Chapter 103: Idle Chit-Chat Between Siblings

  Qin Dai Xin's humble and reserved attitude was very satisfying to Fang Wan Ru. This three-year-old, really getting more and more sensible.

  "What's wrong?"

  Qin Dai'er pretended to be frightened, biting her lip and saying: "Mother, do you still remember that I once helped a mother and daughter in distress? But those two women actually wanted to sell themselves to me?"

  How could she have forgotten? Perhaps it was from that time on that she discovered San Yatou seemed to have become a bit cleverer.

  "That girl is quite capable and stayed in my room as a second-class maid. Her mother, I didn't dare to keep her, so I sent her to the farm. Now my house is full of young people, or just rough-handed women, not suitable for important tasks. I thought that Snow Qing's mother was also a capable woman, so I took the initiative to call her back and kept her in the house as a housekeeper... what do you think?" Qin Dai smiled ingratiatingly, almost causing Ruyi to fall over. Look at you pretending to be innocent! You're clearly a ruthless person, but you pretend to be a gentle lamb.

  Is there anything Fang Wanru doesn't know? She's the mistress of the Qin family and a master at stirring up trouble, with several informants at her disposal. When Qin Dai'er lets Ruyi handle things, not only is she not on guard against anything, but she even seems to be doing it on purpose. How could Fang Wanru possibly not know about this?!

  "It's no big deal, just a small matter. You've made up your mind, so go ahead and do it!" Fang Wanru was in a good mood and responded readily.

  "So, thank you, Mother." Qin Dai got up and said: "My daughter's small villa is busy with business! Last night a partner came, there are some things that want my daughter to help decide, waiting for my daughter to respond! Should I let big brother help take a trip? People outside the courtyard, also male, very inconvenient?"

  "Hey, our Sanpiao is still busy with business!" Fang Wanru's mood seemed to be good, and she also started joking. "What business? Is it profitable?"

  Qin Dai's face turned red as she smiled, "Mother can tease me all she wants, but tomorrow I'll earn some money and won't give any to mother." She pouted on purpose, still having a bit of a childish air. Ruyi looked at her, barely managing to hold back her laughter with great difficulty.

  Fang Wanru couldn't help but laugh for a while, and even Da Yutou Haitang and Li Mama in the house were laughing so hard they were bent at the waist.

  "Alright, alright, I won't laugh anymore. Otherwise, San Yatou will make a lot of money and not give me any to spend, and then I'll really have nowhere to cry!" Fang Wanru picked up her handkerchief and dabbed at the corner of her eye, as if she had actually laughed out tears.

  "Mother, you think of a solution first! Is it okay if I let my brother go for now?" She was being serious and didn't want to pretend to be crazy just to please anyone, but rather wanted a legitimate reason so that no one would take advantage of her or speak ill of her.

  Fang Wanting thought for a moment, and felt that Qin Dai's enthusiasm was just temporary, and nothing big would come of it. She had watched this child grow up, and everything he did was half-hearted, lacking perseverance.

  "Why bother having your elder brother make a trip, just call the woman from next door and have her go with you. If it's really inconvenient, just put up a screen and that's it." This isn't a big deal, as long as the mistress of the house has spoken, it's normal. As long as it's not overboard, meeting the manager of the farm or a young servant from the mansion is also acceptable.

  "Thank you, Mother. With your words, I can finally be at ease." Qin Dai's heart was as cunning as a little fox, "In that case, I won't be afraid of being gossiped about by those despicable people anymore."

  Qin Dai sat for a while and then said some irrelevant words. With Ruyi, she left Fang Wanru's courtyard and went to the outer courtyard.

  Military advisor Zhao Shu, at this time wearing a coarse linen short shirt, with a piece of cyan square cloth wrapped around his head, looking like a young servant. He was waiting in a wing room outside the main hall, waiting for Qin Dai's summons.

  Qin Dai Xin had Ruyi call Yan Shi over, and the three of them went to a small meeting hall in the outer courtyard together. Qin Dai Xin sat behind the desk, having someone place a screen in the center of the room, while Ruyi and Yan Shi stood on either side of her. After they were all settled, they had someone call for Zhao Shu. Before long, footsteps sounded outside the hall, and Zhao Shu followed the maid who was leading the way, walking with a stiff and proper air that didn't resemble someone who used to be a bandit at all, but rather looked like a servant who had been born into servitude for generations.

  The leading girl led the person into the conference hall, turned around and went out of the house. Although there were only four people in the room, Qin Dai Xin and Zhao Shu both knew the phrase "walls have ears", so although they understood each other's minds, they also had to pretend for a while.

  "I have seen Third Miss before and asked after her well-being." After all, he was a scholar, and when speaking, he was different from a real servant.

  "How did Zheng Guanshi bring you here?" The tone was filled with an uncontrollable sense of superiority.

  Zhao Shu was secretly delighted in his heart, but he didn't dare to be careless with his words. "Manager Zheng said that I'm quite clever, and told me to listen carefully to the young lady's instructions. He also mentioned that there's something urgent on the farm, and asked me not to forget to remind you earlier."

  Qin Daiyan handed over two fire-sealed envelopes to Zhao Shu.

