Chapter 10: Should Have Kept a Low Profile

If you want to eat well, bring your silver.

Xie Shi stared at Qin Liuxi’s slender, white fingers, her face turning red with embarrassment.

Money, where did she have any money?

Even if she had some, it was just a tiny bit, and she didn’t dare to take it out casually, otherwise, if she needed silver in the future, there would be nothing left.

“What, what silver!” Her eyes darted around, and she stammered, “You know our family’s situation, how could I have any silver!”

Qin Liuxi smiled, “Oh, Second Aunt, you’re finally clear-headed, knowing the Qin family’s situation. I thought you were naturally optimistic, knowing but pretending it didn’t matter, still living the good life surrounded by servants, discussing the latest jewelry from silver shops, the newest fabrics from tailors, or eating so much delicacy that you’d be sick of it.”

These words felt like a slap in the face, making everyone present feel a burning sensation and become more清醒.

Indeed, the Qin family was no longer the high-ranking official family it once was, but an ordinary family that had been stripped of their assets. They could no longer live the high life with servants attending to their every need, discussing the latest jewelry and fabrics, or eating so much delicacy that they’d be sick of it.

All these luxurious things were now far from them, no longer existing.

Everyone looked at the dishes on the table, feeling a chill in their hearts. If they couldn’t live the luxurious life, they might not even be able to eat meat, because the men in their family had been exiled, and they, the women and children, who were weak and powerless, couldn’t earn any silver.

Panic and confusion once again enveloped them like a dark cloud, making it hard to breathe.

Xie Shi felt humiliated.

But soon, she turned her face cold. She was, after all, an elder, and this girl was really not showing respect.

Just as she was about to speak, Qin Liuxi looked at Qin Mingyue and asked, “Sister, have you recognized the current situation? It’s not wrong to think of yourself as a noble young lady, but you must also consider the reality, right?”

Not recognizing the situation was a big deal. Qin Mingyue’s eyes seemed to sink, as if trying to hide. According to physiognomy, this indicated that her marriage life would be full of difficulties. This cousin of hers had an unstable temperament, prone to anger and joy, and her future marriage prospects would likely be poor, making her home life unstable.

Qin Mingyue stiffened, bit her lip, and said in a slightly thin voice, “Even if I am not a noble young lady, neither is Big Sister.”

They were all members of the Qin family, and one stroke could not write two different Qins. If they were in trouble, she was no different, just a commoner. Moreover, she was a secondary daughter registered under her birth mother, how could she be more noble than anyone else?

Thinking this, she straightened her chest.

“Oh, I’m a bit different from you. I’ve always seen myself as an orphan!” Qin Liuxi said casually.

Qin Mingyue: “!”

Wang Shi and Aunt Wan: “……”

They were still standing there alive!

Xie Shi seized the opportunity and said, “Big Sister, look, this girl really needs to be properly educated. Isn’t this cursing you and Big Brother?”

Qin Liuxi snorted coldly.

She had been raised in the old house since she was young, and now they were talking about education. She wanted to see who dared to bring this up!

Wang Shi said, “Second Sister-in-law, what Xi said makes some sense. Our Qin family is not what it used to be. We need to live frugally, not like the luxurious life we had before. If you really want to add some dishes, you can take out some of your private savings and have Aunt Li make them for you.”

“You Big Sister is right!”

A weak voice came from the doorway.

Everyone looked over and saw that Qin’s grandmother was being supported by Aunt Ding as she walked in. They all greeted her respectfully.

“Grandmother.”

“May the grandmother be well.”

“Mother.” Wang Shi stepped forward to support her, her voice filled with concern, “Why did you come?”

Qin’s grandmother sat in the main seat, looked around, and said with a stern face, “If I didn’t come, you would all forget that we are the Qin family, who have been stripped of our assets by the Emperor and should keep a low profile.”

(End of Chapter)