Chapter 3: 3. Chapter 3 I didn't take advantage of you

Chapter 3: I Didn't Take Advantage of You

Qin Chi sat up slowly and began to tidy his clothes in a leisurely manner, as if checking to see if he had lost his virginity.

Song Jin’s cheeks inexplicably flushed.

If one were to truly analyze it, she was a woman reborn; she only viewed him as a junior and had never harbored such thoughts.

But after what he had just done…

“I didn’t take advantage of you!” Song Jin blurted out.

Qin Chi gave her a cool, sidelong glance. He didn’t say a word, yet Song Jin could clearly see his disbelief.

Song Jin suddenly remembered something and asked with a guilty conscience, “You… you were awake the whole time?”

Qin Chi’s tone was indifferent. “Not the whole time. Just long enough to hear you two sisters turn against each other over a marriage proposal. This play was quite interesting.”

In her past life, Song Jin had only met Qin Chi a few times. They had no private interactions, and her understanding of him was shallow, mostly based on hearsay after his death.

Some said he was skilled in painting and calligraphy, and that his character and scholarship were both excellent, claiming that heaven was jealous of such talent. Others said he was two-faced, ruthless, and a fame-seeker, but those who heard such things felt it was malicious slander and collectively condemned it.

To smear someone even after they were dead—how black must a person’s heart be?

However, after this brief interaction, Song Jin knew that Qin Chi was not someone to be trifled with.

“Where did you two sisters come from? You seem so certain that you can marry into the Qin family.”

Qin Chi sat on the bed, his demeanor natural.

Song Jin thought of her father’s planning for them and couldn't help but feel her eyes grow red. After a moment’s thought, she explained the marriage arrangement between the Song and Qin families.

“You are quite magnanimous. Your younger sister ruined your reputation for purity and cost you a good marriage, yet you are so generous as to give it to her?”

Qin Chi stared fixedly at Song Jin, his eyes seemingly capable of peering into one’s soul.

Song Jin pressed her lips together. “Whether a marriage is good or bad, you only know once you’re in it. How does that saying go? Like a person drinking water, only they know if it’s cold or warm.”

The look Qin Chi cast at her was a mix of light and shadow. Song Jin was quite different from ordinary women.

Ordinary women spent their whole lives just to marry a good husband, but her heart was not set on such things.

“You say this because you haven’t met my younger uncle. If you had, you would surely regret it. He is gentle, refined, and talented. Barring any accidents, passing the imperial examinations and entering officialdom is a certainty.

As for me, I am plagued by illness and fear my life will be short. Never mind fame and fortune; even staying alive is a problem.”

“A person’s life is not measured by its length. I see that although you are burdened by illness, you are a clear-headed person.”

Song Jin didn’t overthink it and spoke her mind.

Qin Chi looked at her with rare curiosity. Song Jin was merely a sheltered young lady, yet she could say such things. “In that case, our marriage is settled.”

Hearing this, Song Jin felt a weight lift from her heart.

As long as the marriage was set in stone, other matters could be handled slowly.

*Knock, knock.*

Just then, the door was rapped.

It stopped after two knocks, and a young girl’s clear voice came from outside, “Big Brother, Grandfather asks you both to come to the main room to talk.”

“Understood.”

Qin Chi replied and looked back at Song Jin.

Song Jin nodded slightly.

She smoothed her collar and hair, followed Qin Chi out of the room, and saw a delicate-looking young girl standing outside. As soon as the girl saw Song Jin, she ran off with a giggle.

The girl was Qin Daya, the daughter of the Qin family’s second branch and the eldest granddaughter of the Qin family.

A short while later.

The two arrived at the main room.

Old Man Qin stood in the room with a dark face, with a guilty-looking Old Madam Liu and Song Xiu standing behind him.

As soon as Old Man Qin saw Qin Chi enter, he raised his hand to strike him. “You bastard! Who gave you the nerve…”

“Uncle Qin!”

Song Jin stepped forward to block him, explaining on Qin Chi’s behalf, “I don’t know how much you understand of this matter, but Qin Chi is not at fault in the slightest. Since things have reached this point, it is better to let nature take its course. It’s a happy ending for everyone.”

The mastermind behind this was Song Xiu; it had nothing to do with Qin Chi.

