Chapter Seventy-One: Self-Preservation Kung Fu

  Fang Wanru was as still as a statue, her delicate features set in a thoughtful expression as she considered Qin Daihe's words. It seemed that she had indeed misjudged things in the past. Compared to San Niangzi, Si Niangzi appeared to be an even more troublesome person. On the surface, she was timid and obedient, but in reality, she was a strong-willed individual. In the past, Fang Wanru had thought that although Si Niangzi wasn't talented enough to take center stage, she was at least easy to control. But now, after hearing San Niangzi's words, she realized that Si Niangzi was actually a cunning and manipulative person. If it weren't for the fact that this involved a matter of great importance for her future, Fang Wanru would have continued to pretend ignorance. Qin Daihe's words had struck Fang Wanru right in the heart, making her realize that her own weak-willed daughter was no match for someone as cunning and ruthless as Si Niangzi.

  People can be ruthless for their goals, but they can also bide their time and wait for the right moment to strike. If it's just a matter of one or two days, it only shows that this person can endure; but if they've been hiding their intentions for so many years without making a move, it's no longer just a matter of endurance.

  "Now that you mention it, didn't Fourth Young Mistress's song today end in loss?" She let out a faint sigh, without even realizing it herself.

  "It's possible that she had other plans, but her daughter couldn't guess what they were. Her mother was always right in guarding against her, and it wouldn't do to sacrifice Second Sister's happiness. These words struck a chord in Fang Wanru's heart, thinking that the originally foolish San Niangzi had become somewhat more perceptive, seeing clearly the situation and no longer foolishly pining for things that didn't belong to her, feeling a bit more at ease."

  "Mother, I have something to tell you." Qin Dai suddenly thought of something.

  "Oh? What's going on?"

  Qin Dai'er thought for a moment and said, "Can mother know that father gave the deed of Xiaqianzhuang to his daughter?"

  Fang Wanru was very angry when she first knew about this matter. She didn't understand the inside story and thought that Qin Zongwen gave the small villa to Su Shi because he had a crush on her. But later, after thinking it over, she realized that even if the small villa wasn't much to speak of in terms of land or production value, giving it away was still worth it if they could secure that marriage alliance - even if it meant giving up ten more villas like this one. Thinking about it this way, her anger dissipated.

  "I know about this matter, your father has told me." The tone was calm and didn't sound angry.

  Qin Dai Xin felt a little surprised, but then she let it go. If even Qin Qian Xin knew about it, why wouldn't Fang Wan Ru? She just didn't know what excuse her cheap dad used to make her so calm. Although she was curious in her heart, Qin Dai didn't have the idea of investigating further. After all, she had already gotten the manor, and everything else was unnecessary.

  "Chinese New Year is approaching, my daughter wants to go back to our hometown for a visit. I have received great love from both my father and mother, so I should make some progress, I think it's better to discuss with my mother, send me a horse carriage, bring three or two maids, several wives, stay for two days and come back, how about that?"

  Fang Wanru thought for a moment, intending to refuse. The last time something happened wasn't long ago, if this time there's another mistake, how could she explain it to her father? However, thinking again, going to the Zhuang should be safe, didn't Jin Ge say that those bandits were all caught by him? It should be safe, and if they don't take advantage of the situation to win over this little girl now, once she marries into the Li family in the future, how can she help Zhen Cheng?

  In the end, Fang Wanru's son benefited again. Although she agreed, she still instructed her to leave early and return early, bringing more family members and followers with her.

  Qin Dai'er agreed readily on the surface, but in her heart she didn't think much of the idea. Last time when she was tied up, it was those few house servants who ran away.

  The two of them chatted for a while longer, then Qin Daijin got up and bid farewell, taking Ruyi to the Su family's courtyard.

  Since Qin Dai's heart was exposed, Su had been waiting to see her. Although they met last time, they were embarrassed by Fang Wanru's presence, and the mother and daughter couldn't say anything heartfelt. Now that she has come, it's natural to be happy.

  "I've been thinking about you, and I was expecting you to come early." Su saw that she was unharmed and her expression was normal, so she felt a bit more at ease in her heart. She had always been worried that this child would only report good news but not bad news, and if something happened, she would still be hiding it. Now that she took a look, everything seemed fine.

