The Emperor personally wrote the four characters “Marquis Anping’s Residence” in his own hand, and along with the imperial grace of erecting a memorial archway for the super first-rank Lady Anping and various gold, silver, and jewels, a head eunuch personally led people to deliver them to the Qin family the following afternoon.

When the Old Dowager received the news, she was in the middle of eating a cup of almond milk. Upon hearing the message, she was so delighted that she couldn’t hold the white porcelain cup steady and spilled half the milk.

“Quickly, quickly, set up the incense table and have all the family’s womenfolk hurry to the front to receive the imperial edict!” She then turned to instruct Nanny Qin to help her dress formally.

The joyful, bustling atmosphere in the Qin residence spread from the inner quarters all the way to the front courtyard.

The head eunuch was well-practiced at reading the wind and steering accordingly. He courteously transmitted the edict and bestowed the rewards, but noticing that Sun Shi and Qin Yining were not at home, he made an additional inquiry out of curiosity.

“Old Dowager Qin, why don’t we see Lady Anping and your residence’s Fourth Miss today?”

The Old Dowager was startled, then smiled broadly, “Thank you for your concern, Eunuch. Lady Anping is unwell and needs quiet recuperation. It happens that my fourth granddaughter has property outside, saying that place is peaceful and pleasant, most suitable for rest and recovery, so she went to attend to her mother there. When you came to bestow rewards, due to the urgency, this old woman hasn’t had time to bring them back yet.”

Though the head eunuch was clever and could see the Old Dowager’s embarrassment, he didn’t dare offend Qin Huaiyuan, so he didn’t dare press the Old Dowager further.

“If that’s the case, please have Old Dowager Qin arrange for someone to guide us. The memorial archway can be ordered to be built, but some rewards from His Majesty and the Empress were specifically ordered to be personally delivered to Lady Anping and Fourth Miss.”

The Old Dowager quickly agreed and looked inquiringly at Qin Huaiyuan.

Qin Huaiyuan smiled and instructed First Master Qin Yu and Second Master Qin Han to guide the head eunuch. Both readily agreed.

As the two were about to leave, the Old Dowager couldn’t help but instruct Nanny Qin, “Go quickly and catch up with Yu Ge’er and Han Ge’er. Tell them my words—after guiding the way, don’t hurry back. It’s important to bring back their eldest sister-in-law and cousin as well.”

Upon hearing this, Nanny Qin felt this matter would surely fail. The words of persuasion circled on her lips before she swallowed them back down. In the end, she didn’t risk offending the Old Dowager and chased after them as instructed.

Both Qin Han and Qin Yu found the instruction very difficult, truly unwilling to be caught between the Old Dowager and Qin Yining in an awkward position. Qin Yu could control his temper and still manage his emotions, but Qin Han had an explosive temperament that loved fighting injustice. Upon hearing the Old Dowager’s instruction, he began to feel disdain in his heart, though he couldn’t show the slightest displeasure on his face since he had to escort the edict-bearing head eunuch.

They persevered all the way to Guilin Restaurant and successfully bestowed the rewards.

Qin Yining was not at all surprised to see the edict-bearing head eunuch at this place. After kowtowing to express gratitude for imperial grace, she politely escorted the head eunuch away. When they reached a place with no one around, she smiled and glanced at Bingtang.

Bingtang immediately stepped forward with a smile, presenting a stack of banknotes with both hands, “Our young lady invites you to tea, Eunuch.”

Upon seeing the stack of banknotes, the head eunuch’s face lit up with joy. He repeatedly bowed and expressed thanks. Combined with Qin Yining’s consistently respectful attitude toward him, the head eunuch felt very satisfied and already knew what to say when he returned.

After seeing the people off, Qin Yining returned to the back courtyard of Guilin Restaurant with Bingtang.

Qin Han and Qin Yu were in the room talking with Sun Shi.

“…The Old Dowager’s meaning is that it’s ultimately inconvenient for eldest sister-in-law to live outside. Our residence has more servants who can take care of you more properly. If eldest sister-in-law prefers quiet, the Old Dowager can also exempt you from morning and evening attendance, just staying quietly in Xingning Garden to recover from illness, and won’t allow people to come and disturb you.” Qin Yu said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Sun Shi became somewhat swayed.

