How could Qin Yining not know this matter was difficult? She was now truly riding a tiger and unable to dismount.

She could never have imagined that the stratagem she had used initially to avoid the fate of being devoured by the demon empress would now push her to such a precarious position.

“Don’t make any noise first. I’ll quietly go out to take a look, then make a decision.”

The guard outside the window immediately responded affirmatively.

Qin Yining then got up, holding Er’Bai and bringing Ji Yun and Qiu Lu downstairs.

Standing on the white jade platform and looking down the mountain, she saw the main hall at the foot of the mountain brightly lit, the lake water reflecting the lights. Even though she couldn’t see the full view from within the villa, she could imagine that the villa now must be as bright and magnificent as a celestial palace.

Her gaze crossed the lake water and looked outside, where she saw a dense mass of people moving about like dark shadows. Because the distance was too far, she couldn’t hear clearly what the people outside were saying, but she could hear the buzzing sound of conversation.

“It’s now past curfew time, yet the common people have all gathered here refusing to go home. This shows just how chaotic the city has become. Eighty percent of the Five Cities’ Military Commissioner’s men must be gathered at the entrance.”

“What the True Person says is correct. The Five Cities’ Military Commissioner’s men are indeed guarding outside the gate. They won’t listen to this persuasion or that persuasion. The law doesn’t hold the masses responsible, and they can’t use force against the common people for fear of causing greater unrest. Right now they’re at their wits’ end.” That guard, seeing the situation outside, was also somewhat worried.

Qiu Lu said: “Miss, with so many people, what will you do?”

What to do? See them, or not see them?

If she didn’t see them, the common people probably wouldn’t leave. Moreover, even if it wasn’t her intention, among the common people she had already been mythologized as a “saint.”

But if she did see them, what could a young woman like her answer? She couldn’t accomplish anything—what should she do?

“Let me think.”

Qin Yining pursed her lips and fell into deep thought.

Ji Yun and Qiu Lu didn’t dare disturb her, only holding silk fans nearby to drive away the occasional mosquitoes that flew over.

At the same time, at the Marquis of Anping’s mansion, Qin Huaiyuan listened to Qi Tai’s report and shot up from his seat, pacing around on the ground like a headless fly for several circles.

“This is bad, very bad indeed.”

“Yes, my lord. Now Xuansu Temple has been surrounded by tens of thousands of common people. If this is handled improperly, what if the common people rush in? Even if the imperial guards in the villa are highly skilled in martial arts, how many nails can an iron body crush? Tens of thousands of common people could trample someone to death!”

“Is there any movement from Prince Ning’s mansion? Is the Emperor still at the prince’s mansion?”

“The Emperor has already returned to the palace. Prince Ning is still unconscious.”

Qin Huaiyuan frowned deeply, his hands clenched into fists behind his back.

If this matter was handled improperly, it would truly provoke popular resentment and cost Qin Yining her life. Even if the common people didn’t transform into violent mobs and rush into the villa, if her reputation outside was ruined, it would inevitably give rise to various troubles, and might even be exploited by those with ulterior motives from the Zhou Dynasty and the Tatars.

“Prepare the carriage. Let’s go to the villa first. Sitting and waiting at home isn’t a solution—let’s go see the situation first.”

“Yes.” Qi Tai hurried to make preparations.

Qin Huaiyuan hastily changed into a different set of clothes. When he went out, he encountered Second Master and Third Master, who had both heard that the common people had surrounded the villa and were worried that something might happen to Qin Yining.

The three brothers set off together for the villa.

In the carriage, Qin Huaiyuan discussed in low voices with Second Master and Third Master how this matter should be handled. Qin Huaiyuan did have countermeasures, but unfortunately he had no way to contact Qin Yining—even if he wanted to offer advice, he couldn’t. The three men were anxiously drenched in sweat.

The closer they got to the villa, the denser the crowds became. The three Qin brothers could only get out of the carriage and walk, following the pressing crowds forward.

The common people around them were all very panicked—some discussing in low voices, some cursing loudly, and some women quietly sobbing. Qin Huaiyuan’s mood also became extremely agitated.

The clouds of war had been hanging over the capital city for more than just a day or two.

Years of continuous warfare, plus all kinds of tyranny and exploitation during the foolish emperor’s reign—even the common people living in the capital felt their lives were hopeless, let alone considering how the people elsewhere might fare.

With great difficulty, a great hero who could purge treacherous ministers had appeared, turning the demon empress into human oil candles and forcing the foolish emperor to abdicate. After the new emperor ascended the throne, all his actions were very people-friendly. For the stability of the country, he wouldn’t even marry his beloved woman, and specially gave up the imperial villa for the saint to live in.

The common people felt that their days finally had some hope.

But just as good days were beginning, Prince Ning was severely injured, and news spread that the inner treasury and national treasury’s silver had been emptied by the Grand Emperor, and the tax grain and granary grain had also been sold by the Grand Emperor.

The grain merchants raising rice prices to ten taels of silver per catty further confirmed the reality that the national granaries had no grain.

Rice at ten taels of silver per catty—who could afford to eat it?

Drought, war, plus the imminent threat of running out of food—enormous panic shrouded the capital city, causing tens of thousands of common people to no longer fear the Five Cities’ Military Commissioner and no longer care about curfew regulations. Since they would die sooner or later anyway, what did they have to fear?

Qin Huaiyuan pressed his lips together.

He knew that these common people had placed their hopes on the “saint” who could protect the peace of Great Yan’s rivers and mountains.

When people lose confidence and hope in life, they always place their hopes in faith. This is why Taoism flourished and Buddhism was introduced.

Now under the oppression of war, the faith of the capital city’s common people was naturally the “saint” who could maintain the peace of the rivers and mountains.

The common people were relieved, and the Emperor was also relaxed.

But all this enormous pressure was suddenly placed on his daughter’s shoulders. If something went wrong, the saint would become a deceiving fraud, and her end might be even worse than the demon empress’s.

Qin Huaiyuan felt cold all over, breaking out in cold sweat even in the height of summer, his hands and feet turning cold.

He could never have imagined that things would develop to this point.

Qin Huaiyuan had never before so painfully hated his own incompetence.

Right now he wished he could grow wings and fly into the villa to discuss with Qin Yining exactly what should be done.

The three Qin brothers had arrived relatively early—behind them countless more common people were still surging forward.

At this moment they had already gathered outside the villa’s main gate.

Just then, they heard someone outside the villa gate call out loudly: “Xuansu True Person has heard that all fellow villagers have gathered here with questions to ask, and has specially come out to meet everyone. The person has now arrived at the main hall entrance.

“She instructs everyone that the temple gates will be opened wide shortly. Please don’t push and crowd, and enter in an orderly manner. Xuansu Temple has limited space and probably can’t accommodate too many people, so Xuansu True Person’s words today will also be conveyed to those outside later. Everyone needn’t be anxious—whether staying outside the gates or entering inside, all can learn what the True Person said.”

When this person finished speaking, men stretched their voices to repeat the words above.

Others organized in an orderly fashion:

“Everyone don’t push and crowd! To avoid trampling!”

“Xuansu True Person is a saint—fellow villagers mustn’t offend the saint!”

“Please let the common people at the gate enter Xuansu Temple in an orderly manner!”

…

Qin Huaiyuan exchanged glances with Second Master and Third Master, felt slightly relieved, and followed the crowd surging into the villa.