Chapter 002: Qin's father who dotes on his daughter without thinking

After eating her favorite dessert and getting the opportunity to learn about desserts and foreign languages, the haze that had shrouded Qin Xue's heart finally dissipated.

After choosing the dessert, paying the bill, and making an appointment to start studying, Qin Xue went home.

The carriage went straight to the Chuihua Gate. She dismounted and then walked briskly towards the main courtyard.

The fluttering hem of her skirt and the hairpins dancing happily on her head all showed her good mood at the moment.

Sushan and Tangshuang, who were following behind, saw that their young lady had finally regained her former liveliness, and the frowns that had been on her face in recent days finally relaxed.

Su Shan followed Qin Xue, who was dancing around the Chao Shou corridor, while Tang Shuang headed straight through the courtyard toward the main courtyard. She had to prepare the meal first. That way, Qin Xue could wash her hands and eat directly after arriving at the main courtyard without having to wait.

The Qin family is a salt merchant family. Qin's mother died early and Qin's father did not remarry. The entire Qin family has only two masters, Qin Xue and her daughter.

As the only bloodline left by his beloved wife, and having depended on each other for so many years, Qin's father loves Qin Xue to the core, giving her the best in terms of food, clothing, housing and transportation.

Silks, satins, pearls, jade and emeralds, everything is available.

Every time Qin Xue went out, no matter how simple her clothes were, her hair was covered with pearls and her body was surrounded by jade pendants.

It would be fine if he walked normally, but jumping happily like he was doing now, with the pearls on his head and the jade pendants on his waist jingling against each other, it was like the sound of ringing jewelry, which was very pleasant to hear.

The nanny, who hadn't heard such joyful sounds for many days, immediately put down her needlework, walked around the side room, stepped onto the front porch of the west wing, and saw Qin Xue coming towards her with a smile on her face. "Miss, you're back."

Qin Xue walked quickly to Mammy, stopped her cheerful steps, took her hands, and said happily, "Yes, Mammy, I'm back."

Then, she happily shook her hands and shared her feelings at the moment, "Today, I met a very nice sister at Fang's Dessert Shop. She asked me to go to the dessert shop to learn how to make macarons and puffs. When I learn how to make them, I will make them for my grandmother."

"Mammy thanks the young lady." Mammy was an old lady left by Qin's mother, and she always loved her like her own daughter.

But she was very clear about her status. "However, how can I let the young lady do this kind of thing myself?"

Besides, every time her young lady entered the kitchen, it was a mess, not to mention that the pots and pans were scrapped very quickly, not to mention that burning the kitchen was unbearable. How could she dare to let this little ancestor enter the kitchen? "When you learn it, teach it to the cook, and let the cook cook for me."

"No." Qin Xue shook her head. "This dessert has a secret recipe that can't be passed on to others. My sister was pestered by me and agreed to let me learn it. I can't give the secret recipe to anyone else."

Although her sister didn't say it, Qin Xue felt that it was good enough that the other party asked her to learn.

It would be unkind of her to teach other people.

"Okay, then Ma'am, I'll wait." The Qin family was a simple family, so the two masters were very kind to their servants, often asking them to eat the same food as the masters. The young lady was kind to her, and she would remember it well and take better care of her. "You must be hungry. Let's eat first."

"It's been a while since I've had dessert from Fang's Dessert Shop. I ate too much just now, and my stomach is bloated." After saying that, he puffed out his stomach and refused to eat right away. "I can't eat right now. You guys can just prepare your own food. I'll talk to you later."

As they were talking, the master and his two servants had already walked to the main hall.

When Qin Xue was seven years old, his father felt that it was inconvenient for him to live in the backyard anymore, so he moved to the outer yard.

Since then, Qin Xue has had the entire main courtyard to herself.

The flower hall was arranged as a place for entertaining guests and having meals, the eastern room was used as a bedroom, and the western room was used as a study. The three spaces were separated by antique shelves.

After sending the nanny and her two attendant maids off to eat, Qin Xue walked around to the eastern side room, past the large screen with a landscape painting. As she walked, she removed her headdresses one by one, letting her hair down. Then she changed into her dress, putting on a white silk shirt with a stand-up collar, a green and gold vest, and a loose hair tie.

Then he put on his shoes and prepared to go to the west room to read a book.

As soon as I left the east room, I heard a deep male voice mixed with joy, "Daughter, Daddy is back. Come here and let Daddy see you. Have you eaten well while Daddy was away?"

Upon hearing the voice, Qin Xue grabbed her long skirt and ran out. When she saw her father walking quickly towards the main courtyard, her steps became faster. When he came closer, she threw herself into Qin Laicai's arms like a baby swallow.

Thinking about the torment she'd been feeling these past few days because of Ruan Ruyi's words on the Shangsi Festival, Qin Xue didn't care what her father asked. She just wanted to know whether her father's trip went smoothly. "Did Daddy get into trouble?"

In the past, every time she went out, Qin Laicai would give her all kinds of instructions, fearing that he would be away and her, his daughter, would suffer.

This trip was not part of her father's plan. He left in a hurry and didn't tell her anything.

At the ladies' gathering during the Shangsi Festival, Ruan Ruyi kept saying that her father had gotten into trouble and their family was finished.