  "Miss, what really happened? Was it really saved by the female guest?" The nurse's face was full of disbelief, suspiciously waiting for her answer.

  Inside the house, there were only three of them. Qin Dai thought for a moment before saying: "Auntie, Nai Nang, there are some things that I originally didn't want to say, but seeing how worried and scared you both get every time, I really can't bear it. You two are the people closest to me; if I don't trust you, who else can I trust? It's just that these matters sound quite unbelievable when heard. I only hope that after listening, you won't worry about it, and even more so, not speak of it to outsiders."

  The two of them exchanged a glance, seeing her serious face, and then agreed.

  Qin Dai'er thought to herself: "Do you still remember that time I fell off the horse carriage?"

  "How could I forget? At that time, you were running a high fever and talking nonsense all day long, almost..." Su's voice trailed off, but everyone in the room knew what she was getting at.

  "It was then that I, after barely escaping with my life, went to Xiaofront Village. There, I met a strange old man who was a hermit of the world. He listened to my experiences and sympathized with me greatly. Although he had an extraordinary skill, he didn't have anyone to pass it down to. Seeing that his daughter had some talent, he took me in as his apprentice and taught me some martial arts."

  Su and the wet nurse listened with an expression of incredulity in their eyes, although they were willing to believe what Qin Daihe said, but still felt that such a thing could not happen in life.

  In fact, such a thing would not happen in real life, at least Qin Dai Xin had never encountered it before, but she felt that if soul crossing was possible, then this story wasn't too far-fetched.

  "My daughter's talent is average, and she has only been training for a short time, so she has only learned the basics. She can definitely take care of herself."

  "Miss, if it's really as you said, why were you so badly injured that one time you were stabbed?" The wet nurse still wasn't quite convinced and directly asked her own question.

  Qin Dai'er thought to herself, "Nurse, my martial arts skills were no match for that person to begin with. Moreover, it was already late at night and I had gone to bed, how could I have anticipated being ambushed?"

  "Uh-huh, that's right." The wet nurse was simple-minded and couldn't think of anything else. She just felt that Qin Dai's words made sense, and there was no need to deceive them.

  "What happened later?" Su was a cautious and meticulous person, but when it came to her daughter, she became anxious and didn't think carefully, so she believed Qin Dai's words and hurriedly wanted to know the result.

  "My master is a high-ranking person outside the world, with a somewhat eccentric temper, unpredictable behavior, and my daughter has only seen him a few times. However, I have always followed his instructions to practice martial arts. The night before I went to Pu Fa Temple, my master suddenly appeared and told me that I would encounter danger tomorrow. My daughter listened to his words and did as he instructed, so when those bandits took me up the mountain, they didn't do anything untoward to me or harm me in any way. It wasn't until later that my daughter realized it was all a conspiracy.

  Qin Dai Xin then told the two of them about what had happened, only saying that her master had investigated and found out the information she had discovered herself. She also left out the part where she confronted Fang Shi and Qin Zong Wen, only saying that Gong Sun Jin returned empty-handed, while she was rescued by someone pretending to be Xiang Ke, making it a perfect ending."

  As for whether others believe it or not, that's no longer something she can control.

  Madam Su and the wet nurse were as if they had heard heavenly music, their facial expressions changing endlessly, exceptionally brilliant. When they heard that all of this was Qin Fengge's and Gong Sunjin's conspiracy, the two of them changed color greatly, Madam Su covering her chest and panting nonstop, while the wet nurse almost bit off one of her own teeth.

  "It's really heaven's blessing, the young lady met a noble person, it's really......" In the end, Su Shi was somewhat incoherent. This kind of extreme sorrow and joy is not something that everyone has the opportunity to experience. Whoever has experienced it will be unable to restrain their emotions, and being moved to tears is also normal.

  "But miss, how's your self-defense skills coming along?" The nanny's emotions had just calmed down, but now she was curious again.

  Qin Dai Xin looked at the two curious babies whose ages added up to almost a hundred years, and felt a wave of powerlessness. It seemed that these two took her for a street performer. Suddenly she discovered a plate of walnuts on the table, and her playful heart was stirred. She picked out a thick-skinned one from the plate, waved it in front of the two, then pinched it with her thumb and index finger, and with a slight effort, there was a "crack" sound. The walnut that had been hard and round just now suddenly split into four or five pieces, scattering all over the floor.