Qin Yining lowered her eyes. From the Grand Dowager’s form of address and slightly softened tone, she had already guessed her thoughts. She immediately performed an obedient courtesy and said smoothly: “Grandmother’s teachings are correct. Granddaughter was momentarily impulsive—I will never act this way again in the future.”
If she only knew how to use crude force, she would truly become a “wild person.” A combination of firmness and gentleness was the most appropriate attitude.
Seeing this, the Grand Dowager nodded with satisfaction, her expression visibly relaxing considerably. As an elder, what she disliked most was juniors directly contradicting her. Though Qin Yining’s actions had been somewhat rough, she wasn’t fundamentally bad. Being so similar to her eldest son, her character probably wouldn’t be too poor either.
As for Qin Huining…
The Grand Dowager, who had seen all manner of things, felt increasingly troubled.
Thinking that tomorrow there would be unknown rumors spreading outside made her feel stifled inside. She said gravely: “Today’s incident should serve as a lesson to you both. As young misses of the Prime Minister’s residence, for sisters to fight so violently—what would people think if word got out? You usually put on filial appearances—is this how you show filial piety?”
Though the Grand Dowager said “you both,” Qin Huining understood clearly—how long had Qin Yining been back at the residence? The one who had spent more time by the Grand Dowager’s side was herself.
The Grand Dowager was stabbing at her!
Qin Huining was terrified inside!
Her greatest support remaining in the household now was the Grand Dowager and Sun Shi. Her ability to continue living the luxurious life of a young miss in the residence depended on their reluctance to let her go. If she lost their affection and trust, what would she have left?
“Grandmother, please calm your anger. Granddaughter knows her error.” Qin Huining no longer dared argue a single word more, fearing it would make the Grand Dowager find her even more annoying.
Today’s grievances—she could only grit her teeth and swallow them with blood.
Seeing her good attitude when admitting fault, the Grand Dowager thought that after all, this was a girl she had taught herself, so her character wouldn’t be too poor. Though her schemes were somewhat heavy, it was understandable.
Thinking this, she said sternly: “Yi Jie’er, Hui Jie’er—sisters at discord, disregarding filial duty. I sentence you each to return to your rooms and copy the Book of Filial Piety ten times. Submit them when paying morning respects three days hence. Do you have any objections?”
“Thank you for grandmother’s loving care.” Qin Huining hurriedly answered first.
The Grand Dowager felt much comforted hearing this, thinking privately: Hui Jie’er knows what’s good for her—she understands I’m deliberately favoring her.
You see, Qin Huining had grown up in the Prime Minister’s residence and received the education of a refined young lady. Writing was no difficulty for her at all. But Qin Yining had been born in the countryside and hadn’t touched pen and paper for years. The complete Book of Filial Piety had eighteen sections—copying it ten times within three days might well exhaust her to illness!
At heart, the Grand Dowager still cherished Qin Huining, who had been raised by her side, and was displeased with Qin Yining for resorting to violence.
It was just that as the family head, with Qin Huining clearly at fault, she couldn’t openly favor anyone, lest she be unable to manage the household in the future.
But the Grand Dowager had miscalculated this time.
Qin Huining hadn’t grasped her favoritism at all and was already sneering coldly inside: What grandmother, what loving care—it’s all fake! Now that the biological granddaughter has returned, her heart has turned. Watching me get beaten and wronged, she actually punishes me to copy books too!
From the corner of her eye, Qin Yining took in both the Grand Dowager’s and Qin Huining’s reactions, finding it secretly amusing. It seemed Qin Huining was going to disappoint the Grand Dowager’s good intentions.
The Grand Dowager rubbed her temples again. Ji Xiang timely brought a bowl of warm honey water to soothe her throat, while Nanny Qin stood beside her, skillfully massaging the Grand Dowager’s temples.
Seeing the Grand Dowager’s weary expression, Qin Yining and Qin Huining took their leave.
The Grand Dowager waved dismissively. Seeing them go out, she instructed Nanny Qin: “Lu Juan, have someone carry lanterns to escort the two young misses.”
Nanny Qin immediately nodded knowingly and quickly followed them out.
Qin Huining lived right in the Grand Dowager’s Cixiao Garden, but Qin Yining had to cross half the inner residence to reach Snow Pear Courtyard. Nanny Qin first called over a little maid and gave her some instructions. The little maid immediately carried a lantern to chase after Qin Yining.
Nanny Qin then headed toward the warm pavilion where Qin Huining lived.
The room was in chaos inside. Wet nurse Cai Shi and senior maid Bi Tong were both injured, and Qin Huining’s face was now so swollen it was unsightly. Maids and older servants bustled about applying medicine. The room was filled with gasps and moans, and no one noticed Nanny Qin standing outside the window.
Qin Huining was now sobbing intermittently.
Senior maid Bi Tao hurriedly consoled her: “Miss, please stop crying. If you ruin your eyes, what will we do? The Grand Dowager would be heartbroken if she knew.”
Bi Tao hadn’t gone out today and naturally didn’t understand the details. She had thought mentioning the Grand Dowager’s affection would comfort their miss, but unexpectedly struck Qin Huining’s sore spot.
Qin Huining slapped away Bi Tao’s hand. Wanting to complain about the Grand Dowager’s favoritism but fearing she couldn’t control her volume and be overheard, she only sharply scolded: “Why are your hands so heavy! Can’t you apply medicine properly!”
