When Dong Shi heard that Zhao Quansheng was coming to announce an imperial edict, her face turned pale with fear—even though she rarely left her quarters, she knew exactly who Zhao Quansheng was.
Dong Shi stood up and asked the servant who brought the news: “You, you didn’t mishear?”
Normally, such a lowly servant wouldn’t be allowed into the inner courtyard, but the matter was so momentous that he had crawled and tumbled his way into the inner courtyard, running straight to Rongfu Garden.
The servant’s legs were still shaking: “Great, great, great Young Madam! There’s no mistake, absolutely no mistake!”
That imposing presence, that ceremonial procession—who could possibly impersonate such a thing? No wonder his legs were weak. Though he had seen the Sixth Prince before, this was the first time an imperial edict had come to the Qin residence, and moreover, it was Zhao Quansheng announcing it.
Who was Zhao Quansheng?
A ruthless head eunuch who killed without blinking an eye!
Of course Dong Shi knew the servant couldn’t possibly be lying—even if he dared to lie, he wouldn’t dare fabricate news about Zhao Quansheng.
Dong Shi hurriedly instructed Nanny Zu: “Nanny, quickly! Xianglan, accompany Nanny Zu and go find Steward Qin to see if he’s already sent word to the master and Second Young Master!”
She then pointed to her personal maid: “Quickly help me change into suitable clothes for receiving guests.”
Everyone immediately sprang into action. Steward Qin must have already arranged for people to receive Zhao Quansheng’s party at the front, must have already sent people to inform Master Qin Yongtao and his son, and must have already set up the incense altar and other preparations for receiving the edict.
The Qin residence was, after all, related to the imperial family. Steward Qin always knew these procedures by heart and wouldn’t make mistakes.
Just as everyone was bustling about in confusion, the servant suddenly slapped his forehead and said: “Great, great Young Madam, Eunuch Zhao specifically named Seventh Miss Qin Shuying—she must receive the edict!”
“What?” Dong Shi screamed—she really couldn’t control herself.
Qin Shuying had already left an hour and a half ago. Where was she supposed to produce a Qin Shuying now? Calculating the time, she would already be starting up the mountain!
Even if they chased after her, with the pursuit and return journey, it would take two full hours. Could they really make Zhao Quansheng wait two hours? It had always been others waiting for Zhao Quansheng—when had anyone ever made Zhao Quansheng wait for them!
This was asking for her life!
“Why didn’t you speak clearly! Go, go, go chase after Seventh Miss! Quickly go tell Steward Qin to chase after Seventh Miss!”
Dong Shi was panicking in her haste. Since Steward Qin already knew, how could he not send someone to pursue her?
At that time, when Liang Zhe learned that Qin Shuying wasn’t in the residence, he stared down Steward Qin: “Seventh Miss Qin isn’t in the residence? Where did she go?”
His tone was very rude and aggressive.
Though Steward Qin didn’t recognize Liang Zhe, since the man was being so rude, he had no choice but to smile obsequiously, because Liang Zhe had come with Zhao Quansheng.
“Seventh Miss misses her grandmother and went up the mountain to accompany her. I’ve already sent people to pursue her, but I’m afraid it will trouble Eunuch Zhao and you, sir, to wait.”
Liang Zhe shot up: “Send someone who knows the way to come with me to chase after Seventh Miss!”
Steward Qin looked toward Zhao Quansheng. Zhao Quansheng remained silent, so Steward Qin hastily called for Steward Miao, who knew the way, to follow Liang Zhe.
Therefore, when Dong Shi hurried over to entertain the guests, only Zhao Quansheng sat there alone, slowly sipping tea, with drooping eyelids, saying not a word.
Since he didn’t speak, Steward Qin and Dong Shi didn’t dare open their mouths.
After waiting half an hour, Steward Qin and Dong Shi’s feet had gone numb from standing, and cold sweat had soaked through their backs, when Qin Yongtao finally rushed back. Upon seeing Zhao Quansheng, he cupped his hands: “Eunuch Zhao, what matter troubles you to make this trip personally! I wasn’t home and had no one to properly receive you—how discourteous!”
Zhao Quansheng lifted his eyelids and said: “Where is Seventh Miss Qin? Has she been brought back?”
