Chapter 56 Young Master’s Prayer Attracts Greed

Chapter 56: The Young Master's Prayer Attracts Unwanted Attention

In accordance with the family hierarchy of status and seniority, Qin Yuanshan went first, followed by Yu Shuhan, then the eldest legitimate son Qin Jiao, the second legitimate son Qin Ji, and the eldest legitimate daughter Qin Han, with the third son (born of a concubine) Qin Chaole and Concubine Yin at the end.

Incense was lit, and prayers were offered, and the blessing ceremony began.

Qin Jiao had taken part in this ceremony many times, always dutifully following the procedures. Qin Yuanshan was the most devout, but his piety didn't seem to move the heavens, for ever since he got promoted from Vice Director of the Ministry of Food to Vice Minister of Rites three years ago, his official position had remained stagnant.

As for why Qin Yuanshan was so obsessed with promotion, you have to look back at the Qin family's ancestors.

Though the Qin family was now unremarkable, their ancestors had once produced a Junior Preceptor and enjoyed a period of glory. However, one misstep by an ancestor led to their demotion. Later generations of the Qin family always wanted to restore the family's former honor, but were held back by a lack of money and connections, making their efforts difficult.

Xiao Ning Shi had an older half-brother who had provided considerable support to the Qin family over the years. However, both the late emperor and the current one were extremely strict in evaluating their officials, and Qin Yuanshan was not particularly competent, so after all these years, the Qin family had yet to regain its past glory.

Thus, Qin Jiao sometimes wondered if certain things were simply fate.

What is destined to come will come; what is not destined cannot be forced.

...

The blessing ceremony ended in less than half an hour, and as usual, the Qin family would have a vegetarian meal at the temple. East Shao Temple also had a large plum grove; after the meal, Yu Shuhan would typically take the children to admire the flowers and scenery, returning home only at sunset.

Qin Jiao was about to take Cong Shuang to seek a peace knot when Qin Yuanshan called him back. When asked where he was going, Qin Jiao answered truthfully, but Qin Yuanshan forbade him.

Qin Jiao did not know why his father would not let him go, but he did not want to argue. His beautiful eyes flickered, and he said softly, "Father, you wouldn't want me to make a scene here, saying that Lin Wen wants to call off the engagement, and you all are planning to swap the betrothal..." Qin Jiao's lips curled. "Look, there are so many people here."

It was nearly noon, and nobles and officials arriving to burn incense and pray were gradually streaming in.

Rumors of Lin Wen's intention to break off the engagement had been circulating since the fifth day after Qin Jiao returned to the mansion. Now, some people were craning their necks to peer in their direction.

"You're threatening me!"

Qin Yuanshan's eyes bulged with rage.

He was now filled with hatred. If not for the rule that the entire family must gather for the East Shao Temple blessing ceremony, he would never have allowed this troublemaker out of the house.

"Many thanks, Father."

Qin Jiao interpreted Qin Yuanshan's anger as helpless surrender.

Qin Yuanshan glared at Qin Jiao's retreating back and cursed under his breath, "This unfilial son!"

Beside him, Yu Shuhan glanced at him and said coolly, "Let him go. Can you really beat him to death here?"

Naturally, Qin Yuanshan could not beat Qin Jiao to death there, so he had no choice but to swallow his anger, planning to deal with Qin Jiao when they returned home.

Yu Shuhan said nothing more. Qin Ji and Qin Han dared not speak. Concubine Yin and Qin Chaole had disappeared right after the ceremony ended.

Steward Wen quietly glanced at Qin Yuanshan, puzzled. How had the Vice Minister changed so much? He had never been particularly fond of the eldest son, but he had never been so disgusted and hateful as he was now.

By now, Qin Jiao, already far away, was pondering the same question.

He walked slowly through a scenic garden in the temple. In the cold winter, there were no flowers to admire, but Qin Jiao himself was the most beautiful sight.

Today, the young master wore a light cloud-colored robe with flying crane embroidery, a white peony brocade cloak, and a snow-blue bamboo-shaped jade hairpin. He was tall and graceful. A gentle breeze lifted the hem of his robe, making the two embroidered cranes appear to crane their necks and spread their wings, as if alive.

"Why did Father suddenly change his attitude?"

Cong Shuang walked beside Qin Jiao, listening to his muttering.

"He never did." Cong Shuang patted Qin Jiao's shoulder, signaling him to stop.

"Never changed?"

Since no one in the temple could understand sign language, Cong Shuang signed freely: "Exactly. He never liked you, even when you were little. Whenever there was something good to eat or drink, he always thought of Qin Ji and Qin Han first, and even Qin Chaole got to choose before you."

"Really?" Qin Jiao was momentarily stunned.

"Really!" Cong Shuang looked at him with exasperation. "You never noticed that the food and clothing were always last for you because Lady Ning had already prepared everything for you. She had a hefty dowry and didn't care about those little things. You! How could you be so slow to catch on!"

Qin Jiao's face fell.

He began to recall those years. He had always known that Qin Yuanshan and Xiao Ning Shi had a strained marriage, and he had always sensed that Qin Yuanshan did not like him much. But what Cong Shuang said about Xiao Ning Shi using her own dowry to supplement him—this was the first time Qin Jiao had heard of it.

Xiao Ning Shi came from a wealthy family. From birth to marriage, she had hardly known hardship. Even after Qin Jiao's maternal uncle failed in business and moved the whole family to a distant place, Xiao Ning Shi, relying on her dowry shops, had lived comfortably, and Qin Jiao had been raised with no idea the value of a penny.

Now he realized that before Xiao Ning Shi died, Qin Jiao had been carefree. Only after arriving in Nanzhou did he begin to pay attention to such material things.

"Oh, you."

Cong Shuang sighed, her eyes full of helplessness and pity for Qin Jiao.

Qin Jiao frowned, looking troubled and pitiful.

Not far away, a man in purple robes fixed his gaze on Qin Jiao like a snake, but Qin Jiao was oblivious.

"Whose family is that?" the man asked his attendant.

Since the man had come to East Shao Temple to "take care of business," the attendant had already gathered information on all the temple's visitors. He promptly reported what he knew:

"That is Qin Jiao, the eldest legitimate son of Qin Yuanshan, the Vice Minister of Rites."

"Qin Jiao... Qin Jiao."

The man stared intently at Qin Jiao, and after a moment, he broke into a sinister grin: "So it's the little Qin Jiao who got away three years ago."

The attendant was unsure what the man meant and dared not speak out of turn.

After staring at Qin Jiao for a while longer, the man smiled grimly. "Tell that worthless piece in the Qin family to come see me."

"Yes!"

The attendant knew who the man meant by "worthless piece" and set off right away to find him.

The man in purple remained where he stood, his eyes roving over Qin Jiao from head to toe, his desire undisguised:

"The eldest son of the Qin family is getting more and more tempting."

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