“Indeed so. Father has heard of Marquis Zhongyong’s heroic military achievements mentioned repeatedly at court. He was a truly remarkable man, only it’s a pity that Heaven didn’t grant him longevity.” Qin Huaiyuan sighed with deep regret.

Qin Yining also felt it was truly a pity that such a fine man had married such a daughter-in-law and met such a controversial tragic end.

Qin Huaiyuan asked Qin Yining again, “Yi’er, let me ask you—do you know why Marchioness Zhongyong targets you?”

Qin Yining said, “She’s close with Princess Anyang, and Princess Anyang hates me, so she also hates me by association.”

Qin Huaiyuan nodded, “What else?”

Qin Yining thought for a moment and added, “Given her nature, it’s probably also because she’s always wanted to attract Pang Zhixi’s attention without success and feels resentful.”

“That’s another reason. What else?”

Qin Yining thought again, with some ideas flashing through her mind, but she couldn’t be certain.

Qin Huaiyuan then said, “His Majesty took down Northern Ji with the economic support of the great families back then, but after the war ended and peaceful times came, the existence of these families began to conflict with imperial power. The families have deep foundations and roots—His Majesty doesn’t dare act rashly, and the families can’t act rashly either. The two sides have been wrestling for years now, with constant hidden disputes, though the surface remains calm. There are frequent minor frictions, but it hasn’t reached the point of tearing faces.”

Qin Yining nodded, beginning to understand somewhat.

Seeing Qin Yining’s expression, Qin Huaiyuan smiled and explained:

“The struggle between His Majesty and the great families has gone on for a long time. All along, His Majesty has relied on the military power in the hands of his trusted nobles to barely maintain a balance with the families, but His Majesty is naturally suspicious and doesn’t completely trust the nobles either. Just look at how he stripped Pang Zhixi of his military authority—that’s enough to see this point.”

“His Majesty is also clear that some nobles have grievances against him, and I believe there are many confrontations between His Majesty and the families. Such accumulated friction has caused the balance between His Majesty and the families to tilt. The court now urgently needs new forces to help him balance the families, nobles, and former Northern Ji officials, but he doesn’t want the new forces to be like the nobles, wielding military power that’s hard to control.”

After hearing Qin Huaiyuan’s words, Qin Yining truly felt enlightened.

“Father, I understand! Ministers like you who surrendered from Great Yan are precisely the force His Majesty urgently needs. Initially I only knew that the Great Zhou court had Northern Ji surrender officials and His Majesty’s trusted nobles, but I didn’t know there were also great families behind the scenes.”

“You’ve been in the inner quarters after all, with limited contact, so your knowledge isn’t comprehensive.” Qin Huaiyuan smiled, “Once I tell you these things, you can quickly figure things out.”

Qin Yining felt her face heat up at Qin Huaiyuan’s words, but still said, “I imagine those great families, having lasted over a hundred years, probably have foundations that could rival entire dynasties like Northern Ji. With numerous descendants involved in all walks of life, they must have extensive connections at court.”

“You’re not wrong.” Qin Huaiyuan nodded, “This is precisely what makes the families formidable and what His Majesty fears. Great Zhou has only been established for just over three years, less than four. The Northern Ji Kingdom they took over was riddled with holes and had an empty treasury. The rebel army that originally formed Great Zhou weren’t all proper soldiers either—among the peasant army that rose up, there were many administrative problems. But the families have stood for a hundred years, forming their own factions. Not just His Majesty, but even the original Northern Ji officials and nobles like Pang Zhixi must show deference to families like the Lu clan.”

“So that’s why Princess Anyang calls Madam Lu ‘sister’ and is so polite to her?”

“Exactly.” Qin Huaiyuan said in a low voice, “Though His Majesty has ascended the throne, his heart is hardly at ease. Among the army he personally led, his prestige and support are far inferior to Pang Zhixi and Ji Zeyu.”

“The Huben Army and Longxiang Army are equally formidable in combat, but the Huben Army gives His Majesty more headaches because Pang Zhixi is too charismatic. The Huben Army is full of Pang Zhixi’s trusted followers, and countless men hope to die for him. Just from how Pang Zhixi could secretly mobilize the Huben Army to search for you without using the tiger tally, you can tell.”

“In comparison, Ji Zeyu is aloof and cold. Though he has great prestige in the army, he lacks that layer of personal charisma. The men of the Longxiang Army are loyal to him and obey orders absolutely, but they’re not easily mobilized.”

Qin Yining nodded, “I understand now. His Majesty’s own trusted allies are the nobles who hold military power, but the two great leaders among the nobles are both destabilizing factors, especially Pang Zhixi. That’s why His Majesty suppresses Pang Zhixi in every way—on one hand stripping his military authority and constraining this eagle on the battlefield with civil positions, while on the other hand sowing discord between him and Ji Zeyu, and making Ji Zeyu the imperial son-in-law.”

“You’re absolutely right.” Qin Huaiyuan nodded.

“So even His Majesty’s trusted nobles are so troublesome—all the more so for the great families who once provided financial support to His Majesty.”

“In the eyes of those families, His Majesty’s rebel army probably couldn’t even get on their stage. Combined with the grievances between Northern Ji surrender officials and His Majesty, though they surrendered, don’t most of them harbor regret about their fallen kingdom? With these various forces difficult to reconcile, no wonder His Majesty wants to recruit Great Yan surrender officials.”

“You’re right. His Majesty hopes to control the Great Yan surrender officials. Even if he can’t immediately control them, he can at least win their hearts. Sending charcoal in snow is often more memorable than adding flowers to brocade.”

After Qin Huaiyuan finished speaking, he picked up his tea bowl to drink. The room fell quiet, with only the red candle in the silk lamp crackling loudly as it formed a flower.

After pondering for a long time, Qin Yining said, “Father, my previous method of dealing with Marchioness Zhongyong was inappropriate—daughter was confused. Though it would be easy to directly tell my people not to sell the house to her, hitting Marchioness Zhongyong’s face would also hit the Lu family’s face. This loss wouldn’t be worth the gain. I think we need to find a method that neither offends the family nor punishes Madam Lu.”

Qin Huaiyuan said, “Having just arrived, it’s indeed inappropriate to offend the Lu family right from the start. But to be suppressed by a widow from the beginning would inevitably make people look down on us, and wouldn’t more people follow suit afterward?”

“Father is right,” Qin Yining nodded in agreement, then suddenly had a flash of inspiration and lowered her voice, “Father, do you think this matter might be arranged by His Majesty?”

Qin Huaiyuan looked at Qin Yining, his eyes once again filling with a smile.

“This is precisely what I came to discuss with you tonight.”

Qin Yining thought more about it, finding the situation increasingly suspicious, her speech becoming urgent.

“His Majesty is determined to win Father over as a confidant. Knowing we’ve just arrived in Great Zhou with unstable foundations, once we conflict with the Lu family, it will certainly be difficult. So His Majesty very likely ordered Princess Anyang to instigate Madam Lu, provoking conflict between Madam Lu and our family. From my cold observation these days, His Majesty’s skill at sowing discord is exceptionally good.”