Qin Chi looked down at the young woman standing in front of him, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

At home, his grandfather’s word was law; the marriage he had agreed to would not change.

Compared to marrying Song Xiu, who had schemed against her own sister, Qin Chi preferred Song Jin. Though, he did think his younger uncle and Song Xiu were a perfect match.

Neither of them was a good person!

Many years later, when Qin Chi recalled his first meeting with his beloved wife, he would repeatedly be grateful that Song Xiu was such a terrible person.

Without Song Xiu, he and his wife would have missed each other!

Old Man Qin said with shame, “The Qin family has wronged you.”

Song Jin offered a perfunctory comfort, “Uncle, there is no need for that. Marriages are fated; perhaps this is what they call destiny.”

Everyone present knew the truth, yet they tacitly agreed not to tear away that thin veil of decency.

Song Xiu was overjoyed. As long as her sister didn’t make a scene, the marriage swap was a success.

Qin Chi spoke at the right moment, “Grandfather, if you truly feel guilty and wish to compensate her, you could allow them to manage their own household.”

Hearing this, Song Jin looked at Qin Chi in surprise.

This man… he had quite a few tricks up his sleeve.

The one who wanted to manage their own household was likely him, right?

However, this was also beneficial to her, so she wouldn't expose him.

In her past life, the entire Qin family lived together. There were no major issues, but there was a mountain of petty squabbles.

Song Jin was happy to see this happen.

With him putting it this way, Old Man Qin couldn't refuse, or he would appear hypocritical and insincere.

After a long silence, Old Man Qin spoke, “Managing your own household is naturally no problem.”

“Old man, we haven’t divided the family yet. How can she manage her own household? This isn't according to the rules.”

Old Madam Liu was unwilling. Song Xiu had previously said that once the marriage between Song Jin and Qin Chi was settled, both sisters would be daughters-in-law of the Qin family, and the dowries they brought could be turned over to the public fund. And wouldn't the public fund end up in her hands?

But now that Old Man Qin was allowing Song Jin to manage her own household, what reason did she have to demand Song Jin’s dowry?

“Shut your mouth! You’ve done something foolish; what right do you have to interfere!”

In fact, Old Man Qin had already gotten to the bottom of it. Old Madam Liu and Song Xiu had rushed to him, claiming Song Jin and Qin Chi had done something shameful.

Old Man Qin was not easily fooled and immediately questioned Old Madam Liu.

Old Madam Liu was most afraid of Old Man Qin and confessed everything within a few sentences.

That was why Old Man Qin was offering an apology to Song Jin.

Old Madam Liu knew she was in the wrong and was instantly rendered speechless.

“In that case, thank you, Uncle. I have one more thing I would like to ask of you.” Song Jin bowed slightly.

Old Man Qin dismissed the others.

“Grandmother, you got what you wanted, why aren’t you happy?” Once outside, Qin Chi deliberately leaned in toward Old Madam Liu, mentioning what had just happened.

Old Madam Liu glared at him. “Your health is so poor, hurry back and rest.”

Saying this, she pulled Song Xiu to the side.

Qin Chi watched their retreating figures, lost in thought.

“Song Xiu, if you want to be a good daughter-in-law to me, go and get that dowry!”

Old Madam Liu reminded Song Xiu in a very low voice.

Song Xiu was in a difficult position. She hadn’t expected Old Man Qin to agree to let Song Jin manage her own household.

She had already burned bridges with Song Jin to swap the marriage; how could she possibly get the dowry now?

“Aunt, we just did that thing, isn’t it too…”

Old Madam Liu didn't care about that and said firmly, “The dowry was supposed to have half for you anyway. It’s only right and proper for you to take it. If you don’t go, I’ll have my son marry someone else—there are plenty of good girls out there!”

Song Xiu panicked and quickly agreed, “I’ll do it as soon as possible!”

Old Madam Liu was finally satisfied.

Taking advantage of the time Song Jin and Old Man Qin were talking privately in the main room, Song Xiu snuck into the room they had been in earlier—Qin Chi’s original room. When she came out, she was carrying her bundle, and tucked inside her clothes was a box…

On the other side, Song Jin and Old Man Qin talked for about a quarter of an hour before she returned to the room. She had asked Old Man Qin to help her with two things: one regarding the marriage certificate, and the other was to send a letter.

