My Lady Always Lacks Ambition
Chapter 146 - 145 The Eldest Daughter of the Qin Family Looks Bland

Chapter 146: Chapter 145 The Eldest Daughter of the Qin Family Looks Bland

Night falls, a myriad of household lamps come alive. Located beside the Li River, one particular three-section residence is brightly lit, yet the voices within are desolate and few.

"Changkong, are you sure you want to stay here?" Qi Qian looked at the man, almost merging with the dusk, and asked, "Though this place is peaceful, it is after all a bit small."

Yu Changkong didn’t turn around and said, "It’s merely a temporary shelter to live in. I also do not like having too many people attend to me. A small courtyard is enough."

"But..."

"Besides, what difference does it make where a blind and useless man like me lives?" Yu Changkong’s voice was faint and cold.

Qi Qian choked on his words and said, "Master Buqiu will surely cure your eye illness."

Yu Changkong didn’t continue the conversation, as if he had little hope.

"Anyway, I’m too lazy to stay at the separate residence prepared by the Yu Family, so I’ll stay here with you. Tomorrow, I’ll go with you to the Qingping Temple." Qi Qian said.

Yu Changkong finally turned his head, his eyelids twitching slightly, and said with downcast eyes, "Are you sure you’re here for business?"

Implying, why so idle as to accompany him to the Daoist Temple for treatment.

Qi Qian’s face heated up and he said, "It’s just a small matter, not worth mentioning."

Yu Changkong fell silent again.

At that moment, Qi Qian was called away by Ying Bei.

Sifang came out with a cloak and draped it over Yu Changkong, saying, "My lord, the wind has picked up, wouldn’t it be better to go inside?"

"Will this sound of strings and flutes outside persist throughout the night?" Yu Changkong asked.

Sifang followed his gaze and, hearing the distant sound of music, replied, "There are two decorated boats nearby, they might run late into the night. Is my lord disturbed by the noise? Shall I ask Uncle Qian to find another residence?"

"No need. It’s fine if it doesn’t disperse. Otherwise, how would I endure this endless night?"

"My lord..." Sifang felt a twinge of heartache.

Yu Changkong turned and entered the house, saying, "Moreover, I may not stay for long."

Sifang felt a lump in his throat and followed him inside.

...

Qi Qian was listening to the reports brought back by Huo Lang.

"...It was quite coincidental that just as we entered the city, the Qin family clashed with the Zhao family."

"The Zhao family?" Qi Qian paused in the act of pouring tea.

"That’s Zhao Ping, the Deputy Magistrate of Li City, a cousin of the Third Grandmother of the Meng Family. The Zhao family is an ally of the Meng Family. Regarding today’s incident, it was the Zhao family who were unreasonable to begin with," Huo Lang said with a tinge of disdain in his tone.

"How so?"

"Today when entering the city, Mrs. Qin, also known as Qin Bohong’s legitimate wife, was returning from praying at Wuxiang Temple with Second Mrs. Qin. They were queuing to enter the city normally when the Zhao family’s carriage crashed into them. And the one in the Zhao family’s carriage was not actually a member of the Zhao family, but Deputy Magistrate Zhao’s younger aunt by marriage, Mrs. Zheng, who was visiting Mrs. Zhao."

"Mrs. Xiao Zheng is arrogant and tyrannical. Further informed by the Zhao family’s servants about Mrs. Qin’s identity, she wouldn’t relent even though Mrs. Qin gave way. She insisted on making them kowtow and admit their fault."

At this point, Qi Qian’s face showed disgust as he said, "Using power to bully others. Deputy Magistrate Zhao is nothing more than Imperial Concubine Meng’s cousin, and through association with the Meng family, even his relatives act haughtily. It is indeed true that when one man achieves the Dao, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven."

"Yes, people always curry favor with those in power. Just the younger aunt by marriage of a Deputy Magistrate Zhao can treat people with such disrespect; if it were the followers of a higher ranking official, one can only imagine how much more presumptuous they would be," Huo Lang also sighed.

