After being regarded with such hostility by her birth mother, Qin Yining’s mood became somewhat dejected.
However, upon hearing Nanny Bao’s words, she immediately forced herself to rally her spirits, driving away all emotions as she smiled courteously at Nanny Bao: “Nanny Bao is too kind—I truly don’t deserve such consideration. But what instructions does my maternal grandmother have?”
Upon hearing this, Nanny Bao took her first close, deep look at Qin Yining.
Others might not perceive the skill in those two sentences Qin Yining had just spoken, but Nanny Bao, having navigated inner chambers for many years, was an old hand—how could she not understand?
Qin Yining’s words—the first sentence expressed respect for Duke Dingguo’s wife and for her personally, giving her full dignity. The second sentence, however, reminded her of their respective positions, making Nanny Bao feel that even if she had intended to favor Qin Huining and wanted to act important by relying on her age to say some disciplinary words, after hearing this sentence, she would need to think twice.
Having just witnessed Old Madam Qin’s attitude toward Qin Yining and seen her conduct, though she had been subtly reminded, Nanny Bao wasn’t angry. Instead, she looked at Qin Yining with several points more appreciation and respect.
“Would the young miss please move?” Nanny Bao smiled and pointed toward the chrysanthemum hill in the center of Xingning Garden.
Qin Yining looked in the direction of her gesture and saw that besides a small chrysanthemum hill constructed from various colored potted chrysanthemums, the surrounding area was open ground, at some distance from the front hall, side rooms, corridors, and reverse quarters.
Qin Yining was initially puzzled, but when she walked shoulder to shoulder with Nanny Bao to beside the chrysanthemum hill and observed the main buildings in the distance, she understood.
This place had nowhere to hide people on all sides—there was no fear of their conversation being overheard.
She couldn’t help but mentally note this method, secretly thinking that people raised in great mansions were indeed all very clever.
Nanny Bao stood respectfully before Qin Yining, smiling: “Since the young miss has returned to the manor, surely the adjustment cannot be immediate.”
“Indeed so.” Qin Yining replied honestly: “However, being fortunate enough to return is already heaven’s grace. I dare not ask for anything else, only hoping to fulfill my filial duties before my parents and elders.”
Nanny Bao inwardly approved of her response.
She could see that Qin Yining wasn’t particularly skilled at conversation, as her speech was unhurried, clearly requiring thought, yet her words were very appropriate, demonstrating her intelligence.
Nanny Bao, who had originally intended to approach the matter circuitously, seeing Qin Yining like this, abandoned those thoughts and asked directly.
“After the Fourth Miss returned to the manor, the First Madam likely has some resistance toward you?”
Upon hearing this, Qin Yining blinked her long lashes, then smiled slightly.
“Nanny Bao speaks in jest. A mother has no reason to resist her own child—the madam simply hasn’t seen clearly yet. Moreover, I greatly admire the madam’s maternal heart and very much envy Miss Huining.”
Nanny Bao toyed with the openwork silver bracelet on her wrist, carefully savoring Qin Yining’s words, her smile becoming more genuine.
Qin Yining’s words revealed four layers of meaning.
She knew that Sun Shi was merely blinded.
She also knew that Sun Shi was a good mother who loved her children.
She further knew who had blinded Sun Shi’s eyes.
Most importantly, though she hadn’t been accepted by her mother, she bore no hatred but was willing to wait.
Such sincere expression—before the conversation had gone deep, Qin Yining had already understood and given the answer Duke Dingguo’s wife most wanted to hear.
Such a perceptive young lady—even the misses raised beside Duke Dingguo’s wife might not achieve this level, much superior to their young madam who, though past middle age, remained rash and impulsive.
“This old slave understands the Fourth Miss’s meaning.” Nanny Bao then performed a solemn bow.
Qin Yining stepped aside, accepting only half of Nanny Bao’s bow, then returned a half-bow, grasping Nanny Bao’s aged hands: “You are a capable person at my maternal grandmother’s side—in my heart, you are also an elder. From now on, there’s no need for such formality. I don’t know how the madam has arranged things, nor which day I might be able to pay respects to my maternal grandfather and grandmother. Please convey my regards to my maternal grandmother.”
“Yes, this old slave understands.”
Nanny Bao and Qin Yining smiled at each other, then naturally began walking slowly back toward the main hall, only making casual conversation without discussing anything important.
The maids under the corridor lifted the warm curtain at the door, announcing their arrival inside.
Qin Yining and Nanny Bao entered one after the other, seeing Sun Shi sitting on the imperial concubine’s couch by the window with a furious expression, while Qin Huining sat close beside her, sobbing as she wiped tears with her handkerchief.
The stagnant atmosphere in the room made both Nanny Bao and Qin Yining understand that Qin Huining had definitely just severely accused Qin Yining.
Sun Shi forcibly suppressed her anger, producing a polite smile for Nanny Bao: “Please sit first, Nanny Bao. Allow me to handle some family matters before I can properly chat with you.”
She firmly instructed Cai Ju to bring a stool for Nanny Bao. Without caring whether the person was seated, she pointed at Qin Yining: “You! Kneel down!”
From the moment she entered the room, Qin Yining had already withdrawn the smile that had been on her face, slightly frowning her smoke-like delicate brows and lightly pressing her pale pink lips. Without resistance, she properly knelt down, lowering her eyes calmly: “Please calm your anger, Madam.”
