At this time, Qin Chuqin saw that the girl had disappeared from her sight, and she and her mother had returned to the gold shop.
She did not originally intend to go out today. It was only because two days ago her natal family sent a letter saying that her younger brother was going to propose to the Lin Family, but in the end he did not succeed for unknown reasons.
Thinking that her mother had asked her out today, it must have mainly been about her younger brother's affairs.
"Chuqin, this pearl flower hairpin doesn't look bad. The style is simple and elegant, exquisite and stylish, very suitable for you," came the voice of Third Madam Qin.
"Mother, I already have too many pieces of jewelry. You don't need to buy any more for me."
"No matter how much jewelry you have, the styles change every year. Look at what you're wearing on your head, you're so young, and you don't have a hint of vitality."
Staying in that cage-like house, even if she had vitality, it would have been worn down completely.
"Yes, Madam Qin is absolutely right. This pearl flower hairpin is the most popular nowadays. Many young ladies have bought it to wear. With this young lady being so young and beautiful, paired with this hairpin, it would definitely make people unable to take their eyes off her." The shop owner next to her took the opportunity to chime in, afraid that he would miss out on this business opportunity.
Sure enough, when Third Madam Qin heard what the shop owner said, she was overjoyed and immediately asked the shop owner to pack it up.
"Mother, aren't you just asking me out today to buy jewelry? Is there something on your mind?"
"There is nothing I can hide from you. Of course it’s about your younger brother’s affairs. He's almost at the age, but he's not in a hurry to get married."
"Last time the proposal failed, he said that His Majesty was suppressing aristocratic families, and the marriage between the Qin family and the Lin family would incur His Majesty's displeasure. Mother, could it be that you want to find an ordinary girl for my younger brother to marry? But how could an ordinary girl match him."
"Also, recently he has been defending a girl everywhere, making me wonder if your younger brother is interested in that person? It's just that he hasn't realized his own feelings yet. Once he comes to his senses about how he feels, for the things he wants, he will think of ways by hook or by crook to get them."
"Mother, aren't you overthinking it? Even if it is so, mother need not worry too much. My younger brother's marriage needs my father's approval, he would definitely not let my younger brother mess around."
When Third Madam Qin thought about it, she realized her daughter was right. Father would definitely not let Chuyuan do as he pleased. So she felt relieved.
"By the way, mother, I'm very curious what kind of girl could make my younger defend her everywhere. I saw in the past that he was very disgusted with girls approaching him."
"Who else could it be? The girl you just saw running on the roof."
When it came to Xiaohua, in all her years of luxury and leisure, Third Madam Qin had never seen such a vulgar, rude and reckless girl.
"Oh? Does mother know that girl from just now?"
"Know her? How could I not know her? She's simply a domineering little bastard. Just talking about her gives me a headache."
Qin Chuqin looked at her mother in surprise. She knew her mother was very arbitrary and tyrannical at home, especially after what happened with her elder brother, she had become even more stubborn.
Now that she had met a girl who could subdue her mother, she was very curious indeed. At this point, she wanted to get to know this girl even more.
"Let's not talk about her. Chuqin, do you remember what I discussed with you last time, about adopting one of the Master's illegitimate children? What do you think about it now?"
"Mother, I stand by what I said last time. I would rather die alone than adopt his child. As long as I'm in the Zhou family for a day, Zhou Zixuan can give up any thoughts of changing an illegitimate child into a lawful one."
"Chuqin, what are you doing? Do you have to live such a bitter life? A woman without children, who will see you off when you are old in the future? Listen to your mother and don't be stubborn."
"Mother, stop talking about this. If you keep discussing this matter, I will go back to the Zhou family."
"Alright, alright, I won't talk about it... let's go back. Your father and younger brother haven't seen you for a long time."
On the way back, they just happened to run into Qin Chuyuan coming out of a teahouse with Li Zichen. They were about to return to the Qin residence when Uncle Huang, who was driving the carriage behind them, saw them.
"Fifth Young Master."
When Third Madam Qin heard Uncle Huang's voice coming from outside, she lifted the carriage curtain with one hand. She saw that it really was Qin Chuyuan and his study companion.
"Chuyuan."
Qin Chuyuan turned around and saw not only his mother in the carriage, but also his sister. He walked to the side of the carriage and shouted to the two people inside, "Mother, sister."
Behind him, Li Zichen quickly followed suit and paid his respects, "Madam, young lady."
"At this time, shouldn't you be at your post? How come you're here?"
"Mother, I have finished my official business and came out for some air."
"For air? Do you think I’d believe that?”
"Whether mother believes me or not, I can’t do anything about it."
"You—"
"Younger brother, it's been a while since I’ve seen you, yet your ability to anger people seems to be steadily improving." Qin Chuqin's amused voice came over.
She had just started laughing when she saw the man behind her brother looking at her with deep, restrained eyes full of affection.
She was stunned for a moment, slowly taking back her smile. She clenched and relaxed her hands several times, pressing down the leaping heart in her chest.
She knew why he had entered the Qin household, and why he remained unmarried all this time.
She once desperately wanted to disregard everything and choose to be with him. But she could not do that.
Their difference in status was too great. She could imagine the unimaginable consequences that awaited him if they were together heedlessly. So she drew back, hiding her true feelings.
Now she was married to another man, yet he still persisted steadfastly in waiting for her. She did not deserve his deep affection. He deserved better.
The observant Qin Chuyuan noticed something off about his sister, and raised an eyebrow.
He could guess that something had happened between his sister and Li Zichen. Since neither side had clarified the matter, he had always pretended not to know anything.
Now his sister was not happy in the Zhou house. Meanwhile, Li Zichen had waited steadfastly for three years. It was obvious how sincere his feelings were.
If his sister chose to leave the Zhou family, perhaps Li Zichen would not be a bad match. It just depended on whether the man himself could take the initiative to take that step.
"Sister, don't blame Chuyuan. It was mother who chose not to believe."
"Look, look at this." Third Madam Qin complained aggrievedly to her daughter.
Qin Chuqin glared at her younger brother, hinting that he should not talk back to their mother.
"Mother, we've been out for a long time, I'm tired. Let's go back early."
Seeing the fatigue on her daughter's face, Third Madam Qin no longer lingered on the street either. She said to Uncle Huang in front, "Uncle Huang, let's go."
Li Zichen watched the carriage in front. Inside sat the woman he loved deeply. Seeing the undisguised gloom on her face, he felt great heartache.
He had thought that given her family background, marrying a well-matched man, she would live a distinguished, comfortable life, happy and safe. But the reality of marriage had brought her nothing but misfortune.
He hated his past powerlessness, and his low status. Now he wanted to change that. He wanted to fight for his own happiness.
