Chapter 48: How Dare She Long for an Heir

Qin He was stunned, feeling a surge of panic.

This was not an easy conversation to navigate. In what capacity could she take issue with this matter?!

In ancient times, no status would be appropriate.

If she expressed concern over He Yan's marriage in her capacity as the Consort of Heir Xue, she would be seen as restless and improper. In this era, such behavior would leave her without standing. It was already impossible for her and He Yan to be together, and Qin He had no intention of divorcing Heir Xue.

Whether in terms of appearance or family background, Xue Qing was second only to He Yan and Rong Jun.

What if she acted as He Yan's "white moonlight"? It wasn't impossible, but as the saying goes, if Xue Qing found out, he would surely demand a divorce. At this thought, Qin He felt a wave of anxiety; she shouldn't have acted on impulse.

She did not want a divorce, nor did she want to shatter the beautiful image she held in Xue Qing's heart.

She could not let Xue Qing know her true intentions for visiting the Marquis of Qin Yan's manor today.

"Legal Mother," Qin He's aggressive aura vanished, replaced by a touch of docility. She offered a weak, defensive excuse: "I wasn't trying to make an issue of anything. I was just too angry and wanted to ask. I thought their marriage was merely a formality."

From her position, Qin He felt that asking wasn't wrong.

"Qin Bi didn't think it was a mere formality." Lady Cui stared at Qin He. This concubine-born daughter had been too accustomed to smooth sailing and was far too self-righteous. "When she was making such a scene to call off the engagement back then, what were you doing?!"

Even Qin Bi understood it wasn't just a formality, yet Qin He was living in a fantasy, always viewing things through the lens of her own interests. Furthermore, Qin He was capable and appeared clever, so why was she less perceptive than Qin Bi in this matter?

As she spoke, Lady Cui felt her refined upbringing of a noble clan nearly breaking, but she suppressed it.

Qin He did not believe she was in the wrong, but faced with Lady Cui's questions, she was tongue-tied and speechless. She finally said, "With her status and the way the marriage kept being delayed, she might have been longing to marry into the Duke of Yan's manor all along. If I had intervened, it might have backfired; the Fourth Branch might have blamed me for ruining their chance to marry into the Duke's family."

Lady Cui could no longer hold back. No matter how she argued, Qin He always managed to make herself right.

Who was actually benefiting here? It was so obvious!

"When you go to the Fourth Branch, tell your Fourth Uncle and Aunt exactly that." Lady Cui stood up and pointed toward the door. "If you dare to say it, I am certain the entire Fourth Branch will dare to come and fight us in the Second Branch."

Qin He was a concubine-born daughter; Qin Di and his wife wouldn't bother with her directly—they would certainly come for the main couple. Since they had failed to discipline their daughter, it was perfectly reasonable for them to hold the Second Branch accountable. It remained to be seen if Qin He would dare to go.

Qin He felt a momentary flicker of fear, but immediately straightened her back. "Aside from Cousin Qin Tang and Fourth Aunt, no one in the Fourth Branch is capable. What is there to fear from them?"

The He clan was the Duke of Yan's family, and Qin Tang was capable himself; Qin He held no one else in the Fourth Branch in any regard.

"What is there to fear?" Lady Cui was truly infuriated by this daughter. A maid stepped forward to help Lady Cui sit down, but Lady Cui slammed the table. "Your Fourth Uncle calls your father 'Second Brother.' That is enough."

When family members speak of each other's business, it becomes personal. What Qin He had questioned today was not just any matter; when a woman is restless, the entire clan suffers. Once married, one must attend to the matters of marriage.

Xue Qing was happy to maintain a relationship with He Yan and trusted Qin He because she had been beyond reproach and had remained well-behaved after marriage.

However, Qin He's questioning today suggested a restless heart.

Qin He was indignant, but she knew the rules of this ancient cultivation world she had traveled to. If she went too far, someone would discipline her. Her wings were not yet fully grown; she had to play it safe for now.

