Chapter 4 Having One's Own Plans

  Zheng Mama is a red person in the government, although she is a slave, but because she is a powerful assistant in front of her husband, her status is not ordinary. The brothers and sisters in the government do not dare to underestimate her easily, even if it is in front of the old lady, she can still say a few words. This time Qin Dai Xin was sent to the countryside for "quiet nursing", it was originally the intention of the old lady, but Fang Wanru did not agree, if it were not for Zheng Mama who knew the harm and persuaded Fang Wanru with reason, Qin Dai Xin would not have had such an easy life in Xiaqianzhuang.

  Such a transparent person, how dare Qin Daijin be slow? Hurriedly ordered Ruyi to invite Zheng Mama in.

  Zheng Mama was an unassuming person, looking ordinary and plain. She had a round face, with only a simple bun on her head, adorned with a silver hairpin, and wore modest clothing made of simple fabric. Compared to Ding Mama, she looked more like a servant should. Zheng Mama was a woman who had experienced many storms in life, and her heart was not written on her face. When she saw Qin Dai Xin, there was no disdain or mockery in her eyes, but rather a genuine respect for her mistress, as if she were about to pay homage. Qin Dai Xin wouldn't have it, and hastily asked Yu Yi to help her sit down on the edge of the kang to talk.

  "Has Third Miss eaten yet?" Zheng Mama's expression was full of concern, and if others saw it, they would think she was sincere and not pretending. This person's acting skills were impressive; if Qin Dai Xin or the original Third Miss were still around, they might have been completely fooled, after all, she was a master of deception, making it hard to distinguish between truth and falsehood.

  "Not yet." Qin Dai's heart still had a frail and weak look as if she was still recovering from an illness.

  Zheng's mother looked and sneered in her heart. This third miss was originally a ruthless person, and her birth mother, Su Niang, had not been implicated by her. She was pretending to be well-behaved in front of the old lady and the madam. How many years had she lived? She couldn't even fool herself, let alone such a clever old lady.

  Zheng's mother glanced at Ruyi and said, "Hurry up and prepare, Third Miss is just recovering from her illness, how can she be kept hungry like this?"

  Ru Yi knew that Zheng Mama had something to say to the master, so she quickly agreed and came to the outer room. She happened to run into Chun Li, who was delivering breakfast, and hastily sent away the two little maidservants following her. Then she pulled Chun Li aside and talked about Zheng Mama's matter.

  "Don't send it in for now, wait until Zheng's mother leaves, and then heat it up again." She was worried that the master would make a fuss without reason, and things would get out of hand.

  "Sister, do you know why Mother Zheng has come?" Chunli was still young and didn't quite understand how to restrain her curiosity, always wanting to pry into things.

  "Mind your own business and don't ask what you shouldn't. Just focus on doing your job properly and stop causing trouble for the young lady."

  Chunli knew she was in trouble and pulled at Ruyi's arm, saying: "Good sister, I know I was wrong, I won't dare next time."

  Ru Yi is worried about his own young lady and doesn't have the heart to think about this, so the two of them wait outside without mentioning it.

  Zheng's mother in the house asked Qin Dai Xin about her well-being, occasionally asking if there was anything lacking in food or daily necessities. Qin Dai Xin knew this was a polite phrase and didn't express any opinions, just responding perfunctorily.

  Sure, here is the translation:

  As expected, it didn't take long for Zheng Mama to change the subject.

  "Miss, don't worry and take care of yourself here. This old lady is just angry now and can't help but say some harsh words. Between the grandmother and grandson, what real grudge do they have? If Miss were to get hurt, wouldn't it be the old lady who would feel the most heartache?"

  "Just as mom said, I understand."

  "Third Miss is a reassuring one, sensible and understanding. When she first came back from the temple, she was so badly injured that it nearly took Old Lady's life away, and Madame was frantic with worry. Fortunately, Third Miss is safe and sound now, or else..."

  Qin Dai's heart was as calm as water, and her face didn't show a single ripple. "It's a great sin to trouble Grandmother and Mother with this."

