Seeing Qin Yining stop in her tracks with a thoughtful expression, Nanny Qin felt deeply gratified. It seemed that Qin Yining was not the type to act impulsively when encountering difficulties. Nanny Qin had always held a good impression of Qin Yining, and now her feelings were even better. Even if she had only had one part willingness to help before, now it had grown to ten parts.
“Miss,” Nanny Qin quickly walked to Qin Yining’s side and said, “You are a clever person who knows what is most appropriate to do. Right now you can barely protect yourself. If you don’t listen to His Lordship’s instructions and insist on charging out, not only will you fail to save Miss Rui Lan, but you’ll likely completely lose His Lordship’s favor. Think about how you would walk the path ahead.”
Qin Yining knew that Nanny Qin was right.
Rui Lan had been caught red-handed with the evidence, and she had no proof of Rui Lan’s innocence. Even if she went to save her, she could only plead for the Grand Dowager’s mercy.
But Qin Yining also knew that she probably had very little face with the Grand Dowager.
But could she just stand by and watch someone die?
Even if Rui Lan had made mistakes before, she had already reformed, and had always been attentive and caring toward her.
At this moment, Qin Yining’s face was tense, and she felt an unprecedented disgust toward Qin Huining!
Since she had returned home, how many troubles had Qin Huining stirred up?
Originally, she had been understanding, feeling that Qin Huining had been innocent when she was switched as a child, and that having a sense of crisis was understandable.
But no matter how much of a crisis she felt, she shouldn’t disregard innocent people’s lives just for her own momentary satisfaction!
Rui Lan had never harmed Qin Huining, nor had she done anything to damage Qin Huining’s interests. Yet Qin Huining could still try to take her life like this—she was even more terrifying than a wild beast!
Wild beasts eat people to fill their stomachs; if they don’t eat, they might starve to death.
But what would Qin Huining lose if she didn’t harm others?
If she wanted affection, she could be filial to grandmother and mother, she could display her talents, she could compete fairly! Qin Huining was unwilling to give her true heart, yet wanted others to treat her with sincerity. When she couldn’t get it, she harbored resentment, and when she couldn’t compare to others, she became madly jealous, satisfying herself momentarily by disregarding other people’s lives!
Qin Yining didn’t consider herself a good person. If someone harmed her, she would strike back without hesitation. But she would never use her status to harm innocent people to death.
“Thank you for Nanny Qin’s advice. But Rui Lan did serve me for a time, and her current suffering is also because she was implicated by me. I already feel deeply guilty about this. As her master, if I’ve done my best but still can’t save her, that would be my incompetence. But if I ignore her for the sake of my own peace, that would be my lack of virtue.”
Speaking to this point, Qin Yining suddenly felt exhausted in both body and spirit. But her vulnerability lasted only a moment. When she raised her eyes again, her gaze was extremely determined.
“Nanny Qin, I would rather be an incompetent person than lack virtue.” Having said this, she was about to walk outside.
The admiration in Nanny Qin’s heart for Qin Yining was about to gush forth like a spring. She was originally a servant who had weathered storms with the Grand Dowager for most of her life, experiencing countless hardships together, naturally developing such affection with the Grand Dowager. Now hearing Qin Yining’s words was like touching the softest part of her heart.
Nanny Qin quickly grabbed Qin Yining’s hand.
“Miss, please listen to what I have to say.” Nanny Qin leaned close to Qin Yining’s ear and spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear: “If you go like this, it will truly bring a hundred harms with no benefit. I can guarantee that Miss Rui Lan won’t die. As for other matters, as long as you pass His Lordship’s test and leave the ancestral shrine, you can take your time planning whatever you want to do. Think about what this servant has said—do you still want to go out now?”
Qin Yining was stunned upon hearing this.
If Nanny Qin could guarantee that Rui Lan wouldn’t die, wouldn’t that be even more useful than her going out?
After all, if she went out, she would only plead with the Grand Dowager to spare Rui Lan’s life. As for clearing her name, that would have to wait until evidence was found later.
By making such a promise, Nanny Qin was essentially doing what she wanted to do for her!
Last time when she and Qin Huining were both punished with copying, it was Nanny Qin who reminded the Grand Dowager, and only then did the Grand Dowager think to specify the amount of copying.
This time when she was confined to the ancestral shrine, the servants would normally look down on her and shortchange her food, clothing, and daily necessities. It was also because Nanny Qin personally came to give instructions that she had these seven comfortable days.
“Nanny, you…” Qin Yining was momentarily speechless. After being stunned for a moment, she said, “Why would Nanny help me like this?”
Nanny Qin bowed to Qin Yining with a smile on her face: “You are the Grand Dowager’s granddaughter, which makes you this servant’s master. It’s this servant’s duty to do her best for her master. Moreover, this servant belongs to the Grand Dowager. Whatever this servant does is all the Grand Dowager’s intention. Please return, Miss. Treat today’s events as if they never happened. Rest assured and study your books, as if you never heard any commotion outside.”
Qin Yining immediately understood the meaning in Nanny Qin’s words.
Nanny Qin’s visit was entirely out of loyalty to the Grand Dowager—first to help the Grand Dowager build goodwill, and second to help her maintain balance among her subordinates, not letting the east wind completely overwhelm the west wind.
One must know that for a great family head, having any subordinate become too powerful was never a good thing. This was true in the imperial court, and it was also true in small households.
It seemed that with the Grand Dowager’s disposition, her ability to remain steadfast in the Qin family and eventually become the old matriarch was inseparable from Nanny Qin’s wisdom, composure, and loyalty.
