"Mother..."
Qin Heng shouted, "I want to go see my sister."
Mrs. Cui originally wanted to scold him a few words with a stern face, but upon hearing this, she said, "Speaking of which, the festival is approaching. I wonder if your sister is well. It’s good to go see her."
Qin Heng then took two servants, carrying several boxes, and went out. At the alley entrance, he saw Gu Baoshu who had been waiting for some time and sighed with relief, "I was afraid you couldn’t wait and ran away. What’s the urgency? I nearly got scolded by my parents. Let’s hurry, or I might run into my father."
The two hurried out of the alley, fearing they would run into Qin Jijiu returning home from work. After walking far, Qin Heng asked, "Where are we going? I need to deliver things to my second sister’s house."
Gu Baoshu muttered, "I actually forgot about this person," then thought for a moment and said, "I’ve hardly interacted with your second brother-in-law. It’s good to go see him."
Knowing oneself and the enemy is essential for victory; since Lin Ziqi was chosen by Xu Tang, she should also see what kind of person he is.
Qin Heng nodded and said, "Let’s deliver things and then attend to your matters."
Upon arriving at Lin Junren’s house, Qin Heng ordered a servant to knock on the door. After many knocks, the door finally opened.
"... Who is it... Oh, it’s the young master, please come in."
The expression on the nanny who opened the door was somewhat strange. A young maid hurriedly turned and ran into the inner room to report, and the sounds of quarrels and crying could be heard from inside.
Qin Heng inquired, "Did I come at a bad time? Is something happening in the house?"
The nanny, who had come with Qin Wan to the Lin family, smacked her lips, "Isn’t it so? Today, the young master and young mistress quarreled again over the festival gifts. The young master had a headache and the young mistress argued with the old madam over calling a doctor. They must be almost done quarreling by now."
Qin Heng sighed and led Gu Baoshu into the hall and sat down.
Lin Ziqi, bothered by a headache, couldn’t come out to entertain guests. Luckily, the visitors were Qin Wan’s family brother and the accompanying Mr. Qi was also a half-grown child. It was acceptable for Qin Wan to come out to entertain.
Soon, Qin Wan, whose face was unpleasant, came out supported by Bai He, and upon seeing Qin Heng, she asked, "Why are you here now?"
These words made Gu Baoshu can’t help but frown.
Qin Heng helplessly said, "Second sister, I’m just concerned about you. Since you’re pregnant now, you seldom return home. Everyone at home misses you!"
Qin Wan sat down and began to cry, "Only family... Alas... Living so close to my family but still suffering grievances. If your brother-in-law becomes an Advanced Scholar and holds office outside, thousands of miles away, I can’t imagine how much more I’d suffer."
When these words were spoken, Bai He quickly whispered, "Madam, be cautious with your words."
The Lin family’s house is small, and Mrs. Lin and Lady Yu keep a close watch on Qin Wan’s belongings; if she speaks like this, it will surely reach Mrs. Lin, causing more trouble in the future.
Moreover, there’s a young guest present, it’s said family scandals should not be publicly aired.
Qin Wan said no more, only lowered her head, sobbing quietly.
Qin Heng sighed and asked, "Second sister, what grievances have you suffered, tell your brother. Even if you’re worried about parents knowing and being unhappy, I can ask big sister and brother-in-law."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Lin, who was eavesdropping from behind, quickly came out and said, "Ah, the young master from the family has come, why so polite and brings so many good things. How is dear mother lately? How is your cousin’s studies? Ziqi’s headaches are severe, and he hasn’t been studying much."
She pretended to invite Qin Heng to eat, but upon his refusal, she let it go.
Qin Wan couldn’t help but secretly pout.
After Qin Heng replied one by one, Mrs. Lin asked which family’s young gentleman Gu Baoshu belonged to.
Qin Heng then stood up and said, "It’s getting late, Mr. Qi and I have matters unfinished, we’ll come again to see brother-in-law in a few days."
Mrs. Lin finally said, "Why leave so early? You’ve brought so many things, I haven’t had time to prepare a return gift."
Qin Heng said, "My mother is also concerned about the second sister’s health; what I’ve brought are not valuable things, just some food and daily items, no need for a return gift, Old Madam."
Mrs. Lin, seeing this, did not insist, keeping her gaze fixed on the boxes on the table, "Then Wan’er, give your brother a proper send-off."
Qin Wan escorted her brother to the door, crying, "Your brother-in-law complains at home all day, always saying father doesn’t value him as a son-in-law. Cousin buries himself in study, rarely interacts. He complains about cousin being successful and looking down on people. Recently his headaches persist, calling a doctor hasn’t found anything, and mother-in-law scolds people at home."
She had things to complain about to her brother but couldn’t speak of them.
Mrs. Lin is domineering at home, fortunately, Bai He and her daughter specially attend to her, reducing much turmoil.
Aunt Yu cannot have children, and increasingly holds tight to Lin Ziqi, outwardly honest but cunning inside, occasionally instigating in front of Mrs. Lin and Lin Ziqi, causing much unhappiness.