Chapter 39: He Yan is No Pushover Either

Qin Bi froze for a moment, but after eating the spiritual fruit, her mood indeed improved.

The little one seemed to love it, flailing about happily.

Rong Juan laughed in exasperation, "A scion of a noble family should not let his emotions show so easily."

The child might not understand, but Qin Bi did not stop Rong Juan. The children she raised tended to have soft temperaments; she didn't even like herself that way. The Heir of the Rong family was truly impressive, carrying an aura of slaughter.

The little one indeed did not understand, only giggling.

A trace of a smile brushed across Rong Juan's lips; his child was perfect in every way.

Qin Bi: "..."

After some deliberation, Qin Bi brought up taking the child to her maternal home. "I want to take Rong Yang to the Marquis of Qin Yan's manor to play. Autumn is approaching; it's only hot at noon, and the temperature is neither too hot nor too cold, so it won't be stifling to go out."

Rong Juan gave the little one a sip of water and agreed, "Fine, just make sure Rong Yang isn't treated poorly."

Qin Bi smiled and said to the little one, "If anyone bothers us, we'll hit them."

"Just you?" Rong Juan said disdainfully, "Forget it!"

Qin Bi merely smiled without rebuttal. A hint of tenderness appeared on Rong Juan's cold and handsome face as he tidied Qin Bi's hair. The little one in his arms also reached out with tiny hands, so Rong Juan took them to prevent the child from pulling her hair without knowing their own strength.

The child was important, but he also doted on his wife.

A few days later, autumn arrived. The sky was cloudless, and the air became crisp and refreshing.

Since the weather was fine, Rong Juan did not bring the child to court, but He Yan brought Qin He's child into the palace. The child made an impression on the Emperor of Great Yan and was titled a First-Rank Little Commandery Princess.

Holding a memorial, Rong Juan sneered, "He Yan, well done."

He Yan had already left with the Little Commandery Princess. Seeing Rong Juan's irritated expression, the Emperor of Great Yan said with a chuckle, "My dear minister, it hasn't been easy for He Yan. He has no children of his own, so he raises this child as if it were his."

After saying this, the Emperor peered at Rong Juan.

Rong Juan said nothing. The Emperor sighed. *Sigh, this matter is hard to say. When He Yan and Qin Bi divorced, if Rong Juan hadn't married her, no one in Great Yan would have dared to. Once Qin Bi's anger subsides, He Yan could take her back.*

But Rong Juan went ahead and married her, so one could imagine He Yan's feelings. They used to have a good relationship as two of his ministers, but now, they were merely cold and distant toward one another.

Both sides were like his own flesh and blood; the Emperor could not favor Rong Juan's son alone and had to look after He Yan's side as well.

Besides, He Yan was no pushover.

While Rong Juan reviewed memorials, the Emperor sat beside him drinking tea and eating fruit. If he didn't eat now, there wouldn't be much good left by winter. In this world, the soil became compacted in winter, leaving only cabbage and radish; fruit was extremely scarce.

"Where is my imperial nephew?" The Emperor felt something was missing and asked about the child.

Rong Juan didn't even look up. "He went to his maternal home."

"He should visit his maternal family more often," the Emperor nodded, worrying for his nephew. "I will look after the Marquis of Qin Yan's manor more closely. Rong Yang's maternal home cannot be too poor."

The Emperor, enjoying his food and drink, rambled on, "That mother of the Little Commandery Princess, Qin He, is indeed remarkable. She is blessed and has great fortune; now the Marquis of Qin Yan's manor has become a cultivation clan."

In the palace, when the little princes heard that another "Lucky Treasure" Little Commandery Princess had arrived—and that He Yan had brought her—they all turned sullen. Now, one little brother like Rong Yang wasn't enough; here came another Little Commandery Princess.

With all the good things being taken, what would be left for them!

