Qin Huaiyuan spoke in an unhurried, persuasive manner: “You are my daughter, so naturally I understand what you’re thinking and feeling indignant about. You are intelligent and perceptive, able to see through many matters at a glance, but you are too impetuous. Once you see through something, you refuse to let it go, insisting on distinguishing right from wrong in everything.
“I know that in this household, when you argue or fight with others, basically no one can get the better of you. But what about when you’re outside? If you truly encounter a martial artist, you may be somewhat stronger than average, but what can you really do to others? Moreover, what you currently rely on is your status as a legitimate daughter. In this household, no one would harm my daughter, but outside, even if you don’t provoke trouble, there will still be people who wish to harm you. Yi Jie’er, don’t you think what your father says makes sense?”
“What father says is absolutely right. Your daughter knows she was wrong.” Qin Yining lowered her head in shame. “Your daughter was indeed too stubborn. Sometimes when I see injustices, I can’t help but act impulsively.”
Qin Huaiyuan smiled gently. “I understand your feelings, but you must remember that among all virtues, filial piety comes first. Even if the old dowager acts inappropriately, she is still my mother. If you want to change your mother’s circumstances, I believe you have more than just direct confrontation as an option. Your formidable methods can be used against Qin Huining, but using them against the old dowager shows disrespect for your elders. Besides, what would you gain from winning an argument with an elder? In the end, you and your mother would still be the ones to suffer. Don’t you agree?”
Qin Huaiyuan spent most of his time in the outer residence and rarely ventured into the inner quarters except to pay respects to the old dowager, yet he could analyze the people of the inner residence so thoroughly. This greatly impressed Qin Yining.
“Father is right. Actually, your daughter regrets it too. At the time, I thought that since the old dowager doesn’t care for me anyway, whatever I say or do, she still won’t care for me. Her coldness toward my mother and me wouldn’t diminish either, so I threw caution to the wind.”
“But you actually have diplomatic ways of handling things, you just couldn’t hold back when your temper flared?”
Qin Yining nodded with a red face, looking as obedient as a little kitten who knew she had done wrong and was seeking her master’s forgiveness.
Qin Huaiyuan laughed: “You are a child, so being rash and impulsive isn’t a grave error. I also believe that one cannot simply endure everything – there must be a balance of firmness and gentleness. I’m not saying you can’t use both firmness and gentleness, but you must distinguish your targets. For those you cannot offend, ‘firmness within, gentleness without’ might be more appropriate.”
“Yes.” Qin Yining looked at Qin Huaiyuan with admiration, her eyes bright and shining: “Father was just like that earlier, with one phrase about ‘hiding daggers behind smiles,’ I don’t know how many people felt guilty and blushed. Father, when will your daughter be able to be like you? I think you’re amazing! Without arguing or making a fuss, without even raising your voice, you suppressed everyone with just a few words!”
Being looked at with such adoring eyes by his daughter filled Qin Huaiyuan with great satisfaction.
His large hand couldn’t help but pat Qin Yining’s head. “Methods are one thing, but more importantly, it’s because of your father’s status.”
Qin Yining blinked, and in the flutter of her eyelashes, she understood Qin Huaiyuan’s meaning.
Her father was telling her that only by standing in a higher position and becoming someone others depend on could she command their respect and awe.
Moreover, only when one is “in the position” can one “plan the affairs” convincingly. Otherwise, it would be going against established norms and would be criticized.
Qin Yining nodded vigorously: “Your daughter understands. From now on, I will certainly be properly filial to the old dowager.”
“These are not major issues. I believe you can handle them all well. However, regarding today’s incident at Fairy Maiden Temple, there are still many suspicious aspects. Come and tell your father about it.”
Qin Yining had known that Qin Huaiyuan would certainly ask about this, so she unhesitatingly recounted the course of events. When she reached the part about Yao Zhixi, Qin Yining was somehow possessed and didn’t tell the truth, instead using the same explanations she had given Xu Mao.
