Eunuch Lu was well aware that the entire Qin family was now beyond offending. Grand Tutor Qin was the minister His Majesty valued most, and Miss Qin was the woman His Majesty cherished. Therefore, he restrained all his temper, bowed even lower, and said with an ingratiating smile: “In response to your lordship’s question, it’s for the selection matter—specifically to escort Miss Qin to the palace.”
“This early?” Qin Huaiyuan raised his eyebrows in puzzlement. Though his tone remained gentle as usual, it carried a strong sense of pressure.
Eunuch Lu hurriedly responded cautiously: “It’s His Majesty’s intention. Besides the young lady from your distinguished mansion, Miss Li from Duke Anguo’s mansion and Miss Sun from Master Gu’s household are also entering the palace this time.”
“Master Gu, the Imperial Tutor?”
“Precisely so.”
Qin Huaiyuan immediately understood.
Duke Anguo Li Mian was a military general who, along with Duke Dingguo, had once been called the “Twin Heroes.” Now, aside from Prince Ning who was leading troops abroad, Duke Anguo was undoubtedly the representative of military officials in court.
Imperial Tutor Gu Shixiong enjoyed great trust from the retired Emperor. The Gu family was also a century-old noble house with many descendants serving in the court. Now that the Cao family had been eliminated and court relationships were being reshuffled, the Gu family’s officials could form a vast network of connections.
Though Qin Huaiyuan was currently in the spotlight, his family foundation was shallow and the Qin family had few descendants. He could be considered a leading figure among civil officials, but not necessarily their representative.
His Majesty had chosen one civil and one military family, apparently wanting to create balance. As for Qin Yining, in the Emperor’s heart she had already become someone he must obtain, so from the beginning he hadn’t counted her among the balancing factors.
But His Majesty had miscalculated—Duke Anguo Li Mian was a military official, but both Gu Shixiong and he were civil officials.
In wartime, what His Majesty should be doing was promoting military officials in large numbers to boost morale, rather than continuing to favor civil over military officials.
Qin Huaiyuan could only shake his head helplessly.
If it were other matters, when His Majesty couldn’t see clearly, he could offer counsel. But this matter involved the Qin family—speaking too much would instead arouse His Majesty’s suspicion.
“Eunuch Lu also knows that my household just suffered great calamity the day before yesterday. Look at the residence behind us.” Qin Huaiyuan smiled as he pointed behind him, sighing: “To tell the truth, my daughter was also wounded by assassins and is currently running a fever. I truly don’t feel at ease letting her leave home.”
From Eunuch Lu’s angle, he could see the charred, broken walls behind the Qin residence, and the fact that the Qin family had lost so many lives wasn’t a secret.
Moreover, Qin Yining at his side appeared sickly, only able to stand with her maid’s support.
To immediately take her to the palace under these circumstances was indeed rather excessive.
But when he left, His Majesty had specifically instructed that while the other two families’ daughters could be escorted by others with whatever arrangements, the Qin family’s daughter was specifically assigned to him, with orders to bring her to the palace immediately without fail.
Eunuch Lu said with a conflicted expression: “Grand Tutor speaks truly. But His Majesty has issued an edict—this slave dares not disobey. However, you can rest assured. His Majesty privately said that this selection is merely going through the motions. The other two are to grant favor to veteran ministers and will simply receive consort positions. Only your mansion’s young lady is truly the person in His Majesty’s heart.”
At this point, Eunuch Lu deliberately looked up with a fawning smile to observe the expressions of Qin Huaiyuan and Qin Yining. Seeing that both remained neither joyful nor sorrowful, maintaining their gentle and refined demeanor, his next flattering remark got stuck in his throat. He thought to himself that these two’s composure in the face of favor or humiliation was remarkably similar—truly an old fox raising a young fox, equally shrewd.
Eunuch Lu became even more alert in his heart and continued: “His Majesty will certainly not wrong Miss Qin, and this slave knows that Nanny Zhan is familiar with Miss Qin. The palace will also arrange for people to take good care of her.”
