The day after the grand court assembly, earth-shaking news spread throughout both court and countryside.

Ji Zeyu had been appointed as the new commander of the hundred thousand Huben Army and would remain stationed in the capital for the time being.

Meanwhile, Pang Xiao, the original commander of the Huben Army, had been assigned the task of supervising the Ministry of War after taking up residence in the inner cabinet.

The Huben Army was one of Li Qitian’s great weapons for intimidating the south. Pang Xiao’s influence and status within it had always been extremely high, and many within the army worshipped him. Even Pang Xiao’s privately trained elite Tiger Guards had been selected from within the Huben Army ranks.

Similar to the Huben Army, Ji Zeyu’s Longxiang Army that dominated the north trusted and revered Ji Zeyu no less than the Huben Army did Pang Xiao.

However, the Emperor’s action caused Pang Xiao to lose the Huben Army while simultaneously causing Ji Zeyu to lose the Longxiang Army.

Even though Ji Zeyu now commanded the Huben Army, which was comparable to the Longxiang Army, the relationships between superior and subordinate could never be as intimate as before.

Moreover, the Emperor still maintained his reputation for valuing these two men highly, because on the surface, this indeed appeared to show the Emperor’s regard for them.

When Qin Yining received this news from the servants, she was helping Lian Xiaozhou comb her hair.

Upon hearing this, her hands paused momentarily before she said, “It seems the Emperor is particularly satisfied with Prince Consort Ji, and considering that Prince Consort Ji is newly wed, he doesn’t intend to send him back north.”

“That’s right,” Bingtang said. “The Emperor wants to keep both fierce generals by his side to protect himself, which gives him more peace of mind.”

Hearing Bingtang’s explanation, Qin Yining couldn’t help but laugh. She naturally knew that Bingtang’s words had double meaning, mostly sarcastic, so she couldn’t help but remind her, “You mustn’t say such things outside.”

“Miss, I’m not stupid. I only say such things to you. Why would I cause trouble for myself outside?”

Qin Yining tied a pale azure silk ribbon on Lian Xiaozhou’s shiny black braided hair, carefully making a beautiful butterfly knot, then smiled and said, “Yes, our Miss Bingtang is naturally not stupid, which is why she found a reliable tiger to get close to.”

Upon hearing this, Bingtang’s face immediately turned red. She stamped her foot and said, “Miss, what are you saying!”

Seeing her so embarrassed, Qin Yining found it even more amusing and laughed, “What I’m saying—don’t you understand? Huzi is a good person, clever and loyal.”

“Whether he’s good or not has nothing to do with me! I can’t be bothered to pay attention to him!”

Qin Yining drew out an “Oh” and said, “Then next time I see the Prince, I’ll ask him to help ensure Huzi never comes to see you again, alright?”

Bingtang glared at Qin Yining with a face full of shame and anger, then turned and headed outside, “Miss is not a good person! I’m not talking to you anymore!”

Qin Yining was amused to laughter by Bingtang’s reaction, patting Lian Xiaozhou’s shoulder as she laughed, “Quick, go comfort your Sister Bingtang. She’s embarrassed.”

Lian Xiaozhou nodded earnestly, her face full of smiles as she chased after her.

After Lian Xiaozhou had also gone far away, Qin Yining sighed with feeling, “It seems Bingtang does have some good feelings toward Huzi. Look, one little trick and it all came out.”

Ji Yun laughed, “Miss just loves to worry about others. I think even if you don’t play matchmaker, Bingtang and Huzi’s relationship is quite good. Every time they meet they bicker, but after bickering they’re as close as can be.”

Hearing this, Qin Yining also laughed along.

“In the future when there’s an opportunity, I’ll also find good matches for you two, so you can be housekeepers’ wives by my side.”

Both Ji Yun and Qian Yun blushed deeply and glared at Qin Yining, “Just like Bingtang said, Miss is really too wicked!”

Seeing the beauties she’d bullied with rosy cheeks, Qin Yining laughed even more heartily.

Just then, urgent footsteps suddenly echoed from the courtyard, and a little maid rushed in frantically, shouting at the top of her lungs, “Something terrible! Something terrible! The Master is in trouble!”

Qin Yining’s laughter stopped abruptly. Her heart skipped a beat, and her face turned pale as she stood up and rushed outside in panic.

At the same time, all those living in the rear courtyard pushed open their doors and rushed out.

Old Dowager even came staggering out of the main room holding her pipe, grasping Nanny Qin’s hand nervously and saying, “Quick, tell me! What happened to Meng Ge’er!”

“Yes, you girl, speak quickly!”

The little maid realized her words had caused panic throughout the entire household and became even more frightened. Her legs went weak and she knelt down, saying, “It’s… it’s news from outside, saying that on Master’s way home from dismissing court, someone on horseback charged into him, and in the confusion, the sedan bearers overturned the sedan!”

“What!”

Everyone cried out in worried alarm.

Old Dowager hurried forward a few steps, pointing her pipe stem at the little maid, “Speak quickly! Is Meng Ge’er seriously hurt!”

If the sedan was overturned, the person inside would surely be badly bruised. This is what the little maid guessed, and this is what everyone in the Qin family guessed too. Second Madam Shen, holding her belly that was over seven months along, swayed and nearly fainted, quickly supported by Second Madam and others.

Sun Shi asked anxiously, “Then where is Master now? What about the people who were with him?”

The little maid said fearfully, “The messenger didn’t say about that, only that Master is now at the Eastern Route Five Cities Military Commissioner’s office.”

The Five Cities Military Commissioner’s office?

If he was there, it at least meant father wasn’t in great danger—at least he hadn’t been sent to a medical clinic.

Qin Yining finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Obviously, the family members had thought of this point too. One by one they wiped cold sweat and put their palms together toward the sky, bowing several times.

Qin Yining then said, “I’ll go check on father’s condition right now.”

Second Master and Third Master were both not at home right now. Following the Qin family’s previous customs, whenever the family lacked a male head, everyone would unconsciously rely on Qin Yining to make decisions.

Sun Shi nodded without hesitation, “You go with your cousin brothers. Having more helpers means you won’t be taken advantage of.”

Old Dowager also nodded repeatedly, “See what the situation is and quickly return to report.”

“Yes, Old Dowager.” Qin Yining curtsied, returned to her room to grab a cloak and put it on, then called Ji Yun to accompany her and went out to have people prepare a carriage.

Qin Yu and Qin Han also acted quickly, riding horses to follow the carriage all the way to the Eastern Route Five Cities Military Commissioner’s office.

When they arrived at the entrance and explained their purpose, surprisingly those people didn’t obstruct them, and when leading the way, they behaved extremely cordially.

Qin Yining began to speculate which faction these people belonged to.

Currently in the court, there were several factions: aristocratic families, imperial power, hereditary nobles, veteran ministers, and former Great Yan surrendered officials. This was precisely the time when muddy waters made for good fishing.

Though Qin Yining speculated in her heart, she didn’t dwell on it, following her two cousin brothers all the way to the inner office.

At this time, Eastern Route Commander Zheng was at the entrance instructing his subordinates about some matters. Looking up, he saw Qin Yining, Qin Han, and Qin Yu, then came forward courteously saying, “So it’s the two young masters of the Qin family and Miss Qin.”

The three didn’t know Commander Zheng and politely performed their courtesies.

Qin Yining asked anxiously, “Sir, how is my father’s condition?”