  "My mind is made up, though I don't have many ideas. I'm afraid you won't be able to remember them either. Here are two letters for you to take back and give to Zheng Jiufu, just follow the instructions."

  Zhao Shu took the letter and saw that one envelope was addressed to Zheng Guanshi, while the other was addressed to himself. He understood that Qin Dai Xin had intentionally let others hear about it, and that there was actually a letter inside explaining things to him. So he hastily tucked the letter into his bosom and asked if Qin Dai Xin had any other instructions.

  "Has everything been going well for you lately?" The question was asked lightly, but Zhao Shu knew she had an ulterior motive.

  Zhuangzi is the third miss, no mistake. The farmers on Zhuang mostly point to the land of the third miss, this is also not wrong. Those poor people who suffered hardships were curious about these "heavenly" outsiders, but did not make any peeping moves towards them, letting a group of nervous "winemakers" take a big breath.

  In the end, it was Zheng Jiufu who helped a lot. Although this person didn't quite believe in the origin of this group of people, Zhao Shu could see that he trusted Qin Dai's heart very much, and whatever Qin Dai said, he would unconditionally believe. It was also because of Zheng Jiufu's intervention that the group of farmers who were pointing fingers at them quieted down.

  It's not that these ordinary people are to blame, who let them look like they're not good people? Although they are heroic outlaws, they are still local bandits, living on the edge of knives and licking blood every day, can they not have a murderous aura?

  "It's going smoothly, everyone is fine." Zhao Shu replied lightly, but his heart was also moved. Third Miss had been thinking of them so much, it was truly touching.

  "When New Year's comes around, everyone gathers together like family, never been so peaceful." Zhao Shu coughed lightly to cover up the excitement in his heart.

  Qin Dai'er listened clearly and also believed that they were all real men, who would absolutely not harm those innocent civilians. She pretended to let Yan Shi give Zhao Shu a small ingot of silver, saying it was a reward.

  Zhao Shuhuan thanked Qin Daixin with a beaming smile and, knowing he shouldn't overstay his welcome, stood up to take his leave.

  Qin Dai Xin walked out of the small council chamber with Ruyi and Yan Shi, looking at the several figures lurking in the corridor outside, not angry but smiling. She didn't know which courtyard's servant was so clumsy, hiding their head and exposing their tail, they must be a mouse. Such a worthless person, there's no need to bother with them. She pretended not to see them on purpose and headed towards the inner courtyard. Just as she reached the corner gate of the flower garden, she saw Qin Zi Cheng bringing a small servant this way, it was impossible to avoid him, brother and sister meeting, they had to exchange a few words at least.

  Qin Dai Xin went up to greet Qin Zi Cheng and asked, "Brother, where are you going?"

  Qin Zichen didn't recognize her at first, but as he walked closer, he realized it was Qin Dai Xin. He thought to himself that his third sister hadn't been seen for some time and had become quite elegant. The last time the second young master of the Li family came, he had neglected to notice her, and she now looked like a refined lady, with her behavior and demeanor becoming more and more like those of a noblewoman, no longer as rude and arrogant as before.

  "Just returned from my mother's place, nothing much happened. I thought of going to the shop to take a look, it will be February 2nd soon, don't rush if there is less. Perhaps due to reading many books before, Qin Zichen's speech has always been polite and courteous, giving people a feeling more like a refined scholar."

  In terms of temperament, he seems to be more in line with Qin Zongwen, a Confucian merchant. I don't know if it's related to Lin Qingyue, but the couple also has some similarities. Is this what they call "husband and wife face"?

  "Yes, tomorrow is the first day of February." After leaving the first month, visiting relatives and friends will become less and less, and the annoying people she sees will also become fewer and fewer. Now she can finally be at peace.

  "February 2nd is a good day, third sister should dress up nicely and take the kids to the flower festival!" Qin Zichen saw that Qin Dai was now so reasonable and understanding, and he was willing to chat with her for a while.

  "Flower Festival?" There doesn't seem to be such a thing in my impression.

  "That's right." Qin Zichen smiled, "Didn't you clamor to go last year?"

  It sounds like a sea of people, Qin Dai's heart slightly frowned, what's the point of squeezing back and forth.

  Qin Zichen said again: "Third sister go back! I'll go take a look at the shop now."

  Qin Dai suddenly said: "Brother, on February 2nd, won't you take your sister-in-law to the lively scene?"

  What's going on all of a sudden? Could it be...

  Qin Zichen was somewhat anxious: "Did your sister-in-law say anything to you?"

  Qin Daiyan shook her head, "No, I just think that Sister-in-law rarely goes out and when there are banquets, she usually doesn't attend. She's alone, it's inevitable that she'll feel lonely. On the second day of the second month, if you have time, can't you accompany her?" Lin Qingren was a noble person who had been devoted to poetry and books since childhood, and rarely had friends who could enter her eyes. Her few good friends were either married far away or too busy with household chores to spare time for her. She was alone, very lonely.

  Qin Zichen's face was full of shame, "February 2nd is a big day for the Chamber of Commerce, I'm supposed to go with my father. If it were any other year, missing it once wouldn't be a big deal, but this year...I'm afraid it won't do."