Chapter 96 What's Going On

  Everyone only then saw that she was still holding a black lacquer box with red decorations, Like Intent took it over and placed it on the kang table in front of Qin Dai's heart.

  Qin Dai Xin smiled but didn't mean to open it in front of Fang Jiao's face, and asked: "Auntie, what good thing do you want to give me?"

  Fang Qiao said, "They're just some trinkets and ornaments. Auntie said that since Miss is grown up, she should have more jewelry on her. She doesn't go out of the house or take a step outside, wearing these good things would be a waste."

  Su had already given her a box of dowry jewelry last time, why did he give her so much this time?

  The Su family was a declining scholarly family, with only an empty name and framework. If it weren't for this, the Su family might not have changed from being the main wife to becoming a concubine, causing the separation of flesh and blood for twenty years. At that time, the box of jewelry could still be understood as the dowry of the Su family, but where did the jewelry in this box come from now?

  Fang Qiao seemed to understand her thoughts and said, "This is what Master gave to Auntie." After speaking, she was about to leave, but Ruyi stopped her. She said, "Auntie's body is getting heavier, it's better for me to stay at home and take care of her." Then she knelt down and retreated.

  Qin Dai Xin reluctantly sent Yu away and stared blankly at the box on the table.

  Ru Yi escorted Fang Qiao to the corner gate of the courtyard and asked in a low voice, "Fang Qiao sister, after the New Year you'll be eighteen, does your aunt still not intend to let you out of the house?"

  Fang Qiao was taken aback and said, "Auntie has mentioned it many times, but I really didn't want to. You also know the situation in my family. I'm afraid that if my sister-in-law randomly arranges a marriage for me, then I'll be done for this lifetime. It's better to stay by Auntie's side and take care of her and the young master, at least that way I can have some peace of mind."

  Fang Qiao's sister-in-law is a money-grabbing woman who has tried several times to persuade Fang Qiao to come out, with the intention of marrying her off to a wealthy old man in their village who is over 50 years old.

  The two of them chatted for a while longer before returning to their respective courtyards without mentioning it again.

  Qin Dai Xin retreated to one side, staring blankly at the box, and whenever she thought of Su Shi, she would always think of her brother whom she had never met. For some reason, her heart felt a sour feeling, as if she couldn't resist this blood thicker than water, bone-deep familial bond.

  The box was filled with beautiful hair ornaments such as golden pins and jade pendants, it seemed that Qin Zongwen treated Su Shi quite well, at least he had never mistreated her apart from the nominal relationship.

  But is reputation the most important thing for a woman's whole life?

  Thinking of this, she also stopped her thoughts of flipping through and called Ruyi to instruct her to put things away.

  At the time of You, a woman came to urge, saying that the masters of various hospitals who were going to play lanterns and have fun had almost prepared, and asked if the third lady was ready.

  Qin Dai Xin had long been prepared, and upon receiving the letter from his mother-in-law, he let Ruyi, Ailian, Xueqing, and Chunli follow him, walking along the corridor to the corner door where the Qin family's carriages were parked. There was a row of outhouses here, some of which were used for the masters to rest their feet. Qin Dai Xin followed his mother-in-law's indication and walked into one of them.

  As soon as she entered the door, she saw that there were many snacks and tea in the small hall, and a group of maidservants were waiting on one side. When they saw her coming, they all curtsied to greet her. A maid helped her with the curtain, and she turned around and entered the warm pavilion in the east wing.

  Fang Wanru sat elegantly by the window, with four-year-old Qin Ziyi in her arms. Qin Daijin glanced over and saw Li Shi sitting on a small stool, behind whom stood a plump woman in her thirties, who was none other than Yige's nanny.

  It's really unexpected that several aunts at home are quite well-behaved, how come this Aunt Li is so lawless?

  Lin was also dressed up, although she wore a lot of jewelry made of pearls, gold and jade, but it couldn't hide her bookish temperament, only making her look elegant and refined, not at all common.

  She didn't think much and went forward to pay her respects to Fang Wanyu, then sat down beside Lin's body.

  "You sisters, counting from the youngest, Second and Fourth haven't finished packing yet, but you're already running over here." Fang Wanru seemed to be in a good mood, teasing Yi Ge with the tangerine in her hand.

  Yi Ge is usually a well-behaved kid, seeing so many people doesn't make him cry or throw a tantrum, he just buries his head and plays.

  Qin Dai's heart smiled and said: "Mother knows me best, on a day like today, how can I still sit?"

  Everyone laughed for a while, and then they heard the sound of hurried footsteps outside the door. Except for Second Miss Qin Qianxin, no one else dared to behave like this. The curtain was lifted, and indeed, Qin Qianxin, wearing a red dress as bright as burning charcoal, rushed in like a gust of wind.

  She seems to have a special fondness for red, with a crimson sunset-colored embroidered jacket and a high-waisted skirt with green wave patterns, her whole person is full of charm and has a unique flavor.

  Fang Wanru said: "Why are you in such a hurry, not like a young lady at all." Her tone was gentle, but not blaming, and the affection in her eyes was also sincere.

  Qin Qianxin didn't get angry either, and greeted Fang Wanyu again, also seeing Lin Shi.

  Lin Dai-xin hastily stood up and called out "Second Sister", although they didn't get along, they still had to maintain a facade. The two sisters exchanged greetings before sitting back down again.

  Qin Dai Xin still sat beside Lin Shi, but Qin Qian Xin took off her shoes and sat on the edge of Fang Wanru's bed, never looking directly at Li Shi from start to finish.

  Li's expression was slightly awkward, but suddenly she said to Qin Dai in her heart: "Third Miss, this dress is really beautiful, I don't know if it's new or not? I heard that a set of Yunyu brocade small jacket and skirt were also made for the third miss, which is beautiful and elegant. Why didn't you wear it today?"

