Jingzhe could feel Qin Yining’s tension and worry.
His heart felt warm.
Although they were all in the life-risking business, when the former Great Yan Dynasty emperor used them for tasks, he never considered their life or death—only whether they could complete their missions.
Now that they had encountered Qin Yining, they finally knew that there could be masters who would consider their survival. Hadn’t they seen how Qin Yining offered to enter the palace herself for his safety?
These men, accustomed to being secret agents, still instinctively paid attention to court movements even after changing careers to become guards. They knew how difficult Qin Huaiyuan’s current situation was.
Yet Qin Yining could step forward to protect them. If he, Jingzhe, didn’t come forward to take responsibility for this offense, would he really let their young lady bear the burden? Her reputation would become even more irreparable!
Thinking of this, Jingzhe strengthened his resolve. A surge of heroic spirit filled his heart—even if he were to be executed, he wouldn’t regret protecting his master today.
Jingzhe thought much, but it was only in the space of a breath.
Seeing him remain silent, Qin Yining grew increasingly anxious and insisted: “Grand Steward Li, today’s incident has its own rights and wrongs that will be determined. Jingzhe is a guard I hired with silver. When crisis struck suddenly, what wrong was there in his loyal protection of his master? Moreover, he didn’t harm anyone—he only killed a horse. If the Emperor ordered those involved in this matter to enter the palace, the one who should enter to petition should be me.”
Although Li Guanwen felt somewhat troubled by Qin Yining’s words, he admired her righteousness in his heart and secretly envied Jingzhe for having such a master who would protect her servants.
Not only Li Guanwen, but everyone following Qin Yining felt this way.
Even the second-generation nobles who had been clamoring for so long on the other side now quieted down.
Li Guanwen cleared his throat and said: “I’m sorry, Miss Qin, but this is the Emperor’s intention. This servant cannot disobey.” He then ordered someone to take Jingzhe, bid farewell to Lord Zheng, and left together with Minister Cheng.
Qin Yining saw them off to the door before returning with a worried frown.
Seeing the situation had somewhat eased, Lord Zheng breathed a genuine sigh of relief. “Miss Qin, today’s matter has been mostly resolved. You may also return home.”
Before Qin Yining could respond, those few second-generation nobles started clamoring: “Why should she leave first? We’re the victims! If anyone should leave first, it should be us!”
Now that the War Minister’s troops had withdrawn, the Five Cities Military Commissioner’s Office had returned to safety. With the Emperor already intervening in this matter, Lord Zheng knew he could only follow his previous choice and firmly stand on the Emperor’s side going forward.
Qin Huaiyuan was a pillar of the Emperor’s faction, so he naturally needed to protect Qin Yining more, especially since she was a young lady.
Thinking of this, Lord Zheng’s face darkened as he said: “Today’s incident is already very clear. You all charged with horses first, with countless witnesses. Do you still want to deny it at this point? Miss Qin remained in her carriage throughout and never showed herself. If Miss Qin’s servants were at fault, Grand Steward Li has already taken them away. You people charging with horses cannot escape responsibility. Are you still trying to deny it now?”
Seeing Lord Zheng suddenly become firm, the second-generation nobles began to panic.
Qin Yining glanced at Lord Zheng, naturally understanding the reason for his suddenly clear attitude. She smiled and said: “Thank you, Lord Zheng. However, with my person now taken into the palace, how can I be at ease? I think regardless of the outcome, your office will certainly receive news first. Please allow me to wait here with my people.”
Hearing this, Lord Zheng didn’t find her request excessive.
Qin Yining’s attitude was so sincere, and she was wholeheartedly trying to protect her servants. Whether considering her upbringing or her motives, both were admirable.
Therefore, Lord Zheng didn’t object, smiling as he said: “I only fear this place is crude and Miss Qin won’t be comfortable.”
“Not at all. Lord Zheng, you’re too kind.”
After exchanging pleasantries, Qin Yining sat back down in her original spot.
The second-generation nobles looked at each other, secretly thinking they’d wait for Minister Cheng to see the Emperor and then see how the Qin family would die.
Therefore, the group spoke and chatted with great confidence, even comfortably requesting tea and refreshments.
Seeing these people had no self-awareness, Lord Zheng felt somewhat annoyed. But due to their identities, he didn’t want to offend them, so he could only order servants to prepare tea and snacks.
They waited until afternoon. No news came from the palace, but instead, the fathers and elders of these second-generation nobles personally came to the door, pulling Lord Zheng aside for earnest requests, hoping to take their people home.
Lord Zheng had long been tormented by these second-generation nobles’ noise, so he went with the flow and agreed to these officials’ requests, only requiring that these people not leave the capital arbitrarily and be available whenever summoned.
This way, Lord Zheng also earned countless thanks.
Qin Yining watched as court officials smiled and finished speaking with Lord Zheng, then immediately changed faces upon entering the room. Those with steady temperaments would grimly order people to leave. Those with explosive tempers would beat their sons on the spot, cursing as they dragged them away.
