My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead

Medicinal incense is truly a rare commodity.

The fact that Qin Yuan can create a few kinds of medicinal incense is already quite remarkable.

Old Madam Gu once sighed to Nanny Rong, "Although Yuan’er brings fewer gold and silver shops as a dowry, leaving these incense recipes for the descendants is considerable in itself."

Yet, hearing Qin Yuan’s words now, it seems she has many more incense recipes she hasn’t revealed.

This indeed is astonishing.

Qin Yuan chuckled lightly, "My maternal grandfather’s family has been in medicine for generations. Although they fell from grace due to a lawsuit, they left behind a few books on medicine and incense recipes, which I often read in my childhood, and learned a bit of it."

Nanny Rong knew Qin Yuan’s nature, saying she learned a little usually meant she achieved a certain level of proficiency.

"Madam is truly intelligent. The Dragon Brain Sandalwood Pills you’ve made left even my son-in-law in awe, claiming they must require decades of expertise to concoct. Learning it was personally blended by you, he went speechless for days."

Old Madam Gu agreed, saying, "Yuan’er, your incense recipes must be well-guarded and absolutely cannot be passed on. There are many who can concoct scents, and several madams have gained fame adjusting incense, but those are merely for perfuming clothes and objects. Yours are different, enhancing the body and spirit, far surpassing those by unknown degrees. These are treasured heirlooms, and you, being young, might not know how rare valuable medicinal incense is."

Qin Yuan nodded, saying, "I’ve remembered everything both Mother and Nanny Rong have told me."

Only then did Nanny Rong add, "Speaking of dealings with Ranxiang Inn, Madam should use just a few common recipes in the shareholding profits. Even if Madam were to conduct business herself, there’s no need to reveal all your skills from the bottom of the trunk. After all, incense recipes are rare commodities; no need to expose everything. Even with a single incense pill, well-made, one could become as wealthy as a nation."

Qin Yuan pondered these words, seemingly deep in thought.

Old Madam Gu also concurred, saying, "She makes a valid point. With a few recipes, you’ve enough to use. You can’t earn all the wealth under heaven alone, can you? When the Dingbei Marquis Mansion can still provide support, it’s nothing, but you can’t exploit resources endlessly. No one can see the future, and the mansion can’t attend to everything. Besides, too much good stuff could invite envy and trouble."

This, too, is sound advice for living.

Qin Yuan indicated she would keep these words in mind, initially only contributing one or two commonly used recipes as shares, and as for her opening a shop and dealing with Ranxiang Inn, she could first consult Manager Leng for a plan.

Brother Cheng nearby listened with great interest, glancing at Qin Yuan from time to time, as if he had something to say.

Qin Yuan noticed but paid no attention.

Nanny Rong had the small kitchen prepare the meals, and Qiujie and Xiao Hong busied themselves setting the table, with Old Madam Gu retaining Brother Cheng and Sister Yu for the meal.

Both advanced significantly in their etiquette.

Brother Cheng, especially, seemed completely transformed in his manners and speech.

Qin Yuan coaxed Old Madam Gu into eating an extra bowl of rice, while she ate slowly, filling herself as well.

After the meal, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conversed for a while.

Old Madam Gu said, "Last time I found some bracelets that I intended to send over, but considering the current state of the mansion, I didn’t want to create a disturbance by sending someone outside. Now that you’re here, you might as well take them back."

Qiujie smiled softly, saying, "Old Madam has been mentioning it for a long time, saying these bracelets would look stunning on Madam’s wrists."

Nanny Rong said, "Then go fetch them right away."

Qiujie quickly went to fetch them, soon returning with a small box.

The box, made of blackwood, was small and delicate, with intricate carvings of birds and trees vividly encrusted on the lid.

Qin Yuan first exclaimed appreciatively, "This box is beautiful, Mother’s things are truly exquisite; even a small box is crafted so finely."

Old Madam Gu couldn’t help but laugh, "Even if you didn’t praise me, most of my things would become yours anyway."

Qin Yuan said, "Oh, Mother doesn’t even allow one sincere compliment."

Having just eaten, her lips were a vibrant red, and with a charming little mole on her playful, pert nose.

Old Madam Gu naturally liked those with good looks, and seeing her like this intensified her affection further, she laughed, "Alright, alright, I know you’re being honest, take a look at these bracelets. Don’t just focus on the box."

Qin Yuan then extended her hand, opened the box, which used a hidden clasp, pressing it would gently bounce open, otherwise even dropping it wouldn’t force it open.

Qin Yuan commented, "What intricate craftsmanship."

Nanny Rong couldn’t suppress a smile, saying, "Looks like Madam might prefer the box over the pearls."

Old Madam Gu was almost anxious for Qin Yuan, wishing she could open the box for her to display the beads on her behalf.

Brother Cheng approached, saying, "I know the story of preferring the box over its jewels."

Xiao Hong asked, "What is it?"

Brother Cheng was about to start storytelling.

Sister Yu leaned her little head against Qin Yuan’s side, enviously fixating on the box, waiting to see the goodies inside.

"Haha, that won’t happen," Qin Yuan couldn’t help but laugh, saying, "Mother’s collection is full of good things, the box is so fine, the beads must be even better."

Eventually lifting the box lid, inside lay three bracelets, one of coral agate, one of black jade and glass, and another of mixed jadeite.

Sister Yu’s eyes sparkled, releasing a "Wow" of admiration.

Old Madam Gu looked proudly at Qin Yuan, asking, "What do you think?"

Qin Yuan expressed delightedly, "They are truly wonderful. Mother, are these hidden treasures meant for me?"

Old Madam Gu responded, "Don’t think so lowly of your Mother. This coral agate was a gift from a palace lady, the black jade and glass one is the least valuable, but it’s particularly beautiful when strung together, and Mother liked the color, so kept it. The most valuable is this mixed jadeite; the jadeite matches the quality of the jade plaque I gave you, fitting perfectly together. However, since it contains mixed jade, it’s not a complete set."

Qin Yuan adorned each bracelet on her wrist one by one.

Her skin was fair and tender, fingers slender like scallions, nails sharply manicured and colored with balsam hue.

The sunset’s afterglow cast a golden sheen upon them.

So beautiful it rendered one speechless.

Everyone was momentarily stunned.

"Beautiful, truly beautiful,"

Xiao Hong couldn’t help but exclaim.

Subsequently, everyone voiced their praises.

"What’s beautiful?"

Marquis Gu lifted the curtain and strode in.

Upon seeing him, Qin Yuan recalled that Marquis Gu was supposed to have dinner at Wutong Garden, and yet how did he end up here in the main room?

Before she could respond, Old Madam Gu curiously asked, "Why are you all coming here one after another today?"

Brother Cheng had already raced over, loudly calling "Godfather" while embracing Marquis Gu’s leg, with Sister Yu also joining in.

Qin Yuan smiled, "Why has the Marquis come? I was trying on bracelets here at Mother’s."

Marquis Gu, with a look of grievance, glanced over at his mother, then at his young wife, saying, "Is Mother unhappy to see me? I couldn’t find anywhere to eat, so I thought to come here for a meal, yet it seems Mother isn’t pleased to see me. In that case, I’ll leave then."