Chapter 454: Chapter 450: Resentment_1
 

Cao Qinqin looked up to see her brother-in-law, quickly wiping away her tears, whispering, “No one’s bullying me.”

Wei Wenbo looked at her sympathetically, “If there’s anything troubling you, tell me, and I’ll help solve it.”

Cao Qinqin shook her head, bowed to Wei Wenbo, and hurried back to her residence.

She had made up her mind; she would go home after the fifth day of the new year at the latest.

Even if she were to remain a spinster for life, she wouldn’t dare dream of the Great General of the Second Rank.

Being his bedmate was a tempting thought, but it had to be someone he valued.

Moreover, the Commandery Princess was divine like a fairy in both appearance and status. When compared to her, she was nothing but dust.

The more Cao Qinqin thought about it, the more ashamed she felt. She didn’t want to stay in the Wei Family’s residence for another moment.

“Young Mistress, the Mistress is calling for you,” a maid from the Cao Family’s residence came to relay the message.

“I understand.” Cao Qinqin looked at herself in the mirror, applied more powder to hide the redness around her eyes, before heading to her sister’s room.

Cao was sitting on the kang bed, caressing a piece of silk. When she saw her sister come in, she said, “Qin’er, come look at this. What would look nice made from this fabric?”

Cao Qinqin walked over and sat on the edge of the kang. She replied unenthusiastically, “A gauze skirt would be good, it would be vibrant for the spring.”

Cao glanced at her and asked softly, “Did you see Qi Lang just now?”

Cao Qinqin stiffened, shook her head and said, “No.”

“Useless!” Cao was somewhat upset as she threw the fabric aside, chastising, “Today was a great opportunity for you. If you just talked a little bit more to him and acted a little more tenderly, what man wouldn’t feel something?”

Cao Qinqin’s mouth twitched downwards, and tears suddenly fell. “Sister, I… I want to go home in a few days.”

She had never been looked down upon so greatly before; Wei Qilang didn’t even deign to look at her.

“What? Go home?” Cao was even more displeased. “If I had known that you didn’t wish to stay in the Wei Family’s house, why would I have brought you here? What? Can you find a better marriage prospect back at home with our parents?”

Seeing that Cao Qinqin remained quiet, Cao reproached irritably, “With your mummy’s ambition, can she find any family better than the Wei’s? Though you’d be a concubine, Qilang is a Great General of the Second Rank; even the County Magistrate has to offer his respects to his concubines!”

The more Cao looked at her sister, the more frustrated she felt. She waved her hand dismissively, “Fine, don’t be so gloomy here, especially during the New Year. Go back. After the New Year, when my husband returns to Beijing, you’ll go with him. If you can’t find a good family later, don’t blame me, your elder sister, for not helping.”

Hearing this, Cao Qinqin felt a strange sense of relief. She bowed to her sister gratefully and ran back to her own room.

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, just as dawn was breaking, several carriages and dozens of guards set out from the Princess’s Residence, left the city gates, and headed for Qinchuan County.

The carriages traveled at great speed, and arrived in Qinchuan County by the afternoon.

As soon as this large entourage entered the city and the guards identified the insignia on the carriage, the guard at the gate went to report to the County Government office.

By the time the carriage arrived at the Jiang’s Residence adjacent to the specialty shops, a crowd of people was waiting at the entrance.

Among them were the County Magistrate and other officials.

Jiang Sanlang and his wife, as well as the families of Jiang Dalang and Jiang Erlang, were also present.

“Greetings to Commandery Princess! Greetings to the General!” Led by the County Magistrate, the crowd saluted as one.

Wei Zhan got off the carriage and hastily helped them up, “Your Excellency, there’s no need for formalities.” He then said to the rest, “Gentlemen, you may rise.”

Jiang Sanlang, smiling heartily, invited the County Magistrate and his colleagues into his house, “Your Excellency, please come in and talk. The rest of you, please come in and have a seat.”

He knew that his daughter would be returning home today, and he had prepared a feast and dishes in advance, meanwhile inviting their parents and brothers to come over.

Madam Chun held her daughter’s hand, smiling at her son-in-law, “Finally, you’re home. You must be tired from the journey. Come in and warm up. I’ve already had your rooms heated.”

Yingbao nodded, smiling as she walked into the courtyard with her husband.

When Madam Chun saw Wuyang, being held by Anrou, she pinched his tiger hat and exclaimed, “It’s only been a little while and he’s already changed so much, growing even fairer.”

Wuyang smiled at Madam Chun: “Mama!”

“Oh! He can talk already, call me grandma.” Madam Chun picked up Wuyang and walked into the house, “Come, grandma has some treats for you.”

Curious, Wuyang stared at Madam Chun for a while, looking around left and right, not shy at all.

Yingbao went back to the room with her mother, while Wei Zhan was invited to the main room to have a chat with the County Magistrate.

Aunt Zhou, Aunt Yanru, and Jiang Cheng’s wife, Chou Rong, followed Yingbao into the west room.

After everyone exchanged greetings, Aunt Zhou said, “Your grandparents and sisters Dani and Erni are on the side of Plum Blossom Lane. They didn’t come here today as they knew there would be many people.”

Yingbao nodded, “Tomorrow, I’ll go pay a visit to my grandparents and meet my elder sisters.”

She hadn’t seen them for several years, she didn’t even know that Erni got married.

Chou Rong laughed, “Yingbao, it’s been so long that I almost didn’t recognize you.”

Once a tender little girl, she had now turned into an impressive young noblewoman. Despite her features not changing much, her overall appearance was highly authoritative, making people dare not look straight at her.

Yingbao smiled, “I’m already eighteen, of course, I won’t look the same as I used to. Sister-in-law, why didn’t you bring Dali and the others here?”

Chou Rong replied, “I was afraid they would make trouble, so I left them with our parents. I’ll take them to Plum Blossom Lane tomorrow.”

Yingbao nodded and commanded her maids to bring in all the gifts, which she then distributed amongst everyone.

Most of the gifts were the latest silks and satins, along with beaded flower toys, inks, papers and ink stones for her niece and nephew, and so on.

As for her grandparents and her sisters, she would deliver their gifts when she visits Plum Blossom Lane tomorrow.

After a while chatting together, Aunt Zhou asked about Yuanbao and Jiang Quan.

Yingbao said, “Brother Yuanbao is currently studying at the Imperial College, and he is expected to take the exam next year.”

“Erquan’s wife is a palace maid from the Royal Palace. She is really nice, and her family background is clear. You and Uncle can go to Beijing next year when Brother Yuanbao takes the exam.”

If Yuanbao passed the exam as a top scholar with good ranking, he would surely be able to stay in Beijing as an official. After that, her uncle and aunt can visit Beijing or even live there permanently.

After all, they still need to arrange Yuanbao’s marriage.

Aunt Zhou sighed and murmured, “Ever since Erquan went to Beijing, he hasn’t written a single letter. If it weren’t for Yuanbao who had written to us in advance, I wouldn’t have known that Erquan got married.”

Yingbao blinked, defending her cousin, “Erquan is busy every day. He was even busy in the shop the day before his wedding day.”

Yanru laughed and chimed in, “Indeed, Erquan is really busy. Plus, since we and our parents were in Beijing at that time, he didn’t write any letter.”

Yingbao added, “Erquan also said that, when he earns enough money, he will buy a big mansion in Beijing, and then he will invite aunt and uncle to live there for retirement.”

“Did he really say that?” Aunt Zhou’s complaint vanished, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, “His father and I don’t want to spend our old age in Beijing. There are so many chickens and ducks at home, and two fat pigs, they can’t be left unattended.”