“Your daughter is handing these people over to Father precisely because I don’t want to deal with the troublesome aftermath, yet Father asks me instead.” Qin Yining pretended to be upset, then smiled mischievously. “Is Father deliberately testing your daughter? If I answer well, will there be a reward?”

Qin Huaiyuan was amused by her rare playfulness, thinking to himself: She’s just a girl who hasn’t even reached her hairpin ceremony yet. Her usual composure to the point of seeming old-fashioned is forced by circumstances.

His affection and pity for Qin Yining deepened even more.

“You clever girl. You didn’t learn composure from staying by your mother’s side, but instead picked up some refined mischief. Very well, if you answer well, I still have an excellent She inkstone—it shall be your reward. How about it?”

“Thank you, Father.”

Hearing this, Qin Yining smiled, patted the pastry crumbs from her hands, wiped them clean, and took another sip of tea before saying, “Your daughter believes there are three strategies for handling this matter: superior, moderate, and inferior.”

A sharp gleam flashed in Qin Huaiyuan’s eyes, and his face already showed amusement. “Oh? Tell me about them.”

Qin Yining smiled. “Yes. These people went to assassinate with poison capsules in their mouths. Though each was resolute enough to commit suicide, that’s different from being captured privately without preparation. Moreover, we caught so many people at once. Under severe torture, surely not all thirty-plus men are hardened heroes—they’ll definitely reveal useful information. What they say must naturally be reported to the emperor. It’s just that the method and timing of telling the emperor will differ.”

Qin Yining looked up and saw Qin Huaiyuan nodding slightly, gaining more confidence.

“The inferior strategy would be for Father to directly take these people’s confessions and impeach Imperial Uncle Cao before the court. The advantage of this approach is letting everyone know of Imperial Uncle Cao’s wolfish ambitions. The emperor is committed to peace negotiations, yet Imperial Uncle Cao colluded with the Tatars to sabotage them—in the emperor’s view, such intentions deserve death.”

“But how things would develop afterward cannot be predicted,” Qin Huaiyuan said.

“Exactly so.” Qin Yining nodded. “Since we don’t know beforehand what the emperor truly thinks about Imperial Uncle Cao, this approach carries too much risk. If the emperor favors Imperial Uncle Cao, Father would instead suffer backlash. That’s why I call this the inferior strategy.”

“Mm. What you say makes sense.” Qin Huaiyuan relaxed against the large pillow behind him and smiled. “And the moderate strategy?”

“The moderate strategy would be for Father to privately report to the emperor and inquire about his intentions regarding Imperial Uncle Cao. If the emperor wants to take this opportunity to bring down Imperial Uncle Cao, then you become his blade. If the emperor prefers to keep it quiet, then you simply act as if you know nothing. This is better than catching the emperor off guard in front of everyone.”

At this point, Qin Yining frowned thoughtfully before continuing, “However, this approach also has drawbacks. Though you’d know the emperor’s intentions beforehand, there’s no guarantee he wouldn’t change his mind at court, or be swayed by other external forces causing sudden changes. Father could easily become a target and bear the consequences.”

“Moreover, Imperial Uncle Cao’s faction is spread throughout the court with deep roots. Though Father has reached the position of Grand Preceptor, you still cannot compete with him. The consequences of becoming Imperial Uncle Cao’s target are imaginable. Also, Empress Cao has long resided in the palace—there’s no guarantee the emperor doesn’t have their spies around him. If their people learned of Father’s conversation with the emperor beforehand, things would equally fall through.”

The more Qin Yining spoke, the more she felt this approach was truly dangerous, her expression growing serious. “If one serves the emperor loyally but cannot withdraw safely, that would be a loss. So this moderate strategy is also inappropriate.”

Seeing Qin Yining’s analysis so thorough—though clearly a young girl, her comprehensive thinking rivaled those who had long soaked in court politics—Qin Huaiyuan’s fondness for his daughter grew even stronger, and he increasingly lamented why she wasn’t a son. If she were a boy, he wouldn’t worry about having no successor.

Qin Huaiyuan sighed. “Your analysis is extremely thorough. I believe most people would consider privately discussing this matter with the emperor to be a good strategy. But the risks are indeed real, since sudden changes cannot be predicted by anyone.”

Being praised so highly by her father, Qin Yining felt both shy and delighted, her pretty face flushed and her eyes sparkling.

“Father flatters me. I have one superior strategy, but I think with Father’s intelligence, you must have already thought of it. Why don’t we both write it down and see if we’re thinking along the same lines?”

Qin Huaiyuan chuckled. “You little minx. Very well, go fetch paper and brush.”

Qin Yining nodded, went to the black lacquered painting desk to grind ink, took a purple-hair brush and dipped it in thick ink, then brought a sheet of paper to hand to Qin Huaiyuan while taking another sheet for herself. Turning her back to Qin Huaiyuan, she began writing at the desk.

For a moment, only the soft scratching of brushes on paper could be heard in the room, along with the gentle tinkling of pearl hairpins swaying from Qin Yining’s hair. The ink’s fragrance mingled with tea and pastry scents, creating an especially peaceful atmosphere.

After Qin Yining finished writing a few characters, Qin Huaiyuan also set down his brush.

The two brought their papers together. Qin Huaiyuan’s calligraphy was bold and flowing, while Qin Yining’s was delicate and neat, but the content was identical—three characters: “Concubine Cao.”

