Chapter 38: Going to the Immortal Sect to Exchange Vegetables

Qin Bi remained indifferent, paying it little mind.

Once things settled on her end, Qin Bi went to visit Lady He. Qin Tang and Qin Xun accompanied her to prevent Lady He from finding fault with her; if she failed to appear before her legal mother, Lady He would certainly find a reason to complain.

Even in a world of cultivation, the distinction between legitimate and concubine-born children remained clear.

Otherwise, Qin He might not have been so cautious around her legal mother, offering gifts to appease her. In this fictional ancient world, even a woman who had married out could not afford to be disrespectful to her legal mother.

It was summer and the weather was hot; ice had been placed in the living room, and Lady He sat in the seat of honor.

"Mother," Qin Bi greeted her.

Lady He looked up and asked, "What have you all been busy with?"

"Dividing the spiritual plants." Qin Bi was quite reliant on Lady He. After all, during the previous marriage matters involving He Yan, Lady He had protected her—whether to preserve the dignity of the Fourth Branch or for some other reason. Qin Bi took out her share of the spiritual plants. "These are the spiritual plants I was allocated."

Lady He was surprised. "What happened?"

Qin Xun glanced at the servants, signaling the maids and elderly attendants to withdraw.

Only then did Qin Tang explain the situation to Lady He. Lady He’s expression froze in disbelief; it seemed almost fantastical that the spiritual plants had been dug up by Qin He's child, and that they could be recovered simply by using soil.

A few days ago, Qin Di had given Lady He a Spirit Condensing Pill, granting her a spiritual root. Coming from the Duke of Yan's household, her marriage to Qin Di was considered a marriage to a lower status, so the Marquis of Yan's Manor would not skimp on the resources she deserved.

Taking advantage of the moment, Qin Bi set aside ten spiritual plants. Originally, she was supposed to divide them in half, but remembering that Rong Jun was building a small nest egg for the child, she hesitated. Suppressing her original plan, she brought out ten plants.

"Mother," Qin Bi said, "these ten spiritual plants are for you."

Lady He smiled. "Keep them for yourself."

Qin Bi said nothing more and placed the plants on the table. "I have enough."

Lady He accepted them. "Come visit with the child when you have time."

Since Rong Yang's birth, the child had not yet visited the maternal grandparents' home.

As the sisters-in-law spoke, they had dropped subtle hints, and Lady He had begun to feel concerned. Qin He seemed to visit the Marquis of Yan's Manor whenever she pleased with the child; surely Rong Jun wouldn't prevent Qin Bi from bringing the child along.

However, seeing how the young Heir Rong held the child in the palm of his hand, Lady He felt uncertain.

Qin Bi's background was, after all, somewhat lower. Fortunately, the child was dependent on her, and Lady He was willing to plan a few things for Qin Bi's benefit. Besides, in the future, Qin Tang and Qin Xun would also have to rely on Rong Jun.

"Alright," Qin Bi agreed.

Lady He glanced at her. *She didn't even hesitate—can she really make her own decisions?!*

If Qin Bi hadn't divorced He Yan back then, Lady He could have returned to her maiden home to arrange things for her. But she couldn't interfere with the Prince Rong's Manor. *Sigh, if only they hadn't divorced back then,* Lady He lamented inwardly.

Lady He had dowry estates, so she sent someone to pick fresh fruits and melons for Qin Bi to take. Qin Xun boarded the carriage to escort Qin Bi back to the Prince's Manor.

Qin Tang returned to his own courtyard to distribute the spiritual plants to his wife and child.

When Qin Xun finished escorting Qin Bi back and returned to the Marquis's Manor, he ran into Qin Yan, Qin Jue, and the others returning from the Prince of Xue's Manor. They all looked distracted. Qin Xun lowered his eyes, having guessed the reason.

Qin Yan and Qin Jue went to see the Marquis of Yan and reported what had happened at the Prince of Xue's Manor.

"What?" The Marquis of Yan sat in his chair, setting down his teacup in disbelief after hearing the report. "Two hundred spiritual plants suddenly vanished? And then the demon beast crystals vanished as well??!!!"

Qin Yan nodded. At the time, when Qin He had displayed the little Princess's harvest, everyone had been envious. But the moment they turned their heads, the spiritual plants were gone. As they searched in surprise, twenty or so crystals had also vanished.

