Chapter Fifty-Nine: The So-Called "Kindness" of Miss Qin

“You…” Qin Yurou gripped her teacup so tightly her knuckles stood out.

“If you have nothing else, Eldest Sister, I’ll be going now. I still need to relieve Aunt Shui so she can rest for a while. Grandmother’s health is poor, and if I’m not there to attend to her, it falls to Aunt Shui. She’s lost several pounds over these past days!” Qin Wanru shook out her sleeves as she spoke.

Qin Yurou’s face darkened to a steely hue. If not for a shred of reason holding her back, the teacup in her hand would have flown straight at Qin Wanru’s face.

That wretched girl dared claim only she and Aunt Shui were tending their ailing grandmother, making it sound as if Yurou herself had shirked her duty.

“I really have no time to spare, Eldest Sister. I’ll be off!” Without giving Yurou a chance to retort, Qin Wanru turned and walked away, with Qingyue hurrying after her.

Chrysanthemums were common enough, but only those sent by Qi Tianyu had such a refined aroma. Moreover, the flowers in this tea were fresh—just days ago, Yurou hadn’t been adding chrysanthemums to her brew.

Couple this with Yurou’s affected display, and Qin Wanru was certain there was someone behind the rockery—and that someone was none other than Qi Tianyu!

Yurou, realizing too late, tried to call out but choked on her words, her eyes flashing with venomous hatred.

After a moment’s thought, she rose and leaned against the rockery, appearing from outside as if she were lost in thought with her teacup in hand. Yet behind that raised cup, her lips moved in a soft murmur.

“Tianyu, look at her—Qin Wanru now cares only for Aunt Shui. She’s devoted to her at all times, forgetting entirely that it was my mother who raised her.”

“Has Wanru truly become this kind of person?” From within the rockery, Qi Tianyu’s voice emerged, tinged with confusion and pain. “Why is she like this?”

“I don’t know. Perhaps Aunt Shui has said something to her. She’s still young and doesn’t understand,” Yurou replied, her expression sorrowful, though she still put on the air of a good elder sister.

Qi Tianyu fell silent for a long moment.

“Tianyu, do you not believe me?” Yurou’s eyes glistened with tears as she slowly turned toward the rockery. From where she stood, she could just make out a corner of Qi Tianyu’s jade-white robe. She was certain that he could see her as well.

She had thought a few ambiguous words to Wanru would suffice—whether or not Wanru understood, she could sow further doubt in Qi Tianyu’s mind about Aunt Shui. She hadn’t expected Wanru to be so direct, which had thrown her plan into disarray.

Still, she believed she could regain the upper hand thanks to her influence over Qi Tianyu.

Qi Tianyu’s gaze flickered with hesitation; he had heard the sisters’ exchange from start to finish.

“Tianyu, my second sister is speaking such nonsense—do you not believe me either? I… I still wish to be with you. My mother has also come around, but now she can barely protect herself. If Aunt Shui truly marries my father, I… I can’t imagine what will become of me!” Yurou dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, her tears falling silently but making her appear all the more pitiful.

Qi Tianyu sighed and comforted her gently, “Enough, don’t cry. It’s all right. I’ll do as you ask—just tell me what you need from me.”

His words soothed Yurou immediately; she wiped away her tears and smiled. “Brother Qi, could you find me some ruffians? One or a few would suffice—they needn’t do much, just scare Aunt Shui a little and ruin her reputation.”

Her tone was gentle, as if she only wanted Aunt Shui to be frightened. But such things were never so easily contained, and Yurou certainly intended more than just a fright.

“I… I can help you find the people, but…” Qi Tianyu still hesitated. He had met Aunt Shui—a gentle woman, soft-spoken, hardly the scheming villain Yurou described. Had Wanru truly been deceived by her?

If that were so, this woman was all the more treacherous.

“Yurou, should you not warn Wanru to be careful of Aunt Shui?”

“Tianyu, what do you mean? Do you not trust me, or are you worried about Wanru? If not for her, you and I would never have been forced apart. If not for her, my reputation would not be in tatters. Now you and I are husband and wife in the eyes of all!” Yurou’s tears fell anew. She tried to hide them behind her cup, but Qi Tianyu saw everything.

“All right, all right, I’ll go find someone,” he relented, heart aching at the sight of her tears.

“Once you do, let me know. I’ll have someone keep watch—we mustn’t really harm Aunt Shui. After all, her care for Grandmother is genuine,” Yurou said sweetly, putting on an air of kindness.

