Though he also gained benefits, it wasn’t nearly as much as Qin Siyuan and Sixth Master Gu.
Thinking about it made Lin Ziqi somewhat resentful, always feeling like he was making wedding dresses for others.
Hearing their conversation, Qin Heng felt uncomfortable and stood up, saying: "Second brother-in-law is ill today and probably can’t go, will Second Sister go? Mother at home is still thinking of you. Eldest Sister has matters at home and cannot come. Father is just having a few close people over for dinner to avoid gossip."
Although Qin Jijiu was happy, he still cared about the family of his in-laws hosting a funeral, so he merely invited his daughter and son-in-law for a meal.
Qin Wan immediately said, "Of course I need to go back,"
Lin Ziqi frowned.
Qin Wan added, "Husband has cousin to help take care of the medicine, I will go back and inquire about the poetry contest."
Hearing this, Qin Heng felt something was unusual, and glanced at Lin Ziqi with a frown.
Lin Ziqi hurriedly said to Qin Wan, "Are you going to take the maid from the kitchen back home too? With her there and mother at home, there’s no need for cousin to worry. I made it clear that day, don’t say such things in the future, people might think we are being stingy and treating relatives as servants."
Qin Wan merely smiled faintly.
Qin Heng stood up and said, "I will go bid farewell to Mother-in-law, Second Sister, pack your things and leave."
Qin Wan responded.
Lin Ziqi said, "Wan’er, I have something for you to give to Father-in-law."
After Qin Heng stepped out, Lin Ziqi whispered to Qin Wan, "Gather information subtly, find out who’s planning for Sixth Master Gu and who’s advising Qin Siyuan."
They were still in the same boat, so Qin Wan naturally agreed.
Yanhong had already packed the items as well, and Qin Wan had no time to look at the things Qin Heng had brought; she simply put them in her room and told the young maid to watch over the room.
Lady Yu found various excuses to linger nearby, wishing her eyes could stick to Qin Wan.
Yanhong observed this and couldn’t help but curse lightly, while Qin Heng’s accompanying servants took the rattan box from Yanhong’s hands, and everyone headed out.
As they left the Lin Family, Qin Heng whispered to Qin Wan, "Second Sister, is that woman Second Brother-in-law’s cousin? She doesn’t seem like a quiet person."
Qin Wan was quite surprised and asked, "How can you tell? When she first arrived, I felt sorry for her coming from the countryside, being divorced at a young age, but later realized she’s trouble."
Qin Heng frowned and said, "Second Sister, your behavior and speech have become increasingly temple-like. How will you ever become an official’s wife?"
Qin Wan spat, "Who knows if that day will ever come? As the saying goes, three women make a drama. If I remain naive, they might devour me whole."
Yanhong chimed in, "Indeed, the young master at Jiujie Mansion knows nothing of worldly dangers, nor does he understand our life in the Lin family. Whatever Miss does, the old lady disapproves, always asking for money. Even when given money, we get nothing good in return. Whenever Master returns, the old lady speaks ill of Miss, preparing lavish meals... When Miss says anything, he assumes she despises the old lady. Now there is a cousin added to the mix, making it even worse."
Qin Heng sighed and said no more.
This life, Second Sister chose herself. What can be said?
Mother kept saying that Second Sister was passing on a good life, suggesting she wasn’t thinking straight and would definitely regret it later.
But regretting now won’t change anything.
Moreover, Qin Heng observed that Eldest Brother-in-law had a personality that matched Eldest Sister’s, but it wouldn’t necessarily be the same with Second Sister.
Father was right; everyone has their own karma.
As a brother who isn’t scholarly, he will rely on his brothers-in-law in the future; therefore, he shouldn’t meddle.
After the Lin family left, Mrs. Lin’s expression soured. First, she vented her anger in the kitchen, scolding the cook until she cried, and moved to Lin Ziqi’s study door, continuously nagging: "Marrying a wife who sides with her natal family, even taking cured mandarin fish. If she manages the household, she might send even a stalk of rice back to her family."
Lin Ziqi was already annoyed and, hearing his mother’s nagging, angrily said, "Isn’t her dowry all in your hands? What more do you want?"
Mrs. Lin, feeling provoked, immediately sat on the ground crying.
"What’s the point of living? I raised a son who forgets his mother after marrying. She’s a noble lady from Jiujie’s family and can’t be told anything, while I’m seen as an annoying old woman."
Headache after headache assaulted Lin Ziqi, who couldn’t stand it any longer. He picked up a brush washer from the table and slammed it on the floor.