Chapter 42: The Marquis Qin Yan's Mansion

Back then, when Rong Jun and He Yan said she was calculating, Jiang Mo believed them and called off the engagement.

Thinking back on it now, Qin Bi only wanted to laugh.

Qin Han, however, had no intention of letting Jiang Mo leave. Qin Bi was not as capable as her; Qin Bi had her own backbone, but Qin Han walked up to Jiang Mo and greeted her two children: "Go greet them. That is your aunt."

The two children stepped forward: "Greetings, Aunt."

Qin Bi gave a perfunctory response. She felt bad that she had no gifts; Qin Han had never given her children gifts, so Qin Bi saw no reason to give any. Maintaining a distance was better, after all—they were not harmonious sisters.

The corners of Jiang Mo's mouth dropped. Fortunately, she had called off the engagement back then; this Qin Bi was not nearly as well-mannered as Qin Han.

Qin Han did not mind. She was not short of money and did not care if Qin Bi gave the children small trinkets. Pushing the children forward, Qin Han said, "Go greet your maternal aunt and your grandmother."

The two children went over to pay their respects one by one. Since Qin Tang's wife was from the same clan as Jiang Mo, the Jiang family took out some candies and gave them to the children: "These were sent from the front hall. They are very sweet; take them and play!"

The children of Qin Tang and Qin Xun ran up to Qin Bi: "Auntie."

Qin Bi broke into a smile: "Yes."

Realizing she had nothing to give her little nephews, Qin Bi simply took out some crystals and gave one to each child. Qin Xun's wife rushed over to block them, shooting several meaningful glances at Qin Su, and the children quickly hid the crystals away.

Jiang Shen ran over: "Brother, let's go play."

The little girl looked about five or six years old, appearing slightly older than Qin He's child. In reality, she was quite a bit older; Qin He's child ate heavenly treasures and spiritually infused ingredients.

Qin Han's children ate much worse. Qin He's Fubao was not even a year old, so Jiang Shen was indeed around five or six. As for the exact age, don't ask Qin Bi; she couldn't remember.

Qin Han likely guessed that Qin Bi had given something to Qin Tang's children, and she felt displeased. She said, "Go play!"

Taking the opportunity, Jiang Mo said, "I will also head to the front hall."

Qin Han looked at Madam He, who replied, "Go ahead."

As Jiang Mo led the children away, the living room became slightly quieter. Everyone stayed by Madam He's side, chatting about the autumn harvest and occasionally asking about Qin Han's shops.

Qin Han was quite eloquent: "It's just so-so; I haven't earned much."

A concubine's daughter leaned in, flattering her: "Sister Qin Han, the floral-scented soaps Sister Qin He makes smell so wonderful. Her shop has sold out of them; do you have any in yours? Save a piece for me."

"I do," Qin Han replied readily. "I'll send someone over with a few later."

The concubine's daughter was delighted. With the legal mother present, she wouldn't dare approach the Second Branch.

In her opinion, why bother? Qin Bi could never compare to Qin He.

Even the children Qin He bore were blessed, being cherished by both the Prince Xue Mansion and the Marquis Qin Yan Mansion. The Heir of the Duke of Yan Mansion, who was said to be cursed with no wife or children, raised Qin He's child as his own—what immense fortune that was.

What did Qin Bi have? The concubine's daughter felt dissatisfied, which made her unable to speak up even in front of Sister Qin He.

Fortunately, Sister Qin He had given her a Spirit Condensing Pill. The concubine's daughter straightened her back; from now on, she would have a spiritual root too. It was all the legal mother's fault; if it were up to Qin Bi, Sister Qin He would have looked after all their sisters in the family long ago.

"Sister Qin Bi," the concubine's daughter said with a smile, "what did you bring us?"

Qin Bi was quite formidable. She said, "I brought nothing."

*Even if I had brought something, I wouldn't give it to you. Who do you think you are?*

The concubine's daughter: "..."

