Chapter 731 - 253: Cousin-in-law, Here Comes the Wolf

Jie Jingshan ignored Qiao Wei’s presence and asked Qin Mei, "Fourth Sister-in-law, should we fill another flask?"

"One flask is enough." Qin Mei lifted the water flask. It was quite heavy. ’If I were going into the mountains with Jie Jingchen, he would do all the manual labor. But going with Qiao Wei...’ Qin Mei glanced at Qiao Wei’s outfit and slung the flask over her own shoulder without a second thought.

"Are you just going to ignore my opinion?" Qiao Wei was clearly displeased. She had talked until her mouth was dry.

"As for your opinion, I suggest you keep it to yourself." Qin Mei sized up Qiao Wei, then hesitated for a moment before deciding to warn her anyway. "I should remind you, we’re going into the mountains. An outfit like that isn’t suitable."

"What’s not suitable about it? I think it’s absolutely perfect." Qiao Wei even did a seductive little twirl in front of her and shot her a flirtatious wink.

Qin Mei opened her mouth, but then closed it without another word. ’If she won’t listen to reason, there’s no point in me saying anything else.’

"Let’s go." Qin Mei slung her bag over one shoulder and the water flask over the other.

Jie Jingshan followed them to Qiao Wei’s car. After the two got in, Jie Jingshan leaned against the open window, looking at Qin Mei with the pitiful expression of an abandoned puppy. "Fourth Sister-in-law, are you sure you won’t consider taking me?"

"You can barely get around. You want us to bring you along just so you can slow us down?" Qiao Wei said bluntly, getting back at Jie Jingshan for ignoring her earlier. ’I went on and on, and they just acted like I was talking to myself, not saying a word. It’s infuriating!’

"Jing Qi, you stay home and focus on your studies," Qin Mei said to Jie Jingshan with a smile. "And if your fourth brother happens to come back, you can cover for us."

Jie Jingshan looked crestfallen. She knew perfectly well that she wouldn’t be any help if she went; she’d only be a burden.

"Then you two be careful," Jie Jingshan urged.

"Enough already, move it! I’m starting the car. If we waste any more time, we won’t even make it to the mountains before dark," Qiao Wei snapped.

"Cousin, take good care of my fourth sister-in-law," Jie Jingshan said to Qiao Wei.

Qiao Wei rolled her eyes. "I’m not your flaky aunt. Leave your sister-in-law to me. I promise I’ll bring her back in one piece."

Jie Jingshan still looked reluctant to let them go, so Qiao Wei reached out, pulled her hands off the window, and sped away.

Jie Jingshan took a few steps forward, watching until Qiao Wei’s car vanished from sight. She stood there, lost in thought, for a long time.

"Miss, where is Miss Wei taking the Eldest Young Madam?" the butler couldn’t help but ask.

The Eldest Young Master had only given instructions not to let the Eldest Young Madam go out with Miss Jiali; he hadn’t said anything about her going out with Miss Wei. The butler hadn’t been in a position to stop them, and was now wondering whether he should report this to the Eldest Young Master.

Jie Jingshan snapped out of her daze and gave the butler a wide smile. "My aunt wanted to see my sister-in-law, so my cousin is taking her over for a visit."

This was the excuse Qiao Wei had come up with. It wouldn’t hold up for long, but it would buy them some time.

Hearing that Miss Wei was taking the Eldest Young Madam to the Governor Mansion, the butler had no further suspicions. Then a thought occurred to him, and he asked, "Miss, why didn’t you go along?"

"I’m busy," Jie Jingshan said evasively.

The butler was skeptical. ’Busy? Busy with what? Her studies?’

’The young miss is truly diligent about her studies, and this is indeed the age when she should be focusing on them.’

As Jie Jingshan returned to her room, the butler decided to call the hospital and report to Jie Jingchen anyway. Jie Jingchen wasn’t there, but her maternal grandfather and grandmother were. Her grandfather hung up the phone, his aged but piercing gaze fixed sharply on Qiao Yanchun.

"Eldest Uncle, why are you looking at me like that?" Qiao Yanchun was a few months younger than Qiao Yanqiu, but she had maintained herself so well that she looked to be in her early thirties.

"Your daughter has taken my eldest grandson’s wife to your home," the grandfather said.

"Uncle, are you suggesting I should go home and give your grandson’s wife a grand reception?" Qiao Yanchun asked with an elegant smile.

Qiao Yanqiu’s elegant smile was warm and approachable. Qiao Yanchun’s elegant smile, however, was aloof and carried a hint of intimidation.

The grandfather’s expression was complicated as he looked at Qiao Yanchun. "The reason your daughter gave for taking her there was that you wanted to see her."

"..." Qiao Yanchun was speechless.

’It was true that she was very curious about Qin Mei. For one, she had healed Jing Shan’s leg. For another, she had used her sister, Qiao Yanqiu, leveraging her identity to swindle a million from the German Merchant.’

’She’d wanted to meet Qin Mei, but Jing Chen wouldn’t allow it. His excuse was that Qin Mei was as timid as a mouse and he was afraid she would be frightened. Timid as a mouse? This was a woman who had supposedly stabbed the German Merchant 108 times—an attack medically identified as a ’minor injury’—and not only avoided paying compensation but had turned the tables and swindled a fortune out of him. That wasn’t timid. That was outrageously audacious.’

’She had come to the hospital specifically to meet Qin Mei, and to check on Jiali while she was at it. She’d seen Jiali, but Qin Mei was nowhere to be found.’

"Yanchun," the grandfather said, his tone laden with meaning, "you really ought to keep a tighter rein on that daughter of yours, Qiao Wei."