Chapter Twenty-Two: Returning Home in Defeat

  Before dawn the next day, Fang Wanru ordered someone to take the sign from the mansion and urged the carriage to get ready. She repeatedly instructed Li's mother before letting the group set off early to pick up people at Xiaofront Village.

  Xiaofront village is only 50 or 60 miles away from Taizhou, the group had an urgent matter and didn't dare to delay, they rushed along the way, finally arriving at the village in the morning.

  The people in the village were naturally enthusiastic, thinking that their hard days had finally come to an end. Ruyi and Chunli were overjoyed, as soon as they received the news, they rushed to Qindai's courtyard and hastily told her.

  "Miss, the carriage has entered the courtyard. The person is probably washing up and will be here soon." Chunli quickly spoke, taking away Ruyi's lines.

  "Miss, are you ready to pack up?" Ruyi was usually steady in her work, but now she couldn't help speaking hastily, showing just how excited she was.

  Qin Dai Xin didn't understand why the person who came to pick her up would arrive so suddenly, but she believed it wasn't just a simple matter of letting her go back.

  What kind of dirty tricks are those women in the mansion trying to frame themselves for?

  "Don't move for now." Qin Dai ordered in a low voice, "Who are you people?"

  "It's Mrs. Li from the lady's house, chatting with Zheng Mama in the backyard, and she'll probably be coming over soon." Ruyi knew that Miss had her own thoughts, but being able to return to the mansion was a good thing after all! Why did Miss have such an expression?

  "This may not necessarily be a good thing." As if guessing Yi's thoughts, Qin Dai's words shattered the beautiful wish in Yi's heart.

  Before she could say more, the curtain was lifted and both Li Mama and Zheng Mama came in, paying their respects to Qin Daihe. Only then did Li Mama say: "I have been ordered by the mistress to escort Third Miss back to the manor."

  Qin Dai's face showed excitement, but her eyes didn't have a hint of smile, and she asked: "Where is Mother Ding?"

  Since Ding Po was humiliated in Qin Daihe's courtyard last time, she didn't dare come before her again.

  "We're just arranging for people to collect the goods!" Zheng's mother glanced at the two maids beside her and said, "How can you be so careless? Don't you hurry up and pack?"

  Ruyi and Chunli didn't dare to move, they secretly took a glance at Qindai Xin, saw her nodding, then got up, called the maids in the yard, and started packing things in the house.

  "Mom has been working hard all the way, can grandma's anger be dissipated?" Qin Dai's heart was in a state of indifference, making the flowers on Li Mom's face bloom even more luxuriantly.

  "The old lady is really worried about Miss, and she couldn't bear it any longer. If not for her own words, she would have sent someone over already." Then, as if remembering something, she added: "Madam Su has been vomiting badly lately and can only eat a few mouthfuls of rice. Now that Miss is back, it will ease her mind."

  Others have already said it so clearly, if Qin Dai still doesn't understand then she's an idiot. Sooner or later she can't escape her fate of returning to the Qin Manor, might as well hurry up and get it over with!

  The large pieces of furniture in the house were all original, so they didn't need to be moved. The small, delicate and precious items were all packed up again and again, and absolutely would not be entrusted to others. The decorations and toys were also sealed in boxes and loaded onto the horse carriage. There weren't many things, but they still filled four large horse carriages. Qin Dai's hot pot and barbecue stove, as well as those big and small pickled sauces and hot pot seasoning jars took up quite a bit of space.

  It was already noon when we set off, and after a hasty lunch, the whole group of over twenty people started on their journey, making quite an impressive sight.

  Qin Dai Xin's carriage was in the center of the team, with a canopy on top and fine silk tassels, which didn't look like a carriage for a young lady from a humble background. The carriage headed east, leaving dust behind, Qin Dai Xin couldn't help but lift up the curtain to gaze outside, where distant mountains stretched continuously, tree shadows were hazy, and there was an inexplicable spiritual energy between the mountains and water, with white clouds at the horizon that lazily drifted by.

  This kind of carefree and leisurely day may be hard to experience again. As she put down the curtain, her mood also calmed down, coming is safe, what should be faced can't be avoided.

  The horse-drawn carriage sped forward, finally arriving at Taizhou City before the New Year's Eve dinner. On the way, people were coming and going in twos and threes, making it quite lively. People on both sides of the road made way for the horse-drawn carriage as it passed by. After entering the city, the speed of the horse-drawn carriage slowed down significantly, and after a short period of slow movement, it came to a stop.

  A young servant came to report that the Qin family has arrived.

  Ru Yi Chun Li got off the carriage first, brought a stool and helped Qin Dai Xin down. The high wall made of green bricks and the large vermilion gate in front of her were the side door of the Qin's residence. It was from this very house that she had left more than three months ago, and now, after more than three months, she had returned to it again.

  There was someone at the gatehouse who came out to greet them and said that the old lady had already sent word over, asking Third Miss to go pay her respects as soon as she arrived.

  Qin Daixin instructed Chunli to arrange some matters and had Ruyi follow her to the Fang family's garden.

  The entire Qin Mansion was designed by famous artisans when it was first built. The pavilions, towers and kiosks in the garden were all exquisitely crafted, with small bridges over flowing water, corridors and courtyards that were a marvel to behold. Although it was already deep winter, the garden still showed a hint of desolation, but this did not detract from its overall beauty. The greenery of the winter cypress trees was lush and vibrant, their branches heavy with snow, creating a unique and breathtaking sight.

