Chapter 154: Qin He Is a Talented Lady

Qin Bi held Rong Juan while watching the young master of Rong give orders.

Several cousins from Qin Yan Marquis Fu brought a few pieces of jade; their quality was acceptable, at least showing good intentions. After Qin Xun and Qin Lang presented them to Qin Bi as a gesture of goodwill, Qin Bi accepted them.

Rong Juan thought for a moment, then handed the little bun in his arms to Qin Bi: "You hold Rong Yu."

This child was also his own; as a mother, Qin Bi could not favor one over the other.

Naturally, Rong Juan would not favor Rong Yu while neglecting Rong Yu; he picked up Rong Yu and told the child, "Your younger brother is small. Let your mother hold him. Since you are such a talkative child, stay with your mother."

Though his words were dismissive, his eyes held doting affection.

Watching the little spiritual beast from the side, Qin Bi tentatively asked, "Does Rong Yu like the little spiritual beast? Your brother is too young to play with it."

She wanted to give it back; if he liked it, she might as well give it all to Fu Bao.

That was Qin Bi's thought, but she could not decide for Rong Yu.

Yan Guogong Fu was Rong Yu's home; if she cut ties too cleanly, the child might not be willing.

Rong Yu heard her and said in a milky voice, "Let's raise it first."

Worried that Qin Bi would tire, Rong Juan put down Rong Yu, took his younger son, and sent his wife and children home. He had prepared spiritual food that evening, but dinner was not yet ready; Qin Bi and the two children could play while they waited.

The summer heat made staying indoors unbearable.

Rong Juan ordered servants to set up tables and chairs in the courtyard. Qin Bi held Rong Yu, coaxed him, and talked to Rong Yu. Rong Juan left again to count the items.

"Rong Yu." Qin Bi and Rong Yu made "ah-ah" sounds, then she turned to Rong Yu and said, "You are still young. I did not want to tell you, but when He He Shizi and I divorced, he did not know I was carrying you."

"If he merely liked you and was unsure you were his child, there was no reason for him to dote on you or obey your every wish. You know He He Shizi is your father, but he does not."

Rong Yu looked up: "But I already called him father."

"Fu Bao also wants to call someone father." Qin Bi's words carried a slight disparagement toward Qin He and her child; after all, Fu Bao was Xue He Shizi's child, yet she longed to be someone else's child—how ridiculous. Qin Bi said, "Could you say Fu Bao is also He He Shizi's child? Besides, the Xuan Master's fortune-telling declared that the sons of two powerful ministers are fated to be childless and lose their wives. This is destiny; who dares to doubt it?"

With such a fate, He He Shizi dared not hope for more.

Qin Bi had no other intent, nor did she mean to speak well of He Yan. What she wanted to tell the child was that He He Shizi did not know about Rong Yu, so there was nothing wrong with him giving the little spiritual beast to Fu Bao.

When Qin He was carrying Fu Bao, He Yan had gone to the small space in the Demon Beast Realm to find heavenly treasures for her.

Though not his own flesh and blood, he still felt some affection.

"If He He Shizi knew you were his child and still shared things with Fu Bao..." Qin Bi pulled Rong Yu closer and looked at the little milk bun, Rong Yu, saying, "Rong Juan and I are your parents. You have a younger brother. You lack nothing. Some things are better left unclaimed."

Rong Yu shook his head: "No way. What's mine is mine. Why should I give it to someone else?"

Qin Bi: "..."

So, Rong Yu was not like her. If someone did not like her, she stayed far away to avoid being disliked. Rong Yu was raised by Rong Juan; his personality was flamboyant and domineering. Whatever was his, no one could take.

Qin Bi also saw the thoughts of Rong Juan and Rong Yu: Rong Yu would inherit Rong Wang Fu, while Rong Yu would inherit Yan Guogong Fu. It was not a matter of rarity; in Rong Juan's eyes, Yan Guogong Fu should belong to Rong Yu.

