Chapter 51 Qin Jiao Homecoming, Cold Treatment

Chapter 51: Qin Jiao Returns Home to a Cold Reception

At the bustling city gate, two young men stood out conspicuously.

The one on the left, about fifteen or sixteen, was dressed in a lake-blue brocade robe embroidered with cranes and deer. He was handsome and tall, with eyes as bright as stars in the sky.

The man on the right appeared older, wearing a brown robe with cloud patterns that he carried with an air of unrestrained elegance. Despite the cold winter, he held a fan in his hand, looking gracefully indifferent to the chill.

"Pretentious," Jiang Qingrong on the right sneered at the young man on the left.

"Showing off," Qin Ji on the left retorted without backing down.

Qin Jiao hadn't noticed their silent exchange. "Qing Rong, you're here."

Jiang Qingrong laughed and pulled Qin Jiao into a tight embrace, patting his back vigorously: "Qin Jiao, it's been a while!"

Jiang Qingrong, the youngest son of the Marquis of Pingning in the capital, was one of Qin Jiao's few good friends. Aside from being "overly frugal," there was nothing wrong with him.

During the three years Qin Jiao was abandoned in Nanzhou, Jiang Qingrong often wrote to him and even sent him thirty taels of silver. But after Qin Jiao said he could earn his own money, Jiang Qingrong only wrote letters and never sent silver again.

"Cough, cough, it's been a while. Let go first."

Jiang Qingrong's grip was as strong as ever, and those pats nearly knocked the breath out of Qin Jiao.

Cong Shuang pulled Qin Jiao out of Jiang Qingrong's arms with displeasure.

"Cong Shuang, long time no see!"

Ignoring Cong Shuang's dark expression, Jiang Qingrong even tried to give her a hug.

"Don't, don't, don't. Men and women should keep their distance. The sentiment is enough," Qin Jiao quickly stopped Jiang Qingrong. Otherwise, with Cong Shuang's fiery temper, the moment Jiang Qingrong touched her, he'd be searching for his knocked-out teeth on the ground.

Jiang Qingrong wasn't upset about being stopped. Beaming, he pulled a branch of red plum blossom from his sleeve and handed it to Qin Jiao: "Look! I brought you a welcome flower."

The plum blossom branch Jiang Qingrong offered looked kind of wilted, missing a few petals—pretty shabby.

"That's clearly a scraggly flower picked by the roadside, and you still have the nerve to offer it."

Qin Ji, who had been ignored for a while, let out a cold snort, his eyes full of disdain. "Cheapskate."

"Better than some people who come empty-handed and put on airs for show," Jiang Qingrong shot back.

In the capital, there was a custom: when a guest arrives or a family member returns, a "welcome flower" must be presented. There were no strict rules about the flower—any in-season bloom would do. Of course, wealthy families would seek out rare flowers to display their status and regard for the guest.

In short, offering a welcome flower was mainly for good fortune on the return home, which was why flower vendors always gathered at the capital's gate.

Qin Ji, stung by Jiang Qingrong's words, flushed and bit his lip. He glared at Qin Jiao. "What are you standing around for? Let's go back to the mansion!"

"Alright," Qin Jiao answered Qin Ji softly, then took Jiang Qingrong's flower. "I'll head back now. I'll come find you in a few days."

"Fine, I'll wait for you."

Jiang Qingrong nodded. He wanted to invite Qin Jiao to stay at the Marquis of Pingning's mansion, but he knew Qin Jiao would refuse. So he could only glare angrily at Qin Ji.

Qin Ji had brought the family carriage, riding his own horse. As Qin Jiao and Cong Shuang headed toward the carriage, they passed by Qin Ji, who wore a haughty and dismissive expression.

"Hurry up, stop dawdling!"

Qin Ji urged Qin Jiao into the carriage, earning himself a glare from Cong Shuang. "Hmph!"

Qin Jiao helped Cong Shuang into the carriage. As Qin Jiao and Qin Ji passed each other, Qin Jiao suddenly felt how quickly time had flown—three years had already passed.

Qin Jiao remembered that when he was sent away from the Qin mansion three years ago, Qin Ji only reached his shoulder. Now, Qin Ji was a head taller than him.

"The Second Young Master is still as irritating as before, just like his mother."

Inside the carriage, Cong Shuang's face was full of resentment. "When we return to the mansion, be careful. Don't let them find out that the Blood Withering inside you has been cured."

"I know, Sister, don't worry," Qin Jiao replied with sign language. As he moved, the crescent-shaped scar on his left ring finger was exposed.

Cong Shuang's gaze fell on the scar, and her eyes couldn't hide her heartache.

Qin Jiao came from the family of the Vice Minister of Rites in the capital. His father was Vice Minister Qin Yuanshan, and his mother was Qin Yuanshan's deceased lawful wife, Xiao Ning Shi.

Three years ago, after Qin Jiao's mother passed away, Qin Yuanshan elevated Yu Shuhan, who had entered the mansion with Xiao Ning Shi, to the position of head wife.

Yu Shuhan was a distant cousin of Xiao Ning Shi. According to Qin Jiao, years ago, after Yu Shuhan's family was ruined, she sought refuge at the Ning mansion and later followed Xiao Ning Shi into the Qin family. It was said she should have entered as a concubine, but Xiao Ning Shi arranged for her to be a wife of equal status.

After the two sisters entered the mansion, Xiao Ning Shi gave birth to the legitimate eldest son, Qin Jiao. Yu Shuhan had a pair of twins: the second young master Qin Ji and the second young lady Qin Han.

The white crescent-shaped scar on Qin Jiao's hand was from an injury when he was nine years old, caused by Yu Shuhan's two children.

At that time, Qin Jiao was passing by a rockery. Qin Han and Qin Ji, in their roughhousing, rushed over carelessly. Qin Jiao was knocked down, and a sharp corner of the rockery cut a long gash from his palm to his ring finger, bleeding profusely.

Back then, Cong Shuang held Qin Jiao, her eyes red with anger, while Xiao Ning Shi cried heartbrokenly. The wound on Qin Jiao's hand wouldn't heal or close for three months, constantly exposed raw flesh.

About half a year later, the wound finally healed, but barely, leaving the crescent-shaped scar.

Yu Shuhan brought Qin Ji and Qin Han to apologize. Although Xiao Ning Shi was kind-hearted, she distanced herself from Yu Shuhan after this incident.

"Young Master, stay away from the Second Young Master, and don't interact with the Second Young Lady either!"

"Be cautious if Concubine Yin and the Third Young Master come to show goodwill!"

Even as they were about to descend from the carriage, Cong Shuang continued her worried advice. Qin Jiao nodded in response: "I know, Sister. Hurry, let's get off. We've arrived."

The Qin mansion was located on Sajinlin Lane. At the gate stood two imposing stone lions. The sweet osmanthus trees planted by Xiao Ning Shi years ago were still lush green even in winter, complementing the two festive red lanterns hanging at the entrance.

Not far from Sajinlin Lane was the bustling Jinxing South Street, where the cries of vendors faintly drifted into the lane—a picture of a lively and prosperous scene.

Seeing the family carriage return, the gate attendant rushed to greet them. Qin Ji dismounted first, not waiting for Qin Jiao, and stormed into the mansion.

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