The Cannon Fodder and Villain’s Happy Ending

Chapter 15

by starlightnovelsclub

“Young Miss, watch your step.”

The carriage came to a steady stop at the ceremonial gate. Ning Momo helped Qin Jiu down from the carriage.

Qin Jiu lifted a hand to smooth the hem of her jacket, her demeanor calm and composed.

“Little Sister.”

Not far away, Qin Zening could no longer restrain himself. He strode forward, staring fixedly at Qin Jiu.

Her brows and eyes were so much like their mother’s. Qin Zening felt a sting at the tip of his nose, a surge of emotion rising from deep within, as if declaring that they were bound by blood.

“I’m your elder brother! Your full-blooded elder brother.” Qin Zening said, his voice slightly hoarse.

His own sister had suffered so much, yet he had known nothing about it. He had even mistaken the enemy’s daughter for his sister—he had utterly failed as an elder brother!

Qin Jiu’s eyes curved with a smile, and she obediently gave him a small bow, “Elder Brother.”

Looking at the handsome young man before her, Qin Jiu felt somewhat conflicted.

In the novel, Qin Zening was also just a cannon fodder.

After the original host returned to the Qin family, everyone in the family treated her as a disgrace. Only Qin Zening, her eldest brother, cared for her, so much so that he didn’t hesitate to fall out with Qin Xin for her sake.

Later, in order to stand up for her, he joined the army to fight for a future. In the end, he died on the battlefield. His head was hung on the city wall by the enemy army for three days and nights, exposed to wind and rain, and his body was left incomplete after death.

Qin Zening was the only person in the novel who treated the original host well.

Qin Jiu’s “elder brother” made the eighteen-year-old’s eyes redden instantly.

He declared loudly, “Don’t worry, little sister. As long as I’m here, no one can bully you!”

“Ning’er, what nonsense are you talking about?” Lady Su said as she got down from the carriage, smiling. “The daughters of our family are cherished by us more than anything. Mother, wouldn’t you agree?”

At this moment, Old Madam Qin also stepped down from the carriage. Hearing Qin Zening’s words, she frowned slightly in displeasure, thinking: Ning’er isn’t that young anymore. Why does he always act so… rash?

“Let’s go to Ronghe Hall first,” Old Madam Qin interjected. “Your second and third uncles, along with your brothers and sisters, are all waiting for you.” The last sentence was directed at Qin Jiu.

Thus, the group headed towards Ronghe Hall.

The rest of the Qin family had already arrived. As they entered, all eyes turned in unison toward Qin Jiu, their expressions varied.

Qin Xin stared unblinkingly at the somewhat frail girl before her.

Her small, palm-sized face featured gently arched brows and jet-black almond eyes that shone like bright gems.

A few strands of brilliant sunlight fell gently across her face, her hair, and her dress, casting a faint, soft halo around her.

She was like a flower bud blooming in the spring light. Half-open, half-awaiting—fresh and beautiful. When she pressed her lips into a smile, it seemed as if the fragrance of spring drifted toward one’s senses. However, Qin Xin felt a tightness in her chest.

Inside her sleeve, Qin Xin’s right hand clenched tightly into a fist.

Even after several years, that b*tch Qin Jiu had still returned!

She was trying to ruin her life all over again!

Suppressing the anger in her heart, Qin Xin stepped forward and affectionately supported Old Madam Qin, smiling sweetly as she said: “Grandmother, this must be younger sister, right?”

Her smile was somewhat forced. In Old Madam Qin’s eyes, it looked like she was putting on a brave face.

Old Madam Qin was heartbroken, thinking: These past few days must have been hard on Xin’er too. She’s even lost weight. Aish, from childhood until now, when has Xin’er ever suffered such grievance?

She gently patted the back of Qin Xin’s hand, as if to comfort her, and also to say that she understood all the grievances she had endured.

Old Madam Qin introduced, “Jiu’er, this is your second eldest sister.”

Qin Jiu’s eyes crinkled with a smile, though inwardly she let out a silent sigh.

In the novel, it was the original host—the vicious supporting female lead—who first provoked Qin Xin, leading to being humiliated step by step until she was eventually driven out of the Qin family. But Qin Jiu was not naive enough to think that if she simply kept a low profile, Qin Xin would leave her alone.

Her very existence, her background… all of these were an enormous stain in Qin Xin’s eyes.

Qin Xin could never tolerate her.

“Jiu’er,” seeing that Qin Jiu remained silent, Old Madam Qin assumed the girl was still holding onto some resentment, and softened her tone. “Grandmother knows you’ve suffered these past years, but this matter has nothing to do with your second sister. She too has endured quite a bit. You…”

“True!” Qin Zening interrupted carelessly, “Living in luxury and comfort within this marquis household, Qin Xin really has ‘suffered quite a bit.’”

He spoke in a flippant manner, appearing to have just made an offhanded remark. However, it left Old Madam Qin at a loss for words.

Qin Zening cast Qin Xin a smile that was not a smile and added, “Since you’ve suffered so much grievance in our residence, we truly owe you an apology. Then why are you still lingering around?”

Qin Jiu found this elder brother’s temperament very much to her liking and nodded inwardly in agreement.

Qin Xin had lived in wealth and privilege in the marquis household for ten years and could still call it suffering. If that was the case, then what about the original host?

Did the original host simply deserve to be abused and battered by Zhao Aman and his wife, only to be married off to a fool?!

Qin Zening grew even more animated and continued, “You’re welcome to return to your real parents! Guaranteed to not endure any ‘grievances’ there.”

