Chapter 34 The Qin Family Surrounded

“Of course!” Recognizing that Hua Qinci was now her cousin-in-law, the wife of the man she admired, the blush faded from Liu Bingbing’s cheeks. She lowered her head and gazed at the flowing water beneath her feet, saying nothing more; she simply wanted to see how Hua Qinci would handle this enormous web.

“It’s getting late, let’s return to the Auspicious Inn,” Hua Qinci said, perceiving at a glance the young girl’s hidden concerns and unable to help but smile. She also realized that she and Qin Youtian were fundamentally different; she aspired to become strong, strong enough to return to Jincheng. From the moment she opened her eyes, everything she did was aimed in that direction.

Qin Youtian, though not ordinary, had an ordinary fate and should not be drawn into that blood-soaked struggle.

Soon, she would give them a life more suited to them.

“Cousin-in-law, can I become a concubine?” Liu Bingbing grasped Hua Qinci’s hand, her eyes glistening with pleading tears.

“No!”

“Absolutely not. Bingbing could never be someone’s concubine!” As Hua Qinci spoke, Qin Youtian suddenly stood before them. He had actually been there for quite some time, not even sure himself what he was hoping for.

Just now, he had seen coldness and murderous intent on Hua Qinci’s face.

But when Liu Bingbing pleaded to become a concubine, her eyes were gentle.

“Cousin! Why not? Bingbing has thought it over, Bingbing is willing!” Seeing Qin Youtian, Liu Bingbing cheerfully clung to his hand, acting spoiled.

Qin Youtian glanced at Hua Qinci, who remained unmoved, and replied with a look of indulgence, “Bing’er must be hungry, let’s go back to the inn and eat first.”

“Alright!” Liu Bingbing pouted and nodded, pulling Qin Youtian forward in big strides. After a few steps, she turned back to call Hua Qinci, “Cousin-in-law, hurry up!”

Watching Liu Bingbing’s changing expressions, Hua Qinci felt an inexplicable sense of emotion.

She couldn’t tell if it was for Liu Bingbing’s lively, cheerful nature or her ability to instantly forget what had just happened, forget that Hua Qinci was her greatest rival—or perhaps she truly loved that man.

In any case, Hua Qinci knew she herself could not be like that now.

They arrived at the inn empty-handed; even the inn’s payment was covered by the villagers.

It was an ordinary guest room, shared by Hua Qinci and Liu Bingbing, while Qin Youtian decided to spend the night outside to save a bit on food.

After a simple meal, Hua Qinci and Liu Bingbing returned to their room.

Liu Bingbing chatted with Hua Qinci half the night before falling asleep.

Only after she was asleep did Hua Qinci gaze at the moonlight outside the window, uncertain what chaos would erupt at home by dawn! She didn’t know how long Qin Mingyue could hold out.

The next morning, before dawn, the Qin family courtyard was already surrounded by a crowd. It was the busy season; everyone was waiting at the Qin household, hoping for a windfall.

By midday, Wei San’er, who was watching from the village entrance, wore a troubled expression, muttering to himself.

Meanwhile, the Qin family courtyard was abuzz.

“Sister Qin, what’s going on? It’s already noon, but those three who should have returned last night still aren’t back.”

“That’s right, Sister Qin, tell us, what’s happening?”

“Maybe the ginseng didn’t sell, or they couldn’t find a buyer with enough silver?”

“Perhaps they had too much money and were robbed on the road?”

“No, no, no, Tian’er would never be robbed!” The crowd debated noisily, while Qin Mingyue, full of confidence, waved her hands dismissively.

“Sister Qin is right, Youtian won’t be robbed. I believe in him,” Mrs. Wei affirmed Qin Youtian’s abilities.

“Then what is it? If it’s not this, or that, could it be…” a woman speculated, turning to Qin Mingyue, “Sister Qin, maybe your whole family conspired to deceive us?”

“Or is it that Qin Youtian ran off with Hua?”