A sense of mutual understanding arose in both father and daughter’s hearts.

For a moment, Qin Huaiyuan felt that even though this wasn’t a boy, she was still his flesh and blood, his biological daughter. Whether male or female, what did it matter? With her intelligence, she could still carry on his legacy.

Qin Yining smiled as she took the paper from Qin Huaiyuan’s hand and threw both sheets into the charcoal brazier on the floor. Sparks flickered as the papers quickly curled and blackened to ash.

“Hand them to her, let her report to the emperor. Not only can we do her a favor, but we can also keep our family completely clean. Whether to deal with Imperial Uncle Cao depends on the emperor’s and the Cao family’s intentions. After all, we didn’t capture these people—we know nothing.”

Qin Yining smiled slyly and continued, “The emperor has been investigating the assassins for more than a day or two. The Silver-Masked Agents naturally have this task too. They call themselves agents—if they don’t even have the ability to capture people, where would they put their faces? Concubine Cao isn’t foolish. She’ll definitely claim this credit and incidentally shoulder all the risks for us.”

“Little schemer!” Qin Huaiyuan tapped Qin Yining’s nose tip with his finger. “Aren’t you afraid Concubine Cao will refuse?”

“She’s the emperor’s agent, ordered to capture assassins. Now that clues come to her door, how could she refuse? Moreover, even if she has thoughts of refusal, as long as Father speaks to her personally, she’ll definitely agree.”

Hearing this, Qin Huaiyuan’s face showed some embarrassment as he coughed. “Little girl, talking nonsense. Considering you’ve helped Father greatly, that She inkstone counts as your reward.”

Qin Yining smiled happily. “Thank you, Father. Please let me see it quickly!”

Qin Huaiyuan laughed heartily at her enthusiasm. “What’s the rush? Would I go back on my word?”

Qin Huaiyuan got up and called for Qi Tai. “That new She inkstone I recently acquired—go find it and send it to Fourth Miss at Shuoren Studio. Also, take that box of mixed-hair brushes and send them to Fourth Miss as well.”

Qi Tai nodded repeatedly, smiling as he went to fetch the items.

Qin Yining giggled. “Thank you, Father. After not sleeping last night, Father must be tired too. Why don’t we go back together? You can return to Xingning Garden for a nap, and I’ll go back to Shuoren Studio to wait for my inkstone and mixed-hair brushes.”

In excellent spirits, Qin Huaiyuan casually put on a wide-sleeved outer robe. “Let’s go. I’ll take you to pay respects to the Old Madam first, then we can each get some rest.”

Qin Yining couldn’t help being moved by Qin Huaiyuan’s thoughtfulness.

Qin Yining naturally knew about Qin Huaiyuan not visiting the Old Madam for many days.

Ever since the incident with the snuff bottle, Qin Huaiyuan had been cold toward the Old Madam. He naturally knew the snuff bottle matter was fabricated—that Qin Yining had deliberately frightened the Old Madam. Yet Qin Huaiyuan still used his coldness to make his position clear to the Old Madam, telling her that both Qin Yining and Sun Shi were people Qin Huaiyuan cared about. This truly moved Qin Yining.

When she first returned home, Qin Yining felt her father was amiable on the surface but cold inside.

But after spending time together, Qin Yining naturally came to know her father’s goodness toward her.

It seemed such wise and resourceful people didn’t easily open their hearts, but once they did, they wouldn’t easily grow distant either.

Qi Tai found the inkstone and box of brushes, handing them all to Ji Yun.

Qin Yining then brought Ji Yun and followed Qin Huaiyuan toward the inner quarters.

Who would have thought that just upon entering the ornate gate, they heard what seemed to be women’s crying and shouting from nearby Cixiao Garden.

Qin Huaiyuan’s expression changed as he hurried over quickly.

Qin Yining also found it strange, calling Ji Yun to follow quickly behind Qin Huaiyuan.

The closer they got to Cixiao Garden, the clearer the crying and cursing became. Qin Yining listened with alarm—the person cursing was actually Sun Shi, and the one crying and pleading seemed to be Qin Huining?

What on earth had happened?

She had only been away for one night, hadn’t had time to pay respects to Sun Shi, and already there was trouble?

In the courtyard, Nanny Jin and Cai Ju supported Sun Shi on either side. Sun Shi’s face was already streaked with tears, yet she still pointed at Qin Huining, saying, “…You conscienceless, heartless creature! What good does slandering me do you!”

Qin Huining had fallen to the ground, sobbing loudly, but her defensive voice was even clearer: “Why must Madam be like this? That cursed doll wasn’t found in my room either. I was only being kind in bringing you pastries, yet Madam… How could I conceal such a thing? It had the Old Madam’s birth date and time on it! Now the Old Madam has fainted from anger, and we don’t know her condition, yet Madam only knows to shout at me. If Madam were truly filial, why don’t I see you worried about the Old Madam, but instead rushing to argue…”

Qin Huaiyuan turned around the screen wall, frowning as he interrupted Qin Huining’s words: “What is this cursed doll you speak of?”

“Marquis!”

Everyone in the courtyard bowed in unison.

Qin Yining slowly walked to Sun Shi’s side, supporting the sobbing Sun Shi, and said softly, “Mother, what happened? Please speak slowly and don’t worry. Father will certainly see justice done for you.”