Chapter 31 A Combination of Soft and Hard

In a short while, the grandmother and grandson were seated in the room. Qin Zimu, though a stutterer, was not stupid.

He picked and chose, telling about what happened in Taihe County today.

Qin Laotai listened, her eyes wide with astonishment.

When she heard that Qin Ruo had been bullied by the new manager of Fumanlou, she frowned.

The next moment, she heard that a mama from a wealthy family had come and bought all their wild game in one go. Qin Laotai’s mouth stretched to her ears.

She didn’t blink, urging Qin Zimu to continue.

Never before had Qin Laotai thought that Qin Zimu’s stutter needed to be cured.

It was simply maddening!

When she heard Qin Ruo being reprimanded by Mama Zhang with a “How dare you!”, her heart leaped into her throat.

The next second, she heard Qin Zimu recount with vivid detail how the three of them were invited to the mansion by a noble lady. Qin Laotai’s face was filled with smiles.

Although she had never been to Taihe County and didn’t know what kind of grand family the Xie Mansion was, she was stunned to hear Qin Zimu’s description of the dozens of servants and maids.

Just the old lady had dozens of people serving her, how powerful must she be?

Hearing that the old lady had personally arranged for the steward to send them off and even ordered a banquet, Qin Laotai was beaming with pride.

She had never imagined that her insignificant granddaughter could have such good fortune.

Qin Ruo had excellent hearing. Although the grandmother and grandson were speaking in hushed tones next door, she could hear every word.

She almost burst out laughing.

Qin Ruo hadn’t expected Qin Zimu to have this side to him, knowing how to keep Qin Laotai on the edge of her seat and even play a little trick.

For example, when Qin Laotai asked him how much the wild game had sold for, he immediately changed the subject, talking about Mama Zhang’s imposing presence.

When she asked about the gifts the noble lady had given Qin Ruo, he shifted the conversation to the grandeur of the Xie Mansion’s three courtyards.

Qin Laotai’s emotions rose and fell with Qin Zimu’s descriptions, completely led by the nose.

When Qin Zimu went out and came back with two large food boxes, Qin Laotai was so excited she clutched her chest.

Looking at the exquisite pastries and dishes she had never seen before, she had forgotten all about money.

Her mute granddaughter had actually caught the eye of a noble lady.

For the first time, Qin Laotai felt that her granddaughter was capable. Qin Ruo’s status in her heart instantly rose several levels.

Only, she had a small regret in her heart. If Dalang had gone back a little later, he could have brought some back too.

But Qin Laotai only dared to think this in her heart, afraid that Qin Ruo would hear it and give her a cold shoulder.

Qin Laotai looked at the pastries in the food box, swallowing her saliva several times.

Because Qin Zimu was still there, and she had just had a conflict with Qin Ruo, she couldn’t bring herself to reach out and take them.

“Grandma, try this, it’s delicious.”

Qin Zimu, noticing Qin Laotai’s changing expression, cleverly picked up a piece of dragon beard pastry and brought it to her mouth.

Qin Laotai put on airs, pretending to decline a few times before taking a bite.

When she finished the dragon beard pastry, she didn’t even let go of the crumbs on her hand.

She made up her mind that tomorrow morning, when there were a lot of people around, she would take the pastries that the Xie Mansion had sent to her family and go for a walk in the village.

Let those people in the village who didn’t have eyes see that the Qin family wasn’t bad either.

Even in Taihe County, they knew some noble people.

Qin Laotai quickly and decisively took the pastries that Old Lady Xie had given to Qin Ruo, subconsciously assuming they were for the Qin family.

She even started to hypnotize herself. By the time Qin Zimu finished his stuttering account, half an hour had passed.

Qin Laotai sat on the bed, rubbing the silver melon seeds in her hand over and over again.

Finally, reluctantly, she painfully stuffed the pouch back into Qin Zimu’s hand.

“Since it’s a gift from a noble lady, your elder sister also said you should keep it, then you should keep it.”

“Be careful with it, don’t spend it recklessly!”

As she said this, Qin Laotai felt her heart bleeding.

That was a tael of silver!

A tael!

Qin Zimu looked at the purse back in his hand, bewildered.

He couldn’t understand why his grandmother, who was clearly a money-loving person, would say she didn’t want it.

Qin Zimu didn’t know that Qin Laotai had her own plans.

She was doing this to show Qin Ruo.

Qin Laotai wanted Qin Ruo to see that she was also a reasonable person, not someone who valued money above all else.

She had to play the long game.

Qin Laotai kept comforting herself, thinking that her granddaughter had caught the eye of a noble lady today and would have great fortune in the future.

She couldn’t lose her composure over a little bit of petty gain.

She could be so kind to Erlang but frown upon Dalang, wasn’t it because Erlang was obedient?

She might as well just go along with the stinky girl from now on. She didn’t believe Qin Ruo’s heart could be made of iron.

Qin Laotai repeatedly engaged in mental preparation, constantly hypnotizing herself.

Seeing Qin Zimu standing there, motionless, Qin Laotai forced herself not to look at the pouch and pushed him out of the room.

She was afraid that she would change her mind.

Qin Zimu, who had “regained” his silver melon seeds, left happily.

At dinner, Qin Laotai had calmed down.

The money was spent, and with so much rice, they wouldn’t have any problems until next year.

Although eating fine rice felt like chewing silver, it was truly delicious.

Looking at the table full of dishes that Qin Ruo had brought back, even during the New Year, she hadn’t had such a feast.

Even though it was leftovers, she didn’t mind at all. This meal was incredibly delicious.

Qin Zimu had received new clothes, shoes, and a new quilt, and had also kept his little treasury. He smiled so much that his eyes disappeared.

Qin Ruo knew how to give a carrot after a stick.

After dinner, she casually threw a silver hairpin at Qin Laotai.

“My goodness, this is silver? Why did you waste money on this, it’s not edible…”

Qin Laotai, flustered, took the simple silver hairpin and her old habit returned.

She muttered to herself, but her heart was already filled with joy.

However, before she could finish her sentence, Qin Ruo ignored her muttering and got up to leave.

Qin Laotai wanted to say a few more sentimental words, but she had no opportunity.

Qin Laotai could only smile awkwardly and then shut her mouth obediently.

After talking with Qin Zimu and learning that Qin Ruo had bought new clothes, shoes, and a quilt for Erlang, she had felt a little sour.

After receiving the silver hairpin, the previous sourness had vanished.

She quickly cleaned up the kitchen and immediately returned to her room, smiling at the hairpin.

A moment later, she looked around like a thief.

After making sure that no one was in the courtyard, she quickly filled a basin with water and, under the moonlight, happily tried on the silver hairpin.