How high-ranking could Deputy Magistrate Zhao be? Merely fifth-rank, yet his younger aunt by marriage can bully others so brazenly—what about those higher ranking officials then?

Qi Qian tapped the pattern on his teacup and thought that this might just be the tip of the iceberg. With Noble Princess Consort Meng favored, the Meng family has also risen to prominence; undoubtedly, her faction would be the same.

Disgusted in his heart, Qi Qian sipped his tea. Although he disdained the way the Meng family sought favor through a woman’s charms, he dared not call the Holy Emperor foolish.

"What about the Qin family?"

"After returning to Li City, the Qin family has stayed behind closed doors, very low-profile. Today was their first time leaving the city to offer incense and pray to the Buddha, but they unfortunately encountered the hostile faction of the Zhao family. Having offended the Zhao family, and with a house full of the old, weak, and women folk, the Qin family will likely find it difficult to establish themselves in Li City," Huo Lang replied. "Besides, the Qin family seemed to want to visit Mrs. Ding, coincidentally around the same time we met the Ding family’s people at the posthouse before the autumn festival."

Qi Qian realized at once that it must have been the Ding family intentionally avoiding them; otherwise, why did Mrs. Ding choose to visit the state government right at the autumn festival? Probably for fear of getting on the wrong side of the Meng family by associating with the Qin family.

When the wall falls, everyone pushes; so cold is the world.

"The Qin family’s property was confiscated. Nowadays, only the women and the frail are left in the old mansion. How do they survive?" Qi Qian asked again.

"Though the Qin family’s confiscation came suddenly, not everyone avoided them like the plague. When departing the capital, there were always those who gave aid in secret. They just live a more frugal life now." Huo Lang continued, "Huo Ying discovered that the Qin family purchased some good farmland in the neighboring county, registered under the name of the steward of the old mansion. Moreover, the eldest lady of the Qin family who was divorced by the Song Family has found a job at a restaurant, and many of the female family members earn silver coins by doing embroidery."

"What’s left of the Qin family now, excluding the exiled males?" Qi Qian asked.

"The main branch’s Qin Bohong has two sons and one daughter. The eldest son, just turned twelve, was also sent into exile. However, about that eldest daughter..." Huo Lang paused.

Qi Qian looked over, "What is it?"

Something flashed through Huo Lang’s mind, too quickly for him to grasp, and he shook his head and said: "The main branch’s eldest daughter is a bit odd. It is said she has been fostered in the old mansion since she was young due to poor health. Before the Qin family returned, she lived there with the servants, withdrawn from society and rarely brought back to the capital or seen in public."

"All by herself?" Qi Qian also felt it was strange.

Huo Lang nodded, "Huo Ying didn’t find much, only that the Qin family had a daughter fostered in the old mansion, with poor constitution and an inauspicious birth chart."

Qi Qian with sarcasm: "The Qin family is quite heartless then, letting a little girl live alone in the old mansion under the guise of recuperating. Are they trying to send her to her death?"

"After all, it’s an inner chamber affair," Huo Lang said, "Huo Ying didn’t delve too deeply. It’s not something uncommon; other noble families have similar incidents. It seems the Qin girl is illegitimate; if it’s not an issue of health or astrological incompatibility, then she might either be plain or have some defect. But lucky for her to be sent here while still young—if she were older, the criticism and rumors would have been even worse." Huo Lang’s words carried a sigh.

Master Buqiu, plain in appearance, touched his handsome face and spit, "A squint eye is an ailment, it should be treated."

Qi Qian fell silent, understanding what he meant—implying if a grown girl was sent away, it might be due to something dishonorable that could damage her reputation.

The gaze of society is terrifying, and noble families that uphold strict rules value a woman’s reputation all the more.

A flash of insight crossed Qi Qian’s mind as he asked, "What is the name of Qin Bohong’s eldest daughter?"