“This servant didn’t mean to—miss, please forgive me.” Bi Tao didn’t understand but didn’t dare say more, hurriedly kneeling to beg forgiveness.
Qin Huining still felt unsatisfied and kicked Bi Tao in the chest: “You cheap hussy! Vicious whore! Jinx! You’re trying to harm me to death, aren’t you! I’ll kick you to death!”
Bi Tao cried out “Aiyou” in pain, her body falling sideways to the ground. The maids in the room fell silent as cicadas—not one dared come forward to mediate.
Standing outside the window, Nanny Qin heard everything inside clearly and understood perfectly.
Miss Huining clearly harbored resentment—she was angry at the Grand Dowager!
She was the Grand Dowager’s dowry companion, having remained unmarried her whole life to loyally accompany the Grand Dowager. She had experienced countless storms with the Grand Dowager in the Qin household and was naturally devoted to her. Due to the convenience of her position, she probably understood the character of those around the Grand Dowager better than the master herself.
This Miss Huining had been very good before—scholarly and reasonable, smooth in handling affairs, outstanding among the sisters, deeply beloved by the Grand Dowager.
Who would have thought that when circumstances arose and competitive hearts emerged, she would reveal such a nature?
After all, she wasn’t the eldest master’s biological child—her character was somewhat lacking.
Nanny Qin sighed softly and, seeing no one around, headed toward the Grand Dowager’s room.
She wanted to tell the Grand Dowager about this, but thinking of the Grand Dowager’s favoritism toward Qin Huining, she feared that speaking the truth would instead make the Grand Dowager displeased with her. So in her hesitation, she had to swallow her words, thinking that slowly reminding the Grand Dowager would be a more prudent approach.
When Qin Yining had come out to pay respects to Sun Shi today, she had brought Rui Lan and Qiu Lu. Rui Lan had been taught a lesson and had already returned to Snow Pear Courtyard first, leaving only Qiu Lu carrying a lantern beside her.
Under the night curtain, the long alley seemed endless. Occasionally a cold wind swept through, drilling straight into one’s collar. The candle in the lantern flickered, casting the shadows of master and servant on walls and ground in alternating light and darkness.
Qin Yining rubbed her cold hands and said: “You didn’t join the fight today.”
Qiu Lu was startled by these words and said somewhat clumsily: “This servant was… was frozen with fear.”
Qin Yining chuckled: “I know. You probably never saw a young miss who fought people with her own hands like I did. But why didn’t you help Miss Huining catch me?”
Qiu Lu’s face burned hot—she had thought the miss was asking why she hadn’t helped her beat people up.
“Miss, this servant is your maid. There’s no reason to help outsiders. It’s just that this servant truly had never seen a miss who fought with her hands. I was shocked at the time and didn’t think to help you. By the time I remembered, they had all been knocked down by you.”
Hearing Qiu Lu’s clumsy words, Qin Yining couldn’t help but feel much better. From her observation, though Qiu Lu wasn’t smooth, she was an extremely dutiful and clear-minded person.
At least she had one usable person by her side.
Seeing Qin Yining’s gentle expression, Qiu Lu’s worried heart also relaxed, and she developed considerable good feelings toward Qin Yining.
She knew her own shortcomings—being too wooden and unable to manage relationships. Following such a capable Fourth Miss in the future, at least she wouldn’t be bullied.
Just as the two were walking forward, urgent footsteps suddenly came from behind. It was the little maid that Nanny Qin had instructed, carrying a lantern to catch up.
Drawing near, the little maid curtsied to Qin Yining, explained her purpose, and together with Qiu Lu supported Qin Yining as they walked toward Snow Pear Courtyard.
As the little maid walked, she observed carefully, noting Qin Yining’s peaceful demeanor. She thought about reporting back to Nanny Qin that Fourth Miss was no different from when first met.
Arriving at Snow Pear Courtyard’s entrance, Qin Yining remembered that when she used to help the medicine shop owner deliver goods, she could earn one or two coins as a tip. She instructed Qiu Lu to give a reward.
She didn’t know the household rules and didn’t know how much to reward. But Qiu Lu had previously served Sun Shi and, though not in close attendance, was well-informed and knew these customs. She took some copper coins from her purse to reward her, sending the little maid away beaming with joy.
Qin Yining praised: “You did very well.”
Qiu Lu blushed, but her eyes sparkled brightly when looking at Qin Yining, making Qin Yining smile involuntarily.
The two entered the courtyard.
It was late, and with winter approaching, the quiet courtyard was filled with bitter cold wind. The rustling sounds of vegetation seemed particularly loud. The servants were all in their rooms, with only a little maid squatting by the corner wall outside the side rooms, using a fan to tend the fire in a charcoal brazier. Orange-red sparks flickered and scattered before disappearing. In the darkness, the warm lamplight from the side rooms seemed especially bright.
Vaguely, Qin Yining heard women’s complaining voices from the side rooms.
She remembered this was the room Rui Lan and Yu Xiang shared.
Leading Qiu Lu toward the side rooms, before she could speak, she startled the little maid tending the brazier.
The little maid stood up, about to curtsy and greet them, but was stopped by Qin Yining’s cold, sharp look.
Originally, following Yu Xiang’s instructions to report when people came, she was now too frightened to make a sound. The little maid could only stand aside with lowered head.
As Qin Yining approached the window, she heard a somewhat sharp voice: “…What does she think she is—just a wild person! Even the more respectable maids in the household are more noble than her, yet she dared beat sister like that! Tomorrow I must go report to the Grand Dowager and teach her a lesson!”