Qin Yining knew that Sun Shi harbored doubts in her heart and would certainly ask, so she wasn’t in a hurry to answer. First, she smiled and brought over a cup of warm honey black tea, placing it with both hands beside Sun Shi, then gently persuaded:

“Mother, don’t be anxious. Our staying here is also with Father’s tacit approval, and Father won’t find it troublesome. Moreover, we’re only delaying our return by a few days – nothing major will happen at the manor. Your daughter isn’t preventing you from returning to the manor either. If we’re to go back, we should return with dignity and propriety. As for the Old Madam, she should give us an explanation. Only when we return with proper justification will our faces shine with honor.”

Qin Yining’s voice was gentle and measured, bringing comfort to the listener’s heart. The fragrance of black tea and honey lingered at the tip of the nose, and Sun Shi couldn’t help but take a sip. The warm, clear sweetness that entered her mouth warmed her heart as well.

Looking at Qin Yining’s gentle smiling face, Sun Shi sighed: “Yining, tell Mother the truth – when I was dragged out for execution that day, did the Old Madam make things difficult for you?”

“It wasn’t exactly making things difficult.” Qin Yining smiled, not wanting to ignite this powder keg in her mother’s heart, and only said vaguely: “Mother also understands the Old Madam’s temperament. Moreover, she is the Qin family’s matriarch and must consider not just any single person’s safety, but the interests of the entire family.”

“Even at this point, you’re still speaking up for your grandmother.” Sun Shi sighed as she pulled over Qin Yining’s hand and patted it. “Your grandmother is terribly snobbish. To curry favor with that bitch Cao Yuqing, she threw away all shame. These past two days I’ve been carefully recalling – when His Majesty suddenly wanted to kill me, the news reaching home must have shocked you all. Actually, even without you saying it, I can guess that the Old Madam must have feared getting into trouble and would have been delighted if I died.”

Sun Shi’s tone was indignant, but Qin Yining could see that Sun Shi was no longer as arrogant and domineering as before. Though she was still angry now, she no longer knew only how to throw tantrums to vent her emotions.

Indeed, cruel reality was the best teacher.

Only after experiencing wind and rain would one rapidly mature.

“Mother, don’t be angry. We’ll just take things step by step and walk our path steadily. As for what others think and do, that’s not something you and I can control. We’ll just meet soldiers with generals and floods with earth dikes. In any case, no matter when or where, Mother only needs to remember that your daughter will absolutely stand on your side.”

“Yining…” Sun Shi gazed at Qin Yining’s increasingly refined and delicate features, moved as she gripped her hands tightly.

Through Bingtang’s careful care, the scars on Qin Yining’s hands had already faded somewhat, and the calluses had also thinned. At least at first glance, her hands didn’t look different from those of an ordinary young lady from a prominent family.

However, when Sun Shi held her hands, her fingertips could still feel those thick calluses and scars from the slightly rough palms.

Recalling her own coldness and suspicion toward Qin Yining when she first returned to the manor, Sun Shi felt nothing but shame and regret.

Qin Yining was unaware of the complex turmoil in Sun Shi’s heart. She casually browsed through the gold and silver jewelry and other imperial rewards placed on the round table, taking out a black lacquered wooden box. Opening it, she found a glass snuff bottle with an exquisite yellow oriole painted on it, appearing very lively and auspicious.

After thinking briefly, Qin Yining smiled and instructed Bingtang beside her: “These next few days, please trouble yourself to go out and help me find a snuff bottle, one with a similar pattern to this one.”

Bingtang asked in surprise: “Isn’t this one here? Why does Miss still want to buy another?”

“This is a reward from His Majesty and the Empress – how dare I use it carelessly? If it were to break, that would be terrible.” Qin Yining chuckled softly as she casually set the item down, not appearing particularly concerned.

Bingtang asked no more questions and quickly went out to buy a snuff bottle.

