Chapter 116: Spoiled Habits

The first strategist, Lin Yao, prepared festival gifts, and the housekeeper directed the servants to load them.

Qin Xun came to receive them; in Great Yan, this was the greatest respect shown to a married woman—her natal family came to fetch her, and they arrived early. After breakfast, Qin Xun had already come to the Rong Wang Fu to pick her up.

"Uncle," Rong Yuan called out.

Qin Xun bent down, picked up the child, and said, "Uncle has come to fetch you."

"Let's go, let's go..." Rong Yuan urged.

Though Rong Yuan was young, the child understood this respect for Qin Bi.

Rong Juan helped Qin Bi onto the carriage. In the cold winter, he took a beast-fur blanket and wrapped it around Luo Bi. Rong Juan took Rong Yuan from Qin Xun's arms, and Qin Xun mounted his horse; the group then headed to Qin Yan Marquis Fu.

Qin Bi's family arrived early, but Qin He had arrived even earlier. Qin He's legitimate son was very popular.

Qin Yan and the others were all in the Second House, circling around Qin He's child, flattering and currying favor with effortless ease. Hearing that Qin Bi had arrived early, Qin He's lips curled in disdain; she was about to compete with her again. She loved to compete over everything.

Qin He hinted at this sentiment, and the concubine-born daughter of the Fourth House returned to the Fourth House.

In the main hall of He Shi's courtyard, Qin Di and Rong Juan were discussing cultivation, while Qin Tang and Qin Xun accompanied them. On the women's side, He Shi was speaking with Qin Bi, and the children were playing together.

The concubine-born daughter of the Fourth House entered the room and paid respects to He Shi.

She approached Qin Bi and said, "Sister Qin Bi, in the past, Sister Qin He always arrived early. This year, you arrived very early too. Did you plan to come early on purpose?"

"Father and Mother had already arranged for me to come early," Qin Bi said, giving this concubine-born sister a glance. She only glanced once and added, "Second Brother went to fetch me early this morning. Do you think I came to compete with Qin He over something?"

The concubine-born sister looked embarrassed: "What is there to compete over?"

"I'm curious too," Qin Bi asked back. "What is there to compete over?"

The concubine-born sister's expression changed; she sensed Qin Bi's hostility.

He Shi's face darkened: "Were you not staying in the Second House?"

"Mother," the concubine-born daughter said, tears welling in her eyes.

"It's the Red Flame Festival," Qin Bi said, displeased. "Who are you putting on this act for?"

He Shi looked at the concubine-born daughter's concubine mother: "Take her away. Making a scene over a festival."

The concubine mother quickly took the concubine-born daughter away. Seeing this, another concubine-born daughter fell silent like a frozen cicada, daring not to make a sound.

In the Second House, Qin He was harmonious with the brothers and sisters of the Hou Fu. The concubine-born daughters and sons were very casual, speaking whatever came to mind. The concubine-born sister had just entered the room and hadn't said anything, yet she was taken away. Sister Qin He of the Second House was truly good.

Qin Bi's bright eyes lowered. Spoiled habits.

Everyone could hear what the concubine-born sister meant; she was merely delivering a message to Qin He, pointing out that arriving early was to compete with Qin He. Tsk. Father and Mother had discussed it and given notice; an early arrival was needed this morning.

Second Brother Qin Xun had even gone specifically to fetch her. This was the respect of the natal family. Who did Qin He think she was?

Heh. Qin He, this transmigrated heroine, had lost her protagonist halo when Qin Bi divorced and married Rong Juan. Let her cause trouble; Qin Bi would wait and see. She wanted to see how much favor Heaven's Will showed Qin He.

Rong Juan and Qin Di chatted, sparing a bit of attention for Qin Bi. Seeing that Qin Bi could handle it herself, they stopped worrying about it.

"Miss Qin Han has returned," a maid announced.

Shortly after, Qin Han and Jiang Mo entered the main hall with their children.

Jiang Mo brought small gifts for everyone. Qin Han distributed them: gold beans, pearl strands, pearl hairpins, and the like. These were all trendy items, exquisitely designed and novel, loved by children and women.

These were sold at Qin He's shops, and Qin Han was very supportive, buying quite a lot.

