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

Perhaps He Zhizhu was still harboring wicked intentions, because she shamelessly followed Hua Sirong back to Qingwu Courtyard.

No matter how nicely Hua Sirong describes Qingwu Courtyard, she only has the right to use it; the ownership still belongs to the Seventh Miss's biological father.

What can we do but treat them well?

In both her past and present lives, this was He Zhizhu's first time stepping into Hua Sirong's Qingwu Courtyard.

Everything exudes simplicity, but He Zhizhu, who is used to seeing good things, carefully observes those inconspicuous little things and finds that they are not simple at all.

Her cousin is truly a hidden talent; not a single person in the mansion noticed it.

If she hadn't been so observant today, she probably would have been fooled by those seemingly ordinary things.

It's really... I don't know how to describe my cousin who is always low-key and cautious.

No wonder that even though she married a poor scholar and had a wicked mother-in-law to control her in her past life, she still lived a decent life.

He Zhizhu valued Hua Sirong more and more, "With a character like hers and a face like hers, my cousin deserves to enjoy wealth and luxury for the rest of her life."

You haven't met those poor scholars. They wait until they pass the imperial examinations before getting married, hoping to find a powerful and influential family to marry into so they can climb the social ladder. They don't genuinely love you as a person.

Listen to my sister's advice: Why does my cousin, who is so good, need to go and help the poor?

Hua Sirong had openly and subtly refused several times, but He Zhizhu ignored her completely and let her continue to persuade her.

Thinking about how her aunt had planned to marry her daughter down in order to save her own daughter, it seemed that her plans had completely fallen through.

Seeing that Hua Sirong only drank tea and didn't want to say a single unnecessary word to her, He Zhizhu felt somewhat discouraged. However, she secretly encouraged herself, determined not to give up easily for the sake of the future of the Marquis's mansion.

She shamelessly continued her charade, “Yesterday, I went shopping in the Imperial City with my siblings and family. At a riddle stall, I met a poor but talented and handsome scholar.”

Hua Sirong teased, "What? Have you secretly fallen for her?"

He Zhizhu was lost in a brief recollection. "Yes, I secretly fell in love with her at first sight." She suddenly felt her eyes welling up with tears, wiped them away, and sure enough! Tears streamed down her face.

In an instant, her eyes regained their clarity, and a hint of mockery appeared on her lips, which seemed somewhat out of place for someone her age.

In Hua Sirong's eyes, this pampered cousin seemed to have grown up overnight and had the thoughts of a young woman.

Then, He Zhizhu explained to her, "Don't laugh at me, cousin, but when I came back last night, I couldn't stop thinking about that student. I even asked my brothers to inquire about him for me."

They just thought I was young and curious, and they agreed anyway.

Hua Sirong wanted to say, "You're so naive. Asking for information for you was just a side thing. Your brothers agreed only because they already had the intention of befriending that person."

In that case, that person is indeed a talented individual, even the heir of the Marquis's mansion is willing to treat him with respect.

Hua Sirong also showed her curiosity at the right time, but He Zhizhu shattered her fantasy, saying, "It's probably because you think about it during the day and dream about it at night."

If I tell you this, my cousin, please don't think I'm shameless. I actually dreamed that I married him when I was sixteen.

He was the third-ranked scholar in that year's imperial examination. Only because my brothers had befriended him early on did I have the opportunity to get ahead of them and become his wife.

In the bridal chamber, amidst the joy of love, I was happy. But later, his poor relatives started clinging to me, exploiting me, while he watched coldly. Only then did I realize that life is about the mundane realities of daily life.

My dowry is substantial, and I'm willing to give up some money for him.

When I became pregnant, he started bringing women home, claiming they were gifts from his superior and I couldn't refuse.

Hmph, I am the legitimate daughter of a noble family. What kind of boss would disregard my dignity? It's just an excuse that men can't control themselves.

Once this kind of thing starts, there will be a second time. The increasing number of women in the inner quarters and the growing number of illegitimate children are exhausting me.

When trouble broke out in the manor, I was the last to know. Ironically, I found out from his newly favored concubine.

I begged him to help my family, but he accused me of being jealous and threatened to divorce me. Only later did I realize that, at the crucial moment, he not only failed to help our family, but also kicked us when we were down and added fuel to the fire.

Isn't it ridiculous? I, a daughter of a noble family, am so blind!

Hua Sirong handed her a handkerchief and asked cautiously, "Cousin, did you predict a crisis in the manor based solely on this dream?"

Are you trying to force me to become a concubine? Isn't that a bit too hasty?

He Zhizhu glared at her cousin, with whom she had barely communicated in both lifetimes, and said, "That wasn't just a simple dream; it might have been my past life."

Hua Sirong covered her mouth and chuckled, "Why don't you say this in front of your aunt? You're so young, yet you like to tease me."

He Zhizhu never expected that her dear cousin would not believe such a rare and wonderful encounter!

He Zhizhu: "Cousin, don't you want to know how you fared in your past life... oh, no, in my dreams?"

Seeing her cousin's serious expression, Hua Sirong was happy to coax her, "Then tell me, so I'll know if I can successfully marry a poor scholar."

After saying that, she couldn't help but giggle, and at the right moment she leaned to the side to look down the corridor, as if afraid that Wang Mama would see her in such an inappropriate manner.

He Zhizhu knew that Hua Sirong didn't believe her, but she still told the story in detail, keeping it short and sweet: "My cousin married a scholar, and her widowed mother supported him by doing embroidery."

Hua Sirong seemed quite interested and gestured for He Zhizhu to continue, treating it as listening to a story.

He Zhizhu: "He was handsome and passed the imperial examination. He was originally to be appointed as an official in a remote area."

But because a matchmaker had been asked to meet you, my mother, for the sake of appearances, used her connections to keep you in the capital as an official.

Although your official rank isn't high, at least you won't have to go out of the capital with me to suffer.

However, you couldn't escape being exploited by your husband's family. Your mother-in-law lived in the big house you bought and spent the money you gave her as a filial son, but she looked down on your background as a merchant's daughter.

It's fortunate that you're so easygoing. Otherwise, with a sister like me, the legitimate daughter of a noble family, marrying a poor scholar, compared to you, your mother-in-law would always think that her son could marry a noble lady from a royal family, and she would have tormented you a lot because of it.

However, your husband is much more conscientious than the one I chose. At least he didn't abandon you when the Marquis's mansion was in trouble.”

Hua Sirong was momentarily speechless. "Then, when my husband in your dreams was in trouble, did he lend a helping hand?"

He Zhizhu rolled her eyes, and Hua Sirong understood; she would most likely stand by and do nothing.

That's true. She's only a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), and she doesn't have any connections. She's not the type to ask for favors, so she probably doesn't hold a high official position. What kind of help could she possibly offer?