My Lady Always Lacks Ambition
Chapter 285 - 284: Big Sister Shows Her Might, None Dare Not Respond

Chapter 285: Chapter 284: Big Sister Shows Her Might, None Dare Not Respond

Qin Liuxi’s tone wasn’t particularly harsh, but her presence made both Qin Mingchun and Qin Mingqi tense up.

"Big sister, I can endure this hardship," Qin Mingchun was the first to speak up. "I’ve grown up, I can handle my own matters."

Even if he couldn’t, he had to say he could, otherwise, he would be beating up, wouldn’t he? Compared to a beating, what’s washing clothes and tidying up?

Nothing at all.

What could Qin Mingqi say? If his younger brother by several years, Qin Mingchun, had already made a stance, dare he say he couldn’t?

"I can too."

Only then did Qin Liuxi look towards Mrs. Xie: "Aunty, see? Our family’s boys can endure hardship. That’s right too, their elder brother is suffering even greater hardships than they are; what is there that they can’t eat?"

As she spoke, she gave them both a dire look.

The two felt somewhat helpless and lowered their heads.

"Lift up your heads. What kind of a sight is this cowering? If you are a son of the Qin family, stand up straight and hold your heads high," Qin Liuxi rebuked, "It’s just a scolding, what’s there to panic about? It’s not even a scolding, merely stating facts; can’t even listen to that?"

When the elder sister asserted her authority, none dared to disobey.

"You’re right, big sister."

Old Mrs. Qin watched Qin Liuxi’s performance, her eyes showing a complex expression, her fingers flipping through prayer beads one by one.

Mrs. Xie herself was intimidated by this presence, she looked at the Old Lady, who seemed as if she saw nothing with her eyes closed, then she swallowed her saliva and said weakly: "If it’s not suitable, then it’s not suitable."

She felt that if she argued, Qin Liuxi would directly say to use her own silver to support them.

Qin Liuxi continued: "Zhihe Bookstore has rules, every day at the appointed time of the Chen hour, they must attend morning classes. Therefore, they must be present before the Chen hour. Now it’s getting cold in Li City, have Li Cheng send them to the academy every day, pick them up after school ends at the last quarter of the Shen hour. If they pass the monthly exam, they will stay at the academy from now on. The academy has two days off each month, they can come home then."

"Stay overnight? Isn’t it, in the same city, not far away, can’t they just be picked up every day?" Mrs. Xie exclaimed.

"A man raised by women, of what use is that?" Qin Liuxi said, "The boarding and food at the academy is not bad either. The two brothers can live in the same room and look after each other, they can practice life skills and grow quickly, it’s excellent. How about it, their elder brothers in the northwest are likely staying in drafty places, even eating coarse bread probably mixed with sand. They’ve got it much better!"

Mrs. Xie was struck dumb by these words again; she wanted to say something but didn’t dare, only feeling that Qin Liuxi was truly ruthless.

"Boys leaving home to study, it’s quite common in the capital. Others can do it, why can’t you? Even if others can’t, you still must, because the Qin family is not like other families. Your grandfather, uncle, and brothers are still suffering in exile, and it’s unknown when they can be pardoned and return. Before then, don’t you, as sons of the Qin family, have to be even more responsible?"

This time, Qin Mingqi rushed to say before Qin Mingchun could speak: "Big sister, rest assured, we definitely can."

"Mm, but to talk about staying over now is still premature. Whether you can stay or not is still up for debate," Qin Liuxi suddenly threw out another knife.

Qin Mingqi looked at Qin Mingchun: Feeling despised by the elder sister.

Qin Mingchun: Boldly remove the feeling, it’s being looked down upon, belittled.

Qin Liuxi stood up: "Alright, that’s as much as we need to say for now. Starting tomorrow, go study at the academy properly. If you delay, you’re only seeking your own death."

She paid her respects to the elders in the room, then gracefully exited.

Seeing that, Qin Mingqi also followed out: "Big sister."

Qin Liuxi stopped in the yard, turned her head around, and looked at him.

Qin Mingqi pursed his lips, then gave her a formal bow, saying, "I will repay you in the future."

Qin Liuxi’s mouth twitched, and she waved her hand dismissively as she walked on, "Don’t be so melodramatic, you’re just incidental."

Qin Mingqi was a bit hurt, but clenching his fist, he said nothing and just watched her retreating figure depart.

Old Mrs. Qin shooed away the young servants and looked at the several daughters-in-law in the room.

Mrs. Gu was gentle, Mrs. Xie was aggressive and petty, and if not for her maternal family, she would never have entered the Qin family. Mrs. Wang came from a great clan, her temperament sober and calm, a passable madam.

And the younger members of the family...

Old Mrs. Qin pursed her lips and finally decided, "Now that the boys are going to the academy, and we are about to open a preserved fruit shop, our expenditures are large everywhere. Mrs. Wang, since you are running outside for the shop, and Nanny Shen is getting old, let’s transfer Ju’er to be your chief maid, so she can handle things inside and out for you."

Mrs. Xie quickly lifted her head, looked at Old Mrs. Qin, then at Mrs. Gu.

Ju’er had been helping Mrs. Gu look after the twin boys from the third branch since their birth, only returning to Old Mrs. Qin’s side after Mrs. Gu had recovered postpartum.

Now giving Ju’er to the eldest sister-in-law meant that the eldest sister-in-law would have a personal maid once again.

Mrs. Wang said, "Mother, Nanny Shen can still move around, while Nanny Ding is older. Your health is not good, and you cannot only have Nanny Ding by your side. It’s okay if Ju’er stays with you. I’ve thought about it and decided to have Yingniang quit her outside jobs and come back to help me. I’ll also pay her wages. If we need someone for errands, I can have Xue’er run a few; after all, she grew up in Li City and is familiar with the place."

"As for home affairs, since I can’t spare the effort from the shop for now, the second and third sisters-in-law will need to help look after things."

Old Mrs. Qin, seeing her refusal, didn’t insist, only saying, "As long as you have a plan in mind."

"Actually, I could also help manage the shop with the eldest sister-in-law," Mrs. Xie raised her hand.

Old Mrs. Qin sent a cold glare her way, "Manage what? When the shops from your own dowry lost money year after year, what could you possibly manage? Stay at home and behave, it’s your duty to manage the household affairs and the maids."

Mrs. Xie uttered in acknowledgment.

Old Mrs. Qin then looked at Mrs. Gu, "Mrs. Gu, the same goes for you. You don’t need to worry about major issues; both your boys and Bao’er are still young, and we don’t have many servants at home, you must teach them well."

Mrs. Gu stood up and gave a courtesy, "Please rest assured, mother-in-law, your daughter-in-law will teach them well."

"Mm."

Outside, Ju’er hurriedly entered to report with joy, "Old Lady, Chief Li said a letter has arrived from the northwest."

Old Mrs. Qin was immediately delighted, "Really? Let him in quickly."

Everyone also showed joy on their faces.

"Yes."

Chief Li, holding a thick letter, came in and knelt.

"Don’t kneel, just hand over the letter, is it from the Old Master?" Old Mrs. Qin asked eagerly.

Mrs. Wang had already proactively stepped forward, taking the letter herself. Upon seeing it, her eyes reddened, "Mother, it is indeed from father, and this is Yan’er’s father’s handwriting."

"Quick, let me have a look."

Old Mrs. Qin was so anxious she was about to get down, but was supported by Nanny Ding, who advised, "Old Lady, you’d better let the ladies read it."