Chapter 17 017 Rules of the Marquis Residence

Chapter 17 017 Rules of the Marquis's Household

The summer breeze was gentle, and the green willows swayed.

The girl wearing the pink dress had a slender figure, her face flushed with shyness. Her lowered eyes held a captivating charm, carrying a unique allure. She leaned limp and boneless against Lin Susu.

She tapped Lin Susu's arm with a light fist and giggled, as if acting coy. Her voice was sweet, and her coquettish demeanor was truly enticing—one glance made it hard to look away.

Qin Yan narrowed his eyes and watched quietly from not far away, standing still. At that moment, only one thought occupied his mind: she was so clingy. She just leaned on someone else, letting herself be dragged along, barely using any effort, lazy and languid.

A girl who was too clingy wasn't a good thing. He was so busy; if she clung to him after marriage, he wouldn't have time to deal with her. He needed to set her straight.

Qin Yan still didn't move. He saw her lift her eyes slightly, purse her lips—those dewy red lips parting and closing as she said something to Lin Susu. After speaking, she gently bit her lower lip, hesitating to speak, unaware of her own allure.

The man swallowed, suddenly feeling his throat dry and itchy. He tugged at his collar, restless, silently sighing that the weather was bad today—too hot. A cool cup of tea was just what he needed to beat the heat.

Qin Yan turned to look elsewhere. Qiao Wanyue and the other girl happened to step onto the stairs and were walking toward him.

The girl said in a sweet, petulant voice, "Su Su, you're so annoying. Say that again, and I'll ignore you."

Lin Susu tugged at her sleeve, pulling her closer. "Listen to me. The manor's nanny said it works."

Then she grinned mischievously. Qiao Wanyue stared at her intently. "Did you look at it?"

"I look at it in my spare time. Just to pass the time."

Qiao Wanyue's mouth dropped in surprise. She admired Su Su's courage for daring to look at such things—how come she'd never noticed that before? But it didn't matter; every bride had to look at that before marriage. That thought eased her embarrassment a little.

"Su Su, bring it over tonight—I want to see it."

As they were talking, they inadvertently looked up and saw Qin Yan standing under the corridor. They had no idea how long he'd been standing there or if he'd overheard them. Qiao Wanyue immediately fell silent, awkwardly glancing away, then turning back.

The two exchanged looks, their faces sheepish, like kids caught doing something wrong by an adult—feeling a bit guilty.

"Marquis."

"Brother-in-law."

Each one called out a title, then stood still in front of him, not looking at him. One stared at the ground, the other at the sky; the sight was pretty funny.

The man had just calmed down, but when he caught a faint, sweet scent, a strange restlessness stirred in him again. Qin Yan frowned, took a few deep breaths, and barely managed to restrain himself.

His gaze swept over Lin Susu and landed on Qiao Wanyue. Today's dress cinched her waist tightly, accentuating her curves. Though young, she had a good figure.

"You two are joined at the hip. What are you two chatting about so happily?"

He asked nonchalantly, making them even more nervous. They shot each other a knowing look and silently agreed to keep quiet.

Lin Susu brushed it aside: "Nothing much, just some girl talk."

But Qin Yan didn't look at her; his gaze remained on Qiao Wanyue, waiting to see if she'd speak up.

Perhaps the atmosphere was too awkward, forcing her to respond.

Qiao Wanyue finally met his eyes. "We were talking about flying kites. You definitely wouldn't be interested, Marquis."

Qin Yan indeed wasn't interested, nor curious. He was just making small talk; he didn't care either way. So when Qiao Wanyue responded, he gave a faint acknowledgment. His manner was cold, like they were strangers.

But they were engaged. Would it be like this after marriage?

That annoyed Qiao Wanyue. Her good mood instantly crashed. Forget the book. Just make do—since life was going to be a dead end anyway.

The restless thought barely emerged before it died out. Qiao Wanyue reconsidered: it was actually good. No one would boss her around; she could do whatever she wanted, even go out without telling anyone. Life would be quite carefree. Not bad, not bad.

The girl was all smiles, completely different from her earlier attitude. Qin Yan's brows furrowed deeper. What was she thinking? One moment full of worry, the next sweetly smiling. What was this little rascal up to?

"Marquis, where are you headed?" Qiao Wanyue asked.

The man's Adam's apple bobbed. "Going to have some tea."

It was hot today, making people restless and cranky.

Qiao Wanyue quickly stepped aside to make way for him, looking very obedient. Lin Susu watched her movements and also shifted a few steps to let him pass first.

Qin Yan observed their actions, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly, then returning to a normal expression. He walked past her calmly, then stopped as if something occurred to him.

"Come over in a while. I have something to ask you."

The girl pointed at herself in shock. "Me? What does the Marquis want with me?"

She didn't want to be alone with Qin Yan; it would be awkward.

"Yes, you."

Before Qiao Wanyue could ask more, the man left her staring at his straight back. With long legs, he walked fast, gone in a flash.

The girl looked at the figure in confusion, then turned to ask Lin Susu: "What do you think he wants to talk to me about? Why can't he say it now? Why make me go all the way there?"

She had just come from that direction.

Lin Susu shook her head, thought for a moment, and said: "I feel like brother-in-law treats you differently. Can't put my finger on it."

"Who asked about that? I'm asking what he wants with me."

"Just go ask and you'll find out."

She just didn't want to go. It was so lively today, and Su Su was here. She didn't want to waste time on him.

"Stay at my place tonight. Go inform Lord Lin and then come find me later."

