Chapter 179: Causality Is Really Mysterious
“I heard that woman is the second daughter of the Minister of Rites, and she actually did something like this. What’s the difference between her and the women in the brothel?”
“Ouch, but it’s worth it to be able to get close to an Imperial Prince.”
“However, it seems that woman was disowned by the Minister of Rites.”
“What a blessing! Why disown her? Getting involved with an Imperial Prince is a huge good thing.”
Many commoners didn’t understand the complexities of officialdom. They only knew that an Imperial Prince was the Emperor’s son and might become Emperor in the future, making him a great noble to associate with.
Although the Minister of Rites had prepared himself mentally, he was so angered by the news that he smashed several porcelain pieces.
“That scoundrel! Someone go and spread the word that our second daughter died long ago, and that this is just a lonely spirit possessing the second daughter’s body!”
He had to draw a clear line between himself and that disgraceful person!
…………
That evening, the Emperor also learned of the matter.
However, he just casually said “oh.”
“Tell the Third Prince to handle it himself. Don’t bother me with such matters.”
As for that woman being the Minister of Rites’ daughter? Wasn’t she disowned?
The next day, as Qin Wanwan walked down the street, dressed thickly like a little fat penguin, she heard many people discussing Lin Wan’e and the Third Prince.
Among the discussions was the matter of Lin Wan’e being a lonely spirit.
“My uncle’s second aunt’s nephew’s cousin works in the Minister of Rites’ mansion. I heard that the former second daughter was timid and afraid to speak loudly to anyone, and she didn’t read much at all.
However, after falling into the water and being rescued, she not only became bolder, often going out with men, but she also started reciting poetry. Even great scholars praised her poems.”
“It really sounds supernatural. Perhaps the second daughter’s body has truly been taken over by a lonely spirit. I wonder what kind of lonely spirit would be so promiscuous and know so much poetry.”
“Some people say that the style of the poems she wrote doesn’t seem like it’s from the same person; instead, it’s like several people’s. How could a woman who never left her chambers produce such poems, possibly even better than those of the top scholars?”
“No wonder Minister Lin kicked her out. She’s basically a ghost.”
Qin Wanwan and Keke were stunned.
Only one night had passed, and how had the plot developed so drastically?
Keke: “This is terrible, terrible! According to the original plot, your father was poisoned at a banquet, but he was very perceptive and strong-willed, leaving the banquet immediately and finding a physician to detoxify him.
However, that happened at the Minister of Rites’ banquet. This time, because of the Imperial Examination, the Minister of Rites was punished and probably wouldn’t be in the mood to host a banquet.
Lin Wan’e was also kicked out. I thought this plotline had been altered by a butterfly effect, but I didn’t expect it to happen again at Grand Tutor Gu’s banquet. This time, your father wasn’t poisoned, but she still ended up with the Third Prince.
However, given the current situation, Lin Wan’e can forget about marrying the Third Prince as his concubine. I’ll go and find out who spread this news.”
With that, Keke flew away.
Qin Wanwan had gone to the Orphanage that morning.
The situation there was very good, and they had taken in several more children, mostly girls.
The first batch of honeycomb briquettes made by Father Rong had also been sent over.
Although the window was open for ventilation, the burning temperature of the honeycomb briquettes was sufficient, so it wasn’t cold.
Several children were gathered around the brazier, poking at wool felt.
Seeing Qin Wanwan arrive, the children, with their unsprouted hair, looked at her with a mixture of shyness and bright eyes.
They all knew that they could live such warm and well-fed lives now because of this young lady who looked less than five years old.
Therefore, they were all very grateful to Qin Wanwan.
Qin Wanwan held the wool felt they had poked and was surprised that they could already do so well in just a few days.
In her hand was a wool felt cushion, a round, soft cushion with a cartoon kitten pattern.
The kitten was plump, simple yet endearingly clumsy.
“I like them. Take a few more back, and give two to my daddies.”
Qin Wanwan also paid for them.
Everyone at the Orphanage, big and small, refused the money. They said with red eyes,
“If it weren’t for you, we might have frozen or starved to death by now. If you still want to pay for these cushions we made, then we truly have no face.”
Qin Wanwan earnestly replied, “But you were making these to earn money. This money is to cover the Orphanage’s expenses, and we must have rules.”
Keke had said that teaching someone to fish is better than giving them a fish. She and her daddies couldn’t just keep donating money to the Orphanage; they had to learn a skill that could support themselves.
This wool felt poking skill was considered their money-making skill.
Only when they could earn money themselves could the Orphanage continue to operate for a long time.
“But this is a gift for you.”
Under the sincere gazes of the group, Little Qilin felt for the first time the hope that doing good deeds brought them.
At the same time, she felt a warmth in her heart and a sense of satisfaction.
Finally, carrying several cushions, Qin Wanwan left the Orphanage.
With Big Goldy by her side and Snowflake in the sky, she wasn’t worried about her safety.
Midway, Keke returned.
“Cub, I found out. The news was actually released by Lin Wan’e’s father. Hahaha… It seems Lin Wan’e has truly angered him this time.”
In fact, this was also a series of chain reactions caused by Qin Wanwan and Keke’s intervention.
Often, just a slight change in the direction of one event can cause many subsequent events to deviate significantly from their original course.
This time, Keke merely inadvertently gossiped about the Imperial Examination, and because the First Prince’s two daddies wanted to avenge Wanwan, it led to the First Prince and Second Prince’s disappointment, revealing the Third Prince.
The Third Prince’s influence grew, and the other two princes naturally took issue with him. This led them to further fuel the situation, wanting to embarrass the Third Prince. Lin Wan’e, as another protagonist in the story, naturally received much attention.
Her attention, in turn, implicated Minister Lin, ultimately leading Minister Lin to become enraged and, to completely sever ties with Lin Wan’e, not hesitate to portray her as a lonely spirit.
Little did he know, he had accidentally spoken the truth.
In all these matters, Keke and Qin Wanwan had not acted against Lin Wan’e, yet now her plight was related to the two of them.
One can only say that karma is truly mysterious.
“Cub, what is that you’re holding?”
Qin Wanwan handed Keke a bird’s nest-shaped wool felt.
“This is from the Orphanage. Nan Ge’er and the others made this bird’s nest specifically for you.”
Keke flew around the bird’s nest and was very satisfied.
“Nice, really nice. The size is perfect for me. They are all good children.”
Qin Wanwan’s eyes curved into crescents: “Yes, Keke, I feel great about helping people now.”
Keke: “Helping people is good, but you must act within your means. You must also understand that a favor that lifts someone from starvation can become a burden if it leads to more, so don’t help without limits. It’s fine to help those who are grateful, but forget about those ungrateful people.”
Qin Wanwan nodded blankly, appearing like a naive and ignorant little fool.
Keke landed on her shoulder: “Never mind, your daddies and I will watch out for you. We won’t let you be bullied.”
