Chapter 9: Making the Relationship Clear

An unclean woman? Was she talking about her?

Hua Qinci was utterly at a loss. In what way was she unclean? She had just changed into fresh clothes—she could not possibly be cleaner.

Qin Youtian glanced at Hua Qinci, almost wanting to laugh at this foolish woman.

“Mother, what are you saying?” His face burned with embarrassment, feigning ignorance.

Qin Mingyue nudged him with her elbow. “Son, even if you insist on keeping her, you must go find Old Man Hua later and demand back half the bride price. Otherwise, we’ll be at a loss.”

“Mother, what nonsense are you talking about? Clean or unclean—nothing even happened between us…”

Consummation!

Hua Qinci hadn’t finished her sentence before Qin Youtian dragged her aside and clamped a hand over her mouth.

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

He, a grown man, had spent his wedding night in vain—how many people would mock him for that?

But before he could finish, Qin Mingyue pulled him away and planted herself before Hua Qinci, her eyes blazing with fury. “What did you just say?”

“Mother, let’s eat. I’m starving,” Qin Youtian hurriedly changed the subject.

“Eat? Eat what? Explain yourself first!” Qin Mingyue shoved her son aside, standing with her hands on her hips, ready for a shouting match.

“What is there to explain? I was drugged by my father and forced onto that bridal sedan. I am not…”

Hua Qinci suddenly felt herself losing control. What did these people take her for? Did they think she was that kind of woman? If it wasn’t a man she liked, she wouldn’t let him touch her with a finger.

But she couldn’t believe she’d forgotten about all this last night.

“So what?”

“So? Nothing happened between us. Write a divorce letter for me immediately.” Now that the truth was out, Hua Qinci no longer wanted to keep up the pretense. She had never intended to stay here anyway. If she did, she would lose her mind.

“Well, you’ve got nerve,” Qin Mingyue fumed, her gaze fierce. She seized a broom with her thick hands and swung it at Hua Qinci. “A mother-in-law is a mother. You think I can’t teach you a lesson?”

“At home, you’re to be filial to your parents; in marriage, you’re to respect your in-laws. You’re barely grown, and you’re already so defiant? Let’s see how tough you really are. Do you think you can fly to the heavens?”

“Mother, please stop! The neighbors are all watching,” Qin Youtian glared at Hua Qinci, hastening to intervene.

At the gate, several passersby were already peering inside, whispering among themselves.

“Look at that—the usually quiet Qin family is finally thrown into chaos by that woman.”

“Oh my, Sister-in-law Qin, it’s only the first day of the marriage and you’re already making such a scene?” someone in the scattered crowd teased, laughing out loud.

“What else could it be? Obviously, the Hua girl has provoked our Sister-in-law Qin,” someone else jeered.

“Come now, Sister-in-law Qin, we’re all family here. Let it go. I think your daughter-in-law seems quite decent—be lenient where you can.”

“Ha! If my third daughter-in-law behaved so rudely, I’d see it as my duty to give her a good lesson, just so she remembers and doesn’t bring shame to the family!” another woman chimed in with a laugh.

At these words, Qin Mingyue’s anger flared to the extreme. She brandished the bamboo broom, raining blows down on Hua Qinci.

Hua Qinci raised her small hand and caught the broom, her gaze cold and fierce. But seeing Qin Youtian and the others present, she released her grip. Unexpectedly, Qin Mingyue yanked the broom forcefully; as Hua Qinci let go, Qin Mingyue staggered several steps back and nearly lost her footing, only saved by Qin Youtian’s quick reflexes.

Despite his intimidating appearance, Qin Youtian was actually thin-skinned and cared deeply about saving face. Seeing that Hua Qinci was holding her ground, he hurried to restrain his mother. “Mother, let me explain! Don’t hit her—everyone outside is watching.”

“Explain? Explain what, huh? If I don’t discipline her and you keep indulging her, am I just supposed to stand by and watch her bully her mother-in-law?”