Chapter 18. What about her future? ...
When Liu Min arrived at Fuzetang, Old Madam Qin was preparing to personally visit Yangshengxuan to find him. Upon seeing him, she couldn't help but scold him, "Why are you only coming now?"
Liu Min smiled and said, "I feel uneasy if I don't finish reading the important parts of the book, which is why I'm late."
Saying things like that makes it seem like he really did his job.
Madam Qin tilted her head slightly and smiled at Qin Xu, saying, "Look at you, your brother is quite ambitious now."
Qin Xu didn't speak, but lowered her head slightly, glanced quickly at Liu Min, then pursed her lips and smiled gently, showing a charming girlishness.
Liu Min walked to the dining table, handed the bundle in her hand to the maid beside her, bowed formally to Qin Xu, and asked with a smile, "When did you arrive, Sister Qin?"
Qin Xu quickly stood up, turned her head, and gracefully returned the greeting, replying, "I arrived in the afternoon. At lunch, I saw a dish I was used to eating here, and it reminded me of the old lady. Once I thought of her, I couldn't wait a moment longer, so I immediately had someone pack my things and rushed over, thinking that I must see the old lady as soon as possible." As she spoke, her voice was extremely soft and gentle, seemingly very shy, which made her appear quite charming. This was yet another kind of captivating beauty.
Liu Min nodded and said, "I see. I didn't know that. The old lady should have sent someone to call me." As he spoke, he sat down at the dining table, and immediately a maid brought a basin of water to help him wash his hands.
Qin Xu also sat back down.
Madam Qin smiled and said, "I also said I would go and call you, but your sister stopped me. She heard that you were studying at Yangshengxuan and was afraid that it would distract you. She waited for you until now, even though she was hungry. Fortunately, you have really worked hard and have not let her down. Remember, if you don't study well in the future, you will be letting your sister down!"
Liu Min smiled and said, "I understand, don't worry, Grandma." After saying that, he instructed the maid who had taken his bundle, "Take the things out and wash them."
The maidservant responded and left.
Old Madam Qin had already noticed the bundle, but hadn't had a chance to ask yet. She immediately asked, "What's that?"
Liu Min smiled and said, "This is a new gift I received as a token of my gratitude."
Madam Qin immediately thought of Shan Lai, because she had also received a thank-you gift. Thinking of this, she felt very happy, and a smile couldn't be suppressed on her face. "Did she give it to you?"
Liu Min actually knew who "she" referred to, but he was reluctant to acknowledge it because he felt it was too intimate, bordering on frivolous. Shan Lai often displayed a dignified and unapproachable demeanor, and he felt that such an unrefined affection was incompatible with her. He was willing to respect her.
So he retorted, "Her? Who? The old lady needs to explain herself clearly."
Unlike Liu Min, no matter how much Madam Qin valued Shan Lai, she never intended to treat her as an equal, so she had no reservations at all. "I'm talking about Shan Lai. She also gave me something today."
Liu Min smiled and said, "She knows the rules and knows that she can't forget the old lady in anything."
Madam Qin also said, "She is truly good."
Liu Min was reluctant to talk about Shan Lai, so he said, "Let's eat quickly, I've been hungry for a while."
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Qin hurriedly told the maid to serve the meal.
The rules of wealthy families dictate that one should not speak while eating or sleeping. Even an elder like Old Madam Qin, who dotes on her children and grandchildren, would not utter a word while eating. Qin Xu was a guest, so she didn't interfere. Once the meal was served, she simply lowered her head and ate quietly without making a sound.
The meal contained many of Qin Xu's favorite dishes. She always had a good appetite, so no one worried that she wouldn't eat enough and harm her health. However, at this moment, her mind wasn't on the food, so the rice in her bowl was practically falling out of her mouth. Liu Min, on the other hand, was starving. After a few bites, his bowl was empty. The maid quickly gave him another bowl, which he ate a few times, then put down his chopsticks and slowly scooped up some soup to drink. After a while, Old Madam Qin also finished eating, put down her chopsticks, and a maidservant hurriedly brought her tea to rinse her mouth.
