Chapter 624: The First Encounter Between Ninth Uncle and Elder Qiang
Chapter 624: The First Encounter Between Ninth Uncle and Elder Qiang
The next day
After having lunch with Hou Yunjiao, Hou Qiang hurriedly approached them from outside the door.
He walked up to them and respectfully informed the Third Master, who was sitting beside Qin Ruan, "Master, Uncle has arrived."
"Ask him to come to the small building; I'll go over later."
As soon as Hou Yunjiao words fell, Qin Ruan immediately interjected, "No, you can't go out today!"
She frowned, her beautiful eyes glaring at the man next to her with displeasure, "It's overcast today, you can't go outside."
Hou Yunjiao looked slightly puzzled, then smiled, "It's just a few steps."
Qin Ruan wrapped her arm around his and physically stopped him, "No, it's not allowed. It's windy outside."
His body couldn't handle any disturbance.
He had been coughing up blood just a couple of days ago, secretly hiding it from her.
With the temperature dropping today, there was no way she would let him leave the room.
Since waking up in the morning, the awkwardness between Qin Ruan and the Third Master had disappeared without a trace, returning to their usual ease.
Hou Yunjiao looked down at the hands holding onto his arm, and a faint smile flashed through Qin Ruan's eyes.
He narrowed his eyes and touched her slightly swollen cheeks, "Alright, I'll listen to you."
In fact, the reason he arranged to meet Ninth Uncle the small building was for another purpose.
Yesterday, Qin Ruan had her first encounter with the Punishment Hall in that place.
By doing so, he wanted to tell Ninth Uncle that it was inevitable for Qin Ruan to take over the Punishment Hall.
Seeing Qin Ruan's attitude now, he felt somewhat helpless.
Hou Yunjiao told Hua Qiang, "Bring him to the reception room; we'll go there later."
Hou Qiang acknowledged and left.
Before leaving, he glanced at Qin Ruan, who was holding onto the Third Young Master's arm.
It seemed like Madam had a strong influence.
He also disagreed with the Third Young Master going out. It was chilly today, and there was wind outside.
If the Master got sick because of this, it would be more trouble than it was worth.
After Hou Qiang left, Qin Ruan released her hand wrapped around the Hou Yunjiao arm.
She asked aloud, "How old is Ninth Uncle?"
Hou Yunjiao thought for a moment, "He's in his seventies, a bit older than Grandfather."
Worry filled Qin Ruan's face as she sighed lightly, "Then maybe I shouldn't meet him."
"Why?" Hou Yunjiao asked.
"What if I speak too straightforwardly and offend the old man? That would be a disaster," Qin Ruan said.
Hou Yunjiao was amused by her words, "Ninth Uncle is not that fragile. He has been through a lot in his life and can handle it."
Qin Ruan blinked, unwilling to give up, "But what if, by any chance?"
Seeing her worried expression, the elegant and noble Hou Yunjiao showed a gentle smile like a spring breeze.
His deep eyes were filled with a compassionate look, and his words were not particularly gentle, "If that happens, Ninth Uncle can enjoy his retirement. At his age, he should retire anyway."
With his words, Qin Ruan felt relieved, "Alright, I'll go upstairs to change my clothes."
She hadn't planned to go out today, so she was still wearing casual clothes.
It wasn't appropriate to meet someone while dressed like this.
"I'll accompany you."
Ninth Uncle held Qin Ruan's hand and stood up, walking together toward the stairs.
Half an hour later.
Qin Ruan, wearing a stylish and fresh dress and draped in a light-colored long shirt, held the Hou Yunjiao's arm as they headed to the reception room.
The reception room's decoration and atmosphere were peaceful and quiet, making people feel comfortable and relaxed.
An elderly man dressed in traditional Chinese clothing sat energetically on the slightly Chinese-style seat, while Hou Qiang stood by his side.
When Hou Yunjiao and Qin Ruan approached, the old man noticed them.
His originally dignified face instantly turned kind and amiable, exuding an aura of approachability.
Ninth Uncle, one of the elders of the Hou family.
He smiled and greeted Hou Yunjiao affectionately, "Yunjiao, it's been a while since I last saw you."
Hou Yunjiao's thin lips curved with a hint of dignity as he spoke indifferently, "Ninth Uncle, you say that, but if you want to see me, it's not like you can do it anytime. I've been busy lately, almost forgot about this life of mine coming to an end."