  "Madam Zheng saw her like this, and with even more confidence said: 'Third Miss is so understanding, I'll say something a bit over the line. As a young lady from a wealthy family, who in Taizhou doesn't know the Qin family? From a young age, your mother taught you well, Third Miss is intelligent and knowledgeable, it goes without saying that you're wise and have good fortune written all over your face. Everything has its own destiny, there's no need to be too stubborn about things. Those who appear to be in a good situation may not necessarily be so in reality, it's still better for elders to make arrangements, they will send people to discreetly ask around, much stronger than those who don't know the roots of things.'"

  Zheng's mother saw her serious expression and hastily added: "Think about Su Niang for a moment! Now that she is also ill, what can be done?"

  Qin Dai's heart skipped a beat as she thought of that anxious face. Although she was her birth mother, due to her status, she could only be called "Aunt". The former Third Miss probably didn't get along with her well, in order to please her stepmother and maintain the identity of the eldest daughter, she must have shown her a lot of disdain.

  Qin Dai's heart was calm and unruffled, as if she hadn't been affected by Zheng Mama's words.

  Zheng's mother was very satisfied with this performance, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes could almost pinch a mosquito to death. With such indifference from her birth mother, who else could she rely on besides her stepmother? She was just an illegitimate daughter who couldn't make it in life, after all, and wasn't she just like that mud doll, being manipulated by others at will?

  Everyone is a smart person, and when it comes to this point, although it's not explicitly stated, everyone has a rough idea in their hearts.

  Since waking up from the shock at Pufa Temple, Qin Dai's heart had been constantly thinking about how to deal with her situation: as a concubine-born daughter of a wealthy merchant family, and having a bad temper, if she suddenly changed her personality, she was afraid that once someone discovered something improper, it would not only be a matter of things being different.

  She pretended to think, her facial expressions changing subtly, sometimes deep in thought; sometimes worried, leaving Zheng Mama standing straight beside her. Zheng Mama didn't seem to mind being ignored either, but instead waited patiently, unaware that Qin Dai was actually thinking about her own affairs.

  The original host was a young lady who had been raised in the inner chambers, and her daily life consisted of practicing calligraphy, embroidering flowers, and due to her frailty after being frightened, she was basically a child without any self-defense capabilities. In my previous life, I already had some skills at the age of thirteen and could carry out tasks, unlike now when I'm so weak and powerless.

  Perhaps it was this appearance of having just recovered from a serious illness that gave some people peace of mind. Whoever saw her at the time would probably think she was harmless!

  Heaven has given you an opportunity, if you can't grasp it, the only one to blame is yourself. Mo Li is not Qin Dai's heart, she won't naively believe that so-called stepmother will pity her. The relationships in the Qin family are complex and intricate, someone might be spying on your every move at any time, rather than living in the mansion with water and fire, it's better to find an opportunity to create a different world for yourself. Having lived two lifetimes, although it's hard to avoid being entangled with the past, ultimately one must live in the present. Mo Li from her previous life had experienced a lonely and bitter life since childhood. For the sake of survival, she learned many things that ordinary people wouldn't even touch in their lifetime. In that era, as an ordinary person, whether male or female, although life might have some ups and downs, most were happy. They possessed freedom, equality, and enjoyed the fruits of advanced technology. Although someone like her who was in a special social class saw many gaps between classes, some things couldn't be perfect, but overall it was much better than ancient times.

  In ancient times, the hierarchy was strict, and women had no status to speak of. If they were lucky, they would be born into a wealthy family, where they wouldn't have to worry about food or clothing, but still, their husbands were their heavens. Born in such an era, perhaps it was destined that one should just accept their fate and follow the arrangement of heaven.

  Heaven?

  In the past, Mo Li was disdainful of these two words. She never believed in the sayings about ghosts and gods, or that heaven has eyes. But since coming to this great Yong country, she has come to believe. If even rebirth can occur, what is impossible?

  Perhaps it is because she believed in the arrangement of fate that Qin Dai's heart would seriously consider her own future. To live a life that is smooth and worry-free, one must first possess their own abilities. Wanting to recover her strength isn't difficult; the hellish training from her past life was like it happened yesterday - as long as she has time, she can absolutely become that person who makes people tremble with fear again.

