“I know you dote on your daughter.” The Grand Dowager smiled: “I was just thinking that Yining’s quarters are now short two people, and I wanted to order someone to select good ones from Cixiao Courtyard for Yining. Since you have a plan now, that’s perfect.”

Qin Yining ignored Qin Huining’s gaze that seemed ready to devour her, and happily bowed: “Thank you, Grand Dowager. Thank you, Father.”

Even though she was resistant in her heart.

She wanted to make Xueli Courtyard into an impregnable fortress—how could she have outsiders around her?

But her father was giving her face, and she couldn’t be ungrateful. If people came, then so be it. She could figure out how to arrange them later—there was no need to displease her father in public.

Qin Huaiyuan was now in high spirits from his joyful occasion, finding everything pleasing to the eye. Seeing Qin Yining’s happy thanks, he experienced for the first time in many years the satisfaction of a father giving to his child, making his mood even more delightful.

After chatting a bit more and seeing that the auspicious time had arrived, everyone proceeded to kowtow and burn incense for their ancestors according to their status and seniority.

Qin Yining naturally stood with the other young ladies. The girls knelt in two rows, holding incense with both hands, respectfully kowtowing to the ancestral tablets, then offering incense in sequence before withdrawing.

After all the ceremonies concluded, the men all went to the outer courtyard.

The Grand Dowager said: “You all return to your quarters now. The master will be hosting guests at the mansion to thank his colleagues. Be careful not to offend any distinguished guests.”

The women responded in unison: “Yes.”

Second Madam thought for a moment and smiled: “Now that Elder Brother is the Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor, His Highness the Crown Prince will surely attend when hosting guests, won’t he?”

The Grand Dowager smiled and shook her head: “The Crown Prince’s visit will have to wait three more days. The Crown Prince will personally come to pay respects to his Grand Tutor—we’ll be quite busy then.”

“The Crown Prince coming to visit?!” Third Madam clapped her hands with a smile: “Oh my! What tremendous honor! Our family is so fortunate to have Elder Brother, gaining such glory.”

The Grand Dowager was delighted by her words, her face full of wrinkles gaining several more from smiling.

Second Madam also put her arm around Qin Yining’s shoulder: “That’s why I say our Yining is a little lucky star—good things have been coming one after another since she returned home.”

All the sisters smiled and echoed in agreement.

Upon hearing this, Qin Huining’s fists suddenly clenched tight. What did these words mean? Was it that because she was the legitimate daughter before, Father couldn’t become Grand Tutor?

The Grand Dowager nodded in agreement, clasping her hands together and bowing toward the ancestral shrine: “I’ve noticed it too. Ever since Yining returned, the eldest’s official career has been smooth. Thanks to our ancestors’ protection, our family’s lost flesh and blood could be found like finding a needle in a haystack.”

Second Madam and Third Madam both followed the Grand Dowager’s example, devoutly bowing three times.

Third Madam smiled and said: “Well then, there are many matters at the mansion today. Let’s all disperse and return to our courtyards. Mother, Second Sister-in-law and I will escort you back.”

The Grand Dowager nodded.

Nanny Qin had already called for sturdy women to bring a small sedan chair, helped the Grand Dowager into it, and Second Madam and Third Madam accompanied with their maids, leaving the ancestral shrine first.

Seeing the elders had left, the girls headed toward the inner quarters together.

Third Miss and Eighth Miss had always been close to Qin Yining, chatting and laughing along the way as usual. Seventh Miss wasn’t familiar with Qin Yining, but was visibly more respectful and warm than before.

Qin Huining and Sixth Miss walked behind them, watching the others revolve around Qin Yining like stars around the moon, inevitably feeling sour in their hearts.

Sixth Miss let out a derisive laugh: “No matter how noble one’s status, what good is it when the upper beam is crooked and the lower beam follows? Your personal maid was a thief—you can’t blame First Aunt for this one, can you? She spent a long time by your side.”

The originally cheerful atmosphere was broken by Sixth Miss’s single remark.

Qin Huining pulled at Sixth Miss’s arm and shook it: “Sister Shuang, don’t say such things. Let’s hurry back.” As she spoke, her eyes looked timidly toward Qin Yining’s direction, as if she’d been bullied and was afraid.

Seeing Qin Huining like this, Sixth Miss instantly imagined many scenes of Qin Yining oppressing Qin Huining, becoming even more indignant on Qin Huining’s behalf.

“Don’t be afraid. There are still people who don’t curry favor with power. You still have me!”

Qin Huining gripped Sixth Miss’s hand with a grateful look, her eyes glistening with tears as if she was about to cry.

Qin Yining exchanged glances with Third Miss, Seventh Miss, and Eighth Miss, and the four of them tacitly led their people forward at a quick pace.

When Qin Huining and Sixth Miss looked ahead again, the group had already walked ten steps away.

Sixth Miss was furious: “She dares to ignore me!”

Qin Yining said to Third Miss ahead: “Let them make their fuss. Should I lower myself to argue with them?”

Third Miss nodded in agreement: “Today Father is hosting guests—better to have fewer troubles than more. Fourth Sister, don’t take it to heart. Living peacefully is what’s important.”

Qin Yining then teased Third Miss: “That’s why I say Third Sister is the most virtuous one. Earl Jian’an’s mansion will be so blessed in the future.”

Third Miss’s face turned completely red, and she pinched Qin Yining’s cheek: “Don’t laugh at me. I’m third and you’re fourth—you’re next. Now that Father has been promoted to Grand Tutor, your future husband’s family will surely be wealthy and noble, yet you still have time to tease me.”

Seventh Miss and Eighth Miss also laughed.

