Chapter 24 024 Considerate Enough

Chapter 24: 024 Quite Considerate

The day after the wedding, Qiao Wanyue couldn't get up again. Hongmei called her for a long time but couldn't wake her. Qin Yan came over, pulling on his clothes, told Hongmei to go out first, and said he would handle it, but it was still useless.

She slept deeply; two consecutive nights of lovemaking had drained her energy. Qin Yan couldn't help feeling guilty—she was still young, he should have restrained himself. He sighed and decided to let her sleep; he'd go pay his respects alone.

So Qin Yan went to Madam Yang's place to pay his respects by himself. Seeing him alone and Qiao Wanyue absent, Madam Yang immediately understood the reason. As someone who had been through it, she knew. Yet despite knowing, she still asked.

Feigning concern, she said, "Why didn't Wanyue come? Is she unwell?"

Qin Yan's expression was unnatural, but he maintained a calm facade. "Yes, she's just arrived at the Marquis's residence, so it's natural she's not used to it yet."

The tea on the table was at the right temperature. Madam Yang took a sip, her smile half-genuine, half-false. "Since she's unwell, she can skip paying respects for these few days. Let her get plenty of rest. I originally planned to discuss household management with her, but that can wait until she's feeling better."

Madam Yang currently managed the household affairs. When a new wife joined the household, the authority over household management was supposed to be handed over. Qin Yan knew that, but thinking of Qiao Wanyue's temperament, he worried for her. Could she handle it? Probably not.

"She's impulsive, young, and inexperienced. Mother, please be patient with her and guide her."

He was already sticking up for Qiao Wanyue. Madam Yang was surprised—seemed he really liked that girl.

"Of course. By the way, are the gifts for the return visit all prepared?"

Qin Yan nodded. "Yes, all ready."

Yang, as a stepmother, was meticulous, and Qin Yan had no complaints about her. But there was always a layer between them, not as warm as with his own mother. Hence, every time they talked, he was very calm, unfazed.

After discussing business, silence fell. The awkwardness made Madam Yang sigh. She waved her hand and said, "Go on back. Spend more time with her."

Qin Yan got up at once and left without a word, heading straight back. He wouldn't have many days left to keep her company; after the return visit, he would have to go to court daily and attend to official duties. Days as leisurely as this would be rare.

When Qin Yan returned, Qiao Wanyue was still asleep. He didn't wake her, just glanced and left. Throughout the day, Qiao Wanyue slept enough and regained her spirits.

Soon it was evening again. Qin Yan hadn't returned for a long time, presumably afraid she might say something. He sent Chang Sheng with a message: he was busy, she should go to sleep without him.

Qiao Wanyue nodded happily, and for once she didn't bother reading. She went straight to bed, not even knowing when Qin Yan returned. Apart from the first two crazy nights, the next day passed quietly. And so the day of the return visit arrived.

August was hot. The slightest movement made you sweat in the morning. Qiao Wanyue, for once, didn't sleep in. As soon as Hongmei called, she woke up, remembering it was the return visit and she couldn't be late.

After washing and dressing, she went out. Qin Yan was already waiting. When he saw her come out, his eyes flickered. He gave her a subtle once-over, his expression giving nothing away—no telling if he liked what he saw.

Sitting in the carriage, Qiao Wanyue couldn't help thinking, she hoped Qiao Zhuofan wouldn't act all obsequious when he saw Qin Yan—how embarrassing. Just be normal.

She leaned back, glancing outside and then back at him. Qin Yan was really quiet. With his eyes shut, he was definitely awake—just faking it. Didn't it bother him to stay silent?

Qiao Wanyue smoothed her dress and suddenly spoke. "Can I go out in a few days?"

Before they married, Qin Yan was always going on about rules, saying this wasn't allowed, that wasn't allowed, citing the Marquis's residence's regulations. Now that she was actually in the Marquis's residence, she figured she ought to show some respect and ask ahead of time.

