Those nearby heard Qin Huaiyuan’s hoarse voice asking this question and looked at the father and daughter gazing at each other. The female family members’ tears flowed down again.
Madam Sun buried her face in her palms, sobbing uncontrollably, so overcome with guilt and regret that she wished she could dig a hole and bury herself in it.
Qin Yining, however, blinked and revealed a bright smile, her dimples on both cheeks quite endearing. “Me? Naturally, I eat when I can eat and sleep when I can sleep. Before I knew it, I had survived.”
“Before you knew it?”
“Yes, I had no other demands of myself—just eat when there’s food and sleep when there’s sleep. When life becomes reduced to such simple terms, there aren’t really any worries left. Life in the mountains, though everything had to be done by hand, was actually quite relaxed and carefree.”
Looking at Qin Yining’s bright eyes, Qin Huaiyuan felt as if he were immersed in lake water warmed and made clear by sunlight. That spotless determination was something that he, someone who had been immersed in officialdom and worldly affairs and was no longer pure, could not match.
Yet the entire family’s hearts were stirred by tremendous waves.
These people had always lived lives of luxury with fine clothes, jade ornaments, and pampered servants. Where had they ever suffered even the slightest hardship?
Precisely because their days had been too comfortable, they had become increasingly greedy. They would be jealous because a sister received one more beautiful hairpin than themselves; they would speculate about their own status based on whether the kitchen delivered food boxes early or late…
Such complex thoughts—they had previously believed this was what wealthy households should have, but now thinking back, it seemed so ridiculous.
They prided themselves on being daughters of noble families, yet they were each like greenhouse plants that couldn’t survive the slightest wind and rain.
But what about Qin Yining? She was also truly a daughter of a noble family, yet she was like a famous flower that had been transplanted out of the greenhouse too early. In the violent storms, she had actually taken deep root in ground full of hard stones and bloomed proud flowers—so brilliant and yet so resilient.
She embodied a kind of power—fearless, steadfast, and serene—that stirred everyone’s hearts.
Suddenly, they felt their own fears had been excessive.
At worst, they would go farm, which would still be much better than the life Qin Yining had lived. They would at least still have their family together—what was there to fear?
This was the first time the Qin family had re-examined their own lives in the face of danger.
It was also the first time they felt such clear admiration and affection for Qin Yining, without any other factors mixed in, simply because of who she was as a person.
Qin Huaiyuan’s mood was the same as his family’s. His troubled brow gradually relaxed, and his face showed a smile as well. He hid his deep guilt toward this child in his heart and patted her shoulder with his large hand.
“Father understands.”
That tenderness made the female cousins feel envious, because most daughters from noble families had relationships with their fathers that remained at the level of daily greetings. Few had the kind of relationship Qin Yining had with Qin Huaiyuan—the scene made people feel warm just watching it.
Seeing Qin Huaiyuan’s gaze gradually becoming peaceful, Qin Yining secretly breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. “Father understood all along. It’s just that you’re not made of iron—how could you not have your own emotions?”
Qin Yining stood up, and turning around, she saw that everyone in the family was looking at her with different eyes. She immediately felt uncomfortable and, her face heating up, moved to stand behind Qin Huaiyuan, causing him to laugh despite himself.
Her embarrassed appearance made everyone in the family laugh as well.
The atmosphere in the hall relaxed and was no longer as oppressive as before.
Looking at his family’s expressions and then at Qin Yining standing beside him, Qin Huaiyuan couldn’t help but smile again. His daughter was so outstanding that it made him feel gratified and proud, but most of all, protective.
“I’ve said too much today. The purpose was to help our entire family see reality clearly and position ourselves properly, so we won’t make missteps outside.” Qin Huaiyuan stood up, once again displaying his usual steady and refined demeanor, and smiled. “Everyone should disperse now and rest early.”
“Yes.”
Everyone stood up and paid their respects to Old Dowager, then the second and third branches each went their separate ways.
Qin Huaiyuan and Madam Sun escorted Old Dowager back to her bedroom. Old Dowager was still in the shock and emotion from earlier, and it took another while to comfort her before Qin Huaiyuan could leave with Madam Sun and Qin Yining.
Qin Huaiyuan was on the left, with Qin Yining supporting Madam Sun on the right. As they walked, Madam Sun’s shoulder would occasionally brush against Qin Huaiyuan’s arm.
Summer clothing was made of thin material, so both Qin Huaiyuan and Madam Sun could feel the warmth from each other’s arms. They exchanged glances and couldn’t help but smile.
Qin Huaiyuan’s smile was still the same as always—refined and gentle. Madam Sun’s face heated up at the sight, and her smile grew even wider, making her swollen eyes from crying almost disappear into happy crescents.
Seeing her parents like this, Qin Yining quietly released her hold on Madam Sun’s arm and gradually slowed her pace, heading toward Shuoren Studio with her maid.
Qin Huaiyuan walked shoulder to shoulder with Madam Sun on the path back to Xingning Garden. Madam Sun repeatedly asked about Qin Huaiyuan’s situation in prison—whether he had been injured, whether he had been tortured, how many meals he could eat per day, and similar topics.
Not wanting to cause Madam Sun unnecessary worry, Qin Huaiyuan smiled and deflected with vague answers. He spoke with great skill, always making it so Madam Sun couldn’t grasp the main points. She only felt comforted and overlooked what she had asked and how Qin Huaiyuan had answered, focusing only on Qin Huaiyuan’s smile and gentle tone.
Just as the two reached the entrance of Xingning Garden, they saw a delicate figure in a crimson jacket standing under the palace lantern at the courtyard gate. Her jet-black long hair was styled in a peony knot, with pearl tassels swaying with soft luster behind her high chignon.
Perhaps hearing footsteps, the person turned around. Her exquisite face bore a gentle and respectful smile as she curtsied. “This concubine greets Master Marquis and Madam.”
Madam Sun’s steps halted, and her expression cooled.
Qin Huaiyuan nodded. “Why have you come at this hour?”
“This concubine heard that Master Marquis had returned to the estate and specially came to pay respects to Master Marquis.” Cao Yuqing raised her eyes, her water-like gaze softly examining Qin Huaiyuan. Just from that look, one could tell of her feelings for Qin Huaiyuan.
Qin Huaiyuan seemed completely unaware and nodded. “You are thoughtful. I am unharmed. It’s getting late, and there are mosquitoes on summer nights. You should also return early to rest.”
Cao Yuqing slightly pursed her red lips and stared intently at Qin Huaiyuan for a long while before curtsying again.
“Yes, thank you for Master Marquis’s concern. I won’t disturb Master Marquis and Madam’s rest. This concubine takes her leave.”
“Mm.” Qin Huaiyuan casually pointed to a young maid. “Take a lantern and escort the concubine back.”
The young maid immediately followed orders and fetched a bright lantern.
Cao Yuqing looked deeply at Qin Huaiyuan one more time before turning to leave. Her spine was stubbornly straight, but the pearl tassels swaying behind her head with her steps made her appear somewhat fragile.
Qin Huaiyuan’s gaze was deep, and it was only after a moment that he smiled and entered the courtyard gate with Madam Sun.
Author’s Note: Stupid Moon has seen all the comments in the comment section, but since yesterday I haven’t been able to reply—it keeps showing a verification error. Orz
For April, Monday through Friday: First update around 9 AM, second update around 9 PM. Saturday and Sunday updates are irregular. Also, tonight’s additional update is at 9 PM. That’s all, mwah!