Chapter 32: Let Them Tear Each Other Apart

I met Madam Qin at a teahouse, where she remained as opulent and haughty as ever. She looked down at me with narrow, disdainful eyes.

"You must know why I summoned you today, don't you?"

Qin Hanxiao sat down opposite her. "I do not."

Madam Qin’s meticulously painted eyebrows knit together, her expression growing colder. "It seems you have forgotten my words. Do you think that because you are married now, I have no way to deal with you? I can grant you a path to survive, and I can just as easily strip it away."

She had thought the girl could stir up no trouble, but it appeared the frail facade maintained for over a decade in the Qin household had been a ruse; once she left the family, her true nature was revealed.

"Remember this: you are Qin He’s own daughter. If you dare to play any more tricks or instruct the Luo woman to approach Cuicui again, I will not spare you. Whether you are sold off or forced into prostitution, that is your fate. You must accept it."

Qin Hanxiao actually had no idea that the Luo woman had approached Qin Cuicui, and for a moment, she was genuinely curious about what had been said. However, what did that have to do with her? And why should she accept such a fate? Just because they held power, did they have the right to manipulate others’ lives at will? If they refused to let her live in peace, then they could tear each other apart like dogs.

Qin Hanxiao took a deep breath. "I don’t know why the Luo woman went to find Qin Cuicui, but I don't think you came here today to reproach me, Madam. You should be thanking me."

Madam Qin’s eyes darkened, and the servant, Mother Zhang, raised her hand to strike. "You little slut, how dare you spout nonsense! Who do you think you are to deserve thanks from our mistress?"

Qin Hanxiao did not let her hit her. She brushed the hand away, ignoring the servant’s barking, and fixed her gaze on Madam Qin. "Does the Madam know what Qin He has done to Qin Cuicui?"

Madam Qin knew her daughter had suffered greatly in the past decade, which was why, upon reclaiming her, she had ordered Qin He and the Luo woman to be severely beaten. Was there something she didn't know?

Qin Hanxiao stated bluntly, "Qin He once violated Qin Cuicui."

*Slap!*

"You lie!" Madam Qin, losing her composure, overturned her teacup.

"Whether I am lying or not, you need only ask the Luo woman. I have heeded your warning, Madam, and I will never return to the Qin house. If you hadn't sought me out today, I never intended to share this secret with anyone. I only wish to live a quiet life, having no quarrel with the Qin family."

With that, Qin Hanxiao stood up to leave, regardless of Madam Qin’s reaction.

Madam Qin called out, "I don't care if what you say is true or false, but if you dare repeat this to anyone, I will ensure you meet a miserable end. Furthermore, I will toss your slut of a mother’s memorial tablet and remains into the mass grave to feed the wild dogs."

"I am a person who fears trouble above all else, and I am timid. As long as I can get by, I have no desire to provoke any trouble."

Having said this, Qin Hanxiao walked away without looking back.

The mistress and her servant watched her retreating figure, the hatred in their eyes nearly spilling over. "Madam, whether her words are true or not, for the sake of the young lady’s reputation, we cannot let her live." Mother Zhang spoke as if she were thinking only of her mistress. "I told you we shouldn't have kept her. We raised her for over a decade, only to raise an enemy. She is an ungrateful wretch who can never be tamed. Just like her mother, they are both base creatures."

Madam Qin’s expression shifted several times. "Her mother was defeated by me back then; that wet-behind-the-ears little brat need not think she can escape my grasp. Come, we go to my brother’s."

The little wretch could not be allowed to live, nor could the Qin He family; no one would be permitted to harm her daughter.

After leaving the teahouse, Qin Hanxiao headed straight for the Huang residence. Fortunately, Huang Yuezhi was home.

"Did I not tell you to rest for a few days? Why have you come so soon?"

Qin Hanxiao replied, "I’m fine, I’m not so delicate. I’ve already delayed for several days and felt guilty; I shouldn't neglect the old lady’s health any longer. Let me check her pulse first."

The old lady’s health was no longer in any major danger and simply required careful recuperation. Qin Hanxiao adjusted the prescription. "I will take this back to prepare the pills and deliver them the day after tomorrow. I have other matters to attend to, so I must take my leave."

Throughout the visit, she made no mention of meeting anyone important, only thanking him again as he saw her out. Huang Yuezhi brought up the events of that day and mentioned the old Madam Zhang. It was exactly as she had suspected.

"It was an emergency," Huang Yuezhi said, "so I didn't consult you."

Qin Hanxiao bowed in gratitude. "Seventh Young Master is too kind. You were helping me; if I were to say anything else, it would be me being ignorant. Furthermore, it is my honor to be introduced to such distinguished people through you."

Qin Hanxiao was genuinely grateful to Huang Yuezhi. Regardless of whether he had ulterior motives, it was a fact that she had benefited. The two exchanged a smile, and Huang Yuezhi said, "Then I will have someone pick you up the day after tomorrow."

With that confirmation, Qin Hanxiao finally felt at ease. She admitted to herself that she was using Huang Yuezhi, but she was merely trying to protect herself.

Later, after meeting up with Pei Yuanxing at the meat market, they bought ingredients and headed to the city gate to wait for Uncle Liu’s cart. They were late, and it was the last trip of the day; several other villagers were waiting as well.

Someone noticed how much they had bought and asked curiously, "Why so much stuff? Meat, vegetables, even wine—are you hosting a banquet?"

The man who asked was a villager who had seen Qin He earlier. Qin Hanxiao thanked him first, then explained, "Thanks to a friend of Erlang’s who saved me, I intend to host a meal to thank them. And you, Uncle, you must come to our house tomorrow to eat; I want to toast you with a cup of wine myself."

The man was polite at first, "We are all neighbors, no need for such formalities." But under their repeated invitations, he agreed, "Alright, I have been craving a drink."

Uncle Liu arrived, followed by two more people, filling the cart. The two who arrived were the Qian woman and her daughter. The Qian woman glared at the Pei family. Hearing someone on the cart praise Qin Hanxiao for knowing how to repay kindness, she immediately sneered.

"To have been saved after ending up in such a place, you certainly should thank them. Hmph! But this Pei Erlang is truly magnanimous—heaven knows how many green hats he’s worn, and he can still put up with it. Then again, he’s a cripple, hardly a man anymore; if he can't use it, what else can he do but put up with it?"

Her words were not only a slap in the face to the Pei family but also malicious slander. Qin Hanxiao grabbed Pei Yuanxing’s arm. "Auntie, does my uncle know about your affair with Zhao the Scoundrel? Does he know that the children you bore aren't his?"

The moment those words left her mouth, everyone was shocked. Under the suspicious and gossiping glares of the crowd, the Qian woman grew incoherent, her face flushing red. "You, you’re talking shit! Where would I have such a thing?"

Qin Hanxiao said calmly, "Just because you say it isn't true, does that make it a fact? Then show us your proof."

The Qian woman, of course, had no proof, as it hadn't happened. But the gossiping eyes of the crowd clearly didn't believe her; some even whispered that they had seen Zhao the Scoundrel talking to the Qian woman.

The Qian woman was furious. "Stop your damn spraying of filth! My family’s business is none of your business. Tend to your own affairs—don't think I don't know what kind of trash you are."

As the two women looked ready to tear into each other, Qin Hanxiao added languidly, "Indeed. My family’s business is none of your business—and what kind of 'good trash' are you?"