Qin Yining rose and was attended by Bingtang and Song Lan as she washed and dressed. She wore a moon-white plain satin jacket with a lake-blue eight-panel skirt, her hair neatly arranged in a cloud-following chignon secured only with a peach wood hairpin, and draped a sky-azure satin cloak over her shoulders before taking her maids downstairs and leaving Shuoren Studio.

Shuoren Studio was extremely close to the Old Madam’s Cixiao Garden. After walking only a short while, she encountered Qin Huining and Sixth Miss, who were arm-in-arm on their way to pay their respects to the Old Madam.

Though Qin Yining never missed her daily morning and evening greetings, she had never gone as diligently early as Qin Huining and Sixth Miss. Today, seeing Qin Yining approaching slowly in plain, simple attire, the two assumed she had learned of being sent away for the peace talks and was scared, specially coming to curry favor with the Old Madam.

Qin Huining’s eyes were full of contempt, no longer showing yesterday’s fear upon seeing her. She hugged her shoulders and sneered, then walked in a circle around Qin Yining.

“Little Creek sister, isn’t it a bit too late to clasp Buddha’s feet at the last moment? If you had been more filial to the Old Madam regularly, she might feel sorry for you now and say a few good words on your behalf, perhaps sparing you from the fate of serving that old lecher. But what about you? Usually showing no filial piety, always making the Old Madam angry – now whether you live or die, who would care about you?”

“Exactly.” Sixth Miss sneered coldly. “Look at your coquettish appearance – who knows what gives you the capital to be so arrogant with your nose in the air all day. Let me tell you, even if you died, the Old Madam would still send your corpse to that old lecher. The Old Madam won’t let our family end up like your maternal grandfather’s family.”

Qin Yining looked at the two brightly dressed women, silently listening to their malicious words that cut like pearls, not immediately responding but steadily gazing at them.

Qin Huining and Sixth Miss were convinced that given Qin Yining’s current circumstances, she absolutely wouldn’t dare be as domineering as before. Having been bullied for so long, they had finally found an opportunity to vent their anger – how could they not take advantage of it?

However, Qin Yining didn’t argue back or hit them, just quietly looked at them. That gaze truly made people feel uneasy.

The two had to force themselves not to step back half a pace, instead glaring back mockingly.

Sixth Miss even cursed: “You’re nothing but a wild girl. Being able to lord it over the Qin household for so many days was already Heaven’s great favor to you! After you finish serving that old lecher this time, if you really can return alive, the Qin family shouldn’t be unable to support one ruined flower!”

Qin Yining’s long eyelashes fluttered once, then she suddenly lowered her head pitifully.

Her plain, simple attire was already conspicuous among the women dressed in red and brocade. Now, being forced by fate into such circumstances – imperial decree that simply couldn’t be refused – while also facing insults from her cousins, one “serving the lecher” after another, one “ruined flower” after another, even a grown married woman might not be able to bear such humiliation, let alone an unmarried young girl.

Seeing her pitiful appearance, Sixth Miss and Qin Huining felt one word in their hearts: satisfaction!

Sixth Miss became even more unrestrained: “Weren’t you formidable before! Wasn’t it that no one could out-argue you or beat you! Go ahead and show your might before the Old Madam now, see if she’ll help you! Don’t think you…”

“Is this Second Sister-in-law’s family upbringing? I’ve truly learned something today.”

Suddenly, a low male voice filled with anger came from behind Qin Huining and Sixth Miss.

The two were so startled their bodies shook violently. They stared in disbelief, slowly turning around to see Qin Huaiyuan standing not far away with his hands behind his back, wearing a cloak with a gray squirrel fur collar. Beside Qin Huaiyuan, Second Master Qin Xiuyuan stood with an ashen face, glaring angrily at Sixth Miss.

Sixth Miss’s mind went blank with a buzzing sound, her knees went soft from fright, and she fell to the ground with a thud.

Qin Huining was also scared silly.

No wonder Qin Yining hadn’t talked back or fought back just now! She had seen Qin Huaiyuan and Qin Xiuyuan coming early on! Not only did she not stop them from continuing to speak, she deliberately encouraged them to say malicious things!

She had wondered why someone with Qin Yining’s crude upbringing would actually not curse back today!

So she was waiting here all along!

Qin Huaiyuan looked at Qin Huining and Sixth Miss with a grim face. Though he said nothing, his presence was terrifying.

