When they returned to the Prime Minister’s mansion, the sky had already darkened and snow was beginning to fall in scattered flakes. Qin Yining, served by her two maids and holding a paper umbrella, walked toward the Garden of Filial Kindness to pay her respects to the Old Madam.
The Old Madam had just set out dinner. Sun Shi, the Second Lady, and the Third Lady were all respectfully serving at her side, while Qin Huining was dining together with the Old Madam.
“Yining has returned. You haven’t had dinner yet, have you? Come dine with me.” Seeing Qin Yining enter, the Old Madam smiled and instructed Ji Xiang at her side: “Have someone bring over Miss’s food box.”
Ji Xiang smiled and replied “Yes,” respectfully bowing to Qin Yining as she passed by before withdrawing.
“Thank you, Old Madam.” Qin Yining breathed a slight sigh of relief.
At least she would get to eat this dinner.
On the way back, Qin Yining had already imagined several ways her father and the Old Madam might punish her, none of which would be pleasant. The worst scenario would be immediate exposure, giving her no time to prepare.
Being able to eat her fill before the matter came to light was fortunate indeed.
Qin Yining thought optimistically, momentarily finding her single-minded focus on eating amusing—if her father and the Old Madam knew about such thoughts, they might well be infuriated. This brought her some comic relief and somewhat eased the frustration of having good intentions lead to trouble.
After dinner, Qin Yining told the Old Madam the story she had agreed upon with Manager Zhong.
“I looked around various places today, which delayed me somewhat. I’ll need to go check the accounts another day.”
The Old Madam wasn’t particularly concerned with such matters. As long as her granddaughter, being a young lady, didn’t cause trouble for the family.
Just as the room was filled with harmony, they suddenly heard footsteps outside, followed by servants’ respectful greetings: “Master.”
“Old Madam, the Master has returned.”
Someone reported to the room and lifted the bamboo curtain for Qin Huaiyuan.
Qin Yining’s heart skipped a beat, knowing trouble was coming. She and Huining both rose and stood to the side.
Qin Huaiyuan entered, first bowing to the Old Madam, then nodding to Sun Shi, the Second Lady, and the Third Lady.
The Old Madam asked with concern: “Has Meng Ge’er had dinner? Shall I have them prepare something?”
“No need, Mother. I still have urgent matters to attend to.” Qin Huaiyuan turned to look at Qin Yining, his gaze ice-cold—a severity Qin Yining had never seen in him before.
Looking at Qin Yining’s face, which so closely resembled his own in youth, Qin Huaiyuan’s already clenched fists tightened further.
His voice trembled with suppressed anger and hoarseness as he demanded fiercely: “Qin Yining, what exactly did you do today?!”
This harsh questioning shocked everyone who had been chatting and laughing.
They all turned to look at the confronting father and daughter.
Qin Huining exerted great effort to keep from showing a gloating expression.
Sun Shi looked completely puzzled: “Master, what’s wrong? Whatever the matter is, speak properly and don’t disturb Mother.” Having experienced events at Duke Dingguo’s mansion, her opinion of Qin Yining had changed, and she instinctively wanted to protect her.
But Qin Huaiyuan couldn’t be bothered with such women’s talk. Without even glancing at Sun Shi, he stared directly at Qin Yining.
Qin Yining sighed lightly, lifted her skirts, and knelt down: “In response to Father, your daughter fell into Prince Ning’s trap today. Things have indeed developed in directions your daughter could not foresee.”
The Old Madam, Sun Shi, Qin Huining and others had no idea what this meant.
Hearing this, Qin Huaiyuan’s rage, which had been like an unstoppable volcanic eruption, suddenly caught in his throat.
He had originally thought Qin Yining was simply young and impetuous, chivalrous in heart, with the impulsive mindless character of a pampered young miss.
But the phrase “fell into Prince Ning’s trap” quietly demonstrated her political sensitivity to him.
It seemed he had underestimated his daughter.
She was not only courageous but also very intelligent.
Qin Huaiyuan had come home full of anger to punish Qin Yining, but now felt helpless instead, with thoughts emerging of “if only this weren’t a daughter but a son.”
If he had a son who could create such a high-level disaster and come home nervously seeking father’s support, that scene would certainly be interesting.
It was just a pity…
Qin Huaiyuan pressed his lips together, staring at Qin Yining in silence.
Qin Yining knelt with lowered eyes and straight back. Though appearing calm on the surface, she was already nervous with cold hands and feet.
Everyone was puzzled by this father-daughter riddle. The Old Madam couldn’t help asking: “Meng Ge’er, what exactly has happened?”
Qin Huaiyuan sighed, arranged his robes and sat down nearby, then recounted how Qin Yining had single-handedly gone to Prince Ning’s mansion to demand the person’s return and had successfully brought her back.
Everyone listened in stunned amazement!
“Audacious! Yining, what tremendous audacity you have!” The Old Madam pointed at Qin Yining: “A young lady from a respectable family actually daring to meet with outside men without permission—all your lessons in propriety have gone to the dogs!” She then glared angrily at Sun Shi: “Eldest daughter-in-law, this is the fine young lady you’ve raised!”
Sun Shi felt utterly humiliated. She rushed forward and gave Qin Yining a fierce slap, using all her strength. Her sharp fingernails scratched Qin Yining’s cheek, leaving two bloody marks. Sun Shi’s palm stung from the force, while Qin Yining’s cheek swelled rapidly and a trace of blood slid from the corner of her mouth.
