Qin Yining clenched her hands tightly, fine beads of sweat seeping from her palms. She wasn’t afraid of managing the household, nor was she afraid that as an unmarried woman managing her elders would make people disobedient.

What she cared about was her father’s words: “I fear the Emperor’s anger—then it would be more danger than safety.”

The Emperor’s anger—anger about what?

Naturally anger about Pang Xiao leading troops in a surprise attack!

However many benefits being favored by Pang Xiao had brought her before, it would bring her just as much trouble after the war began. If she, a secluded boudoir lady who never left home, faced such consequences, how much more so her father, who had presided over the peace negotiations?

Though Great Zhou’s breach of contract couldn’t be blamed on Qin Huaiyuan, wouldn’t the Emperor still vent his anger?

Pang Xiao was close to her. Before the war, the Emperor might think a marriage alliance was good, but now Pang Xiao had led the Huben Army to attack again—how could the Emperor harbor no resentment toward her? Wouldn’t National Uncle Cao and the Empress seize this opportunity to add fuel to the fire?

Her father probably understood all this, which was why he spoke of “more danger than safety.”

Moreover, her father said that until he returned, she should watch over the family. His words already carried a sense of entrustment, clearly fearing that this trip might mean he’d never return! Qin Yining understood her father’s words to mean that if he didn’t come back, she would have to take responsibility for the Qin family and do her utmost to protect the family’s safety.

Cold sweat broke out on Qin Yining’s forehead, her back felt ice-cold and damp, even her undergarments were soaked through.

Seeing his daughter’s calm expression but pale complexion, Qin Huaiyuan felt somewhat heartbroken and guilty.

How old was she? She’d only been home for less than a year, hadn’t enjoyed many good days, yet troubles came one after another. Now she was appointed in crisis to shoulder such a huge burden. Even a man might not withstand such pressure, yet he was forcing his own daughter to endure it.

Qin Huaiyuan patted Qin Yining’s shoulder with barely concealed sorrow, softly calling “Yining” but couldn’t say anything else.

Qin Yining’s expression became even more composed. Looking seriously at Qin Huaiyuan, she said: “Father, rest assured. With father’s words, I’ll do my utmost to manage this household well and wait for your return.”

“Mm. You…”

“Absolutely not!”

Qin Huaiyuan’s unfinished words were sternly interrupted by the Old Dowager, who had suddenly come to her senses.

“Meng Ge’er, what do you mean by this? Are you treating your old mother as if she’s already dead!” The Old Dowager stood up, pointing at Qin Huaiyuan with a trembling finger.

Qin Huaiyuan neither avoided nor yielded, only saying: “Mother, do you trust your son’s judgment?”

The Old Dowager was full of indignation but had to nod in acknowledgment that Qin Huaiyuan’s decisions were indeed always reliable, because he was smart enough and understood how to assess situations.

“Mother, I am the head of the Qin family. In times of crisis, I must ensure the safety of the entire family. Everything I do is for the Qin family. I know Mother feels uncomfortable, and perhaps Second Sister-in-law and Third Sister-in-law are also displeased about giving household management authority to a young girl.”

The Second Madam and Third Lady indeed felt uncomfortable, but when Qin Huaiyuan asked them directly, they couldn’t say much for the moment, especially Third Lady—her daughter’s recent marriage had greatly benefited from Qin Huaiyuan’s influence, and the couple had been grateful ever since.

Qin Huaiyuan continued: “Although Yining is inexperienced, I believe with the Old Dowager and everyone’s guidance, with a little instruction, given Yining’s intelligence, there shouldn’t be any major problems. Now the world is in great chaos, and the Qin family has been pushed to the forefront because of me. If our household cannot be airtight, we might invite disaster.”

“Yining has studied with me during this period and has become quite excellent at political analysis. She has quick wit and can handle emergencies, which is why I’m temporarily entrusting her with household management authority. Once this crisis passes and court affairs calm down, these matters should still be handled by the Old Dowager and you ladies.”

