Chapter 30 030 Doing One’s Part

Chapter 30: 030 Doing One’s Part

Lin Susu spoke with enthusiasm, even mentioning that someone had seen the Seventh Prince at Feiyun Manor, suggesting he might be the secret owner. So, who would dare to offend him? A death was nothing; people died every day in the capital—it wasn’t a big deal.

Qiao Wanyue clicked her tongue after hearing this. In the eyes of the powerful, commoners’ lives meant nothing, no different from a cat or a dog. She let out a deep sigh, unable to pinpoint what felt wrong, just that her breath came unevenly.

Su Su noticed her unease and stopped speaking, comforting her, “Don’t dwell on it. As women, there’s only so much we can do; it’s enough to manage ourselves well. Besides, no one escapes death—it’s just a matter of when. And death, at least, is fair. Whether rich or poor, we all end up as dirt in the end. Thinking that way, doesn’t it feel better?”

Hearing this, Qiao Wanyue couldn’t help but let out a laugh. It did make her feel much better.

“You’re right.”

She thought of telling Su Su about the marquis’s household but then recalled her sister and swallowed back those worries. Would it be inappropriate to talk about the marquis’s affairs with Su Su?

Qiao Wanyue’s gaze drifted, her mind elsewhere. Lin Susu tilted her head, watching her, then patted her arm and asked, “Yueyue, is something on your mind? Is it about the Qin family?”

“If I tell you, will you think I’m overthinking or being petty?”

She said this seriously, and Lin Susu shook her head, speaking candidly that she trusted her.

Her eyes were sincere, full of the trust between friends. Qiao Wanyue pondered for a moment, then recounted the Mid-Autumn incident to Lin Susu. She had known Su Su for five years and trusted her not to tell anyone else.

It was good to have a friend to confide in, to speak freely and vent. As Qiao Wanyue got carried away, she also brought up the tonic.

“The Qin family has so many rules; I have to drink this bitter tonic every day. Su Su, don’t you think it’s annoying?”

Lin Susu, who had been calm, nodded in agreement. Wanyue was perfectly healthy—why drink tonic? It might even ruin her health. But come to think of it, her sister had also drunk something similar before.

“My sister used to drink it too. When she came back to visit, she told me it was terribly bitter.”

“Exactly, so I poured it out.”

Mentioning Lin Aizhen, Qiao Wanyue’s face remained calm, free of jealousy or resentment. She even felt a pang of sympathy for her.

“And Sister Lin drank it?”

“My sister is the obedient type—dignified and virtuous. If the old madam said it was the rule, she would follow it without question. Unlike you, a little rascal who turns around and pours it out.”

They both sighed in unison, lowering their heads in silence for a moment. Then Qiao Wanyue looked up, her tone light. “Let’s not talk about the tonic. I didn’t drink it anyway. Do you think the old madam is intentionally targeting me?”

She already had an answer in her heart, but she still wanted to hear Lin Susu’s opinion. What was Madam Yang’s intention? If she wasn’t satisfied, why agree to the marriage in the first place? That would have avoided all this trouble.

Lin Susu thought for a moment, then nodded solemnly. “She’s definitely doing it on purpose. Knowing you’re a new bride, she’s deliberately making things hard for you. And she’s not afraid of gossip.”

“That’s what I think too, but whatever. She made up for it later.”

Su Su sighed, her expression worried. “She doesn’t like you. What will happen in the future? She’ll definitely find all sorts of ways to annoy you.”

“I’ll take it as it comes.” Qiao Wanyue leaned back. “These are all trivial household matters. There’s always a way to deal with them.”

What Qiao Wanyue thought was that as long as Qin Yan firmly supported and trusted her, no matter how much Madam Yang stirred up trouble, it wouldn’t work.

During their conversation, the carriage had already reached the main street. The crowd ahead made it hard to proceed, so they got off the carriage and walked while browsing.