  The Fang family's courtyard was located in the rear of the inner house, and after walking for half a day, Qin Dai finally arrived at the old lady's courtyard. Unlike other courtyards in the Qin estate, the mottled marks on the walls seemed to be telling its age, as if it had not been renovated for a long time. The bluestone path was swept clean, and there was no snow under the corridor, showing that the slaves had done their best.

  An old woman led the way, bringing Qin Dai into a warm pavilion on the second floor. A young maid lifted the curtain and shouted in a disciplined tone: "Third Miss has arrived."

  Qin Dai'er entered the warm pavilion with her head bowed and her eyes cast down, where she saw the old lady sitting on a couch, wearing a simple and unadorned cyan-colored blouse with a brown skirt, both of which were plain and unpatterned, except for a gold trim along the hem that hinted at her noble status. Her white hair was styled in a simple bun, and she wore only two ordinary transparent white jade hairpins, with a pair of silver earrings shaped like plum blossoms hanging from her ears. In her hand, she still held that string of identical-sized, lustrous, and extremely rare top-quality emerald Buddhist beads.

  Qin Dai Xin stepped forward to pay her respects, someone hastily brought out a soft cushion, although she was unwilling ten thousand times over, yet she knew that she had no choice but to kneel down.

  Kneeling down on the cushion according to ancient etiquette, Qin Dai's heart did not dare to get up, and had to wait for the old lady to scold her.

  "Back?" The old lady smiled and gave a wink to Wan's mother beside her.

  Ten thousand mothers would come over, taking a black wooden tray from the hand of a little girl on the side, and turning to Qin Dai's side said: "The third young lady is back, it's good, but let the old lady worry for a while." After finishing speaking, she handed the wooden tray in front of Qin Dai.

  Is this pouring tea to apologize?

  Qin Dai Xin took it from Wan's mother, hurriedly held it high above her head, and said with her mouth: "Grandma, the unfilial granddaughter is back, hoping that Grandma will take into account the granddaughter's youth and ignorance, and not be angry anymore."

  Mr. Fang's eyebrows were kind and his purpose was to take over, he took a sip and said: "How can you really anger me, but I'm afraid you're young and mistaken, now that you're back it's good. Get up, go and pay your respects to your mother, she's been thinking of you all along!

  Ya Tou quickly came over to help Qin Dai Xin up, and only then did she see Fang Wan Ru was also there, sitting at the lower end of the Fang family, adorned with pearls and jade from head to toe, even her clothes shimmering with light, truly an extraordinary noble aura.

  "Mother." Qin Dai's heart was filled with respect as she lightly called out, her expression warm and intimate, just like a real mother.

  Fang Wanru's eyes sparkled and she smiled: "It's good that you're back."

  "Sit down quickly." The old lady spoke, Qin Dai's heart couldn't help but obey, she picked up the chair below Fang Wanru and sat down, her movements slightly awkward.

  "Jia's family has invited the women of our household to go and admire the plum blossoms tomorrow, I discussed it with your mother and we thought you should also go." Fang Shi said slowly, her eyes fixed on Qin Dai Xin as if trying to discover something.

  Qin Dai's heart skipped a beat, but her face remained calm. She turned to ask, "Did Grandmother specifically ask me to return to the Jia residence?" Her words were directed at Fang Wanru, and her face wore a proud smile.

  Mr. Fang didn't mind this, and smiled: "Our mansion has few female relatives, only you several people of similar age, just follow them to take a look, I also called Xiao Er, Xiao Si, and let Xiao Wu go see the world, it's just hard for your mother and sister-in-law to watch over you several monkeys."

  Qin Daiyun covered her face and smiled, but in her heart, she felt no joy, thinking that tomorrow might be an interesting day.

  Mr. Fang said a few more words, then excused himself as being tired and sent Wan's mother to see him off. Fang Wanru just said she still had things to attend to and let Qin Daihe return to her own courtyard to prepare for the plum blossom appreciation party tomorrow.

  As she had wished, Qin Dai Xin was delighted, and after seeing off Fang Wan Ru, she headed towards her own courtyard.

  "Miss, won't you go and take a look at your aunt's courtyard?" There was a hint of expectation in his words.

  Qin Dai hesitated for a moment, then smiled and said: "You lead the way!"

  Ru Yi was delighted for a moment, and without thinking carefully, she walked to the front of Qin Dai Xin and headed towards Su Niang's courtyard.

  In the garden, winding corridors and paths, fake mountains and strange rocks. Although lacking in lush branches and vibrant flowers, withered trees standing in the snow also have a certain charm. Before they knew it, the two had arrived at the Orchid Garden.

  Qin Dai'er entered the courtyard and saw that the women inside were busy, unlike those in other courtyards who were idle. After some thought, she understood a bit - now that Madame Su was pregnant, it was her time to receive favor, so even if there was nothing to do, the servants would still find things to do out of fear.

  The old ladies saw Qin Daihe and were all in a state of disbelief, for this young lady hadn't set foot in Lan Garden for quite some time.

  The girls quickly rolled up the curtains and happily said: "Third Miss has arrived."