Chapter 61: The Medicine Body

“Mother, what are you doing here?” After finishing her meal and taking Wei Zhen’s pulse, Hua Qinci went out to look for Qin Youtian, only to find mother and son huddled in a corner, deep in conversation.

Qin Mingyue shot Hua Qinci a glance, her brows knitted tightly—her dislike for this daughter-in-law seemed to grow with each passing day. Ever since Hua Qinci married into the family, there had been no end to troubles. “Truly born under a bad star!” Qin Mingyue spat, her face darkening as she turned away.

Hua Qinci was left awkward and confused—Qin Mingyue’s attitude was simply inexplicable. It wasn’t as if Hua Qinci had insisted on marrying into their family; she had always been unwilling. She’d asked for a divorce, but they wouldn’t give it. If they did, she’d leave at once—who would want to stay married to a violent, sickly man?

Qin Youtian understood his mother’s concerns. He had worried that Hua Qinci wouldn’t be able to deal with the issue of so much silver, so he’d taken it upon himself to pawn the jade pendant, choosing a small, secluded pawnshop. He never imagined that after pawning it, he would immediately lose track of the place—when he returned, it had vanished.

But if Shang Jinxiu was behind this, why would she replace all the staff? Even if it was to pressure Hua Qinci, there was no need to go so far.

Seeing Hua Qinci staring blankly after Qin Mingyue’s departing figure, Qin Youtian quickly reached out to her. “Qinci, don’t take Mother’s words to heart. She’s getting old, her thinking is too outdated.”

Qin Mingyue was indeed old-fashioned. Though strict with herself, she doted on her son. Regarding marriage, Qin Youtian actually had no strong opinions—beauty, family background—he wasn’t picky, because he had no say in the matter. Qin Mingyue controlled everything; even Liu Bingbing couldn’t meet her standards.

In her eyes, even if her son had fallen to living as a commoner in the countryside, he was still among the best. The bride had to be beautiful, then virtuous, and so on.

Hua Qinci could only scoff inwardly. Ever since the Qin family fire, Qin Mingyue had taken to pulling a sour face whenever she saw her, occasionally muttering about “being born under a bad star.” And Qin Youtian called that old-fashioned thinking? Was it old-fashioned to slander others at every turn?

Originally, Hua Qinci had suggested they stay at her own home. The original owner’s gambler father hadn’t returned since her marriage. She’d only met him once—when she saw him force-feeding poisoned medicine to the bound original owner. The memory was so vivid that it bred a deep hatred. If that father ever dared return, she’d tie him up herself and make him drink ten bowls of that poisoned medicine.

Yet, she still wondered who had truly tried to harm the original owner.

She didn’t know whether to thank that cruel person, or seek vengeance for the original owner. Fortunately, the original owner had studied medicine from childhood and, having tasted countless herbs, had developed a body resistant to drugs. Otherwise, how could Hua Qinci have possessed her body and survived?

But Qin Mingyue despised the gambler’s house.

Hua Qinci couldn’t understand it: Qin Mingyue scorned her father, yet accepted a bride price rich in gifts to marry her off. How contradictory!

Hua Qinci didn’t wish to spend more time with Qin Youtian; after a few perfunctory words, she returned to her own home. She hadn’t visited for several days. Though the house was simple, it was clean. A small river ran in front, a shaded grove behind, and a simple bamboo cottage—that was where the original owner had grown up.

“Who are you?” Entering the inner room, Hua Qinci saw a lean man lying on her maiden bed.

“Qinci!” The man sprang up, rushing over to embrace her tightly.