Ling Manshuang stood up, "Jun Yao, what's wrong with you?"
"It's nothing, her hand cramped."
Zhao Liangcai happened to be walking by and overheard their conversation. When Ling Manshuang mentioned rats, he knew trouble was brewing.
"Cramped? Do you need a doctor?"
"No," Qin Junyao forced a smile, secretly grabbing Zhao Liangcai's hand to stop him from speaking.
She said to Ling Manshuang, "She'll feel better soon. Doctor Sheng's rat poison is very effective, we don't have any mice at home."
Qin Junyao looked relatively normal, aside from a slight paleness, only Zhao Liangcai knew how tightly she was gripping his hand.
"Is that so? I've been thinking of collaborating with Doctor Sheng to sell these ready-made medicines. This sachet would surely be popular in Jiangnan."
"Sister, Auntie Fu is here," Qin Xiaoyu, dressed in a small pink dress, ran over.
This dress was bought by Qin Junyao from a clothing store in the spring. Qin's mother, afraid Qin Xiaoyu would dirty it, had only let her wear it today.
Zhao Liangcai's brow furrowed, his hands clenched.
"Don't act rashly, this is my home," Qin Junyao felt the force in his hand and reminded Zhao Liangcai.
Seeing Qin Junyao and Zhao Liangcai's reactions, Ling Manshuang gestured for Zhuye to go and check outside.
There was no wind that afternoon. The Qin family was preparing to eat dinner outdoors, as it was more convenient to roast the wild boar outside.
The soldiers under Zhao Liangcai who had been carrying the pig were supposed to return to Salt Lake, but Qin's father had kept them. After helping with chores all afternoon, they couldn't be left unfed.
To make them feel more at ease, their dining table was set near the courtyard gate, with the men's table inside and the women's table further in.
When the Qian family of three arrived, they saw two soldiers setting out bowls and chopsticks. Looking further inside, there were two carriages, which didn't look impressive from the outside. Two racks held wild boars roasting over wood fires below, and several temporary stoves were set up, with something simmering in pots.
Zhao Rui was the first to spot the man in white talking to Suozi. She tried to enter the courtyard but was stopped by Qian shi.
Qin's mother, holding a ladle to check how the pork knuckles were stewing, met the three of them head-on.
"Guest, guest mother has arrived," Qin's mother said, turning to look for her mother-in-law.
Grandma Qin kicked the tethered wild boar, causing it to squeal. She clapped her hands and walked to a spot not far from Qin's mother, standing still without welcoming them or speaking.
Qian shi expected the head of the Qin family to invite her in and was now in an awkward position. Qin's father was about to approach but was held back by his second brother, Qin Lin. For a moment, only Qin's mother faced the Qian family of three alone.
"Heh heh, guest mother, are you here for something?" Seeing Qian shi remain silent and her mother-in-law not coming forward, Qin's mother had to brace herself and ask.
Zhao Rui rolled her eyes, "You still call me mother-in-law? What, do I have to have a reason to visit your home?"
"You received so many good things from my brother, and we can't even come here?"
Zhao Rui's words made Qin's mother blush and turn pale.
Zhuye had only heard these two sentences before returning to report to her master.
Since Grandma Qin didn't step forward, none of the other Qin family members dared to, only glaring at Zhao Rui. Zhao Rui, being glared at, wouldn't tolerate it.
Her words, half sarcastic and half stinging, never stopped. Even so, Grandma Qin didn't step forward to tell these three to leave or to stay.
Inside the courtyard, Qin Junyao had recovered from the shock of the rat incident. After hearing Zhuye's report, she was about to go to the front. If her own mother couldn't handle one of the Qian family trio, how could she manage three?
Ling Manshuang stood up and patted Qin Junyao's shoulder, "Jun Yao, don't worry. You are the last person who should speak or take a stand. Your two families are discussing marriage, and no mistakes should happen before the wedding."
"You're dressed so beautifully today, bring out the confidence you have when playing the zither. Sister will help you play."
"General Zhao, do you have any objections?"
Zhao Liangcai took half a step back and raised his hand, "Please."