"So beautiful," the concubine-born daughter said happily, holding a pearl hairpin. She teased Jiang Mo: "Did you bring any soap for the sisters in the manor? The soaps you sell have several very fragrant varieties. I've wanted them for a long time."

"Which variety do you like?" Jiang Mo said generously. "I'll send someone to the shop to fetch them immediately."

Rong Juan flicked his robe and sneered coldly: "You've made a fortune!"

Everyone looked at each other in confusion. Qin Han was also surprised, wondering where she had offended Rong He Shizi.

Jiang Mo's smile froze: "I can't compare to the He Shizi. My shops are small."

Rong Juan narrowed his eyes and stared at Jiang Mo. Jiang Mo felt a pang of panic. Qin Bi followed his gaze. If Rong Juan was reborn, he and Jiang Mo had previously had a decent relationship. What did this cold treatment mean now?

Since when had the dissatisfaction started?

Oh, after she and Rong Juan got married. Qin Bi's eyes flashed.

Rong Juan sensed Qin Bi's attention, withdrew his gaze, and said, "My manor has no shortage of soap."

Rong He Shizi's rejection was somewhat embarrassing. Jiang Mo quickly thought about where he had offended Rong He Shizi.

Qin Han opened her mouth to speak, but Jiang Mo tugged her, and Qin Han closed her mouth.

"Give them to me," Jiang Shi thought it was a good idea. Why not take what's free? Since Qin He's husband's family had shops selling soap, she spoke up: "I heard the newly arrived soaps in the shop have a rich fragrance. Give me a few bars."

"I want some too," the concubine-born daughter hurriedly said.

"Give me a few bars too," Lin Shi said.

He Shi need not be mentioned; Qin Han would never dare to leave out He Shi's share.

Rong Juan stood up and prepared to go to the front courtyard with Qin Di, taking Rong Yuan with them. If the little dumpling was to be raised according to the He Shizi's standards, he could not be confined to the rear quarters. Rong Juan's meaning was clear: Rong Yuan would definitely be the little He Shizi.

In Rong Juan's heart, the Yan Guogong Fu belonged to Rong Yuan.

Rong Juan also had a fate of being a wife-killer with no children. Could he not understand He Yan's intentions? With his own child, He Yan would absolutely not let anyone covet the title of Yan Guogong. He would save it for Rong Yuan sooner or later.

"Jiang Mo, come to the front courtyard with me," Rong Juan said, stopping his steps.

Jiang Mo was lost in thought, but upon hearing this, he immediately followed.

He was overthinking it; perhaps Rong He Shizi did not hold any dissatisfaction against him.

After Rong Juan, Qin Di, and the others went to the front courtyard, Qin Han sat beside Qin Bi and said, "Sister Qin Bi, did you say something to Rong He Shizi? Rong He Shizi seems dissatisfied with my husband."

Qin Bi sneered and looked at Qin Han strangely: "Why are you like Qin He, always assuming things?"

Were Qin Han and Jiang Mo even worth her mentioning?

"You..." Qin Han's face showed a hint of anger. She had just sat down but immediately stood up: "I was speaking to you nicely. Why bring up Qin He? Qin He isn't here. Where did I offend you?"

Qin Bi found it amusing: "She has offended me in many ways. You aren't good either."

Qin Han appeared decent but was actually very scheming. In the past, Qin Bi would have given her some face. Now, with Rong Juan unable to control her, Qin Bi was unhappy and would not spoil anyone anymore.

"Who are you calling not good?" Qin Han's face turned cold.

Qin Bi sat upright without moving, yet still had the leisure to take melon seeds from the dish and eat them, asking casually, "Do you want to fight? If you do, let us go outside the Marquis Qin Yan's residence. My parents and elder brothers have treated me well; I will not cause them trouble."

Qin Bi understood propriety, but that depended on whom she was dealing with.

"Oh my," the Lady Lin advised, "What is happening? Sisters are not outsiders."

Lady He and Lady Jiang were somewhat stunned. A few words and they were about to fight? Why was Qin Bi's temper so sharp? The former Qin Bi had always been gentle; it must be that the fourth branch's concubine-born daughter had spoken out of turn and provoked her.