Qin Xiuyuan hurriedly said, “Elder brother, please calm your anger. I will certainly discipline Sixth Girl properly.”

Qin Huaiyuan nodded and walked straight toward Qin Yining.

Qin Huining and Sixth Miss, both pale with fright, moved aside to clear a path.

Reaching his daughter, Qin Huaiyuan gazed at her steadily for a moment, then his large hand touched Qin Yining’s head and lovingly helped adjust her cloak before saying, “Come, go with Father to have breakfast in the outer courtyard.”

“Yes.” Qin Yining touched the forehead where Qin Huaiyuan had touched her, couldn’t help but smile obediently, and walked beside him as the two went out shoulder to shoulder.

Qin Yining didn’t even spare another glance for Qin Huining and Sixth Miss. Minor pawns, not worth fearing – she didn’t need to speak up, someone would take care of them.

Qin Yining brought Bingtang and Song Lan as she followed Qin Huaiyuan out of the second gate, then asked, “Didn’t Father send someone to summon me? Why couldn’t you wait and came in yourself?”

“Mm.” Qin Huaiyuan didn’t answer, only responded casually.

Seeing him like this, Qin Yining knew her father was concentrating on his thoughts, so she said no more.

The two arrived at the courtyard where the outer study was located, and Qin Huaiyuan first took Qin Yining to eat in the side hall.

Six small dishes of refreshing various pickled vegetables, thick and fragrant rice porridge, a large plate of steamed buns and stuffed buns fresh from the steamer still steaming hot, plus two dishes of green stir-fried vegetables – the colorful, aromatic, and flavorful meal would normally greatly increase one’s appetite, but today neither father nor daughter had much of an appetite, both eating only a little before setting down their chopsticks.

Qin Huaiyuan sighed and said, “You already know everything, don’t you.”

“Yes.” Qin Yining replied, “The news has already spread everywhere. It would be hard for me not to know.”

Qin Huaiyuan frowned, looking at the steaming hot food before him, not speaking for a long time.

Seeing Qin Huaiyuan so troubled, Qin Yining smiled and said, “Father, the imperial decree has been issued. You cannot disobey it, nor can you disregard the life and death of our entire family. I’ll just make this trip with you.”

Qin Huaiyuan suddenly looked up, seeing Qin Yining’s calm, light smile, and said, “Yining, aren’t you afraid? Don’t you resent this?”

With such a major incident, not to mention whether chastity and life could be preserved, even a young lady’s reputation would be completely ruined.

Ordinary women would have already hanged themselves or thrown themselves into rivers by now. That Qin Yining could live peacefully without threatening death or secretly fleeing already showed Qin Huaiyuan she was extremely sensible. Who would have thought she could even smile to comfort him?

The one being harmed was clearly her.

Qin Huaiyuan felt a mix of emotions, his eyes growing warm, nearly losing control of his feelings.

Seeing her father’s dark-rimmed eyes and hesitant expression, what didn’t Qin Yining understand?

“The Duke Dingguo household’s fate is right before our eyes. At this critical juncture, whether I flee or die, it would only bring catastrophic disaster to our family. The only thing I can do now is wait peacefully for nine days from now to set out with Father to Xihua City, doing everything possible to make the peace talks succeed, so this sacrifice won’t be in vain. If our whole family can be safe and sound, and I can fortunately preserve my life, that’s enough. As for other things like chastity and reputation, I won’t think about them, and Father shouldn’t dwell on them either.”

“Yining…” Qin Huaiyuan couldn’t have imagined that Qin Yining would be so calm and rational at such a crucial moment.

At this time, wasn’t she the most wronged and innocent one?

“Father, don’t be sad. I’ve seen too much life and death outside. Usually, poor families’ children die from bumps and falls, get hit by carriages, get carried off and eaten by wild wolves and dogs, fall in water and drown… Human life is precious, but in some people’s eyes, it’s also the cheapest. When bandits massacre cities or during disaster years without food, poor families sell a healthy girl for only half a bag of corn meal…”

“Father, I can see things clearly. As long as I stay alive, there will definitely be hope. Look, didn’t I see hope? I used to think I’d spend my whole life hunting and gathering herbs in the mountains, but now wasn’t I found by Father? In this lifetime, people must experience storms and rain. Being able to live through it all and see the end, laughing until the end, is good. As for what happens in between, I don’t care, and Father needn’t care either. I’m not one of those delicate, fragile young ladies – I’m not afraid of these things.”