Chapter 8 Counterattack

Mrs. Sun couldn't believe that Qin Huaiyuan would suddenly come back, and she didn't know how much of her words he had overheard, feeling a bit guilty. She blurted out, "Why are you back? Isn't it Aunt Hua's turn today?"

Qin Huaiyuan's brows furrowed even tighter. What a foolish woman, saying anything in front of her daughter!

"You two, leave first. I have something to discuss with your mother. Jin Mama, bring the best ointment for Miss Si. If her face swells up tomorrow, what will it look like!"

Jin Mama nodded and said, "Yes," but she didn't move, looking very worriedly at Mrs. Sun.

As Mrs. Sun's wet nurse, she naturally knew what kind of temper Mrs. Sun had. She was afraid that Mrs. Sun would say something she shouldn't in front of Qin Huaiyuan, and wanted to stay and advise her, but Qin Huaiyuan had just ordered her to get the medicine, so she couldn't stay.

Seeing Jin Mama's hesitation, Qin Huaiyuan sneered, "What's wrong, Jin Mama? Are you only concerned about your mistress's orders, and you ignore everything I say? Or are you afraid that I will mistreat your mistress?"

After all, he was a man who had been an official in the court for many years, and the pressure and aura around him were not something a servant like Jin Mama could bear.

Jin Mama trembled in fear, repeatedly apologizing, "I dare not, I dare not. I'll go and get the medicine for Miss Si." With a disheveled look, she followed the two young ladies out of the room and carefully closed the door behind her.

Unsurprisingly, Mrs. Sun's sharp voice and the thin wooden door couldn't stop the sound from reaching their ears.

"Qin Meng, are you coming back to show off your power to me in the room? If you have the ability, go outside and show off to other women. What's the point of showing off in front of a woman..."

Jin Mama was overwhelmed by Mrs. Sun's shouting, and when she looked up, she saw Qin Yining and Qin Yining standing in the corridor. She hurriedly went up and pulled their arms, lowering her voice, "Young ladies, please don't stay here!"

Remembering Qin Huaiyuan's instructions and seeing Qin Yining's worried expression, Jin Mama thought for a moment and directly took the two of them to the adjacent room, which served as a tea room, and said in a low voice, "Please wait here for a moment, I'll get the medicine for Miss Si."

Qin Yining nodded, this time without saying thank you.

The slap on her face from her birth mother was still burning, making her realize the harsh reality.

She had been back at the mansion for less than six hours, and she had already faced so much humiliation and ridicule.

The old dowager looked down on her, her birth mother didn't acknowledge her, and everyone else was watching the wind and the waves, even the maids dared to openly steal her things, and when she found out, they even withheld her charcoal. This foster daughter who had taken over the nest was clearly taking advantage of her helplessness in the Qin mansion!

She was not someone who would kneel down easily. She had the patience to confront the indifferent world and the courage to face the wild wolves!

Her hope for family affection did not mean she would tolerate everything!

She lightly touched her cheek with her fingers, pinching the swollen area as if she were torturing herself, but a cold smile appeared on her lips.

Jin Mama was too preoccupied to notice these details.

But Qin Yining saw Qin Yining's cruel smile, like a wild beast eyeing its prey, and felt a little panicked.

Just as she was about to say something, the faint sound of Qin Huaiyuan and Mrs. Sun's argument came through the wall.

The voice of Prime Minister Qin was deep and his words were brief.

Mrs. Sun's voice was sharp and full of complaints.

At first, they didn't hear much, but later Mrs. Sun's tone turned into a roar, and even if they didn't want to eavesdrop, they couldn't help but hear:

"...Even a girl like Hui can see it. You, as a husband, still want to deceive me! How could I have been so blind to marry you back then! If it weren't for my father's support, could you have achieved such success! You are an ungrateful fool, not treating me well, and even daring to deceive me with a concubine!"

"Shut up!" Qin Huaiyuan's voice was furious. "Stupid jealous woman, I can't be bothered with you!"

With a bang, the door to the main room next door was kicked open.

At the same time, the two heard Mrs. Sun's desperate scream.

Qin Yining and Qin Yining quickly walked out of the room and saw Qin Huaiyuan's cold and distant figure in the night, walking away in anger.

Mrs. Sun was sitting on the doorstep, holding onto the door frame, crying uncontrollably, almost fainting.

"Get up, it's cold on the ground," Qin Yining frowned and went to help.

But her outstretched hand was pushed away by Qin Yining halfway.

Qin Yining pushed aside Qin Yining, helped Mrs. Sun up, and choked out, "Xiaoxi has already caused enough trouble for our family, do you still want to hurt Mother's heart!"

With just one sentence, Mrs. Sun glared at Qin Yining.

Of course, if it weren't for her return, there wouldn't have been so much turmoil! Knowing that she was a weak woman, Qin Huaiyuan didn't care whether she was sad or not, and didn't bother to comfort her, and just left like that!

Just a few reprimands and a slap, and Qin Meng was like that, showing what kind of seductive woman that concubine was!

With red eyes, Mrs. Sun pushed Qin Yining away and shouted, "You wretched seed! I haven't had a good day since I heard about you! Get out of here!"

