Chapter 4: Clash of Titans—The Brave Prevail

A certain woman wore a sly, mocking smile. “But speaking of her, that Liu girl is rather pitiful.”

“Pitiful? What’s so pitiful about her? If you ask me, she’s shameless, that’s what she is.”

The crowd buzzed with speculation, and at this moment, Hua Qinci looked utterly exhausted.

If anyone was guilty of causing harm, it would be Liu Bingbing.

“But I must admit, that girl from the Hua family is quite striking.”

“Isn’t she, though! My third son is always thinking about her, but her father is so stubborn.”

“Your third son? Please! Hua’er would sooner prick him to death with a needle!”

The women cackled, unconcerned. Meanwhile, Qin Youtian had already carried Hua Qinci to a peach tree in the courtyard.

The delicate scent of peach blossoms wafted to her, and Hua Qinci finally opened her mouth to breathe deeply.

So the original owner of this body knew medicine?

“It’s all right, don’t be afraid,” Qin Youtian said, seeing her in a daze and assuming she’d been frightened by Liu Bingbing. He tried to comfort her, his eyes darting occasionally toward Liu Bingbing inside the house.

Ha! Fear her? After all she’d witnessed in the palace, what blades and shadows hadn’t she seen?

Even with someone’s drug coursing through her veins, she could still make that tiresome woman lose control of herself in the worst way, making a fool of her in front of everyone.

“Ah!” A wolf-like howl rang out, snapping Hua Qinci out of her wandering thoughts.

Following the sound, she saw Liu Bingbing inside the house, shrieking and wailing alone. Those who tried to calm her were ignored, and she only grew more resentful.

The whispers of the crowd left her wishing she could crawl into a hole, her humiliation so great that she threw back her head and sobbed, longing for divine strength, longing to cut down Hua Qinci with a single stroke.

Hua Qinci watched her coldly. It seemed this marriage would not take place after all—and that suited her perfectly.

At that moment, a woman hurried in from the doorway—Liu Bingbing’s mother, Madam Liu.

“Oh, Sister Liu! Here for the wedding, are you? You’re late—the show’s already over!” someone in the crowd called out, making a point of mocking her.

Madam Liu, a beauty by any standard, was never popular among the neighboring women. Her gentle manner only made her more of a target for their teasing.

She paid them no mind, forcing a polite smile as she nodded and went straight to Liu Bingbing.

“Bing’er, come home with Mother. Don’t make a scene—everyone’s here to laugh at us!” She shielded Liu Bingbing with her body, draping a garment over her daughter’s shoulders, glancing apologetically toward the bride and groom.

“Mother, I’m not going. I want to marry my cousin! I’m his rightful wife!” With her mother’s arrival, Liu Bingbing threw herself into her arms, sobbing harder than ever.

Qin Mingyue had always disliked Madam Liu, accusing her of acting pitiful and demure for no reason. With a look of distaste, she wrinkled her nose and said coldly, “Madam Liu, take Bingbing home before she embarrasses herself and disgraces us all.”

“Yes,” Madam Liu replied, her face clouded with worry. She bowed apologetically to Qin Mingyue and whispered a few words into Liu Bingbing’s ear.

Liu Bingbing still pouted in defiance, ready to burst out again.

“If you keep this up, how will I ever show my face again? Are you trying to drive your mother to despair?”

“I don’t care! You promised me!” Liu Bingbing sobbed, clutching her mother’s arm.

“I know you feel wronged, but now is not the time, do you understand?” Madam Liu’s gaze flickered briefly to Hua Qinci nearby. “The future is long.”

With coaxing and gentle threats, Madam Liu finally managed to drag the unwilling Liu Bingbing out of the Qin household, her departure as awkward as could be.

After a long while, Qin Mingyue picked up the bridal veil, dusted it off, gave Hua Qinci a look full of hidden meaning, and set it on her head again.

Hua Qinci, thoroughly disgusted, yanked the veil off and tossed it far away.

A strange light flickered in Qin Mingyue’s eyes. She picked up the veil once more. “If you don’t want it, then so be it.”

Hua Qinci was about to speak, but Qin Youtian gripped her arm tightly, a silent warning.

Hua Qinci didn’t back down either; the two of them locked eyes in a silent standoff.