Upon hearing these words, the ministers immediately felt that the new Emperor readily accepted counsel and possessed elegant bearing, deepening their expectations for the new ruler even further.
This was hardly surprising.
With the precedent of the retired Emperor—incompetent, dim-witted, and stubbornly self-willed—Yuchi Yan’s character, even without doing anything special, was already streets ahead of that tyrant.
Meanwhile, Qin Huaiyuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, he was dealing with a new Emperor rather than a tyrant. Otherwise, wouldn’t his daughter be forced into this Empress position with no room for choice whatsoever?
After court was dismissed, Qin Huaiyuan was again invited by Yuchi Yan to the imperial study, where the sovereign and subject conversed for quite some time. During this, Yuchi Yan repeatedly probed Qin Huaiyuan’s thoughts and inquired about the matter between Qin Yining and Pang Xiao.
However, given Qin Huaiyuan’s intelligence, after chatting with Yuchi Yan for a while, he revealed no substantial content. Even so, this left Yuchi Yan beaming with joy and brimming with confidence from beginning to end, his mood extremely pleasant.
When Qin Huaiyuan emerged from the palace and boarded his carriage, he couldn’t help but shake his head vigorously.
Yuchi Yan’s character was indeed good, but as an emperor, his talents didn’t match his position—sooner or later, he would suffer greatly for it.
If this had been his former self, filled with thoughts of loyalty to the sovereign and love for the country, the Emperor’s words would have been imperial edicts. Even if it meant his daughter’s life, though he might be reluctant, he would never utter a single word of refusal.
But after experiencing successive suppressions and torments, witnessing firsthand the imperial family’s attitude after his home was ransacked, his mindset had long since changed.
He was not a saint, after all.
He only wanted to be worthy of the common people under Heaven.
He would not betray his original intentions when he first became an official, but he also wanted his daughter to find happiness. Even if she became the most noble woman under Heaven, so what? How many women in the deep palace ever met with good endings?
Not to mention that Great Yan’s realm was in upheaval—becoming Empress and the target of all would hardly be a good thing.
Speaking only of his daughter’s character, if she truly became Empress, she would certainly remain loyal to Yuchi Yan until the end. Since Yuchi Yan lacked both strategy and talent, Qin Yining would have to exhaust her heart and strength for his Yuchi family’s kingdom. If things went poorly, she might even earn the thankless reputation of a “hen crowing at dawn.”
As an emperor, being incompetent was bad enough, but he would certainly be wary of harem interference in politics. Initially, he might find it novel, or perhaps find Qin Yining useful, so he could tolerate it. But what about later?
If Great Yan didn’t fall, an Empress who interfered in politics would sooner or later face the Emperor’s disgust.
If Great Yan perished, his daughter would be implicated as well.
His official career could be described as three rises and three falls—only now did he deeply realize that positions and titles were all empty. The imperial family could strip away everything he had worked half a lifetime to achieve with a single word.
He had only this one daughter—he couldn’t let her lifetime of happiness be buried.
As for Pang Zhixi, though he also had flaws, he was nonetheless a man of courage and strategy, a man with shoulders to bear responsibility. In these chaotic times, Pang Zhixi’s mind was sharp enough to protect Qin Yining. Moreover, Pang Zhixi’s masculine pride would never allow his woman to suffer hardships—even if he had to grit his teeth and endure, he would create a safe haven for those behind him. This single point alone made him far superior to the new Emperor.
The only drawback was their adversarial relationship.
Thinking of the two nations at war, then of his daughter’s marriage prospects, Qin Huaiyuan felt the future looked even more bleak.
At worst, he would support his daughter for life! His daughter, whom he cherished like a treasure—how could there come a day when she would go to another family to suffer hardships? Just thinking about it made this father feel stifled in his chest.
Throughout the journey, Qin Huaiyuan pondered this matter, his brow tightly furrowed.