After rinsing his mouth, Liu Min stood up, bowed slightly, and said to Madam Qin, "Madam, I'm exhausted and want to go back to rest. I'll be leaving now."
He said he was tired, and of course, Madam Qin didn't want him to stay. She said, "Go back quickly and tell them to send you to sleep."
Liu Min bowed slightly again, but did not leave. Instead, he turned to Qin Xu and said with a smile, "My stomach has been weak lately, so I can't eat many peaches. But since this is a gift from someone, I would feel bad if I just disposed of it carelessly. I remember that Sister Qin likes these, so I'm taking this opportunity to give them to Sister Qin. Sister Qin often keeps the old lady company and helps her relax. I am very grateful to her."
The maid who had been instructed by Liu Min to find peaches immediately stepped forward upon hearing his words, carrying a white jade porcelain plate with two whole peaches and pieces of peach flesh on it.
When Liu Min saw the peaches, he thought, "She wasn't lying; they really are good peaches."
Each one is the size of a bowl, perfectly round and plump, with no blemishes on the skin. When cut open, they are perfectly ripe, with vibrant colors and juicy goodness.
She really put her heart into it.
Madam Qin also said, "These peaches are so good, they're like something out of a painting. Such good things only grow in the countryside. If other people didn't think of you, how would they see them?" After praising the peaches, she said to Qin Xu, "I know you love to eat these, but they can upset your stomach and spleen. You've just eaten a meal. Just eat a couple of pieces later. If you want to eat them again tomorrow, I won't care."
Qin Xu lowered his head and said with a smile, "The old lady is right." He then raised his head, glanced at Liu Min, and said, "Thank you, Lian Si, as well."
Liu Min said, "Sister Qin, you're too kind." After saying that, he turned around and looked at Madam Qin again. After saying a few words, he took his leave. Before leaving, he not only bowed to Madam Qin, but also greeted Qin Xu in the same way.
Liu Min had never been disrespectful to Qin Xu.
Because I've never liked her.
The Qin family was the maternal family of Old Madam Qin. Liu Min was raised by Old Madam Qin. It was no exaggeration to say that the bond between the grandmother and grandson was as deep as the sea. Liu Min himself knew that besides his grandmother, his wet nurse Wu Qingyu was his only close relative. Although there were a few people in his maternal grandparents' family, they were all trying to get something out of him. He didn't want to see any of them, not to mention his father...
If one person truly loves another, they will inevitably extend that love to everything connected to that person. Therefore, Liu Min always felt close to his grandmother's family.
He didn't dislike his cousin from the beginning.
The two families were genuine relatives, and Old Madam Qin, with her generous heart, often visited each other. Qin Xu visited even more frequently than others. Both children were always with Old Madam Qin, who called her grandson her darling and her grandniece her precious darling, seemingly treating them equally without favoritism. However, there was still a difference in closeness. As children, they didn't realize it, but as they grew older, they gradually discerned the distinction. Qin Xu, accustomed to being domineering in his own home, inevitably felt jealous and would occasionally cause trouble. The adults, thinking they were just children, didn't take it to heart. Always the one who suffered, though resentful, they didn't find it unbearable for their grandmother's sake. Therefore, the two children mostly shared happy memories.
For Liu Min, happiness is a very easy and vague thing, so it is easy to get confused and then forget. But heart-wrenching things are different. Once they happen, they will be remembered forever.
