Chapter Thirteen adds a touch of further exploration.
Qin Zhiyu immediately understood and added tearfully, "Father, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have argued with my sister, and I shouldn't have made you angry."
My daughter is in so much pain. But if we call a doctor, it will damage our reputation, so my daughter will just have to endure it.
As long as it doesn't hinder Father's future, I don't care what happens to me..."
She coughed twice as she spoke, her face as white as paper, "After all, my marriage to the third son of the He family was entirely due to my father's influence in officialdom. I cannot burden you..."
The mother and daughter worked together, linking "Qin Zhining causing trouble" with "delaying the wedding and affecting her career" in every word they spoke.
Qin Zhiyu was the one who spoke hurtfully first, but now she's the one who's acting like a dutiful daughter who's thinking of the bigger picture.
Qin Zhining's kick became the root of the disaster that ruined the county magistrate's future.
Looking at his wife and daughter kneeling in the snow and hearing those hurtful words, Qin Youming unsurprisingly vented all his anger on Qin Zhining.
He recalled Qin Zhining's words, "Go to the county government to appeal your case," the dowry ledger, and the He family's attitude, and felt his temples throbbing.
That brat is practically here to bring him down!
Aunt An secretly glanced up and saw Qin Youming's tightly clenched fist with knuckles turning white, and a barely perceptible cold smile appeared on the corner of her mouth.
She wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, her voice choked with sobs but laced with calculation, "Master, perhaps... we should let Ayu bear with it."
There are only three days left until the He family comes to finalize the engagement. Once the marriage is settled, even if there is some underlying illness, the He family will not back out of the engagement..."
She wiped away her tears with great distress, saying, "It's not too late to have a doctor examine me carefully later."
These words, seemingly for Qin Youming's benefit, were actually pushing Qin Zhining to the brink of despair.
Should we check the injuries after the wedding is settled?
If the damage is truly fundamental, the blame will naturally fall on Qin Zhining, who "started the fight and injured someone."
At that time, in order to give an explanation to the He family, Qin Youming will deal with this legitimate daughter even more ruthlessly.
Qin Zhiyu coughed in agreement, trembling with pain. "Mother is right, I will listen to Father. As long as it puts Father at ease, I am not afraid of pain."
Qin Youming was annoyed by the mother and daughter's crying, and was also overwhelmed by the two mountains of "marriage" and "career," so he could no longer discern the intricacies of the situation.
He felt that Qin Zhining was a troublemaker and a jinx who would ruin his future!
"Get up, all of you." Qin Youming's voice was as cold as ice. "Chunlan, help your young lady back to her room to rest, and bring some of the best medicine for her injuries."
He glanced at the bloodstains on the ground, but ultimately didn't say anything harsh. "Have the kitchen prepare some nourishing food, so he doesn't really get sick."
A hint of smugness flashed in Aunt An's eyes. As she helped Qin Zhiyu express her gratitude, she deliberately said loudly, "Thank you for your consideration, sir."
Ayu, did you hear that? Master loves you the most. You mustn't argue with your younger sister anymore, lest you hurt your sisterly bond and, more importantly, Master's heart. You're the eldest sister; it's alright to be a little more considerate.
These words were perfectly worded, both praising Qin Youming and confirming Qin Zhining's "immature behavior that damaged sisterly affection."
This subtly reminded the servants around them that the master truly loved his concubine's daughter, who was willing to sacrifice for his career, rather than his legitimate daughter, who only knew how to cause trouble.
In the wind and snow, Aunt An helped Qin Zhiyu walk slowly away, leaving Qin Youming standing there, gritting his teeth as he looked towards the backyard.
His disgust for Qin Zhining deepened, and he felt that he would not have peace of mind until this wicked creature was eliminated.
Qin Zhining calmly made her way to the Tinglan Courtyard, where the original owner of the body once lived.
Just now, a maidservant from Granny Liu's side came to tell her that the master invited the second young lady to stay at Tinglan Garden.
Upon hearing this, Qin Zhining's lips curled into a sarcastic smile.
She knew in her heart that An Qinghe and Qin Zhiyu would never let her live there peacefully.
However, this did not stop her from starting to plan her next steps.
She not only wants to reclaim everything that belonged to the original owner's mother and the original owner, but also wants to make those who hurt her pay the price they deserve.
Qin Xiaoxiao followed closely behind Qin Zhining, her little face full of worry, but she still tried to express herself with gestures and babbling.
Qin Zhining turned and looked at her, understanding her meaning. A warm feeling flashed in her eyes, and she gently patted her hand. "Okay, with you by my side from now on, things will get better."
Qin Xiaoxiao was both surprised and delighted to see that she understood her. She gestured and made sounds like "Aba aba" while laughing.
As you walk through the courtyard paved with bluestone slabs, you see exquisite octagonal lanterns hanging under the eaves, precious wintersweet plants growing in the corners of the walls, and even the snow dripping from the eaves reflects the warm light of the vermilion pillars.
The luxurious and exquisite courtyard should have been a sight that would make an ordinary poor child wide-eyed and unable to resist looking around.
But Qin Xiaoxiao beside him showed no sign of anything amiss.
She followed closely behind Qin Zhining with small steps, her head slightly lowered, her gaze fixed on the path beneath her feet, neither looking up at the exquisite eaves and corners nor glancing at the embroidered curtains hanging under the eaves.
Those ornate carvings and jeweled decorations, so opulent and luxurious, seemed to her like ordinary earthen walls and tiles, deserving not even a second glance.
Seeing her like this, Qin Zhining was secretly surprised.
According to the original owner's memories, this child escaped from a human traffickers' den.
At the age of eleven, he had spent his life in poverty, suffering more beatings and scoldings than he had eaten his fill, and even his voice was poisoned and lost.
Logically speaking, in such a magnificent county magistrate's mansion, filled with novelties she had never seen before, she should have shown some curiosity, some timidity, or perhaps a child's longing for prosperity.
But she didn't.
Her small back was straight, her steps were steady like a child's, and her clear eyes were pure, without a trace of greed for wealth and glory.
It's as if the pavilions, towers, fine clothes, and sumptuous food in front of me are nothing but fleeting clouds, far less important than the "older sister" I just met not long ago standing right in front of me.
"You're not shy at all." Qin Zhining slowed her pace and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear.
Upon hearing this, Qin Xiaoxiao paused, turned to look at her, her small face expressionless, but she nodded vigorously.
A small hand quietly clenched Qin Zhining's clothes, as if silently saying, "With your older sister here, I'm not afraid anywhere."
Qin Zhining felt a warmth in her heart, but also a renewed sense of curiosity.
This child likely has a story even more complex than just "innate superhuman strength."
Looking up at the familiar yet unfamiliar pavilions and pillars, a cold smile crept onto her lips.
Hehe... Now that this devil who just came out of the mental hospital has entered the mansion, let's wait and see the exciting show at the Qin County Magistrate's house.
Inside the main room, Qin Zhiyu and Aunt An knew that the situation was hopeless and they could not stop Qin Zhining from returning. However, they still harbored resentment towards Qin Youming and sat there with cold faces, not uttering a word.
Qin Youming keenly sensed the resentment between his concubine and his illegitimate daughter, secretly clenching his fists while feigning a fatherly gentleness towards his eldest illegitimate daughter.
They're all troublesome—he gritted his teeth inwardly.
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