Still not satisfied, Sun Shi felt aggrieved at being scolded by the Old Madam for failing to educate her daughter properly, and couldn’t help scolding:
“I told you to restrain your marketplace manners after returning to the mansion, but you wouldn’t listen! Where does a young lady like you get such audacity to actively meet with outside men! Did my words go in one ear and out the other? Your lack of sense has brought shame upon our main branch. I’ll beat you to death, you unfilial daughter!” Sun Shi raised her hand to strike again.
Qin Huaiyuan watched coldly as the Old Madam and Sun Shi lectured, hearing only their women’s narrow views that completely missed the point, still revolving around topics like “not meeting outside men.” He felt a wave of exhaustion.
How could these people understand court affairs?
By comparison, Qin Yining’s earlier statement about “falling into Prince Ning’s trap” seemed very perceptive. Even having made a mistake, this daughter didn’t displease him.
“Enough.” Qin Huaiyuan impatiently blocked Sun Shi’s descending slap, scolding: “Your own manners are questionable, yet you use such harsh methods when disciplining your daughter? I think you’re the one who needs to learn propriety!”
Sun Shi stared in disbelief, tears quickly welling in her eyes as she angrily said: “What kind of words are these, Master? What do you mean my manners are questionable? I discipline my daughter for your sake! If you can’t bear to have me discipline her, why did you tell us about this in the first place? If you don’t want her disciplined, don’t tell us about it!”
“You! This is unreasonable!” Qin Huaiyuan frowned deeply, looking at Qin Yining: “Yining, come with me.” With that, he turned and walked out.
Qin Yining silently stood up, bowed to the Old Madam and others, then followed behind Qin Huaiyuan out of the side hall.
Inside, Sun Shi watched Qin Huaiyuan and Qin Yining leave, crying bitterly in anger and pounding the low table in grievance, making the porcelain on the table clatter: “I can see clearly now—I’m old and no longer in Qin Meng’s eyes. Qin Meng looks down on me and wants to drive me to death!”
The Old Madam had been pondering the sequence of events and Qin Huaiyuan’s reaction, her mind already in turmoil. Unexpectedly, Sun Shi started making a scene, preventing her from quietly contemplating why her son had reacted that way. Hearing such words, she found Sun Shi even more disagreeable.
If Sun Haihan weren’t Duke Dingguo’s legitimate daughter, she would have thrown this troublemaker out long ago!
The Old Madam angrily said: “Still making noise! I think Meng Ge’er wasn’t wrong about you—your manners are indeed like this! If you want to cry, don’t cry here. Go cry in your Prosperity and Peace Garden! If you’re still too angry, pack up and return to your natal family now!”
Seeing the Old Madam speak so harshly, the Second Lady and Third Lady hurried forward to mediate.
Qin Huining tearfully embraced Sun Shi’s arm: “Mother, please apologize to Grandmother quickly. You can’t return to your natal family!”
Sun Shi had a quick temper and acted purely on impulse when her blood was up, without thinking. Hearing Qin Huining’s plea, she immediately stood up and slammed the table:
“Can’t? What can’t I do! If you’re capable, have Qin Meng divorce me now! I can’t bear sons, and Qin Meng’s concubines can’t lay a single egg either. I know the Old Madam has long blamed me and finds me disagreeable. If you have candidates, bring them in for Qin Meng to bear him sons. I don’t care anymore!”
Having said this, Sun Shi turned to leave. After two steps, she didn’t forget to pull Qin Huining along: “Huining, come with Mother!” To avoid staying in the mansion and suffering grievances.
Qin Huining’s expression changed as she quickly shook her head: “Mother, don’t leave, and I won’t go with you either!” This was no joke—going to Duke Dingguo’s mansion now would surely earn Duke Dingguo’s wife’s hatred!
But Sun Shi had made up her mind.
Having lost face tonight, she was determined to make Qin Huaiyuan carry her back in an eight-bearer sedan chair! The last time she had returned and actively apologized had been frustrating enough—must she endure this every time?
Ignoring Qin Huining’s pleas, Sun Shi dragged her along.
The Old Madam angrily pounded the table, nearly throwing the brass tobacco pipe bowl at her side: “Go, go, go! Such upbringing—I’ve certainly learned something! My Meng Ge’er is gentle and refined, knowledgeable and reasonable. How did I go blind and bring back such a shrew for him!”
The Second Lady secretly rolled her eyes.
Wasn’t it to climb the tree of Duke Dingguo’s mansion back then? When borrowing their influence to advance, why didn’t you despise sister-in-law for being a shrew?
Disapproving of the Old Madam’s ungrateful behavior, the Second Lady remained inactive.
The Third Lady immediately stepped forward to persuade and comfort the Old Madam not to be angry.
Meanwhile, Qin Yining followed Qin Huaiyuan to the study in the outer courtyard. Just as she knelt down, a servant came to report: “Master, word has come from inside that the First Lady wants to return to her natal family again. She’s making a scene now. Nanny Jin from Prosperity and Peace Garden has sent someone to ask you to come see.”
Qin Huaiyuan frowned with a headache, simply waving the servant away and sitting in the main seat with a dark expression.