Chapter 14: You Have Gained

The Qin Yan Marquis Prefecture is in decline, with too few descendants possessing spiritual roots.

If a descendant after the old Qin Yan Marquis had emerged with high fortune, it would have been fine; unfortunately, no such person appeared. Few awakened spiritual roots, and their talents were ordinary. After Qin Yan, the title was lost.

Without Rong Juan needing to remind her, Qin Bi was well aware that the Qin Yan Marquis Prefecture lacked successors; she had seen this many years ago.

Looking at the so-called Spirit Condensing Pills, Qin Bi knew the value of the elixirs.

If these three were indeed Spirit Condensing Pills.

Qin Bi felt somewhat excited; she also wanted a powerful natal family. Before, it might have been just a thought, but now she couldn't just think about it. She had a child; having Rong Yuan's maternal family be powerful would benefit Rong Yuan.

Rong Juan also reminded her: "Rong Yuan's maternal family cannot be too poor."

Considering Qin Bi might need to visit the Qin Yan Marquis Prefecture, Rong Juan took a gold sandalwood box from a drawer, opened it, and revealed several elixirs inside, mostly low-grade ones. Rong Juan fiddled with the elixir bottles.

Rong Yuan reached out with small hands to grab them. Qin Bi thought Rong Juan intended to look after Rong Yuan's maternal family.

Instead, the young master Rong Juan returned the elixir bottles to their places, put them away, and said: "I originally wanted to give Rong Yuan's grandfather and uncle a low-grade body-refining elixir, which would be a future aid for my son too. But after thinking it over, I decided against it. It's better to keep it for my son."

Qin Bi: "..."

Is this still the generous young master Rong Juan? You might as well not have taken the elixirs out.

You fiddled with them for so long and now you're reluctant to part with them. Fine, keep them for your son!

Rong Juan stood up, held the child, and handed Qin Bi a money box: "This is the income from the various shops and fields this month. Take it. If you want to give some to your natal family, do so; if not, put it away."

Rong Juan and Qin He have always run shops together. Qin Bi and Qin He are not on good terms!

Qin Bi refused to take it: "I don't want it. Keep it yourself."

Rong Juan glanced at her; could he not know her thoughts? The man sat back in the chair, cooing to the child: "I and Qin He run the shops together. The profit is my rightful share. You need not feel unhappy. Qin He worked hard and earned the money. I am giving it to you. You have gained; you suffer no loss."

Qin Bi's thoughts stirred at his words, but what concerned her most was the elixirs: "How about I go to the Qin Yan Marquis Prefecture right now?"

Rong Juan looked at the sky: "Tomorrow. It's getting late."

Very well. Qin Bi prepared to take the child and leave. Rong Juan did not hand over his child but stood up and said: "Take the money box."

Qin Bi paused, then took the wooden box carved with spiritual plants. Rong Juan was right; let Qin He earn the money with her abilities. Qin Bi would just collect the silver, which was far better than her struggling with things herself.

Who could have imagined that Rong Juan would give her the silver earned from running shops with Qin He?

If Qin He knew the silver was being kept by her, she would surely be furious.

Thinking of this, Qin Bi sneered.

After dinner, Qin Bi sat by the bed watching Rong Yuan babble. The little one lay on a small blanket, happily kicking his little legs. Rong Juan gave Qin Bi a defensive magic treasure bracelet.

"If anyone harms you, it can defend you," Rong Juan said.

Qin Bi took it. Rong Juan felt complex emotions. He was accustomed to slaughtering on all sides; this was the first time he thought of using a defensive magic treasure. But since Qin Bi could not protect herself, he could only consider her safety.

Qin Bi had a rough idea of whom Rong Juan was guarding against.

When it was time to sleep, Rong Yuan stopped playing. Qin Bi picked up the child and coaxed him to sleep.

Once the little one was asleep, Qin Bi placed the child on the bed. Rong Juan covered him with a small blanket. Since it was summer and hot, there was no need to cover him too much; one thin small blanket was enough.

