Chapter 67 Let's Take a Look at the Bustle

  The fact that Qin Dai Xin was tied up seemed to be a truth wrapped in window paper, which would be broken as soon as it was poked. However, since the Fang family had spoken out, who dared to pursue the matter further? When the head of the household, Qin Congwen, took an attitude of not hearing or asking about the matter, all things were handed over to Fang Wanru for handling. Fang Wanru's attitude was also interesting, and it was unclear whether she was protecting the reputation of the Qin family or if Qin Congwen had said something to her in private. She, who had always implemented a policy of suppressing Qin Dai Xin, actually began to speak up for her this time. Although everyone knew that the reasons "praying for blessings" and "copying scriptures" were not enough to convince the public, once the master had spoken, how many servants dared to refute? Even Qin Dai Xin's brothers and sisters received the same explanation: she was rescued by a female guest who came to offer incense, suffered a minor shock, rested at the guest's house for a few days, and only then returned.

  Regardless of whether these words are true or false, in short, the matter was swept away in a lie and cover-up. No one in the Qin Mansion mentioned it again, and Qin Dai herself was happy to be idle and didn't bother to stir up this muddy water.

  What others say or keep silent is none of her business.

  On the fourteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, Qin Dai Xin took her maid Ruyi to visit Fang Shi's courtyard early in the morning. Unfortunately, she didn't see anyone, probably still angry or fearful of her. So she said she wasn't feeling well and didn't see any other grandsons or granddaughters either. The expressions of the women in the courtyard were different, but it was Fang Shi's most trusted maid, Wan Mama, who had a warm attitude and personally came out to greet them, saying a lot of polite words, and then personally sent Qin Dai Xin out of the courtyard.

  Qin Dai Xin had never received such treatment before, and she couldn't help but feel a few more doubts in her heart. She went to Fang Wanru's courtyard with a full stomach of questions. Fang Wanru changed her usual cold attitude towards Qin Dai Xin, and was so enthusiastic that it made Qin Dai Xin feel a bit dizzy. She pulled Qin Dai Xin along, asking her all sorts of questions, showing great concern for her well-being, which was actually quite laughable. Anyone who didn't know the truth would think she was a kind mother; on the other hand, it would only make people think she was being hypocritical.

  "As the year draws to a close, Mother has too many things to attend to, no need to worry about trivial matters in our household. Everything is fine here, don't worry!" Qin Dai's heart didn't want to say those meaningless words to her, but couldn't openly refuse, so she just said some polite phrases."

  "What was I saying?" Fang Wanru looked at several people in the house, "It's still San Yaotou who knows how to care about others."

  "Third Miss has always been filial, we all know that." Haitang chimed in, making Fang Wanru very satisfied.

  If the third son of the Li family really came for this girl, it would be a good opportunity for the Qin family. The third daughter is a simple-minded child and is easy to get along with; if she marries into the Li family in the future, she should be a great help to Zichen.

  It's not that Fang Wanru is simple-minded, it's really not her fault. As for the change in Qin Dai's temperament, Fang and Qin Zongwen have a tacit understanding to keep their mouths shut. The mother and son didn't mention what happened that night to anyone, even Gong Sunjin, who was present at the scene, thought he had been robbed by some petty thief, without realizing it was an act of revenge, let alone thinking his plan had failed and his wishes were dashed, which was all orchestrated by Qin Dai.

  Qin Congwen was reserved towards Wen Ruyu, feeling that this matter was somewhat embarrassing. He had been calculated by his own sister in front and designed by his nephew behind, and he was forced to be speechless by his daughter's questioning. How could he tell such things to his wife? He really couldn't say it out loud!

  As for Fang Shi, she thinks more deeply than Qin Chuanwen. Qin Daiyu's heart is also shallow, and no matter how big she is, she can't escape the fact that she was born in the Qin family, and ultimately has to benefit the Qin family.

  Having thought of this, Fang Shi no longer felt angry, but this matter couldn't be told to others for the time being. If utilized well, this child might become a trump card in her hands in the future! She naturally didn't tell Fang Wanru about it either.

  Fang Wanru was unaware of this and still treated Qin Dai as the old San Yaotou.

  A few people said a few more words, and then Ya Tou came to report that Guan Shi had something to discuss with the lady, Qin Dai took the opportunity to bid farewell, and Fang Wanru also left, and actually let Haitang send her off.

  Three people came out of the flower hall and arrived under the corridor. Qin Dai thought to herself, "Good sister, stop here, you can't leave mother's side, we'll go back by ourselves."

  Haitang smiled and said, "What are you talking about, Third Miss? The mistress ordered me to deliver it personally. If she finds out I was lazy, won't she punish me severely?" As she spoke, she led the two of them towards the Flower Hanging Gate.

  Qin Dai thought to herself, which time wasn't she the one who went back by herself?

