“Father and Madam Cao have been so thoughtful.” Qin Yining smiled as she stood up and glanced back at Qianyun.

Qianyun paused for a moment, then immediately understood and went to fetch the money pouch, giving each of the four people a one-hundred-tael silver note.

Seeing Qianyun’s perceptiveness, Qin Yining inwardly marveled at how well-trained Pang Xiao’s people were. She smiled and said: “This is pocket money for everyone first. As long as you all follow me with unwavering loyalty, our good days are still ahead.”

All four showed pleased expressions and bowed: “Yes, Miss.”

Qin Yining nodded: “You may go down first. When I go out later or have matters to assign, I’ll have my personal maids call for you. Go get acquainted with the people around me.”

Qin Yining then instructed Qianyun and Jiyun.

The two went out together with the four men, also introducing Bingtang, Qiu Lu, and Lian Xiaozhou to them.

Seeing Qin Yining’s generous gesture of giving each person one hundred taels upon meeting, Cao Yuqing knew she was someone who understood, so she felt reassured. After chatting casually with Qin Yining for a while, she took her leave.

Before long, Jiyun returned to Qin Yining’s side and whispered admiringly: “They’re truly worthy of being former silver-masked secret agents. Although this servant didn’t spar with them, observing their walking posture and aura, they’re indeed different from ordinary household guards and martial artists. The master truly cares for you.”

Thinking of Qin Huaiyuan’s understanding and tolerance toward her, Qin Yining couldn’t help but be moved: “Yes, father is truly excellent to me. He won’t restrain me like other fathers would, but considers my feelings and thinks carefully for me from my perspective, letting me live freely.”

Qianyun, Bingtang, Qiu Lu, and Lian Xiaozhou returned to the room at this time.

Qianyun also said with feeling: “Following Miss, I’ve finally witnessed the demeanor of Da Yan’s former first minister. The master truly lives up to his reputation—kind to us servants and good to Miss.” What Qianyun didn’t say aloud was that the master seemed to care for his daughter even more than the mistress did.

Qianyun had joined Qin Yining late and didn’t understand Sun Shi’s situation. If she knew what Sun Shi was like before, she would have marveled at the great change in Sun Shi.

Qin Yining went to pay respects to the Old Matriarch and Sun Shi, then planned to go out to find Shopkeeper Zhong.

Her father had explained the reasoning to her but hadn’t doubted her actions or directed her movements—he had only given her sufficient people to ensure her safety and let her act freely according to her own ideas.

With such trust from her father, how could Qin Yining let him down?

Qin Yining ordered the carriage prepared and went to tell Sun Shi: “Daughter wants to stroll around the city market. Having been in the capital for some time, I still haven’t toured it carefully, and I also want to sit in a teahouse.”

Sun Shi couldn’t help but laugh: “I’ve never seen you so fond of playing before. Alright, take several more people with you. Do you have enough silver?”

Sun Shi turned back and instructed Nanny Jin.

Nanny Jin smiled as she brought out a brocade box from the redwood cabinet and took out a small brocade pouch.

“This contains Da Zhou silver notes that have been exchanged. Madam prepared them in advance, and today Miss can use them perfectly.”

Qin Yining knew her mother had some personal savings and that the dowry estates in the south also produced income, but she herself wasn’t lacking silver at all, so she hesitated somewhat.

Sun Shi took the pouch and forcibly stuffed it into Qin Yining’s hands: “Go select some fabric properly and get yourself several new outfits. You also lost quite a bit of jewelry on the journey here. Now go see if there are any fashionable and attractive new styles. If the silver isn’t enough, come back and tell me.”

Qin Yining smiled as she hugged Sun Shi’s arm and acted coquettishly: “I know. My mother is so wealthy—I won’t save money for you.”

Sun Shi was amused into laughter by her.

Nanny Jin watched happily and also laughed cheerfully: “If the Old Matriarch knew that Madam and Miss are now well, who knows how happy she would be.”

Qin Yining sat up straight: “I wonder where grandmother and aunt have gone. Mother, should I try to have someone investigate?”

Sun Shi’s face showed worry: “I very much want to investigate, but with the vast distances, it’s not very convenient. The other day I mentioned this to your father, and he said that His Majesty is currently ordering people to go south to search for the treasures left by Da Yan’s Great Emperor. His Majesty has already arranged several groups to go. If our family sends people out at this time, it would inevitably arouse others’ suspicions. It’s better to avoid this period of attention first.”

“Father’s considerations are thorough. Mother, acting rashly would naturally be inappropriate.” Qin Yining had already made up her mind to secretly contact the Azure Sky Alliance to investigate, though she wasn’t sure if it could be accomplished, so she didn’t mention it now.

After thinking, Qin Yining said: “But mother needn’t worry too much. Grandmother is supremely intelligent, and aunt and sisters-in-law are all filial. Even if they go to a strange place, grandmother has the ability to help the Sun family reestablish their household.”

“I believe your grandmother can do it.” Sun Shi said wistfully, “It’s just that I still feel your grandmother and the others have suffered too much.”

