The room was brightly lit, and the exquisite carousel lantern hung under the dusty sky. On the lantern, there was a vivid picture of the Eight Immortals crossing the sea. The bright and vivid characters slowly rotated, sprinkling a faint halo under Cao Yuqing's feet. She couldn't help but stop and look at it for a moment.
This was the main hall of Xingning Garden, the place where Qin Huaiyuan stayed the longest, except for the study in the outer courtyard.
Moreover, it was with another woman.
Cao Yuqing lowered her long eyelashes. After a while, she passed through the floor-to-ceiling cover and went to the side room.
Qin Huaiyuan and the Sun Clan sat on the left and right side of the Ru Yi carved arhat bed by the window. Qin Huaiyuan leisurely drank tea. The Sun Clan's left hand, which wore a green jade bracelet, was playing with the fried pumpkin seeds on the plate. The jade bracelet on her snow-white wrist made a slight sound as it touched the low table.
Qin Yining could see the Sun Clan's displeasure. He patted her shoulder to comfort her. Then he stood beside the Sun Clan and openly admired the beauty.
The light green veil outlined Cao Yuqing's well-proportioned figure. Her long raven hair was tied into a falling horse bun and fixed by a gold-inlaid jade butterfly hairpin. Her steps were light as she walked. Her skirt was charming, her waist was graceful, her ears swayed, her lips were sweet, and her watery eyes were affectionate. She was as bright and moving as a delicate flower reflected in the water.
It was said that she was already thirty years old.
However, time seemed to treat her particularly well. It didn't leave any frost on her face. It only settled the temperament of a mature woman. With a flourishing appearance and a heart full of tenderness, Qin Yining believed that few men could escape the tenderness of such a beauty.
Objectively speaking, Cao Yuqing looked like Qin Yining's elder sister. The middle-aged Sun Clan and Cao Yuqing looked like mother and daughter.
The Sun Clan naturally realized this. Her hands clenched the carved armrest of the arhat bed. She repeatedly told herself to be calm, to be shrewd, and to endure at the right time. She couldn't continue to indulge her emotions. She warned herself several times before she forced herself to calm down.
Cao Yuqing gracefully bowed. "This concubine greets Marquis and Madam. I heard that Madam wasn't feeling well and was recuperating outside. I was very worried about you these days. Now that I can see that Madam is fine, I can be at ease. "
With Qin Huaiyuan in charge, and Cao Yuqing's etiquette, speech, and behavior were all correct, the Sun Clan could only put on a gentle smile.
"Concubine Cao is too kind. Mother Jin, take a seat, pick some oranges, and serve tea. "
"Thank you, Madam."
Cao Yuqing bowed again, and then stood up with the help of her personal maidservant.
"Concubine Cao, please have a seat." Mother Jin brought over an embroidered stool and placed a soft and thick light blue embroidered mattress on it.
Cao Yuqing smiled and thanked Mother Jin.
She was born with a natural charm. When she smiled, her eyes curved, and Mother Jin almost fell into a daze.
Qin Yining subconsciously looked at Qin Huaiyuan's expression. She saw that Qin Huaiyuan was only holding a teacup and taking small sips. His eyes were lowered as he observed the movement of the tender green leaves in the tea. It was as if there was no such peerless beauty in front of him.
Qin Yining couldn't help but admire her father's character and willpower.
But she also became more and more confused.
Qin Huaiyuan used to have concubines, and it wasn't as if he didn't spend the night in one of them. But why didn't Qin Huaiyuan care about this great beauty that he could rightfully possess?
Cao Yuqing and the Demon Empress were both beauties that could topple a city. Even though Qin Yining didn't think that Qin Huaiyuan would be like an incapable ruler who didn't love his country and loved beauties, there was no reason not to eat the meat that was sent to his mouth.
But everyone knew that Qin Huaiyuan and Cao Yuqing didn't consummate their marriage. Qin Huaiyuan only supported Cao Yuqing with good food and shelter. He gave her the greatest convenience in this welfare life, but he wasn't willing to touch her.
