Chapter 421: Family Matters

Qin’s mother knew that her younger son was filial. Even when their relationship with the Wang family wasn’t as good, Qin Lang would bring back good things from Wang Jingyu for them to enjoy, from big watermelons to small tea eggs.

She knew that her two daughters-in-law had always accused her of favoring Qin Lang, but with his filial piety and thoughtfulness, who wouldn’t like him? Who wouldn’t be partial to him?

“Alright, Mom is looking forward to you and my future daughter-in-law being filial to us. But you’re already thinking about this before getting married. What if the girl doesn’t want to marry you? I’d like to see how you handle that,” Qin’s mother teased her son.

Qin Lang looked displeased. “Mom…”

“Alright, I won’t say anymore,” she said, seeing how anxious her child was.

As the three of them were talking, Qin Lang’s older brothers also returned, accompanied by their wives and children. Seeing his two sisters-in-law, Qin Lang’s smile faded slightly.

“Why are you at home today, Alang?” Qin Lang’s sister-in-law asked with a smile, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes, making Qin Lang feel it is insincere.

Qin’s mother glanced at her eldest daughter-in-law. “Why can’t Alang be at home to rest today?”

Qin Xian glanced at his wife. “If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything. Alang is a part of this family. Why can’t he come back?”

“Dear, that’s not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean?”

Qin Lang was impatient with this argument. Frowning, he said, “I’m fine, brother.”

“What did you tell Mom and them? I see Mom looks quite happy,” Qin’s sister-in-law said, smiling.

“Your brother told us that he has someone he likes and wants to get married,” Qin’s mother said with a smile.

Qin Xian looked at his younger brother in surprise, walked over, and put his arm around his neck. “Alang, tell your big brother who the girl is. How can I help you?”

Pushing Qin Xian’s hand away, Qin Lang said irritably, “I don’t need your help. It’s useless.”

Qin Shu looked at Qin Lang with a smile in his eyes. “Alang, just tell your second brother if you need anything.”

“Thank you, second brother.”

Qin Xian’s wife, upon hearing that Qin Lang had someone he liked, furrowed her brow slightly and looked at her in-laws before speaking, “Mom, my maternal cousin is quite compatible with Alang. Maybe…”

“No need. Alang has someone he likes,” Qin’s mother said coldly.

The sentence made Qin Xian’s wife feel embarrassed: “Mom, you really know people inside out. Who knows if Alang’s choice has ulterior motives.”

Qin’s mother slammed the table heavily and looked coldly at her eldest daughter-in-law. “Shut up. Don’t speak. Your words make it seems like your maternal cousin is a good girl, while the girl Alang likes is not. You’re taking your maternal family too seriously.”

“Mom…”

“I know exactly what your family is thinking. Let me tell you, as long as I’m here, no one can plot against Alang.”

“Mom, we’re not plotting against Alang. We just think my cousin is a good match for him.”

“We know exactly what kind of person your cousin is. With someone like that by Alang’s side, his future will be anything but easy,” Qin’s mother said unapologetically, refusing to give her eldest daughter-in-law any face.

Seeing his wife wanting to argue with Madam Qin, Qin Xian stepped in front of her and said, “What are you trying to do?”

“What am I trying to do? Haven’t you heard how Mom spoke?” Qin Xian’s wife said, displeased.

“Is mom wrong? Forget about your cousin. It’s not your place to decide about Alang’s marriage. You better behave,” Qin Xian warned.

Qin’s father glanced at his eldest daughter-in-law and said coldly, “Qin Xian, ask them to leave. You and Qin Shu, come to the study with me. I have something to discuss with you.”

“Yes.”

Qin Xian glanced at his wife and said, “You can do as you wish in our home, as long as it doesn’t harm the Qin family. But if you show disrespect to Mom, when we return, don’t blame me for being impolite to you.”

Qin Shu looked at his wife and said, “You take the children to rest first. I’ll go to the study.”

“Okay.”

Compared to his sister-in-law, Qin Shu felt that his wife was much better. Although she wanted to help the family, she knew her limits, and that was good.

Qin Xian and Qin Shu went to the study. Upon learning about the person Qin Lang liked, Qin Xian furrowed his brow slightly. He then asked, “Dad, will Alang be looked down upon?”

“Don’t worry, he won’t. The family is quite nice. The girl’s cousin has already given his approval, and we’ll see how Alang and the girl get along. If it goes well, we’ll go and propose,” Their father explained.

Qin Xian felt relieved. “That’s good.”

“Later, your mother will take out a portion of her dowry to use as betrothal gifts for Alang. Do you have any objections?” The father asked his two sons.

The two looked at each other and shook their heads. “We have no objections. Mom can use her things however she wants. Besides, the girl Alang likes comes from a high-status family, so we should offer more betrothal gifts to avoid embarrassing Alang in front of the girl’s elders. Alang deserves the best.”

Old man Qin nodded with a smile. “I’m relieved that you both think this way. Qin Xian, you should talk to your wife and advise her not to meddle in matters that don’t concern her.”

“Dad, I understand.”

“Alright, you’ve been on the road for so long. Go and rest.”

After the two brothers left, Qin Shu said, “Big brother, your wife was indeed out of line. Her cousin is quite peculiar. How can she say that she’s suitable for Alang? In the future, Alang will enter officialdom, and having such a wife will undoubtedly make him a target.”

“I know what you mean. The girl Alang likes comes from a high-status family, and there are officials in her family who can help Alang. Besides, in the future, he will have mutual support with Jingyu and the others. It’s quite good,” Qin Xian agreed.

Although the girl Qin Lang liked came from a higher social status, he believed that with Qin Lang’s abilities, he would be able to match up to the girl from the Su family.

“Indeed, ever since Alang met Jingyu, he has seemed much better. We don’t need to worry too much in the future,” they had been concerned that their brother was too reserved and lacked friends. Now it seemed that they had worried too much.

As they walked back to their own courtyard, Qin Xian’s wife approached him. “What did Mom and Dad mean just now?”

The way her mother-in-law had looked at her just now made her feel uneasy and even a little scared.