Qin Bi had matters on her mind and slept restlessly that night. Rong Juan regretted agreeing too early to let Qin Bi visit the Qin Yan Marquis Prefecture. Qin Bi's mind was not centered on the divine; she tended to overthink, which consumed her mental energy greatly.

At dawn, Qin Bi stopped sleeping and closed her eyes to rest her spirit.

Rong Juan had tidied up the little one, and the father and son went to court.

Qin Bi found it amusing; Rong Yuan was only so small, yet acted as if he were very busy.

Once Rong Juan left, Qin Bi did not eat breakfast. After thinking it over, she did not wear the young master's wife's attire. Why did she marry? The entire Qin Yan Marquis Prefecture knew. There was no need to put on a facade; she would just wear what she usually wore.

Qin Bi chose a summer skirt to go out. If it were up to her, she would just walk there.

However, that was not possible. The Wang Fu had arranged a carriage and several guards.

Upon arriving at the Qin Yan Marquis Prefecture, Qin Bi stepped directly off the carriage at the entrance. Returning to her natal home, she was no outsider. She stepped straight inside. In the front courtyard, Qin He was playing with a child, a little girl of about one or two years old.

This is how the cultivation world works. As long as Qin He wished, the child would resemble a one or two-year-old within half a year, able to speak and call people by name. Growth would slow down around four or five years old. This age was the most endearing.

Qin He loved the feeling of raising a child. She wore a young master's wife's summer skirt embroidered with flowers and auspicious clouds. The colors were fresh and elegant. It was somewhat fitted at the waist, and her shoes were inlaid with pearls.

Qin He was not tall, with skin like congealed white jade. From a distance, she looked very gentle.

Seeing Qin Bi, Qin He paused for a moment.

After a few seconds of reaction, Qin He recognized Qin Bi. Surprise flashed across her face, then she smiled and said: "Sister, you have come."

Qin Bi responded unenthusiastically. Qin He secretly pouted, but when she looked up again, she wore a smile: "Why didn't you send word? The Marquis Prefecture didn't know you were returning."

Qin Bi had nothing to say to her. Qin He's daughter was plucking leaves from a plant. The Marquis Prefecture already had few plants, and now leaves were being plucked, making them even scarcer. Qin Bi cast a mocking glance.

Qin He pulled the little girl over, pointed at Qin Bi, and said: "This is your aunt. Call her aunt."

The daughters of the four branches of the Qin Yan Marquis Prefecture were all older. Since the eldest legitimate daughter passed away, Qin Bi was the eldest. Being called aunt was not wrong, but it sounded different coming from Qin He's mouth.

Qin He wanted to imply she was young. Qin Bi sneered. The little girl did not call out. Qin Bi asked: "Can she call people by name?"

To be honest, Qin Bi truly did not care to be called aunt.

Before Qin He could say anything, a cultivation maid spoke up angrily: "Our young master's wife's child is a treasure of fortune. Born with two auspicious clouds swallowed, her fortune value is maxed out, and she has a spiritual root from birth. Speak politely to a fortune treasure with maxed-out fortune."

Qin Bi narrowed her eyes and looked over. This maid was given to Qin He by He Yan. Back then, this maid had pointed a sword at her just to protect Qin He. Today, she had jumped out again.

But times had changed. Before Qin Bi could say anything, the guards of the Rong Wang Fu behind her prepared to slap the maid.

Qin He noticed and scolded the maid: "Withdraw. Where do you have the right to speak here?"

A guard stepped forward: "Withdraw? It's not that easy."

The young master of the Rong Wang Fu was no pushover. His subordinates were generals stationed outside, having killed countless enemies. Rong Juan carried an aura of killing intent; his men were not intimidated at all by Xue Wang's people.

Qin He, used to smooth sailing, was about to explode in anger when Qin Yan and Qin Jue of the second branch rushed over: "Qin Bi has arrived. Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt are waiting for you."