Qin Huaiyuan looked at Qin Yining with deep, contemplative eyes, as if examining something. The aura he unconsciously displayed was quite oppressive.

Sun Shi was already trembling in her heart and turned back worriedly, “Yi’er, why don’t you listen to your father? Let’s go back with him. I’ve been staying in the palace for some time now, and it would be good to return and pay respects to the Old Dowager.”

Qin Yining looked at Sun Shi with pity.

Having been in the palace for many days, Mother didn’t know of the Old Dowager’s heartlessness. In her heart, she regarded the Old Dowager as her mother-in-law, but the Old Dowager only considered her an outsider.

The Old Dowager was a person selfish and heartless to the extreme.

Yet Qin Yining didn’t want to tell Sun Shi these things.

Sun Shi wasn’t someone good at enduring in silence. She would still have to return to the residence to live in the future. If Sun Shi knew everything completely, how could she face the Old Dowager calmly?

Therefore, Qin Yining only shook her head, “I hope Father and Mother can forgive your daughter’s willfulness. Your daughter doesn’t disrespect the Old Dowager, but in order to avoid being bullied in the residence in the future, your daughter can only act thus.”

Seeing Qin Yining so restrained, not telling Sun Shi about the residence affairs, Qin Huaiyuan could vaguely guess the situation.

“Father understands. You mother and daughter can stay here temporarily.” Qin Huaiyuan sighed as he stood up, “Father will investigate thoroughly upon returning to the residence.”

“Thank you, Father.” Qin Yining smiled gratefully, the dimples on her cheeks extremely cute and endearing.

Qin Huaiyuan couldn’t help but smile too, “You mother and daughter take good care of yourselves.”

“Master.” Sun Shi looked at Qin Yining somewhat helplessly, then rose to see Qin Huaiyuan off, “I’ll persuade Yi’er, and we’ll return soon.”

Qin Huaiyuan nodded with a smile, “Yi’er has her own ideas. You just rest assured and recover.”

Sun Shi then saw Qin Huaiyuan to the door before returning to the room.

Qin Yining had already had people prepare exquisite and delicious dishes. After a simple dinner with Sun Shi and washing up, she shared the bed with her mother.

The mother and daughter chatted desultorily. Qin Yining only spoke of amusing incidents during the peace negotiations, not mentioning residence affairs. She and Sun Shi rarely had such intimate moments. Now being able to speak so peacefully with her mother filled her heart with joy.

Wasn’t this the day she had sought after returning to the residence?

Qin Yining’s happiness infected Sun Shi, whose mood also became relaxed. However, she inevitably had questions in her heart.

What exactly had the Old Dowager done to make Yi’er refuse to return to the residence?

In the Garden of Benevolence and Filial Piety, lights blazed brightly. Brand new, bright palace lanterns hung high under the eaves. The azure brick ground, just moistened by a light rain, reflected the outlines of the lanterns and buildings, making the spacious courtyard appear like a celestial palace.

Qin Huaiyuan wore a cloak while Nanny Qin led the way with a lantern in front. Behind them, two maids held up oiled paper umbrellas high to shield him from the fine rain threads. The group walked quickly toward the main house.

Nanny Qin smiled, “It’s good that Master has returned safely. The Old Dowager will be so pleased.”

Qin Huaiyuan smiled peacefully and said nothing.

Seeing Qin Huaiyuan’s expression, and noting that he had returned alone, Nanny Qin tactfully changed the subject, “The weather has warmed up. It rained lightly in the capital a few days ago, and our back garden already shows some green.”

“Indeed.” Qin Huaiyuan smiled, “Spring has arrived in the blink of an eye.”

Crossing the courtyard and ascending the steps, Ruyi curtsied and carefully lifted the dark green curtain embroidered with magpies perching on branches. Warmth and laughter from inside the room flowed out together, yet failed to bring even a trace of smile to Qin Huaiyuan’s face.

