Chapter 275: What's So Great About It?

It seemed that He Shi had nearly severed ties with her natal family over Qin Bi's marriage arrangements.

Yet Qin Bi had always remembered it; truly, that was rare.

It was not that Lin Shi said that no matter how Cui Shi plotted for Qin He, Qin He would not show gratitude; that was how most concubine-born daughters were, like Qin Han. He Shi had treated Qin Han well, yet Qin Han did not necessarily remember He Shi's kindness.

Jiang Shi took a string of spirit fruits, intending to wash them herself. Although Qin Bi had picked five or six strings of spirit fruits, she could not possibly leave them all behind; she still had two children to feed.

Qin Bi saw the situation and said, "Eldest Sister-in-law, take two more strings. Call the little nephews over to taste the spirit fruits I grew."

Back then, her father and brothers had supported her divorce; the two sisters-in-law had not been without merit either. Although the father and the legitimate mother held the household authority and the sisters-in-law could not make final decisions, the fact that Jiang Shi and Lin Shi had not shown any displeasure was enough.

Jiang Shi and Lin Shi exchanged a glance; naturally, they wanted their own children to eat the spirit fruits. Jiang Shi's smile became more sincere, and she took two more strings of spirit fruits out of the main hall.

The children of the Fourth House heard they could eat spirit fruits and came running with joyful faces.

This excited the little milk ball so much that he bounced around with great energy. He Shi was surprised: "This child, though small, has quite a bit of strength. Could our Great Yan be producing another great general?"

"Brother Rong Chi?" The children stared in surprise when they saw the little milk ball.

Rong Juan often visited Qin Yan Marquis Fu, and this younger one was carried by Rong He Shizi every time he came, treated as something precious. The children dared not play with Rong Chi; if they touched the little ball and he cried, their worlds would collapse.

The little milk ball, Rong Chi, made cooing sounds, wanting to play with the children.

There was no choice, so Qin Tang's eldest son had to carefully take him. Qin Xun's eldest son hurriedly brought a stable chair, and another little nephew helped; Qin Tang's eldest son sat down holding the little milk ball.

Rong Chi was delighted, laughing raucously.

Qin Bi also smiled. Jiang Shi returned after washing the spirit fruits, carrying two fruit plates. She placed one on the table before He Shi and tore off a small branch from the other plate to feed the child to Qin Bi first.

The other children each received a small branch. The children of the Fourth House, eating such delicious spirit fruits for the first time, could not bear to eat them quickly. They took tiny bites, savoring the sweet and sour flavors carefully.

He Shi had only eaten spirit fruits a few times when visiting her natal family. She picked one up and put it in her mouth: "These spirit fruits are good, sweet and sour."

The children nodded: "They are so sweet, so sweet."

Jiang Shi and Lin Shi also tore off two spirit fruits. Jiang Shi took a bite: "Indeed, sweet and sour."

As these words fell, Qin Bi had already peeled two spirit fruits and fed them to the little milk ball. She peeled another green one, not very red. The child spat it out, his small brow furrowed because it was extremely sour.

"Oh my!" Jiang Shi laughed: "Switch to one with more redness."

He Shi and Lin Shi also found it amusing, entertained by the child. He Shi pushed the fruit plate on the table: "Find the red ones for the child to eat. Look how sour we made our Rong Chi; he won't eat the unripe ones."

Lin Shi immediately held the plate for Qin Bi to choose. The several children of the Fourth House also picked the green ones to eat, leaving the reddish ones for the little milk ball. The older children were happy, and the little ones were delighted too.

The Fourth House ate spirit fruits, and He Shi did not hide it. Why should she hide it? Now that her Fourth House was doing well, she could show off a bit.

In the Second House, Qin He's legitimate sister pouted: "What's so great about it? Just a blind cat hitting a dead rat, growing a patch of melons in the Wilderness. A concubine-born daughter is only fit to farm herself. If Sister Qin He wants spirit fruits, He He Shizi will bring them immediately."

Cui Shi glanced at her: "Did Qin He eat any spirit fruits this year?"

