The inner residence had also learned of the situation at the mansion gate. The Second Madam didn’t dare tell the Old Madam, fearing the elderly woman would suffer another shock, so she could only arrange for her personal serving maid to come out and investigate the situation.

Qin Yining walked behind Ji Zeyu. As soon as they entered the memorial hall, the maid hurriedly bowed and came forward saying: “Princess, the Second Madam sent this servant to ask about the situation outside.”

Qin Yining looked at Ji Zeyu’s tall figure from behind and said in a low voice: “Fortunately Duke Dingguo arrived in time and drove away the bandits. Go tell Second Aunt that everything is fine now.”

The maid obviously breathed a sigh of relief and gratefully bowed to Ji Zeyu, even though he couldn’t see her.

“Princess, this servant takes her leave.”

“Mm. Go ahead.”

Qin Yining watched the maid walk away before turning back to stand behind Ji Zeyu.

Ji Zeyu had already taken incense to light, respectfully bowing and offering incense, then kneeling properly beside Cao Yuqing to pay his respects.

Cao Yuqing, covered in dirt and filth, still knelt dazedly in her original position. Seeing Ji Zeyu bow from the corner of her eye, she glanced at him and nodded slightly.

Ji Zeyu paid no mind to the disheveled appearance of the person before him. After nodding in acknowledgment, he went to burn some paper money.

The paper money was licked by orange flames and quickly turned to ash.

Ji Zeyu lowered his head in contemplation for a moment, then suddenly looked down at Qin Yining: “Could we speak privately?”

Qin Yining blinked with slight confusion, then led Ji Zeyu to a side hall nearby.

Ji Yun brought hot tea and stood guard outside the door with her head lowered.

Ji Zeyu picked up the white porcelain tea bowl, took a sip, then gently set it down. After lowering his gaze in consideration for a moment, his jade-like handsome face finally showed some barely concealed disappointment: “Regarding your father’s matter, I failed to look after him properly.”

Qin Yining looked at Ji Zeyu and shook her head: “This matter has nothing to do with you. Why burden yourself with blame?”

Ji Zeyu frowned: “After all, my Longxiang Army is stationed in the north. If I had been more vigilant and sent people earlier to meet the military provision convoy, perhaps Minister Qin wouldn’t have met with misfortune. Moreover, being in court and dealing with His Majesty daily, I had some premonitions about certain things, yet I did nothing…”

These words were almost a frank admission in front of Qin Yining that he too suspected Li Qitian.

Qin Yining took a deep breath, then forced an ugly smile: “This isn’t your fault. When others are the knife and chopping board while we are the fish and meat, what can be done?”

Perhaps having experienced too much in recent days, facing the family members who depended on her, she had no way to pour out her feelings. But now, facing Ji Zeyu, Qin Yining found herself involuntarily able to express some of her pent-up troubles.

“My father’s death was an accident that can’t be blamed on anyone. After all, no one is a god who can predict the future. Duke Dingguo truly needn’t blame yourself. If even you must blame yourself, shouldn’t we who are in the midst of this situation blame ourselves even more?

“If my father truly died serving the country, though I would be reluctant and heartbroken, I wouldn’t resent anyone. But what about now? Everyone is waiting for a statement, but this statement never comes. Not one person who was formerly on good terms with my father dares to visit, yet it’s not as good as some small merchants whose business the Qin family used to help – they still have the heart to kowtow from afar.

“My father was not a great villain. On the contrary, he cared for the people and conscientiously did everything. His greatest mistake was that he shouldn’t have sought me out. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have reached this point.”

Qin Yining lowered her head. The tears that had nearly dried up over these days welled up again, hot tears sliding down from her swollen red eyes, stinging painfully.

Ji Zeyu shook his head and sighed: “What’s done is done – self-blame is useless. However, please believe that Minister Qin’s matter was not done by my Longxiang Army. I knew nothing of this beforehand, and my subordinates would never do such a thing.”

Qin Yining wiped her tears with her sleeve, sniffled, and looked up at Ji Zeyu.

His handsome face remained the same, his eyes sincere. Having witnessed Ji Zeyu’s insistence on rescuing Pang Xiao during the underground palace incident, Qin Yining had long stopped doubting him. Seeing his earnestness, she naturally nodded: “I believe you.”

Ji Zeyu breathed a sigh of relief: “Although it’s been inconvenient to come offer incense to Minister Qin these days, I’ve already arranged for people to go north and investigate secretly. Regardless of what the truth is, one must see with their own eyes to believe.”

Qin Yining’s heart jumped: “You mean…”

Ji Zeyu smiled slightly: “I’m not saying anything. I just feel that without seeing such things with one’s own eyes and hearing them personally, relying only on others’ one-sided words is too hasty. Zhixi isn’t home, so don’t worry – I’ll handle this matter secretly.”

Qin Yining was overjoyed upon hearing this and stood up to bow to Ji Zeyu: “Duke Dingguo’s timely help in our hour of need – I’m truly infinitely grateful.”

Ji Zeyu shook his head and quickly stood to avoid her bow: “Please don’t do this. This is merely a small effort. I haven’t been able to come these days, which instead let people take advantage, making me quite uneasy.”

“No, you were right not to come. How many eyes are watching the Qin family now? This time you’ve greatly helped the Qin family, and afterward who knows how many people will gossip and speculate behind the scenes. I only fear it will implicate you.”

