Chapter Thirty-Four: Qin's Big Deception

  Does this matter still need an outsider like him to tell?

  "Thanks for telling me, Gong Sunjin and her mother have been plotting against me all along, I've got a number on them." This isn't exactly news, but he seems to have a bad habit like his own, often sneaking around and eavesdropping on things that are none of his business.

  "Aren't you afraid?"

  Afraid?

  "A certain Gong Sun-jin, the young son of a county magistrate, I hadn't even taken him seriously. They all wanted me to be his concubine, but they didn't know that even if I were his equal wife, I wouldn't be interested." Her voice sounded somewhat weak, yet it was so firm, leaving no room for doubt.

  "What are you going to do then?" He obviously let out a sigh of relief, which made Qin Dai's heart very puzzled.

  "You seem to like meddling in other people's business?"

  Murong Jing smiled and said: "I'm just very curious, according to your personality, what would be your reaction."

  Qin Dai Xin also smiled and said: "I'm not a young lady who can be taken advantage of, if they want me to enter the Gong Sun family's door, I'm afraid they overestimate themselves."

  "Huh?" The man was quite curious, but it was clear that he wasn't surprised. However, he still asked: "This Gong Sun family is indeed a well-known household, if you can really marry into them, you won't be at a disadvantage."

  Qin Dai Xin didn't know how to explain it to him, she couldn't just tell him that she didn't like the pretty boys of this era, didn't like people with whom she had no common language, and that there was a generation gap of several thousand years between them. But for some reason, Qin Dai Xin really wanted to give him an answer. Suddenly, a passage from a book she read before popped into her mind.

  "I'd rather be the wife of a poor man than the concubine of an emperor. I can't control this world where men are superior and women are inferior, what I want is someone who can accompany me for life. Do you understand?" It's just a sentence to fill the gap, it sounds like it has some profound meaning, might as well use it.

  Murong Jing was stunned for a moment. He had never thought that a daughter of a merchant would have such an idea. For a while, he didn't know how to respond.

  Qin Dai Xin smiled and said to him: "I knew you wouldn't understand, there are only a few men who do."

  Murong Jing couldn't help but say that he was shocked. It seems that rumors are not entirely trustworthy. There were rumors that Qin Fu's third daughter was a woman with looks but no talent, and her actions were eccentric, but today, seeing her for himself, he knew that such rumors really can't be believed.

  "Three girls are indeed strange women, it turns out that you marrying Gong Sun Jin is really a waste." Murong Jing put on his mask again and said to Qin Dai in his heart: "Miss can call me Duan Rui. We will definitely meet again in the future." After finishing speaking, he pushed open the window and jumped out of the window, disappearing into the night.

  "What's the point of being clever, and not even knowing to close the window before leaving." Qin Dai furrowed her brow, just about to call out for Yatou to close the window, when she heard Ailian's voice coming from outside.

  "Miss, is there anything I can help you with?"

  "The window is open, come and close it properly." Qin Dai Xin didn't know if Ai Lian had heard something, and was a bit worried. Ai Lian quickly walked to the window and closed it. Then she came back to Qin Dai Xin and said: "The slave slept too soundly, please punish me, miss."

  "What's going on?" She actually understood, this was probably done by that person.

  "I don't know what's wrong, but I didn't get tired today. Originally, I was always sleeping lightly, afraid that Miss would have something to instruct me, but I didn't know how I fell into a deep sleep, and even the wind blowing open the window didn't wake me up. It wasn't until just now that I suddenly woke up, so I came over to ask."

  Qin Dai's heart had a number, and indeed it was that Duan Rui who made the move. He said: "Wu Fang, this window has just been opened, you go to sleep."

  Ai Lian made her curtsy and backed out.

  Qin Dai Xin finally felt at ease and fell into a deep sleep, dreamless throughout the night.

  The days of recuperation were extremely peaceful for Qin Dai Xin, except for Li Daifu's visits a few times, no strangers had come to Chang Xiao Garden. As the days passed, Qin Dai Xin's wound scabbed over, although the doctor had used the best medicine, it seemed that there would still be a noticeable scar left behind. Su Shi and the wet nurse were so angry that they cried, fearing that she would be bullied in her husband's household because of this. In ancient times, if a woman's body was scarred, the consequences were similar to disfigurement. Fortunately, Qin Dai Xin herself didn't mind too much, and after comforting them with a smile, they didn't mention it again.

  It was during this time that the Qin estate was not very peaceful. Qin Zongwen, who had always been filial, suddenly got into an argument with Old Lady Qin for some reason. Although he didn't say anything treasonous, he still managed to infuriate her because he went against her wishes. Later on, Qin Fengge, the lady of the house, also quarreled with Old Lady Qin until they were both red in the face, and then she had a huge falling out with Qin Zongwen.

