsaid, but you and I both knew.

Hua Sirong wasn't angry at all; on the contrary, she liked He Zhizhu like this, unlike before when, although she was also lively and cute, she was more polite than affectionate.

"It's just an example. Besides, given how favored you are by your aunt, if you really take a fancy to someone, as long as it's not too outrageous, your aunt will definitely agree."

Hua Sirong's words were like nails, hammering He Zhizhu into immobility.

She recalled her past life, how she had defied her parents' wishes and married someone... only to end up like that, unable to help her family and even kicking them when they were down. She was truly blind to their good fortune.