Qin Yining laughed self-mockingly, “Boss Qiu, please don’t blame me. What I’m saying is meddling too much.”
Qiu Feishan shook her head. “The Princess and Prince are in perfect harmony—you must have your own methods. That you’re willing to tell me this is my honor. How could I blame you? I’m just feeling somewhat disappointed.”
Qin Yining said: “Young Master Mu comes from a prestigious school, has superior martial arts skills. Perhaps he’s not as resourceful as you, nor does he have such extensive family wealth, but he rarely encounters opponents when traveling the martial world and has mysterious sect support behind him. Boss Qiu is heaven’s favored daughter, privileged from childhood, but perhaps Boss Qiu has forgotten that in marriage, what matters isn’t whose birth is noble or humble, whose status is high or low—what matters is emotional investment and equality.”
Qiu Feishan felt Qin Yining’s words struck her heart with every sentence, yet she couldn’t refute them. Carefully reflecting on herself, she had indeed been too presumptuous. In her heart, she had always treated Mu Jinghu as an easily manipulated warrior, never expecting this warrior to be so stubborn and principled—she had inadvertently truly wounded his heart.
Qiu Feishan shook her head. “The Princess’s words are indeed pertinent. I made mistakes before. Now wanting to make amends, there’s no way.”
Seeing Qiu Feishan’s good attitude and sincere words, Qin Yining said: “Young Master Mu values loyalty and righteousness most. Actually, if Boss Qiu is willing to face the problem, this matter isn’t difficult to resolve.”
“But I’ve already tried emotional appeals, I even brought up Yan Ge’er…”
Qin Yining shook her head. “What he’s angry about is your deception and manipulation. He feels his sincerity was met with lies. If Boss Qiu only uses the child as a reason, I’m afraid this knot can’t be untied. Boss Qiu, ten years of cultivation brings shared boat passage—you must treasure your fate together.”
Qiu Feishan thoughtfully lowered her eyes. After a long while, she nodded, her voice somewhat dejected: “I understand. I need to face my own problems. I need to apologize to him and ask for his forgiveness, not constantly make him understand me. Because from observing these days, I can see he won’t understand me.”
Suddenly looking up at Qin Yining, Qiu Feishan said: “But to be honest, I don’t feel I did anything wrong. Everything I did was for his good. I believe the Princess is willing to talk with me here now because you understand this point.”
Qin Yining smiled gracefully and nodded: “Yes, I do understand. And the reason I can speak with you so calmly is because you’re not anyone important to me—I don’t place hopes in you, so I have no disappointments. But what about Young Master Mu?”
Qiu Feishan suddenly looked up, meeting Qin Yining’s eyes that seemed to see through everything. Her heart felt like it was churning with stormy waves. Yes, perhaps just as Qin Yining said, the crux lay right here. Thinking carefully, from when this happened until now, because she didn’t think she was wrong, she hadn’t said a single word of apology to Mu Jinghu.
If she wanted to win back Mu Jinghu, she would have to do something.
But the more Qiu Feishan thought about it, the more wronged she felt. Wasn’t her development and strengthening of the Qiu family for her and Mu Jinghu, for their child? Some things were indeed very important, but what should always be most important was one’s own interests.
This was perhaps the difference between her and Mu Jinghu—this man was always emotional.
Seeing Qiu Feishan’s expression change several times, looking very troubled and conflicted, Qin Yining said no more.
The words had been said. Telling Qiu Feishan the problems she saw was already going above and beyond. Because Qiu Feishan had used and deceived not only Mu Jinghu—it’s just that she and Pang Xiao were broad-minded and wouldn’t make a fuss about it. Her willingness to discuss these things with Qiu Feishan today was actually for Mu Jinghu’s sake.
The carriage slowly drove toward the city center, arriving at an alley entrance. There was only one residence in the alley, its main gate currently open. Steward Zhong led several accompanying martial arts instructors and guards, waiting with smiles.
Seeing Qin Yining arrive, everyone bowed in unison: “Princess.”
Qin Yining smiled: “Thanks to Steward Zhong arriving early and purchasing the residence, so we won’t have to search for suitable lodging after arriving here.”
As they spoke, Ji Yun and Bingtang were already helping Qin Yining out of the carriage. Bi Ying also helped Qiu Feishan down. Hearing Qin Yining’s words, Qiu Feishan realized that trust between her and Qin Yining no longer existed—the residence she had arranged to give to Qin Yining earlier hadn’t been taken to heart at all.
She couldn’t say she was very angry or wronged, but there was disappointment. Combined with what Qin Yining had just said, Qiu Feishan felt that even after dominating the business world for years, this was still a difficult problem.
Fortunately, Qin Yining hadn’t hidden her residence. She had openly brought her to the front door, which at least showed that during this current stage when they had common goals, Qin Yining could cooperate.
This could be considered one thing that comforted her about today’s visit.
“Boss Qiu, please come in for tea?”
“Then I’ll impose on the Princess.”
Qiu Feishan cast aside all idle thoughts.
She could have personal feelings, but right now she understood better what she needed to do. Only by defeating the alliance between the Tatars and Lu Heng could the Qiu family establish more stable roots in court, and future development could be more secure.
