Chapter 27: Infuriated, Old Jealousies Stir

“It wasn’t anything particularly amusing; I was very young then,” Qin Huaiyong said with a touch of bitterness, finding the delicate pastries in his mouth increasingly hard to swallow.

“Were you as young as I am? Just as clueless?” Qin Wanru’s curiosity grew. “Father, tell me about when you and Aunt Shui were children. What games did you play?”

“It was so long ago, I can barely remember!” Qin Huaiyong genuinely did not wish to recount those days. The events of the past few days weighed heavily on him, filling his heart with guilt and sorrow.

“Father, please tell me. I want to hear it. Next time I see Aunt Shui, I can share these stories with her—maybe it will cheer her up. I heard she’s been feeling down lately and moved to live alone at the family shrine!” Qin Wanru said, sounding rather aggrieved.

Seeing his youngest daughter’s sweet and innocent face, Qin Huaiyong’s worries eased slightly. He sighed and set the pastry back onto the plate. “Your Aunt Shui was very young then. She seemed quiet and gentle, but when it came to playing, she was wilder than anyone…”

“What are the general and Wanru chatting about that’s making you so happy?” came Di’s raised voice from the doorway.

Qin Wanru turned to see Di had indeed arrived.

“Mother!” The smile on Qin Wanru’s face, once as bright as a blooming flower, instantly wilted. She rose, her smile stiffening, paid her respects to Di, and instinctively edged closer to Qin Huaiyong, looking rather timid.

“What are you doing here?” Qin Huaiyong asked, displeased at his daughter’s apprehension upon seeing Di.

“What do you mean by that, General? If Wanru can come, why can’t her mother? Or am I interrupting your pleasant conversation?” Di responded tartly.

Recalling the lively expressions on Qin Huaiyong’s face when she entered, Di’s heart was filled with jealousy and resentment. She had long suspected something between Shui Ruolan and Qin Huaiyong, but both were always so tight-lipped, never giving anything away in her presence.

“Mother, Father and I were just talking about Aunt Shui’s childhood!” Qin Wanru replied gently, reiterating the very topic that fueled Di’s jealousy. “Father said Aunt Shui was very adorable back then!”

The more Qin Wanru spoke, the more Di suspected something between Qin Huaiyong and Shui Ruolan. Her jealousy rooted itself in her heart and continued to grow, leaving her chest tight and almost speechless.

“Mother, Father likes Aunt Shui. Do you like her too? Is it because you both enjoy the same dishes that you get along so well?” Qin Wanru teased, her brows raised in delight, clearly in good spirits.

Qin Wanru’s cheerful demeanor reminded Di of Qin Yuru, who had been crying earlier. The pain in her chest flared like fire. The little girl she expected to be in trouble was fine, while her own daughter suffered—how could she accept that?

Wanru’s mention of the dishes unsettled Di. It was a topic she wished to avoid. She smiled faintly and changed the subject. “We can talk about your Aunt Shui later. I need to discuss something with your father about the magistrate Qi’s household. Since you’re here, it’s just as well. Miss Qi will be visiting tomorrow. As the hostess, you should keep her company.”

Miss Qi was Liu Rongzhi, Qi Tianyu’s younger sister.

As expected, Liu Rongzhi was being brought in. Qin Wanru sneered inwardly. Liu Rongzhi was no friend—in her previous life, she and Qin Yuru were a pair of accomplices, tormenting Qin Wanru and repeatedly conspiring against her. Even her final misfortune was tied to Liu Rongzhi.

When sentenced to execution, Qin Wanru could barely breathe from the pain, yet she saw Liu Rongzhi’s smug smile in the crowd.

She had been planning to confront Liu Rongzhi anyway; since she was coming, it was all the better.

“Why is someone from Magistrate Qi’s household coming?” Qin Huaiyong frowned, feeling a headache. He didn’t want anything to do with them now.

“They felt Qi Tianyu’s words the other day were too harsh, especially regarding Yuru’s supposed secret pregnancy. Miss Qi is coming to apologize. Originally, Qi Tianyu himself was to come, but it’s not ideal for them to meet now,” Di explained delicately.

“Why bother apologizing after all this? In truth, we’re the ones who should apologize,” Qin Huaiyong replied.

“What are you saying, General? Since Magistrate Qi’s family is so gracious, we must show our own magnanimity and resolve the matter. Surely you don’t wish for a rift between you and Magistrate Qi over this?” Di smiled, knowing well what Qin Huaiyong liked to hear.

Indeed, her words soothed him. He had worked hard to ensure Magistrate Qi did not pursue the issue further. If they could move on amicably, it would be best.

“Rongzhi is coming? That’s wonderful! She always got along best with Big Sister and said she wanted to join her family. She’ll certainly comfort Big Sister!” Qin Wanru exclaimed with delight.

