Ye Jiaoniang subconsciously tugged at Yin Wenxiao's sleeve, but Yin Wenxiao did not speak to help her. Instead, he said, "Let's do as Madam says."
Okra, who was still covering her face with one hand, breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, and looked up with mixed feelings.
The lady didn't look at her, but left with her entourage.
The Earl said he was going to his study and left.
...
night.
The family banquet was as lively as ever. Madam Yin prepared gifts for her two nieces, including jewelry and the most fashionable fabrics in the capital for making clothes.
Ye Jiaoniang didn't come, saying she wasn't feeling well.
However, the family dinner tonight did not change because she was not there, and it continued until later in the evening.
After the family banquet, at Madam Yin's suggestion, Yin Wenxiao escorted her back to Songliu Courtyard.
"You, I told you a few days ago but you didn't listen. Now you know the bitter fruit of your actions, right?" She sighed. "But don't worry too much about your second uncle. After all, we're all family."
Madam Yin has already thought this matter through carefully today.
She was angry with Qin Sheng, but the real culprit was Ye Jiaoniang, who happened to be the person her son was so desperate to kill that he still cherished her dearly.
Fortunately, the second master had no sons, only two daughters. When the two girls got married, they would always have to rely on their maternal families.
Wenxiao is now the only son of the Yin family. Although the second master is angry, he will still help Wenxiao after his anger subsides.
Yin Wenxiao seemed somewhat absent-minded. "I understand."
"There's one more thing."
Just ahead was the entrance to Songliu Courtyard, but Old Madam Yin suddenly stopped and looked at her son with a meaningful gaze.
"Ah Sheng's elder brother has distinguished himself in battle while following the Duke of Zhenguo. When he returns, he will likely be promoted. Are you aware of this?"
Yin Wenxiao was taken aback.
He really didn't know about this.
Madam Yin looked at him and said, "Wenxiao, you are now an official in the court, yet you are not as well-informed as a woman in the inner quarters. Do you know why?"
"..."
Under his mother's gaze, Yin Wenxiao suddenly felt a pang of shame, and he knew why.
Ever since his mother agreed to let him take a beautiful woman into the household, Yin Wenxiao has become somewhat carried away.
He only thinks about romantic and frivolous things every day, and he doesn't even care about serious matters, let alone things related to the Qin family.
"You," Madam Yin shook her head, "Ah Sheng's elder brother is her biological brother from the same mother. At such a young age, he has already been appointed as a general and is appreciated by His Majesty and the Regent. He will definitely have a bright future."
"Now I'm asking you, do you just want to stay here in the Hanlin Academy and live your whole life with your beloved wife, or do you want to fight for your future, even if not for the Yin family?"
"..."
As a man, who would want to live a life of mediocrity?
Yin Wenxiao was about to speak when the old lady raised her hand to interrupt him: "You don't need to answer me now. If you've figured it out, go find Asheng. In a few days, when her older brother comes back, take her back to her parents' home to visit. She's been married for half a year, and you've only taken her back once for your wedding."
After saying that, he waved his hand, not letting him go into the Pine and Willow Courtyard with him.
A bright moon hung in the sky, but there were no stars. Autumn had arrived, but the chirping of insects still echoed from the grass.
The servant boy carried a lantern and lit the way ahead.
For some reason, Yin Wenxiao suddenly remembered Qin Sheng's elder brother, Qin Yu, whom the old lady had just mentioned.
Qin Yu was only one year older than him. As the eldest son of the Left Censorate, he did not choose the path of literature. At the age of seventeen, he became the top martial arts scholar. The following year, he joined the Duke of Zhenguo's army and followed the Duke in his campaigns. At a young age, he made many contributions and was awarded the title of general.
Yin Wenxiao recalled the day he went to the Qin family mansion to fetch his bride.
Qin Yu carried his sister out, his eyes filled with coldness as he looked at him. He said, "If you ever dare to bully my sister again, I, Qin Yu, will beat you to a pulp!"
"..."
Yin Wenxiao said he couldn't do it, but in his heart he scoffed.
He certainly wouldn't take a military general like Qin Yu, who only knew how to fight and kill, seriously.
Lost in thought, Yin Wenxiao found himself at the entrance of Zhefang Courtyard, where two large lanterns hung outside.
"My lord," the servant carrying the lantern asked in a low voice, "would you like to go in and see the lady?"
Inside Zhefang Courtyard.
Qin Sheng had just finished bathing when Qiao'er was carefully applying cream to her fingers. The cream had a whitening effect and emitted a faint fragrance after application.
A maidservant came in to announce that the Lord had arrived.
Qin Sheng was sitting in front of her dressing table. Upon hearing this, she didn't even lift her head, her gaze fixed on her fair and slender fingers.
Yin Wenxiao didn't come over; he stood by the door and spoke to her.
"My brother-in-law has made great contributions in this campaign to quell the rebellion in the Northwest, and he should be back in a few days."
As Yin Wenxiao spoke, his gaze swept over Qin Sheng, who was turned to the side. His eyes fell on the bronze mirror, where he saw her indifferent and expressionless face.
Qin Sheng was reborn, so she naturally knew all this.
Seeing her expressionless face, Yin Wenxiao said, "Mother said that you have been married for half a year now. I'm sure your parents miss you very much. When your brother-in-law comes back, I will take you back to your family for a reunion."
Qin Sheng hadn't expected that she would finally turn around and look at him.
She had originally planned to go back herself after her older brother returned, but she didn't expect Yin Wenxiao to go back with her.
Since Yin Wenxiao himself brought it up, Qin Sheng didn't refuse. She said, "In that case, I'll have to trouble you, Lord."
His tone was indifferent and distant.
Yin Wenxiao looked at her, and for some reason, he suddenly remembered something.
It seems that from the day he took a concubine, Qin Sheng became somewhat different from before.
But clearly, it was her own consent that she was brought into the mansion; he always thought she was a dignified and sensible woman.
Moreover, he hadn't visited Zhefang Courtyard since Jiaoniang entered the mansion. He thought Qin Sheng might have some complaints, but it seems not.
Could it be, like in the plays, that he's being jealous?
However, this is the case for most women in the inner quarters. While men have three wives and four concubines, women, whether wives or concubines, only have one husband, so it's understandable that they might feel jealous.
“It’s no trouble at all,” Yin Wenxiao said.
Then came silence.
Qin Sheng ignored him as if he were invisible, looking down at Qiao'er carefully applying cream to himself.
This cream costs more than eighty taels of silver for a small bottle, and there isn't much in one bottle; it only lasts for a month.
In her previous life, Qin Sheng would naturally be reluctant to use such a good thing.
She diligently managed everything in the Yin family mansion, reluctant to use anything fancy, always thinking about accumulating more family wealth.
Having been given a second chance at life, she came to a realization.
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