“Old Dowager speaks truly, and this is only the beginning. Once there’s progress at Xihua City, the chaos afterward will likely be even worse, with even more refugees fleeing. However, Old Dowager should also think more positively. Father has assisted the Emperor for so many years and is a capable minister under His Majesty. If things truly become that chaotic, there will probably be many times when the Emperor needs to rely on Father’s intelligence and wisdom. Since Father is a useful person, his life will naturally be safe. At most, he’ll receive a few rebukes from the Emperor and that will be the end of it.”
“Your analysis makes sense.” Though the situation was tense, Qin Yining’s explanation brought some comfort to the Old Dowager’s heart, and her constantly taut expression relaxed slightly. “As long as the person is still alive, nothing else matters. I don’t care about high office or generous salary—I only hope this whole family can be safe and sound.”
Seeing how Qin Yining had improved the Old Dowager’s mood with just a few words when she had been frowning with worry, Nanny Qin felt very grateful and smiled at Qin Yining with both gratitude and admiration.
She brought over a bowl of milk and bird’s nest soup and handed it to Qin Yining, then began massaging the Old Dowager’s shoulders: “Look, hasn’t the Old Dowager brightened up? If this slave may say so, Fourth Miss is just like the Marquis was in his youth. If the Old Dowager misses the Marquis, it doesn’t matter—not to mention the Marquis might return in the blink of an eye, but even when the Marquis isn’t back, we still have Fourth Miss here.”
Looking at Qin Yining’s beautiful face, the Old Dowager’s mood improved considerably.
Qin Yining smiled and scooped a spoonful of the milk and bird’s nest soup to feed the Old Dowager: “Old Dowager, have a bite.” Seeing that the Old Dowager was willing to eat, she continued feeding her while persuading: “You should just live peacefully and take good care of yourself. We women should work together to keep the rear courtyard stable, so Father, Uncle, and the cousins can work outside without worries. You are the backbone of our large family. As long as you sit firmly in good health, it’s like having the Sea-Calming Divine Needle planted in the Dragon Palace—no matter how turbulent things are outside, they can’t create big waves.”
While persuading and coaxing, she got the Old Dowager to finish the milk and bird’s nest soup and eat some pastries.
In just the time of one breakfast, the Old Dowager’s fondness for Qin Yining increased considerably.
Usually their positions differed—the Old Dowager detested Sun Shi, while Qin Yining insisted on supporting Sun Shi, causing the Old Dowager to lose face several times, naturally making the grandmother and granddaughter relationship very strained.
But now their positions were aligned, both working for the family’s sake. Moreover, the intelligence that the Old Dowager had previously detested in Qin Yining had now become the backbone that could support her.
Thus, the Old Dowager’s feelings toward Qin Yining were different again.
However, the heart suspended in worry for Qin Huaiyuan was gripped tight again with Qi Tai’s urgent return and report.
Just after finishing lunch, when Qin Yining was planning to rest briefly, a young maid came running breathlessly to report: “Madam, Miss, Qi Tai has returned and is now heading to the inner quarters, going to Cixiao Garden.”
Sun Shi and Qin Yining exchanged glances and hurriedly dressed properly before going to Cixiao Garden.
Second Madam, Third Madam, Young Master Yu’s wife, Second Young Master Han’s wife, and several young misses had all rushed over, and even Young Master Yu and Second Young Master Han, who usually stayed in the outer courtyard, were present.
Qi Tai knelt on the ground: “Old Dowager.”
“Speak quickly! How is Meng Ge’er!” The Old Dowager stood up, tightly grasping Nanny Qin’s hand.
Qi Tai kowtowed: “Just received news—the Marquis was rebuked by the Emperor, stripped of his positions as Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor and Chancellor, retaining only his title as Marquis of Anping, and sent to the Ministry of Justice prison. Though no specific crime has been determined and no one has been ordered to try him, it’s said the Marquis should reflect well. His life is currently safe, but we don’t know when the Emperor’s anger will subside or when the Marquis will be released.”
Hearing this, the Old Dowager’s vision went black. She cried out: “My son!” and fainted backward.
Sun Shi covered her mouth and began crying.
The women in the room were all in tears, panicked and anxious—some tending to the Old Dowager, others comforting Sun Shi, creating complete chaos.
Qin Yining pressed her lips together and stepped forward to Qi Tai: “Are you certain Father’s life is safe?”
“Yes, that can be confirmed for now.”
“What other news is there from outside?”
Qi Tai replied: “The Emperor has once again appointed National Uncle Cao, conferring upon National Uncle Cao the title of Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor to handle this current crisis. This humble servant doesn’t know the specifics.”
Hearing this, Qin Yining was stunned.
Qin Han and Qin Yu were both furious.
Qin Yu, being steady, could still keep his mouth shut.
But Qin Han was so angry he cursed aloud: “What does the Emperor mean by this? He was the one who promoted Great Uncle initially, and now he strips him just like that, then reinstates Grand Tutor Cao. Our family’s feud with the Cao family has become huge now. With Grand Tutor Cao back in power, how can our family fare well? Great Uncle and my father have served loyally in court, and the Emperor he…”
“Second Brother!” Qin Yining grabbed Qin Han’s wrist firmly, looking at him sternly.
Second Young Master Han’s wife also tugged at Qin Han’s hand and shook it, on the verge of tears.
Only then did Qin Han realize his slip of tongue and shut his mouth dejectedly.
Qin Yining said: “I roughly understand why Grand Tutor Cao was reinstated. I’ll naturally discuss it with my brothers later.”
She then asked Qi Tai: “When you returned, what was the situation in the city?”
Qi Tai’s face was somewhat pale, his voice hoarse: “Refugees in the city are gradually increasing, with more continuously fleeing into the city from outside. This year’s drought, the national treasury emptied by repeated wars, plus the large sum spent on peace negotiations—the Emperor shouts slogans about opening granaries to distribute grain, but how much grain can sustain so many mouths eating continuously? Now the refugees are restless, and the common people in the city are also panic-stricken. Many citizens are already planning to sell their houses and land.”
The Old Dowager had been revived by pressing her philtrum and was sobbing while listening to Qi Tai’s report.
Everyone’s hearts were filled with panic and anxiety, their whole bodies ice-cold. This feeling of impending doom was like a cold poisonous snake coiling around one’s neck, almost suffocating.
“Yining Girl, should our family also sell some houses and land?” the Old Dowager asked weakly.
Qin Yining turned back to ask: “Old Dowager, if our family sells houses and land, what then?”
The Old Dowager was struck speechless.
The room fell silent except for the occasional frightened sobbing of the sisters.
Qin Yining turned around to face the room full of women and said seriously: “Our family’s people cannot escape. Under the Emperor’s nose, we cannot escape. Even if there truly comes a day of national collapse, given the Qin family’s prestige over the years, under the Zhou Dynasty people’s watch, the Qin family cannot escape.”
“But we are one family—a family that shares fortune and misfortune together. I won’t forget this point, and none of you will forget it either. The Qin family has experienced hardship and has also experienced glory. In times of crisis, the whole family has banded together to fight through, and haven’t we remained safe and stable until now? The Qin family has spines that can stand straight and sufficient wisdom to negotiate with external powers. As long as we calm down, we can definitely think of solutions.”
“Right, Fourth Sister is correct.” Qin Han nodded emphatically. “Being afraid is normal—anyone who isn’t afraid at this critical moment would be made of wood. But a real man knows what to do and what not to do. Even if the Emperor sentences our family’s men to execution, we men must not die crying and disgrace our ancestors!”
“Second Brother is right. Moreover, things haven’t reached that point at all. We still have much room for maneuver.”