Chapter 3: The Rice Has Been Cooked

"Did I say anything wrong? Only a mother like yours could raise a daughter like you." Qin Mingyue swaggered forward, lifting her thick hand to jab her finger accusingly at Liu Bingbing.

"Mother, please don't say that!" The masked, ugly man hurriedly grabbed Qin Mingyue.

"Qin Youtian, all you do is indulge her. Look what she's become under your indulgence, hmm?" Qin Mingyue shot Qin Youtian a scornful glance.

"Mother, Bingbing is still a young girl. She'll grow out of it in time. A magnanimous lady like you shouldn't stoop to her level. Besides, look, everyone's watching."

Reminded by Qin Youtian's words, Qin Mingyue glanced around at the gathered crowd and hurriedly called out, "Bingbing, today is your cousin's wedding day. Since you're feeling unwell, let's have someone escort you home."

Liu Bingbing, driven beyond reason by rage, glared at Qin Mingyue with bloodshot eyes, then turned and screamed furiously at Hua Qinci.

In a flash, she burst out from the crowd, and when she rushed back, a kitchen knife had appeared in her hand. "Ah! I'll fight you to the end! You ugly wretch, even if it means we both die, I will never let you have my cousin!"

Hua Qinci, who had been watching the commotion with amusement, barely had time to react before the knife was upon her.

Just then, Qin Youtian roared, "Liu Bingbing, if you keep this up, you'll never set foot in the Qin household again!"

His shout froze the knife in mid-air. Liu Bingbing blinked her tear-filled eyes, silent tears streaming down her face.

Hua Qinci, regaining her senses, glanced at Qin Youtian. What did he mean by that? The wedding ceremony wasn't even over, and he was already thinking of taking more wives? And one as deranged as this?

Qin Youtian stepped between Hua Qinci and Liu Bingbing, reaching out to snatch the kitchen knife from Liu Bingbing's hand. He sighed, his brow furrowing, his voice gentler now.

"Bingbing, stop this nonsense and go home."

Liu Bingbing stood dazed for a moment, then channeled her fury back at Hua Qinci. "You shameless, ugly thing! My cousin is mine! Don't even think of stealing him, never!"

Her shrill voice rang out as she once more charged wildly at Hua Qinci.

Seeing this, a cold light flashed in Hua Qinci's eyes. With a subtle flick of her hand hidden in her sleeve, a silver needle silently pierced Liu Bingbing's flesh.

Hmph! Enough is enough.

A moment later, Liu Bingbing felt a sudden chill in her belly. Her face twitched, but she still glared hatefully at Hua Qinci.

"You..." Her words faltered, her expression twisting with pain.

Hua Qinci's gaze was icy, her lips curling into a slight smirk as she waited to see the spectacle unfold.

Disrupt her wedding? She could forgive that. But to strike her without cause and even attempt to kill her? That was not a slight she would leave unavenged.

As these thoughts ran through Hua Qinci's mind, she slowly retreated.

Soon, someone in the crowd exclaimed about a foul smell.

The matchmaker, who had been enjoying the scene, shrieked and hurriedly backed away. "What a stench! Who on earth had the nerve to break wind at a time like this?"

Faces twisted in disgust, the onlookers quickly stepped back.

At that moment, Liu Bingbing's face was ashen. She turned to leave, but it was already too late.

"Cousin, I..." She looked at Qin Youtian, but he was already moving toward Hua Qinci, concern etched on his face.

"You ugly wretch, how dare you harm me!" Seeing Qin Youtian shielding Hua Qinci, Liu Bingbing's hatred only deepened.

In the courtyard, everyone whispered and snickered behind their hands.

"I must say, the Qin family is truly something. That Liu girl has made such a scene, and not a single reaction from them. If anyone disrupted my son's wedding like that, I’d make sure she'd regret it for the rest of her life."

"Heh, I think Madam Qin must be beside herself with anger."

"This is going to turn into a huge joke!"

"The Qin lad and the Liu girl have already consummated their relationship, yet he's marrying another. That's truly vicious."

"Really? Did you see it with your own eyes?"