Although she tried her best to express her belief in her father, she was actually very anxious.

Hearing his daughter's choking voice, Qin Laicai felt so distressed that he raised his hand and patted his daughter's shoulder, "It's okay, it's solved, it's okay."

He was obviously a rough man, but every time he patted her and comforted her, his movements were very gentle, as if he was afraid of hurting her if he used too much force.

Every time this happened, Qin Xue felt like she was being cared for, and no matter how bad her mood was, it would get better.

She raised her head and looked carefully at her father, who hadn't shaved in who knows how long. His face was covered with stubble. He said solemnly, "Dad, from now on, I don't want any fancy clothes or jewelry. We will save the money you used to earn. Don't work too hard."

Although she can't help with anything except eating, drinking and having fun.

But she has decided to study hard. Even if she can't help her father, at least she doesn't want anything to happen at home. She will just be anxious and don't understand anything.

The matter was resolved satisfactorily. Qin Laicai was in a good mood and wanted to tease his daughter, "You may not be able to eat your favorite Fang's dessert in the future."

Qin Xue, who loves sweets, fell down instantly after hearing what Qin's father said. "Isn't that going to kill me?"

Then, thinking of the opportunity he had just received today, he immediately looked at his father with sparkling eyes and said, "If I can't eat, then I can't eat. At worst, I can make it myself in the future."

After that, Pilipala told Qin Laicai about today’s trip to Fang’s Dessert Shop.

Hearing that his daughter was going to learn the skills of the kitchen, Qin Laicai was silent for a moment, then said earnestly, "My daughter, this is indeed a good opportunity. But Dad is afraid that if you really go, Fang's Dessert will be forced to close down in a few days, so let's forget it."

Others said that she could do nothing except eating, drinking and having fun, but Qin Xue didn't feel anything.

The only thing that cannot be questioned is her cooking skills.

Even your biological father can't do this.

So when Qin Laicai said this, Qin Xue immediately stomped her feet in dissatisfaction and retorted, "Dad, how can you pour cold water on me?!"

"And let me tell you, the desserts at the branch Fang's Dessert Shop are baked in an oven, so I don't have to light a fire. Even if I'm stupid, there's no way I could ruin the shop."

Qin Laicai, who was fearless in public, was most afraid of his daughter stamping her feet. "Okay, okay, it's Daddy's fault. Daddy shouldn't have doubted my precious daughter's ability without understanding her clearly. Daddy admits her fault, Daddy admits her fault."

Seeing Qin Laicai admit his mistake, Qin Xue immediately raised her eyebrows proudly, "That's pretty good."

Although her father looked exhausted, his face was relaxed, so it seemed nothing serious had happened. Qin Xue immediately praised herself, "When I learned about the family incident, I immediately thought about saving money. I am being filial."

Daddy is good to her, and she is also very good to Daddy.

Holding his daughter's wrist, he walked towards the main hall and told the maid to prepare the meal. Qin Laicai then answered his daughter, "Yes, my daughter is the most filial daughter in the world."

Then he explained, "Before I left home, the news I received was unclear. I couldn't explain it clearly to you at the time, so I thought I would tell you after I come back."

"As long as Dad is okay, that's all." She never asked about Qin's father's affairs outside the family before, but this time she asked, "What was that matter? Is it resolved now?"

"The imperial court wants to reform the existing salt permit system, and my father has already resolved the matter." Qin Laicai did not provide more details. After all, no one knew his daughter's situation better than him.

To prevent similar situations from happening again, Qin Laicai said to his daughter, "Dad previously invested in the construction of the Yangzhou port, so even if the salt industry doesn't make as much money in the future, we can still use the family money."

As the foreign trade of Dazhao Kingdom increased, Yangzhou Prefecture started to build a port last year.

When he got the news, he felt that the port business had great potential, so he invested a lot of money in it.

"I said Dad is so awesome, there will definitely be no problem."

"I don't know who was crying just now."

"I just wiped my nose because I realized that if Dad really gets into trouble one day, I won't be able to help at all. I felt guilty." At this point, Qin Xue told Qin Laicai about the changes she had undergone in the past few days. "Lord Ye, who came from a farming family, can achieve such great success. I will try my best. I can't say I am as amazing as her, but at least I can remain calm next time I hear someone say our family is in trouble, instead of being like this time, where I can only worry and do nothing."

Qin Laicai always felt that as long as he was around, he would pave the way for his daughter and let her live a worry-free life.

I never thought about what I wanted my daughter to learn.

But just like his daughter said, if she could learn some skills, she wouldn't be so discouraged if there were any mistakes in the road he was paving. "Okay, if you want to learn, then study hard. If you need anything from your father, just ask."

"Today, that sister said I'm suitable for diplomacy. I don't know what diplomacy is, but I want to learn more about it. If I'm really suitable, I definitely need Dad to find a teacher for me."

Qin Laicai travels around all year round and knows more than Qin Xue. He knows that diplomacy is about dealing with foreigners.

If you want to deal with people, you naturally have to learn their language.

Thinking of this, Qin Laicai said simply and roughly, "When the port of Yangzhou Prefecture is built, there should be many foreigners coming. Dad will try his best to hire a foreign teacher for you."