“Maternal Grandmother, please accept your granddaughter’s prostration.” Qin Yining dared not be presumptuous, stopping to perform the grand ceremony. Those accompanying naturally stepped aside.
Duke Dingguo’s wife’s gaze became even more gentle. She supported her with both hands, taking her hands and saying with pity: “Good child, there’s no need for such formality. Let your maternal grandmother have a good look at you.”
Duke Dingguo’s wife’s hands had the particular dry warmth of elderly people, with threads of heat transmitting over, causing Qin Yining to involuntarily tear up.
Duke Dingguo’s wife only looked at Qin Yining’s misty eyes, her heart softening completely.
Some people have affinity – they feel fondness upon meeting. Duke Dingguo’s wife looking at Qin Yining felt exactly this way.
Duke Dingguo’s wife’s fingers could feel the calluses and scars on Qin Yining’s hands. Her heart ached, and she lovingly embraced the person and patted her, her voice forcibly suppressing a sob: “Poor child, you’ve suffered these years.”
One sentence warmed Qin Yining so much that tears fell involuntarily. The warm, soft embrace and the elegant fragrance on Duke Dingguo’s wife touched the softest, most vulnerable place in her heart. She struggled not to cry aloud at this wonderful moment.
“Maternal Grandmother, don’t be sad. No matter what happened before, everything has passed. Let’s all look forward and needn’t look back.”
These words went straight to Duke Dingguo’s wife’s heart. She nodded repeatedly: “Yes, it’s all passed, all passed.”
First Maternal Aunt and Second Maternal Aunt, already moved to continuous tears, also nodded hurriedly. Even Sun Shi, whose emotions had fluctuated several times since finding her daughter, couldn’t help crying for a moment.
The scene of embracing and crying bitterly in the cold wind was too tragic. First Maternal Aunt hurriedly sniffed and said: “Look how overjoyed Mother is, not even minding the weather. How could she come out wearing indoor soft shoes? Be careful of the cold ground.”
Nanny Bao dabbed the corners of her eyes with her sleeve, cooperating: “The Old Madam was too eager to see her granddaughter. This servant wanted to serve her in changing shoes but wasn’t allowed.”
“And you’re talking about me? I don’t know who couldn’t even sit still in my place.” Duke Dingguo’s wife teased her two daughters-in-law.
The sorrowful atmosphere was diluted, leaving only joy. Everyone laughed heartily, crowding and jostling as they entered the room. Even the little maid lifting the curtain was all smiles, as if celebrating New Year.
Qin Yining kept smiling with tears in her eyes, listening to her maternal aunts and grandmother’s caring words, unable to get a word in.
This scene was one she had fantasized about countless times on her journey from Liang City back to the capital. She never expected that what she couldn’t get in her own home, she would receive at her grandmother’s house.
Last night she had tossed and turned, thinking of various contingencies and countermeasures, but it seemed all was useless effort – she had been overly worried with petty concerns.
Duke Dingguo’s wife, attended by her two daughters-in-law, sat in the place of honor. First Maternal Aunt, Second Maternal Aunt, and Sun Shi each took seats nearby.
Nanny Bao brought a cushion for Qin Yining. Qin Yining knelt and performed the grand ceremony properly: “Granddaughter pays respects to Maternal Grandmother and both Maternal Aunts.”
“Get up quickly, get up quickly.” Duke Dingguo’s wife leaned forward to help her, pulling her up to sit close beside her. “Are you accustomed to living back home? Is there anything you lack? Your mother has a quick temper and a careless heart. If she dares to be careless and neglect you, come tell your maternal grandmother, and I’ll beat her!”
Duke Dingguo’s wife spoke very quickly. Qin Yining couldn’t interject at all, only shaking her head repeatedly to indicate she hadn’t been neglected.