Was it because Cao Yuqing's father was Cao Guozhang?
While Qin Yining was deep in thought, Cao Yuqing had already chatted with the Sun Clan for a while. She then explained the purpose of her visit.
"A few days ago, this concubine made a wish at the Immortal Lady Temple. I asked the Lady Mother of the Chariot to bless Master and Fourth Young Mistress' safe return and for everything to go smoothly. Now that all the difficulties have been resolved, this concubine is thinking of going to Xian Gu Temple tomorrow to fulfill the vow, and at the same time conduct a few more days of peace ritual for the people in the manor. This concubine wants to ask Madam if you and Fourth Miss are going together? "
When the Sun Clan heard this, they almost agreed.
She hadn't seen her mother and sister-in-law for more than a month. She didn't know if the womenfolk of Ding General Manor were used to living in the Immortal Lady Temple.
However, the Sun Clan suddenly remembered that she was' sick '. If she immediately went to the Immortal Lady Temple alive and kicking, wouldn't Qin Huaiyuan see that she was pretending to be sick to play with Old Madam?
Qin Huaiyuan had forgiven Qin Yining, but that was because Sister Yi was too cute and was Qin Huaiyuan's biological daughter. She was so similar to Qin Huaiyuan when he was young. Qin Huaiyuan had high hopes for Qin Yining. They had talked and gone through thick and thin together. Naturally, he could forgive his own flesh and blood.
But the Sun Clan
Was different. She was a wife, and a legitimate wife who had no children. In front of a beautiful concubine, her family had no chance of winning. If she couldn't win with virtue, how could she give Qin Huaiyuan a reason to protect her?
Therefore, the Sun Clan weakly held her forehead and said, "Concubine Cao is really considerate. It's just that although I want to go with you, I'm not feeling well. I'm afraid that if I recover, I'll have to leave the estate to avoid illness. Why don't Sister Yi go with you on my behalf? "The last sentence was said while looking at Qin Yining.
Qin Yining looked at the Sun Clan with heartache.
His mother was able to change her temperament in a short time. It was tantamount to experiencing a baptism of disaster to grow up. In the eyes of others, the Sun Clan was still domineering in their forties. However, in Qin Yining's eyes, she was just too well protected.
Qin Yining was happy that the Sun Clan had changed, but he also felt heartache for the reason why the Sun Clan had changed.
"Okay." Qin Yining said softly, "Mother, don't worry. Your daughter will kowtow to Lady Mother of the Chariot and ask her to protect our family."
Cao Yuqing smiled at Qin Yining, "Fourth Miss is so considerate."
Qin Yining then remembered that Qin Huining was Cao Yuqing's adopted daughter. She didn't want to deal with these people now. She was afraid that she couldn't control her temper. If she beat up Qin Huining outside, Qin Huining's nose and face would be swollen, it would be quite tiring for her to beat people up.
"Then I will go with Concubine Cao tomorrow. After all, Xiangu Temple is a quiet place. Let's travel light and not bring anyone else." Qin Yining went straight to the point. It wasn't a question, but a statement.
Cao Yuqing blinked and understood that Qin Yining was referring to Qin Huining. She quickly nodded and said, "Fourth Miss is right. This concubine also has the same intention."
She stood up and curtsied, "Since this is the case, this concubine will not disturb Marquis and Madam. See you tomorrow morning."
Qin Yining returned half a curtsy, "Then as Concubine Cao said, see you tomorrow."
"This concubine will take her leave."
Cao Yuqing slowly retreated.
Before she left, she looked at Qin Huaiyuan. She saw that he was still drinking tea and didn't even look at her. Cao Yuqing felt a stab in her heart.
Qin Yining saw that her parents were silent and thought that she shouldn't stay any longer. She also took her leave and returned to the Shuoren Temple.
When she saw Qiu Lu and the others, she naturally greeted them. After bathing, Qin Yining hugged the soft and furry Er Bai and lay on the bed. She fell asleep in a daze.
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