Chapter 12: A Chaotic Early Morning

Chapter 12: A Chaotic Early Morning

Song Jin kept her small face cold and returned to her room in silence.

She sat there for a long time, her entire being permeated with a faint sorrow.

It even made Qin Chi, who was standing to the side, feel a touch of sadness. He sighed softly, rose to go outside, and went to the kitchen to brew a pot of flower tea.

"Wife, come have some tea to soothe your throat."

Qin Chi gestured for Song Jin to sit over.

Song Jin patted her cheeks with both hands and, out of habit, wore a smile. "Thank you, husband. I am indeed a little thirsty."

Half a cup of tea later.

Song Jin lowered her eyes and asked, "Tell me, should I forgive her?"

"A gentleman is steadfast, not blindly forgiving."

Qin Chi refilled Song Jin’s cup.

Song Jin understood what he meant. This phrase came from the *Analects of Confucius*, meaning that a gentleman adheres to the right path and does not compromise his principles for the sake of blind indulgence.

According to Qin Chi, there was no need for Song Jin to forgive Song Xiu.

Song Jin did not speak again.

Instead, she reached into her sleeve pocket and took out the pouch she had obtained from Song Xiu. It contained the banknotes she had previously given her.

One thousand taels per note, four notes in total.

Qin Chi’s gaze swept over the banknotes.

When the teacup was placed on the table, Qin Chi said unhurriedly, "Er-lang told me that he saw Grandma go to find Little Aunt this morning. Little Aunt gave Grandma a banknote. He didn't know how much it was, but Grandma looked very excited at the time..."

"No wonder there are only four left."

There had been ten banknotes in the Luban box, totaling ten thousand taels.

Song Jin had given half to Song Xiu.

And yet, a thousand taels were already gone in such a short time.

It wasn't that Song’s father couldn't provide more money, but he couldn't give too much. For a woman without support marrying into the countryside, too much wealth easily invited disaster. This sum could ensure the two sisters lived without worry, but it could not provide a life of luxury.

In her past life, Song Xiu had been extravagant and had spent the money early on.

Today, Song Jin had seized the opportunity to take the money back, wanting to teach Song Xiu a lesson.

Song Jin counted out two banknotes and handed them to Qin Chi.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Qin Chi didn't take them, asking with a hint of amusement.

Song Jin said, "Just take them."

"Then Qi'an thanks you, wife."

Qin Chi’s eyes were like bright stars, filled with a smile; every expression carried a unique charm.

Song Jin silently looked away.

Her first impression of him was too deep; Song Jin did not trust this harmless-looking version of Qin Chi.

Song Jin asked casually, "Is Qi'an your courtesy name?"

"Yes, my mother gave it to me."

Qin Chi had never taken the imperial examinations, but as soon as he turned three, Lady Li began his education. "My mother’s family was well-off when she was young, and she had read books for a few years. Later, due to the chaos of war, they were forced to flee. On the way, they were unfortunately robbed by refugees. Of the whole family, only she was lucky enough to be saved by my father... She gave me the name Qi'an, hoping that I would live a peaceful life, free from disaster and hardship."

Song Jin felt a strange pang of sadness upon hearing this.

Everyone in the world has their own misfortunes, yet they are never quite the same.

Qin Chi put away the teacup, clearly not wanting to talk about it anymore. "Rest early tonight. Since we don't need to return to your maiden home tomorrow, I will take you to the county town."

Song Jin looked up at him abruptly, her beautiful, exquisite face filled with hope.

Qin Family Gully was too far from the county town.

If they relied on their own two legs, they would likely walk until dark.

It just so happened that the Qin family had a carriage.

Yet, as it turned out, the more anxious one is to sleep, the harder it is to drift off.

The next day, early in the morning.

Song Jin, who was sleeping groggily, was woken up by Old Lady Liu’s loud voice.

She sat up, dressed, and combed her hair.

The door was pushed open, and Qin Chi walked in from outside, carrying a wooden washbasin.

It was filled with clear water.

"Awake?"

Qin Chi placed the wooden basin on the stand. "Come wash your face. I’m afraid there’s no breakfast; we’ll head out early to eat."

"Is Song Xiu making breakfast today?"

