Chapter 3: Bai's Hemoptysis

“Sister-in-law, come to my room; I’ll clean and dress your wound.”

The younger sister-in-law brought out a basin of water. Qin Hanxiao hadn’t expected her to greet her with a smile.

Just thinking about it made Qin Hanxiao’s head throb fiercely; she wasn’t sure if the two consecutive blows had caused a concussion.

In the west room, Pei Jinghui tended to Qin Hanxiao’s wounds while speaking softly.

“It’s all Third Brother’s fault. I apologize to you on his behalf. Mother has also scolded him. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Qin Hanxiao knew very well that this wasn’t Pei Yuanying’s fault.

In fact, she owed him thanks. If he hadn’t followed the original owner and forcibly brought her back, who knew what fate she would have faced by now.

She didn’t believe Huo Heng was a good person. Thinking back, she wondered why she hadn’t let go earlier.

Qin Hanxiao said, “I know he meant no harm. It’s clear now, and I don’t blame him.”

“That’s very generous of you. I’ll thank Third Brother on your behalf,” Pei Jinghui said, then began explaining for Pei Yuanying.

“Third Brother is on edge for a reason. You probably don’t know about that matter yet. Though family scandals shouldn’t be spread outside, you’re not an outsider.”

Qin Hanxiao guessed what she was about to say; she was curious about the Lin family and her eldest brother's affairs as well.

“What exactly happened?”

Pei Jinghui sighed deeply before speaking.

“At that time, I was young and naive; Third Brother was only nine. He caught Lin Shi misbehaving at Eldest Brother’s mourning hall.

Later, we learned she had been involved with that man for some time.

It was late at night, and no one else was there.

Afterward, she knelt before Mother, sobbing and begging for forgiveness, asking to be spared for the sake of the two children.

She promised to break ties with that man and raise the children properly.

Mother, considering the children, didn’t make things difficult and kept quiet.

But before Eldest Brother’s seventh day memorial passed, she stole his compensation money and all the family’s silver, then ran off with that man, leaving the two children behind.

That’s why Third Brother has always been very sensitive about such matters.”

The more Qin Hanxiao listened, the colder her heart grew. The original owner’s deeds were no different from Chen Shi’s. No wonder Pei Yuanying wanted to kill her.

But what about Pei Yuantang? What was he enduring?

If he didn’t leave now, he would lose the chance forever. What did he mean by that?

Could it be that he wanted to kill her to silence her?

Or was he waiting to catch her red-handed?

A chill ran down Qin Hanxiao’s spine. She wouldn’t give him that opportunity.

She asked, “How did Lin Shi die?”

Pei Jinghui replied, “I don’t know exactly, just that the whole family was gone. Perhaps it was retribution.”

Qin Hanxiao didn’t dare ask more, instead shifting the topic to other matters of the Pei family.

The original owner never cared about the Pei family, but since she had to continue living there, she had no choice.

“By the way, how did Eldest Brother die?”

Pei Jinghui sighed, “Back then, we hadn’t yet separated from Grandfather and Grandmother. Eldest Brother was conscripted to the northwest battlefield.

Later, Father passed away, and we split the family.

Not long after the division, news came that Eldest Brother had died in battle. Mother fell ill and never recovered.

Second Brother was only twelve then, and the burden of supporting the family fell entirely on his shoulders.”

Pei Jinghui carefully bandaged Qin Hanxiao’s wounds as she spoke.

“Second Brother was supposed to study for the imperial exams; even the teacher said he had talent. But we became his burden.

For our sake, he had to leave home to trade, only returning once or twice a year.

Life was finally getting better, but now this trouble has come. Second Brother has suffered too much.”

Pei Yuantang truly suffered. He was only eighteen and would never stand again.

But Qin Hanxiao wasn’t much better—betrayed and pushed down stairs to her death by her stepfather and stepbrother in the modern world, now here she was still being hurt, nearly dying again.

Qin Hanxiao sighed quietly, deciding to stop dwelling on the past and live well from now on.

Starting by changing the Pei family’s perception of her.

“In fact, I should thank Third Brother. If he hadn’t appeared in time to save me, I don’t know where I’d be or if I’d still be alive.”

She said this deliberately, hoping Pei Jinghui would carry the message to the rest of the family—to show them her sincerity.

She was different from Lin Shi; she truly wanted to live a good life.

Pei Jinghui paused, then smiled. “We’re family, no need to thank us. As long as Sister-in-law isn’t upset, that’s enough.”

For over two months since she married in, Sister-in-law never cared about the family, often lost in thought or secretly wiping away tears.

Now it seemed she had come to terms and wanted to live well with Second Brother.

This thought filled Pei Jinghui with joy. She believed that as long as the whole family was united, no hardship was insurmountable.

Suddenly, a harsh coughing erupted from Bai Shi’s room.

Pei Jinghui hurried over. “Mother, why are you coughing up blood?”

Qin Hanxiao ran in as well. The room reeked of medicine, worsened by poor ventilation.

Bai Shi leaned weakly against the bedpost, supported by Pei Jinghui, blood staining her lips.

Her complexion was sallow and dull, and she seemed too weak to speak.

“I’m fine, don’t fuss,” she said weakly.

Pei Jinghui was nearly in tears. “You’re coughing up blood, how can you be fine?”

Suddenly, Qin Hanxiao was pushed aside.

Pei Yuanying rushed to the bedside, glanced, then turned to leave. “Ah Hui, take care of Mother. I’ll go find Doctor Chen.”

Bai Shi tried to call after her son but burst into a violent coughing fit, as if her lungs might collapse, her face pale and strained.

Qin Hanxiao quickly stepped forward to take Pei Jinghui’s place, supporting Bai Shi with one hand while pressing acupuncture points with the other, alternating in pressure.

Bai Shi’s condition gradually stabilized; the coughing ceased, though her breathing remained heavy.

“Ah Hui, go fetch a bowl of warm water.”

Pei Jinghui nodded and hurried off.

Qin Hanxiao kept working, feeling Bai Shi’s pulse: lung disease, worsened by overwork, already severe.

When Pei Jinghui returned with water, Qin Hanxiao quietly added some spirit spring water to it.

After feeding her, Qin Hanxiao laid Bai Shi flat and continued pressing the acupuncture points.

Slowly, Bai Shi’s breathing steadied and her color improved.

“I’ll stay here to watch Mother. You go tell Second Brother that Mother is stable for now, so he needn’t worry.”

Pei Jinghui barely had time to ask more before hurrying out.

Since Pei Yuantang’s accident, Bai Shi’s health had declined rapidly, but she hid her discomfort to avoid worrying the children.

Actually, coughing up blood was not the first time—it just couldn’t be concealed this time.

Bai Shi grasped Qin Hanxiao’s hand, forcing a faint smile.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry. I know my own body. Really, I’m fine. No need to call a doctor.”