Upon hearing the four words “dragon turns over in the earth,” both Pang Xiao and Qin Yining’s expressions became grave.
Over thirty years ago, Northern Ji had experienced a major earthquake. At that time, over five hundred thousand people from two prefectures were left homeless. Combined with the hot summer weather and rainy conditions, corpses buried in the ruins began to decay in the humid, hot environment. With many ruins left uncleared in time, this eventually led to a great epidemic.
That single disaster had severely weakened Northern Ji’s vitality. It took a very long time for everything to settle down, and the already depleted national treasury became even more impoverished.
Pang Xiao asked anxiously: “Are there any reports on the severity of the earthquake disaster?”
Huzi shook his head: “There are no precise statistics yet, but from the former Great Yan capital in the south, stretching north to three consecutive cities, all have suffered varying degrees of impact. Moreover, the tremors in the old capital have continued for two days without stopping.”
“Three cities? Doesn’t that include Tai City?” Qin Yining frowned. Tai City was where she had lived since childhood, and she was still very concerned about it.
Huzi nodded: “It should be included. However, Tai City is quite far from the former Yan capital, so there probably isn’t anything major happening there.”
Qin Yining and Pang Xiao exchanged glances, both seeing worry in each other’s eyes.
The war had just ended, and now such a major disaster had occurred. The superficially prosperous Great Zhou actually had an empty treasury, and His Majesty’s private funds had been essentially exhausted. What could they use now for disaster relief? Where would they find the resources to handle post-disaster affairs?
Under Li Qitian’s scheming, Pang Xiao was indeed intentionally defensive. But what worried Pang Xiao most was the safety of the common people.
“Great Yan truly faces one disaster after another,” Huzi couldn’t help but sigh. “I thought everything would gradually improve, but unexpectedly this earthquake has occurred.”
Hearing this, Qin Yining also couldn’t help but sigh: “Natural disasters and man-made calamities—it’s always the common people who suffer.”
Pang Xiao also frowned with worry, thinking about how this matter should be handled.
The two didn’t want to bring their emotions to the elderly, so when they arrived at Songtie Hall, they had already composed themselves.
As soon as Qin Yining entered, Madam Ma came out to greet her, taking her hands and examining her from head to toe before finally exhaling in relief: “I heard Da Fu carried you back, and I was frightened out of my wits. Huzi came to say you were fine, but when I questioned him closely, he couldn’t explain clearly. Thank goodness you’re all right. Did something happen in the palace? How did you suddenly faint when everything was fine?”
Qin Yining glanced at Pang Xiao and, seeing he seemed somewhat uncomfortable, didn’t mention Li Helan’s affair. She only said: “It’s nothing serious, just some anemia. Plus I was nervous when answering the Empress Dowager’s questions, so I fainted. The Imperial Physician examined me and said it’s nothing. With some rest and care, I’ll be fine.”
Both Yao Shi and Yao Chenggu looked suspicious. They had been observing Qin Yining carefully and saw her glance at Pang Xiao before speaking this way, confirming in their hearts that she wasn’t telling the truth.
Yao Chenggu thought that perhaps the outside situation wasn’t good, and Qin Yining didn’t want the elders to worry and fear.
Yao Shi, however, was suspicious, feeling that Qin Yining’s manner seemed somewhat guilty.
Madam Ma worriedly held Qin Yining’s hand: “Look how cold your hands are. Anemia is no small matter. You’re still young now—what will happen when you’re older? Fortunately, we discovered it early. We’ll start treatment now, and with some nourishment, you’ll be fine.”
“Yes, thank you, Grandmother.” Qin Yining looked at Madam Ma gratefully, taking her hand and shaking it.
Qin Yining had never received care from elderly relatives since childhood. The Old Madam went without saying, and even formerly in Great Yan, though there was genuine affection between her and her grandmother, Duchess Dingguo Zheng Shi, it was also mixed with conflicts of interest. When she first returned to the residence and wasn’t favored by her mother, although her maternal grandmother advised her mother to treat her better, it wasn’t because her grandmother liked her, but because her grandmother wanted to help her mother find ways to stabilize her position.
If speaking of someone who was truly good to her without reason, Madam Ma was one. Qin Yining was sensitive to people’s malice and hostility, but also clearly felt people’s kindness. Even when she hadn’t yet decided to marry Pang Xiao, Madam Ma had already felt an immediate kinship with her.
“Silly child, we’re family now—what’s there to thank? It’s pitiful, following our Da Fu at such a young age and having to endure fear and worry.”
Madam Ma led Qin Yining to sit on the large kang by the window: “From now on, whatever you want to eat, just tell them and have them make it. If Da Fu treats you badly or dares to bully you, just tell me and I’ll help you beat him.”
Seeing his grandmother treat Qin Yining so well, Pang Xiao found it amusing and sidled up to Madam Ma to act spoiled: “Now my status keeps getting lower. Grandmother only loves Yining and doesn’t love me anymore.”
“Go away, you wild boy. You’re thick-skinned—even if pricked with a needle, you wouldn’t know it hurts. Our Yining is delicate and soft, so naturally I love her more.” Madam Ma laughingly pushed away Pang Xiao’s face.
Qin Yining burst into laughter hearing this.
Yao Chenggu, who was puffing on his dry tobacco pipe, was also amused.
Only Yao Shi wore a faint smile.
After chatting with Madam Ma for a while, Qin Yining smiled and said: “While it’s still early, I plan to summon the household servants to the front hall to speak with them. What does Grandmother think?”