“Mother is partial. When Yi Jie’er comes, you make me pale in comparison.” Sun Shi’s face flushed red from her birth mother’s words, involuntarily remembering how she had both beaten the child and given stern warnings. But time and again, it was this child who showed understanding and preserved her dignity. Her heart felt somewhat guilty.
“How old are you, still competing with your daughter! I won’t even mention your quick temper, but you should also use your brain more in the future. Don’t let others say ‘wind’ and you respond ‘rain.'” Duke Dingguo’s wife tapped Sun Shi’s forehead.
Hearing this, Qin Huining’s complexion instantly became pale as paper. She hung her head, stealing glances at Duke Dingguo’s wife’s expression.
Sun Shi shrank her neck, stuck out her tongue with a face full of smiles, causing the young ladies to laugh, their cheerful laughter carrying far into the distance.
Qin Huining was extremely uneasy.
She knew that her maternal grandmother was not a simple person, not as easily manipulated as Sun Shi. Her recent words clearly had deeper meaning!
Since arriving at Duke Dingguo’s mansion, that wild wretch had been the focus of everyone’s attention. Even her maternal grandmother only saw her, while she herself seemed to become transparent.
Such neglect originally made Qin Huining jealous, angry, and resentful. But now, those resentful emotions were extinguished by Duke Dingguo’s wife’s verbal reprimand, leaving only the panic of falling from favor.
She hurriedly paid respects to Duke Dingguo’s wife, smiling: “Maternal Grandmother’s complexion has become even better these days.”
Duke Dingguo’s wife held Qin Yining’s hand, gently patting the back of her hand while smiling: “Yes, I live comfortably. Your two maternal aunts and your cousins are all filial to me. Now, I don’t really manage this household anymore. Whatever happens, your maternal aunts handle it themselves, unwilling to mention even half a sentence of unfounded rumors before me. I’m carefree and light, just enjoying my grandchildren. Tell me, how could my complexion not be good?”
Qin Huining’s mind buzzed, her complexion alternating between red and white. She forced a smile: “Maternal Grandmother is a person of great fortune. The maternal aunts and female cousins are filial, and the maternal uncles and male cousins are all accomplished.”
“Yes.” Duke Dingguo’s wife looked at Qin Yining beside her with eyes full of smiles: “Our Yi Jie’er suffered before. Since she’s returned home, all tribulations have passed. From now on, there will only be good days, so Yi Jie’er is also blessed.”
Everyone agreed with laughter, chattering together.
Qin Huining retreated to the side dejectedly, her hands hidden in her sleeves clenched into fists, her palms nearly bleeding from her long fingernails.
She never expected Duke Dingguo’s wife would so openly embarrass her, repeatedly delivering subtle rebukes in her words.
She didn’t know if others could understand, but Sun Shi could probably comprehend eighty percent.
Qin Huining anxiously looked toward Sun Shi, but saw Sun Shi smiling as she looked toward Duke Dingguo’s wife and Qin Yining, laughing happily at something she heard.
Perhaps sensing her gaze, Sun Shi turned her head inquiringly.
The two locked eyes, and Qin Huining’s barely concealed venom fell entirely into Sun Shi’s sight.
Sun Shi was stunned, thinking of Duke Dingguo’s wife’s earlier words, then remembering how Qin Huining still didn’t forget to scheme in front of all the female cousins today. Feeling displeased, she didn’t call her over to comfort her as usual, but continued talking with her two sisters-in-law.
She actually ignored her!
Qin Huining almost ground her teeth to powder!
Who was close and who was distant was now clear to see. These people’s hearts were really twisted. She was indeed switched at birth and did indeed occupy Qin Yining’s legitimate daughter position for fourteen years, but how could any of this be blamed on her? She was also a victim! Yet now they were giving her cold treatment.
If they treated her this way, could they blame her for fighting back!
“Old Madam.” A senior maid entered and curtsied, smiling: “Duke and First Master have returned from court. Palace Eunuch Wang has come with them, saying there’s an imperial edict! They want our entire family to go to the front to receive the decree!”