Qin Huaiyuan’s words couldn’t be clearer.

The current court situation was bad, and those who didn’t understand court affairs couldn’t coordinate with him, potentially inviting disaster.

Seeing the Old Dowager, Second Madam, and Third Lady all lower their heads in acquiescence, Qin Huaiyuan patted Qin Yining’s shoulder reassuringly and instructed: “Right now, in my presence, give the authority tokens to Yining.”

The Old Dowager’s face was iron-gray, extremely displeased with her son’s decision.

But ultimately she had no choice, because the Old Dowager had to admit that Qin Huaiyuan’s judgment was correct—among the family’s women, Qin Yining was indeed the most sensitive to court affairs.

Previously Sun Shi had managed the household. Since Duke Dingguo’s manor fell, the authority tokens had returned to the Old Dowager’s hands.

Now with Qin Huaiyuan’s order, the Old Dowager could only reluctantly hand them over.

Qin Yining received the box, looked at the wooden tokens polished bright by generations of handling, then smiled at Qin Huaiyuan: “Father can rest assured. Perhaps things aren’t as bad as you think. You might return quickly.”

“Yes.” Qin Huaiyuan also smiled.

At this moment Qi Tai had arrived with the court robes. Qin Huaiyuan went to the side room to quickly dress properly. Though he had a thousand words to say, there was no time for more, and he left with his attendants.

Qin Yining watched Qin Huaiyuan disappear into the distance before turning back to help Sun Shi up.

Seeing the Old Dowager, Second Madam, and Third Lady all looking gloomy and miserable—perhaps displeased that the authority tokens were given to her to manage, or perhaps worried about their future—in any case, not one was happy.

Qin Yining didn’t want to court bad luck at this time, so she only said: “The Old Dowager is also tired. Granddaughter won’t disturb the Old Dowager’s rest. I’ll take my leave of Mother first.”

Hearing this, the Old Dowager wearily waved her hand. If it had just been the anger from earlier, that would be one thing, but now thinking about such a major incident occurring, with Qin Huaiyuan urgently summoned to the palace by the Emperor—who knew what would happen? Qin Huaiyuan had just used such a tone of voice. The Old Dowager now only felt fear and couldn’t be bothered with anything else.

Qin Yining helped Sun Shi leave, wiping her tears as they walked and consoling her softly: “Mother needn’t worry. Bingtang and Ji Yun have already taken Nanny Jin, Cai Ju, and Cai Lan back to Xingning Garden for treatment. Their injuries probably won’t be life-threatening. Regarding today’s events, regardless of why the Old Dowager acted as she did, now is not the time for us to fuss over such things. Please bear with it for now, Mother.”

“I know.” Sun Shi sniffled, full of grievances but still nodding understandingly. “Your father’s words just now were very clear. If Great Yan is really destroyed and Emperor Zhou settles accounts, we’ll all die one by one. Why fuss over these trivial matters now?”

“Mother speaks very correctly.” Qin Yining was moved by Sun Shi’s growth during this period and smiled: “Mother needn’t be afraid either. After all, I’m still the ‘protective charm’ that can ensure Great Yan’s fortune—this was personally calculated by Tianji Zi, so it should at least protect all of you.”

Sun Shi said worriedly: “I just fear the Emperor will think of Little Prince Pang’s matter and vent his anger on you.”

“The more it comes to this, the more the Emperor will be scared witless. He’ll treat a dead horse like a living one and won’t do anything to me. Mother can just rest assured.”

Qin Yining consoled Sun Shi while calling to a little maid: “Go to Shuoren Studio and tell Song Lan and Qiu Lu to come to Xingning Garden. Just leave Nanny Zhu to watch the house. Also tell the supervising nannies to come to Xingning Garden at the first quarter of the you hour—I have instructions to give.”

Now that Qin Yining was the household-managing young lady, she was naturally different from before. The little maid immediately bowed and respectfully withdrew.

Seeing Qin Yining like this, Sun Shi nodded with great comfort and satisfaction.