Ji Zeyu gradually returned to his expressionless state, shaking his head indifferently: “It doesn’t matter. What could implicate me? We rough military men have always acted this way – no need to worry.”

This free and easy attitude was extremely similar to Pang Xiao’s.

Qin Yining felt melancholy but thanked Ji Zeyu politely once more.

After all, they were an unmarried man and woman alone together. Ji Zeyu couldn’t sit long. Having made his words clear, he stood to take his leave.

Qin Yining, along with the Second Master and Third Master, saw him off at the Qin family’s main gate.

The Second Master said in a low voice: “Yining, what does Duke Dingguo’s visit mean?”

Indeed, no one had dared come to the Qin family to pay respects these days. Duke Dingguo was not only the first, but had also stood up for the Qin family at their gate. This incident was big and would surely reach His Majesty’s ears quickly. There was no guarantee Duke Dingguo wouldn’t face displeasure. His behavior was truly suspicious.

Qin Yining reassured them: “It’s fine. He means no harm.”

The Second Master and Third Master exchanged glances. Though puzzled, they ultimately trusted Qin Yining’s judgment.

Just then, Cao Yuqing, who had been kneeling stiffly for a long time, finally slowly stood up and looked at Qin Yining.

Qin Yining hurried over to support Cao Yuqing’s arm: “Aunt Cao, let me accompany you to wash up, have some food, then rest well. You rushed back at full speed – you must be extremely tired.”

Cao Yuqing looked down at her dirty, disheveled clothes and nodded numbly.

Qin Yining spoke to the Second Master and Third Master, then brought Ji Yun and others to help Cao Yuqing change clothes and wash.

Watching Cao Yuqing count rice grains as she ate with lowered eyes, Qin Yining used serving chopsticks to pick up food for her.

“Aunt Cao, you must take care of your health, otherwise wouldn’t that please enemies and pain loved ones? Only with good health can you do more things. If something happens to you, my father won’t be happy.”

Cao Yuqing had lost much weight. Her palm-sized face showed no expression, and her eyes stared blankly at the rice in her bowl. After a long time, she suddenly looked up at Qin Yining.

“You’re right.”

Her voice was hoarse beyond recognition, but there was determination in it: “Only with good health can one do more things.”

She picked up her bowl and forcefully shoveled rice into her mouth. But her tears wouldn’t stop, falling in large drops.

Qin Yining felt heartbroken watching this and silently cried along with her.

After Cao Yuqing finished eating, she said: “We received the news at your maternal grandmother’s house and hurried back. After discussion, Zhao Ge’er and Han Ge’er were left at your grandmother’s house to be temporarily cared for by your aunt. Your mother and Old Madam Ma were escorted back by carriage, while I rode horseback day and night, so I arrived faster.”

Qin Yining nodded. Though she regretted that Sun Shi hadn’t brought the two children back, on second thought, it was dangerous here, and the children would be safer at their grandmother’s house, so she felt relieved.

After comforting Cao Yuqing some more, Qin Yining took her leave, leaving a quiet environment for Cao Yuqing to rest.

Qin Yining continued to keep vigil at the memorial altar as usual. At the hour of hai, Qin Han and Qin Yu finally persuaded Qin Yining to go rest after much coaxing.

Early the next morning, just as Qin Yining got up, she saw Bingtang and Ji Yun enter with strange expressions.

“Princess.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Your Highness, something has happened outside.”

Qin Yining’s face changed as she quickly stood up: “What happened?”

Seeing Qin Yining’s face change, Bingtang quickly said: “Not at home – this servant didn’t explain clearly. It’s outside.”

Only then did Qin Yining slowly exhale in relief.

Ji Yun said: “This morning there were rumors that a family in the south of the city was attacked by bandits and massacred overnight. It’s been many years since such a thing happened in the capital. This servant felt it was sudden, so I went to investigate. I discovered that the family that was wiped out was surnamed Dai.”

Qin Yining’s hand paused while fastening her buttons: “Dai? Yesterday…”

Ji Yun nodded gravely: “Yes. The entire Dai mansion – except for women, children, and males under fourteen, all adult males, whether masters or servants, none survived. This has already alarmed the Shuntian Prefecture. The smell of blood outside the Dai mansion reaches the sky – it’s nauseating even from a distance.”

Qin Yining was shocked.

Dai Lin was indeed detestable, but for his family to suddenly be wiped out like this – even though she hated Dai Lin, she couldn’t feel happy about it.

After all, it was an entire family, including servants.

Bingtang also felt lingering fear: “The killer’s methods were too efficient. I heard every person had their throat cut, with blood sprayed all over the ceiling. The surviving women and males under fourteen in his family are all frightened senseless now. That bloody hellish scene would probably be a lifelong nightmare for anyone who saw it.”

Qin Yining pursed her lips thoughtfully: “Just knowing about this matter is enough. Since our family just had a conflict with Dai Lin yesterday and his family was immediately wiped out, people will definitely come to question us. When that time comes, we’ll just tell the truth, but no one is allowed to spread this news within the mansion. At this time, it’s better to have one less trouble than one more.”

“Yes.” Bingtang and Ji Yun both nodded cautiously. “We’ll also tell Qiu Lu and the others later.”

After simply combing her hair, Qin Yining stood up: “I’ll go check on Aunt Cao and have breakfast with her later.”