Some who entered showed very distant and disdainful attitudes toward her, while others first exchanged pleasantries with her.
Qin Yining secretly noted these people’s behavior, allowing her to analyze who belonged to the royalist faction and who were others.
As for those second-generation nobles who were successively taken away by fathers and grandfathers, Qin Yining could already imagine they would certainly face family punishment when they returned home.
After all, the current court situation was tense.
As court officials, one had to choose the right position to have good prospects.
These elders had schemed carefully, choosing either the royalist faction or the faction of old ministers and aristocratic families. But regardless of their choice, it was the result of deep consideration.
They hadn’t expected that before matters matured, their positioning and arrangements would all be disrupted by their own wastrel sons.
Qin Yining couldn’t help but laugh, her gloomy mood finally entertained by these people.
Qin Yining had Bingtang take Lian Xiaozhou home first.
“Tell the Old Madam and Mother clearly when you return—don’t be too detailed, just say I have some business at the office and don’t know when I’ll return, so they needn’t worry. If Mother asks for details, be careful not to reveal everything, or I fear the guards at home will have difficulty serving Mother in the future.”
Qin Yining knew her mother’s temperament best. She feared Sun Shi’s protective nature might make things difficult for the remaining secret agents and Cao Yuqing at home.
Bingtang also knew Qin Yining had important business to handle and that bringing her and Lian Xiaozhou would be inconvenient, so she nodded and left first.
Only Ji Yun, Xiao Man, and one other remained to accompany Qin Yining.
During the wait, Lord Zheng showed no neglect, ordering food and drink to be sent. When evening passed without news from the palace and Qin Yining showed no intention of taking leave, he even specially prepared a guest room for her to stay the night.
Qin Yining, worried about the palace’s disposition, couldn’t possibly sleep. She thanked Lord Zheng but continued waiting in place.
Lord Zheng admired this young woman’s loyalty and righteousness even more. He didn’t force her, allowing Qin Yining to do as she wished.
As for Xiao Man and the other two, their loyalty to Qin Yining now exceeded what it had been before.
It could be said that formerly, what bound them was a relationship of interest—money made them serve as guards. But now, what connected them wasn’t purely silver, but emotion. As guards, selling their lives to anyone was still selling their lives. To encounter a master who treated them as people and cared about their safety was their good fortune.
Qin Yining waited here all night. Even when exhausted, she only closed her eyes to rest briefly.
Thus, when the sun was high the next day, news finally came from the palace.
Lord Zheng entered the room with a smile, cupping his hands: “Congratulations, congratulations! The Emperor has made a clear judgment—this matter is unrelated to Miss Qin, but a servant committed the offense of harming Minister Cheng’s son. The Emperor only punishes your guard with execution on a chosen day. Everything else will not be pursued, nor will Minister Cheng be allowed to pursue it further. Miss Qin, you are safe.”
With each sentence Lord Zheng spoke, Qin Yining’s heart grew colder. By the end, she felt as if she had fallen into an icy cave.
Jingzhe was to be executed on a chosen day!
Fatuous ruler! Fatuous ruler!
Qin Yining’s heart roared, but outwardly she struggled to control herself from saying harsh words. Instead, she forced herself to remain calm and asked: “Lord Zheng, you said my guard has been sentenced by the Emperor to execution on a chosen day?”
“Exactly. But he’s only a servant—Miss shouldn’t take it too much to heart.” Lord Zheng admired Qin Yining’s righteousness, so he didn’t mind saying more: “The current situation is already the result of balance between various forces. Losing only one servant to maintain this balance is good for Miss Qin’s father.”
Qin Yining naturally knew Lord Zheng’s words were correct.
But how could she swallow this injustice? How could she tolerate her own safety being built on another’s sacrifice?
She knew people were divided into different classes with distinctions of high and low, noble and base. But her upbringing had never made her look down on any servant. Servants were also people, also born of parents. Was her life more precious than others’?
Qin Yining had stayed up all night and now had a deathly pale face with dark circles under her eyes. Combined with this thunderbolt from clear skies, her vision darkened. For a moment, her mind was like mush—she wanted to save Jingzhe but couldn’t immediately think of a way.
Just as Lord Zheng was asking with concern, someone came to report: “My lord, Minister Qin from the Ministry of Rites has arrived.”
“Quickly invite him in.”
Lord Zheng immediately went out to greet him.
Qin Huaiyuan still wore the official robes from yesterday’s court session, his face also very weary, looking as if he too hadn’t slept well all night.
Qin Yining greeted Qin Huaiyuan with proper etiquette.
Qin Huaiyuan smiled and said: “Yining, come home with Father.”
Qin Yining’s lips trembled, and just as she was about to speak, Qin Huaiyuan said: “You’ve been outside all night too. You should return home to rest properly.” He then said to Lord Zheng: “Brother Zheng, I’ve truly been a bother. Thank you for taking care of my daughter.”
“Not at all—we’re all family.” Lord Zheng smiled and exchanged courtesies.
Qin Yining felt remaining would be useless, so she could only follow Qin Huaiyuan onto the carriage.