  There's a hint of provocation in his words.

  Qin Dai's heart was busy and she took a glance at Qin Qianxin, whose face indeed looked unpleasant.

  Qin Qianxin knew that piece of fabric, it was woven with jade yarn, expensive and not necessarily available even with money. In the early years, for some unknown reason, her mother had obtained a piece by chance, she had asked several times but couldn't get even a little bit to make a garment, how could her mother bear to give the fabric to Eldest Brother?

  "Mrs. Li was indeed well-informed, knowing more than the maid in my house who managed the trunks and boxes. But wasn't she just wearing a small jacket made of smoke-rain brocade? The clothes were too exquisite, I'm afraid that if they got torn on the street, it would be heartbreaking. So I didn't wear them." Qin Dai pretended not to hear Mrs. Li's sarcasm and calmly replied with a sentence.

  Li's face was somewhat uncomfortable, but for a moment he didn't know what to say in rebuttal, and didn't know when the third young lady had become so fierce, actually comparing herself with a servant girl who managed the trunks.

  Fang Wanting didn't like this topic and said: "How come Wu Yaotou hasn't arrived yet?" without mentioning Qin Ruoxin.

  Madam Zheng hastily said: "I'll send someone to take a look." After speaking, she sent a little maid to the Hibiscus Garden.

  Miss Qin Peixin, born to the Qi family, was only six years old. Qin Dai had seen her a few times and thought that this child was a bit timid, doing everything with caution, and was very good at reading people's expressions. Fortunately, she was still young, so it was hard to tell what her personality was like.

  A little later, a daughter-in-law with a hairpin on her head led the fifth young lady in, politely greeting Fang Wanru and also paying respects to Lin Shi and the two sisters.

  Qin Dai Xin noticed that the fifth young lady had secretly glanced at Fang Wanru, saw her holding Yige in her arms with a normal expression, and only then did she secretly let out a breath of relief.

  Are you afraid of offending Fang Wanru? A six-year-old child is really pitiful.

  The curtain was lifted again, and another beautiful young woman entered. It was none other than Fourth Miss Qin Ruo Xin. She wore a pink five-clawed dragon cloud-patterned sleeveless jacket with a round collar, her hair styled in a yuanbao coiffure, adorned with only two lifelike silk flowers. Only upon closer inspection could one see that she had on her earlobes two small jade lanhuahua earrings.

  "Mother, daughter is late." Qin Ruoxin first gave Fang Wanjun a courtesy, then opened her mouth with some apology.

  "Come on, come sit next to your sister-in-law." Fang Wanru seemed very casual, as if she really didn't care.

  Qin Ruoxin had only just seen Lin Shi, Qin Qianxin, and then sat down next to Qin Dai Xin, still as usual, and even blushed and smiled at Qin Dai Xin, as if the dispute between the two of them was just a one-man show by Qin Dai Xin.

  Qin Dai Xin didn't mind at all and smiled at her in a friendly manner, beckoning her to come closer and whisper in her ear.

  Qin Ruoxin's expression paused for a moment on her face, and then immediately revealed a joyful and happy expression. She really leaned in with her ears.

  Fang Wanru watched their every move with her eyes, but didn't show any expression, still teasing the little brother in her arms.

  Qin Dai Xin's ears were filled with the thoughts of everyone in the house, but she quietly whispered to Qin Ruoxin's ear: "Does this count as you actively provoking me?" If it were the old Qin Dai Xin, she might have been resentful about the argument in the garden and wouldn't have shown any smile, let alone respond to Qin Ruoxin's kindness. Qin Ruoxin was probably thinking the same way, which is why she pretended to be nonchalant, making Fang Wanyu think that Qin Dai Xin didn't care about sisterly love. But this time, it seemed like she would be disappointed.

  Qin Ruoxin's face turned white and she couldn't say a word.

  Fang Wanru pretended not to see the interaction between the two and looked up at the sky, then ordered the servant women to go invite Fang Shi and Qin Congwen over.

  Qin Dai's heart skipped a beat, Mrs. Fang was getting older and rarely went out, on a holiday like today she just instructed Fang Wanru to take care of the children, and she herself had gone to bed early. Qin Congwen was the head of the household, usually busy with business accounts, he rarely attended such gatherings, what's going on today?

  She somewhat understood why Li suddenly appeared.

  An old woman came out and said that Madame Tai and the master had already boarded their respective carriages, and only invited the ladies of the house and the elder mistress to come out.

  Fang Wanru hastily handed Yige over to the wet nurse who was taking care of him, and then instructed Qin Qianxin to hurry up and get dressed. The two of them quickly had the servant help them put on their shoes, come down from the kang, and tidy up their clothes before they were the first to leave the warm pavilion.

  Everyone saw it and hastily got up, pouring out in a stream.

  It wasn't until they exited the corner gate and boarded the carriage that Qin Dai's heart finally learned from Ruo Yi's mouth that this year's Shangyuan Festival was indeed different from previous years.

  The Magistrate of Zhejiang Province built a high platform on the street, inviting many performers to perform acrobatics and sell their art on the upper yuan festival to entertain the people of Taizhou. It is said that all the respectable families in Taizhou City have been notified, and under the stage, they jointly discussed the grand event of the Taizhou Chamber of Commerce.

  Qin Daiyun didn't think so, she just felt that this matter had nothing to do with her. After thinking carefully, she found it a bit strange. This Governor Zheng was a famous honest official and shouldn't take advantage of the Lantern Festival to embezzle money. But what's going on with this grand commercial event?

  PS: It's probably because of the Chinese New Year, so everyone is busy and doesn't have time to check for updates, right?