Turning back to Jin Mama, she yelled, "Nurse, prepare the carriage for me! I want to go back to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion!"

Mrs. Jin's face turned pale with fear, and she hurriedly advised, "Madam, it's almost curfew now. It's not a good idea to go back at this hour. Why don't we rest for now and go back early tomorrow morning? We can explain things to the old lady as well..."

"No, I must go back now! I can't stay in the mansion anymore! Qin Meng is trying to force me to death!" Mrs. Sun sobbed, "If the nurse won't allow it, you can stay here yourself, and I'll go by myself!"

In her anger, Mrs. Sun disregarded Qin Haining, shook off her daughter's hand, and walked out.

Qin Haining staggered back a few steps, her delicate three-inch golden lotus shoes unsteady. If it weren't for Bitong's timely support and Mama Cai's pull from behind, Qin Haining would have fallen down the steps.

Mrs. Sun, in her temper, paid no attention to Qin Haining. Seeing that she couldn't be persuaded, Mrs. Jin had to instruct a young maid to quickly arrange for a carriage. Cailan was sent to fetch Mrs. Sun's large fur collar cloak and a delicate brass heater, and she also signaled to the senior maid Caiju, whispering a few words to her.

At this point, with the eldest daughter-in-law causing a scene, it was impossible to keep the news of the madam's return to her family a secret. It would be better for them to go directly to the old lady's place, to avoid others spreading rumors with different interpretations along the way, which would only become a joke for the second and third daughters-in-law.

Caiju wore a bitter expression as she reluctantly headed towards Cixiao Garden.

Mrs. Jin and Cailan supported Mrs. Sun, who was sobbing, and left Xingning Garden through the main hall.

The yard, which had just been noisy and chaotic, suddenly became quiet.

The last trace of evening glow quietly disappeared behind the mountains, leaving only a bright crescent moon hanging in the sky, partially obscured by dark clouds, casting the courtyard of Xingning Garden into a cold, eerie blue.

The young maids were so frightened that they dared not even breathe loudly as they quietly approached to hang the palace lanterns in the corridor. The warm orange light gradually spread, casting a halo of light in the corridor.

Qin Yining looked at Qin Haining with a cold smile.

Qin Haining felt flustered under her gaze, and she wiped her tears with a handkerchief, choking as she said, "Xiaoxi, don't blame me for speaking too much. Just now, Mother was like that, how could I not say something? By speaking like that, you've touched Mother's sore spot. You haven't been by Mother's side for these years, so you don't know her difficulties. It's natural to say the wrong thing."

Seeing Qin Yining walking towards her, Qin Haining smiled friendly and said, "Your face is swollen badly. I have a very effective ointment for pain relief and reducing swelling. I'll have Bitong bring it to you later."

"Really? Then I must thank you."

Qin Yining stood in front of Qin Haining, her bright almond-shaped eyes flashing with a deep cold light, making Qin Haining feel as if she had encountered a hungry wolf.

"No, no need to be polite," Qin Haining nervously swallowed and said, "We are sisters, we..."

"Smack!"

The crisp sound of a slap echoed through the air!

Qin Haining's ears buzzed, and she saw stars in front of her eyes. She staggered and fell to the ground, unable to react for a while.

On the side, Mama Cai, Bitong, Rulan, and Qiulu were all stunned, forgetting to help her up.

"Why did you hit me!" Qin Haining, who had recovered from the shock, shouted with blood dripping from the corner of her mouth, "How dare you hit me!"

"I hit you!" Qin Yining stepped forward, swung her arm, and slapped Qin Haining again.

After all, she was used to hunting and chopping wood, and her strength was not to be underestimated. With two slaps in the same spot, Qin Haining's half of the face quickly swelled up.

"You wild thing, how dare you hit me! Someone, come and grab her!" Qin Haining pointed at Qin Yining and shouted sharply!

The three people who rushed forward, two grabbing arms and one grabbing hair, didn't even touch a corner of Qin Yining's clothes. Instead, they were all knocked down by her with three punches and two kicks.

Qin Yining stepped on Rulan's back with her left foot, twisted Mama Cai's arm, and grabbed Bitong's throat, causing the three of them to turn pale with pain. Bitong was so scared that she held her breath and dared not move.

With a forceful step, Rulan immediately let out a painful cry.

Qin Yining sneered, "It's one thing for others, but you are my maids. Instead of protecting your mistress, you come to attack her. You're asking for death!"

"Miss, please spare us!" Rulan's pleading voice was already hoarse.

The servants who had originally intended to come and watch the show in Xingning Garden were now pale and had no intention of approaching. They no longer dared to look at Qin Yining with the disdainful eyes they had before.

Qin Haining finally managed to get up, staggering to hide behind a pillar, "You, you, you, you wild person! You uncultured upstart!"

"Yes, I am a wild person!"

Qin Yining shook off Mama Cai and Bitong, stepped over Rulan's back, and walked straight towards Qin Haining.

"I see through it. Even if I try to please you, you still see me as a wild person in your heart. Why should I bear the name of a wild person for nothing?!"