Qin He's legitimate sister: "..."

The concubine-born daughters of the Fifth House, Qin Yan and Qin Cui, ran to find Qin He's legitimate sister. They huddled together in gloom, determined to tell Sister Qin He later that Qin Bi must not surpass Sister Qin He.

The wife of Qin Yan Marquis of the First House was surprised; she had not expected He Shi to have spoken up for Qin Bi in vain. They were even eating the spirit fruits Qin Bi gave.

The Fourth House was lively and bustling. Rong Juan, Lin Yao, Qin Tan, and others were all competing for the "Bountiful Harvest Cloud" in the Wilderness, so Qin Bi did not bother with them and planned to stay at Qin Yan Marquis Fu for the day.

In the afternoon, everyone gathered in He Shi's courtyard.

The children ate and drank. Lin Yao sent several ordinary watermelons from the Wilderness. Qin Tang and Qin Xun grew watermelons, but these were grown by Qin Bi, so the sentiment was naturally different.

The early autumn days were hot and dry, so Jiang Shi cut a watermelon.

She gave a piece to He Shi first, a piece to Rong Chi, and the rest took pieces to eat.

Just then, Qin Han returned to the Marquis Fu with her child. A maid entered the room and said, "My Lady, Young Lady, Miss Qin Han has returned."

Everyone was stunned. The children holding watermelon pieces lost their bearings. Qin Bi was also momentarily surprised. He Shi asked with surprise: "If there is no special reason, why has she come? Did she bring her child?"

The maid immediately replied: "She brought her child."

Very well, everyone immediately guessed the reason. They had not hidden the fact that they were eating spirit fruits; Qin Han had probably heard the news and came with her child in the afternoon, likely hoping to get some melons and fruits to share.

Jiang Shi and Lin Shi exchanged a glance and made their own decision without asking He Shi, saying urgently: "Quickly, put the melons and fruits away."

In an instant, those eating melons stopped. Rong Chi smacked his lips, swallowed the spirit fruit in his mouth, and the several children of the Fourth House, along with Jiang Shi, Lin Shi, and the maids and nannies, quickly cleared the table.

Qin Xun's youngest son carried the fruit plate away. Rong Chi made cooing sounds, and Qin Bi coaxed him: "Don't eat yet."

The child was very clever, obediently looking here and there.

Lin Shi quickly tore a branch of spirit fruits from the stem, about three fruits, and handed them to Qin Tang's eldest son who was holding the little milk ball. She whispered: "If the child wants to eat, let him eat. Qin Han's child is older; he wouldn't compare with such a small child."

Qin Bi took the spirit fruit from her little nephew's hand, put one in the little nephew's mouth. This child had been holding Rong Chi and hadn't eaten much fruit, having eaten far less than his younger brothers.

"Give it to your younger brother," the nephew said.

"He won't be short," Qin Bi gave the little nephew another spirit fruit.

Seeing this, Rong Chi no longer minded the sourness of the green fruit. He quickly opened his mouth to eat the small piece of flesh Qin Bi fed him.

Lin Shi tore off another branch for Qin Bi. Jiang Shi glanced around the main hall; there were melon seeds and candies on the table. Jiang Shi went out personally to welcome Qin Han. Qin Han entered the main hall with her child.

"Are the nephews all here with Mother?" Qin Han smiled and pushed her son: "Go play with your cousins."

The child ran over to the several Qin family children. He Shi asked: "Is your shop not busy anymore?"

"It's been a long time since I returned to the Marquis Fu." Qin Han, having practiced running a shop, spoke appropriately without hesitation: "I had some free time, so I came to see Father and Mother. The child missed Grandfather and Grandmother and insisted on coming along."

He Shi nodded, and Jiang Shi and Lin Shi exchanged pleasantries with Qin Han.

Qin Han's gaze swept over but saw no spirit fruits or spirit melons. Jiang Ren turned her head, looked around the table, and her gaze fell on the spirit fruit in Qin Bi's hand. The little girl tugged at Qin Han's sleeve.