  The mother and daughter were not happy either, but the old lady was indeed biased. It is said that this auntie had a lot of unpleasant words to say, but the old lady didn't dare scold her. When she arrived at Qin Zongwen's place, it's unknown whether she relied on the old lady's backing or if Qin Fengge was really furious, but rumors among the servants spread that this auntie almost overturned the study. Then, in a huff, she took Gong Sunjin back to the county magistrate's mansion.

  Qin Dai Xin naturally knew why they were quarreling, and the reason was probably still on her own. You fight your own battles, I'll nurse my wounds. Qin Dai Xin believed that as long as she didn't want to, no one could force her to do something she didn't want to do. Since someone wanted to play and someone wanted to watch the excitement, she would naturally accompany them to the end and see who was the final winner.

  Time passed and Qin Dai Xin's injury had almost healed when two unexpected guests arrived at the mansion. As she entered the main hall, seeing Cheng Hou Ding Hua Yuan and Gao Li Ren sitting separately on one side, she already had a premonition.

  "Father, you're looking for me?"

  "Daughter, come and pay your respects to these two gentlemen." In this era, similar to the Tang Dynasty, it was not a big deal for women to go out and meet guests.

  "I have seen two adults." Qin Dai's courtesy was impeccable, and her every move was that of a refined lady. The two men were stunned, taking half a day to come back to their senses.

  The two slightly discomfited individuals quickly regained their composure and awkwardly praised Qin Dai Xin for a few moments before moving on to the main topic.

  "Miss Qin, we've come today to ask you a few questions. Did you get a clear look at the man who stabbed you that day? Please tell us about what happened that day so we can catch the culprit as soon as possible." As soon as Ding Huairen found out that Qin Dai's injury was not serious, he immediately notified Gao Liren and they put aside all their other tasks to rush to the Qin residence.

  "Director Ding, no need to be so polite, this is my duty. Besides, if the thief surrenders, it will also count as avenging Miss Qin's grievances for both of you. However, the one who sneaked into my room that night was not alone." Qin Dai's heart secretly laughed, thinking "this time I won't let you off easily".

  "Isn't it a person?" Everyone present obviously hadn't thought of this answer and hastily gestured for Qin Dai to continue.

  "That day, I was already resting when I suddenly felt a chill in the house. At first, I thought it might be because the window wasn't closed properly, and just as I was about to call my maid over, I was held down by a dagger. The old man holding the dagger to my neck seemed quite elderly, with an average build, all dressed in black, making it impossible to see his face clearly. His voice was hoarse, as if he had been injured."

  Everyone present had a thoughtful expression, and even Gao Liren was puzzled. Looking at Qin Dai's fearful appearance, he said softly: "And then? Miss, don't be afraid, the matter has passed, we will help you catch that thief."

  Qin Dai Xin nodded with pretended gratitude and continued: "I was so scared at the time, I didn't know what to do. Just then, another black-clad person came in, she was also all in black, but from her figure, it seemed more like a woman. Her voice sounded fake, a bit low. It was completely impossible to see their faces. They said they wanted to stay here until dawn, who knew you would chase after them so quickly? These two were a bit caught off guard, and just as you were knocking on the door to come in, that old man stabbed me with a knife and said something strange like 'shan wai feng kou ping du jian'. However, I was already injured at the time and couldn't hear very clearly. I only vaguely saw the two of them jumping out the window and running away."

  "Shan Wai Feng Kou Ping Du Jian?" Gao Li Ren thought for a moment and asked in surprise, "Did you really hear it? Is that the sentence?"

  Qin Dai Xin looked at him with a serious expression, thinking to herself that it was unlikely there were two people like this. On the surface, she still pretended to think carefully for a moment before saying: "I was a bit dizzy at the time, probably because of this sentence, I really couldn't hear very clearly."

  Gao Liren's face turned solemn as he said, "In that case, I'll have to thank you, miss."

  Although Ding Huaiyuan didn't understand the connection, Gao Liren's statement implied that Third Miss's words were likely true and there must be something worth investigating. He also stood up and said to Qin Zongwen: "Excuse me, excuse me, after I finish my official business, I will definitely invite Brother Qin to have a few drinks as an apology!" After finishing speaking, the two of them left the Qin Manor again on the pretext of having official business.

  Miss Three's stabbing incident was thus covered up, which made Qin Zongwen breathe a sigh of relief. Although his daughter was injured, she had already recovered after all. What he was most grateful for was that Gao Liren and Ding Huairen got the clues they wanted, and for the time being, they wouldn't come to disturb the Qin family again. Thinking that he hadn't been implicated in this matter, Qin Zongwen couldn't help but secretly rejoice. He didn't know that what Qindai said, although not a single word was true, coincidentally matched with certain forces, making Gao Liren, the old fox, believe it to be true.

  Having resolved the trouble, Qin Daihe naturally had no reason to stay behind. Citing her weak body, she quickly returned to Chang Xiao Garden. After eating some snacks, Qin Daihe felt drowsy. Just as she was about to take a nap, she heard the maid at the door come to report that Madame wanted to see her.