  Haitang is Fang Wanyu's reliable and trusted maid, who has earned her respect. Not only can she speak on equal terms with a group of mothers-in-law, but also in front of Qin Daihe, the legitimate mistress, she can hold her own. Although she doesn't look down on people, her attitude towards Qin Daihe today is different from before, probably because she has learned some inside information and changed her stance.

  Her skill in adapting to the situation is so pure and proficient, it's no wonder she can mix well in the Qin Mansion, but recently her value seems to have risen, not only does she have her grandmother's protection, her stepmother's cover, even Qin Zongwen treats her differently now, for his own benefit he would even sell out his own son, it can be seen that there must be some underlying connections here.

  The peony escorted the two of them out of the yard before turning around and going back.

  "Miss, something's not quite right." Ruyi was worried all the way until they returned to Changxiaoyuan before daring to speak up.

  "What's the fear, just resist when the soldiers come. Since they want to win me over, there will be a day when they'll have to show their cards to me. We just wait for now. You can go out and take a walk when you're free, but don't make too big of a move, it's not good to arouse suspicion."

  "I understand."

  The two servants changed into men's clothes, simply painted their faces black, and stuck on a small mustache. With a swagger, they went out onto the streets. Today was the day Qin Dai had agreed to meet Hei Da, so she brought Ruyi along as they made their way to Zui Xiang Lou. The two of them shook off the stifling atmosphere of the manor and took in the lively sights along the way, their moods suddenly different.

  "Want to know where we're going today?" Mood is relaxed, tone is also light.

  "Didn't Miss say she had an appointment with someone?"

  Qin Daijin stopped in her tracks, turned around and looked at her with a hint of a smile: "Outside, you should call me 'young master'." Seeing that Ruyi understood, she asked again: "Do you know who the appointment is with?"

  "I'm just a humble servant, I don't know."

  That day, Qin Dai Xin's true situation was unknown to anyone, including Qin Zongwen and Fang Shi. They only thought she had been rescued by someone and didn't know the details. Qin Dai Xin brought Ruyi to meet Hei Da Ge Er because she wanted her to understand that she wouldn't be controlled by others anymore. Rather than letting her become a hindrance in case of future accidents, it was better to let her know something about it now so she could prepare herself mentally. As for Chun Li and Ai Lian, it was better not to let them know for the time being. One was too young and couldn't keep secrets; the other didn't trust her yet, so it was better to wait and see.

  Just then, a loud noise suddenly came from the front, and the two of them looked around to find that the road was crowded with people who seemed to be watching something exciting. The noise was coming from there.

  Look at the sky, it's still early, Qin Dai Xin decisively took Ruyi and squeezed into the crowd to watch the excitement. In ancient times, entertainment programs were scarce, and such opportunities were not many. Rather than missing out, she might as well take a look at what was happening. Qin Dai Xin tried her best to ignore her increasingly gossipy nature, pushed through the crowd, and arrived at the center of the venue.

  In the very center of the crowd sat two women, one older and pale with a woman's hairdo; the other quite young, only fifteen or sixteen years old, seemingly unconscious, lying in the older woman's arms, apparently mother and daughter.

  "May I ask this brother, what's going on?" Qin Dai asked a bystander next to her.

  "You don't know, do you? These two women are here to seek relatives. I heard that there was a disaster at home, the woman's husband died, and the mother and daughter had no one to rely on, their lives were not going well. That's why they came to Taizhou to seek relatives. It is said that in the past, she lent a lot of silver to her uncle for business use, but now people don't acknowledge the debt and drove them out. The little girl was ill before and hasn't recovered yet, being pushed like this made her faint. The mother and daughter had nowhere to go, so they could only sit at the relative's door, hoping that they would return the silver to them so they could return home."

  As soon as he said that, Qin Dai Xin noticed that these people were surrounding the entrance of a grocery store. The store had already put up its shutters and seemed to have stopped doing business altogether. Next to it stood two officials who were talking to someone who looked like the shopkeeper. Qin Dai Xin noticed that the shopkeeper was secretly handing each official a silver ingot.

  "What's going on with those two officials?" Ruyi asked quickly, asking another question.

  The person who came over earlier whispered: "The owner of this store has reported to the authorities, saying that he wants to sue these two women for blackmail."

  To repay debts is a matter of course, but this black-hearted relative not only refuses to pay back the money, it seems that they also want to push this mother and daughter onto a desperate road. If they didn't despise them for becoming their own burden, why would they give them official documents to beg for money?

  At this time, the two officers walked over and said to the people around them in a rude tone: "Make way, make way! What are you all surrounding here for? Can't even let people do business? You two, come with us!"

  Everyone was in an uproar, but no one dared to discuss anything. They all still gathered around, wanting to see how things would be handled in the end. The mother and daughter sitting on the ground didn't move at all, not even lifting their eyelids. Qin Dai thought it was interesting and quietly watched with a poker face.

  "Hey, what about you two!" Another official, somewhat impatient, poked the mother with the scabbard-less knife in his hand.

  "I don't know where Master wants us mother and daughter to go?" The voice was cold and sharp like a knife.