Chapter 423

Qin Han hesitated: "Mother, Sister seems to dislike me."

He Shi turned back, looking through Qin Han as if seeing right through her; Qin Han averted her gaze.

He Shi entered the main hall, sat down, and said: "Tell me, what exactly did Qin Bi do that you dislike? I didn't notice anything. If Qin Bi did something that caused you to misunderstand, I will scold her; I will not let you sisters misunderstand each other."

Qin Han lowered her head and remained silent.

She could not explain the reason clearly. Qin Bi was the one originally betrothed to Jiang Mo; when that fell through, Qin Han was chosen instead. In a Marquis's household, this was somewhat embarrassing, so Qin Bi must have been calculating in her heart.

Qin Han could not bring herself to say she disliked Qin Bi; she guessed Qin Bi surely held a grudge against her.

So, she claimed Qin Bi disliked her, but He Shi clearly did not buy that line.

Favoritism. The legitimate mother was truly biased.

"Qin Han." He Shi lifted a teacup from the table, took a sip, and said: "There is no problem between you and Qin Bi. I do not wish to meddle with your thoughts, but spreading baseless rumors is not allowed in our Fourth Branch. That is the flaw of the Second Branch. A concubine-born daughter can say whatever she wants without restraint. Qin He had good fortune and married well; if she speaks nonsense, it matters little because someone will cover for her. Qin Han, do you intend to cause trouble for Jiang Mo? The Rong Young Master is not someone easy to deal with."

Qin Han's heart skipped a beat: "I have no ill intentions."

He Shi did not wish to dwell on this: "If you want spiritual vegetables, ask Qin Bi yourself. If you owe a favor, ask me. Or if your two legitimate brothers give you spiritual vegetables, Qin Bi will be unhappy. Qin Bi grows the spiritual vegetables; she certainly will not give them to someone who does not speak well of her."

He Shi glanced at Qin Han and continued: "Among cultivators, spiritual vegetables are in high demand. It is common for cultivation families to exchange them. After all, they are cultivation resources. They can be given to build relationships with good contacts or given to family members to improve their cultivation base. Everyone prospers together. No one gives away spiritual vegetables for nothing. Qin Han, you are not Qin He. Do not constantly open your mouth to demand resources. You must earn your own cultivation resources through your own abilities."

Qin Han fell silent. He Shi would not give her spiritual vegetables, and she did not want to ask Qin Bi directly.

Jiang Shi and Lin Shi entered the main hall shortly after. If they had not come in, they feared He Shi would be unable to resist Qin Han's pleading and would agree to give her spiritual vegetables. Such a thing should not happen. Qin Han should have asked Qin Bi for the spiritual vegetables directly; there was no need to go around in circles.

If Qin Bi was unhappy, it would make her natal family look incompetent.

Soon, a large group arrived in a rush. Qin Bi and Qin Lang brought Rong Juan and several children. Qin Tang and Qin Xun also entered the main hall. Everyone laughed and chatted, instantly making the main hall lively.

"Ah, Qin Han is here. I have something to mention to you." Qin Tang remembered the matter of building the courtyard and said to Qin Han: "Father and I plan to expand the courtyard. The Rong Young Master intends to contribute some silver. You should discuss it with Jiang Mo and renovate your courtyard as well."

Qin Han was surprised; she did not expect the Rong Young Master to care for the Fourth Branch so much.

"I need to discuss it with Jiang Mo." Qin Han gave no definite answer.

"Very well." Qin Tang nodded: "The Fourth Branch has not been wealthy in recent years. If there is plenty of silver, we can build it well; if not, a slight renovation will suffice. The main point is to expand several courtyards."

Qin Xun also smiled, picked up Rong Juan, and said: "The Rong Young Master has many children; he worries there will not be enough room when Qin Bi returns to her natal home."

Rong Juan touched his money pouch: "I have silver. I will plant flowers, trees, and shrubs."

Qin Xun laughed. The little nephew was quite generous and not stingy about spending silver.