Ruyi was about to enter to serve when Nanny Qin pulled her back, saying, “First go tell the small kitchen to prepare what the Master likes to eat.”

Ruyi nodded upon hearing this, smiled gratefully at Nanny Qin, and hurried off.

Nanny Qin stood under the corridor without entering the room.

Not only would she not enter, but even the idle people currently inside would have to come out later. She’d better not join the commotion.

Qin Huaiyuan went straight inside and saw Cao Yuqing, Qin Huining, and Sixth Miss gathered around the Old Dowager, standing or sitting while accompanying her in conversation.

Seeing him return, Cao Yuqing, Qin Huining, and Sixth Miss all rose to bow.

The Old Dowager joyfully got down from the arhat bed and grasped Qin Huaiyuan’s hand, “Meng Ge’er has returned! It’s good you’re back, so good you’re back.”

Qin Huaiyuan bowed to the Old Dowager, then looked her over carefully. Seeing that her complexion was rosy and her spirits normal, he said, “Has Mother been well?”

“Good, good. I was just worried about you. Look, you’ve lost quite a bit of weight during your time away. We must nourish you well when you return.”

She smiled at Cao Yuqing, “Just now Yuqing and I were discussing what you like to eat most. Yuqing even said that with the weather warming, she should prepare your summer clothes.”

Since handwork was time-consuming, the residence’s clothing was always prepared a season in advance.

Qin Huaiyuan glanced coldly at Cao Yuqing, “Don’t trouble yourself. The First Madam will naturally handle such matters.”

This was a reminder to Cao Yuqing: you are merely a concubine, do not overstep your bounds.

Upon hearing this, Cao Yuqing’s smile faded and her powdered face turned pale, yet she still maintained her smile, “It’s no trouble at all. Doing these things is originally within a concubine’s duties.”

“Duties?” Qin Huaiyuan helped the Old Dowager sit on the red sandalwood arhat bed spread with a new light blue cushion, chuckling softly, “I thought your duties were in the palace, not in the residence.”

Cao Yuqing’s complexion had already turned from white to red. Her beautiful eyes looked at Qin Huaiyuan with anger, as if not understanding why he was suddenly giving her a hard time. But within a breath’s time, she lowered her head humbly and bowed, “Master, please calm your anger.”

Seeing her son actually dare to treat Madam Cao this way, the Old Dowager was so alarmed her face turned white!

This was Madam Cao! The Empress Cao’s sister, National Uncle Cao’s eldest daughter!

She kept giving Qin Huaiyuan meaningful looks, but he seemed not to see them, still able to sit leisurely and drink tea.

The Old Dowager felt stifled and could only personally help Cao Yuqing up, supporting her to sit on a nearby embroidered stool, “Good child, don’t mind him. He’s being foolish. I’ll speak to him.”

Just as she finished speaking, Qin Huaiyuan spoke first, “You all go out first. I have something to discuss with the Old Dowager.”

Qin Huining and Sixth Miss, who had been silent as cicadas in winter, felt as if granted amnesty and hurriedly bowed before withdrawing.

Cao Yuqing hesitantly glanced at Qin Huaiyuan before rising and leaving.

Soon there were no others in the room. The Old Dowager, seeing Cao Yuqing’s aggrieved appearance, said anxiously, “Meng Ge’er, what are you doing? You’ve just returned and already giving Yuqing a cold shoulder!”

“A cold shoulder? She is my concubine, yet commits acts of deceiving the principal wife into entering the palace. I haven’t yet formally disciplined her, and even indirect criticism is forbidden?”

“Don’t forget, her surname is Cao!”

“She now bears the surname Qin.”

The Old Dowager pointed at Qin Huaiyuan, “You ungrateful child! Don’t forget who her sister and father are! If you don’t handle these two people well, what will we do in the future!”

“Mother worries about me and cares for me—I know this.” Qin Huaiyuan helped the Old Dowager sit down again and refilled her tea.

“But please also understand that I too am a husband and a father.” Qin Huaiyuan stopped there.

