Qin Yun was becoming more pleasing to the eye with each passing day.
“Some people just love to think too highly of themselves, without even considering their own worth,” Madam Zhang chimed in with a sneer. “They think just because they entered the manor earlier, they can act like the matriarch!”
Madam Min shot Madam Zhang a cold glance. “This is no place for you to speak. Go cool off wherever you like!”
Unwilling to back down, Madam Zhang rose, her slender waist swaying as she approached Qin Yuanzhang, ceaselessly complaining. “My Lord, look! Elder Sister still dislikes me. I’m clumsy with words and speak too frankly, but it’s all the honest truth!”
Her delicate hands hooked around Qin Yuanzhang’s shoulder, her entire body leaning into him as if about to fall into his embrace.
Madam Min found it utterly disgusting but dared not say a word.
She admitted it herself; she was no longer young, her beauty having faded compared to Madam Zhang’s youthful bloom and supple form.
Yet, she couldn’t accept it. Qin Yuanzhang had been visiting Madam Zhang’s chambers with increasing frequency. Apart from the first and fifteenth of each month when he came to her, he spent the rest of his time with that wretched little girl, Zhang Shi.
Seeing Madam Min at a disadvantage, Qin Yu quickly interjected, “Third Aunt, my mother is just impatient and speaks her mind. She means no harm.”
Turning her gaze to Qin Yun, who was watching the scene with amusement, Qin Yu sneered. “After hearing brother’s conversation just now, it seems you wish to be a favored confidant of His Majesty as well. Unfortunately, not just any random person can catch the Emperor’s eye!”
“Indeed, Third Sister speaks wisely. Not everyone can catch the Emperor’s eye. Third Sister knows her own place, which is quite commendable!” Qin Yun smiled, returning Qin Yu’s words to her with their intended meaning.
Madam Min was no pushover, and Qin Yu was no less cunning. Like mother, like daughter, both were eager to soar to higher ranks.
“Knowing one’s place is indeed a good thing! Father has had to worry considerably about you, second brother, due to your reckless actions.”
“Regardless, Third Sister needn’t bother herself with this matter. If you have nothing else, perhaps you should focus on the imperial selection next year, and see if you can enter the palace to serve His Majesty. Then, you might be able to whisper in his ear and see if father can get a promotion!”
A mocking smile played on Qin Yun’s lips. Qin Yu, as she was, wouldn't even qualify to carry the Emperor’s shoes.
“Qin Yun, don’t push it too far!” Qin Yu’s heart burned with anger. The imperial selection two years ago, where she had been passed over, remained a sensitive point for her.
However, she later heard that the Emperor had not favored any of them, and his harem remained empty to this day, which brought her some solace.
Qin Yuanzhang, seated in the main position, had remained silent, preoccupied with coaxing Madam Zhang.
Once he had pacified her, he looked at his son and daughter before him, his head beginning to ache.
He genuinely wished for Qin Yu to enter the palace. Even if she didn’t catch the Emperor’s eye, becoming a prince’s consort or a secondary consort to another prince would suffice.
However, in the past two years, all the suitors seeking her hand were from ordinary families. Madam Min naturally objected, and he himself was highly unwilling.
Looking at Qin Yun before him, Qin Yuanzhang suddenly felt that his son seemed different from before.
Though he had always been arrogant and overbearing, he had lacked a certain sharpness.
Now, when faced with questioning, he was not only composed but also answered with such conviction that no fault could be found.
“You two siblings, cease your bickering. Qin Yun, I ask you, do you know the consequences of offending a powerful minister of the court?”
Qin Yun replied respectfully, “Father, you need not worry. Your son knows what he is doing!”
Originally, Qin Yuanzhang had intended to punish Qin Yun, but after Madam Zhang’s outburst, he no longer had the inclination.
On second thought, His Majesty himself had not shown any displeasure, so why should he dwell on it?
Seeing Qin Yuanzhang’s anger slightly subside, Qin Yu signaled to her maid.
The maid quietly withdrew.
All of Qin Yu’s subtle movements were observed by Qin Yun.
He knew precisely what Qin Yu was planning.
