Qin Yining’s expression was solemn as she spoke in a low voice: “The situation outside has become extremely tense. Just now, Manager Zhong sent someone to inform me that the capital has been completely surrounded by the Great Zhou army. Previously, our soldiers guarded the outer city gates and wouldn’t let civilians leave. Now our people have all retreated into the city to tightly guard the gates—even if we wanted to let people out, it’s no longer possible.”
Upon hearing this, the entire family turned pale with tension, suddenly feeling as if dark clouds were pressing down on the city and their great mansion was about to collapse.
“What can be done? Is our nation about to be destroyed?” The Old Madam was so frightened that tears began to well up in her eyes.
Nanny Qin quickly handed over a handkerchief to wipe away the Old Madam’s tears.
The Second Madam said: “Yining, if this is truly the case, shouldn’t we be fortifying our residence instead? If we’re moving, where would we go?”
Qin Yining replied: “Second Aunt, what we should be doing now is not fortifying our position, but leaving this place immediately. Think about it—the city gates are now sealed, and the grain supplies in the city will likely go to the frontline soldiers first. Even so, we still have nearly 320,000 defending troops left. How quickly will the grain supplies be consumed?
“The situation for civilians is even worse than for the defending troops. They can’t afford grain and can’t escape through the city gates. If His Majesty can’t come up with a concrete solution, I’m afraid civil unrest will break out soon! If the people turn into rioters, everyone think—where will they strike first? The granaries? Government offices? Or the wealthy households in the capital?”
“This… this is too terrifying.” Sun Shi trembled as she clutched her handkerchief. “Our family still has guards…”
“Two fists can’t fight four hands. Guards won’t be of use either.” Qin Yining pressed her lips together. “My father is a renowned minister, and I’ve been honored with imperial orders to practice virtue. Our family has painted too big a target on ourselves. When the rioters storm in, none of us will be able to escape. Moreover, there’s another consideration.”
Qin Yining looked toward the Old Madam, Second Madam, and Sun Shi, speaking in a low voice: “Our family’s grain stores aren’t abundant either. If we stay here, not only will we face the looting and retaliation of rioters, but what will we do after our food runs out? Soon, grain won’t be available for purchase in the city.”
“Heavens!” The Old Madam was so frightened she began to wail. “Wolves in front and tigers behind—how are we supposed to survive! These heaven-cursed people—that old muddled emperor hid away the silver instead of buying grain for everyone. Wasn’t it my son who came up with ways to solve the grain problem? They show no gratitude and even want to take revenge on us!”
Sun Shi and the Second Madam were also frightened into tears.
The Eighth Miss and Qin Huining had long since been streaming with tears.
Second Young Mistress Han had just become three months pregnant and was now so frightened that she began dry heaving, causing everyone great alarm.
Qin Yining quickly comforted them, saying: “That’s exactly why I’m saying that while things haven’t descended into chaos yet, we should quickly pack our belongings and take useful and valuable items with us to Changchun Mountain.”
Everyone looked at Qin Yining, their eyes filled with fear of the unknown future.
Qin Yining said: “I’ve been supporting many refugees at my estate on Changchun Mountain—everyone remembers, right? I’ve been using funds from the Zhaoyun Office to supply their grain. They’re grateful to me. If we all go there, the refugees in Ning Garden will surely protect us from rioter attacks.
“Most importantly, once we run out of grain and can’t buy food anywhere, we can rely on the mountain for sustenance. Fortunately, it’s not winter now. On the mountain, we can hunt, dig for wild vegetables, catch fish in the river, and catch birds in the trees—we definitely won’t starve to death.”
At this point, Qin Yining smiled with relief: “Everyone can rest assured. I lived this kind of life on the mountain for six years. I’m extremely skilled at hunting and catching birds. Even supporting our entire family wouldn’t be a problem. I definitely won’t let everyone starve to death.”
Everyone sobbed while looking at the optimistically smiling Qin Yining, feeling genuine and profound pity for her for the first time.
All these people had been living under the Qin family’s protection with gold and silver servants, never wanting for food or clothing.
Just hearing that grain might become unavailable in the city had thrown them into panic, completely unable to think of how to make a living.
But Qin Yining had to face such hardships at the age of eight—no food, no drink, a small child surviving on the mountain. She had endured such bitter days for six years, nearly half of her young life…
What was most precious was that she hadn’t been defeated by the difficulties but had grown strong and become a wise and resilient young woman.
Sun Shi suddenly embraced Qin Yining, sobbing loudly.
“Yining, my dear child, my dear child.”
Qin Yining held Sun Shi, caught between laughter and tears as she consoled: “Mother, don’t cry. Actually, to tell the truth, if our family goes to live on the mountain, our chances of survival are definitely high. We have many hands and can look after each other. With the protection and support of the people in Ning Garden, with many people comes great strength—we definitely won’t starve to death. At least we won’t be without anyone to talk to, right?”
Hearing this last sentence, Sun Shi felt even more heartbroken.
Her precious daughter had not only survived alone in the deep mountains for six years but had lived in loneliness all that time, without even anyone to talk to…
Sun Shi held Qin Yining and cried to her heart’s content, causing the Old Madam and others to feel heartbroken as well—for Qin Yining, and from fear that they too would have to live such an “inhuman existence.”
