"Father-in-law, mother-in-law."
Luo Qingzhou entered the hall and first greeted Qin Wenzhen and Song Ruyue, then looked at the young man behind them.
The man was wearing a blue suit, had a tall figure and an imposing manner. His features were somewhat similar to Qin Wenzhen's, and he had the unique temperament of a warrior. He was also looking at him at this moment.
Qin Chuan came over and said with a smile: "Qingzhou, this is my elder brother. He usually practices hard in the academy and rarely comes out. I came out tonight specifically to see you."
Luo Qingzhou quickly bowed and said, "Qingzhou greets big brother."
Qin Lang looked at him again, nodded, and said, "I heard that you passed the imperial examination in Mocheng and ranked first. That's great. I hope you can also pass the imperial examination next year. By then, our Qin family will have both literary and martial arts talents, and we won't be bullied by others."
After a few more words of encouragement, he greeted Nangong Meijiao, then looked at Qin Wenzheng and his wife and said, "Dad, Mom, let's eat. My second brother and I have to rush back to the academy in the evening, and we haven't finished our homework tonight."
Song Ruyue suddenly said in an unhappy tone, "I finally came back, can't I stay for one night? It's okay to take a day off. Even if you need to practice, there's no need to rush. Mother hasn't seen you for a long time, and Jianjia and Weimo almost don't recognize you anymore."
Qin Lang sighed and said, "Now is a critical period. My child will graduate soon and will need to be graded, so we can't relax. Mother, please forgive me. After my child graduates, I will come back to accompany you more often."
Song Ruyue was about to say something, but Qin Wenzheng said, "Okay, let's go eat. The child's studies are the most important thing. We are both in Kyoto, which is not far away. If we want to meet in the future, there will be plenty of time."
Song Ruyue cried out for a while, feeling a little aggrieved, so she had to walk to the dining room next door and told the maid to serve the food.
Miss Qin Er walked up to Luo Qingzhou and whispered, "Brother Qingzhou, go and call me in for dinner."
Luo Qingzhou glanced at her, but before he could say anything, Nangong Meijiao beside him said, "I'll go and call her."
Miss Qin Er held her back and said, "Sister Meijiao, I have something to ask you. Let's go over there first."
Nangong Meijiao frowned, looked at someone again, and then followed her to the dining room.
Luo Qingzhou had no choice but to go out and walk to the corridor. He looked at the snow-white figure and said, "Miss, go in and eat."
Miss Qin was wearing a snow-white dress and a snow-white fox fur coat. She was standing alone at the railing, quietly watching the snowflakes falling outside.
The wind blew, and a few snowflakes flew in and landed on her absolutely beautiful and flawless face, but she seemed like a dead tree, still motionless, with no expression on her face.
"Miss."
Luo Qingzhou took a few steps closer and shouted again.
Qin Jianjia finally came to her senses, turned her head, and looked at him with eyes as clear as water.
"Let's go in and eat."
Luo Qingzhou said softly.
Qin Jianjia looked at him a few times, said nothing, and walked into the house.
Luo Qingzhou followed behind.
At the corner of the corridor, a head popped out, and dark, lively eyes looked at him and said, "Sir, remember to take good care of the young lady."
Luo Qingzhou glanced at her and asked, "Where's Chanchan?"
The head immediately shrank back, and then walked out from the corner, pushing a person.
Xia Chan, wearing a light green dress and holding a sword in her hand, was pushed out shyly and looked at him.
Bai Ling hugged her slender waist from behind and said, "Son-in-law, do you miss Chanchan when you don't see her for a while?"
Luo Qingzhou ignored her and looked at Xia Chan and said, "You are wearing too little. Come inside and get warmer."
Bailing immediately said happily: "Chanchan, let's go in and play. It's really cold outside."
Then he sighed and said, "Oh, I'm scared when I think about sleeping alone on a cold blanket at night. Chanchan, can we take off all our clothes and sleep together tonight?"
Xia Chan ignored her.
Luo Qingzhou entered the house and followed Miss Qin to the dining room.