Qin Yining smiled and bowed to Nanny Qin: “Thank you, Nanny. I understand everything.”
“Miss must not do this—this servant doesn’t deserve it.” Nanny Qin avoided Qin Yining’s bow and turned to look at Qiu Lu.
“In consideration of your sincere loyalty, today’s matter won’t be held against you. You should also go back and reflect properly. As a servant, you must learn to suppress matters, not create troubles for your master. Do you understand now?”
Qiu Lu nodded repeatedly, her face already red with shame and regret. Last time when saving Miss Tang, it was because she spoke out of turn, and this time it was the same. She knew that her rash intrusion had caused trouble for her young lady, fortunately Nanny Qin was benevolent.
“This servant understands. Thank you for Nanny Qin’s teachings.”
Nanny Qin nodded and said, “Fourth Miss can return to your studies with peace of mind.”
Qin Yining knew that Rui Lan wouldn’t die for this, and Qiu Lu wouldn’t be punished either. For now, that was enough. As for the rest, she would have to wait until she got out to take action.
If Qin Huining wanted to deal with her, she’d have to see whether she was willing or not!
She had never wanted to harm people before, but now that people were bullying her, she had no reason not to fight back!
Though the outside world might be full of changes, the days in the ancestral shrine remained peaceful.
Early the next morning, the person who came to deliver the food box to Qin Yining was replaced by an elderly nanny around sixty years old.
Qin Yining found this somewhat strange.
This elderly nanny wore a brand-new dark green fine cotton jacket, with both the style and material being the latest fashion. She had a gold hairpin in her hair and wore a pair of twisted gold bracelets on her wrists. From her dress and appearance, she was clearly a person of status, definitely not someone who needed to deliver food boxes.
Upon seeing Qin Yining, the old nanny respectfully bowed: “Fourth Miss, may you be well. This servant’s husband’s family name is Jing, and I’ve come specially to deliver food to you.”
“Nanny Jing, please rise quickly.” Qin Yining smiled as she helped her up.
Nanny Jing then smilingly handed the food box to the Ge family servant and Xiao Ling.
Taking advantage of the time when the two went to set out the meal, she spoke quietly to Qin Yining: “Fourth Miss, this servant works as a steward in the outer courtyard kitchen. Today I came following Steward Zhong’s instructions to specially bring you a message. Miss Rui Lan has now been taken to the Stepping on Clouds Inn under Zhaoyun Company’s banner. Her injuries aren’t serious—they’re all external wounds that will heal after applying golden wound medicine for a few days. Please set your mind at ease, Fourth Miss.”
Qin Yining asked in surprise: “Nanny Jing, you’re with Zhaoyun Company?”
“To answer Fourth Miss, my son now works as a third steward under Steward Zhong. My whole family depends on Steward Zhong’s promotion. Since you are now Zhaoyun Company’s owner, my family will have to rely on you even more in the future. I only came to pass along a message—it’s no trouble. Besides, I’m getting old and plan to return home to enjoy my retirement.”
Qin Yining understood: “I see. Regardless, thank you for making this trip, Nanny Jing.”
“You’re too polite, Miss. Being able to see you is my honor.” Looking around, Nanny Jing smiled broadly and lowered her voice:
“Steward Zhong also asked me to bring you another message. A few days ago, Prince Ning impeached Grand Tutor Cao at court. It’s not that no one has impeached him before, but most people remained neutral. This time when Prince Ning took the lead, many previously neutral people supported Prince Ning. The Emperor publicly reprimanded Grand Tutor Cao at court, stripped him of his position as Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, and ordered him to return home to live out his years.”
What! That old fox Grand Tutor Cao had actually fallen just like that!
Needless to say, the previously neutral people suddenly siding with Prince Ning must be because they saw that Duke Dingguo and Qin Huaiyuan were on good terms with Prince Ning.
Had these people discussed this with Prince Ning beforehand? Or did they choose to support Prince Ning after seeing which way the wind was blowing?
Whether it was the former or the latter, Prince Ning’s successful impeachment was inseparable from her successful rescue of Tang Meng.
Qin Yining never would have thought that she would become one of the catalysts for Grand Tutor Cao’s downfall!
Grand Tutor Cao deserved his fate, but his daughter was still the Empress. How would she respond to her father’s fall? How would she deal with those responsible for her father’s downfall?
Also, with the position of Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor now vacant, the Emperor only had the Crown Prince as heir and would definitely seek a suitable person to teach him. So who would serve as the new Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor? This choice would absolutely affect the court’s direction and the Great Yan Dynasty’s fate!
Qin Yining barely ate any of her breakfast.
The news Nanny Jing brought shocked her.
Moreover, Nanny Jing’s visit itself made Qin Yining truly realize for the first time how extensive Zhaoyun Company’s connections were and how great its capabilities.
Regardless of how the court might change, the Zhaoyun Company in her hands was not just a treasury—it could probably be developed for many more uses.
Thinking of these things filled Qin Yining with excitement and confidence.
After noon had passed, there was suddenly a sound of knocking at the door outside.
The Ge family servant went to open it and saw Ji Xiang, the Grand Dowager’s chief maid, with a beaming smile: “His Lordship has been appointed to the position of Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor! He has just returned home. Quickly have Fourth Miss dress up properly—shortly His Lordship will bring the whole family to the ancestral shrine to burn incense and report such great news to the ancestors!”
Upon hearing this, the Ge family servant and Xiao Ling immediately broke into smiles, repeatedly saying: “Great joy! Great joy! His Lordship truly has boundless good fortune. Fourth Miss, we’ll go prepare for you right away!”