Chapter 15

The clothing shop has been open for several days, and the number of customers has only increased. Lu Qin is busy running around to tailors to make custom orders...

The clothing shop had been open for several days, and the number of customers only increased. Lu Qin was busy running to the tailor shop to make custom orders, serve customers, and settle accounts. She was so busy that she barely had time to rest. Her body, which had finally recovered, began to experience various discomforts again.

Under Hao Jingshi's repeated warnings, she began to have several servants and maids learn how to do business and help her with some of the work.

With help, Lu Qin had time to catch her breath. When she had free time, she often wrote letters home to Master Lu and had Ling'er deliver them to him.

Mr. Lu replied that he missed her very much. Several months after her marriage, he had not seen her return to her parents' home to visit her family, and he wondered how she was doing.

Lu Qin felt guilty after reading this and decided to go back to her parents' home on a quiet day after her subordinates had adapted to their work.

I don't want to wait until the next day.

Master Lu actually brought Aunt Zhao and Lu Ping to the clothing shop.

A gentle breeze was blowing, and the clumps of wild grass by the roadside rustled in the wind.

A small bronze incense burner has been placed at the entrance of the shop, from which smoke rises slowly and drifts in the air.

A soothing fragrance filled the shop, which was still packed with people.

Lu Qin was enthusiastically introducing clothes to customers when Ling'er suddenly ran over and whispered something in her ear.

Upon hearing that it was Master Lu who had come, Lu Qin was first taken aback by surprise, and then turned around in surprise and delight, and sure enough, she saw Master Lu standing at the door looking at her.

He looked a bit older than she remembered, his body slightly hunched, his hands behind his back, but his posture was upright, and his inherent refined demeanor remained undiminished.

After quickly finishing serving the guests, Lu Qin handed the shop over to the cleverest girl, Ling'er, and ran over to greet her father.

She was happy that her father came to visit, but she didn't know why Aunt Zhao had come along, and she even brought Lu Ping with her, which was extremely annoying.

After thinking for a moment, Lu Qin decided to take her father and the others to sit next door for a while, and also to meet Hao Jingshi.

After the free pulse diagnosis event ended, the clinic saw few visitors. Hao Jingshi remained at the clinic, designing clothing patterns or helping her with chores when he had free time.

The clinic is nearby and quiet, and there are no patients coming for a while, so it's the perfect place to catch up with my father.

Lu Qin led the way, avoiding the customers in front, and left the clothing shop to come to the clinic, where she invited her father to come in and sit down.

Master Lu and the others looked around. Although the clinic was small, the things were neatly arranged, and the space could barely accommodate a few people.

She brought her family in a hurry, and Hao Jingshi was stunned for a moment before quickly offering his seat to Master Lu.

He did not fail in his duty as a son-in-law, greeted Master Lu, apologized for being too busy to accompany Lu Qin home recently, and then hurriedly ran out to buy some tea and snacks.

After Hao Jingshi left in a hurry, Lu Qin moved a few small stools over for them to sit on.

Aunt Zhao smiled and praised her for being capable, maintaining her image of being virtuous and gentle.

Lu Ping, while sitting, glanced at Hao Jingshi's departing figure with a hint of ill intent.

Lu Qin didn't bother to look at the two of them, so she moved a stool and went to stand in front of Master Lu.

Master Lu straightened his clothes and sat down, his eyes filled with sadness, as if he felt sorry for her hard work: "Qin'er, sit down, sit down, it's alright. Father just came to see you, but I didn't expect you to be so busy. Don't keep you from coming."

"Not at all, it's your daughter who's unfilial. I haven't been back to visit my father since I got married." Lu Qin pulled up a stool for herself and sat down in front of everyone. "I've made a lot of new clothes and was just about to give some to my father. I didn't expect you to come here yourself. You can choose some of your favorites to take back later."

"None of these are important. Qin'er, your complexion seems much better." Master Lu looked her over from head to toe, from her hair to her fingers, finally relieved. "Are you alright? How is your husband treating you?"

Upon hearing this question, Lu Qin felt inexplicably shy and stammered, "My husband... my husband treats me extremely well."

To be fair, Hao Jingshi wasn't really bad to her, but considering that Aunt Zhao was also there, she deliberately used the word "extremely good" in an even more exaggerated way.

Just then, Hao Jingshi returned from buying things on the opposite street. As soon as he entered the door, he saw everyone staring at him and paused for a moment, not understanding why.

Lu Qin then added clearly, "Moreover, my husband is a skilled doctor who has always treated me with utmost care and has never found me a burden. It was my husband who cured my illness."

Upon hearing this, Master Lu's worried expression finally disappeared, and a smile appeared on his face.

Hao Jingshi felt a little embarrassed by Lu Qin's sudden praise in public, but he was secretly pleased. He set out the tea and snacks, warmly poured tea for Master Lu, and also symbolically gave Aunt Zhao a cup.

After doing all that, he habitually crossed his arms and stood to the side, leaning against the doorway.

“Master, you see, I told you this marriage was a good match for bringing good luck.” Aunt Zhao took a small sip from her white teacup and couldn’t help but interject, “She’s only been married for a few months, and the eldest young lady’s illness is almost cured. It’s clear that the young master is a man who brings good fortune.”

She laughed jokingly, then took another sip of tea with her delicate fingers raised.

Lu Qin could tell at a glance that her smile was fake. How could Aunt Zhao possibly want her to be happy? She was probably grinding her teeth to dust right now.