It was still a while before noon, and they weren’t hungry yet. Qiao Wanyue pulled Lin Susu into a cosmetics shop. They lingered around the counter for a long time, the shopkeeper talking until his mouth went dry before they finally pulled out their silver.

Maybe it was because she had been cooped up in the manor for so long, but once she started buying, she couldn’t stop. After cosmetics, they bought perfume powder, then went to a fabric store. By noon, they were loaded with bundles and packages.

Qiao Wanyue counted on her fingers—the fifty taels she had taken today weren’t nearly enough. She had to chip in another ten taels herself.

She turned to Lin Susu and said, “You’re paying for lunch. I’ve run out of silver. Next time we go out, I’ll treat you to something nice.”

“No problem. What are we, friends for?”

They had their things loaded onto the carriage and then entered a nearby restaurant. They found a good seat, each ordered three dishes, plus a few pastries, and finally stopped.

Qiao Wanyue had no money left, and thinking about how much she had spent today made her heart ache. Just now, she seemed to lose all reason—buying everything she liked. Sigh, next time she had to control herself.

She rested her chin on her hand and said to Lin Susu, “I’m not going to Feiyun Manor. I’m broke.”

“You brought so little out, and your husband is so stingy. He should have given you more,” Lin Susu complained.

“I got the silver from the accounts office; I didn’t expect to buy so much.” Qiao Wanyue defended Qin Yan. “He’s not stingy.”

Really, Qin Yan wasn’t stingy.

“Oh…”

Lin Susu drew out the “oh” with a hint of teasing.

Qiao Wanyue’s face flushed with embarrassment, as if her little secret had been exposed. She quickly sat up straight and said, “What’s that look for? I’m telling the truth.”

The other woman shrugged and laughed at her. “I didn’t say anything. Yueyue, you and Qin Yan get along pretty well, huh?”

Lin Susu’s eyes roamed over her as she spoke, craning her neck as if trying to see right through her. Such blatant scrutiny made Qiao Wanyue uncomfortable. She shrank back slightly and frowned. “What are you looking at?”

“Yueyue, you seem a bit plumper—no, not plump, more curvaceous.” Lin Susu stroked her chin. “You’ve lost that girlish vibe and gained a woman’s charm. Yueyue, you’ve grown up.”

Qiao Wanyue was embarrassed, her face turning bright red. She instinctively looked away. “Not at all.”

Lin Susu stared at her, a mischievous grin on her face. “Tell me, what’s it like?”

“What’s what like?” Qiao Wanyue was momentarily confused, a blank expression on her face.

“What do you think? You know, that thing.”

Seeing Lin Susu’s expression, Qiao Wanyue suddenly understood. The little minx had no shame, asking about such things. Qiao Wanyue’s face burned as if on fire.

“Aren’t you embarrassed? An unmarried girl asking about that?” She was too shy to even lift her head.

Lin Susu was completely unfazed, not even blushing. “We’ve both talked about it under the covers before. What’s there to be shy about?”

Seeing Qiao Wanyue’s earlobes red as if they were bleeding, Lin Susu let her off for now and changed her approach. “Fine, then tell me this: is it as pleasurable as the books say?”

Qiao Wanyue shushed her, warning, “Keep your voice down. Walls have ears. Don’t forget last time someone overheard us.”

Lin Susu shrank her neck, listened for any noise from the next room, and finding nothing, assured her it was safe.

Qiao Wanyue bit her lip, twisting her handkerchief in her hands. After a long silence, Lin Susu lost patience and urged her to hurry up. Finally, Qiao Wanyue gave a vague nod, then shook her head.

Lin Susu covered her mouth and laughed heartily. Though the answer was evasive, she understood.

“Alright, stop laughing. The waiter is coming.”

Their dishes and pastries arrived just then. Lin Susu’s laughter faded, and they didn’t bring up the topic again.

The table was laden with food. They ate a few bites to settle their stomachs before speaking again.