Upon hearing this, both Ninth Uncle and Qin Ruan's expressions changed.
Ninth Uncle showed a displeased expression, his wise eyes fixed on Hua Yunqiao as he disapproved, "You brat, why do you say such nonsense!"
Ninth Uncle chuckled, "Just speaking the truth."
Ninth Uncle glared at him, "Who speaks about themselves like that? You still have a good life ahead of you, and we old folks are waiting for you to get married and have children."
Ninth Uncle looked helpless, and a bitter smile appeared on his lips.
"Ninth Uncle, now everyone in the capital knows about my situation."
"Bang!" Ninth Uncle slammed the table hard, anger flaring up, "That's just their nonsense!"
Qin Ruan observed Ninth Uncle's facial expressions.
He tightly clenched his hands, his chest heaving, and the veins on his neck trembled slightly.
His face turned red, lips pressed together, cheeks puffed, and nostrils flared; his eyes widened.
Seeing his expression, it didn't seem like he was pretending, but truly angry.
Hou Yunjiao held Qin Ruan's hand and helped her sit in front of Ninth Uncle.
He changed the topic, "Let's not talk about that. Ninth Uncle, this is Ruan Ruan, my wife."
"Humph!"
Ninth Uncle made a disapproving sound but couldn't take his eyes off Qin Ruan's belly.
Hou Yunjiao raised an eyebrow and said to Qin Ruan, "Ruan Ruan, this is Ninth Uncle."
Qin Ruan obediently greeted, "Hello, Ninth Uncle."
Ninth Uncle withdrew his gaze, his face stern as he responded with a grunt, "Hmm."
Okay, seeing Ninth Uncle like this, Qin Ruan knew she wasn't in his good graces.
Since he didn't like her, there was no need to put on a facade.
After the Hou Yunjiao sat beside her, Qin Ruan relaxed and leaned back on the chair. She absentmindedly pulled at his sleeve, feeling a bit bored.
Ninth Uncle couldn't help but explode when he saw Qin Ruan's lazy appearance.
He reached out his trembling hand and pointed at Qin Ruan, "Yunjiao, look at your wife! She's the mistress of the Hou family, but she's not dignified at all!"
Hou Yunjiao turned his head and saw
Qin Ruan's carefree and languid manner.
Her style had an indescribable charm that created ripples in his heart.
Hou Yunjiao's peach blossom eyes narrowed, and his warm voice defended, "Ninth Uncle, Ruan Ruan is pregnant with twins. Her condition is different from ordinary people."
Ninth Uncle didn't buy it, "Pregnant women shouldn't disregard their words and actions. If this were seen by outsiders, it would be a disgrace to the Hou family!"
Qin Ruan clicked her tongue, speaking casually, "But there are no outsiders here!"
Ninth Uncle: "..."
He was left speechless by her words.
Qin Ruan had spoken with wisdom.
Her words showed impatience, but the meaning behind them was that she didn't consider him an outsider.
Ninth Uncle wanted to get angry, but when his temper was flaring up, it instantly vanished.
Hou Yunjiao chuckled softly, reached out, and rubbed Qin Ruan's head.
He smiled gently, and his eyes were full of indulgence as he said to Uncle Nine without any apology, "Ninth Uncle, Ruan Ruan is nine years younger than me and still a child. Don't compare her to us. This child speaks her mind, but she doesn't have any bad intentions."
Ninth Uncle coldly snorted.
He looked down and played with the spices on the table.
On the table in the reception room, there was an exquisitely crafted incense burner, burning fragrant spices that brought peace to the heart.
Hou Qiang approached the table, kneeling on one knee.
He picked up the teapot on the table and poured several cups of steaming tea.
The light fragrance of the incense in the room mixed with the aroma of the tea, creating a sense of tranquility and peace.
Drinking tea in such an environment, feeling the fragrance and the tea purifying the heart, was a ritual of the older generation.
Qin Ruan relaxed and enjoyed the calmness and serenity.
Ninth Uncle wasn't as stubborn as she thought, nor did he hold any hostility toward the Hou Yunjiao.
On the contrary, judging from his attitude toward Hou Yunjiao, he valued him a lot, but he was just displeased with her.
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