The affairs of the manor were all left to the Queen Mother to manage, and Master Qin focused on doing business with high-ranking officials and nobles. Therefore, before he found out, the Queen Mother had already taken care of things properly and did not let the rumors affect the relationship between the couple.
After things stabilized at home, Master Qin was about to go on a long trip as usual. Before leaving, he thought of his only daughter and Xiang Wan and Xiang Xia, so he specially summoned them over and asked his three daughters what gifts they wanted.
Xiang Wan realized that this was a good time to get along with her stepfather, and making unreasonable requests could easily hurt their relationship. Besides, she didn't like jewelry like the original owner of this body, so she simply said that she hoped Master Qin would take good care of himself and didn't need any gifts. Xiang Xia also felt quite embarrassed at this point. After all, she had only recently entered the Qin family, and it was normal for her to greet him regularly. It wouldn't be easy to make any more requests, so like Xiang Wan, she only wished for his safe return.
As she spoke, Xiang Wan secretly glanced at Qin Rong and noticed that Qin Rong frowned slightly after she finished speaking, but quickly relaxed her brow.
"Father, I have everything I need in the manor. I only ask that you return soon. It's just that my two elder sisters have not yet been given any new clothes or jewelry since they came to the manor."
Qin Rong glanced expectantly at Master Qin, then smiled at Xiang Wan and her sister. Her fingers, which were gripping the handkerchief, tightened suddenly and then relaxed.
"Haha, good, good! Rong'er truly lives up to her reputation as the eldest daughter of the Qin family, knowing how to think of her sisters." Master Qin patted Qin Rong's hand with satisfaction.
"Father, Rong'er is the most thoughtful of all. As her older sister, I'm a bit old and not as quick-witted as her. I hope you won't mind," Xiang Wan said seizing the opportunity. "Father, you don't need to bother bringing gifts. Just as Rong'er said, your safe return is the greatest gift you can give us. If you insist on giving us something, why don't you come back and tell us about the interesting things you've seen on your trip? It would broaden our horizons."
Seeing the affectionate interaction between the Qin father and daughter, if things went according to Qin Rong's wishes, Old Master Qin would surely bring her something upon his return, but what he would give Xiang Wan and Xiang Xia would undoubtedly be clothing and accessories. In public, people would only see the stepdaughter's privileged position, not the benefits Qin Rong received. This would not only easily attract gossip but also damage the already fragile relationship between Xiang Wan and her sister and Old Master Qin. On a larger scale, it could even affect the Queen Mother's influence in the household. If even a small matter isn't stopped in time, Xiang Wan doesn't know how things could develop. Now that she's encountered this situation, it's always best to nip it in the bud.
Xiang Wan glanced at Qin Rong out of the corner of her eye. She saw a glint in Qin Rong's eyes and a smile appear on her lips. She said to Master Qin, "Father, my two elder sisters are also concerned about you. They haven't left the Qin family mansion yet. Why don't I take them out for a while? It would be a token of my appreciation as their younger sister."
As soon as she finished speaking, Xiang Wan sensed something was wrong. When Master Qin wasn't going out, Qin Rong never offered to lead them out; why bring this up now? What was she trying to do?
Master Qin always doted on his only daughter. When his daughter said she wanted to go out and play, he readily agreed. He only instructed her to bring many attendants. Afterward, he chatted with Xiang Wan and the other two about their recent study progress before letting them leave.
Xiang Xia wasn't particularly keen on going out, but seeing that Qin Rong had personally invited her, she couldn't very well refuse. After Master Qin left, Qin Rong followed Xiang Wan and Xiang Xia to inform the Queen Mother, and then they left the Qin residence.
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