Chapter 8: A Woman Tainted

After Qin Mingyue left, Hua Qinci hurriedly searched for something to change into, only to find that apart from the dress she had worn at the wedding, all her other clothes were unbearably coarse. Well, since she was here, she might as well make the best of it and see how things unfolded before making further plans.

She tidied herself up as best she could and quickly stepped outside. Though the Qin family’s house was humble, the small courtyard was meticulously kept. It was the height of spring: a peach tree in full bloom stood in the yard, its pink petals scattered across the ground. A few chicks chased after their mother hen, and beside them, other flowers and herbs grew in a charming jumble, their fragrance lingering in the air and lending the place a unique grace. If anything in the Qin home was of true value, it would be these plants. Though they appeared ordinary, they were, in fact, medicinal herbs.

There had been too many people yesterday for her to get a good look, but now, seeing these herbs, Hua Qinci wondered—could someone in the Qin family also practice medicine? She glanced around for a while, but Qin Youtian was nowhere to be seen, and Qin Mingyue was busy in the kitchen. It appeared that, with her included, there were only three people in the Qin household. Hua Qinci was quite content with that.

The original owner of this body had knowledge of pharmacology; opening a pharmacy or practicing as a doctor would be her best option now. Resolving herself, Hua Qinci walked over to Qin Mingyue. “Um…”

“Can’t you even call me ‘Mother’? How ill-mannered!” Qin Mingyue did not even look up; she was thoroughly displeased with this daughter-in-law. If it hadn’t been for Qin Youtian insisting he wouldn’t marry unless he found a pretty wife, and her own dislike for Liu Bingbing, she would never have agreed to spend a hefty bride price to marry Hua Qinci. Old Man Hua had, after all, demanded the equivalent of a whole year's expenses for the Qin family.

And as it turned out, this wife wasn’t even clean. The more Qin Mingyue thought about it, the more her head throbbed. Once morning came, she would have to visit Old Man Hua—if she couldn’t annul the marriage, she would at least demand half the bride price back.

Hua Qinci stood awkwardly at the doorway, a sheepish smile on her face. “Heh, I’m just not used to it yet.”

“Not used to it? Then don’t bother calling me at all!” Though Qin Mingyue’s skin was sallow and her face fleshy, her delicate brows and large eyes hinted that, without her perpetual scowl, she might have been an enchanting beauty.

“Huh?” Hua Qinci blinked. Surely her small slip didn’t warrant such anger.

“Mother!” Just as Qin Mingyue was about to snap again, a voice rang out from the doorway—Qin Youtian.

“Oh, Tian’er, you’re back so soon? I was just about to have your wife bring you something to eat!” At the sound of her son’s voice, Qin Mingyue’s round face broke into a smile. She wiped her hands on her clothes and hurried toward him, glowering impatiently at Hua Qinci blocking the door.

“Mother, I realized I forgot my bow and arrows, so I came back for them,” Qin Youtian explained. He had set out for the mountains at dawn, but halfway there, he remembered Hua Qinci was still at his house. Afraid she might harm his mother, he rushed back. Fortunately, whether he had returned in time or his fears were unfounded, his mother was unharmed, and that was all that mattered.

Hua Qinci looked at Qin Youtian, puzzled by the glance he threw her way. What was that look? Was he blaming her?

“Would you like to come up the mountain with me?” Qin Youtian asked, glancing at her again. If she hadn’t been sent by that man, she was innocent enough. After all, just after their wedding, her father, Old Man Hua, had run off, leaving her here alone—she was pitiful in her own right.

“Me?” Hua Qinci could scarcely believe Qin Youtian’s invitation.

Seeing that he intended to take Hua Qinci with him, Qin Mingyue hurried after them. “Tian’er, since you’re back, you might as well eat before heading out again.” She shot a furtive glance at Hua Qinci, then pulled Qin Youtian aside and whispered secretively, “Tian’er, after breakfast, you should send her back. No matter what, our family can’t keep an unclean woman.”

…