With such a mixture of truth and falsehood, Qin Huaiyuan didn’t harbor much suspicion, only saying: “That Young Master Yao, though acquainted with Shopkeeper Zhong, his eyes and bearing don’t seem like those of an ordinary person. You did right to have people tend to his injuries, but keeping a respectful distance would also be a prudent approach.”
Reflecting on all that had happened since meeting Yao Zhixi, Qin Yining also felt this person was unfathomably deep, so she obediently said: “Father can rest assured.”
Seeing that his daughter wasn’t hiding anything from him, Qin Huaiyuan was very satisfied and nodded: “Handle it as you see fit. I trust you have your own principles for conduct. There’s another matter you should also be mindful of.”
“Please instruct me, father.”
“Now that Great Zhou’s documents have been widely distributed in the capital twice, His Majesty has determined that Great Zhou spies have deeply infiltrated the capital. Combined with today’s incident at Fairy Maiden Temple, Minister Xu believes it’s Great Zhou’s strategy of creating false alarms, and His Majesty will likely be greatly disturbed upon learning of this. If His Majesty is unsettled, what do you think he will do?”
Qin Yining thought for a moment, then spoke candidly: “His Majesty will certainly try every means to seek peace, adopting an even more conciliatory stance toward Great Zhou, and will turn his blade on those ministers loyal to him to appease Great Zhou’s anger.”
Qin Huaiyuan was taken aback by Qin Yining’s blunt assessment.
Seeing Qin Huaiyuan’s silence, Qin Yining smiled and asked: “Father, was your daughter wrong?”
“Your analysis is very insightful.” Qin Huaiyuan coughed and said: “Now that our family has become related to the Cao family through marriage, making the emperor and me brothers-in-law, we can temporarily remain safe and secure. Other families cannot say the same. So recently, if any households hold flower-viewing gatherings, you must not attend. I will also explain this matter to your grandmother.”
“Yes. Your daughter will remember.”
“Also, regarding your mother…” Speaking of Sun Shi, Qin Huaiyuan frowned and sighed: “This time, regardless of the reasons, I have ultimately wronged your mother. You must take good care of her.”
Qin Yining nodded obediently.
Seeing Qin Huaiyuan’s guilt toward Sun Shi for taking a concubine by imperial decree, her heart was filled with mixed emotions. Her father was compelled by circumstances, while her mother’s resentment was actually not wrong either.
All of this was ultimately caused by His Majesty’s various actions, which had disrupted their peaceful life.
The study fell silent. After a long while, Qin Huaiyuan said: “Now that Great Zhou has changed commanders at Xihua City, I wonder if the war situation might ease.”
“Changed commanders?” Qin Yining asked in surprise: “Isn’t that young Prince Pang the commander?”
“Pang Zhixi is rebellious and unruly. He refused to obey Emperor Zhou’s commands on the battlefield, so Emperor Zhou angrily stripped him of his position as Grand Marshal of Pingnan. Great Zhou’s new Grand Marshal of Pingnan is Minister of War Lian Shengjie.”
A mocking smile appeared on Qin Huaiyuan’s face: “This Lian Shengjie has mediocre military leadership abilities, is lustful and greedy, and is skilled at scheming and currying favor. Our spies report that Pang Zhixi, having his command authority stripped, was dissatisfied and had a falling out with Lian Shengjie within just two days. In anger, he mounted his horse and left the military camp, and his current whereabouts are unknown. Meanwhile, Pang Zhixi’s Huben Army absolutely refuses to obey Lian Shengjie’s commands. If Great Zhou continues this internal strife, perhaps our crisis can be resolved.”
Pang Zhixi?
Hearing this name, Qin Yining immediately thought of Yao Zhixi.
However, it wasn’t strange that two people shared the same courtesy name.
Qin Yining didn’t think much of it and simply said: “If they’re having internal conflicts, that’s naturally good for us.”
Qin Huaiyuan also said: “Now it depends on how they arrange things. We can also take this opportunity to catch our breath.”
From Qin Huaiyuan’s tone, Qin Yining knew that even without Pang Zhixi leading the troops, Great Yan’s chances of victory against Great Zhou were still slim.
