However, when the group reached the side entrance of Prince Ning’s residence, they found themselves in a predicament.

Qin Yining hadn’t submitted a calling card and had come alone, so there was no way to prove her identity. Moreover, with her status as Prime Minister Qin’s legitimate daughter, she was nothing before Prince Ning—whether he would see her or not depended entirely on his mood.

The gatekeeper, faced with Shopkeeper Zhong’s entreaties and the smiling persuasion of the pretty senior maid, was somewhat overwhelmed. He stared at the red-wheeled carriage with oiled-paper sides for a long while, fearing he might let in some troublemaker who would cost him his life. After thinking it over, he told the two before him, “Wait here a moment. I’ll go report to the head steward.” With that, he ran off.

Rui Lan and Shopkeeper Zhong went to Qin Yining’s carriage to report back.

After pondering for a while, Qin Yining sighed, “Bring me a veiled hat. I should go speak personally.”

“Perhaps the master should wait and see what they say,” Shopkeeper Zhong hesitated somewhat.

“No need to wait. We have no calling card, and if they don’t see me, they probably won’t let us see Prince Ning so easily.”

Rui Lan and Qiu Lu didn’t quite understand what Qin Yining meant by this.

Could seeing her immediately allow them entry?

But Shopkeeper Zhong was an old hand who, thinking of Qin Yining’s appearance yesterday and Prince Ning’s preferences, understood immediately.

Though Qin Yining wouldn’t go so far as to use feminine wiles on Prince Ning, she intended to use her beauty as a calling card. Seeing a beautiful young lady come seeking an audience, the gatekeeper would most likely have suspicions and would certainly report it.

That the master would go to such lengths to save his entire family!

Shopkeeper Zhong was even more moved, his voice trembling slightly, “The master is being wronged. This humble person will never forget the master’s great kindness.”

Qin Yining shook her head and sighed softly, “Since things have come to this, Shopkeeper Zhong need not be so polite.”

By now she had put on her veiled hat and, supported by Rui Lan’s hand, stepped down from the carriage using the red-lacquered wooden stool.

Today she wore a honey-colored plain satin embroidered fitted jacket with a ivory white plain gauze long skirt, draped with a scarlet red cloak trimmed with white rabbit fur, and a white gauze veiled hat on her head. Though her features couldn’t be seen clearly, her dignified posture showed she was a well-bred young lady from a distinguished family.

By this time the gatekeeper had called out the head steward. As soon as the two emerged from the side entrance, they saw the graceful young lady by the carriage, and both indeed felt a flash of understanding.

The steward was already in his forties, his plump body wrapped in a dark cyan brocade robe, wearing a six-fold cap. When he smiled, his eyes narrowed until they could barely be seen. “Miss, you are well. So you are the one requesting an audience with our prince.”

“Yes, I trouble the steward to announce me—please say that Prime Minister Qin’s daughter has urgent matters to discuss with the prince.” Qin Yining smiled, her voice gentle.

The veiled hat had only a short circle of thin white gauze. When a breeze blew, it revealed her delicate chin and smiling lips.

The steward stared in a daze, secretly wondering what this young lady really looked like. Even with her face covered and hidden, she was alluring enough—the prince would surely be interested in meeting her.

Just then, a carriage slowly approached.

Everyone turned to look and saw a red-wheeled, ornate canopied carriage with eight-treasure tassels slowly stop a few steps away.

The carriage was extremely luxurious, its body made of dark blue brocade that reflected light in the sunlight. Pearl-strung tassels swayed with the carriage’s movement, creating a beautiful sight.

The driver jumped down from the carriage shaft, a servant lifted the carriage curtain, and a tall, thin youth emerged.

The youth had his hair bound with a jade crown and a long face. His appearance couldn’t be called extremely handsome, but from his scholarly air emanated an imposing presence. He had thick, long eyebrows with a faint wrinkle between them, pale skin, and when the snow-white fox fur collar on his shoulders was blown by the wind against his face, he appeared very aristocratic.

Upon seeing this person, the head steward immediately approached with a smile to pay his respects. Just as he was about to speak, the youth raised his hand to stop him.

“Who is this young lady?” The youth’s voice was somewhat hoarse, his gaze fixed on Qin Yining.

The head steward respectfully replied, “She is a miss from Prime Minister Qin’s family, come to request an audience with the prince.”

The youth played with the tassels on the pouch at his waist, then smiled and bowed from afar, “Miss Qin, good day.”

“Good day to you, young master.” Qin Yining returned the courtesy.

The youth said, “You wish to see Prince Ning? Then please come in with me.”

Qin Yining looked up in surprise. Through the layer of white gauze on her veiled hat, she saw the youth’s matter-of-fact expression, while the head steward showed no objection.

This person must be a master of Prince Ning’s residence.

Judging by his age, perhaps Prince Ning’s son?

But he didn’t call Prince Ning “father,” but directly addressed him as “Prince Ning.”

Qin Yining quickly thought of the prince who had been adopted by the Emperor years ago, served as a prince for less than a year, then was returned to the prince’s residence when the Emperor’s consort bore a prince.

This prince—he wasn’t the Emperor’s biological son yet was called a prince, and though he was a heir apparent, he had been adopted by the Emperor. His position in Prince Ning’s residence was quite awkward.