Madam Ma smiled and nodded, about to agree, when Yao Shi spoke first: “There’s no rush for these things. You’re unwell and should rest properly. Besides, the household affairs have long been systematized—you can adapt gradually. The most important thing is your health.”
“Your mother-in-law is right.” Hearing this, Madam Ma also agreed: “After talking for a while, I almost forgot. You should go back and rest quickly. I’ll have them send you nourishing soup later.”
Qin Yining smiled and nodded, not taking Yao Shi’s subtle hostility to heart. She obediently nodded: “All right, then I’ll take my leave first.”
“Go on, go back and rest well.”
Qin Yining rose and bowed to Yao Chenggu, Madam Ma, and Yao Shi.
Pang Xiao took a deep look at Yao Shi, and when both Yao Shi and Yao Chenggu looked over, he suddenly smiled: “Grandfather, Mother, actually I don’t want Yining to be too tired. How about from now on, we just have Yining manage Jinhua Courtyard? Since Mother also can’t sit idle, she can manage the other parts of the residence. From now on, Jinhua Courtyard and the rest of the Prince’s residence will be separate, each handling their own affairs.”
Hearing this, Yao Shi’s face changed immediately.
“Da Fu, what do you mean by this?”
“No special meaning—just the literal meaning. Mother is healthy and robust. Managing all the courtyards of such a large Prince’s residence would be a good pastime. Yining is still young and has a weak constitution. If you could show mercy to Yining, it would be helping your son too.”
Pang Xiao smiled and turned back to instruct Steward Zhao’s wife: “You don’t need to serve at the Princess’s side anymore. From now on, you don’t need to go to Jinhua Courtyard either. Just hand over Jinhua Courtyard’s authority token to the Princess.”
Steward Zhao’s wife hesitated as she looked at Yao Shi.
Yao Shi’s face was ashen: “Jinhua Courtyard is also part of the Prince’s residence. Taking a separate authority token seems improper.”
“Mother, rules are made by people. Although Yining lacks experience, managing one Jinhua Courtyard is more than sufficient. This way, we won’t need to use Mother’s people to maintain order, and Mother can’t spare Steward Zhao’s wife either.”
Qin Yining frowned as she listened.
She knew Yao Shi was somewhat defensive and hostile toward her, especially after she had nearly taken over the Prince’s residence’s inner household affairs. She could understand Yao Shi’s distrust and unwillingness to relinquish power, thinking that time would reveal character and she would earn Yao Shi’s recognition. If she couldn’t hold power, then so be it.
But she hadn’t expected Pang Xiao to stand up for her.
If they followed Pang Xiao’s suggestion, wouldn’t Jinhua Courtyard and all the other courtyards of the Prince’s residence be at odds with each other? If this got out, it would seem like they were dividing the household.
Yao Shi had gone through such hardship to bear and raise Pang Xiao, and now her son was helping his wife fight for power right after marriage. Wouldn’t Yao Shi be even angrier and hate her more?
But Pang Xiao also meant well, simply unable to bear seeing her bullied.
Qin Yining pursed her lips and looked pleadingly toward Madam Ma and Yao Chenggu.
She could see that Madam Ma was straightforward and handled affairs efficiently and frankly. Yao Chenggu and Yao Shi were of the same type—both quite shrewd. The difference was that Yao Chenggu was advanced in years and had seen through worldly affairs. Being a man, he was more rational, broad-minded, and magnanimous.
Yao Shi, however, was ultimately a woman who had once been a maid in the Pang household. Although Qin Yining didn’t want to doubt Yao Shi’s character, how Yao Shi had come to be with Pang Zhongzheng and bear Pang Xiao, and how she was driven away by Madam Pang—these matters were unknowable to the younger generation. But at least it showed that Yao Shi’s successful rise and successful protection of her son definitely didn’t rely solely on a pretty face.
Such a Yao Shi knew too much about the scheming and plotting within wealthy households and was accustomed to using methods of competing for power and profit. One could say her mind contained more examples of sinister schemes than Yao Chenggu knew.
With a daughter-in-law stealing away her son and now seizing power, she naturally feared being left with nothing and hoped to maintain her grip on authority.
Seeing Qin Yining’s anxious, pale face, Madam Ma felt a wave of heartache.
She had always felt that her daughter was too concerned about certain things. Now, making things difficult for the newly-married daughter-in-law had caused her own son to rebel—she must be feeling bad too, right?
But Qin Yining, caught in the middle, was suffering even more!
“Enough. Let’s do as Da Fu says.” Yao Chenggu put down his tobacco pipe: “Let Yining adapt and adjust first. When her health improves, she can gradually take over.”
Yao Chenggu’s words about “adjust” clearly had deeper meaning.
Pang Xiao understood and nodded: “I was thinking the same thing—there needs to be a period of adjustment. This way they won’t interfere with each other, and Yining can learn. It’s a good thing. That’s settled then. Steward Zhao’s wife, just deliver the authority token to Jinhua Courtyard later. Grandson takes his leave.”
Pang Xiao bowed again to Yao Chenggu and Madam Ma, then strode out pulling Qin Yining’s hand.
As soon as he left, Yao Shi’s rigid, dignified posture collapsed. Her shoulders sagged as she sobbed: “This is exactly what they mean by ‘marry a wife and forget the mother.’ Yining is good, but he can’t…”
“You shut your mouth! Isn’t this all your fault?” Madam Ma said mockingly. “You’re supposed to be an elder, yet you’re making things difficult for a sixteen-year-old girl. Do you call that being an elder? What would people think if her parents knew? You’re a mother yourself—aren’t you ashamed!”