She was Qin Huaiyuan’s wife, and now that Qin Huaiyuan was enfeoffed as Marquis Anping, she had also become the super first-rank Lady Anping. Her imperial patent of nobility was even higher than the Old Dowager’s. At this moment, she truly wanted to return.

Firstly, there would inevitably be congratulatory social obligations and such matters in the near future, and it wouldn’t be good for her not to be home. Secondly, she also wanted to hold her head high before the Old Dowager. She knew the Old Dowager disliked her, but now that her patent of nobility was above the Old Dowager’s, what could the Old Dowager do?

However, Sun Shi didn’t decide immediately, but hesitantly glanced at Qin Yining.

She didn’t know when it started, but she had begun to seek Qin Yining’s opinion on matters, becoming quite dependent on her daughter. Perhaps it was because both the Duke Dingguo’s wife and Qin Huaiyuan had repeatedly instructed her this way, forming a habit.

Seeing Sun Shi look toward Qin Yining, Qin Yu and Qin Han understood who could make decisions here.

Both cousin brothers had little contact with Qin Yining.

All of Qin Yu’s impressions of Qin Yining came from what he heard from his wife, Yao Shi.

Qin Han was slightly better off. Besides hearing his wife talk about inner quarters matters during casual conversation, he also had the bond of teaching her the residence’s rules while protecting her on the way back to the capital.

Just as Qin Yu was still hesitating about how to speak, Qin Han said, “Yi’er, do you want to go back?”

Qin Yining had always been grateful to Qin Han. On the journey back to the capital, it was Qin Han who privately told her about the residence’s affairs and taught her the rules to prevent her from embarrassing herself, which allowed her to pass the greeting ceremony when she first returned to the Qin residence and quickly adapt to the environment.

Therefore, Qin Yining was closer to Qin Han and spoke more gently, restraining her sharp edges, “Both cousin brothers were assigned this task and must find it quite difficult.”

Both Qin Han and Qin Yu were perceptive people and immediately understood she didn’t plan to return.

Qin Yu was somewhat displeased, “Fourth sister plans to live outside permanently with eldest sister-in-law? Forgive this brother’s blunt words, but Fourth Sister is after all an unmarried young lady. Always being so forceful and showing herself in public is not good.”

Before Qin Yining could speak, Qin Han disagreed, “Now you say Fourth Sister is a young lady, but when the peace negotiations were happening, why did they push Fourth Sister forward? I didn’t see you, as the eldest cousin brother, come out to speak a word for Fourth Sister then.”

“You!” Qin Yu glared at Qin Han.

Qin Han glared back defiantly.

Qin Yining couldn’t help but laugh, “First cousin brother, second cousin brother, please don’t be angry. This matter originally has nothing to do with either cousin brother. How I left home that day, you both know. If I were to return just like this, my mother would be too wronged.”

Qin Yu couldn’t help but frown, “You mean you still want to negotiate some conditions before returning to the residence?”

“It’s not like that. I don’t want to put either cousin brother in a difficult position. When you return, just tell Grandmother that my mother is unwell. After entering the palace, she was repeatedly frightened and now needs quiet recuperation. Though Xingning Garden is quiet, it’s still not as quiet as my property outside. When my mother recovers, as a granddaughter I will naturally bring Mother back.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Han felt secretly delighted and laughed heartily, patting Qin Yining’s shoulder, “Well done.”

Qin Yu was so angry he rolled his eyes. Qin Han had always had this sharp, contrary temperament, and he was used to it. He just hadn’t expected that now even a young woman could be so unafraid of causing trouble, and someone was actually cheering her on!

Although the Old Dowager’s methods were indeed not honorable, shouldn’t women pay attention to the three obediences and four virtues?

No wonder even second sister-in-law had been spoiled by Qin Han to the point of having no boundaries, not even touching needlework.

“Forget it.” Qin Yu stood up, dusted off his robe, and bowed to Sun Shi, “Since eldest sister-in-law has decided thus, we two should also take our leave and return to report to the Old Dowager.”

Sun Shi became somewhat anxious, but ultimately didn’t go against Qin Yining’s wishes.

After Qin Yining saw off both cousin brothers, Sun Shi immediately pulled her aside, “Yi’er, aren’t we making things difficult for your father by staying here? Tell Mother what exactly happened that day. Why are you so opposed to letting me return to the residence?”