My Lady Always Lacks Ambition

Chapter 671 - 655: Not Arguing with Fools about Right and Wrong

Qin Liuxi returned to the mansion through a side door in the annex, thereby not alarming anyone nor making a fuss. Yet with a guest having arrived specifically for Qin Liuxi, it was natural that some kept an eye on the activities in the annex. Indeed, not even half an hour had passed since she entered the courtyard when someone already came to visit.

The visitors were the sisters Qin Mingyue and a young man about twenty, Mrs. Wang’s own nephew, Wang Yuqian.

Wang Yuqian had long since learned of Qin Liuxi’s temperament and behavior from the servant Mrs. Zhang, and was repeatedly cautioned by his grandmother. Thus, he had already formed an image of this ’cousin’ who had joined the Taoist Sect: aloof, solitary, non-conformist, with a strong sense of personal opinion.

However, he harbored some skepticism towards her medical skills.

After all, Qin Liuxi was very young, merely sixteen years of age. Even with outstanding medical skills, her knowledge must be limited, right?

But as soon as the Quan family heard the news from their household, they promptly packed up and set off, so he could only follow and rendezvous with them, traveling thousands of miles together to their aunt’s home in Li City.

He didn’t understand why the Quan family was so eager.

Wang Yuqian was taken aback for a moment when he saw Qin Liuxi.

Among girls of her age, she was quite tall, with a face that was not feminine but rather androgynous, far more recognizable than many conventional-looking ladies.

And her height, plus her attire, if she were to walk outside, wouldn’t she be mistaken for a young man?

Wang Yuqian’s gaze fell on the clothes she was wearing. A green dress, if he was not mistaken, was Tianrui Silk, with gold thread outlining incomprehensible runes. It seemed to shimmer slightly as if brushed by golden light.

And her full head of black hair was secured with just a single jade hairpin, revealing a smooth and full forehead. Beneath her prominent brows were a pair of dark and bright eyes.

Under Qin Liuxi’s gaze, Wang Yuqian subconsciously stood up straight, his face lacking the gentle smile he had for other ’cousins’ of the Qin family, instead showing restraint and unease.

Damn it.

Facing Qin Liuxi, he had the strange illusion of being stripped naked and seen right through, which made him dare not to behave frivolously in her presence.

"Big sister, you’re back. This is cousin Wang Yuqian from Shandong, my legitimate mother’s nephew from her maternal home. He has come to visit us and has been here for some days," Qin Mingyue stepped forward and introduced with feigned generosity, then said to Wang Yuqian, "Cousin, this is our big sister who has joined the Taoist Sect since she was young, a monk."

Wang Yuqian stepped forward and performed a courteous salutation: "Greetings, cousin."

At hearing the term ’cousin’, Qin Mingyue clenched the handkerchief in her hand. Although she also referred to Wang Yuqian as ’cousin’, it was just a respectful title following Qin Liuxi. In terms of closeness, she definitely could not compare to Qin Liuxi, the true cousin. Wang Yuqian would only address Qin Mingyue by her full name in addition to calling her cousin, unlike with Qin Liuxi, where he used only the term ’cousin.’

Qin Liuxi hummed a response, looking at Qin Mingyue and said, "Since he is a guest from afar, why did you lead him here at random? If the elders are not present, guests should be asked to wait in the parlor."

Bringing an unrelated man to her courtyard, what happened to the teachings of female etiquette she had learned in the past? Had they gone to the dogs?

Even if introductions were necessary, it wasn’t the place for a young lady to do it. The elders of the family were not gone after all.

If word got out, a person who has left the secular world like her might not care, but what about the reputation of the other young ladies in the Qin family?

Hearing the criticism in Qin Liuxi’s tone, Qin Mingyue’s face suddenly flushed red with embarrassment.

Wang Yuqian did not expect Qin Liuxi to criticize someone upon their first meeting, and even though she was criticizing Qin Mingyue, the words also pointed out his own impoliteness, leaving him somewhat embarrassed.

"Big sister, we just heard that you had returned and came to greet you," Qin Mingxin explained somewhat irritably.

Qin Liuxi indifferently said, "You are quite well-informed then; I had just entered and you heard the news? But even if you wanted to greet me, there was no need to lead an unrelated man here. If male members such as Qin Mingqi and Qin Mingchun are not around, you should have waited in the elder’s room. The Qin family may have declined, but it is not an excuse for you to ignore the rules."

"You!"

Qin Mingyue stopped Qin Mingxin, then apologetically said, "Big sister, don’t be angry, it’s my fault, I didn’t think that we shouldn’t just barge into your area."

Wang Yuqian frowned.

Qin Liuxi glanced sideways and said, "Put away your petty tricks. Deceiving is of no benefit to you, and it can’t hurt me. If you think a girl like you, whose marriage is not yet arranged, can just walk about with a man freely and it’s not a big deal, then do as you please. Just do not drag your sisters into trouble."

What nonsense, with just these few words, she thinks she can blind me with deceit? Does she think I’m a fool?

Qin Mingyue’s face turned pale, and she struggled to stand steady, her handkerchief in hand crumbled like a pickled vegetable. She retorted, "I, I just thought that since cousin is not an outsider..."

"Not an outsider, but still a man, isn’t he? So you two can just barge in recklessly?" Qin Liuxi rebuked coldly, "Even I, now a recluse from the world, am aware of the rules and etiquettes within our clan. What about you?"

These words were just short of accusing Wang Yuqian of having no regard for propriety between men and women.

Wang Yuqian was extremely embarrassed.

Qin Liuxi no longer looked at Qin Mingyue and said to Wang Yuqian, "Let’s go speak to mother."

She didn’t care for their opinions and took the lead.

Qin Mingyue walked to Wang Yuqian’s side and wept, "Cousin from the Wang family, my eldest sister has a bit of a temper; please don’t fault her."

Wang Yuqian glanced at her and stepped aside, "She’s right. It was impolite of me. I should have waited at my aunt’s place."

Qin Mingyue, in desperation, said, "You were only anxious about Mr. Quan’s illness; it’s an understandable mistake. How can I blame you?"

Wang Yuqian thought, are these words meant to excuse me, or to confirm my fault?

Truth be told, it was she who had insisted on inviting him over. He had intended to return to his aunt’s side and wait, but he couldn’t resist her persuasive words, so he followed her here.

And as a result, he was rebuked by his younger cousin.

Wang Yuqian felt somewhat dejected; he wasn’t someone that lacked manners, so how did he end up making such a blunder?

Perhaps it was contagious from Qin Mingyue?

Wang Yuqian stepped back and said, "I will go to my aunt’s place first."

Qin Mingyue saw him scamper off so quickly, and stamped her foot in anger. Cousin from the Wang family was always very gentle with her, but suddenly in Qin Liuxi’s presence, he treated her like she was a monster of a flood!

Qin Liuxi was just obstructing her path to success.

Qin Liuyue’s eyes were filled with profound grievance and irritation, tears swirling within.

"Elder sister is too arrogant. She doesn’t put us in her eyes at all, and scolded us in front of cousin, showing no sisterly affection at all. It’s too much!" Qin Mingxin huffed and puffed.

Qin Mingyue was about to say something when behind them, at the entrance of the courtyard, a conversation was heard.

"Senior brother, why do they wish to scold the master?" A childish girl’s voice inquired.

Teng Zhao responded indifferently, "Perhaps because they are foolish."

"Oh, why are they so foolish?"

"Because jealousy can disfigure one’s appearance and twist the mind, making them foolish."

Qin Mingyue, enraged, spun around.

Bang!

The courtyard door was shut forcefully in their faces, not to argue with fools.