The atmosphere in the carriage was extremely heavy. Qin Yining hadn’t slept all night, and under the shock of news about Jingzhe’s impending execution, she now had a splitting headache and looked terrible. She leaned against the wooden carriage wall with her eyes closed to rest, her fingers repeatedly pinching her brow.
Qin Huaiyuan said: “I thought you had already returned home. I didn’t expect you would keep vigil at the Five Cities Military Commissioner’s Office. When I just went home, your mother was extremely anxious. Only then did I know you were there.”
“Making Father worry was my fault.” Qin Yining opened her eyes, her bright pupils already bloodshot. “Father didn’t return home last night either? Were you constantly before the Emperor?”
“Yes.” Qin Huaiyuan also looked exhausted. “Yesterday when Minister Cheng brought people to the palace, I happened to be there.”
Qin Yining smiled bitterly: “Even without Father saying, I know there must have been a fierce verbal battle. It’s my fault for causing Father such great trouble.”
Hearing this, Qin Huaiyuan smiled and said: “How could this be your fault? You’re also an innocent victim. The root cause was that day when I was startled by their cavalry. I was unwilling to yield, unwilling to let these second-generation nobles run rampant in the capital disturbing the people, so I pursued them relentlessly. I never thought it would bring such trouble.”
Qin Yining said: “Father, I’m not afraid of trouble, but… is there truly no way to save Jingzhe?”
Qin Huaiyuan sighed and nodded: “Yining, you’re a smart person. I don’t need to explain for you to understand. The Emperor’s decision to punish Jingzhe is merely using a servant to silence Minister Cheng. In this matter, we only lose one person to maintain the hard-won balance we’ve achieved. We’re not at a loss—the one at a loss is Minister Cheng.”
“But there’s still a human life involved!” Qin Yining’s voice was somewhat hoarse.
Qin Huaiyuan said: “I know your thoughts and know you’re kind-hearted. But the imperial edict has been issued—what methods do we still have? Yining, I also know you’re intelligent and might be able to think of a way to save Jingzhe’s life. But you must remember, you are a daughter of the Qin family. You must think thrice before acting.”
Qin Huaiyuan’s meaning was quite clear.
Jingzhe was merely a servant. When necessary, sacrificing one servant wasn’t a big matter. The Qin family hadn’t yet established a firm foothold in the capital and needed precisely the Emperor’s favor and protection. Since the Emperor had now sentenced Jingzhe to execution, it was already set in stone. If they dared to plead for mercy, it would be equivalent to ungratefully slapping the Emperor’s face.
Looking at this matter from an outsider’s perspective, Qin Yining knew she shouldn’t interfere and make things worse.
But Jingzhe had acted to protect her.
If it weren’t for her, how could Jingzhe have been implicated and lost his life?
Jingzhe was ultimately one of her people. If something happened and she just pulled back her neck and ignored it, what would she use to command respect in the future? Moreover, according to her own will, she absolutely didn’t want Jingzhe to become a sacrifice for protecting her.
Thinking of this, Qin Yining said: “Father, I promise not to harm the family’s interests.”
She was telling Qin Huaiyuan that she was determined to save Jingzhe.
Qin Yining looked at Qin Huaiyuan anxiously, wondering in her heart—if Father verbally opposed her decision, or even severely scolded and stopped her, what should she do?
Who would have known that the next moment, Qin Huaiyuan actually laughed out loud with a “puchi,” startling Qin Yining.
“Father, you…”
“I knew it—your temperament is just this stubborn, just like me when I was young. Once you’ve decided on something, you must do it according to your own ideas, not caring at all whether others will obstruct you.”
Qin Yining smiled upon hearing this: “How could such a rational and steady person as Father have such moments? You must be deceiving me.”
“How could I deceive you? Don’t people all start from initial recklessness and high spirits, gradually settling down to become steady?”
Qin Huaiyuan removed his official hat and rubbed his face: “Yining, if you want to do something, then do it. Just remember what I said earlier—don’t forget you’re a member of the Qin family. You must first preserve the family. Only when the family is strong will you have more confidence when you’re out in the world.”
“I’ve remembered everything Father said.” Qin Yining said gratefully, “Thank you for your understanding.”
Qin Huaiyuan just smiled and patted Qin Yining’s head.
When the carriage returned home, Qin Yining went to see Sun Shi, then said she was going back to catch up on sleep.
But the servants could all see that Qin Yining’s complexion was truly terrible, especially those around her who knew the situation.
Qin Yining sat cross-legged on the heated kang by the window. Although she was now both sleepy and tired, because she was worried about Jingzhe, she had no desire to sleep whatsoever.
Jingzhe’s execution was personally decreed by Li Qitian.
Since they couldn’t plead for mercy, they could only think of ways to make Li Qitian voluntarily spare Jingzhe from death.
But why would Li Qitian, perfectly fine as he was, release Jingzhe?
In Li Qitian’s view, making the Qin family lose only one servant while making Minister Cheng’s family suffer that loss was already showing favoritism to the Qin family. If they weren’t careful, they might very well anger Li Qitian, and the consequences would become unthinkable.
Qin Yining pinched her brow with her fingers, sitting on the window-side heated kang in silence, thinking of solutions.
Seeing that Qin Yining refused to rest, Ji Yun and the others tried to persuade her unsuccessfully, then could only quietly accompany her.
The lunch brought to her, Qin Yining didn’t touch a bite.
Dinner was the same.
Her refusal to eat or sleep truly worried Ji Yun and Qian Yun, and also deeply moved Xiao Man, Xiao Xue, and Da Han.
Qin Yining had already done her best in this matter. Jingzhe being implicated wasn’t Qin Yining’s fault. Though they felt sorry for their brother, they wouldn’t blame Qin Yining.
Just when Bingtang and Ji Yun were so worried they were about to tell Qin Huaiyuan, Qin Yining suddenly got down from the kang and ordered: “Go call Xiao Man and the others. I have instructions to give. Also, Ji Yun, go to Shopkeeper Zhong and tell him I want to mobilize our people in Great Yan. Have him come quietly.”
Seeing Qin Yining’s eyes clear and bright, full of spirit without any sign of dejection, they guessed she might have thought of a solution.
Seeing Ji Yun, Bingtang, and the others all looking at her expectantly, Qin Yining couldn’t help but smile: “I’ve thought of a method that should work. You all need to quickly follow my instructions.”
“Yes.” Everyone hurried to act separately.
Qin Yining called Xiao Man and the others over, giving them quiet instructions. They looked at each other in confusion but still nodded and went to carry out Qin Yining’s orders.
Meanwhile, Shopkeeper Zhong arrived shortly after. Since it was already dark and talking inside the residence would be inconvenient, Qin Yining wrapped herself in a cloak and went to meet Shopkeeper Zhong in a carriage outside the mansion gates.