"Qingzhou, come and sit here."
Qin Chuan immediately pulled him and sat next to him, asking with concern: "How are you doing with your studies recently? I heard from Wei Mo that you study at home all day and rarely go out. Don't let studying ruin your health. Are you still practicing the Thunder Fist that my second brother taught you before? It can help strengthen your body."
Luo Qingzhou said: "I practice occasionally."
Qin Lang, who was standing by, frowned and said, "Second brother, how can you teach Qingzhou Benlei Fist to strengthen his body? He doesn't have the basic skills, and practicing this kind of martial arts will only hurt his body."
Luo Qingzhou said: "Brother, it's okay, I don't practice often, I just practice occasionally when I remember."
Qin Lang suddenly said seriously: "No matter what you do, you must be serious. Since you want to exercise, how can you only practice occasionally? You must practice frequently. If your body is not good, even if you pass the imperial examination in the future, you will not be able to bear the busy tasks. Keeping your body in good condition is responsible for yourself, your family, and the country. Since you have decided to take the imperial examination and serve as an official in the future, you must prepare in advance."
Qin Wenzheng on the other side hurriedly said, "Lang'er, let's eat. You finally came back and this is the first time you and Qingzhou meet. Let's talk about family matters and don't go off topic."
Qin Lang frowned and said, "Dad, he will take the imperial examination in the future, so he will naturally have to serve the court. I just asked him to make some preparations in advance."
After a pause, he continued, "Dad took the initiative to resign the title. I actually don't agree with it. But since he has already resigned, forget it. We will definitely make the Qin family return to its glory in the future. I hope that every man in the Qin family will be loyal to the emperor and love the country, work hard for the revitalization of the family and the strength of the country, instead of being a vain person and not fulfilling their responsibilities."
There was silence at the dinner table for a moment.
"Ahem..."
At this time, Miss Qin Er suddenly coughed a few times.
Qiu'er, who was standing behind her, quickly took out a handkerchief and put it to her mouth.
Song Ruyue's face changed, and she hurriedly shouted to the maid at the door: "Quickly close the door and all the windows! Are they all dead? You don't have any sense at all!"
Several maids immediately went to close the door and then looked at the window.
The window was already closed.
Miss Qin coughed again, and then she said softly, "Mother, I'm fine. I'm not coughing up blood."
As he said this, he showed her the handkerchief in his hand.
Song Ruyue's face was full of distress, and she quickly asked, "Meijiao, are all the medicines ready?"
Nangong Meijiao nodded and said, "Everything is ready. Let's go to Prince Duan's Mansion today and bring back the morning dew from the Xuantian Jade Green Tree."
Song Ruyue finally felt relieved and said, "I'll go make the medicine after dinner. Wei Mo's body can't be delayed."
Qin Chuan asked: "Mother, how effective is the medicine?"
Song Ruyue said: "The effect is very good. After taking it once last time, Wei Mo did not cough for more than half a month."
Qin Wenzheng said: "This matter is all thanks to Qingzhou."
Several people talked about Miss Qin's illness, and also talked about the last time they went to Jinchan Temple and Qingyun Temple to ask for medicine, which diluted the somewhat tense atmosphere a lot.
Song Ruyue was talking with great interest. Just when she was about to talk about Luo Qingzhou showing off his prowess and conquering those monks in Jinchan Temple, Miss Qin Er suddenly interrupted her and said, "Mother, let's eat quickly. Big brother and second brother have to rush back to the academy later. We can talk about these things when we have time."
Song Ruyue had no choice but to stop with a feeling of unsatisfied feeling.
Qin Lang said with concern: "Wei Mo, take the medicine first to take care of your body. I will find a good doctor for you. I will definitely help you cure your illness, so don't worry too much."
Qin Weimo said softly: "Thank you, brother."
Everyone lowered their heads and ate for a while.
Qin Lang looked at Miss Qin next to her and asked, "Jianjia, do you read at home every day? Why don't you go out for a walk?"
