Transmigrated as a Stepmother: Time to Bring the Family to Prosper!-Chapter 86 - 85: The Atmosphere Feels Off

"Aunt Qiao." Qin Yao signaled for her to come over and learn, as she couldn’t possibly help Ding Xiang with massages every time. If Aunt Qiao was going to do it, there would be an extra charge.

Aunt Qiao approached fearfully, having never seen such a technique before. She felt it was an affront to the young lady, and learning to massage was like going to a grave.

Ding Xiang cried out incessantly, her wails echoed through the inner courtyard. Those unaware might have thought the young lady was being beaten.

A dreamless night passed, and early in the morning, Qin Yao called Ding Xiang up.

Early rising was nothing for Ding Xiang, as she usually got up at this time for morning readings.

But who could tell her why practicing archery was more exhausting than horse riding?!

Aunt Qiao would occasionally hear the cries from the backyard, baffled as to why the young lady was subjecting herself to such hardship.

Nonetheless, the young girl did not entertain the thought of giving up.

The feeling of wielding power was addicting to her.

Especially when she managed to hit the target with one arrow, the sense of accomplishment couldn’t compare to practicing needlework or painting in her boudoir.

By rights, neither horse riding nor archery could be mastered quickly.

But with tight time constraints and heavy tasks, Qin Yao already promised to teach Ding Xiang, leading only to a rigorous training regimen.

With high-intensity practice, standing and shooting arrows were mastered in a day and a half, horse riding learned in half a day.

Only one day remained before the Ding family father and son returned home.

On this day, Qin Yao specially took Ding Xiang horse riding into the mountains. The two rode between the woods, searching for prey, conducting their final real-world drill.

At the moment Ding Xiang rode up to a ferret and managed to hit it under Qin Yao’s guidance, she felt her soul trembling in delight and freedom!

Qin Yao told her that as long as she continued to practice and build on the basics taught in recent days, she would be sufficiently prepared to defend herself in real conflict.

Moreover, she could manage any horse, command it at her will.

As the sun set in the west, among the green paddies, the young girl rode steadily on the narrow field ridge, eagerly asking the woman walking ahead with the prey:

"Will I become as skilled as you?"

The answer would never be pleasing, bluntly stating: "No."

The young girl pouted helplessly, deciding not to argue with her.

Curious, she asked, "Why not?"

"You don’t have my strength or experience," came a fair response.

"Alright," those things she truly couldn’t rival.

"Qin Yao, have you killed anyone?" the girl abruptly asked,

not knowing why she became curious all of a sudden.

She hadn’t thought of it before, but just now in the woods, seeing her shoot the prey with a sharp gaze, it sent chills down her spine.

The footsteps of Qin Yao ahead stopped briefly. Turning around, she gave a faint smile, "Take a guess."

With the sun setting behind her, silhouetted against the light, her face instantly sank into darkness, only those mysterious, deep eyes were visible.

Ding Xiang’s breath caught instantly, goosebumps rose on her tender cheek, genuinely portraying what it meant to be spooked.

Silence lingered in the paddies for a moment.

Qin Yao chuckled softly, turned around, "Let’s go."

"...Oh, oh!" The young girl responded promptly, gently tugging the reins, urging the horse with a soft shout, quickening the pace.

When they returned to the Ding Mansion, the sky was already dark.

Housekeeper Yu and Aunt Qiao stood anxiously at the door, finally seeing the two familiar figures, they hurriedly welcomed them.

"Miss, the master and young master have returned! They’re waiting to have dinner with you." Aunt Qiao said, both thrilled and worried.

Ding Xiang delightedly dismounted, "Father and brother returned early?"

Aunt Qiao nodded, "Yes, they’re already in the dining hall, just waiting for you to join them for dinner."

The young girl, donned in rough attire, had her hair tied up in a high ponytail, carrying a small handmade bow and arrow by Qin Yao. Her face, stained with green moss from the woods, was dirty, nothing like the young lady’s graceful image.

Aunt Qiao immediately sighed in dismay, stepping forward to lead her to change clothes and freshen up. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Ding Xiang, overjoyed by her father and brother’s early return, couldn’t wait to see them, hastily told Qin Yao:

"Qin Yao, remember to bring today’s ferret to the dining hall, I want to show it to father and brother!"

Qin Yao noted Aunt Qiao’s expression, sensed the atmosphere was off, but still nodded, "Okay, miss, you go ahead, I’ll come soon."

Since Mr. Ding had already returned home, her temporary role as bodyguard was over.

Qin Yao led the horse to the stable, noticing Housekeeper Yu still following, she cast a questioning glance, curious if there was something to say.

Housekeeper Yu whispered, "Miss Qin, the master and young master are aware you’ve been teaching the young lady archery these days."

"Yes, any problem?"

Housekeeper Yu helplessly reminded her, Mr. Ding seemed a bit displeased.

Qin Yao handed the horse to Zhang Ba, tying it properly, took the prey towards the back courtyard, "Are you worried the master might question me, and came to remind me, so I can prepare mentally?"

Housekeeper Yu, relieved that she understood his good intentions, told her Mr. Ding invited her to join them for dinner, to quickly freshen up and not keep the hosts waiting.

"Alright, I will, thank you, Housekeeper Yu." Qin Yao gave him a slight smile, took the prey to the back courtyard to change.

There wasn’t much to change into, she had only two sets of clothes, but she changed out of her sweaty outfit into the freshly washed and dried one, washed her face, tidied her hair, took the ferrets, and headed to the dining hall.

Ding Xiang was already there, time constraints meant she’d only managed to wash her face and change into a skirt.

Now the young girl sat squarely in the dining hall, head lowered, anxiously moving her toes.

Mr. Ding and Young Master Ding were also seated, seemingly waiting for Qin Yao alone.

Qin Yao entered holding the prey, greeted with a smile, then called Ding Xiang, handing her the ferrets.

Ding Xiang’s eyes widened, she hadn’t expected Qin Yao to actually bring the prey.

Originally, she rushed over excitedly to meet her father and brother, wanting to share her joy, but suddenly, her brother frantically signaled with his eyes.

Unfortunately, she noticed too late, and her father’s brow furrowed, rebuking her:

"What are you running around like, lacking the decorum of a young lady!"

Seeing the young girl stand still in fear, his expression softened a bit, but still sternly ordered, "Sit down!"

Then, she internally prayed Qin Yao wouldn’t bring the prey over.

Yet, Heaven didn’t heed her prayers.

The moment Qin Yao handed over the prey, the atmosphere in the living room instantly froze.

But as Housekeeper Yu and others were sweating nervously, Qin Yao started chuckling.

"Miss, don’t you want your trophy?"

Ding Xiang only murmured, "Take it out first."

Dou’er hurriedly stepped forward, taking away the two ferrets that had already passed away.

Ding Shi looked surprised at his sister, then at Qin Yao, astounded that after just a month away, his sister could ride into the mountains and hunt.

Mr. Ding’s eyes narrowed too. The shock brought by the prey was far more intense than when he first entered and was told by the servants that his daughter, disregarding any lady-like etiquette, was running wild on horseback between the gates and the mountains.

Qin Yao glanced at the disbelief on the father and son’s faces, awkwardly asked:

"Should I sit or not?"

The two seemed to recall her presence, Mr. Ding maintained his composure, suppressing his anger, invited her to sit and uttered a few pleasantries about her hard work.