Chapter 12 Makes Perfect Sense
Seeing Qin Anshun silent, Qin Xiaoruo tentatively asked, "Dad, what do you say?"
Qin Xiaoruo herself had already made a decision. She asked Qin Anshun to see to what extent he could consider his daughter's interests; it was not that she really intended to follow Qin Anshun's opinion. Yet she underestimated the strict separation of genders in this era and overlooked the deeply ingrained feudal mindset of people at that time.
"Xiao Ruo, you are frail and need to be taken care of, but Dad also thinks that you staying at the Fu Family's house..." Whether it was for his daughter's reputation or his own face, Qin Anshun hoped his daughter would come home, but as he met his daughter's increasingly disappointed eyes, his voice gradually faded away.
How could he forget that just a few days ago, he and Lady Woo had left her ill and departed; how could he now have the nerve to ask her to come back?
Just then, Fu Hanwen's deep voice suddenly rang out from outside: "Uncle Anshun, it's Hanwen, may I come in?"
Upon hearing this, not only Qin Anshun and Lady Woo were startled but Qin Xiaoruo as well.
Why had he come?
"Hanwen?" Qin Anshun was so surprised that he almost tripped over his words: "Hurry... come in, please!"
As soon as Qin Anshun's words ended, they saw a tall figure backlit by light, walking in with steady steps and stopping a few steps away from Qin Xiaoruo.
As soon as he entered the room, Fu Hanwen first scanned Qin Xiaoruo from head to toe, making sure she was unharmed before he greeted Qin Anshun; as for Lady Woo, he completely ignored her.
"Hanwen, why have you come? Xiao Ruo, quickly go to the living room and bring a stool in for Hanwen." Qin Anshun seemed to like Fu Hanwen very much, appearing somewhat excited to see him.
"No need, Uncle Anshun, it's getting late, Xiao Ruo and I will be heading back soon," said Fu Hanwen indifferently.p>
Lady Woo's mouth twisted: "Hanwen, why does that sound so awkward to me? Xiao Ruo isn't part of the Fu Family yet as she hasn't married in, how can she go back with you to the Fu Family?"
"The doctor said that Xiao Ruo has been weak for many years. My mother has prepared to nurse her back to health, so it's more convenient if she stays at our house," Fu Hanwen explained without a change in expression.
Qin Xiaoruo wanted to cover her face upon hearing Fu Hanwen's easygoing reply. Just how long had he been listening outside?
If someone were to ask Qin Xiaoruo what the most embarrassing thing in the world was, she would definitely tell him that there's nothing more embarrassing than being caught in a lie and having the person involved help you cover it up right to your face without blushing or losing composure.
Although Fu Hanwen spoke ambiguously, Qin Anshun could hear the discontent in his words; was Hanwen blaming the Qin Family for not having taken good care of Xiao Ruo over the years, causing her to become so frail?
"This isn't proper!" Lady Woo, in a panic, placed her corpulent body in front of Qin Xiaoruo and glared at Fu Hanwen: "You two are not yet married; it's inappropriate for Xiao Ruo to stay at the Fu Family's house. If you don't want her to be drowned in people's spit, you'd best dismiss this idea!"
Hmph, this Mr. Fu sure had wishful thinking—wanting to marry a wife without spending a wen money; did he take her for a fool?
Fu Hanwen didn't even lift an eyelid, calmly countering: "By your reasoning, aren't all those girls who become child brides supposed to be dead from others' spit by now?"
What a point!
Qin Xiaoruo's eyes widened and she nodded emphatically, agreeing.
Lady Woo, angered by Fu Hanwen's words, was almost sent into a rage: "You know that's because they are deemed child brides, but is Xiao Ruo one? You two have only been engaged!"