The man beside her didn't even open his eyes, replying lazily, "Where to? With whom?"

She hated that condescending tone of his. It annoyed her just hearing it.

"Just going out for a bit. Shopping, with Su Su, of course."

His eyelashes flickered, and he gave a vague "mm," which meant he agreed. Qiao Wanyue's eyes crinkled happily, then she heard him add, "Return to the residence before sunset."

Meaning she couldn't be out late or sleep over.

She could accept that. The last time she stayed over at Su Su's, it was purely because she figured she wouldn't have many more chances in the future, so she insisted on staying at the Lin residence. She wouldn't do that anymore.

Then Qiao Wanyue thought: going out costs money. Spending her own money pained her, and she didn't have much. Spending Qin Yan's money—she wondered if he was generous.

With that in mind, Qiao Wanyue decided to test him. She glanced sideways at him and deliberately said with difficulty, "Going out—that's gonna cost silver."

She twisted her handkerchief around her fingers, playing with it, but her attention was entirely on Qin Yan, watching his every move. She said it on purpose for him to catch.

He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and said each word distinctly, "If you need money, just take some from the bureau. No need to tell me."

Qiao Wanyue's eyes went wide in surprise, and she quickly asked, "Any amount is okay?"

"How much do you need to spend?"

Qin Yan countered. Qiao Wanyue thought to herself, this wouldn't do—she needed to be low-key, or Qin Yan would control her. The little girl smiled coyly, her tone slightly coquettish. "Not much. I'm very thrifty."

He didn't see it.

Qin Yan could see her restless heart, that she was scheming something in her mind, which was why she deliberately said that to him.

He curled his lips into a smile. "I thought you were going to bankrupt the Qin residence."

Oh heavens! Bankrupt the Qin residence? Even if she had three times the courage, she wouldn't dare. Qin Yan was joking, and it wasn't funny at all.

"I'm just a delicate woman. I don't gamble or do business. How could I bankrupt the Qin residence? Marquis, don't scare me."

Qin Yan was indeed teasing her, but she took it seriously. Qin Yan nodded, then said, "You are now a member of the Qin family, the mistress. Whatever you do, there's a reason. Spending some silver is nothing to worry about."

Qiao Wanyue gained a deeper understanding of Qin Yan. He was very generous—at least to her. He also trusted her very much. They had only been married for a few days; why did he trust her so much? Qiao Wanyue was puzzled. After thinking for a while, she figured it out—probably because she looked kind, and he had good eyesight.

After about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the carriage stopped at the gate of the Qiao residence. Qin Yan got out first and stood beside the carriage, extending a hand toward her.

She was stunned, wondering why he was being so considerate today. Then, with a sidelong glance, she saw Qiao Zhuofan and Madam Wang waiting at the entrance, and she instantly understood: it was all for show. No wonder.

Qiao Wanyue placed her hand in his palm. The man's fingers closed, wrapping around her small, fair hand. Her heart fluttered, as if recalling the nights before, that softness being enveloped by this hand—also making her heart race, a strange and wonderful feeling.

When she stepped up, she clearly felt his hand tighten, nearly sweating. Qiao Wanyue struggled lightly, drawing Qin Yan's gaze.

She smiled, and Qin Yan loosened his grip a little. He only released her hand when they reached Qiao Zhuofan.

"Father-in-law, Mother-in-law."

"Father, Mother."

Qiao Zhuofan and Madam Wang were beaming with joy. After their two daughters married, they felt empty, as if missing something. Now seeing Qiao Wanyue return, Madam Wang suddenly realized: it was because they missed them.

"Good, come inside and talk."

Qiao Zhuofan and Qin Yan walked ahead, while Madam Wang took Qiao Wanyue's hand and followed behind, deliberately slowing their steps to whisper.

"How are you getting along with the Marquis?"

"Hmm, not bad."