This was precisely what he had orchestrated.
The frigid atmosphere began to warm slightly.
Suddenly, Butler Fu arrived at the front hall. “Master, Lord Ming requests an audience, and Young Master Ming is also here!”
Madam Min and Qin Yu exchanged a silent glance, both understanding the implications.
Seeing outsiders, Madam Zhang discreetly excused herself.
Upon hearing that the Ming father and son had arrived, Qin Yu inwardly sneered, while Xiaoju behind her grew increasingly nervous.
Qin Yuanzhang understood the adage that no one visits without a reason.
He glanced at Qin Yun before instructing for them to be let in.
Within a minute, Butler Fu led the Ming father and son into the hall.
Qin Yuanzhang and Madam Min quickly rose to greet them.
“Old Master Ming, what brings you to my humble abode as a guest today?” Qin Yuanzhang welcomed them warmly, ushering Ming Qinghua to the seat of honor.
Ming Qinghua glanced askance at Qin Yun beside him before accepting Qin Yuanzhang’s enthusiastic invitation and taking his seat.
From the moment Ming Xiajing entered, his eyes had not left Qin Yun, as if he wished he could tear him apart right then and there.
“You, Qin Yun! Yesterday, not only did you swindle me out of three thousand taels, but you also humiliated me in the street. I’ll fight you!”
Ming Xiajing tried to restrain himself, but he couldn’t. The mere thought of the immense embarrassment he suffered yesterday made him wish to tear Qin Yun to shreds.
“Xiajing, do not be rude,” Ming Qinghua chided.
“Father, this ugly monster deliberately framed me yesterday, extorted three thousand taels from me, and humiliated me in the street!”
Perhaps because his father was present, Ming Xiajing’s courage grew significantly.
Qin Yun patted his rumpled robe, which Ming Xiajing had grasped, and chuckled, “Ming Xiajian, I didn’t expect you to still be so impulsive!”
Upon hearing this, Qin Yuanzhang looked somewhat embarrassed.
Ming Qinghua’s expression was also far from pleasant.
Qin Yun calling his son Ming Xiajian was tantamount to slapping him in the face.
“You brat, what nonsense are you spouting? This is Young Master Ming!” Qin Yuanzhang stated sternly.
The Ming family was a noble lineage, with the hereditary right to a marquisate. Furthermore, the current county princess was Ming Xiajing’s paternal aunt, placing the Qin family at a distinct disadvantage.
Qin Yuanzhang, a poor scholar in his early years, had finally achieved his current position as a minister through diligent study and years of maneuvering in the imperial court.
“This humble official apologizes to Master Ming and Young Master Ming here. Yun’er certainly did not mean any harm!” From Ming Xiajing’s words earlier, Qin Yuanzhang had a rough idea of the father and son’s intentions.
It was clear they had come seeking trouble.
“Father, why must you apologize? We did nothing wrong. Even if we did, it was Ming Xiajian who erred first, and I who erred later!” Qin Yun stated with righteous indignation.
“You, shut your mouth! Are you trying to escalate the situation?” Qin Yuanzhang rebuked him.
Madam Min and Qin Yu on the side smirked.
The Ming father and son also wore expressions of superiority.
“Young Master Qin is truly youthful and unrestrained. Bold, I, Ming, truly admire it. However, if one yells and screams without regard for the occasion, what is the difference between that and a mad dog biting someone!” Ming Qinghua’s lips curled into a sneer, showing utter disdain for Qin Yun.
Indeed, rank always prevailed.
However, she was not someone to be easily trifled with.
“Master Ming, are you selectively deaf? From the moment he entered the manor, Ming Xiajing called me an ugly monster. Everyone here heard it. Why did Master Ming not intervene? I merely called him Ming Xiajian in return, as a matter of courtesy.”
Qin Yun stood straight, his expression becoming more serious. “Master Ming, are you here at the Qin residence to question me or to pass judgment upon me? Qin Yun will see this through to the end. Also, what about those three thousand taels? Why hasn’t Young Master Ming brought them?” With that, Qin Yun looked at Ming Xiajing, his eyes filled with inquiry.