The intention to join Qin Yuru’s family implied the Qi household had long sought to marry her, but now Qin Yuru had stirred up trouble by pursuing a betrothal in the capital. Qin Huaiyong’s expression darkened. “She may visit, but she should see Yuru briefly and then leave. No more drama!”

“There won’t be any trouble. Rongzhi is a good child, and with Wanru accompanying her, what could go wrong? General, you worry too much!” Di said with a smile, turning kindly to Qin Wanru. “Wanru, isn’t that right?”

“Having Rongzhi here is indeed wonderful, but I’m afraid I can’t accompany her tomorrow,” Qin Wanru replied, troubled. “I need to visit Aunt Shui. She’s living alone at the family shrine, and she seems so pitiful.”

Wanru had learned about Shui Ruolan’s situation from the old lady, who couldn’t resist Wanru’s persistent inquiries and secretly told her a little. The rest, Wanru only discovered after her rebirth.

Her words filled Qin Huaiyong with a deep sense of guilt, the matter of Shui Ruolan resurfacing in his heart. His gaze lingered on the flower-shaped pastries.

Di’s expression stiffened. She now regretted her earlier decisions. She had thought there was nothing between Qin Huaiyong and Shui Ruolan, only to realize she was wrong. She’d unwittingly invited a deeply hidden vixen into her home, and her inner thoughts were furious.

Qin Huaiyong’s demeanor made it clear the issue was real.

No, she absolutely couldn’t let Shui Ruolan enter the household!

“Your Aunt Shui has always liked tranquility. She may even become a nun someday. A month ago, she asked me which monastery had good feng shui, wanting to find a place to live. She’s truly pitiful—childless, yet strong-willed, determined to establish a memorial for her chastity,” Di said with a smile, her brows raised, confident that Qin Huaiyong could not possibly persist with his request.

The thought of Shui Ruolan becoming a nun and guarding a chastity memorial made Qin Huaiyong’s heart ache. His hand trembled on the table, his sorrow deepening. Was this truly her wish? So be it—he had already let her down, and it was time to let her go.

“Mother, you must be mistaken. When Aunt Shui took me shopping for cosmetics, she said she wanted to dress beautifully every day—a woman adorns herself for the one she loves, so she must look her best,” Qin Wanru retorted playfully, as if unaware of the darkness that flashed in Di’s eyes.

Shui Ruolan rarely left the mansion, and the only man in the household was Qin Huaiyong. The one for whom she adorned herself was obvious.

A flicker of joy appeared on Qin Huaiyong’s face, his eyes shining as he looked at Qin Wanru. Di, meanwhile, was furious.

“Father, I just visited Aunt Shui. Her maid, Qionghua, told me that a few days ago, Aunt Shui had very little food. Apparently, Mother also likes the same dishes as Aunt Shui. That day, several dishes were prepared, but only enough for Aunt Shui alone. Qionghua ate her portion and had such stomach pain she couldn’t keep watch for Aunt Shui that night. She asked me to speak to the kitchen, to make sure they clean the vegetables properly next time!” Qin Wanru recounted nonchalantly, her large eyes blinking innocently. “I don’t know why Qionghua told me this—the kitchen isn’t my responsibility!”

At first, Qin Huaiyong didn’t understand, but then his expression changed dramatically. He suddenly stood up. “What did you say? Qionghua ate her food and had stomach pains, unable to keep watch for Cousin?”

“Yes, Qionghua cried about it, saying she’d caused a disaster and couldn't understand why Aunt Shui had so little food that day!” Wanru replied, turning to Di with an innocent look. “It must be that Mother likes the same dishes as Aunt Shui. Originally, those dishes were for Aunt Shui, but most ended up with Mother. Mother manages the household, so naturally she needs to eat more!”

Di’s face changed, panic rising in her heart.

Qin Huaiyong’s gaze turned sharply toward her, nearly fierce. Sometimes, events seem disconnected, but poke a hole in the curtain and everything becomes clear. Qin Huaiyong, a man who’d survived the carnage of war, now looked at Di with a hint of hostility.

“I recall you’ve always preferred spicy dishes. When did your tastes become so similar to Cousin’s? She loves vegetables; you prefer seafood. How could you end up fighting her for food?”

“Father… what’s wrong?” Qin Wanru asked, feigning confusion, as if unaware she had stirred his suspicions.

“Nothing. You should go now. Your mother and I have matters to discuss,” Qin Huaiyong said gently to Qin Wanru.

“Then, Father… I’ll take my leave. I’ll leave the pastries here. Mother, your daughter takes her leave,” Qin Wanru replied, still acting bewildered, but obediently bowing and departing with Qingyue.

Behind her, the sound of a cup shattering rang out, followed by something falling heavily to the floor. A cold smile curled silently on her crimson lips. She knew Di was not easily defeated, but where there was one exposure, there would be more. She would gradually unveil Di’s true face!