-

Lin Susu was especially talkative today. After eating only a little, she began recounting the latest news and gossip in the capital. Qiao Wanyue wasn’t interested in other people’s affairs, but she enjoyed listening to Lin Susu. When something struck her as amusing, she chimed in with a few words.

After filling her in on all the news from the capital, Lin Susu turned and said, "Do you know what's going on with your sister?"

"What matter?" She paused slightly, then continued eating, "I haven't heard."

Qiao Wanyue knew that Qiao Yingxin had many conflicts with the Ding family after marriage—that was only natural. Not just her sister, she herself had them too—nothing unusual.

Seeing her expression, Lin Susu knew she hadn't heard, so she told her all about Qiao Yingxin and the Ding family: "I heard that Ding Chengyou's mother brought his cousin from the countryside over, intending to make her his concubine. Someone saw them arguing in the street over it the other day."

"Lord Ding's mother is just a village woman—what does she know? Bringing his cousin in to be his concubine... it's a long story. Outsiders are saying nasty things."

Qiao Wanyue's eyes widened in surprise—she really didn't know about this. She quickly asked, "When did this happen?"

"Just a few days ago."

Lin Susu pursed her lips. "Lord Ding hasn't agreed yet, it seems."

But Ding Chengyou was a filial son. One day, if his mother made a scene and threatened to take her own life, he'd give in to her.

Qiao Wanyue set down her chopsticks, lowering her eyes in thought, worried for her sister. She had thought it was a good match of mutual affection, but her mother-in-law was such a troublemaker. Sigh.

In comparison, Madam Yang was quite proper.

Qiao Wanyue picked up a piece of pastry and ate it. She wouldn't meddle in Qiao Yingxin's affairs, but she wondered if her sister had gone home to cry about it, and if that would trouble their mother again.

She didn't eat much of this meal. Lin Susu had eaten more than she had. They had ordered a full table, and now there was still plenty left. Gazing at the spread, Qiao Wanyue sighed, "Oh, what a waste."

She hadn't had much appetite at lunch, which was why so much was wasted. Next time, she'd order less.

"But I can't eat any more."

Lin Susu patted her stomach and leaned back for a while. Suddenly, she remembered something and said, "There's a severe drought in the south this year. Many people can't get enough food."

Qiao Wanyue glanced at the table, her mood sinking slightly. She decided to take the leftover pastries home, but the dishes couldn't be packed.

"My father is going south to provide disaster relief. He won't be back for several months."

Lin Susu looked at her hesitantly and said, "Yueyue, could you donate some money? I'll have my father take it south. A few days ago, I also asked Miss Fang and the others to donate. You're the only one left."

Without a moment's hesitation, Qiao Wanyue agreed. Doing good deeds is wonderful—she should do her part.

"I'll send it over in two days."

"Yueyue, you're so kind."

Footsteps sounded on the stairs, and they immediately lowered their voices.

"Let's not go to Feiyun Manor today. Let's go home and rest; I'm tired."

"Alright."

-

The courtyard was very quiet in the afternoon. Few maids or servants were about. When Qin Yan returned and didn't hear her voice, he thought it was odd. He asked Chang Sheng, "Where is the madam?"

"She went out." Chang Sheng observed his expression and added, "Miss Lin was here."

The only Miss Lin she was close with was Lin Susu. Once Chang Sheng mentioned it, Qin Yan understood at once.

Qin Yan made straight for the study, then turned back after a few steps, went into her room, and sat down. Chang Sheng poured him tea, but he didn't even take a sip before getting up and leaving again.

Chang Sheng stood there holding the teapot, puzzled. What was the marquis thinking? Coming and going like that. Too proud to just wait for his wife?

He watched Qin Yan take a couple of steps, stop, take a few more, stop again, and finally enter the guest room.

Chang Sheng nodded knowingly—he simply couldn't swallow his pride.