“Calm my anger! How can you tell me to calm my anger!” Sun Shi stood up, taking several steps forward. With one hand on her hip, she bent down pointing at Qin Yining, her fingernails painted with bright red nail polish nearly touching her face.
“I had barely left when you dared to strike Hui Jie’er! Do you think this is your mountain wilderness where there’s no law?”
Qin Yining closed her eyes. Her heart, already thoroughly cold, could no longer generate hope when facing Sun Shi. After the hurt, she felt she could somehow ignore all this.
“In response to the madam’s words, your daughter did not.”
“You did not?! If you did not, were Hui Jie’er’s facial injuries inflicted by ghosts!”
“Since the madam knows Qin Huining was beaten, you must also know why she deserved the beating. As your flesh and blood, how could your daughter stand by and watch you be deceived and manipulated, causing discord between you and Father?”
“How dare you! Speaking back to my face—this shows how arrogant you were after I left! It’s because you weren’t raised at my side. I don’t expect you to be as well-educated and proper as other young ladies, but you can’t bring those common marketplace airs into the manor! Do you think you’re some shrew fighting in the streets, that having hard fists will help you establish your footing? I tell you—dream on!”
Sun Shi’s voice was shrill, scolding loudly like rapid gunfire, her chest heaving violently with anger. After this tirade, still feeling unsatisfied, she glared at Qin Yining’s black-haired crown and shouted: “Raise your head!”
As her words fell, Qin Yining obediently raised her head.
She hadn’t shed tears—only a faint mist gathered in her large, bright eyes. Her gaze was very calm, her expression showing no dissatisfaction or resentment whatsoever.
Just being looked up at like this, Sun Shi suddenly felt as if something had struck her heart.
Her hand, originally raised high to give Qin Yining a heavy slap, simply froze there.
Seeing her movement, Qin Yining lowered her long lashes. Though her eyelashes trembled, not a single tear fell: “Please calm your anger, Madam. Harming your health from anger isn’t worth it, and striking me even less so. If you’re angry that your daughter hit Qin Huining, any punishment is acceptable. Perhaps you could punish me to kneel on ceramic shards, or punish me to chop wood and carry water—that would work too.”
At this point she lowered her head, saying softly: “Previously, when I delivered firewood to a wealthy household, I saw them punish errant maids exactly this way.”
Delivering firewood?
Punishing errant maids!
Thinking of her background and experiences, anyone with even a shred of conscience couldn’t remain unmoved, yet when had Sun Shi’s attitude toward her ever been like that toward a daughter? It was worse than how she treated her personal maids.
Human hearts are made of flesh. Nanny Bao suddenly stood up, her heart feeling as if someone had squeezed it—both sour and painful.
Sun Shi’s hand dropped powerlessly, her gaze toward Qin Yining somewhat complex.
Nanny Bao said gravely: “Young Madam, please calm your anger. You must not forget your madam’s words.”
Sun Shi pressed her lips together without speaking.
Qin Huining bit her teeth tightly, clenching her hands into fists. With great effort, she managed to say: “Mother, forget it. Your daughter is truly fine.”
This sentence reminded Sun Shi of exactly why she was so angry.
Only the barely bearable rage from moments before was now replaced by a faint heartache.
Nanny Bao looked deeply at Qin Huining, understanding even more clearly, then said: “Young Madam, why not rest a moment while this old slave strolls around the courtyard.”
Sun Shi had no mood to care about much else and casually waved her hand.
Nanny Bao curtsied and went to the courtyard, calling several maids and women servants to ask some questions—but that can be set aside for now.
Qin Yining knelt for a full incense stick’s time before Sun Shi said: “Enough. Remember this lesson and don’t be so crude again. You are, after all, a young lady of the Prime Minister’s manor, the legitimate daughter of the main branch. If your conduct lacks proper method and you bring marketplace airs inside, people will gossip when they see it. When our manor’s reputation suffers, it won’t just be your matter alone—it will affect all the young ladies’ reputations in the entire manor.”
Sun Shi’s tone had softened. Qin Yining’s response was even gentler: “The madam’s teaching is correct. Your daughter understands.”
Looking at Qin Yining like this, Sun Shi inexplicably felt she shouldn’t bully a child who had been lonely and suffering since childhood.
Remembering Duke Dingguo’s wife’s words, she sighed. To secure her position, she would have to acknowledge her anyway—better to do so happily. Moreover, after her anger subsided, Sun Shi also felt Qin Huaiyuan wouldn’t be so confused as to mix up the Qin family bloodline.
This girl might truly be her own child.
Though she seemed like a stranger now, they could see how things went in the future…
“You may go.” Sun Shi rubbed her forehead, no longer looking at Qin Yining.
Qin Yining bowed: “Yes,” and obediently withdrew.
In the outer room, Rui Lan and Qiu Lu draped a cloak over her and attended her as she went outside.
Sun Shi looked at Qin Huining with her swollen face and red-rimmed eyes from crying, comforting her: “Don’t feel wronged anymore. She’s also pitiable after all. Let it go this time. I have some excellent medicinal ointment—I’ll have Nanny Jin apply medicine to you later, and your face will heal quickly.”
Qin Huining nearly ground her silver teeth to powder—now you could see who was the biological child!
But despite all her indignation, Qin Huining didn’t dare push away this powerful support. She smiled and clung to Sun Shi’s arm coquettishly: “Mother speaks truly. Your daughter will listen to you in everything.”