Chapter 104 Being an Ordinary Person

  Qin Dai's heart was greatly puzzled and she asked: "Why?"

  Qin Zichen said, "The Chamber of Commerce's annual gathering on February 2nd is hosted by the various business houses in Taizhou. The focus is on maintaining healthy competition between businesses and making efforts to promote the prosperity of Taizhou's commerce. This year, there are also merchants from other provinces joining in, so the scale is unprecedentedly grand. Father attaches great importance to this, as it relates to our family opening branches in other provinces. Therefore, we cannot be careless about it, and I will naturally attend."

  Qin Dai Xin felt that she had received some kind of message. She narrowed her eyes and asked in a low voice, "Other merchant houses? The Qi family's?"

  Qin Zichen didn't expect her to ask that and for a moment he didn't know how to respond. Did Sanmei also find out about his engagement to the Qi family's daughter?

  "Older brother, speak!" He's really a slow-witted person.

  "How...how did you know?" Qin Zichen was a bit embarrassed.

  Qin Dai Xin sighed in her heart, what a pity that Eldest Sister was such an elegant and proud person.

  "It seems that Miss Qi is already betrothed to you." Qin Dai gazed at Qin Zichen with a dazed expression, her eyes seeming to see right through him, causing Qin Zichen's face to flush red instantly.

  "This... how can I put it! I..." Qin Zichen became somewhat at a loss for words.

  "Brother must think that having three wives and four concubines is nothing strange, it's just a normal thing." Qin Dai thought about Lin Qingyue's future days, afraid that she would only have cold moonlight as company, and her heart involuntarily rose with anger. "You people who normally live in harmony, are you all just pretending for the sake of outsiders?" By the end, her tone had become heavy. In this household, apart from Su Shi, the wet nurse, and a few close maids, only Lin Qingyue had ever cared about her, worried about her. Just because of this, she also wanted to do something for her.

  "Third sister, I've never thought of it that way. Yes, I owe you an apology, but I have no choice, I'm the eldest grandson of the Qin family, I'm the future heir of the entire Qin family, I can't just consider myself, or just consider your sister, I can't just think about our little family, I have to think about the whole Qin family." He paused for a moment, then said seriously: "I don't want to marry the daughter of the Qi family, but for the sake of the family business, I have no choice."

  If someone else had said this, Qin Dai Xin would have thought he was being hypocritical. But when Qin Zi Cheng said it, Qin Dai Xin felt that he was speaking from the heart.

  "Although the daughter of the Na family is not a pampered girl, she was born into such a family and is not someone we can compare to. If she were to marry in, how would you treat her? And how would Eldest Sister conduct herself, have you thought about it?"

  Qin Zichen was taken aback, "After all, I couldn't bear to wrong her." But it wasn't clear whether he was referring to Lin Qingyue or the young lady of the Qi family.

  Alas, they are too kind-hearted. In this regard, Qin Zichen and Qin Zixin are indeed a pair of close brothers.

  "This is going to be lively." Qin Dai's dislike for the messy things in the Qin mansion grew even stronger.

  Qin Zichen thought she was talking about the Chamber of Commerce, "Not only will the Qi family come, but all four major families in Da Yong will also be there!" The four major families gathered in Taizhou, how could it not be lively?

  Qin Zichen dropped a bombshell, which made Qin Dai's heart dizzy.

  What a grand occasion! The several big families that control the economic lifeline have all arrived. With so many places to go in Dayong Country, why did they all squeeze into Taizhou?

  "Third sister? Third sister?" Qin Zichen was perplexed, why did Sanmei suddenly freeze up? Was it because she heard that the four major families had all arrived, so she felt surprised? Or perhaps it was because someone from the Li family would also be coming?

  Qin Zichen smiled, "After chatting with Sanmei for so long, I've already wasted a lot of time. As her brother, I still have things to attend to, so I'll take my leave first."

  Qin Dai Xin hastily stepped back a pace and watched as Qin Zi Cheng's figure disappeared around the corner.

  Following Qin Dai's heart, she walked and hurried along the garden path, passing by the long corridor, and returned to her own residence via the bluestone road. Chun Li came out to greet her, anxiously asking why she was so late, fearing that Madam had been troubled by their young mistress.

  Ruyi knew she was lost in thought, and quietly pulled Chunli aside: "Let Miss calm down, it's all because of the young lady's troubles!" The young lady is a heavenly being, but even she can't avoid the twists and turns within this household. It's really pitiful. From what Miss said, it seems that the young lady from the Qi family is not someone to be trifled with. If the young lady doesn't speak up more, won't she end up at a disadvantage in the future?

  Ai Lian's breakfast had been kept warm on the stove, and as soon as she knew Qin Dai'er was back, she hastily got a young maid to take it over. But after a while, it was returned untouched, with the maid only saying that Miss didn't have an appetite and couldn't eat.

  "Miss, is the dish not to your taste?" Ellen was a bit nervous, fearing that Miss didn't like her cooking.

  "Sister, Miss didn't say anything, just said she couldn't eat anymore, so Yiyi sister had me bring it back."