Qin Jianjia lowered her head slightly, looking at the dish in the bowl that Miss Qin Er had picked for her, and was in a daze, as if she didn't hear what he said.
The table fell silent.
Qin Lang looked at her, waited for a while, frowned slightly, and looked at the others.
Song Ruyue's face was full of worry. She shook her head at him, signaling him not to ask any more questions.
Qin Lang looked at Qin Wenzheng beside him and whispered, "Dad, is there something wrong with Jianjia's body?"
Qin Wen Zheng glanced at his daughter, picked up the wine glass, drank it all in one gulp, and did not answer.
Qin Lang was silent for a moment, then said, "Jianjia, what do you like? I'll bring it to you next time I come back, okay?"
Miss Qin still looked down at the food in the bowl, in a daze, as if she still didn't hear what he said.
Miss Qin Er glanced at her, reached out her hand under the table and held her hand.
Qin Lang's face was full of worry. He said, "Dad, Mom, didn't you introduce a marriage to Jianjia? I think it might be better for Jianjia to get married and have someone to accompany her, or to have a child."
Qin Wen Zheng drank silently without saying a word.
Song Ruyue sighed and said, "I really can't find a suitable candidate. Mother is also worried."
Qin Lang looked at his sister again, and after a moment's hesitation, he said, "Jianjia is so beautiful, she won't have trouble finding a husband. Well, I have a few good friends in the academy. Although they come from ordinary families, they are nice people, and none of them are married yet. Next time I have time, I'll bring them home to see me."
Qin Wenzheng raised his head and was about to speak when Miss Qin Er suddenly said, "Brother, don't bother me. I think my sister is fine at home, as long as we are with her."
Qin Lang frowned and said, "Wei Mo, women always have to get married, and you can't be with Jianjia for the rest of your life. Don't worry, the people that big brother has found are all very good."
Miss Qin Er was silent for a moment, then said, "Brother, I think you should ask my sister for her opinion first."
Qin Lang was about to speak when Miss Qin II looked to the side and asked, "Sister, are you willing to go on a blind date?"
Miss Qin then raised her head, met everyone's gazes, and shook her head slightly.
Qin Lang asked: "Jianjia, why don't you want to? The men that Big Brother introduces to you are all excellent and will never bully you."
Miss Qin looked at him with a cold expression. After a moment of silence, she said calmly, "I don't like men."
When these words were spoken, everyone was stunned.
Song Ruyue was stunned for a moment and her face suddenly changed.
The hall suddenly fell silent.
Luo Qingzhou was also stunned, and his mind unconsciously thought of every detail of his past with Miss Qin.
No wonder she has always been so cold to him, it turns out...
He suddenly turned his head and looked at Bailing who was eavesdropping at the door.
Bai Ling looked him in the eye, blinked her big eyes, and suddenly said angrily: "Son-in-law, why are you looking at me? There is nothing wrong between me and the young lady, don't slander me!"
Luo Qingzhou: “…”
"Ahem, eat, eat."
Qin Wen Zheng broke the awkward atmosphere and invited everyone to eat.
Miss Qin held back her laughter, picked up some more food, put it in Miss Qin's bowl, and said softly, "Sister, eat some food."
Song Ruyue's face turned pale and she was still in a daze.
Qin Lang glanced at her, fell silent, and dared not speak again.
Perhaps he now understood why the son-in-law he had chosen for Jianjia suddenly became Wei Mo's husband.
What happened during the years when Jianjia was abducted
To the point that even her most basic orientation changed
He didn't dare, nor could he bear to imagine any more, let alone ask any more questions. He could only lower his head and eat in silence.
Maybe he did say too much tonight.
Sometimes, so-called concern is not actually concern, but rather rubbing salt into other people's wounds, or tearing open the wounds that are about to be repaired.
As the eldest brother, he had never helped her at all. He just came back today and brought up her sad story again.
Qin Lang felt very guilty. After eating a few more bites in a hurry, he immediately stood up, patted Qin Chuan on the shoulder, and said, "Second brother, we should go."