“Palace Eunuch Wang himself came personally?” In complete silence, Duke Dingguo’s wife’s voice seemed somewhat high.
The senior maid nodded: “Yes, this servant asked the accompanying servant, who said Duke and First Master both looked very happy. Palace Eunuch Wang was also very courteous. He just instructed the young masters not to come to Chunxi Hall first, but to go to the front to meet Palace Eunuch Wang and prepare to receive the decree.”
Second Maternal Aunt clapped her hands: “I wondered why those children weren’t coming – turns out there’s good news! Mother, it’s probably good news for the masters!”
Duke Dingguo’s wife and First Maternal Aunt thought the same, both showing joy on their faces.
Duke Dingguo’s entire household were pillars in resisting Great Zhou’s invasion. Whether it was the current heir Sun Haicong and Second Master Sun Haijing fighting enemies at the front, or the scholar Sun Yu serving in court, both civil and military officials were sharp weapons for the Emperor’s war faction.
Now that Palace Eunuch Wang came personally, there must be some commendation for one of the masters in Duke’s mansion.
At this moment, there was no time for conversation. Duke Dingguo’s wife, First Maternal Aunt, Second Maternal Aunt, and Sun Shi – all those with official honors – hurriedly went to dress up formally. The young ladies also tidied their clothes, then quickly went to the front courtyard to burn incense and receive the decree.
This was Qin Yining’s first time witnessing such a scene, so she was inevitably somewhat nervous. She knelt prostrate with her female cousins at the very back of the women’s section, listening to Palace Eunuch Wang’s slightly sharp voice reading the imperial edict:
“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Hanlin Academy Lecturer and Duke Dingguo’s eldest grandson Sun Yu, being upright in character, possessing both talent and virtue, dedicated to public service, with high moral standards and pure conduct, not flowing with filth and corruption, with loyalty that can be verified, deeply comforting to Our heart, is hereby promoted to Hanlin Academy Lecturer Scholar, bestowed with one hundred taels of gold, by Imperial decree!”
“We thank His Majesty for his great kindness!”
Everyone kowtowed together.
Palace Eunuch Wang presented the imperial edict with both hands, smiling: “Master Sun, congratulations, congratulations!”
Sun Yu received the edict with both hands, quickly smiling: “Thank you, Chief Eunuch Wang. Please take tea in the flower hall.”
Duke Dingguo stood and smiled: “Thank you for Chief Eunuch Wang’s trouble in making this trip. You must taste this old man’s good tea before returning.”
Palace Eunuch Wang smiled until his eyes curved like crescents, bowing: “Thank you, Duke. This servant would be remiss to refuse.”
“Please.”
Duke Dingguo and Sun Yu went together to entertain Palace Eunuch Wang.
The women and remaining young masters returned to Chunxi Hall together.
After changing clothes and washing, and sitting down again, the atmosphere became lively once more.
“Oh my, truly great good news, tremendous fortune!” Sun Shi took First Maternal Aunt’s hands: “Thank you, Elder Sister-in-law, for raising such a good son. At such a young age he’s already entered the cabinet, and relying on his own learning was promoted to Hanlin Academy Lecturer Scholar! Moreover, he received the Emperor’s personal commendation! Such honor – our family truly has unique fortune!”
First Maternal Aunt smiled and waved her hand: “Look what you’re saying. Ming Ge’er just had good luck. And this time he really hit the Emperor’s soft spot.”
Hearing this, everyone became curious.
Duke Dingguo’s wife asked: “I was also wondering why the Emperor specially ordered Chief Eunuch Wang to come announce the decree and bestow rewards. Not only promoting his official position, but also rewarding one hundred taels of gold?”
Qin Yining also blinked curiously. People say imperial favor is unpredictable. For her eldest male cousin to receive such regard from the Emperor was indeed rare.