It was a gloomy summer afternoon, the sky overcast, the clouds hanging low, a strong wind blowing, and leaves flying everywhere. Everyone knew a heavy rain was imminent, so no one went out; they all stayed indoors. Liu Min's teacher, the old goat, had taken leave a day earlier due to a rheumatism, only leaving Liu Min a few calligraphy practice sheets for homework. Liu Min was bored, being watched by the maids as he copied the calligraphy. Suddenly, he heard a maid outside say, "My cousin has arrived." Liu Min felt a surge of excitement. He thought, "Playing chess with my cousin is better than copying calligraphy." Thinking this, he went to find his cousin. He had barely gotten up when she arrived at his bedroom. He smiled and asked her if she wanted to play chess. She didn't speak, only staring intently at him with her dark eyes, making him uneasy. But since he needed her help, he humbled himself. Seeing her silence, he said, "Playing grass-fighting is fine too." She still didn't speak. He frowned, wondering if she had also fallen ill. He didn't want to talk to her anymore; he'd rather continue practicing calligraphy. He sat down, and she suddenly spoke: "You look like your mother." Liu Min froze, his brush caught in his throat, the ink smearing across the paper. She continued, "I'd been thinking you looked familiar, like I'd seen you before. Yesterday, I suddenly remembered someone and asked my mother, and sure enough, it was your mother! I asked my family, and they all said you look like your mother." Liu Min didn't know if he looked like his mother, because he'd never met her, never had the chance. She died a few days after he was born. She continued, "If you ever miss your mother, look in the mirror." Liu Min didn't say anything, put the stained calligraphy aside, and continued practicing. He knew she was doing it on purpose, deliberately bringing up his mother to make him sad, because his mother had died because of him. He thought, this woman is so arrogant; she thinks she's above everyone else just because I'm nice to her. From then on, he kept his distance from her and never had another argument with her. She thought she had effectively touched his sore spot and made him afraid of her, so she was quite smug in front of him for a while.
This happened many years ago.
She was much better now and no longer argued with him. She was quite docile in front of him, and even seemed to be trying to please him.
But he still didn't like her.
There is one thing he will never forgive her for.
Qin Xu, of course, remembered this incident as well.
She even remembered exactly why this happened.
A bowl of chilled cheese.
This is nothing unusual for the Liu family, or even the Qin family. It's really inappropriate to cause such a commotion over something like this.
But I was too young at the time to understand this principle.
It's hot, and iced cheese is refreshing, but we're worried that children with weak stomachs might get sick from eating it, so we only give each child one bowl, no more.
Madam Qin arranged for a maid to feed the two children after they woke up from their afternoon nap.
She woke up early, so she ate first. After finishing, she felt it wasn't enough, so she started craving another bowl and made a fuss about wanting to eat it. It was somewhat intentional, because she was already dissatisfied with having to share everything with others. All she wanted was to be the best. Of course, the maid tried to stop her, and the commotion woke Liu Min. He got up and asked what had happened. After finding out, he didn't say anything, just glanced at her, and then reached out and threw the cheese on the ground.
The bowl shattered on the floor. Looking at the cheese and broken porcelain scattered everywhere, her face turned bright red. She felt insulted by his gaze and went home that very day.
I just can't get over this. Whenever I think about it, I get so angry that my chest hurts.
Her eldest sister gave her an idea: she had a mother, while Lian Si did not. In this respect, she was far superior to him. Moreover, Lian Si's mother died in childbirth. In other words, Lian Si killed his mother. She could use this to stab Lian Si.
She was so angry that she thought it was a great idea, so she went there immediately to get revenge.
She was, of course, victorious. She remembered Lian Si's expression at that moment vividly and often reminisced about it for a long time, feeling very proud.
But then I thought, what did Lian Si do wrong? But the words had already been spoken.
She held a grudge against it.
She was afraid he would remember, especially now that she needed his help.
She wanted him to fall in love with her and to ask for a title for her in the future.
This is not impossible. She is beautiful, they have known each other since childhood and are childhood sweethearts, and she also has her great-aunt, a relative who truly loves her. How could they not make it work?
But now there is someone more beautiful than her, and with an advantage in status. A servant girl can do whatever she wants without any restraint. If she deliberately seduces him and he falls for it, he will never have her in his heart again.
What will happen to her in the future?
She started to panic.
A note from the author:
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