Song Jin asked while washing up. "What happened? There’s such a commotion."

Qin Chi didn't say much, only telling Song Jin to go out and see for herself in a moment.

Outside.

Song Xiu’s face was long with misery.

She was being scolded mercilessly by Old Lady Liu.

Having lost face last night, Song Xiu had wanted to show off her skills this morning to outdo the porridge Song Jin had made previously.

She had made Qin Mingsong accompany her to the kitchen early.

Qin Mingsong suggested boiling rice porridge, but Song Xiu insisted on kneading dough, and in the process, she wasted all the flour Old Lady Liu had stored.

If she had managed to make dough, it would have been fine, but Song Xiu had added too much water. Not only did it fail to form a dough, but it turned into a watery paste—the kind where the water hadn't even boiled yet.

The food she cooked was something even a dog wouldn't eat.

It made Old Lady Liu’s heart ache so much she kept pounding her chest.

Song Xiu hid behind Qin Mingsong, letting him face Old Lady Liu’s storm.

Qin Mingsong’s expression was extremely ugly.

His hangover already made him uncomfortable, and he hadn't slept long before Song Xiu woke him up, saying it was too dark and she needed him to accompany her to the kitchen.

Between the hangover and the lack of sleep, Qin Mingsong had a splitting headache.

Yet Old Lady Liu kept on ranting and raving.

Meanwhile, Song Xiu acted like a bullied young wife, shrinking back and saying nothing.

"Mother, that’s enough!"

Qin Mingsong’s face was ghastly. "It’s just a breakfast, isn't it? Just have someone else make a meal."

"Is this just about a breakfast?"

Seeing her son defending Song Xiu, Old Lady Liu’s anger surged to the top of her head.

Song Xiu cried aggrievedly, "I—I'm sorry, I—I have never done kitchen work before. I don't know how, wuwuwu..."

"You don't know how! Why didn't you say so earlier? Don't you have a mouth?"

The more Old Lady Liu thought about it, the angrier she became, her tone turning sharp and mean. "You burned half the kitchen, and you wasted all the white flour! Only now do you come to tell me you don't know how?! I’ll beat you to death, you spendthrift woman... you jinx! My Qin family had eight lifetimes of bad luck to marry you!"

Old Lady Liu started hitting her.

"Mother! Didn't you say you loved eating flour-based foods? I made it specifically for you, it was just too difficult!"

"When did I ever say that?"

"The day my sister served you porridge, I heard it clearly! Even though I failed at making noodles today, my filial piety was genuine!"

"You—"

"Practice makes perfect, I’ll be sure to use less water next time... Ouch, that hurts!"

"I’ll kill you! I’m going to beat you to death today!"

Song Xiu kept dodging behind Qin Mingsong.

One chasing, one fleeing, circling around Qin Mingsong, causing a scene of utter chaos.

Song Jin watched from afar.

The rest of the Qin family were the same, peeking out from their doorways.

The kitchen entrance was a mess.

Was this making breakfast, or burning the kitchen down?

No wonder Qin Chi said they couldn't count on breakfast today.

Seeing Song Jin watching the spectacle from a distance, Song Xiu glared at her with hatred.

It was all Song Jin’s fault!

Why was it that when Song Jin boiled a pot of rice porridge, everyone was happy, but when she tried to make flour food for Old Lady Liu, she had to get beaten!

No matter how Song Xiu glared at her, Song Jin found her particularly pleasing to the eye today. Especially since she could make Old Lady Liu so furious.

It was absolutely delightful!

At this moment, Song Jin didn't know that the trouble Song Xiu had caused wasn't just this one thing.

Qin Chi had once gone to the kitchen to help Song Jin, so Song Xiu had coaxed Qin Mingsong into the kitchen before dawn.

She had hoped he could help her.

Who knew that Qin Mingsong couldn't do anything, and even managed to set the firewood pile on fire while trying to help!

Song Xiu hadn't sold Qin Mingsong out, still wanting to earn his favor.

Qin Mingsong had indeed stepped up to defend her!

But this kind of defense was undoubtedly like stabbing a knife into Old Lady Liu’s heart, making her beat Song Xiu even more relentlessly.

Thank you to the family members for the tips~ Flying kiss!

(End of chapter)