Chapter 65 Get Out of the Qin Family

The corners of Hua Qingci’s mouth twitched involuntarily. How could she not recall ever borrowing money from them?

“Miss Hua, good day. I am Qian Mansion’s Steward Anfu. Here is the IOU—written in black and white. Please take a look.” Seeing Hua Qingci’s disbelief, the man who called himself Anfu pulled a paper from his sleeve, bowed deeply, and respectfully handed it to her.

Hua Qingci eyed him suspiciously and took the IOU.

“Qian Mansion’s Anfu?”

“At your service!”

Hua Qingci read the handwriting on the note and then looked at the signature and seal of Old Man Hua.

Her brows furrowed. That wretched old man—when did he rack up a debt of fifty thousand taels?

She clenched her fists in secret. If Old Man Hua were here, she’d punch him right in the jaw.

Fifty thousand taels? What kind of joke was this? Even if she sold herself ten times over, she wouldn’t fetch such a sum.

“What’s going on?” At that moment, Qin Mingyue emerged from the humble kitchen, having heard the commotion in the courtyard.

She returned every morning before dawn to cook for her son. Used to rough living, she strode out wielding a kitchen knife, causing the visitors to jump in alarm.

“What is this? Let me see!” With one big, calloused hand, she snatched the IOU from Hua Qingci.

“My heavens! Fifty thousand taels? Are you here to rob us?” Qin Mingyue brandished the gleaming knife, making the group retreat in fright.

Only Steward Anfu dared step forward, retrieving the IOU before backing away to a safe distance.

“Miss Hua, you’ve seen the note. Our master gives you three days to repay the debt. If you fail—”

“What then?” Hua Qingci and Qin Mingyue demanded in unison.

“Our master will honor Old Man Hua’s agreement and take you as his ninth concubine.” The group shuffled about as if afraid of their own words.

Ninth?

Hua Qingci’s eyes widened in disbelief. Thinking of her predecessor’s father, she gritted her teeth in rage. Just what kind of father did she have?

Her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles cracked. She wanted nothing more than to thrash these men.

Qin Mingyue fared no better, her lips twitching and her eyes round with fury, so angry she couldn’t even speak.

“Hua Qingci!”

After the visitors left, Qin Mingyue slammed the knife into the table, her eyes blazing.

“Mother, don’t get upset. I had no idea about any of this,” Hua Qingci said, equally angry yet bitter at heart. She was starting to believe the rumors—she really might be the ‘jinx’ everyone spoke of.

“Speak? What is there to say? You and that father of yours are both scoundrels, conspiring to deceive the Qin family! How dare you talk?” she shouted, slapping the table so hard the knife wobbled.

The force made Hua Qingci’s heart ache; she thought she heard the earth crack. How much strength had Qin Mingyue used?

“Mother, he isn’t my father. Let me tell you the truth—he abducted me,” Hua Qingci confessed, facing Qin Mingyue, fearing the woman might lose control and actually use the knife.

If things got violent, she’d be branded unfilial yet again.

“You’re still talking? Are you saying this is the Qin family’s fault?” Qin Mingyue’s eyes were bloodshot with rage, nearly fainting.

“That’s not what I mean. Since the debt is my father’s, I’ll pay it myself. I promise I won’t drag the Qin family down.”

Hua Qingci had been planning to get money from Shang Jinxiu, but now her own husband, Master Qian, had come to collect.

She didn’t blame Qin Mingyue. The Qin family had fallen on hard times—how could she shamelessly ask them for help? They owed her nothing, and besides, they had no money.

“Fine! You said it yourself—I didn’t force you!” Qin Mingyue turned and went inside.

Soon she packed a bundle and tossed it to Hua Qingci, pointing toward the door.

“Now, immediately, get out of the Qin family.”