The Marquis's residence was a large compound. Madam Wang worried Qiao Wanyue might make a misstep. The second and third branches of the Qin family were no pushovers either. If she couldn't handle them properly and made enemies, there would be trouble ahead.

Madam Wang patted her hand. "Did the Grand Lady make things difficult for you? What about the second and third branches? In everything, think twice before acting. Never be reckless."

"No, no, none of that. You can rest assured."

Madam Wang observed her expression as they walked, then scanned her from head to toe. Confirming she wasn't lying and was doing well, she felt relieved.

She breathed a sigh of relief, glanced at the person speaking in front of her, and smiled, "I can see Qin Yan is considerate toward you—that's good."

Qiao Wanyue smiled without speaking, thinking that he could put on an act, and did it much better than she did, fooling everyone.

"I didn't eat this morning, and now I'm hungry."

"All you ever think about is eating."

Even as she said that, she turned around and instructed the maid beside her to go check the kitchen, to make sure her daughter wouldn't go hungry.

After walking for a while, it started to get hot. Qiao Wanyue fanned herself with her hand, which cooled her down slightly, but it wasn't much use. She unconsciously quickened her pace, wanting to get inside faster.

Wang suddenly remembered something and pulled her to a stop, whispering, "Don't mention your sister at the table later."

"What's wrong?"

The young woman's eyes were full of confusion, then she began to worry—Qiao Yingxin had only been married a few months, could something have gone wrong?

Glancing ahead, she stopped, "What happened to Sister?"

Wang shook her head, lowering her voice even more, "She argued with Ding Chengyou yesterday over something trivial. It made your father so angry he skipped dinner."

"How small a matter?" To Qiao Yingxin, it might not have been a small matter at all.

"Don't ask. Don't get involved. Just focus on your own life. You can't do anything about her affairs."

Qiao Wanyue saw it clearly. Not only could she not meddle in Qiao Yingxin's affairs, but Wang couldn't either. The only one who could get through to her was Qiao Zhuofan—after all, he was her father, and aside from the marriage issue, she would still listen to him on other matters.

She let out an "oh" and kept Wang's warning in mind. She wasn't about to be so foolish as to bring up her sister.

-

Men had their own conversations, and women had theirs. Once inside, she and Wang went to the room, which was much cooler thanks to the ice placed there.

The heat on her body faded a little. After drinking some cold tea, she finally felt comfortable.

She lay down to rest for a while, and when she felt more refreshed, she sat up to chat with Wang.

"Your grandparents sent a reply." Wang said with a hint of emotion, as if she hadn't expected them to respond. Qiao Wanyue hadn't expected it either, thinking the matter would be over after sending the letter.

Qiao Wanyue said seriously, "Oh? What did they say?"

"Nothing much—just that they acknowledged it. But they mentioned Ye Qian again, saying he would be coming to Shengjing soon."

She thought for a moment, "Ye Qian? The Ye Qian from next door when we were kids?"

"Yes. He's coming to Shengjing for business and might drop by to see us." Wang said expressionlessly, her tone unreadable—neither happy nor angry. "Probably to see me. Didn't he like my osmanthus sugar cakes when he was a child?"

That was right, she recalled. When she was little and got bullied, Ye Qian stood up for her. As thanks, she gave him some sugar cakes.

She hadn't expected him to come to Shengjing and even visit her mother. That was thoughtful.

Mother and daughter chatted for a while longer in the room, until the steward came to inform them that dinner was ready.

She had nibbled on some snacks earlier to take the edge off her hunger, but it wasn't enough to fill her up. She had been patiently waiting for dinner.

Just as the four of them sat down, a page at the gate announced that Qiao Yingxin had returned. Mother and daughter exchanged a glance, then looked at Qiao Zhuofan's face, which was already thunderous.

Qiao Wanyue thought, it seemed this dinner was going to be anything but peaceful.

Did she purposely choose today to come back? Today was her homecoming—she definitely knew.