“Yurou, you’re too good-hearted. Aunt Shui is clearly currying favor with Grandmother. You must be careful,” Qi Tianyu’s doubts faded. Though his mother and sister had spoken ill of Yurou, seeing her so gracious toward them—insisting that the recent trouble was only a result of Lady Di’s temper—he felt his affection and pity for her deepen.

Yurou, seeing her goal achieved, felt a surge of satisfaction, though she maintained a gentle, demure expression. “What are you saying, Tianyu? No matter her faults, Aunt Shui is still Father’s cousin. I’d never truly harm her—just frighten her a little.”

“Very well, take care. I’ll go find the men and let you know when all is ready,” Qi Tianyu nodded.

“Be careful yourself, Tianyu,” Yurou replied softly.

He nodded and slipped away behind the rockery, heading for the nearest gate. Making sure no one was about, he departed quickly.

He had come to the temple at Yurou’s invitation, to see Aunt Shui’s true colors and discover whether his own marriage prospects were being manipulated. Yurou’s words had moved him to act at once.

Wanru, for her part, had said nothing to incriminate Aunt Shui. It must be that Aunt Shui had deceived the eleven-year-old girl. That would be no great feat.

He hurried off to make arrangements, never noticing the small head peeking out from behind a tree. Qingyue, quick-witted, had taken a single glance before retreating to the shadows. Once Qi Tianyu was gone, she emerged again.

“Miss, I saw Young Master Qi with my own eyes. He came out from behind the rockery. No wonder Eldest Miss kept slandering Miss Shui—she wanted Young Master Qi to overhear,” Qingyue reported to Qin Wanru.

Wanru was kneeling in a small Buddha hall, hands pressed in prayer, her expression devout.

She had never been especially pious, but since her rebirth, she believed fate had a hand in all things.

“Did you hear what they said?” That Qi Tianyu appeared did not surprise her; this was Jingxin Nunnery, and men rarely came alone. If he was here, it could only be with Qi Rongzhi.

“I was too far away to hear clearly,” Qingyue replied. After Wanru left, she had stayed behind as instructed.

“In a moment, say I’m ill and ask Aunt Shui to help care for Grandmother,” Wanru decided, already certain in her mind. This scheme was clearly aimed at Aunt Shui—Yurou’s every word had been an accusation for Qi Tianyu’s benefit.

“With Aunt Shui’s temperament, if she hears I’m unwell, she’ll certainly come to see me. If they mean to strike at her, let us take the initiative—better that than allow things to spiral out of control.” Wanru opened her eyes, her lips curving in a slight smile, and sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion.

The Buddha hall was small, and no one else had come since she’d started kneeling.

“You want Miss Shui to come now? If Eldest Miss is plotting, this is the perfect opportunity,” Qingyue’s eyes brightened, immediately understanding.

“Not just that,” Wanru shook her head. If Yurou meant Aunt Shui harm, she would not give up so easily. Better to let her make her move openly than to deal with hidden dangers.

“Keep an eye on Yurou. She brought only Meixue and one old servant with her—watch the servant and see whom she contacts,” Wanru instructed.

At Jingxin Nunnery, Grandmother’s entourage was the largest; Wanru and the others had only one maid and one old servant apiece for daily tasks. The maids, being personal attendants, implicated their mistresses if anything went wrong, but the old servants—neither managers nor trusted retainers—were more expendable and thus more convenient for clandestine affairs.

“Yes, I understand,” Qingyue replied.

Learning that Wanru was unwell, Aunt Shui made time to visit her. Seeing she was only a little weak, Aunt Shui relaxed.

“Aunt Shui, please look after Grandmother for a few days. Once I recover, we can switch again,” Wanru said, lying in bed and clinging to Aunt Shui’s hand like a child.

“You’re still young; you needn’t shoulder so much. Don’t worry, I’ll care for your grandmother,” Aunt Shui replied, smiling as she stroked Wanru’s hair.

“Aunt Shui, you’re so good to me!” Wanru grew even more affectionate, feeling—for once—like a true child in her presence.

“Silly girl!” Aunt Shui hugged her and patted her head, her heart softening with love for this considerate, filial child.

“Did you meet anyone on your way here?” Wanru’s gaze drifted to the sachet hanging at Aunt Shui’s waist—the only ornament she wore, exquisitely embroidered by her own hand. Aunt Shui’s needlework had always been excellent; she often made small gifts for Wanru.

“No one in particular, why?” Aunt Shui smiled.

“I was just worried someone might accost you,” Wanru replied, nestled in Aunt Shui’s arms. She reached out and deftly unfastened the sachet from Aunt Shui’s belt—her movements so light that Aunt Shui did not notice.

It might not matter, but sachets were easy to tamper with. Better to be safe than sorry.