Chapter 64 Repayment?

"Really?" Seeing Hua Qinci enraged, Qin Mingyue, for the sake of her son, deliberately ignored Hua Qinci's fury and anxiously pulled Qin Youtian aside to ask, "Is it true?"

"It's true, Mother, don't worry. Leave everything to me." Qin Youtian nodded confidently, his eyes occasionally darting toward Hua Qinci.

The cold, piercing glance made Hua Qinci's back break out in chills. She wondered when she would finally have the strength to return to Jincheng.

Qin Mingyue shot Hua Qinci a covert, disdainful look. Though she was displeased, she had to admit that, in terms of appearance, Hua Qinci was the most beautiful woman in the village. Her son marrying her was not a loss.

"What are you all staring at? Never seen an argument before? Move along, move along! Go on, scatter!" As Qin Mingyue mused, she noticed the onlookers pointing and laughing. Her eyes sharpened, and she shouted with her booming voice, driving the crowd away.

Once the people had dispersed, she leaned in close to Qin Youtian and whispered, "Have you consummated the marriage yet?"

Qin Youtian flushed bright red. With Hua Qinci's formidable temperament, it was not easy. And after that night, when she suddenly felt unwell and hid herself away in a mountain cave, her guard had grown even tighter. On top of that, after what happened with Liu Qingyun, he hadn't understood why, but he'd been consumed by anger.

"Mother, I told you not to meddle. Please, just stay out of it. Qinci hasn't been feeling well lately; there's plenty of time ahead. I know what I’m doing."

Seeing Qin Youtian's expression, Qin Mingyue understood at once and nodded with an air of exasperation.

"Fine, I won't interfere. I'm getting old; I can't control things anymore. But you need to manage your wife well. If she's seriously ill, call Doctor Li to take a look."

"See a doctor? I’m a doctor myself now! And besides, I’m not the one who's sick, am I?" Hua Qinci replied coldly.

Qin Mingyue couldn’t be bothered to argue further and waved her hand. "Time to eat."

Hua Qinci wanted to add something, but Qin Youtian quickly pulled her to the table and made her sit down. "No more reckless words, or you’ll never be allowed to leave the Qin family."

"??"

Hua Qinci didn’t immediately grasp what he meant. Was he implying he would let her go?

Qin Mingyue brought in the food and, while setting it down, shot Hua Qinci another glare. Bullying her was one thing, but bullying her son? Dream on.

The meal consisted of steamed buns, porridge, salted vegetables, and some game meat. It wasn't anything special, but hunger made everything taste good.

"After you eat, get some rest. The sooner you give the Qin family a grandson, the better—did you hear me?"

Hua Qinci stuffed a bun into her mouth, prickled by the words and wanting to retort, but Qin Youtian quickly answered, "Yes, Mother, I understand. Let’s eat."

"Such a filial son!"

After the meal, Hua Qinci hurried to clean up. Qin Mingyue boiled water for a foot bath and then left for Wei Zhen's house.

Though the Qins had set up a simple temporary dwelling in their courtyard, only Qin Youtian and Hua Qinci lived there. Qin Mingyue chose to stay at Wei Zhen's, not wanting to interfere with the young couple.

Hua Qinci planned to visit the Fragrant Pavilion the next day. She realized that rather than toiling away by herself, it would be more effective to find a powerful stepping stone and ascend from there.

Moreover, she had also understood that just because one didn't wish harm upon others, that did not mean others wouldn’t try to harm you. She intended to strike a deal with Shang Jinxiu. Since the task was so risky, the reward had to be substantial. Rather than earning a pittance treating patients in the pharmacy, she might as well stand on the shoulders of the successful and rise with one leap.

Hua Qinci tossed and turned all night, her mind filled with countless thoughts.

The next morning, as dawn broke, she rose and began to tidy up.

Qin Youtian asked her something, but she remained silent. She had no desire to speak to him.

"Excuse me, is this the Qin household?"

Just as Hua Qinci finished her chores and stepped outside, she saw a few suspicious-looking men loitering near the courtyard. The leader craned his neck, peering around as he spoke.

"Yes, this is the Qin house. Who are you, and what business do you have here?" Seeing their polite demeanor, Hua Qinci wondered if she was being too quick to judge by appearances.

"May I ask if Miss Hua Qinci is at home?"

Hua Qinci? That was her. Could this be something good?

She smoothed the stray hairs from her forehead and eyed the group carefully, but none of them seemed familiar.

"I am Hua Qinci. Who might you be, and what brings you here?"

"You are Miss Hua Qinci? Wonderful, we've found you. Please, Miss Hua, could you repay the money you owe?"

The man was short and stout, with a peculiar little mustache, squinting eyes, and a large black mole the size of a finger at the corner of his mouth. He wore an air of cunning arrogance, and upon finding her, strode straight into the courtyard.

He gave Hua Qinci a thorough once-over.

"Repay the money?"