Being thrown out of the prince’s mansion so suddenly, the maids were all bewildered. They looked at each other, seeing Qin Yining’s sad and distressed appearance, and couldn’t help but worry greatly. They wanted to comfort her but couldn’t find suitable words for the moment.

Qin Yining patted Bingtang’s shoulder consolingly, then took Lian Xiaozhou’s hand, wiped the tears from her face, and said, “Let’s go. We need to reach the Yingbin Pavilion before curfew. I’m not familiar with the capital’s roads. Ji Yun, Qian Yun, do you know the way?”

Both nodded, knowing it wasn’t convenient to talk outside, so they suppressed their doubts and led Qin Yining’s group toward the Yingbin Pavilion.

In the northern winter evening, the cold wind was bone-piercing, mixed with quite a few snowflakes. No matter how thickly Qin Yining dressed, she really couldn’t adapt, feeling cold through and through. The white breath she exhaled hit her face and quickly covered the fur trim on her collar and the long hair at her temples with a layer of white frost.

Ji Yun supported Qin Yining and said regretfully, “The Prince really… on such a late evening, we couldn’t even get a carriage…”

Not knowing what had really happened between Qin Yining and Pang Xiao, and afraid of making her sad, Ji Yun had to swallow the rest of her words.

Fortunately, Qin Yining wasn’t a delicate person, and they had all endured hardship before. They finally managed to reach the Yingbin Pavilion before curfew.

Upon announcement, Second Master and Third Master immediately rushed out to greet them. Fourth Master Qin Yu, Second Master Qin Han, and Fifth Master Qin Xian followed closely behind. Behind them came the six-year-old Tenth Master Qin Rong and Eleventh Master Qin Zong walking hand in hand, and finally Eighth Miss Qin Baoning and Qin Huining.

Except for the Old Madam, Second Madam, Han’s second wife, and the currently kidnapped Qin Huaiyuan couple and Cao Yuqing, the family was basically all present.

“Yining, why did you return at this hour?” Third Master stepped down from the stairs anxiously asking, his eyes constantly examining Qin Yining, afraid she had been bullied.

Qin Yining smiled slightly without answering. Her beautiful eyes swept over the family members, and she couldn’t help but smile faintly.

“After many days apart, fortunately we can reunite.”

One sentence expressed so much helplessness. They had experienced family extermination, famine, assassination attempts, and kidnapping – how fortunate they were to still be able to gather together now.

Everyone’s eyes became somewhat heated.

Eighth Miss stepped forward and hugged Qin Yining tightly: “Fourth Sister, you’ve finally returned. I was worried to death.”

Fifth Master Qin Xian pulled his two younger brothers forward and formally bowed to Qin Yining: “Fourth Sister.”

Qin Yining smiled and said, “Fifth Brother has grown much taller.”

“Fourth Sister, what about me?” Six-year-old Qin Zong looked up at Qin Yining.

“Eleventh Brother and Tenth Brother have both grown much taller too. Speaking of which, our family has been separated for quite a while.”

“It’s cold outside, not a place for conversation. Let’s go in first.” Second Master looked at everyone with a smile.

With Qin Huaiyuan not at home, Second Master was everyone’s backbone, so with his words, the family all went inside.

Behind the Yingbin Pavilion were several three-story buildings, divided into many courtyards. Due to Qin Huaiyuan’s reputation, the Qin family was assigned a courtyard adjacent to Prince Yan Yuchi Yan and Princess Li Yanyan’s courtyard, with the Li and Gu families living across the alley.

The group entered the courtyard, closed the gate, and all gathered in the Old Madam’s main room.

The Old Madam was currently being served pastries by Nanny Qin and Second Madam. Seeing the whole family crowd in, surrounding Qin Yining as they entered, her expression became very unpleasant.

Han’s second wife, who was leaning against soft pillows on the warm kang by the window, also looked extremely uncomfortable upon seeing Qin Yining.

After all, she and the Old Madam had eaten Qin Yining’s pet rabbit together.

However, Qin Yining’s face showed no resentment whatsoever. She stepped forward to bow to the Old Madam, then bowed to Second Aunt and Second Sister-in-law.

Both Second Madam and Han’s second wife felt somewhat awkward seeing Qin Yining. Fortunately, Qin Yining’s attitude toward them was as warm as before, making them feel less uncomfortable.

As the family caught up on events after their separation, everyone knew that Qin Yining had been taken into Pang Xiao’s mansion as soon as she arrived in the capital, so they all tactfully avoided mentioning this humiliating experience.

After chatting for a while, seeing it was getting late, Second Master said, “Yining is also tired, so take your people to rest first. Our courtyard doesn’t have many rooms, so everyone squeeze together and make do.”

The Old Madam sighed, “In this place where every inch of land in the capital is worth gold, we have no belongings. Who knows how long the Yingbin Pavilion will let us stay for free.” She looked at Qin Yining again, “My Yining, our family will have to depend on you from now on.”

She was naturally referring to entering the palace to exchange for Qin Huaiyuan and the Qin family’s belongings.

Qin Yining looked questioningly at Second Master and Third Master. From their expressions, she knew they hadn’t discussed things clearly with the Old Madam yet.

Qin Yining just smiled without answering and took Bingtang and others to the side room that Nanny Qin had just helped clean up.

Just as she walked onto the corridor, she heard someone muttering in low voice from inside: “We’re all crowded together living cramped, but her servants are all so precious, enjoying better treatment than us masters.”

Qin Yining turned back and saw Qin Huining pulling Han’s second wife and complaining in low voice.

Qin Yining smiled and said, “It seems that after several near-death experiences, Miss Huining hasn’t made any progress at all.”

Qin Huining never expected her ears to be so sharp, able to hear even such a small voice. She felt somewhat embarrassed. Thinking that Qin Yining was still going to enter the palace and might have unlimited glory in the future, she dared not offend her further and just lowered her head without looking at her.

Qin Yining couldn’t be bothered to argue with them and simply led her people away. After returning to her room and closing the door, she lowered her voice and told her trusted maids what had really happened.

While Qin Yining was settling in here, Pang Xiao was suffering at the same time.

Ma Shi was hitting Pang Xiao’s back with her shoe, one strike after another. Although separated by a layer of brocade padded jacket, the sound was still very loud, making listeners feel the pain.

Ma Shi was still not satisfied and scolded, “You little bastard, you’re completely a rotten-hearted playboy! You just said how good Yining was, how much you liked her, then you turned around and humiliated her, even driving her away! Are you still a man or not!”

While scolding, the shoe sole continued mercilessly striking. The solid thousand-layer sole was truly a weapon in “family law,” beating even Pang Xiao, such a battlefield overlord, until he couldn’t help but shrink his neck and dodge to the side, but Ma Shi grabbed his collar so he couldn’t move.

“It’s freezing cold outside, dark, and snowing, yet you could heartlessly drive her away! How can you expect a young lady to have any face to see people! I raised you for nothing – never thought our family could produce such a bastard like you!”

“Grandmother, please calm down. Please let me explain.” Pang Xiao felt that if he didn’t defend himself, his back, shoulders, and arms would all be beaten to pieces.