As soon as this matter was ntioned, the smile disappeared from Qin Yueshi’s face.
"What else can I think? Last night, mother-in-law was still talking to about Wan’er. It seems she still wants to scrape together silver for Qín Wan’er. She doesn’t think about the fact that the old Clan Leader just passed away, and we haven’t taken any short-term jobs, so where would we get the silver to give her. Her face looked very unhappy, and by the end, she was thinking of sending Shuang’er to Yongzhou to serve Qin Wan’er."
Su Pan’er abruptly raised her head, a look of surprise on her face, "Did mother-in-law say this herself?"
"Indeed."
The smile on Qin Yueshi’s face was filled with bitterness, "In her heart, there is only Qin Wan’er, as if other people’s daughters are worthless, all expendable. She can grind them down however she wants!"
As she spoke, her eyes suddenly reddened.
It made Su Pan’er’s heart ache.
"I’ve said before I would make Shuang’er Yan Yan’s study companion. If she says that again next ti, just tell mother-in-law to co to ."
"With your words, I finally feel at ease."
Qin Yueshi sighed deeply, her gaze falling on Qin Shuan’er and Qin Yanyan at the other end of the room, "There’s also the matter of Qin Hui’s marriage. They are growing up day by day, all the family’s copper coin inco has to be handed over, we don’t have any spare money on hand, how should we deal with this? It’s worrying to death..."
"Since you also know where the problem lies, shouldn’t you consider standing up for yourself first before addressing subsequent matters? Shouldn’t you think it over thoroughly?"
Su Pan’er advised earnestly, but she didn’t offer further help.
The saying goes, "A rise in rice is a disgrace, a fight in rice is enmity." There are places where she could help, naturally, but although this matter was related to money, it wasn’t just about the money.
"I also know that I should stand up for myself, but after all...they are my in-laws," Qin Yueshi said with a long sigh.
However, Su Pan’er no longer spoke. A mother-in-law like Mrs. Qin-Li, who only cared about her own daughter, made it impossible for Qin Yueshi to stand up for herself; no matter how hard others tried to help, it would be futile.
That evening, the Qin family mbers still went to the ancestral hall for dinner.
Using the excuse of feeling unwell due to her pregnancy, Su Pan’er did not go and stayed at ho. Since she did not go, Yan Yan naturally stayed as well.
According to what her elder brother Qin Yu said when he returned, the clan had also announced the election of the next Clan Leader during the dinner, and it was the eldest son of the main family. It was generally agreed that the eldest son of the main family should beco the Clan Leader, with virtually no opposition, so the decision was settled.
After that, so trivial matters were arranged, such as the Qin clan communities dividing up so accounting cloth and food, snacks and the like, which belonged to Qin Yi. Qin Yu also handed Su Pan’er her share.
When Su Pan’er heard that the eldest son of the main family had beco the new Clan Leader, she did not say much and thanked her elder brother.
In the evening, Su Pan’er personally roasted a whole roast lamb as a reward for the rascal pig, who greedily ate almost everything, skin and bones included, leaving just a small piece of lamb leg for Yan Yan, prompting her to repeatedly call it stingy.
But the rascal pig conveniently ignored her, blissfully indulging in its al.
After the whole roast lamb was eaten up, Su Pan’er took out so vegetables and handed them to it, "I know you don’t like green vegetables, but you should eat so, lest you get ’heaty’."
This made the rascal pig wag its little pigtail joyfully.
"It’s you, Pan’er, who cares about , hehe..."
These words made Su Pan’er laugh.
"Hurry up and eat. After you’re done, I have a task for you."
"Ah, you’re not going to make run errands again, are you?"
Rascal pig let out a wail of despair.
"Stop howling so wildly. What if you scare soone? Eat up!"
Su Pan’er scolded the bawling rascal pig. Although she understood the rascal pig’s cries, to anyone outside, it just sounded like a pig was squealing and creating a ruckus.
"Alas, my life is so hard," lanted the rascal pig as it feigned misery and continuously shook its pig head. Once it had thoroughly eaten its fill, it stood up: "Spit it out then, what errand do you want to run this ti?"
"It’s simple. I need you to deliver a letter for ..."
Su Pan’er had no idea where Qin Yi’s great army was or what their situation was.
Since she was getting help from rascal pig to deliver the letter, the Su Family had food and other supplies stored in the tunnels of the Qin Mansion. It made sense to have rascal pig help transport them en route.
The letter, naturally, had to be written by Su Pan’er herself.
Su Pan’er picked up her pen and after a mont of thought, wrote to Qin Yi, first assuring him of her and Yan Yan’s well-being, then recounting the details of the initial ambush they suffered. She also ntioned the passing of the old Clan Leader and the status of their parents. Only at the end did she touch upon the iron piece entrusted to her by the old Clan Leader and shared her speculations.
The contents of the letter were extensive. Su Pan’er spent nearly ten pages to get all her ssages down. She placed them into an envelope, thought for a mont, and added the iron piece as well. After carefully sealing it, she handed it to the rascal pig.
"While I don’t know Qin Yi’s exact location, the Great Army most likely continues to march northward. There are only so many passable roads heading north, and he must pass through Xiangyang City on his way. To find him, simply follow the road northward to Xiangyang."
Su Pan’er took out a map and detailed the general direction of Qin Yi’s march for rascal pig, then handed over an extra bag of snacks.
"These treats are for you to eat on your way. Once you’ve delivered the letter, obey Qin Yi’s commands. If he asks you to stay, you stay. If he tells you to co back, you co back. Don’t worry, whether it is he or I who give the order, the whole roast lamb will be waiting for you."
That was music to its ears!
Rascal pig was delighted, his pig mouth wide open, squinting his little piggy eyes with a smile.
"Consider it done! Pan’er, rest assured, I, the grand pig, promise to deliver the letter safely to that lad. And you’d better rember what you promised about the whole roast lamb; I’m off!"
With that said, the silhouette dashed into the night.
"And don’t forget about those provisions! Make absolutely sure to rember!"
Su Pan’er called out, her voice filled with unease.
Whether the rascal pig heard her as it wagged its tail was anyone’s guess.
Having sent the rascal pig on its way, Su Pan’er turned her attention to the now-empty granary, contemplating where she should obtain more provisions to restock it. In the past, besides a small portion sourced locally, most of the food was bought from outer territories by Lui Muyi on large ships.
Now, to buy provisions again, her first thought was of the Lui Family!
The thought of the Lui Family inevitably brought Lui Muyi to mind, and thinking of him inevitably made Su Pan’er think of Su Xian’er, which made her feel a wave of discomfort.
Once Su Xian’er ca to mind, Su Pan’er suddenly rembered the branches of the Su Family that had moved away, wondering how they were getting on.
Because of the arrangents following the old Clan Leader’s death, Old Xue had also been temporarily staying at the Qin Mansion. Now that the funeral affairs were settled, he was preparing to leave.
"I was recuperating from my injuries before, and now that my wounds have mostly healed, it’s ti for to send soone to check on Taohua Valley, too. It’s the legacy left by my master; I can’t let it be destroyed on my watch!"
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