Wasn’t this obviously a pointless question? If she had been brought back, wouldn’t she have come in?
Qin Yongtao said: “Eunuch Zhao, I sincerely apologize. Seventh Girl left at dawn, and even if we catch up to her now, it would be past noon before she could return home.”
“Then tell me, how should this official handle his duties? His Majesty is still waiting for this official to report back!”
Qin Yongtao wiped the sweat from his face—he didn’t know if it was from walking hurriedly or from being frightened by Zhao Quansheng’s words.
“It’s all our fault. The weather is hot—please drink some tea, Eunuch Zhao.”
Qin Yongtao’s heart was crying out in anguish. How could things be so coincidental? If his calculations were correct, Qin Shuying should have already encountered the bandits on the road, and Chang Daocheng should have rescued her by now!
What matter could possibly require Zhao Quansheng to personally come to the Qin residence to announce an edict, and specifically name Qin Shuying to receive it?
Thinking of Liang Zhe, Qin Yongtao thought of a possibility that made his cold sweat pour down even more, and he felt as if he were sitting not on a stool but on a cloud.
Zhao Quansheng closed his mouth again and squinted his eyes.
Qin Yongtao sat accompanying him, both anxious and regretful.
His mind was in turmoil, his intestines tied in countless knots.
By mealtime, there was still no sign of Qin Shuying.
Qin Yongtao carefully invited Zhao Quansheng to eat. Zhao Quansheng lazily lifted his eyelids and said: “Master Qin, this official still needs to return and report to His Majesty!”
Qin Yongtao knew that Zhao Quansheng was angry, very angry.
Because of one Qin Shuying, he had actually offended Zhao Quansheng, whom all the powerful and noble in the capital wanted to curry favor with. Don’t mention how much Qin Yongtao regretted it, don’t mention how much he wanted to slap himself.
He had already sent three waves of people out to pursue her, but not a single person had returned with news.
It wasn’t until the beginning of the wei hour (around 1 PM) that they heard a servant stumbling in: “Master, sir, Seventh, Seventh Miss has returned!”
Qin Yongtao wanted to scold the servant for being so flustered and unseemly, but when he looked outside, he couldn’t bring himself to scold, because Qin Shuying was being supported by two maids as she got out of the soft sedan chair, limping toward them.
“Seventh Girl, what is this…”
Qin Yongtao had just begun to speak when he met a sinister, cold gaze—it was Liang Zhe.
He walked several steps behind Qin Shuying, tall in stature, with eyes like cold ice, carrying an asura-like sinister air that made one shudder.
Seeing Liang Zhe walking behind Qin Shuying, Zhao Quansheng knew that the limping girl was the one Guard Liang favored, and he briefly appraised her—quite beautiful and refined.
Zhao Quansheng asked: “Seventh Miss Qin?”
Qin Shuying slowly performed a courtesy: “That’s correct. I greet you, Eunuch.”
“May this official ask what happened to Seventh Miss Qin?”
Qin Shuying replied: “Thank you for your concern, Eunuch. I encountered bandits on the road. Fortunately, Guard Liang arrived in time, otherwise I fear I wouldn’t have lived to receive the edict.”
“Are you able to receive the edict?”
“Yes, they are only external injuries.”
Zhao Quansheng turned to Qin Yongtao: “Master Qin, do the female family members of your residence always encounter such things when visiting temples?”
Qin Yongtao broke out in yet another cold sweat, silently crying out in anguish: “Eunuch, this official was negligent. I never expected that in broad daylight, bandits would appear.”
Zhao Quansheng continued: “Since Guard Liang arrived, were those bandits captured? Under the Son of Heaven’s rule, with peace and prosperity, where did such vicious criminals come from?”
Liang Zhe said: “Eunuch, this matter is not simple. I’ve already had people notify the Shuntian Prefecture to capture these criminals. Speaking of which, there was also a mix-up—when I was rescuing Seventh Miss Qin, the opposing party was a mixed group, and I actually mistook Chang Daocheng, the Prefect of Guangnan Prefecture, for a bandit and beat him severely. I’m afraid Prefect Chang won’t be able to get out of bed for a month. I will explain this matter to His Majesty later.”