Qin Yining instructed Song Lan to properly store the imperial gifts, then chatted with Sun Shi about pleasant topics. Just speaking of Qin Huaiyuan’s deep love for Sun Shi was enough to make Sun Shi’s mood cheerful.

Meanwhile, at the Compassionate Filial Garden, the Old Madam heard the reports from Qin Yu and Qin Han and immediately smashed her teacup in anger.

“What a wild girl! She’s inciting her mother to misbehave! Fine, fine, fine – I’ll just pretend I don’t have such an unfilial granddaughter! That fool Sun Shi likes being wild, so let her stay wild outside! Does she think my son would worry about having no one to serve him! Naturally there are women of higher birth and greater beauty than that stupid woman to serve my son!”

The Old Madam’s words in her extreme anger didn’t consider the setting, causing the faces of several young ladies nearby to flush red.

The Second Madam frowned in displeasure and waved her hand, signaling Third Miss to take her cousins outside.

Third Madam tried to console the Old Madam at her side.

Though they spoke words of comfort, both Second Madam and Third Madam actually disapproved of the Old Madam’s actions. As fellow daughters-in-law, this matter had fallen on Sun Shi today – but what if it fell on them someday?

Sun Shi was fortunate – though her natal family had fallen, she at least had a filial and capable legitimate daughter, and the Master wasn’t the type of muddled fool who couldn’t tell right from wrong.

If this happened to them, who knew how things would develop. Setting aside comparing their husbands’ characters, just speaking of the daughters they’d raised – none had Qin Yining’s capability and courage.

Thus passed seven or eight days. The plaque reading “Marquis Anping’s Manor” written in the Emperor’s own hand had already been hung up, and craftsmen had also begun work in front of the Qin family’s main gate to erect an honorary archway for Sun Shi.

For a woman to receive the Emperor’s personal praise and have an archway erected was the highest honor. Moreover, how many wives with super first-rank titles of nobility were there in the entire Great Yan dynasty?

Now that spring had arrived and the weather was gradually warming, the noble ladies and daughters who had been hibernating through winter became active in their social visits. Just during this period, invitations for Sun Shi and Qin Yining to attend various banquets arrived in an endless stream.

Initially, the Old Madam declined saying Sun Shi was unwell, but constantly making such excuses made it appear as though the Old Madam was obstructing things. Yet if these people were to send their invitations to Guilin Tower instead, it would seem as though the mother-in-law couldn’t tolerate her daughter-in-law and had driven out the legitimate mistress of Marquis Anping’s Manor.

In fact, the Old Madam had already heard several rumors, each speculating that she couldn’t tolerate her daughter-in-law and wanted to compete for power with her.

Early in the morning, the Old Madam instructed Nanny Qin to make a trip and ensure she persuaded Qin Yining and Sun Shi to return. But by midday, Nanny Qin had also returned defeated.

Now the Old Madam finally couldn’t contain her anger and summoned Qin Huaiyuan, who had just returned from court, to give him a thorough scolding.

However, Qin Huaiyuan argued confidently: “After all, it wasn’t your son who drove his wife and daughter away. Your son is busy with court affairs and has no mind to manage these matters. Mother should help your son share these burdens.”

“You mean you want me to go request them back?” The Old Madam was dumbfounded.

Qin Huaiyuan smiled: “Mother is skilled at managing the household – how would your son understand such things? Mother should make the decisions.” Having said this, he hurriedly took his leave to meet with his advisors in the outer courtyard study.

The Old Madam was so angry her teeth itched, but preserving face was still most important. She finally instructed Nanny Qin: “Prepare the carriage. I’m going to Guilin Tower personally. I don’t believe that dead girl will still be able to put on airs when she sees me!”

Nanny Qin responded affirmatively and hurried to have the carriage and horses prepared.

The Old Madam then took Nanny Qin, Ji Xiang, Ruyi, and several attendants, traveling with a simple retinue as she quietly headed toward Guilin Tower.