Qin Zhun coughed lightly twice and said sternly, “Enough, Ning’er. This is your cousin sister!”

He emphasized the word “cousin”, reminding him that Qin Xin would be adopted into the second branch of the family and had nothing to do with their main branch.

He looked at Qin Jiu with some displeasure. This girl had only just returned and already stirred unrest in the household. She was bound to be a scourge to the family in the future.

Well, but then again, how could a girl raised in that kind of family turn out well?

Qin Zening shrugged, the corner of his lips curling into a faint, mocking smile.

Qin Xin silently helped Old Madam Qin sit down on the luohan couch¹.

Old Madam Qin habitually pulled Qin Xin to sit beside her, but the next moment she realized something was amiss and quickly glanced at Qin Jiu.

Qin Jiu simply smiled faintly and said nothing, yet somehow this made Old Madam Qin feel a bit uneasy².

Suppressing this complicated feeling, she formally introduced Qin Jiu to everyone after they had all taken their seats: “This is Qin Jiu. Her name was personally bestowed by Her Majesty the Empress.”

Qin Xin was a few months older than Qin Jiu and ranked second among the Qin family’s daughters, so Qin Jiu became the third young miss of the Qin family. Once an auspicious day was chosen, they would open the ancestral hall and enter her into the family genealogy.

The Zhongyi Marquis Household had a relatively simple structure. Aside from Qin Xin, who had just been adopted into the second branch, that branch also had two sons and three daughters. The third branch had one son and one daughter, both born of concubines.

After acknowledging her relatives and completing the formal greetings, Lady Su said warmly, “Jiu’er, from now on you’ll live in Wanxiang Courtyard. In a moment, your aunt will take you to have a look. If there’s anything you don’t like, just tell me, don’t be shy. This is your home.”

“Thank you, Second Aunt,” Qin Jiu replied with a smile.

“Grandmother.” Qin Sheng, the fourth young miss of the second branch, said with a sweet laugh, “Second Sister and I received invitations to the Yongxu Gathering the day before yesterday. It just so happens that Third Sister has returned and can go with us.”

The Yongxu Gathering was hosted by Princess Yingluo of Prince Tai’s residence. It was held only once each season and invited noble young ladies from across the capital. Receiving an invitation was in itself a symbol of status and prestige.

Old Madam Qin was very pleased, thinking her granddaughter truly sensible. She said repeatedly, “Good, good. Let your third sister go along as well.”

Lady Su frowned slightly, “Mother, Jiu’er has only just arrived in the capital…”

If Qin Jiu were to embarrass herself at the Yongxu Gathering, it would disgrace the entire Zhongyi Marquis Household!

“Mother,” Qin Sheng said coquettishly to Lady Su, “it’s precisely because Third Sister has just arrived that she should meet everyone. I’ve already told them I’d introduce my cousin from the main branch.”

Her smile was bright and innocent, yet inwardly she looked down on Qin Jiu.

Originally, Qin Sheng ranked third among the sisters in the household. Now that Qin Jiu had returned, she had become the “fourth young miss” instead.

If that wasn’t a cuckoo taking over a magpie’s nest, then what was?!

She wanted all the noble young ladies in the capital see just how unpresentable this “Third Miss Qin” was. Let’s see how Qin Jiu would still have the face to go out in public again!

“Let Jiu’er go,” Old Madam Qin said kindly. “Xin’er and Sheng’er will be there with her.”

Only after speaking did Old Madam Qin realize she seemed to have overlooked Qin Jiu again, and she tried to make up for it: “Jiu’er, what do you think?”

Qin Jiu smiled without comment, so Old Madam Qin took it as agreement.

After lunch, Lady Su personally took Qin Jiu to see her courtyard.

After summoning all the stewards, maids, and servants to introduce to Qin Jiu, Lady Su said with apparent kindness: “Jiu’er, I personally selected all these people. They’re very loyal. In the future, if you need anything, just instruct them.”

Qin Jiu smiled brightly, “Since Second Aunt chose them, of course they must be good. Then their working contracts…?”

Lady Su maintained a gracious and magnanimous air as she said, “I’m keeping their contracts for you. Jiu’er, if you don’t trust me, I can have someone bring them to you.”

Her words sounded generous, but in truth she had no intention of handing over the contracts. With them in her possession, she wouldn’t have to worry about the servants being won over by Qin Jiu. Instead, they would help be her eyes and ears.

Naturally, she had her own calculations. She was the elder, and Qin Jiu the junior. If she put it this way, Qin Jiu could hardly say she didn’t trust her, could she?

Lady Su looked at Qin Jiu gently, waiting for her to politely decline.

But instead—

“Sure.” Qin Jiu nodded, beaming with obvious delight, her eyes curving happily.

What?! Lady Su was stunned, thinking she must have misheard.

“Many thanks, Second Aunt. Your niece will take good care of their contracts and won’t lose them.” Qin Jiu smiled with pursed lips, her eyes sparkling.

Though Qin Jiu’s smile seemed harmless and sweet, for some reason Lady Su felt like she was a mouse being toyed with by a cat.

What was she thinking?!

She was simply an uncultured wild girl!

Lady Su said to herself, but there was a tightness in her chest that was unable to rise or fall.

She had volunteered to hand over the contract. If she went back on her word now, it would be slapping her own face.

Left with no choice, Lady Su could only reluctantly order, “Zhao Momo, go fetch the contracts.”

She squeezed out a smile, feeling so strained it almost gave her palpitations.