Qin Huaiyuan looked at Qin Yining’s cheeks flushed red from fever and her lips pale as paper, frowning with heartache. Just as he was about to speak and argue further, Qin Yining had already stepped forward and tugged at Qin Huaiyuan’s sleeve.
To argue further would reach His Majesty’s ears—that wouldn’t be cherishing his daughter, but rather being arrogant due to imperial favor.
“Father, please don’t worry. Eunuch Lu has certainly arranged everything properly. Besides, there are imperial physicians in the palace who can treat illnesses just the same.” She then turned to Eunuch Lu with a courteous smile: “Please forgive us, Eunuch. Father has only this one daughter, and as you know, I haven’t been home for long. With this injury now, father’s paternal love makes him worry so.”
“Oh my, this slave understands completely. Your lordship’s care for family members fills this slave with deep admiration.” Eunuch Lu nodded repeatedly. After all, this was the Empress candidate His Majesty had set his eyes on—not only beautiful, but with a clever mind and steady demeanor.
Seeing that the situation was already decided with no other options, Qin Huaiyuan could only say: “Very well then. Why don’t you sit for a moment, Eunuch, and allow my daughter to bid farewell to the family and pack some necessary items to bring.”
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Lu looked troubled.
Actually, the request wasn’t unreasonable—naturally a daughter should bid farewell to the female elders in the family before leaving home and bring some daily necessities.
But when he left, His Majesty had constantly instructed: “Never mind the others, but for Miss Qin, keep everything simple. Just bring the person in first—everything else can be discussed later!” It was as if he feared some unexpected change might occur.
Eunuch Lu could only steel himself and say: “His Majesty said that as long as Miss Qin enters the palace, that’s enough. Everything is prepared in the palace, and family members can visit anytime.”
Hearing this, Qin Huaiyuan’s heart blazed with anger. His Majesty was being far too impatient—had becoming Emperor made him forget even the proper etiquette expected of scholars? This conduct was far too unseemly!
Fearing her father might lose his temper and create an awkward situation, Qin Yining only smiled and said: “His Majesty speaks correctly. Then I shall be discourteous and follow Eunuch immediately. I have two personal servant girls…”
“His Majesty’s meaning is that though your mansion’s maids are good, they don’t understand palace rules. Once in the palace, His Majesty will naturally arrange the finest palace servants for the young lady.” The meaning was clear: no personal attendants allowed.
This made even Ji Yun and Bingtang, standing nearby, furious with indignation.
What kind of treatment was this?
Not allowing farewells to grandmother and mother, not allowing luggage, not even permitting personal maids, not even allowing a change of clothes—just going to the palace all alone like this.
What were they treating her as!
Qin Yining also felt anger rising in her heart upon hearing this, her smile fading somewhat: “His Majesty ordered this? The household staff indeed doesn’t understand rules, so not bringing them is fine. But I’m currently injured—surely I may take my daily medicines.”
Eunuch Lu was sweating profusely.
This was the future Empress!
Master Qin was the future father-in-law of the Emperor!
Forget it, forget it—as long as he could bring the person back, why be so particular about these details? He was just a eunuch who still wanted to live in the future!
Thinking this, Eunuch Lu hurriedly smiled: “Please hurry, Miss.”
Only then did Qin Yining’s expression soften. She turned to instruct Ji Yun and Bingtang: “Go get my medicines and some daily trinkets I use. Oh, and bring my books too, and bring Er’Bai as well—I’m afraid I’ll be bored living in the palace.”
“Yes. What about Miss’s clothes?”
“I suppose there’s no time to pack them. You can send them to me later.” Qin Yining turned back with a smile to ask Eunuch Lu: “When they send items later, Eunuch will accommodate us, won’t you?”
Eunuch Lu was dripping with sweat: “Yes, yes, certainly so.”