Chapter 126: Chapter 127: Summoning Soul and Exorcism, I’m an Expert at This!
On the full moon night of Mid-Autumn Festival, red lanterns were hung high. It was the Qin family’s old mansion’s first ti in many years to be so lively and festive, even Li Dagui and the others were amazed. Although the place was crowded, it finally felt alive; it used to be too quiet.
During the festivals when only Qin Liuxi lived here, lanterns were hung for Mid-Autumn too, but they wouldn’t bother with fancy activities like guessing lantern riddles. If Qin Liuxi was not around, they wouldn’t even bother lighting extra lanterns. Now, however, red lanterns hung everywhere, exuding a festive atmosphere.
In Old Mrs. Qin’s courtyard, even the low-hanging branches were adorned with riddles on lanterns, waiting for people to guess as laughter and amusent filled the air.
When Qin Liuxi, leading Qi Huang, arrived, she saw the garden filled with red and heard the joyful laughter, feeling sowhat bewildered. As she entered the room, she felt even more out of place.
“Big sister.” Qin Mingbao’s eyes were sharp; upon seeing her, he dashed over.
Qin Mingchun watched her embrace Qin Liuxi’s leg even quicker than himself, instantly feeling a sense of crisis as if his golden opportunity had been snatched away.
This wouldn’t do!
He also quickly walked over, bowing to Qin Liuxi with folded hands: “Greetings, big sister.”
“Mhm.”
The crowd watched, so with unclear implications.
Even the people of her generation felt a bit uncomfortable and dissatisfied, but they all stood up nonetheless.
There was no helping it; just this morning, they had been lectured about the rules!
Qin Liuxi held Qin Mingbao’s hand and walked over to Old Mrs. Qin, paying her respects gracefully, then bowed to Mrs. Wang and the others.
“If Third Aunt feels cold, you should add another shawl,” Qin Liuxi remarked, looking at Mrs. Gu.
Mrs. Gu hadn’t yet left her confinent after giving birth, but today was the autumn festival, and she had asked Qin Liuxi if she could leave her room. So, she ca with her child. Hearing Qin Liuxi’s concern, Mrs. Gu responded with a gentle smile: “It’s warm with so many people inside, I’m not cold.”
Qin Liuxi nodded.
Mrs. Xie, glaring at Mrs. Gu’s complexion which seed rosier than hers, knew that although Mrs. Gu had had a hard ti during childbirth, she had been well-nourished throughout her confinent. The maids and servants had all been catering to her, and even though the expenses might not have been as lavish as before the family’s downfall, they weren’t much less, at least in terms of food nourishnt.
Because of this, jealousy flooded her heart. Now, seeing Qin Liuxi speaking so softly and considerately to Mrs. Gu, while treating herself as prickly as a hedgehog, was indeed showing partiality!
Mrs. Xie sourly said to Mrs. Gu, “Third Sister-in-law certainly has quite the prestige, Miss Xi respects and cares for you more than anyone.”
Mrs. Gu, who had heard so gossip from her daughter, laughed and replied, “Second Sister-in-law jests. Xi’er is sensible and good to everyone.”
“That may not be true. To , your Second Aunt, she’s as cold as a stranger; even the children too, not as favored as Bao’er,” Mrs. Xie remarked sarcastically.
Qin Liuxi replied, “Second Aunt is right. Personal connections vary; maybe you and I simply have no affinity, otherwise, why would you fall every rare ti you do visit my courtyard? Ah, such shallow fate, too bad I can’t be close to Second Aunt.”
Mrs. Xie: “…”
Bringing up the most awkward subject.
As she was about to retort, Qin Liuxi turned to the Old Lady and said, “Grandmother, since everyone is here, why not start the feast?”
Old Mrs. Qin had no interest in watching their clash either, and nodded her head.
Mrs. Wang then instructed Xiao Xue to serve the dishes. In this room of people, there were divided into two tables, with Old Mrs. Qin sitting at one table with a few daughters-in-law and concubines, and also invited Qin Mingqi to sit with them.
If it were before the family’s confiscation, a concubine like Aunt Qin would never have the privilege to dine with the Old Lady and the main wives. Being allowed a seat at the table would have been a great favor. In a truly traditional aristocratic family, concubines wouldn’t even be allowed to participate in the festive gathering.
All the Qin n had been exiled, the main branch had a wife and one concubine, the third branch had no concubines, and the second branch did have a wife, two concubines, and a woman of informal status, but the only one to bear a legitimate son was Aunt Pan. The others without offspring, Mrs. Xie issued divorce papers or sent away during the family’s confiscation.
Thus, the returning Aunt Qin were only Aunt Wan from the main branch and Aunt Pan from the second branch; both had sons.
Qin Mingqi, the legitimate son of the second branch, enjoyed the privilege of sitting with Old Mrs. Qin, his expression proud as he looked towards Qin Liuxi.
Qin Liuxi glanced over, her eyes half-closed, was he challenging her?
Her gaze turned cold as she stared at Qin Mingqi, who slowly lowered his head under her glare.
Mrs. Wang beckoned to Qin Mingchun and said, “Chun’er, you’re still young; co sit here, too.”
Old Mrs. Qin’s fingertips twitched, and after giving her eldest daughter-in-law a glance, she said, “Chun’er, co over here as well.”
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