Upon reaching the marquis mansion, Qin Huaiyuan gave Qi Tai a few instructions. As soon as he entered the house, he headed straight for the inner quarters. Arriving at the entrance to Shuo Ren Study, Qin Huaiyuan remembered that this place housed not only Qin Yining, but also Eighth Miss and Qin Huining. It wouldn’t be proper for him to barge in, so he instructed the newly purchased little maid at the door: “Go request Fourth Miss to come out.”
The little maid was seven or eight years old, having been in the mansion for only a day. She hadn’t yet learned the rules, and seeing Qin Huaiyuan in his court robes with a stern expression, she was so frightened she dared not breathe, turning to rush inside to relay the message.
Soon after, Qin Yining came downstairs supported by Bingtang and Ji Yun.
In the sweltering heat of the seventh lunar month, Qin Huaiyuan was drenched in sweat, yet Qin Yining wore a light azure jacket with a half-worn copper-green brocade vest draped over her shoulders. Her face was pale, her lips bloodless, but her cheeks bore an unhealthy flush—clearly she was ill.
“What’s wrong with Yi’er?” Qin Huaiyuan’s brow knitted into knots.
Bingtang frowned: “Miss’s wound has become inflamed, and she has a fever. She kept saying she was cold just now, and only felt better after taking medicine.” Supporting Qin Yining, she could naturally feel the body heat radiating from her, in stark contrast to her ice-cold hands.
Though Qin Yining was ill, her eyes were bright as she smiled: “It’s nothing serious. This is what happens when you’re injured, and it’s summer now, naturally different from winter injuries. Just need to recuperate—it’s not a big deal.”
She smiled as she walked to Qin Huaiyuan: “Father just returned from court? Shall we go to the pavilion for some tea?”
Qin Huaiyuan followed her gaze, knowing she meant the white stone pavilion by the lotus pond. That place was secluded, convenient for conversation, so he nodded: “Very well.”
Everyone in the Qin family knew that Qin Huaiyuan raised his daughter like a son. During his recent period of leisure at home, whether reading or fishing, it was mostly Qin Yining who accompanied him for consolation and casual conversation. So seeing Qin Huaiyuan taking Qin Yining for a stroll and chat wasn’t strange at all.
The two settled in the cool pavilion. Ji Yun brought tea and fetched a soft cushion for Qin Yining to sit on, then withdrew outside with Bingtang.
Qin Yining then asked: “Father, did something happen at court?”
Qin Huaiyuan first drank two bowls of warm green tea himself, feeling his throat less parched, then said: “I’ve just instructed Qi Tai to prepare a palanquin and the dried provisions and medicines needed for travel. Take Bingtang and Ji Yun with you shortly, ask Young Master Mu to escort you, and leave immediately.”
A palanquin was used only for long journeys, being much more stable and spacious than a carriage.
Father was telling her to go far away?
Qin Yining was shocked: “Why does father say this? Has something happened at home? Or has the new Emperor’s ascension led to father being charged with crimes?”
Qin Huaiyuan shook his head: “Father has not been charged with any crimes, but rather restored to original position.”
“Then what is it?” Qin Yining’s mind raced, and she vaguely formed an absurd guess: “Could it be that the new Emperor wants me to enter the palace to serve?”
Qin Huaiyuan sighed: “Clever.”
Qin Yining immediately felt a wave of panic and anger.
She had already spoken clearly enough to Yuchi Yan—how could he still be like this?
But she also knew that whether it was Pang Xiao or Yuchi Yan, both were men accustomed to high positions and giving orders. Men’s status was inherently higher than women’s, and they were both powerful and influential. When they took a fancy to any family’s daughter, there was none they couldn’t obtain. How could these men at the peak of the pyramid care about a little woman’s opinion?
Author’s Note: This trashy author has revived with half health. Starting tomorrow, update schedule returns to normal, with three updates on weekends—morning at 9 AM and evening at 9 PM, with additional updates at irregular times. There’s one more update tonight. Group kisses!