Lin Susu thought briefly and nodded. "Alright, you go find brother-in-law first."

The two agreed on where to meet later and went their separate ways.

-

The sunlight was strong now, and it was getting hot outside. She couldn't stand being outside, so she headed the way Qin Yan had gone. As she walked, she furrowed her brows, wondering what Qin Yan wanted with her.

He hadn't looked happy earlier. Could he want to break off the engagement? Probably so.

Qiao Wanyue secretly rejoiced. If they broke it off, that would be great. Spending a lifetime with a quiet, closed-mouth person would make her one too.

She quickened her pace. When Qiao Wanyue arrived at the side hall, Qin Yan was drinking tea, and had already consumed half a pot. She glanced at him and sat down beside him.

There were peanuts and melon seeds on the table. She grabbed a handful and started idly cracking melon seeds.

Qin Yan turned his head to look at her, his eyes narrowing. He greatly disliked her behavior—nothing like a proper young lady—more like a gossipy street woman.

He set down his cup and gave her a cold, stern look. "Stop eating."

"What's wrong?" She kept talking and eating without stopping.

Qin Yan truly disliked it and wanted to say so outright, but after a moment's thought, he let it go. He sighed silently and said, "Have you seen the betrothal gift list? Are you satisfied?"

Speaking of this, Qiao Wanyue remembered that the betrothal gift list Qin Yan had sent was first shown to her elders and then delivered to her. She glanced at it and was quite satisfied—the gifts were numerous and valuable.

"Satisfied, very satisfied."

Qin Yan asked again, "If you have any requests, you can bring them up. I'll do my best to accommodate."

Such sincerity made Qiao Wanyue suddenly wonder if he had been the same when he married Lin Aizhen.

She tilted her head, thought for a moment, and shook her head. "No requests."

Qin Yan was thorough in his etiquette. Although this was a remarriage, the sincerity he showed made Qiao Wanyue feel as if it were his first wedding. So she had nothing to say.

Since she had no requests, Qin Yan did.

Watching the young lady crack melon seeds with such skill, clearly practiced, the pile of shells on the table grew into a small hill in no time. She ate quickly.

The man said expressionlessly, "After marrying into the marquis's mansion, no eating melon seeds."

Hearing this, Qiao Wanyue paused, looked up in disbelief, and thought, *He controls everything—eating and drinking included. How broad his reach is!*

She swung her feet, unconcerned, and shook her head. "No, I want to eat."

She even wanted to eat while reading, or while lying down. Of course, she wouldn't tell Qin Yan that.

"The marquis's mansion has its rules."

She had long heard that the mansion had many rules, but she didn't expect this one.

Qiao Wanyue leaned sideways, surprised, and asked, "No one in your mansion eats them? That can't be."

The man glanced at her but said nothing, finding it impossible to reason with her.

Fine, if he wouldn't say, she wouldn't press. Qiao Wanyue raised an eyebrow, sat up straight, and continued, "Don't worry, I won't eat them indoors. I'll crack them in the courtyard."

"Improper! What difference is there between you and the women on the street?" Qin Yan, truly angry, spoke bluntly.

The blunt words stung. Qiao Wanyue's expression immediately soured. She glanced sideways at him, and surprisingly, seeing him so angry made her calm instead.

She rolled her eyes, thinking, *If you're so angry, why not annul the engagement? Then none of this trouble would exist.*

And he wouldn't have to watch her crack melon seeds either.

The noise at her ears continued, annoying him. Qin Yan called her name coldly, "Qiao Wanyue."

"Hmm? What does the marquis want to say?"

She leaned half her body closer, blinking innocently and adorably.

Qin Yan's chest heaved with anger, and after a long pause, he managed two words, "Nothing."

*Hmph.*

"I have something."

What could that stubborn, unyielding girl possibly have to say?

"Speak."

His words carried heat, clearly still furious.

The young lady looked him in the eye and said, word by word, very seriously, "Before we marry, change the bed in the master bedroom. I won't sleep on one someone else has used."

As clever as Qin Yan was, he understood her meaning immediately.

The man's earlobes reddened, his expression awkward as he looked away, explaining, "The bed was replaced just before the New Year."

The previous one had long been changed. Qin Yan wondered if she had such a strong obsession with cleanliness that she also despised him for having been married before.

He was much older than her, and it was normal for him to have been married. She had no reason to despise him.

She puffed her cheeks, nodded, and said, "Alright, fine."

It didn't matter that the person wasn't new, but the bed had to be new, and the items had to be new. It wasn't that she disliked Sister Lin, but she really didn't like using things others had used. Qin Yan could understand, right?

"Every item in the room is brand new. You can rest assured."

Qin Yan was thoughtful, and she was quite satisfied. She forgave his harshness from before.

After eating for a while, her mouth was dry. Qiao Wanyue picked up her tea and took a sip. It was cold tea, a bit bitter. She thought a guest in the mansion should have been served good tea; otherwise, Qin Yan would laugh at them.

After drinking, she commented, "Good tea, isn't it, Marquis?"

How was it good?

Qin Yan went against his true feelings and said, "It is good."

Qiao Wanyue smiled triumphantly and continued cracking melon seeds. She hoped he wouldn't forbid this and that after marriage, she wouldn't be constrained by his strict rules.

Her mind wandered too much, and in a moment of distraction, she bit her tongue.

"Ouch! Ow, it hurts."

She quickly spat out the melon seeds in her mouth and put down the ones in her hand. She licked her tongue—it hurt badly. Was it bleeding?

"Marquis, can you check for me? Is it bleeding?"