Qin Yining was comforting her mother and the Old Madam when the Second Master, Third Master, Qin Yu, and Qin Han returned before she could stop their tears.
Seeing the women weeping together, they thought something terrible had happened. After hearing Qin Yining’s explanation, they breathed a sigh of relief.
The Second Master said: “Yining and Big Brother truly are father and daughter—Big Brother said the same thing and sent us back quickly. While the city hasn’t descended into hopeless chaos, we should hurry to pack and go to Changchun Mountain to seek refuge with those refugees that Yining has been supporting. The common people remember Yining’s kindness. While others won’t care about such things, those refugees will definitely protect our family.”
Hearing that Qin Huaiyuan had said the same thing, the Old Madam no longer hesitated and immediately said: “Since we’re fleeing as refugees, let’s release all the newly purchased servants. We won’t ask for their redemption silver either. Following us, we couldn’t support so many people anyway, could we?”
But Qin Yining shook her head: “Even if we release their contracts, in such times, where could they find new work? Without work, wouldn’t they starve to death? Let’s take them up the mountain with us. Even if we’re eating chaff and swallowing vegetables, at least there’s a way to survive. There’s no reason that we Qin family members can live peacefully with the mountain refugees but can’t accommodate our own household servants who have served us for so long.”
“Yining is right. Let’s all go together as one family.” The Second Master also said: “Our Qin family can’t do such heartless things. If word spreads, how would Big Brother maintain his position in the army? Don’t forget, those defending soldiers are also human and have relatives in the city. How do we know that one of their relatives isn’t serving in our household? We mustn’t create complications.”
The Old Madam was made to blush with embarrassment by Qin Yining and the Second Master’s words, awkwardly waving her hands: “Fine, fine, fine. I’ll listen to you all. This old woman is getting muddled. Don’t pay attention to me.”
This was the first time the Old Madam had spoken such self-deprecating words to back down. Qin Yining and the Second Master couldn’t help but exchange glances, both breathing a sigh of relief.
At this critical juncture, it wouldn’t be appropriate to create more trouble. If the Old Madam remained stubborn, they would have to waste time and effort persuading her. Having the Old Madam stop being obstinate could only be beneficial, not harmful.
Everyone quickly gathered the household and packed their belongings. Qin Yining specifically instructed everyone: “For valuable items that aren’t convenient to transport, lock them up well and store them in the cellar. Don’t think about keeping the other furniture and decorations—they won’t remain anyway. Bring some practical clothing, not just summer clothes but also autumn and winter garments. If this war drags on past the new year, we’ll need to spend winter on the mountain…”
The entire family prepared with heavy hearts, also dismissing the craftsmen who had been renovating the rear courtyard.
Each branch and courtyard gathered together for quiet conferences. By midnight, the Second Master had arranged the night patrol soldiers, and the Qin family, together with their servants, loaded their carts and left the already ruined Marquis Anping’s mansion for the outer city.
Qin Yining sat in a large carriage with Ji Yun, Qiu Lu, Bingtang, Sun Shi, and Nanny Jin.
Sun Shi kept shedding tears while Nanny Jin consoled her in low tones. Bingtang and Qiu Lu, affected by Sun Shi’s emotion, also began to well up with tears.
Qin Yining said with amusement: “Mother, don’t be sad anymore. In a person’s lifetime, fortune and misfortune are always intertwined—rising and falling three times until old age. Rest assured, even if we can’t have fine clothes and precious food anymore, your daughter definitely won’t let you go hungry.”
Sun Shi shook her head. “I’m worried about your father, and about your grandmother and your aunt.”
Qin Yining laughed: “You needn’t worry about that. Father is with the army, so he naturally won’t be the first to go hungry. Moreover, Father is clever—he won’t let himself suffer losses. As for Grandmother, you needn’t worry even more. I think Grandmother will definitely find a way to take the entire family to Baochang or the coastal areas.”
Sun Shi thought about it and realized Qin Yining’s reasoning made sense.
She took several deep breaths before saying: “You’re right. None of them will have problems. As long as people are alive, there will be opportunities to meet again.”
“Exactly. Mother just needs to take good care of your health. Your daughter will take good care of you.” Qin Yining affectionately shook Sun Shi’s hand.
Sun Shi smiled with relief through her tears, gripping Qin Yining’s hand tightly.
Changchun Mountain was located outside the capital’s outer city, forty li from the inner city. It was still some distance from the southern gate of the outer city, backed by Changchun Mountain with spring water on the mountain—truly a good place for secluded living and recuperation. Because this was imperial land with few households around and common people not daring to come here easily, the Qin family was able to proceed up the mountain without obstruction.
Manager Zhong had already brought several influential people from the mountain to wait at the main gate.
When Qin Yining helped Sun Shi down from the carriage, Manager Zhong quickly approached with his people: “Master, you’ve arrived.”
Behind Manager Zhong, a tall middle-aged man, a woman in her twenties dressed in men’s clothing, and an elderly scholar over seventy wearing a half-worn Confucian robe knelt down upon seeing Qin Yining.
“We pay respects to our benefactor!”
“Please rise quickly. I’ve told you so many times—absolutely don’t bow to me! At my young age, how could I deserve such grand ceremony?”