"An illusion?" the Marquis asked, puzzled.

Qin Jue shook his head. "Probably not."

Qin Yan offered an explanation. "Qin He said it is highly likely they were swallowed by the auspicious clouds."

When Qin He said this, everyone took it as truth. During the training trip to the small space of the Demon Beast Realm, two auspicious clouds had indeed appeared in the dark clouds upon departure. Since the auspicious clouds had escorted the little Princess, it was plausible they might take some spiritual plants and crystals.

With that explanation, Qin He's child was seen as even more of a "blessed treasure."

When the Third and Fourth Branches heard about it, they felt that while Qin He was quite capable, she was also quite a storyteller.

However, this was for the best; the Third and Fourth Branches would be the ones consuming these spiritual plants and crystals.

Upon hearing the news, Qin Bi suddenly laughed. It wasn't surprising that Qin He would pave the way like this for her child. Narrowing her eyes, Qin Bi sneered inwardly: *Don't touch my things. Times have changed.*

In the past, He Yan had protected Qin He, and Rong Jun had found her unpleasant. Qin Bi hadn't dared to provoke either of the two powerful heirs of the Great Yan Kingdom. But now it was different; Rong Jun would only protect her.

Of course, Qin Bi had no desire to have any dealings with Qin He. As a "transmigrated protagonist," Qin Bi didn't care to bother with her.

It was best if they ignored each other. Qin Bi had always been this way, but He Yan's reputation for being a "wife-killer without heirs" had constantly dragged her into it, forcing her to deal with Qin He, which made her feel nauseated.

Now, things were fine; they would each live their own lives. Qin Bi had no interest in playing at "sisterly affection."

Furthermore, ever since Qin He had transmigrated all these years, Qin Bi had been careful with her words. There was no real affection between them; Qin He, relying on her "transmigration cheat," looked down on everyone.

As the weather grew hotter, Rong Jun would carry Rong Yang to court, using the Emperor's ice and eating the Emperor's food. Whenever he saw interesting little trinkets, Rong Jun would bring them back for Rong Yang.

The civil and military officials were exasperated, egging on the little Prince and Princess to cause trouble.

The little Prince didn't dare. "My Imperial Father gave this to Brother Rong Yang."

The ministers were frustrated. Look at this—the Prince doesn't even know how to fight for things.

Seeing that bringing things home like this was becoming a habit, Qin Bi decided she couldn't let it continue. Even though Rong Yang was her son, Qin Bi's heart leaned toward the Emperor of Great Yan; the fortune of the entire kingdom rested on his shoulders.

Qin Bi looked at a cluster growing in her teacup that looked like a small tree. She recognized common vegetables, but this was different.

Seeing that it looked edible, Qin Bi dug it up. The cluster was quite lush. She said to Rong Jun, "A cluster grew; let's give half to the Emperor. Rong Yang is always eating food from the palace; we should send something back."

Rong Jun glanced at it. "Spiritual vegetables? You're willing to part with them?"

Qin Bi: "..."

She picked up a few pieces and stared at them intently.

"I can grow spiritual vegetables?" Qin Bi didn't believe it.

Rong Jun coaxed Rong Yang, took the vegetables, and said, "The taste of these is mediocre. I'll go exchange them for some vegetables suitable for our Rong Yang."

As Rong Jun stood up while holding Rong Yang, Qin Bi realized he was going to the palace to scavenge again and hurriedly asked, "Where are you going?"

Rong Jun strode into the courtyard and opened a teleportation array. The man stood tall and elegant while holding the child. "Not to the palace, but to the Immortal Sect to exchange for spiritual vegetables. The palace doesn't have delicious spiritual vegetables."

The Heir was actually being picky. Qin Bi's lip twitched.

Around dinner time, Rong Jun returned with the little one. The Heir of Rong was indeed the Heir of Rong—he was incredibly impressive. He had used a few pieces of common vegetables to exchange for a string of spiritual fruits.

"Which Immortal Sect did you go to?" Qin Bi asked curiously.

"Why ask about the Immortal Sect?" Rong Jun fed a piece of fruit to the little one.

Qin Bi muttered under her breath, and Rong Jun took a piece of fruit to feed to her.

(End of Chapter)