Song Ruyue was now in a state of dismay, still sitting there motionless.
Qin Lang looked at her with pity, but dared not say anything more, and went out with Qin Chuan.
Qin Wen Zheng and others sent the two out the door.
When he reached the gate, Qin Langfang stopped, turned his head, looked into the house, forced a smile, and whispered to comfort him: "Dad, it's okay, you don't have to worry too much, in fact, this situation is not uncommon. There are also many women, like Jianjia, who only... Well, as long as she is fine, let her stay at home. You can take her out for a walk often, maybe she will feel better."
Qin Wenzheng nodded and said, "You and Chuan'er should practice well in the academy and don't cause any trouble. Qingzhou and I are at home, so you don't have to worry."
Qin Lang looked at the young man behind him, paused, and said, "Qingzhou, take good care of Weimo and the people at home, and exercise more. When I have time, I will come back to teach you some boxing techniques to strengthen your body. Don't always stay at home and study hard, but go out more often and make more friends. When you are an official in the court in the future, one more friend means one more help. Also, don't linger in the place of fireworks. Scholars can be romantic, but they must have a sense of responsibility. Remember."
Luo Qingzhou bowed and said: "Thank you for your teachings, brother. Qingzhou will definitely keep it in mind."
Qin Lang looked at his sister again and said, "Wei Mo, persuade mother more when you go back. I guess she only found out tonight. As long as Jianjia is fine, nothing else matters. Tell her not to think too much, so as not to hurt herself."
Qin Weimo said softly: "Well, big brother and second brother should not work too hard. Weimo feels that as long as the family is safe and sound, even if life is ordinary, it will be very happy."
Qin Lang smiled, waved to everyone, walked down the stairs with Qin Chuan, took the reins from the servant, and climbed on the horse.
“Let’s go!”
The two brothers looked at everyone again and rode away.
Qin Wenzheng stood on the steps, watching the two brothers disappear in silence until they disappeared into the alley. Then he said with a complicated expression: "Wei Mo, your elder brother..."
"It's normal for the eldest brother to have his own ideas and ambitions as he is an adult."
Miss Qin Er interrupted him.
Qin Wenzheng sighed and said, "Longhu Academy belongs to the imperial court, so they will naturally teach them to be loyal to the emperor and patriotic, but..."
Miss Qin said softly, "Daddy, Dragon Tiger College belongs not only to the court, but also to Great Yan. Loyalty to the emperor and the country is not just loyalty to a certain person, but loyalty to the monarch who benefits the people of Great Yan. What's wrong with that?"
Qin Wenzheng looked at her, was silent for a moment, and smiled: "Wei Mo still understands it thoroughly. Daddy is not as good as you."
Then he looked at Luo Qingzhou behind him and said, "Qingzhou, your elder brother is a bit pedantic. Don't think too much about what he just said. Do whatever you want to do. Our family will support you. We have been through all the ups and downs during this period, and it was all thanks to you. If we don't trust you, who else can we trust?"
Luo Qingzhou bowed and said, "Thank you, father-in-law."
Qin Wenzheng walked up to him and asked in a low voice: "Has the princess sent someone to contact you again recently?"
Luo Qingzhou shook his head and said, "Not yet."
Qin Wenzheng heard this and did not ask any more questions. He said, "Let's go inside. It's cold outside. You are in such a bad condition..."
As he spoke, he reached out and patted his shoulder, paused, and suddenly grabbed his arm again, looking at him again.
Luo Qingzhou explained: "I've been exercising a lot recently, so I've become a little stronger."
Qin Wen Zheng let go of his hand and said with a smile: "Yeah. You should exercise regularly. After all, you have a lot to do."
After saying that, he patted him on the shoulder again and walked into the door.
Luo Qingzhou turned his head and met Miss Qin's eyes.
The couple looked at each other, held hands silently, and followed into the house.
In the hall.
Song Ruyue was still sitting there, staring blankly at Miss Qin who was also sitting there blankly.
The mother and daughter were both motionless, in a daze.