Madam Jiang was stunned and gave Qin Bi a speechless, rolling glare. She had clearly brought something; what was the harm in saying so? To insist on speaking like that—and this concubine's daughter was also something; she should just be friendly with Qin He and Qin Han instead of trying to cling to Qin Bi.

Madam He also glanced at Qin Bi, but Qin Bi didn't care. In this family, she only cared about Qin Di and his wife, and her own brothers and nephews. Everything else was mere clouds; if they were on good terms, she would chat; if not, she would stay to the side.

"Where are the children?" Madam He asked Qin Bi from the seat of honor.

"The Heir has taken them," Qin Bi replied properly.

Madam He nodded, and everyone continued their idle chatter while waiting to head to the front hall for the banquet.

Qin Han could not sit still; she wanted to take the opportunity to get closer to Qin He. Since Qin He could not be seen in the Fourth Branch, the concubine's daughter also couldn't stay put, her eyes constantly darting toward the door, wishing she could run to the front courtyard.

Qin Bi and Madam He understood perfectly well, but they did not call them out.

After a while, the concubine's daughter lost her patience and said, "Mother, I want to go to the front courtyard to play with my sisters."

Madam He found her annoying: "Go then."

"Sister Qin Han," the concubine's daughter tried to pull her along as well, "you should go too."

Qin Han looked at Madam He: "Mother..."

"Go," Madam He commanded.

Qin Han rose to take her leave and left with the other sisters.

Only Madam He, Qin Bi, and Madam Jiang remained in the living room. The two daughters-in-law had to accompany Madam He, and since Qin Bi had not left with Qin Han and the others, Madam He knew the reason.

"You should go as well," Madam He said to Qin Bi. "The Heir and the children are in the front courtyard. It's no fun staying here with me."

Qin Bi had no particular thoughts: "I won't go."

Madam He: "..."

Qin Xun's wife: "..."

Madam Jiang stood up: "I'll go to the front courtyard to take a look."

Madam Jiang went to the front courtyard. Today's banquet was almost entirely for relatives and friends, with no outsiders. The main kitchen was busy, and the twelve seasonal delicacies were being served one after another. In the garden and living area, the Heir, Qin Yan, was accompanying the younger generation.

Qin He was there, along with her Fubao.

With several tables set up, the generation of Qin Yan was scrambling to get a seat at these tables. Madam Jiang went back to fetch Madam He, while Qin Bi followed Madam He to eat at another table; she simply loved accompanying Madam He.

It was a bustling day at the Marquis Qin Yan Mansion, as it had upgraded to a cultivation clan. The younger generation of the Qin family was high-spirited, and the girls, taking advantage of the occasion, had dressed up meticulously, secretly hoping to marry into high status.

Qin He wore an elegant dress, giving her a very celestial aura.

The Heir of the Xue family, Xue Qing, was chubby and quite handsome, possessing a look of prosperity. He was incredibly indulgent toward his daughter, Fubao; the little girl was very rambunctious and had run off to play with the other children.

Rong Jun sat in his chair, looking both noble and defiant. He asked Jiang Mo, "Why didn't I see you just now?"

"I was in the Fourth Branch's courtyard," Jiang Mo replied, taking a sip of tea.

Rong Jun let out a scoff. Jiang Mo's heart skipped a beat, though she didn't feel she had done anything wrong.

"The little Heir has grown so much," Qin He said with a smile.

Rong Jun gave a grunt of acknowledgment. Xue Qing watched his daughter play with the group of children with a beaming smile. He Yan was conversing with Qin Yan, Qin Lang was holding Rong Yang and playing with the children, and Qin Su was accompanying his little cousin.

The children ran around playing, causing the concubine's daughters to exclaim, "How cute!"

It was unclear who they were praising. If they said Qin He's Fubao was cute, Qin He and the Heir of Xue would be happy. If they said Rong Yang was cute, Rong Jun would be happy. Since neither side could be offended, they simply praised everyone for being good-looking.

Fresh fruits and melons were brought to the table, and Qin He signaled the maidservants to bring some to the children.

Rong Yang received a plate, which Qin Lang held for the children.

(End of Chapter)