Old Man Qin left immediately and returned in less than two hours, handing Song Jin a marriage certificate.

It bore the names of Qin Chi and Song Jin, but the date was not today’s; it had been intentionally backdated by five days.

Five days ago, Song Jin’s father had not yet been convicted.

Crucially, the marriage certificate had the seal of the local government office. In this way, her status as a married-out daughter was officially recognized.

This certificate had been handled discreetly; no one outside of those involved knew about it.

Hiding her background was still necessary; Song Jin did not want the people behind the framing of the Song family to find Qin Family Gully so quickly.

In her past life, there had been no marriage certificate.

Rural marriages were simple, following their own set of customary rules, and few people spent money to go to the government office for a marriage contract. As the saying went, “The yamen gate faces south; if you have reason but no money, don’t enter.”

The common people were in awe of the government and would never think of going to the yamen unless absolutely necessary. To register a marriage or a birth, one only needed to report it to the village head.

By the time Song Jin realized the importance of the marriage certificate, it was already too late.

At that time, Qin Mingsong had already passed the imperial examinations and was the hope of the entire Qin family. Those who served as officials in the Great Xia Dynasty were required to have a clean family background. How could Qin Mingsong admit to Song Jin’s identity, let alone leave behind a black-and-white piece of evidence?

They could only live in a muddled state.

After a long while, Song Jin’s eyes grew more determined. In this life, she would never live in a muddled state again.

Just as she wanted to put the marriage certificate into her Luban box, she suddenly discovered the box was gone!

“I saw your younger sister go in earlier, and she was carrying a bundle when she left. Why don’t you go ask her, Lady?”

Song Jin was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan when Qin Chi suddenly pushed the door open to remind her.

It turned out Qin Chi hadn’t gone far earlier and had been watching Song Xiu.

A flash of surprise crossed Song Jin’s eyes. Qin Chi was actually helping her? And what had he just called her?

Song Jin was anxious to retrieve the Luban box and didn't have time to think. She hurried out the door and went straight to Qin Mingsong’s room, pounding on the door.

Song Xiu was determined to marry Qin Mingsong and would surely be impatient to move into his room.

Sure enough, the person who opened the door was Song Xiu.

Song Xiu feigned confusion. “Sister, are you looking for me?”

*Slap!*

Song Jin slapped her directly and said coldly, “Give my things back.”

Song Xiu was instantly silenced, then said aggrievedly, “Sister, the dowry Father gave also has a portion for me.”

Song Jin sneered, “Did you only take your portion of the dowry?”

Song Xiu bit her lower lip. “Sister, you’re marrying a sickly weakling; no one will expect you to have a dowry. I’m different. Qin Mingsong is a scholar and will be a high official in the future. If my dowry is small, I’ll be laughed at!”

She hadn’t intended to take it all, but remembering the vast amount of silver from her past life, she couldn't resist the greed in her heart. Unfortunately, the Luban box was hard to open; she had only managed to unlock one lock after fumbling for so long when Song Jin arrived!

“Are you going to return it or not? If not, let Uncle Qin decide!” Song Jin’s voice rose.

Song Xiu panicked. “No, no, no, I’ll get it right now.”

After all, Old Man Qin was the one in charge of the Qin family, and after what had just happened, he would definitely side with Song Jin.

Song Xiu returned to the room and brought out the Luban box.

Song Jin snatched it and opened it, leaving behind half of the silver and banknotes. This money had been prepared by her father, who had stated it was to be split equally between the sisters. The jewelry was an heirloom from Song Jin’s biological mother, so there was no need to split that.

Closing the Luban box, Song Jin said coldly, “Song Xiu, you’ve gotten what you wanted. Live your life peacefully from now on. I won’t take advantage of you, but I won’t allow you to encroach on even a fraction of what belongs to me.”

With that, Song Jin walked away without looking back.

Song Xiu watched Song Jin’s retreating figure, a bad premonition rising in her heart. Had this marriage swap been the right choice, or the wrong one?

Not long after Song Jin turned and left, she saw Qin Chi standing under the eaves in his long gown, watching her.

She simply met his gaze and nodded, considering it a thank you.

(End of chapter)