Night fell, and Qin Miaomiao spent the entire day with Mr. Jiu, drinking tea, fishing, teasing birds, watching him practice calligraphy, and finally sharing a meal together.
Mr. Jiu seemed to be in excellent spirits, taking all the gifts brought by the visitors to Liyuan but refusing to meet anyone in person.
Even Mo Wenwan was stopped outside the door; she had brought a fine piece of jade, yet Mr. Jiu did not so much as glance at her.
When Mo Wenwan heard from the steward that Mr. Jiu wasn’t seeing guests, her expression stiffened for a moment, but she forcibly squeezed out a small smile:
"Steward, I only wish to meet Mr. Jiu. It’s his birthday celebration, after all. I wanted to deliver this gift into his hands personally."
The steward replied coolly:
"Apologies, Miss Mo, but there is an honored guest in Liyuan. Mr. Jiu has instructed that no visitors are to be admitted."
Mo Wenwan suppressed her irritation and asked:
"What kind of esteemed guest commands such privilege?"
The steward replied with polite detachment:
"Miss Mo, it’s better if you don’t inquire further."
Mo Wenwan was insistent and demanded in a low tone:
"It’s Qin Miaomiao, isn’t it?"
"Since Miss Mo already knows, there’s nothing more for me to say."
She was so enraged she almost slammed the gift box she held onto the ground! Yet she forced herself to breathe deep and composed an expression of pitiable vulnerability:
"Perhaps Mr. Jiu is still angry at me because of the incident last time. Steward, this Lantian Jade was obtained at great effort through my connections. Although it may not be exceedingly precious, it represents my heartfelt sincerity. I ask you to pass it on to him, and please plead on my behalf. It was my failure to teach my brother properly that caused him to offend Mr. Jiu—that error falls entirely upon me. Tell him not to be angry at us; ruining his health over this matter would only make things worse."
The steward, moved by her earnest words and delicate demeanor, softened his stance slightly and replied in a quiet voice:
"Miss Mo, I will accept the gift on Mr. Jiu’s behalf, but you should return home for now."
Mo Wenwan sighed deeply and said, "Steward, it is my fault for upsetting Mr. Jiu. Let me see him, just for a brief moment. I would rather endure his scolding and punishment than accept being turned away."
The steward looked troubled. "This is putting me in a difficult position, isn’t it?"
Mo Wenwan’s eyes reddened as she pleaded pitifully, "Steward, my life was saved by Mr. Jiu. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be alive today. If he refuses to see me, then I will stay outside the door and refuse to leave."
The steward found himself helpless and could only report the matter inside.
When Mr. Jiu heard about it, his brow arched ever so slightly. "Refusing to leave?"
"Indeed, Mr. Jiu. I see that Miss Mo’s attitude seems quite sincere. Perhaps it would be best to let her in? She is unwell, and the weather outside is cold. If she suffers frostbite, wouldn’t that be unfortunate?"
Qin Miaomiao, who was steeping tea, curled her lips faintly. This Mo Wenwan was rather capable—she had even managed to get the steward to speak on her behalf.
Mr. Jiu glanced at her and asked indifferently, "Little Jin’er, what do you think? Should we let her in or not?"
Qin Miaomiao smiled softly. "Publicly, she has always referred to herself as Ninth Uncle’s foster daughter. If we don’t let her in, people will gossip and say Ninth Uncle mistreats his foster daughter. That wouldn’t be ideal."
"From the way you say it, I feel like you’re mocking me."
"How could I dare? I’m always so well-behaved. How’s the tea I just brewed—does it taste good?" Read full story at novel·fire·net
"Not bad. Your tea-making skills have certainly improved. Steward, your heart is becoming more and more lenient. Let her in."
The steward began to sweat nervously. Serving Mr. Jiu for so many years, he was well aware of his temper—it was clear that Mr. Jiu did not favor Mo Wenwan at the moment. Speaking on her behalf had clearly breached Mr. Jiu’s unspoken rules.
Regret surged through him, but it was already too late. He had no choice but to steel himself and invite Mo Wenwan inside.
Shortly thereafter, she entered hesitantly. Her eyes quickly fell upon Qin Miaomiao, who sat directly across from Mr. Jiu, holding a white chess piece poised over the board.
Just as she placed her move, Mr. Jiu chuckled and said, "Are you sure about that placement? If I play here, you’ll lose the game."