Jiang Mo was at the Qin Yan Marquis Manor. At that moment, he was in the front courtyard with Qin Yan and Qin Jue. Qin Han went to find him to discuss the matter. Jiang Mo thought for a moment and felt he could also contribute some silver, so he followed Qin Han to the Fourth Branch's courtyard.

Jiang Mo went to the study and said to Qin Di: "Father, since the family is building courtyards, we will also contribute silver."

Qin Tan was also present. Upon hearing this, he exchanged a glance with Qin Di. Not bad; they did not make excuses. It must be said, Jiang Mo, a merchant, was indeed capable enough to gain the Marquis family's approval.

Everyone was in the main hall. Qin Di and Qin Tan moved to the living room.

Qin Tang said to Qin Bi: "Call the Rong Young Master over so we can discuss the expenses."

"No need to call the Young Master." Qin Bi could make the decision herself. She said: "Whatever amount Qin Han contributes, I will contribute the same. You discuss the total figure; I will simply provide the silver."

"This..." Qin Tang hesitated, worried that if Jiang Mo contributed a large amount, Qin Bi might not be able to make the decision.

Qin Di and Qin Tan discussed it briefly and calculated the approximate cost.

Qin Bi used Qin Han's household as the standard. She would not contribute less, nor would she contribute more. She would simply match whatever Qin Han gave. Qin Han was conflicted; her silver was not blown in by the wind, and she did not want to contribute too much.

Jiang Mo spoke up: "I will contribute five thousand taels of silver."

Qin Han looked at Qin Bi, who still appeared to be in charge. It was likely that even to produce five thousand taels, she would have to consult the Rong Young Master. It would have been better to invite the Rong Young Master from the beginning.

Qin Xun pondered; five thousand taels was a significant amount.

He Shi also looked at Qin Bi. Qin Bi did not state how much silver she would contribute. She only asked Qin Di and her third uncle, Qin Tan: "If we build the courtyards to a higher standard, what is the total cost? My courtyard needs a small garden and a play area for the children. The other courtyards can follow this design."

"This..." Qin Di hesitated.

Qin Tan stroked his beard, thought deeply, and said: "I fear the cost will be substantial. It will require twenty thousand taels of silver. The Second Branch's courtyard previously cost nearly twenty thousand taels, and it was built very well, making it convenient to live in."

Qin Tang reminded Qin Bi: "Our Fourth Branch does not have that much silver."

"Your sister married well." Qin Bi smiled, teasing her legitimate brother, Qin Tang.

Qin Tang was stunned, then laughed in anger. Qin Lang, however, was puzzled by the meaning of her words.

"Sister." Qin Lang asked: "What do you mean?"

Qin Bi smiled: "Twenty thousand taels of silver. I will contribute ten thousand. Qin Han, our natal family does not have that much silver. You should also contribute ten thousand taels. That will be enough to build the courtyards."

Having finished speaking, Qin Bi took out several banknotes and placed them on the table, looking at Qin Han and Jiang Mo.

She contributed ten thousand taels. If Qin Han contributed less, she should not expect to have the final say in the courtyard. Since she and Qin Han would be living in the same courtyard, Qin Bi would have the final say. They were not returning to live there permanently; who was she trying to impress with her stinginess?

Qin Han was dumbfounded. Jiang Mo took a deep breath.

Qin Lang raised his thumb: "Sister, do you really have that much silver?"

Qin Bi deliberately provoked them: "The shops earned it. Didn't we open the shops together? They are very profitable."

Qin Han's face flushed red instantly. She often claimed the shops were not profitable and complained to her natal family, worrying about burdening them. The shops Qin Bi referred to were likely the ones they opened together.

Jiang Mo's expression also changed. He was very surprised that the Rong Young Master would give Qin Bi the shop profits to spend.

Hadn't the Rong Young Master disliked Qin Bi before? Even if he had a young heir and gave her dignity, that was one thing. But allowing her to manage the silver was entirely different. The fact that the Rong Young Master gave Qin Bi the shop profits proved that his claim of disliking her was false.

In the main hall, everyone showed expressions of surprise.

No one expected Qin Bi to be so decisive; it was clear she did not lack silver.