In the study, Mr. Jiu sat upright at the desk, his expression... somewhat awkward.
Qin Miaomiao sat to the side, her face pale. Lu Qing also sat nearby, sipping tea with a hint of schadenfreude in his demeanor.
The study housed only the three of them, and the atmosphere was slightly heavy.
After a moment of silence, Mr. Jiu finally spoke:
"She’s a Mo Family member, and her health has always been poor. I took care of her for a year, and thereafter arranged for people to keep watch over her."
Qin Miaomiao raised her eyebrow, with her lips curling upward slightly—however, the expression appeared somewhat eerie no matter how one saw it.
Mr. Jiu glanced at her. Little Jin’er seemed quite upset—how should he coax her?
"Not exactly, she’s not listed under my name."
At that moment, Lu Qing interjected with a remark:
"Publicly, the Mo Family claims she’s your foster daughter."
So, old man, spare your explanations. You’ve already got yourself a foster daughter, yet you still want to pull my wife onto your family genealogy? Dream on!
"She hasn’t been added to the Su Family’s genealogy."
Impudent brat, don’t assume you can sow discord!
Qin Miaomiao abruptly stood up: "Forget it, Ninth Uncle. As for the genealogy matter, we’ll discuss it another time. You take care and rest well—I’ll be heading back."
Mr. Jiu hastily called out: "Not staying for the holiday?"
"You already have someone here who went out of their way to keep you company. I won’t intrude on the fun."
With that, she turned and left without the slightest hesitation.
Lu Qing rose unhurriedly, his schadenfreude was unmistakable, and he said indifferently:
"Mr. Jiu, I’ll take my leave."
Mr. Jiu, who had always been a commanding presence, felt unprecedentedly at a loss. Little Jin’er seemed angry—how should he placate her?
As soon as they exited the study, they ran into Mo Wenwan. Her lips curled upwards as she smiled faintly and said:
"Miss Qin, Mr. Jiu has always had the hobby of keeping cats and dogs around for amusement. But don’t take it seriously."
Qin Miaomiao glanced at her and sneered, "Oh? So, Miss Mo, you enjoy comparing yourself to cats and dogs?"
Sharp-tongued indeed. Mo Wenwan’s expression shifted slightly. Upon noticing Lu Qing emerge, she grinned and said:
"Sister-in-law, why not stay the night? Although Mr. Jiu doesn’t like keeping guests, he might make an exception for me."
Her bearing was nothing short of that of a self-proclaimed mistress of the household, which thoroughly annoyed her.
"Thank you for your kind offer, but there’s no need."
With that, she turned and strode off.
Mo Wenwan scoffed disdainfully. It seemed this was all the strategy she had—utterly incapable of patience. Clearly, Mo Wenwan had overestimated her.
She turned around to see Lu Qing, a flicker of delight crossing her face as she approached with a trace of intimacy:
"Brother Qing, I’m back."
Lu Qing glanced at her and said blandly:
"You look well. Has your illness fully recovered?"
"Mm, the doctor said I’m recovering nicely. Brother Qing, when do you plan to divorce her?"
Not a ripple showed on Lu Qing’s face, but his words were firm and deliberate:
"I’m not divorcing her."
Mo Wenwan’s face went pale, her shock evident: "But you said you were going to marry me."
Almost instinctively, she wrapped her arms around his, but he brushed her off. His demeanor was icy, and the look in his eyes was devoid of warmth:
"That was when we were young. You should forget those things."
With that, he walked away without a backward glance.
Mo Wenwan’s face grew cold, inch by inch. What was promised should remain for a lifetime. She hadn’t forgotten, and neither should he!
At this moment, the butler stood behind her, his voice steady as he spoke:
"Miss Mo, please leave."
Mo Wenwan’s expression grew awkward as she subdued her emotions and said in a low voice:
"Is this Mr. Jiu’s order?"
"Yes. Liyuan has never accommodated outsiders."
Mo Wenwan’s face flushed with humiliation. Not accommodate outsiders? Yet she’d heard Qin Miaomiao had been frequenting Liyuan lately—even staying there!
So she’s not considered an outsider?
Even calling him Ninth Uncle, Mr. Jiu—what gives her the right!