"Don't mention it," Lu Qin replied with a forced smile. "This is the husband my aunt personally chose for me, how could it be wrong? Besides, my recovery wasn't due to a marriage to bring good luck, it should be thanks to my husband."

She deliberately emphasized the word "personally," her words carrying a hidden meaning. Aunt Zhao paused for a moment, then instantly understood the implication.

Unexpectedly, after several months apart, this sickly fellow has become quite eloquent.

She continued, "Yes, thanks to the son-in-law, he's so thoughtful."

After hearing this, Hao Jingshi glanced at her, a half-smile playing on his lips.

He already had a bad impression of this vicious Aunt Zhao, and now that he had met her in person, he felt even more disgusted by her hypocrisy.

He crossed his arms and said meaningfully, "It's nothing. The lady's prolonged illness is due to poisoning. As for where the poison came from... perhaps there are some dishonest people in the mansion. You should be careful, lest you suffer the same fate as the lady."

Hao Jingshi spoke very naturally, as if he were genuinely offering advice, but Lu Qin instantly understood what he meant. She thought to herself that he was very righteous and that her husband was really good at handling relationships. She would join him immediately.

It should be noted that Hao Jingshi is not known for his good temper. The fact that he can speak so politely to someone he doesn't like is already an extreme act of restraint.

She secretly rejoiced and glanced at Aunt Zhao.

Aunt Zhao wasn't stupid; she understood his veiled sarcasm, and her expression indeed turned rather unpleasant. However, she still managed a polite smile and said, "Really? No wonder you're not getting better."

Then, feigning concern, she looked at Master Lu and said, "It was all my negligence. When we get back, I will investigate everyone in the manor and find the murderer."

Upon hearing that someone had plotted to harm his daughter, Master Lu was naturally furious and nodded in agreement to thoroughly investigate everyone in the household.

He also felt guilty: "How could this happen? It's all my fault for being negligent, causing my precious daughter to suffer like this."

Seeing that Master Lu did not blame Aunt Zhao, Hao Jingshi felt unwilling. After comforting Master Lu for a few moments, he wanted to add fuel to the fire and make a veiled sarcasm about Aunt Zhao.

However, as soon as he opened his mouth, Aunt Zhao saw through his intention and quickly gave herself an out by changing the subject.

"Young Miss," she said slowly, "I see your clothing shop is quite bustling; you must be very busy on weekdays, right?"

Lu Qin was happily engrossed in watching the drama unfold when she was suddenly called out, and she didn't immediately catch her breath.

Realizing that Hao Jingshi had "lost out," she said with a hint of regret, "I was too busy a while ago, but now with the help of the servants, it's not too bad."

"It must be hard work," Aunt Zhao said. "Why don't you let your elder brother and sister lend a hand? We're all family, so let's help each other out. This shop used to belong to your elder brother, and he still misses it."

Her voice was gentle and unhurried, making anyone who heard it feel as if she were making a peaceful negotiation.

But as each word fell into Lu Qin's ears, it was no different from the clattering of abacus beads.

Lu Qin suddenly realized.

No wonder Aunt Zhao came along, and even brought Lu Ping with her.

It seems that Aunt Zhao knew it would be difficult to kill her again, so she changed her plans and set her sights on her clothing shop, which made a fortune every day.

It's like those greedy relatives coming to your door demanding money, saying, "I even held you when you were little."

Hmph, you think you can get money from her so easily?

“Aunt, the shop doesn’t need any help right now.” Lu Qin rolled her eyes and immediately looked troubled, then dumped the mess on Hao Jingshi. “Besides, this shop was bought by my husband and it’s registered in his name. How can I make the decision?”

As she spoke, she glanced at Hao Jingshi, secretly revealing her signature pleading, starry eyes.

I need to refuse them quickly; I don't want to see those two every day.

Seeing Lu Qin blinking frequently and pouting pitifully, Hao Jingshi's lips curled up briefly as he helplessly understood.

"It's nothing serious, we're family." He spread his hands and continued, "It's just that managing the clothing shop is really tiring, and I'd really feel bad if I asked my older brother and younger sister to do it for me."

Aunt Zhao was overjoyed upon hearing this, thinking the matter was settled, but then he changed the subject.

"However, since my aunt is so kind as to help, I can't refuse. After all, we're all family. Besides, with my elder brother and younger sister coming, it saves me the cost of hiring two people..."

He emphasized "family" and "saves wages" in his speech, and it was not hard to hear the unspoken message that he didn't mind getting two free laborers.

Aunt Zhao hesitated for a moment, and as expected, she was put on the defensive. After all, she had said that they were family, so she was naturally embarrassed to shamelessly ask for wages again.

She chuckled and said, "It's alright, I was just mentioning it casually. What the son-in-law said is true. If they're clumsy and cause more trouble, it would be a loss for them."

Upon hearing this, Hao Jingshi nodded with feigned regret and even tried to persuade her to stay. Lu Qin couldn't help but put her hands behind her back and secretly pinch her arm to suppress her laughter.

It has to be Hao Jingshi.

Lu Qin thought that Aunt Zhao would shut up obediently, but to her surprise, after laughing awkwardly, she found a way to change the subject.

They came at her as if in retaliation.

"Miss has always been frail and sickly, but now that she's feeling better, she shouldn't just keep busy; she should also give Master a grandson."

Aunt Zhao smiled sweetly, glancing at Lu Qin intentionally or unintentionally.

"Besides, the wedding has been going on for quite some time now, son-in-law, don't you think so?"