The Qiu family had been dormant for a hundred years. Though they shared origins with the Lu family and had the same bloodline, after so much time had passed, they were already two different surnames, two different families. The Qiu family no longer wanted to just silently hide in corners—the reclusive families and the Lu family should switch positions.
However, she didn’t know if Lu Heng, after his complete defeat and after the Lu family was exterminated by Li Qitian, would still have remaining strength to go into hiding.
As Qiu Feishan followed beside Qin Yining walking toward the front hall, she calculated in her heart, the corners of her mouth unconsciously lifting in a slight smile.
Qin Yining looked back at her and saw this confident smile, vaguely feeling that Qiu Feishan must have thought of some good method to resolve matters with Mu Jinghu. She said no more and only made casual conversation.
After chatting for the time it takes to drink tea, the two had warmed up considerably. Only then did Qiu Feishan bring up her purpose again: “Princess, please hear me out. The Prince led 280,000 Pingnan Army troops to flank the Tatars. Combined with the troops Prince Consort Ji originally had, the grain and fodder supplied by the court is completely insufficient.
“The grain and fodder dispatched by the Emperor will certainly reach Prince Consort Ji first since he’s closer. The Prince’s grain and fodder still needs to be self-supplied. The Princess knows Sitong Firm’s financial resources. Now in the post-disaster period, I believe it’s not so easy for the Princess to raise grain and fodder either. At this time, why must the Princess stubbornly hold onto past matters like the Prince?
“Those who achieve great things don’t worry about trifles. If you want to defeat the Tatars, first you must let the Pingnan Army eat their fill. This way the Prince can act more conveniently and more easily command respect.
“The Princess is intelligent and should understand that what I say is true. The Prince has gone to the front lines anyway—doesn’t the Princess worry about the Prince’s safety? Don’t you want the Prince to lead his people to eat well before going to battle?”
Qin Yining smiled as she listened to Qiu Feishan finish speaking, then couldn’t help but sigh.
She had to admit, what Qiu Feishan said was too tempting for her. She couldn’t follow Pang Xiao to the battlefield—all she could do was arrange grain, pay, and military supplies properly. Her financial resources were limited, and her manpower wasn’t as sufficient as Sitong Firm’s. If Sitong Firm helped, she would certainly achieve twice the results with half the effort.
But even if they didn’t resent Qiu Feishan’s scheming, didn’t they want their self-respect? Even if she could lower her head, Pang Xiao would absolutely prefer to break rather than bend.
“I understand Boss Qiu’s kind intentions and am very moved. But the Prince has principles in his actions—he already has arrangements. This matter is truly beyond my involvement. I will convey Boss Qiu’s good intentions.”
Rejected again!
Qiu Feishan frowned: “Princess, forgive my directness, but I truly don’t understand your and the Prince’s thinking. Such a good thing—why do you repeatedly refuse? For Sitong Firm to do this, the expenditure would be no small amount. We also have good intentions.”
Qin Yining waved her hand to interrupt Qiu Feishan’s words, smiling: “Whether good intentions or having ulterior motives, these don’t matter. I’m just an inner-palace woman. Coming to Jingang now is also for prenatal care. Battlefield matters—let the men handle them.”
The conversation had reached this point. Qiu Feishan couldn’t even find reasons to continue.
If she said Qin Yining was completely uninvolved in raising military supplies and grain, she wouldn’t believe it even if beaten to death. But when Qin Yining used these words to brush her off, she simply couldn’t find anything to say.
Seeing Qiu Feishan’s expression unchanged but anxiety in her eyes, Qin Yining understood.
Why did Sitong Firm insist on supporting the Pingnan Army’s attack on the Tatars? Why did they specifically choose the forces led by Pang Xiao? It was simply because they saw Pang Xiao as valuable goods, wanting another patron for the future.
Taking someone’s hand makes it short, eating someone’s food makes the mouth short—even if they were to accept, they needed proper methods.
When Qiu Feishan took her leave, she was still somewhat unwilling, but seeing that Qin Yining still wouldn’t relent, she could only give up. She told Qin Yining her residence and the new location of Sitong Firm in Jingang, then left first.
Qin Yining ordered people to see her off, then lay down to rest on the imperial concubine couch by the window.
Bingtang said: “Princess, many hands make light work—why not accept Sitong Firm’s assistance? The Prince could at least be supplied faster.”
Qin Yining slowly explained: “Once some things begin, they can’t be taken back. Whatever the Prince does in the future, he can’t leave others with leverage over him, much less give people opportunities to demand gratitude. Even though raising grain and fodder is indeed difficult, fortunately we have Master Xie. I believe if we discuss it together, we won’t actually let the Pingnan Army go hungry.”
Bingtang nodded in understanding.
After Qiu Feishan left, she never came to persuade again.
Qin Yining lived very comfortably. With Xie Yue representing Pang Xiao and Steward Zhong representing herself, all procurement went very smoothly, and she could peacefully nurture her pregnancy.
After two months passed, the weather gradually became hot. Steward Zhong approached Qin Yining with a grave expression.
“Princess.”
Qin Yining, six months pregnant, was walking circles in the courtyard accompanied by Ji Yun and Bingtang. Hearing his voice, she turned around and smiled: “Steward Zhong has come. Is there some matter?”
Steward Zhong said: “The day before yesterday I told you that grain was becoming increasingly insufficient. Originally this batch of grain, though inadequate, was to be sent out, but today something strange happened.”