Second Master Qin Xiuyuan’s study was located in the eastern side courtyard of the outer court, separated from Qin Huaiyuan’s study by only a wall.

At this moment, Second Master, Third Master, Young Master Yu, and Second Young Master Han were all gathered here listening to a servant’s report.

The servant carefully recounted exactly how Qin Yining had just disciplined the servants and what rules she had established, repeating everything word for word without omission.

Second Master and Third Master nodded continuously as they listened. After dismissing the servant, both unconsciously let out long sighs of relief.

“Eldest Brother truly has exceptional foresight. These arrangements are excellent.”

Qin Han laughed and said: “Indeed, Great Uncle truly has remarkable prescience. I said earlier that Father’s worries were unnecessary. Fourth Sister is a shrewd and capable person. With these deployments, the mansion may not be airtight, but it can certainly prevent many troubles. It’s better than us managing the outside while neglecting the inside. With Fourth Sister overseeing the inner quarters, even if she doesn’t manage the inner residence to perfection, at least she won’t do anything foolish.”

“Exactly so.” Third Master also said, “This way, we needn’t worry about trouble in the inner quarters. With Yining Girl managing the household, we can also save ourselves some trouble.”

Second Master nodded, unable to help but worry: “I just wonder whether the Emperor will hold Eldest Brother accountable. Who could have imagined that Great Zhou would tear up the peace negotiations so quickly—they change face faster than flipping through a book. That Liang Shengjie enjoyed fine food and drink in our Great Yan, with beautiful women for company too. The Emperor, wholeheartedly wanting to befriend Great Zhou, naturally spared no effort in hospitality, truly treating Liang Shengjie as an honored guest. Who would have thought that the moment he left with the final reparation payment, Prince Zhongshun would attack on his heels.”

“These are all matters beyond our control, not something you or I can influence. What I’m worried about now is Great Uncle. We all know the Emperor’s temperament, and that Pang fellow has repeatedly shown special attention to Fourth Sister. I’m afraid the Emperor might redirect his anger…” Qin Yu said worriedly.

Qin Yu’s words made everyone present frown in silent concern.

They were all truly afraid.

Because the bloody massacre of Duke Dingguo’s entire household seemed like its stench of blood hadn’t yet dissipated.

“The Emperor has always been moody and unpredictable, beyond what you or I can influence. If it really comes to that, we have no other recourse. Wasn’t Duke Dingguo’s household formidable? Yet they were still caught completely off guard. What a pity about the Sun family’s fine men.” Thinking of the Sun family’s tragic fate, Third Master felt a wave of sorrow in his heart.

Qin Yu also said: “And Father too. You’ve just secured your position as Right Vice Minister of Personnel. If the Emperor truly becomes angry and takes it out on our family, I’m afraid Father’s hard-won promotion will also go down the drain.”

Who could be more depressed than Second Master when these matters were brought up?

But with the current situation being what it was, what could they do?

“At this critical juncture, we should be grateful to Heaven just to preserve our lives. I’m not afraid of whether official positions can be kept—what I fear most is that our family’s lives won’t be preserved. Eldest Brother is still in the palace and we don’t know his situation. It’s useless for us to worry here. We might as well return to our quarters and tell the womenfolk to follow Yining Girl’s arrangements. At least we can get through this difficult period first.”

“Second Brother is right,” Third Master agreed with a nod.

After the men’s discussion, they sent people to wait outside the palace gates for news of Qin Huaiyuan.

Second Master and Third Master each returned to their own courtyards, called their wives and children to their sides, and gave them thorough warnings.

Some words, if spoken, would cause panic among the womenfolk, so Second Master and Third Master didn’t speak too explicitly.

But the feeling of an approaching storm still lingered in everyone’s hearts.

Everyone knew that if they weren’t more alert at this time, they might invite fatal disaster. Thus their dissatisfaction with Qin Yining taking charge of the household was gradually replaced by panic.

