Because of the severe cold, a brazier was lit inside the house.
Qin Sheng shook her head. "It's nothing."
She endured until the banquet was over.
The table was cleared, and servants served tea, melon seeds, and dried fruit.
A servant from Zhefang Courtyard came in to find the madam and whispered that the madam of the Qin family had sent some things over, and the person was still waiting in Zhefang Courtyard.
Qin Sheng said something and then left with her maid.
The house was still bustling with activity when Yin Wenxuan suddenly said, "This in-law's wife really dotes on her younger brother and sister-in-law, choosing this day to have something delivered."
Upon hearing this, the others exchanged glances, and both Old Madam Yin and Yin Wenxiao looked rather displeased.
Madam Qin is probably unhappy that her son-in-law has taken another concubine, and she's worried that her daughter might be upset, so she specially sent these things to comfort her.
Madam Yin was furious. Whose face was Qin Nianshi slapping?
Why did they have to send something over today? What is it that the Yin family doesn't have?
The second madam knew perfectly well that Yin Wenxuan was stirring up trouble, and said calmly, "Of course, Asheng is, after all, the only legitimate daughter of the Qin family. Madam Qin and Lord Qin probably feel that no amount of pampering is enough."
Madam Qin also came from a scholarly family and was gentle in nature. If this were the Second Madam's own daughter, and her husband had taken three concubines in less than a year of marriage, she would definitely make a scene.
Yin Wenxuan didn't dare to argue with her second aunt, so she quickly changed the subject.
Qin Sheng returned to Zhefang Courtyard, and she didn't expect that the person who came would be Yu Mama, who served her mother.
"Why did you come in person?" Qin Sheng quickly greeted her with a smile and shook hands with Granny Yu.
“Miss.” Granny Yu looked at the child she had watched grow up from a young age, her eyes filled with heartache.
"Look what this old servant has brought you!" Granny Yu led Qin Sheng to sit down at the table and opened the black lacquered food box with floral patterns.
"Water chestnut cake!" Qin Sheng's eyes lit up.
The water chestnut cake made by Granny Yu was different from those made by others. Qin Sheng had eaten it since she was a child, but she hadn't eaten it since she married into the Yin family.
Qin Sheng hadn't had much of an appetite at the banquet, but she couldn't resist picking up a piece of water chestnut cake and taking a bite. Her eyes immediately lit up with delight. "This is the taste!"
"Anything else?"
Granny Yu called a maid to bring the things over, "Look, this was made for you by the Madam, and this was made by this old servant."
Inside the small bundle were scarves, cotton socks, earmuffs, and gloves—all small items made of excellent materials and with exquisite workmanship.
"My mother and nanny treat me the best," Qin Sheng said with a smile.
Granny Yu never mentioned the matter of her son-in-law taking a concubine, for fear of upsetting her daughter.
She couldn't stay long, so after talking for a while, Granny Yu held Qin Sheng's hand and said earnestly, "When I came, Master and Madam asked me to pass on a message to you, saying that no matter if you are still unmarried or already married, you are still their precious daughter. No matter what grievances you suffer, just tell your family."
"The master also said that if he has risen to this position as an official, what is the point if he still allows his only daughter to suffer injustice?"
"..."
Qin Sheng blinked gently, feeling a slight soreness in her eyes and nose.
"I know." She sniffed and said to Granny Yu, "Go back and tell my parents that I'm fine. I'm not a pushover and I won't let them bully me."
"It's good that you understand, young lady."
Before leaving, Granny Yu said, "Whether it's the master and mistress or the eldest young master, they will always be your greatest support, young lady."
Qin Sheng nodded, "Yes, I'll see the old woman out."
She escorted the person to the small gate and watched as Granny Yu left, feeling a little empty inside.
She didn't want to go back and socialize with those people. Apart from Madam Bi and the Second Madam, it seemed that everyone, more or less, had their own agenda in trying to befriend the Yin family.
Qin Sheng then went to the garden.
In the depths of winter, there's hardly anything to see in the garden.
However, in the small pond next to it, the plump koi carp were floating shallowly on the surface, and two servants on the opposite side were responsible for feeding them.
A figure suddenly appeared from the side of the road.
Qin Sheng looked up and saw Ye Jiaoniang. She was walking quickly towards them without any maids by her side.
"Madam." Upon reaching Qin Sheng, Ye Jiaoniang stopped and curtsied.
Qin Sheng glanced at her, not wanting to pay her any attention, and was about to leave when Ye Jiaoniang suddenly smiled and whispered, "Isn't Madam wondering why the Old Madam suddenly lifted my confinement?"
"Not surprising."
Qin Sheng glanced at her and said, "Whether you stay home or not doesn't affect me much. I think Aunt Ye has become so thin. If you have nothing else to do, you should go back and rest."
"I wonder if Madam has ever heard this saying?"
Ye Jiaoniang suddenly took a step forward and said, "What doesn't belong to you is useless no matter how hard you fight for it. On the contrary, what belongs to you will eventually fall into your hands without you having to fight for it."
"..."
She was indeed more confident now, and her posture was straighter as she spoke. Qin Sheng looked at her mockingly, "Is that so?"
"Qin Sheng, you won't always be so lucky."
Ye Jiaoniang actually dared to address the madam by her given name. Qiao'er and Emerald behind her were shocked, and then they were furious.
However, no one expected that Ye Jiaoniang would suddenly grab the lady's hand and push her away forcefully.
Two "plop" sounds.
"ah!"
Qiao'er shouted, "Help! Madam has fallen into the water! Help!" As she shouted, she jumped into the water without hesitation.
Fortunately, the pond wasn't deep, only reaching a little above a person's knees.
But in the dead of winter, falling in and being submerged in water like that is no joke.
"Help---Help me!" Ye Jiaoniang couldn't swim, but she held onto Qin Sheng's wrist tightly with one hand, preventing her from going to the shore.
He was shouting for help.
Qin Sheng knew how to swim, so this little bit of water wouldn't drown her. After struggling several times but failing to break free from Ye Jiaoniang's grasp, Qin Sheng suddenly grabbed her with her other hand and forcefully pushed her into the water.
"Mmm---Glug glug---"
Ye Jiaoniang couldn't swim; she just wanted to drag Qin Sheng in the water. The Earl was right behind them and would be there soon.
Who knew Qin Sheng was so ruthless? She actually wanted to drown her!
Ye Jiaoniang panicked and, in her panic, had no choice but to let go of Qin Sheng's hand that she was holding tightly.
There were many old women and maids nearby who rushed over upon hearing the news, and they all worked together to pull the lady out of the water.
But no one went to pull Aunt Ye away.
"Madam, Madam, how are you?"
Qiao'er and Emerald anxiously surrounded the lady. Qiao'er couldn't help but yell at the old woman next to her, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and go get a doctor for the lady!"
"Oh, oh!" An old woman rushed out immediately.
"What's going on!" Not far away, Yin Wenxiao saw Ye Jiaoniang, who had just stood up from the water and was soaking wet, and rushed over.
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