Eighth Miss said: “Third Sister is right. I’ve even heard people speculating that Fourth Sister will become the Crown Princess in the future.”

Seventh Miss also nodded: “Exactly so. With your family background now, becoming the Crown Prince’s principal consort would be a perfect match. I hear His Highness the Crown Prince is gentle and refined, an extremely elegant person who excels at calligraphy and painting, having reached the pinnacle in artistic achievement. Though there’s a side consort in his mansion, a side consort is ultimately just a side consort. When the Crown Prince inherits the throne in the future, the principal consort will become Empress.”

“Oh my, you’re all getting more and more outrageous. His Majesty is in excellent health—look at what you’re saying.” Qin Yining tickled Seventh Miss: “I should tell all this to Nanny Zhan and see if she doesn’t beat you all.”

The first part of Qin Yining’s words made Third Miss, Seventh Miss, and Eighth Miss feel a chill, secretly thinking they had misspoken—such words would be greatly disrespectful if spread.

But the latter part was playful banter, intended to change the subject. Seventh Miss began laughing and playing with Qin Yining, secretly admiring Qin Yining’s deep thinking and cleverness, feeling somewhat closer to her psychologically.

It wasn’t until they reached the fork in the path that Qin Yining bid them farewell and returned to Xueli Courtyard.

Everything in Xueli Courtyard was as before, except for the absence of Rui Lan.

After visiting Nanny Zhan, Qin Yining returned to her room to sit and rest.

Qiu Lu and Liu Ya attended to her. Qiu Lu was as usual, but Liu Ya seemed somewhat unhappy.

Originally serving as a third-class maid by the young lady’s side, Liu Ya had harbored ambitions to rise. Now that the two second-class maids above her had left, anyone with sense should immediately promote those serving nearby. Who would have thought that while their young lady was confined and said nothing, the outer courtyard study would steal the opportunity first.

Moreover, those Yao Qin and Yu Qi were both first-class senior maids, even higher in rank than the former Rui Lan and Yu Xiang!

Liu Ya felt stifled. At this rate, how long would it take for her to get ahead?

Qin Yining toyed with her teacup, seemingly staring out the latticed window in a daze, but she clearly saw Liu Ya’s slightly discontented expression.

She didn’t quite understand what was wrong with Liu Ya, but she didn’t want to see anyone around her with a dark face. So she said: “Liu Ya, you may rest first. Qiu Lu, stay.”

A surge of resentment rose in Liu Ya’s heart. Even with no one around, the young lady still wouldn’t use her.

Fine by her! She was happy to rest anyway! They were all third-class—doing more work wouldn’t earn more monthly wages!

Liu Ya bowed and turned to leave.

Once only Qin Yining and Qiu Lu remained in the room, Qiu Lu said: “Miss, don’t stoop to her level.”

“I don’t mind, I just don’t know what’s wrong with her. Has something happened these past days?”

Qiu Lu shook her head: “Aside from Sister Rui Lan’s matter, nothing else has happened. Miss, how is Sister Rui Lan now? Everyone’s saying she was beaten to death. You weren’t home, and we servants were confined and couldn’t go out. Though Nanny Zhan could move about, I didn’t dare ask her.”

Qin Yining smiled and took Qiu Lu’s hand: “Don’t worry, Rui Lan is recovering at Stepping on Clouds Inn with Miss Tang. I have another matter I want to handle, and I might need your help.”

Upon hearing this, Qiu Lu composed her expression: “Miss, whatever you need, just command me. I’d gladly die ten thousand deaths for you.”

“This matter isn’t certain yet—I’m just speculating. Today Father is hosting colleagues, and there must be some upright scholars among them. Now that I’ve taken in Miss Tang, these upright scholars surely know about it. Given their concern for Miss Tang, they’ll definitely take some action. I want to use this matter…” The rest she whispered quietly in Qiu Lu’s ear.

Qiu Lu’s eyes widened in surprise: “Miss, is this alright?”

“What’s wrong with it? I won’t harm innocent people, but those with truly evil intentions won’t escape either.”

Just as she finished speaking, Liu Ya’s voice came from outside: “Miss, someone has come to deliver a gift for you.”

Qiu Lu’s eyes grew even wider: “Miss, your guess was incredibly accurate!”

What Qin Yining had just mentioned was precisely that someone would definitely bring gifts today.

Qin Yining smiled and had Qiu Lu help Liu Ya bring in the gift.

What was delivered was a scroll painting. When Qin Yining unrolled it, she was truly stunned.

Wasn’t this the “Eight Steeds” painting that hung in Prince Ning’s mansion! Spreading the painting flat on the Eight Immortals table, Qin Yining’s fingertips brushed across the surface, finally settling on the signature in the lower left corner.

When she saw this painting at Prince Ning’s mansion that day, there had been no signature.

But now, the painting bore a signature and seal, both reading: “Qingyan Hermit.”

Anyone with the slightest knowledge would know the name Qingyan Hermit. Qin Yining hadn’t understood before, but later Nanny Zhan had explained it to her.

His Highness the Crown Prince was devoted to calligraphy and painting, being a famous master of these arts. “Qingyan Hermit” was the pen name the Crown Prince habitually used when signing his works, taken from the meaning “when times are clear and seas are calm, all under heaven is at peace.”

This painting was actually done by the Crown Prince?!

Liu Ya smiled and said: “Miss, the person from Prince Ning’s mansion who delivered the painting is still waiting in the outer courtyard, saying Prince Ning has something to tell you.”

Qin Yining was startled and quickly nodded: “I understand. Qiu Lu, come with me outside.”

Since someone from Prince Ning’s mansion had come, she definitely had to meet with them.