Chapter 176: First Volume_Chapter 176: The Madam of the Qin Family

First Volume_Chapter 176: The Madam of the Qin Family

Although the City Patrol Bureau and the Garrison Army are both his own people, borrowing the Jiaochang wasn't an issue.

But it was still someone else's territory, and occupying it all day wasn't proper. Taking turns would drag down the training.

Besides, buying a plot of land wouldn't cost much, and it would all be Qin Family property in the future anyway.

Qin Feng immediately had Qin Xiaofu send word home, instructing Lin Quqi to take three thousand taels of silver and buy an empty plot east of Jingdu.

He then had Lu Ming lead craftsmen there to do some simple planning before beginning to build various barracks facilities.

As for the Gongfang he had long been set on.

After careful consideration, Qin Feng had it built inside the Training Ground as well.

He spent another two hundred taels of silver hiring many strong laborers from surrounding villages and towns, bought building materials, and fenced in the entire Training Ground. This "One Mu Three Fen Land" was now Qin Feng's territory.

With all the construction happening almost simultaneously, Qin Feng was suddenly swamped beyond measure.

Ning Hu and Xu Mo weren't idle either. They drilled a total of eighteen hundred New Recruits and moved them all into the Training Ground — first, to let them get used to the environment ahead of time; second, to help with the work. After all, many hands make light work, and the Training Ground could be finished sooner…

At the same time, the Qin Residence was also bustling with activity.

Ministers and nobles from all sides came one after another to offer gifts and visit the Qin Family.

Qin Tianhu, who had just finished Early Court, entertained guests while sending people to look for Qin Feng.

After all, half of today's visitors had come for Qin Feng, yet that useless boy had greased his soles and run off.

Lin Quqi did know where Qin Feng was, but he couldn't bring himself to betray him and could only hide from Qin Tianhu.

Xie Yun'er stepped through the Qin Family Gate.

This was her first time visiting the Qin Family. The thought that she was here to pay respects to her future in-laws made her cheeks burn hot. Gone was her usual wilfulness; she trailed shyly behind her father Xie Bi.

But shortly after entering, she learned that Qin Feng had run off.

Xie Yun'er's little face instantly fell to the ground — she was furious!

She couldn't help cursing in her heart: "You rotten Qin Feng! Are you really that unwilling to marry me? You don't want to marry me, and I don't want to marry you! At worst, things will go on as before — just don't ever fall into my hands!"

Seeing the looks on the father and daughter from the Xie Family, Qin Tianhu could no longer bother with the other guests. He hurried over to them and explained with painstaking effort: "Duke Ning, Miss Xie, this old man has failed to teach his son properly. Please, the two of you must not take it to heart. I have already sent people everywhere to look for that unfilial boy."

Xie Bi, his nose still red, gave a cold snort: "What, is he looking down on my family's Yun'er?"

At those words, Qin Tianhu's back bent halfway over. He said in astonishment: "Absolutely not! The Qin and Xie Families joining in marriage is a blessing earned over three lifetimes by that brat Qin Feng. He's not at the residence today — he must be busy with the New Recruits' affairs."

Xie Bi's expression eased slightly. After all, the matter of the New Army had been entrusted by the Sage and naturally could not be neglected.

But Xie Yun'er puffed out her cheeks, secretly sighing at how rude the Qin Family was.

Qin Feng not being around was one thing, but her — his future daughter-in-law — had come to inspect the household, and yet his mother hadn't shown her face. Before even crossing the threshold, she was already suffering such grievances. If she married into the Qin Family later, would she ever have any peace?

The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt. Xie Yun'er casually asked: "Fine that that pest Qin Feng isn't here, but why isn't Madam Qin here either?"

Xie Bi, who had been holding his head high on the strength of the word "propriety," instantly deflated the moment he heard Xie Yun'er mention "Madam Qin."

He quickly pulled Xie Yun'er behind him, cupped his fist toward Qin Tianhu in apology: "Lord Qin, Yun'er has never been to the Qin Family and knows nothing of the Qin's domestic affairs. As the saying goes, the ignorant are blameless. I beg Lord Qin to be magnanimous."

At the mention of "Madam Qin," Qin Tianhu's face did indeed darken.

But seeing Xie Bi apologize so sincerely, and knowing Xie Yun'er truly knew nothing of the Qin Family's internal matters, he didn't take it to heart. He waved his hand: "No matter. Please, Duke Ning and Miss Xie, take your seats."

Xie Yun'er was as clever as ice and snow; she naturally knew she had nearly caused trouble just now and dared not speak carelessly again.

Only after Qin Tianhu went off to attend to other guests did Xie Yun'er look at Xie Bi and ask softly: "Has something happened to Madam Qin?"

Xie Yun'er had little contact with the Qin Family and had never visited before, so naturally she knew nothing of the inside story.

Many years ago, Madam Qin had taken the still-young Third Miss and left the capital to return to their hometown.

She had lived at the Ancestral Land all these years. On the surface, it was said she had gone home to observe Mourning Duty for Qin Tianhu, but in truth… she had taken a black pot upon herself for Qin Tianhu.

Those who had met Madam Qin only knew that she was a capable hand at managing the Qin Family, and her reputation was excellent.

But those who knew her more deeply found Madam Qin to be "ruthless and petty," especially when it came to protecting Qin Family Members — she would stop at nothing. It was no exaggeration to call her "shrewish."

Although it was for the good of the Qin Family, Jingdu was full of the powerful and noble, and one careless move could offend someone.

Even after a certain incident, she was framed and drawn into a Royal Murder Case…

At the time, the Sage, in one decisive stroke, issued an Imperial Decree banishing Madam Qin back to the Ancestral Land.

But tracing the matter to its roots, it had all begun with court factional struggles. So Qin Tianhu and the Sage shared a tacit understanding — it was considered that Madam Qin had taken an Arrow for Qin Tianhu.

As for when Madam Qin could return to the capital, it would depend on when the Sage issued an Imperial Decree. Otherwise…

Whenever Madam Qin died of old age, that would be when this "mourning" was finished.

The husband and wife had been separated for years, never meeting, and it had always been a sore spot in Qin Tianhu's heart — a taboo within the Qin Family, not to be spoken of lightly.

Xie Bi told Xie Yun'er the whole story from beginning to end. Xie Yun'er covered her mouth and gasped: "I never expected there was such an inside story. No wonder all these years Lord Qin has walked on thin ice at the Imperial Court. Even though he has the Sage's trust, he has never won the hearts of the court. They probably all think Lord Qin only achieved what he has today because of his own wife…"

Xie Bi sighed, his eyes full of emotion: "I wonder if, with this marriage between the Qin and Xie Families, the Sage will recall the matter of Madam Qin. No matter how many faults there were back then, Qin Feng has already earned considerable merit for Shedynasty. It should be enough for Merit and Demerit to Offset."

Hearing this, Xie Yun'er felt a strange tension again, wanting to speak but holding back.

Xie Bi naturally saw Xie Yun'er's concern and gave a hearty laugh at once: "Don't worry! Although Madam Qin is ruthless, that's only toward outsiders. Toward her own family, she's extremely protective. In this respect, she's simply cut from the same cloth as that scoundrel Qin Feng… Haven't you seen how strict Lord Qin is with Qin Feng? He probably sees his son and is reminded of his wife."

Like mother, like son?

Xie Yun'er couldn't help secretly growing curious about this future mother-in-law of hers…