The young man became even more nervous, staring at Qin Huaiyuan with wide eyes. Though clearly very frightened, he still stiffened his neck and tried to act tough: “Minister Han is my father!”

“Oh, so you’re my worthy nephew.” Qin Huaiyuan smiled and nodded.

Seeing Qin Huaiyuan speak so gently and even address the youth as worthy nephew, Commander Zheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and the young man also visibly let out a long breath.

Qin Huaiyuan smiled and said, “This official is new here, and Vice Minister Han at the Ministry of Rites has given me much assistance. I heard that Vice Minister Han’s legitimate son is both scholarly and martial, brave and strategic. Seeing him today, this is indeed the case.”

Young Master Han became nervous again, swallowing hard, not knowing how to respond for a moment.

Though these words sounded like praise, why did they feel so awkward?

Commander Zheng smiled and said, “Who would have thought that flooding waters would wash away the Dragon King’s temple—family members colliding with family members. Minister Qin and Vice Minister Han are both capable ministers of the Ministry of Rites. How do you see handling this matter?”

Actually, the Five Cities Military Commissioner’s office had already investigated who the horse racers were today. Commander Zheng knew the truth.

But the backing behind those horse racers was the Lu family aristocrats, which couldn’t be offended.

On the surface, it appeared to be several young masters racing horses and colliding with Minister Qin.

But in reality, it was a struggle between the Lu family aristocrats and the Great Yan surrendered officials faction.

Commander Zheng felt he was truly unlucky enough to be dragged into this kind of dispute for no reason. He didn’t dare take a stance now, because for years he had always maintained neutrality, not wanting to offend anyone, and unable to afford offending anyone.

Now he only hoped that Qin Huaiyuan was someone who could let sleeping dogs lie and, considering that he and the young man’s father both served as officials in the Ministry of Rites, would make a big matter small and a small matter disappear.

Watching this scene, Qin Yining also felt troubled for her father.

After all, Qin Huaiyuan was newly arrived and had been suddenly promoted by the Emperor to serve directly as Minister of Rites. This type of sudden superior was most easily ostracized by subordinates, especially by someone like the Vice Minister of Rites who had already reached a high position.

She didn’t believe the perpetrator could be this cowardly boy.

But since the Five Cities Military Commissioner’s people had brought him here, he had to accept responsibility whether he wanted to or not.

Commander Zheng’s handling was intended to push Qin Huaiyuan onto the cusp of the storm. If Qin Huaiyuan handled anything improperly, it could plan conflicts between him and Vice Minister Han, deepening the contradictions between the Great Yan surrendered officials and the Northern Ji old ministers.

Thinking this way, the matter was truly difficult to handle.

Qin Yining looked at Qin Huaiyuan with worry.

But she saw Qin Huaiyuan stand up, bow to Commander Zheng with cupped hands and smile: “Commander Zheng, since the culprit has been caught, let’s leave this matter to the Five Cities Military Commissioner to handle. I am, after all, a Ministry of Rites official. How to deal with street horse racers is not within my jurisdiction. Commander Zheng is a capable person at the Five Cities Military Commissioner’s office who has handled countless similar cases over the years. I won’t overstep my bounds.”

Hearing this, the sweat on Commander Zheng’s head became even more obvious.

He truly was as wise as Pan An—his mind worked so fast! The ball he had worked so hard to kick away had been kicked right back!

Qin Yining, Qin Han, and Qin Yu secretly breathed sighs of relief and couldn’t help but admire Qin Huaiyuan’s cleverness.

Commander Zheng said unwillingly, “Minister Qin is the Emperor’s capable minister. How could we rough fellows compare? In your hands, wouldn’t such matters be easily resolved?”

Qin Huaiyuan’s smile was gentle as he said methodically, “Commander Zheng’s abilities are no less impressive. Why must you be so modest? I’ll trouble you with this matter. I believe Commander Zheng will give a satisfactory answer to the Emperor.”

The implication was that if Commander Zheng dared to cover up and show favoritism in this matter, Qin Huaiyuan would absolutely impeach him without mercy!

Commander Zheng suddenly felt like crying without tears.

At this moment he suddenly realized that the so-called Great Yan surrendered officials faction could now actually be called the Emperor’s faction, just like the hereditary nobles faction.

With Great Yan surrendered officials and hereditary nobles under the Emperor’s command, whether dealing with the Lu family aristocrats or the Northern Ji old ministers, wouldn’t it be easy as pie?

Commander Zheng felt it was time for him to take a stance.

Because while neutrals might not offend anyone, they might also offend everyone.

Commander Zheng personally escorted Qin Huaiyuan, Qin Yining, Qin Yu, and Qin Han with a furrowed brow. Even after seeing them into their carriage, he still looked troubled.

Qin Huaiyuan, however, remained smiling and amiable throughout, thanking Commander Zheng and politely saying goodbye.

Only after the carriage had traveled far from the Five Cities Military Commissioner’s office did Qin Han finally burst into laughter.

“Uncle, that move you just made was brilliant. I was completely stumped just now. I never expected Uncle to figure out how to deal with him in the blink of an eye.”

“That’s right,” Qin Yu also said. “That Commander Zheng just now definitely knew who the real horse racers were. Uncle suffered a loss, yet he still wanted Uncle to help him save face and wanted Uncle to back down quietly. There’s no such reasoning for bullying people!”

“In the end, it’s all because we’ve just arrived in the Great Zhou and our foundation is still shallow,” Qin Yining also said.

Qin Huaiyuan smiled and shook his head. “This is all normal and doesn’t need to be taken to heart.”

Seeing her father so magnanimous, Qin Yining admired him even more.

“Father, are you injured anywhere?”

Qin Huaiyuan smiled. “I’m not hurt at all. The guards trained by the Cao family aren’t for nothing. Just as the sedan was about to overturn, I was already rescued.”

Qin Yining laughed. “Then Father should give them good rewards, since they made contributions this time.”

“Naturally.”

Qin Han and Qin Yu didn’t fully understand what Qin Huaiyuan and Qin Yining were discussing, but seeing the father and daughter talk this way, they both smiled along.

They were all upright Qin family members who would be happy seeing others’ happiness.

The carriage soon returned to the Qin residence.

Just as it slowly stopped, a servant who had been guarding the gate ran into the residence to report the news. Other servants came forward to bow and place the footstool.

Qin Yining got down from the carriage and followed behind her father and brothers into the courtyard.

At this time, Sun Shi had already hurried out to meet them.

Seeing that Qin Huaiyuan was safe and sound, she could finally breathe a great sigh of relief. With moist eyes, she asked, “Husband, are you injured?”

Seeing his beloved wife like this, Qin Huaiyuan naturally had to explain everything to her.

When they entered the room to see Old Dowager, he naturally had to explain again.

Hearing that the street horse racers were actually second-generation rich kids from some Great Zhou officials’ families, Old Dowager couldn’t help but feel both angry and anxious.

“These people are so domineering, don’t their fathers and mothers know to control them! But Meng Ge’er, we’ve just arrived here—can we afford to offend them?”

Old Dowager’s attitude was exactly the same as before. She had yielded in Qin Yining’s matters, and it was still the same regarding Qin Huaiyuan.

Both Qin Yining and Sun Shi felt uncomfortable in their hearts.

However, Qin Huaiyuan didn’t mind and smiled, “Mother needn’t worry. Your son can handle this well.”