In Xingning Garden, Song Lan carefully reported to Qin Yining the news obtained from the second and third branches, finally praising: “Who would have thought that Second Master and Third Master would both be so perceptive.”

“That’s only natural. Second Uncle is at least a third-rank court official now—his mind naturally wouldn’t be unclear. Third Uncle has managed his business so excellently, he must be a clever person. When it comes to assessing situations and timing, they were already formidable, and with their years of experience, they see the current situation even more clearly.”

“Indeed, when outsiders speak of the Qin family, who doesn’t give a thumbs up in praise? All three masters are outstanding figures, with the Marquis being the most exceptional,” said Qiu Lu from the side.

Qin Yining smiled upon hearing this.

Looking at the dim sky outside, Qin Yining’s heart grew increasingly anxious.

“Haven’t the people we sent out received any news from Father yet?”

“No. The Marquis hasn’t left the palace, and Qi Tai is also waiting anxiously outside the palace now.”

Hearing this, Qin Yining could only nod.

With her heart hanging suspended like this, neither up nor down, Qin Yining truly wished she could rush directly into the palace and kill that fatuous ruler and demon empress. Without them, the Qin family’s crisis could be said to be more than half resolved, and killing them would also rid the people of Great Yan of harm.

Qin Yining’s expression gradually grew dark.

This was the first time she had so clearly harbored murderous intent toward the fatuous ruler and demon empress. Now she could somewhat understand her maternal grandmother’s actions.

Her entire family’s lives were grasped in the hands of the fatuous ruler and demon empress. This feeling of being fish on the chopping block while others held the knife was truly unbearable. Qin Yining would rather be that knife herself, even if such thoughts were treasonous!

Qin Yining narrowed her eyes. Through the long night, she became more alert the more she thought, with many ideas gradually taking shape in her mind.

Though the cards in her hand weren’t particularly good, they were enough for her to fight desperately.

Perhaps her rebellious heart was intolerable to Heaven and Earth, but so what?

She would simply consider herself as planning to rid the people of harm!

In the deep silence of night, Sun Shi had already fallen asleep from exhaustion. Qin Yining kept watch by a silk lamp. Even with the soft and adorable Er’Bai in her arms and caring maids by her side, as long as Qin Huaiyuan didn’t return, she couldn’t rest easy for even a moment.

She could only comfort herself that no news was the best news.

And this method of self-comfort would be applied to the Old Dowager the next morning.

The next morning, just as Qin Yining had risen, the Old Dowager sent someone to summon her. Upon entering, she saw Nanny Qin waiting on this side of the screen, giving Qin Yining a meaningful look.

Qin Yining blinked and nodded in understanding.

Walking around the “joy on the brows” decorative screen to the inner room, she went directly to the Old Dowager’s side, knelt to pay respects: “Old Dowager.” She then took the forehead band from senior maid Ji Xiang’s hands and served the Old Dowager in putting it on.

The Old Dowager frowned: “Yining Girl, your father didn’t return all last night. Even now there’s been no news. I just asked your Second Uncle, and he also said there’s been no news from the palace. Tell me, what could the Emperor want with your father? Could it be, could it be…”

As the Old Dowager spoke, tears began welling up in her eyes.

At this moment, what benefits, what power—none of it mattered to the Old Dowager as much as Qin Huaiyuan’s safety. She no longer cared who held the authority tokens; she only hoped her son could return safely and be by her side as before.

Qin Yining quickly drew out a handkerchief to wipe the Old Dowager’s tears, comforting her: “Old Dowager loves Father too much, which is why concern leads to confusion. At this time, no news is the best news. Old Dowager has heard about the situation outside, hasn’t she?”

“Yes.” The Old Dowager nodded, her brow furrowed so deeply it formed the character “川”. “So many refugees have poured in. This year we’re already facing drought, and it’s stifling hot outside. The refugees have nowhere to live and nothing to eat—their resettlement alone is a huge problem.”