Even if the prospects weren’t bright, Qin Yining still hoped they could get through this New Year safely.
The thirty-fifth year of Great Yan’s Qinglong reign and the third year of Great Zhou’s Shengchang arrived amid a subdued New Year atmosphere.
Since Qin Yining and Sun Shi had to observe mourning for the Sun family men, they not only dressed plainly but also didn’t participate in any family banquets or opera performances.
Sixth Miss had been confined by Second Madam last time for helping Qin Huining, but the confinement was lifted for the New Year.
However, Qin Huining had been ordered by Qin Huaiyuan to confine herself to Xueli Courtyard and copy the Classic of Filial Piety one hundred times. For some unknown reason, she hadn’t completed the copying immediately, so she was also particularly quiet throughout the New Year.
What was most surprising was Qin Huaiyuan’s attitude toward Cao Yuqing.
Such a tender and beautiful woman, yet Qin Huaiyuan acted as if he couldn’t see her, merely providing her with good food and drink while never once visiting her courtyard.
With Qin Huaiyuan displaying this attitude, the people in the mansion became much more respectful toward Sun Shi.
Except for the old dowager.
“Aren’t Sun Shi and Yi Jie’er supposed to be in mourning? Naturally they can’t eat rich meat and fish. Have the kitchen prepare some vegetarian dishes and send them over. Make them as simple as possible! If they’re too refined, how can Sun Shi’s filial devotion be displayed? Also, cancel Yi Jie’er’s bird’s nest porridge. Doesn’t bird’s nest cost silver? Observing mourning so luxuriously – who gave her such audacity!”
The old dowager held her brand new bronze pipe and took a couple of puffs, feeling that the newly made mouthpiece wasn’t as comfortable as the original one, which made her angry all over again.
Nanny Qin tried to persuade her several times but didn’t dare speak too directly lest the old dowager become suspicious. In the end, she could only have people send meals of plain boiled vegetables to Xingning Garden.
In Xingning Garden.
Sun Shi held her bowl, looking at the coarse rice within and then at the jar of vegetable soup with leaves boiled to a sickly yellow. Her entire body trembled with rage.
“What is this supposed to be! Are they bullying me because I have no parents! Even if I’m worthless, I’m still Qin Meng’s legitimate wife. Is this how the mansion treats Qin Meng’s family!”
In her fury, Sun Shi was about to smash the bowl.
Qin Yining quickly saved the pitiful white porcelain bowl with swift hands.
She didn’t know how many bowls had been broken these past few days. The money spent on smashed bowls and dishes was worth more than the vegetable soup they were eating.
“Mother, please calm down. Do you remember what I told you the other day? Only by eating bitterness can one become superior to others. Besides, although the meals they send are so carelessly prepared, we’re actually not eating poorly.”
Qin Yining smiled: “Do you think Guangyuan Restaurant’s vegetarian dishes are good? Shall I have someone buy more?”
Sun Shi’s tears welled up in her eyes: “We’re the main branch. Our monthly allowance has a fixed amount. The main kitchen sends this kind of food box, making us eat worse than the servants. Where has all that silver gone? When I sent someone to ask, they said we needed to observe mourning and eat simply, that the good food and drink hadn’t been reduced for the main branch. Concubine Cao and your father’s original four concubines have divided our share of silver among themselves. The old dowager is… is deliberately humiliating me!”
Unable to hold back any longer, her tears finally fell.
Seeing this, Qin Yining felt helpless. She coaxed and comforted, exhausting all her persuasive words before finally getting Sun Shi to stop crying.
Just then, delicate voices and charming laughter came from the courtyard.
Nanny Jin approached with a very unpleasant expression to report: “Madam, Concubine Cao, Concubine Hua, Concubine Li, Concubine Qian, and Concubine Chen, along with Miss Huining, have come to pay their respects to you.”
As soon as she finished speaking, before Sun Shi could voice her refusal, the door curtain was lifted and a wave of fragrant breeze swept in as a group of beautifully dressed concubines entered first.