Qin Bi carried the child to the Marquis of Qin Yan's manor. Qin Tang, Qin Xun, and Qin Lang met them at the door. The little one looked around curiously, and Qin Lang teased him, making the child giggle.

Upon arriving at the Fourth Branch, Qin Tang's wife and children and Qin Xun's wife and children were already waiting with the He family.

After some pleasantries, they took their seats. Lady He glanced toward the front courtyard and said, "We'll visit your eldest aunt in a bit. Your eldest cousins have all gone to the Prince of Xue's manor; Qin He's child has been titled a First-Rank Little Commandery Princess."

"Let's not go then," Qin Bi hesitated.

"There's no need to go," Qin Di decided.

If the child were older, they could recognize the maternal relatives, but Rong Yang was only a few months old; there was no need for such formalities. In Qin Di's view, as long as the First Branch treated Qin He well, Qin Bi didn't need to bother showing up.

Lady He said, "Very well."

Since Qin Bi had arrived, Lady He sent someone to inform the other concubine-born daughter, Qin Han. However, Qin Han had gone to the Prince of Xue's manor to celebrate and wouldn't arrive until the afternoon. Qin Han was the one closest to Qin He among the Fourth Branch.

Qin Han's husband was from a merchant family, so she had followed Qin He in opening shops and had lived quite well over the years.

"If she's not coming, so be it," Lady He said indifferently. "Madam Jiang, go tell the kitchen matrons to prepare some delicious food for lunch. Our family will have a good gathering and a meal together."

Madam Jiang complied, and the main hall became lively.

Qin Bi showed no airs and chatted and laughed with everyone. Qin Xun's wife glanced at Qin Bi several times. She wasn't sure if she was being snobbish, but she hadn't found Qin Bi particularly dazzling before; ever since Qin Bi became the Consort of the Heir of the Rong Prince's Manor, she looked beautiful no matter how one looked at her.

Every smile and expression was captivating. Qin Xun's wife watched her repeatedly, then looked at the child, who was also handsome.

Qin He possessed an ethereal air, while Qin Bi possessed an aura of nobility.

It seemed that marrying well truly made a difference. A few girls from the other branches who hadn't gone to the Prince of Xue's manor ran over to play and reached out to hold the little one. Qin Bi didn't allow it, and Madam Jiang quickly stepped in to stop them.

What a joke—did they think they had the fortune to hold such a precious little Heir?

The Marchioness of Qin Yan came by and glanced at the little one. "This child is truly beautiful; he takes after the Heir, not Qin Bi."

Lady He glanced over and nodded, "He indeed looks like the Heir."

The Marchioness gave orders: "Prepare more dishes for lunch."

The maidlings took their orders and left. Afterward, everyone brought small gifts like jade or trinkets—various items representing luck and fortune. The sisters of the family gave gifts out of sentiment, unable to afford anything truly grand.

Qin Yan and the others, who were wealthy, had all gone to the Prince of Xue's manor, leaving only the less affluent at home.

After lunch, Qin Bi took the child to her former courtyard for a nap. As she walked through the courtyard holding the child, the plants and trees felt familiar. She was murmuring to herself when a "crack" of thunder sounded.

Qin Bi: "..."

The little one was about to sleep but looked around curiously.

Qin Bi held him and soothed him, "It's our house, go back to sleep."

The little one snuggled into her arms. Qin Bi looked at the dark clouds and said wryly, "Thunder without rain doesn't count."

A moment later, a light drizzle began to fall, and then it grew heavier.

The commoners ran outside, looking up at the sky in delight. Once this rain fell, it would be time to harvest the crops. With the soil moistened, they could then plant wheat; they only feared the rain wouldn't come.

It was a bit early; it would have been better if it rained after the millet was harvested.

Everyone was happy, but Qin Bi squinted. She shouldn't have tried to use magic. Now, since today was the day Qin He's "Lucky Treasure" was titled a First-Rank Little Commandery Princess, this rain would likely be credited to the little girl's good fortune once again.

(End of Chapter)