Shopkeeper Zhong said, “Other matters wouldn’t be for a humble person like me to know, but this matter is significant—I heard it mentioned during idle chatter among the wine patrons. Her Majesty the Empress issued an imperial decree some days ago to summon your mother for an audience.”
Upon hearing this, Qin Yining was greatly alarmed, her fair cheeks turning somewhat pale.
Qin Yining understood Sun Shi’s temperament all too well—she was someone who would create trouble even when there was none, let alone given the relationship between the Cao family and Duke Dingguo’s mansion. Even if the Empress hadn’t sought to trouble Sun Shi, Sun Shi’s temperament would inevitably lead to offensive words, much less when the Empress had summoned Sun Shi without reason—there was absolutely no way her intentions could be good.
Qin Yining asked anxiously, “Then how is my mother’s situation?”
“That we truly don’t know, but given Grand Preceptor’s wife’s status, surely the Empress’s summons wouldn’t lead to any serious harm.”
Qin Yining nodded, taking several deep breaths to calm her mind. She felt somewhat anxious to return home.
“There are people waiting for me outside. I’ll head back to the mansion first. It wouldn’t be proper to keep the elders in the household waiting too long. We can discuss business matters another day.”
Shopkeeper Zhong nodded understandingly and courteously escorted Qin Yining to her carriage.
Qin Yining’s heart yearned for home as she repeatedly urged the coachman to quicken the pace.
In truth, she had been worried about Sun Shi when she departed for Xihua City, but at that time she could barely protect herself and didn’t even know if she would return alive, so she naturally couldn’t spare energy to look after Sun Shi.
Qin Yining felt somewhat guilty.
She had truly become carried away with success—after returning to the city, she hadn’t gone home immediately but had actually had the leisure to check on her business ventures first.
Seeing Qin Yining’s grave expression, Bingtang and Song Lan knew there must be trouble at the mansion and were also somewhat worried.
The carriage raced all the way back to the Qin mansion.
When the gatekeepers saw it was actually Qin Yining returning, they were momentarily stunned. Song Lan and Bingtang, being quick-witted, instructed these people to take the escorting soldiers for drinks and had someone go inside to inform the Old Mistress.
Only then did the gatekeeper react, ordering someone to rush inside with the message.
Qin Yining handed over the escort to the steward, instructing him to distribute rewards, then brought Bingtang and Song Lan to quickly walk toward the Old Mistress’s Kindness and Filial Piety Garden.
In the Kindness and Filial Piety Garden, upon receiving news of Qin Yining’s return, the Old Mistress couldn’t sit still. She threw on a large-sleeved cape and, supported by Nanny Qin, hurried out to greet her.
Just as Qin Yining passed through the entrance hall of the Kindness and Filial Piety Garden, she saw the Old Mistress wearing a tea-gold brocade cape embroidered with auspicious longevity patterns.
“Grandmother!”
“Oh my! My Yining!” The Old Mistress quickened her pace, but her bound feet couldn’t move fast. When she walked too hastily, she would take three steps forward and two steps back, her body swaying, causing the gold-inlaid jade hairpin inserted at an angle to tremble, making her appear magnificently adorned with jewels and precious ornaments.
“Grandmother, your granddaughter has returned.” Qin Yining approached, lifted her skirts and knelt down, first properly paying her respects to the Old Mistress.
The Old Mistress supported Qin Yining with both hands, saying repeatedly, “Good, good, it’s good that you’ve returned! Where is your father?”
Qin Yining smiled, “Father is still outside the city. He ordered me to return to the mansion first.”
Upon hearing that Qin Huaiyuan had also safely returned, the Old Mistress beamed with joy, “Just now when they came to report, I thought those little monkeys were deceiving this old lady! I didn’t expect you to truly return.”
The senior maids Ji Xiang and Ruyi, along with the maids and matrons in the courtyard, all gathered around laughingly upon hearing this, coming forward to pay respects to Qin Yining, creating quite a lively scene.
The Old Mistress held Qin Yining’s hands, looking her up and down, and seeing nothing amiss, said, “First come inside with Grandmother to talk.” She then instructed Nanny Qin: “Lu Juan, quickly have someone tell Second and Third households, as well as the girls, that Yining has returned. Tell them to hurry over—we’ll have the evening meal here.”
“Yes.” Nanny Qin responded with a face full of smiles.
The Old Mistress led Qin Yining by the hand up the steps into the house. Naturally, maids attended to removing their capes. They walked around a carved screen depicting “Joy Upon the Brows” to the inner chamber, where both sat on a arhat couch by the window that was covered with bright red cushions.
The Old Mistress instructed Ji Xiang to bring a bronze hand warmer for Qin Yining and had maids serve tea and refreshments before saying, “Why didn’t your father return together? How did the peace negotiations go?”
Having seen Qin Yining, the Old Mistress had twice asked first about Qin Huaiyuan, then about the negotiations. How could Qin Yining not understand what was most important in the Old Mistress’s mind?
She had long understood the Old Mistress and wasn’t angered. She smiled, “In response to Grandmother, Father and Minister Cui from the Ministry of Rites are encamped outside the city by imperial decree. His Majesty’s decree is to hold a grand welcoming ceremony tomorrow morning, personally leading all officials to greet Father’s party into the city to celebrate the successful negotiations.”
Upon hearing this, the Old Mistress clapped her hands, her eyes and brows filled with smiles: “Good, good! Was your journey smooth?”
“In response to Old Mistress, everything went smoothly. Father’s talent is exceptional—your granddaughter merely observed from the side, and Father successfully completed the negotiations. It was truly admirable!”
By saying this, Qin Yining was telling the Old Mistress that she hadn’t been useful on this trip and remained pure, while also praising Qin Huaiyuan, indirectly flattering the Old Mistress as well.
Qin Yining had seen through everything. The Old Mistress was selfish and snobbish, cold to everyone—perhaps all her maternal love in this lifetime had been spent on Qin Huaiyuan. Praising Qin Huaiyuan brought the Old Mistress more joy than praising her directly.
Indeed, the Old Mistress nodded repeatedly with delight, saying to Nanny Qin, Ji Xiang, and Ruyi beside her: “Your Grand Master was different from others since childhood, extremely clever. Now that he can accomplish such great deeds, bringing peace between two nations and sparing the people from suffering—this is truly a great merit that will be well recorded in the history books! He’s truly worthy of being a son of the Qin family!”
“It’s all thanks to your excellent guidance, Old Mistress.” Nanny Qin also took the opportunity to flatter the Old Mistress, making her laugh heartily with pride.
As they spoke, the sound of mixed footsteps came from outside. The door curtain was lifted, revealing the Second Madam and Third Lady entering with the young ladies from each branch.
Qin Yining stood up, her eyes sweeping over everyone, but she didn’t see Sun Shi.
Her heart began to sink, but she still smiled on the surface, paying respects to the Second Madam and Third Lady: “Second Aunt, Third Aunt.”
“Yining has returned!”
Both the Second Madam and Third Lady greeted her with smiles.
In their minds, Qin Yining’s reputation had been ruined the day she left the city. Now that she had returned, they momentarily couldn’t find the appropriate attitude to take toward her.
Both women subtly scrutinized Qin Yining, trying to detect any changes.
Qin Yining could see the awkwardness among her family sisters and the Old Mistress’s desire to ask questions while being too embarrassed to ask directly. A fire of anger burned in her heart.
She smiled and asked, “Why don’t I see my mother? Is she feeling unwell again?”
Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.
Seeing everyone’s expressions, Qin Yining knew the situation was bad and turned to look inquiringly at the Old Mistress.