  Just then, Ruyi arrived, and after sending away the little maid, she pulled Ruyi aside to talk: "I knew you were worried, I was afraid you'd be troubled by thoughts of me, that's why I came over especially. You really are here thinking wildly!"

  Ai Lian was made to feel embarrassed by Ruo Yi's words and unconsciously lowered her head.

  Ru Yi pulled her along, saying: "Miss is no longer the same as before, I've told you so many times, but you still don't believe it. Today Miss has lost her appetite, it's really none of your business." Then Ru Yi repeated a few sentences of Qin Dai Xin and Qin Zi Cheng's conversation to Ai Lian.

  "She's worried about the young lady!"

  Ai Lian heard this and suddenly felt enlightened. She pulled Ruyi's hand and said, "Good sister, this is not a place to talk, let's go back to the house and talk!"

  "You're still being polite to me? You, don't always stay in the kitchen like Chunli, go to Miss's room more often. Which second-class maid from which courtyard is like you, every day just messing with these foods? It's a good thing to have a heart to serve your master, but more importantly, don't let your master forget about you, and think of you often."

  "Alright, sister, I know." The two sisters chatted for a while longer, and soon a little maid came to hurry Ruyi along.

  Ru Yi hastily ran off and didn't steady her footsteps until she reached the main house, whereupon she calmly entered through the door.

  "What's the matter, young lady?"

  Qin Dai Xin was not leaning against reading as usual, but sat upright on the kang, seemingly calculating something.

  Qin Dai's face was expressionless, and she only asked: "How did we spend February 2nd last year?"

  Ru Yi was startled by her expression, and without considering her question, she simply said: "In the past, young ladies who wanted to attend the flower festival were often not allowed to go by their mothers-in-law. Only when I was younger did my aunt take me a couple of times. At other times, I stayed at home." Could it be that she's thinking of this and feeling resentful?

  "How about we go to the flower festival this year?" Qin Dai's expression suddenly changed, seeming very happy and full of longing.

  Ru Yi had never seen her like this before, and was momentarily stunned. Then she suddenly came to her senses, "It's good, but I'm afraid the madam won't allow it?" In previous years, only Second Miss was allowed to bring a full entourage, and this year would probably be no exception.

  Qin Dai's heart was mysterious with a smile, "She will."

  I don't know why Miss is so confident, but she seems to have a good grasp of it, anyway, trying is also good.

  After lunch, Qin Dai Xin went to see Su Shi. She was almost six months pregnant, with a pointed belly and a slightly rounded face, looking very maternal, with a radiant glow on her face, even more beautiful than usual. At this stage of pregnancy, the fetus is stable, as long as there are no major accidents, there's basically nothing to worry about.

  Qin Dai Xin left, only talking about some family matters, without mentioning a word about the Lantern Festival outing on February 2nd.

  Tonight is Chunli's night shift, don't look at this little girl being young, she can't handle big things, usually she's like a sparrow, noisy and headache-inducing. But when it comes to serving people, she's actually considerate and meticulous, getting everything in order.

  "Miss, I've already made your bed for you, go rest! Although it's warm during the day, it's still cool at night, so get under the covers to keep warm. Besides, the words in that book are so small and the light is dim, it's bad for your eyes!" This little maid will never learn to be steady and composed, but her chatter is quite amusing.

  She's only thirteen and has already gone through so much, it's a wonder she understands all this; it must be that Ruyu hasn't spared any effort in instructing her.

  "Alright, I'll take a rest." After saying that, she really closed the book and handed it to Chunli beside her. She then picked up her shoes and walked towards the inner room. Chunli casually put the book on the cabinet desk and followed Qin Dai Xin from behind.

  Qin Dai Xin liked simplicity, and would only allow some summer flower petals to be collected, dried, and stored to leave a faint floral scent. Her room was also very simple, and she didn't like to put out those fancy decorations. Even her bedding and curtains were chosen for their subtle elegance, giving off an unusual sense of refinement.

  "Miss, go to sleep early and recharge your energy for the Flower Festival tomorrow." She heard from Ruyi that Miss is very confident about going to the Flower Festival this year!

  This girl...

  Chunli put away the bed curtains, blew out the lamp, and quietly retreated to outside the room. After tidying up a bit, she also blew out the lamp and went to sleep.

  The moon is lightly hanging in front of the window, as pale as a reflection. The withered branches of the trees are quietly climbing up the windowsill. The night is quiet and peaceful. Outside, the night watchman Chunli has already entered her dreamland, sleeping sweetly. But Qin Dai's heart at this moment does not have any sleepiness.

  She received too much information during the day and couldn't digest it for a while.

  The Taizhou Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual gathering, which was originally a ordinary meeting of various merchants in Taizhou, but somehow got entangled with the four major families.

  East Li West Zhou, South Chu North Qi.

  If the Qi family wanted to get in touch with the Qin family, it would be reasonable for them to attend this gathering. But what about the other three families? What's their purpose? Why did the four big families, who are usually sought after by people, come to Taizhou?

  Qin Dai Xin felt as if something had flashed through her mind, but she couldn't grasp it.

  "This damned sixth sense." Must it also be stuck with her this life? Qin Dai narrowed her eyes and looked out the window, can't I just be an ordinary person?