Qin Yining, accompanied by Rui Lan, Qiu Lu, and Shopkeeper Zhong, followed the youth into the prince’s residence. They passed through the ceremonial gate, around a very large artificial lake, through craggy artificial mountains to reach a courtyard.

Entering the main hall, a plaque hung high in the center reading “Benevolent Heart.” Below the plaque was a painting of “Eight Steeds,” and below that was a yellow rosewood long table with glazed flower vases on either side containing fresh seasonal flowers. In the center, a bronze openwork incense burner burned something that smelled faintly of pine oil mixed with sandalwood.

The youth first stepped across the black marble floor that could reflect one’s image and sat directly in the seat of honor, smiling, “Please sit, Miss.”

Seeing where he sat so naturally, Qin Yining became even more certain of her earlier speculation.

After smiling her thanks, she removed her veiled hat and sat in the lower position, while Rui Lan, Qiu Lu, and Head Shopkeeper Zhong all stood behind Qin Yining with lowered heads.

When the youth saw Qin Yining’s true appearance, he first froze, then immediately lowered his eyes and coughed lightly, “You are the daughter Prime Minister Qin just found, aren’t you?”

“That is correct.” Qin Yining was somewhat nervous.

She feared the youth would directly ask about her purpose for coming today.

After all, Prince Ning’s abduction of people—discussing it face-to-face was one thing, but talking about it behind his back could easily be misunderstood as criticizing Prince Ning’s faults.

So Qin Yining deliberately avoided looking at the youth, raising her eyes to look at a piece of calligraphy hanging across from her, then at the Eight Steeds painting above the seat of honor.

The painting showed eight magnificent wild horses galloping across a grassland, with no signature or seal.

The youth couldn’t help wanting to look at Qin Yining’s face. Seeing she seemed interested in the Eight Steeds painting, he smiled and asked, “What does the miss think of this painting?”

Qin Yining was stumped.

She really had no knowledge of calligraphy and painting, so could only laugh dryly, “It’s painted very well.”

Having thought she was knowledgeable about painting, hearing such a dry response was unexpected for the youth.

Seeing the youth’s expression, Qin Yining felt her single comment was too insincere, so she coughed and said, “These horses are painted with great spirit, but I’m certain the painter never saw a real horse herd.”

The youth was quite surprised and stood up abruptly to look at the painting with his hands behind his back, curiously pressing Qin Yining, “Why do you say that? I don’t see any problems with this painting.”

Seeing the youth so serious, Qin Yining blinked in confusion and said softly, “I grew up in the wilderness and was once saved by such a herd of wild horses, so I know something about what horse herds look like.”

Having already heard that Prime Minister Qin’s biological daughter had been switched and wandered outside for fourteen years, the youth was now completely intrigued by Qin Yining and continued asking, “If you don’t mind, please tell me in detail—what are wild horse herds really like?”

Qin Yining smiled gently, “I was once attacked by wolves and fled through the forest in panic. On a large grassland, I saw a herd of wild horses grazing. Since no one could save me and I was truly terrified, I didn’t think much and ran straight toward the herd. At that time, it was the lead stallion that saved me.”

Recalling the past, Qin Yining seemed to still see that magnificent chestnut wild horse, her smile gradually growing.

“The lead stallion of a horse herd, like the lead horse running in the center of this painting, is bigger and taller than the other horses, with a long mane, very sturdy. The lead stallion is magnificent and brave, able to protect the herd in critical moments, even fighting off wolves. At that time, because I ran toward the herd, I led the wolves over too. The lead stallion went wild and drove off the wolf pack, which is how I survived.”

At this point, Qin Yining stood and walked to three paces behind the youth, looking up at the Eight Steeds painting.

“This painting’s horses are magnificent and painted with spirit, but perhaps to highlight the lead stallion’s beauty, the painter placed it in the center. You should know that in wild horse herds, the lead stallion leads the way—this position is completely wrong. That’s why I said the painter definitely never saw real wild horse herds.”

The youth nodded repeatedly, turning around to look at Qin Yining with burning eyes. His gaze fell on her bright eyes, then quickly looked away, his ears reddening. “So the miss has such rich experiences. This time I have been enlightened.”

Qin Yining quickly shook her head, “Young master speaks too highly of me. I truly have no knowledge of calligraphy and painting—I can only see that this painting is well done. The rest is just nonsense. Please forgive me, young master.”

“Where is the miss speaking of.”

As they exchanged pleasantries, someone announced, “The prince arrives.”

This was followed by a jumble of footsteps.

Looking toward the sound, they saw a man about fifty years old emerge from the rear hall. This person was extremely tall, wearing a maroon brocade robe and purple-gold crown, with a full beard that completely obscured his features. He walked with the stride of a dragon and the step of a tiger, and was actually embracing a seductive woman in light green gauze.

When Prince Ning entered the front hall and saw Qin Yining, his eyes immediately lit up. Then seeing the youth at the side, he laughed heartily and cupped his hands.

The youth returned the courtesy and said, “Miss, since you have matters to discuss with the prince, I won’t disturb you further.” Speaking in a refined manner, he bowed and walked toward the screen to head to the back.

Prince Ning then embraced the charmingly smiling seductive woman and sat in the seat of honor, letting the woman sit on his lap. His deep, resonant voice said, “You are Qin Meng’s daughter? What business do you have with this prince?”