The Old Dowager’s expression changed several times before she glared furiously and cursed, “I knew it must be that cheap woman Sun Shi and that little wretch Qin Yining instigating things behind the scenes! What have they said about me now?”

Growing more aggrieved as she thought about it, the Old Dowager choked up, “Sun Shi dared to challenge imperial authority, and that precious daughter of yours even wanted to rescue her! Such a shrewish, stupid woman—it would be cleaner if she died, at least she wouldn’t implicate you! I am your mother, the old mistress of this household. Can I allow Sun Shi, like one rotten fish, to spoil the whole pot?”

“Mother, please calm yourself.”

Qin Huaiyuan lowered his head, “Mother’s protective heart toward me is the same as my protective heart toward Yi’er. Mother has probably forgotten that when Grandmother tormented you in every way back then, when Father favored concubines over his wife and elevated that Madam Jiang, how you washed your face with tears, and what I did then.”

Upon hearing this, the Old Dowager, beyond her anger, was also reminded of the heartache of her youth, recalling how the young Qin Huaiyuan had protected her.

“What Mother hated most back then was Grandmother’s unkindness, unrighteousness, and eagerness for quick success. But now, look at yourself—how are you different from Grandmother back then?”

“You unfilial son! Everything I do is for you!”

“For me? Then please properly preserve my reputation. I cannot bear the reputation of being ungrateful or favoring concubines over my wife. I have already reached the pinnacle of ministerial position and now have a noble title. Given Great Yan’s national fortune, I have reached the peak with no further prospects. Having lived righteously and sat properly all my life, I only seek not to be criticized or cursed. I beg Mother not to act arbitrarily anymore.”

“Fine! Fine! You think I’m superfluous!”

“Mother knows what I’m saying. Why deflect with irrelevant talk?” Qin Huaiyuan looked directly at the Old Dowager, “Yi’er and Sun Shi are temporarily staying outside. I won’t interfere—Mother can handle it as she sees fit. As for Madam Cao, Mother doesn’t know the details of matters between her and me, so please don’t interfere anymore.”

After speaking, Qin Huaiyuan bowed and turned to leave.

Watching his retreating figure, the Old Dowager’s tears fell like rain, “This unfilial son, unfilial son! What sin have I committed!”

Nanny Qin, Ji Xiang, and Ruyi under the corridor bowed to Qin Huaiyuan and had someone hold an umbrella to escort him away.

Nanny Qin breathed in the moist, cool air, patted her cheeks to compose her expression, then entered the room to comfort the Old Dowager.

Though Qin Huaiyuan had dismissed others when speaking with the Old Dowager, walls have ears. Soon both the second and third branches learned the news. The Second Madam and Third Madam had long disapproved of the Old Dowager’s sycophantic behavior, so hearing this news, they couldn’t help feeling somewhat gleeful.

Setting aside how people in the residence discussed matters privately.

At this time, in the Guest Reception Pavilion operated under the Court of Imperial Receptions, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Receptions was leading the Great Zhou envoy toward the main hall.

Lian Shengjie wore casual clothes, his back straight.

The Minister said with trepidation, “Prince Zhongshun of your honored country arrived ahead of Your Excellency and is currently waiting in the flower hall to dine together. This humble official has prepared an exquisite banquet and characteristic song and dance performances of our nation. Please do not disdain them, Your Excellency.”

Hearing that Pang Xiao was also there, Lian Shengjie couldn’t help but show a trace of fear on his face, but remembering His Majesty’s instructions, his resolve strengthened again.

The Minister’s mention of “characteristic song and dance” made Lian Shengjie’s heart stir with lust.

Where there were songs to be sung and dances to be performed, these people surely wouldn’t be crude men, would they? He wouldn’t have to worry about long, lonely nights.

Just as he was thinking this, the group entered the flower hall.

Pang Xiao sat upright in the seat of honor and glanced over upon hearing the sound, “So it’s Minister Lian.”