Qin He fell silent. Lady Cui glanced at her, knowing the girl was still resentful.

"Do you know? Qin Bi is not as capable as you. She had no say in her marriage to the Duke of Yan's manor; she didn't even have the room to voice an opinion." Lady Cui calmed herself and spoke composedly. "So, unlike your smooth path, it was difficult for Qin Bi to change things. But even after learning that He Yan intended to marry you as a co-wife, she still made a scene. In the end, your Fourth Uncle had to ask your Grandfather and Eldest Uncle to visit the Duke of Yan's manor to propose the divorce."

At this, Lady Cui let out a cold "Hmph" and glanced at Qin He. "Setting Qin Bi aside, if the Fourth Branch had truly been desperate to climb into the Duke of Yan's family, there wouldn't have been a divorce. All the benefits would have been yours. How do you have the audacity to speculate that others are dying to marry Heir He?!"

Qin He was startled, worried that her Legal Mother thought she was being too malicious.

"Mother," Qin He's temper vanished, replaced by a sense of grievance. "I was just too angry and spoke without thinking. I am not that malicious. Besides, I haven't gained any special benefits."

She didn't believe for a second that Qin Bi didn't want to marry He Yan, but she didn't dare say it. She had left a poor impression on her Legal Mother today; more words would only lead to more mistakes.

Lady Cui looked at Qin He. *This is what she calls not gaining benefits? Truly an eye-opener.*

However, there was nothing to be done; some people were simply born with good luck and fortune.

"Let bygones be bygones." Having realized Qin He was a handful, Lady Cui warned, "Do not mention this again. You are married, but your sisters in this manor are not yet wed, and they are all reaching marriageable age."

Qin He felt displeased. She hadn't done anything wrong! Was it necessary to speak to her like that?

After sitting for a while longer, Qin He found an excuse to leave.

Her younger sister pulled her hand. "Stay for dinner! You just arrived, and we haven't even had a chance to talk."

Qin He's eyes flashed. Since her Legal Mother was dissatisfied with her, she needed to make amends and repair her image. Smiling, Qin He said, "Let's go. Come back to the Xue Prince's Manor with me, and I'll give you something."

Qin He had plenty of resources, and her sister was delighted. "Really? Okay!"

As the sister followed Qin He to the Xue Prince's Manor, Qin Yan heard about it and joined them. The siblings in the Marquis's manor all knew Qin He was wealthy, and they all hoped to get closer to her.

In the imperial court, several ministers had heard that the young Heir Rong had visited the Duke of Yan's manor. Some ministers were surprised, thinking Heir Rong intended to build a relationship with Heir He.

After all, both were heirs to powerful officials of the Great Yan Kingdom and had been on good terms in the past.

Since both heirs had stakes in the business of the Heir Xue's Consort's shops, they inevitably had to interact. In court, the two heirs only discussed state affairs and remained distant in their daily dealings, which made things difficult for the Emperor of Great Yan.

The ministers didn't care to interfere; they let things take their course.

When the Duchess of Yan heard from her guards that the child had called He Yan "Father," she didn't pay it much mind. He Yan had a fate that brought misfortune to wives and a lack of heirs; since his wife hadn't even been settled, how could she dare hope for grandchildren?

The child was young; she likely just mispronounced it.

That being said, the Duchess of Yan was in a foul mood.

Upon hearing the news, Qin He immediately sent Fubao over.

"Grandmother!" the little girl called out.

"Fubao is here." Only then did the Duchess's mood improve. She smiled and pulled the little girl close to chat. "I haven't seen Fubao for several days. Come, Grandmother has delicious treats for you."

The Duchess ordered the finest delicacies from the manor to be brought to Fubao. The little girl said happily, "Thank you, Grandmother!"

The little girl kept the Duchess company with her chatter and left with many wonderful treats packed up to take home.

(End of Chapter)