Qin Bi did not think so, so she did not interfere.

Could the decision made by a powerful minister's son in Great Yan, weighing pros and cons, be inferior to the insight of a concubine-born daughter from a Marquis Fu? Do not be arrogant. Rong Juan might dote more on his younger son, but he would still arrange the best for Rong Yu.

From a standpoint of power and influence, refusing the title of Yan Guogong Fu would be foolish.

Even Xue Wang Fu coveted the fortune and title of Yan Guogong Fu; how much more so He Yan's own legitimate child. Handing Yan Guogong Fu over to others was not Rong Juan's style.

After dinner, Rong Juan and Rong Yu went to the study to discuss matters.

What they hid from Qin Bi was surely about Yan Guogong Fu.

The children had already celebrated their full-month birthday, so Qin Bi could go out. The next day, Qin Xun came to take Qin Bi to the Marquis Fu. Rong Juan took his wife and children with him to Qin Yan Hou Fu. In summer, the flowers in the Marquis Fu had bloomed, and several friends of the Qin Yan Hou Fu young master had arrived.

Such occasions naturally could not do without Qin He, and He He Shizi came as well.

Qin Bi spoke with He Shi in the courtyard of the fourth house. Rong Juan took Rong Yu to the front courtyard. Qin Han and her husband also brought their children. The entire front courtyard was lively, with everyone circling around Qin He.

"Sister Qin He," Qin He's legitimate younger sister said, "The flowers are blooming beautifully today. Summon rain to water the garden."

"Yes, Sister Qin He, you are a disciple of the Immortal Sect." Qin Yan chimed in with flattery: "In Jingcheng, Sister Qin He, you are a talented lady. Today, while admiring the flowers, you must show us your skill."

Everyone joined in the clamor, eager to see Qin He display her talents.

Several young masters from noble families also showed support, looking on with anticipation.

Qin He smiled gently, standing among the flowers and holding the summoning artifact. Her light summer dress fluttered elegantly. She knew how to dress well; at first glance, she truly resembled a graceful immortal.

"Very well," Qin He smiled faintly, "I will try summoning rain."

As soon as Qin He spoke, she summoned immediately. A dark cloud gathered above her. Qin Bi channeled her spiritual power and used an immortal technique on the summoning artifact. After a cup of tea, fine rain fell over half the garden.

"Young Lady Xue Rong Shizifei is truly impressive; indeed, a talented lady." Several young masters clapped.

Qin He smiled shyly, stepped out of the flower bed, and moments later the rain vanished.

Young masters from various mansions favored Qin He. Xue He Shizi felt proud that such a woman, as calm as an orchid, had been married into his home. Fu Bao also strutted proudly; her mother was truly amazing.

The little girl showed off among the children. Rong Yu was among them. Before long, the children began to fight.

Fu Bao sat on the ground. Qin He's heart ached; she went to help Fu Bao up.

"Mother, Rong Yu hit me," Fu Bao pointed at Rong Yu and complained to Qin He.

Qin He frowned: "Rong Yu, how could you hit your sister?"

"I am the young master of Rong Wang Fu," Rong Yu stood as a tiny bundle, speaking in a milky voice but without any tantrum. He said, "She is the young lady of Xue Wang Fu. How could she possibly be my sister?"

"Even if you do not recognize Fu Bao as your sister, you cannot hit her," Qin He said sternly.

Xue He Shizi went over and asked Fu Bao, "Where are you hurt?"

"I fell on the ground," Fu Bao took the opportunity to complain, "My hand hurts."

Qin He turned to look at Rong He Shizi: "Rong He Shizi..."

Rong Juan ignored Qin He, stepped forward, picked up Rong Yu, and looked coldly at Qin He.

Qin He had never seen Rong Juan so fierce. Instinctively, she sought He He Shizi's protection: "He He Shizi, Fu Bao was raised under your watch. You cannot ignore Fu Bao."