Thinking of the Sun family men who died unjustly, Qin Yining’s eyes also moistened along with Sun Shi’s. Elder cousin’s resolute blood spilled on the spot, grandfather and uncles’ instructions before going to their deaths, and her still-young nephew.

Those vibrant lives had all perished because of a tyrant’s single sentence.

Now, the tyrant’s whereabouts were unknown—whether dead or alive was uncertain. Qin Yining guessed that old thing was probably dead. The famine back then was so severe; someone accustomed to luxury, what survival ability could they have had outside?

But even if that person was already dead, it couldn’t calm Qin Yining’s overwhelming anger.

After chatting with Sun Shi for a while longer and taking the spending money her mother gave her, Qin Yining called Jiyun and Bingtang to follow, bringing along Jingzhe, Xiaoman, Xiaoxue, and Dahan as she left the residence.

At the gate, a blue cloth-canopied horse carriage was already prepared. Qin Yining and her two maids got in the carriage while Xiaoman and Xiaoxue jumped onto the driver’s seat. Jingzhe led the horse in front, and Dahan walked alongside the carriage.

Who would have thought that after just a few steps out of the alley, they would encounter a spacious large carriage with blue cotton canopy coming toward them.

The carriage curtain lifted, and a woman of about thirty, medium build, wearing gold and silver jewelry, poked her head out.

“Is that Sister Qin’s carriage ahead?”

Qin Yining curiously also lifted her carriage curtain and saw that the woman had already gotten down from her carriage, pulling her cloak as she approached with an infectious joyful smile. “Sister Qin, I’m from the old Liao family! Have you forgotten? Previously in Da Yan, the one who did silk and jewelry business—Liao Zhibing!”

Liao Zhibing?!

Wasn’t that one of the Azure Sky Alliance’s four hall masters, the one with rather sharp blade techniques?

Qin Yining immediately understood this was the Azure Sky Alliance arranging for someone to contact her, acting this way to avoid attention.

She quickly smiled: “Aiya, so it’s Madam Liao. Look at my memory.”

Qin Yining also got down from the carriage and went forward to exchange greetings with Madam Liao, asking warmly: “I thought you would stay in Da Yan. How did you come to the capital?”

“Aiya, we’re in business—naturally we go wherever it’s easier to make a living. Old Liao is now doing some business at the Tatar border, and I’m staying in our capital home to watch over things. Today I felt the weather was decent and came out for a stroll, never expecting to encounter Sister Qin. This is truly fate!”

Qin Yining also laughed along.

Jiyun and Bingtang, following beside Qin Yining, exchanged glances and silently noted that this person was quite unfamiliar. But they knew their miss was always measured in her actions, so there must be some reason they didn’t know about. Therefore, both remained silent.

Jingzhe and the other three, seeing this person posed no danger, simply stood quietly to the side like ordinary family members, waiting.

Qin Yining and Madam Liao chatted very happily.

Madam Liao then said: “Meeting an old friend in a foreign land is truly joyful. I wonder if Sister Qin has time? Since we’ve encountered each other rather than planned to meet, why don’t I host and reserve a private room at Fushun Restaurant? We sisters can have a good chat—would that be alright?”

“That would naturally be good, but now that my father has established himself in the capital, I can also be considered a capital person. Why don’t I host instead, and next time Madam Liao can treat me—wouldn’t that be better?”

“That would naturally be excellent.” Madam Liao smiled: “Shall we go now then?”

“Please.”

“Please.”

After being polite to each other, they each got into their respective carriages and set off toward Fushun Restaurant.

After they had gone far, a carriage window that had been parked by the roadside was finally pushed open. Madam Lu’s exquisitely made-up face was full of mockery.

“Truly a lowly person who can’t ascend to high places. A legitimate daughter of a court official’s family actually associates with merchants’ wives.”

The maid beside Madam Lu flattered: “Isn’t that so? I’ve heard of many cases of officials and merchants working together for mutual benefit. Perhaps the Qin family is truly destitute now and short of silver, hence this move? Didn’t they say the Qin family’s possessions were all robbed clean on the journey here? Look at the small courtyard they live in—it’s not even big enough for Madam to raise a pond of fish.”

These words made Madam Lu feel extremely comfortable. She glanced approvingly at the girl and said lazily: “Don’t say such things. The capital is expensive—small households having a place to settle is already not bad. How can they be so choosy?”

The maid quickly slapped herself lightly: “This servant is short-sighted. Although this servant is humble, I’m fortunate to serve Madam in the Lu family. Seeing more of the Lu family’s grandeur, I’ve become dissatisfied with everything outside.”

“You little minx.” Madam Lu laughed happily, then asked: “Where did they just say they were going? Fushun Restaurant?”

“Yes.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Lu immediately had a plan. She called over a servant boy beside her and gave him some instructions. The boy immediately galloped away on horseback. Madam Lu closed the carriage window and also urged the driver to go faster.

Fushun Restaurant was a three-story restaurant. Qin Yining arrived early, before lunchtime, and happened to catch the third floor with no other guests. For the convenience of conversation, she reserved the entire third floor and sat with Madam Liao in a spot with an open view, ordering the maids and attendants to serve at the stairway.