Chapter 1: 1.第1章 秦家被抄家了

Chapter 1: The Qin Family Has Been Stripped of Their Property

The Tun Hexagram.

An image of spring wood renewing itself, yet carrying the meaning of hardship and obstacles; this is one of the ominous hexagrams among the sixty-four.

When her master had taken her away from home years ago, was this Tun hexagram the calamity he had foreseen for the Qin family?

Qin Liuxi pushed the divination coins aside, walked to the window, and looked up.

Dark clouds gathered, thunderclouds accumulated, and a storm was imminent.

Her fingers moved rapidly as she performed calculations. She let out a soft click of her tongue. What must come cannot be avoided; it was time for her to face her destiny.

"Qihuang, tell Uncle Li and the others to prepare. Open the middle gate; people are coming to the house."

The ones coming were family.

Half an hour later.

Qin Liuxi gazed at the crowd of people squeezed into the flower hall.

Each of them was soaking wet, yet their expressions remained arrogant—likely because they had yet to face reality, still believing themselves to be high-born nobles of a prestigious clan.

Qin Liuxi sighed and said to the matriarch leading the group, "Old Madam, I have already had ginger soup and hot water prepared. Why don't you drink some ginger soup and take a hot bath to dispel the chill before we speak?"

Hmm?

Old Madam Qin froze, a flash of confusion crossing her eyes.

The news of the Qin family's seizure of property had not been sent their way at all. Where had this girl gotten the information to prepare all this in advance?

However, having traveled a long distance, her body was far too exhausted. Old Madam Qin had no strength to press for answers and merely nodded, saying, "Do as you see fit."

Qin Liuxi instructed Auntie Li and the others to lead the dozen or so people in a line to wash up. Her gaze fell upon a heavily pregnant woman, and her eyelid twitched.

This was truly a case of "misfortune never comes alone."

The Qin family's downfall had been sudden, leaving them no time to hide anything during the seizure. Not only were they unable to bring any valuables from the house, but even the hairpins and fine silks they wore had been stripped away; otherwise, the female relatives would not be dressed in nothing but simple, plain inner robes and skirts.

This was not a major issue; at worst, they would have to make do with coarse tea and simple meals, and she would never let them go hungry. The difficulty lay with the pregnant woman. Amidst this great calamity, she had been excessively frightened, leaving her spirit weak. With the baby moving and labor approaching, a dark aura was almost shrouding her face.

Qin Liuxi leaned over and whispered a few words to Qihuang, who was following beside her. The latter quickly hurried out.

Sure enough, as soon as Qihuang left, the woman let out a cry of pain, clutching her stomach as she collapsed to the floor, blood slowly staining her white skirt red.

The incident was so sudden that everyone in the flower hall turned pale with fright, letting out screams of shock.

"Third Sister-in-law!" A woman with a somewhat haggard but dignified countenance rushed forward, supporting the groaning woman on the floor and pulling her into her arms.

"It hurts... my stomach hurts so much," Lady Gu groaned, clutching her abdomen, her face pale and cold sweat breaking out on her forehead.

"Mother," Lady Wang looked toward Old Madam Qin, her face white as she said, "I fear Third Sister-in-law is about to give birth."

Old Madam Qin’s body went limp. This was her youngest daughter-in-law's second pregnancy, but she was carrying twins. They were only barely seven months along; if they were premature, would these two children even survive?

Setting the children aside, the mother herself had undergone a great calamity and was in a state of extreme shock. Giving birth under such circumstances was as perilous as walking on the edge of a cliff.

Old Madam Qin closed her eyes, a sudden wave of grief washing over her.

The Qin family had enjoyed smooth sailing for decades, only to see their great edifice collapse in a single moment. Was Heaven intent on destroying the Qin family?

"Mother?"

Old Madam Qin bit the tip of her tongue hard. Feeling the salty, metallic taste of blood, she opened her eyes and took a deep breath. "Prepare to assist Lady Gu with the delivery."

She then looked toward Qin Liuxi.

Qin Liuxi immediately stepped forward and said, "I will send someone to fetch a midwife. Please remain calm, Madam. Let us move Third Aunt to the delivery room first."

Old Madam Qin looked around at the room full of female relatives and children, all trembling with fear from the shock. She had not expected that it would be Qin Liuxi, a girl who had only just reached her coming-of-age, who would be able to help.