  It was because she wanted to avoid the eyes and ears of the Qin Mansion that she deliberately provoked Old Lady Fang of the Qin Mansion after her recovery, so as to be smoothly banished to this inconspicuous countryside.

  Why does she come here to eat every day? If she easily lets Zheng's mother succeed, Qin's house will probably send someone to pick her up immediately. Only by being a willful and unaccommodating third miss can she become Mo Li again.

  Qin Dai's heart was resolute as she faced Zheng Mama and said, "I understand your intentions, Mother. Although I've been recuperating in the manor for some time, I'm afraid I'll still need to spend more days in the countryside before I can recover. Didn't Grandmother also tell me to rest quietly?"

  Zheng's mother did not expect Qin Dai to say such words, and she had been waiting in vain for a moment. Originally, she thought that with the hardships of this rural place, Qin Dai would not be able to withstand it. As long as she was given a life without meat or excitement, she would eventually become restless and quarrelsome. At that time, Zheng's mother could come and persuade her, giving her some hope and sweetness, and Qin Dai would have no choice but to agree. But now, more than half a month had passed, and there was still no movement. Zheng's mother had no way out, so after thinking for a while, she decided to come and test the waters. Now it seems that this girl's temperament has changed?

  Having walked between life and death, it's inevitable that some changes would occur...

  Zheng's mother looked up and down Qin Dai Xin several times, but always felt that she was being overly cautious. From childhood to adulthood, this third young lady had always been the same temperament, could it be that just because of one incident, she became clever? No way, no way, it must be herself thinking too much, perhaps she just didn't want to give up the opportunity to fly high...

  Yes, what's temporary hardship? As long as she can marry into the Jia family, isn't that a guarantee of wealth and glory? This girl must be thinking about marrying into the Jia family.

  Mrs. Zheng sneered inwardly, couldn't she see the situation clearly? Would Madame let her marry into the Jia family? Could she turn things around just by being stubborn? Thinking this way made her feel better, not only did she not get angry, but she even felt sympathetic towards Third Miss, fearing that she was another unfortunate one.

  "Since that's the case, Third Miss should take good care of herself! I'll come visit you again another day." Although the words were respectful, they also carried a hint of watching a spectacle, something the former Qin San Niang would not have noticed.

  The changes in her eyes all fell into Qin Dai's heart, seeing her get up and want to leave, thinking that this was a master who ate people without spitting out bones, compared to Ding Mama, it seemed more hateful, Qin Dai's heart involuntarily narrowed his eyes, revealing a smile that was not easy to detect.

  Ruyi had been waiting outside for a long time. Chunli heard the movement inside the house and hurriedly pushed open the door. Seeing Zheng Mama about to leave, she quickly saw her off. As Zheng Mama was a favorite of Madame's, they didn't dare slacken their pace until they sent her all the way out to the courtyard gate before turning back.

  The meal had been heated up several times, but because Zheng's mother hadn't managed to deliver it yet. By the time Chunli ordered someone to lay out the dishes, it was already around 9 am.

  Only Ruyi and Chunli, two maidservants, were left to attend to her. They were supposed to be serving her, but in reality, Qin Dai's heart was only letting them make a show of it. She wasn't used to having someone by her side helping her pick out vegetables, let alone the fact that they were just ordinary cabbage and radishes.

  The two maidservants looked at each other in dismay, unsure what their mistress was thinking. Although Zheng Mama's visit that morning couldn't be said to have ended on a sour note, it also wouldn't be described as particularly harmonious. Zheng Mama hadn't lost her temper, and the mistress hadn't thrown a tantrum either - this outcome had been unexpected by both of them. In the past, whenever Zheng Mama left, the mistress would immediately start smashing things and cursing loudly. But now, she seemed completely carefree, eating and drinking as usual, without complaining about the food being bad or the porridge being too thick.

  Too abnormal.

  At this moment, a little maid came out of the door and said that Mother Ding wanted to see Third Miss.

  Ru Yi and Chun Li were astonished. What's going on today?

  Only Qin Dai's heart is as calm as water, what comes will always come.