Xiao Ling and the Ge family servant busied themselves—one rushed to Xueli Courtyard to fetch clothes and jewelry for her, while the other nimbly attended to her washing.

Before long, Xiao Ling returned carrying the clothes and respectfully served Qin Yining as she changed, her attitude even more careful and cautious than in the previous days.

Qin Yining found it somewhat amusing to think that she had leaped from being a prime minister’s daughter to becoming a grand tutor’s legitimate daughter—this could also be considered rising with the tide, couldn’t it?

But she didn’t feel proud, after all, the demon empress had this same background.

In just a moment, the area outside the ancestral shrine became lively, and even through the door one could hear the servants chattering happily.

The Ge family servant and Xiao Ling opened the door and immediately began chatting with those servants who had come to prepare.

Qin Yining was somewhat curious, so she also stood not far from the doorway, watching the people outside carrying in incense, candles, offerings, and other items.

She noticed that Bi Tong and Bi Tao from Qin Huining’s side had also come, following behind Ji Xiang and Ruyi from Cixiao Courtyard to help.

Without needing to think carefully, she knew what was happening. When it came to putting on appearances, she was still far behind Qin Huining and had much to learn.

Bi Tong and Bi Tao had long since spotted Qin Yining, and seeing her dressed up and waiting inside the door, Bi Tong let out a derisive laugh.

“She’s fantasizing that the master will let her out.”

Bi Tong’s voice wasn’t loud, but she didn’t deliberately lower it either. Several people around heard it, keeping busy with their own tasks while pricking up their ears.

Bi Tao tugged at Bi Tong: “You don’t want to live! Instead of doing your job properly, why are you courting death!”

“Don’t pull me!” Bi Tong shook off Bi Tao’s hand and snorted with laughter: “People say when the upper beam is crooked, the lower beam follows suit. That slut Rui Lan could steal the Grand Dowager’s jade bracelet, which shows her master isn’t any good either. The Grand Dowager was merciful, only giving her a beating before driving her out of the mansion. If it were another household, they would definitely beat her to death. But some people—when their subordinates do such disgraceful things, they act as if nothing happened. It’s truly pathetic to look at.”

She had long had enough. Qin Yining had hit her and repeatedly bullied her young lady. Now that Qin Yining was down and out, if she didn’t take this opportunity to step on her a few times, it would be a loss!

Everyone said Qin Yining was a savage. If she could provoke this savage into fighting with her on such a wonderful day, that would be even better—her young lady would surely reward her handsomely.

Bi Tong was smugly pleased with her scheming, the provocative expression on her face growing heavier. “She claims to be the master’s legitimate daughter, but who really knows what’s going on? Even the First Madam doesn’t like her, yet she puts on such airs, as if she’s so noble.”

“So noble, yet why was she punished with confinement in the ancestral shrine for secretly running out of the mansion to meet with men? Simply put, she’s just a savage whose wild nature hasn’t been tamed. She brought all that marketplace vulgarity right into our mansion, sullying our good reputation.”

These words were already extremely harsh, and everyone around heard them clearly, each pondering Bi Tong’s provocation in their hearts.

Those who had already heard of Fourth Miss’s heroic deeds were already bright-eyed, waiting to watch the show.

But when everyone looked toward the entrance of the ancestral shrine, they only saw Qin Yining’s flower-like smiling face.

“On such a joyful day, yet hearing Sister Bi Tong say such things, it’s quite evident how well Miss Huining has taught her subordinates. I wonder if Sister Bi Tong came up with these words herself today, or if your young lady taught them to you?”

Qin Yining still stood in her original spot with a smile on her face, but her gaze made Bi Tong recall that night when Qin Yining’s fists fell upon her with bone-chillingly sharp intensity.

Bi Tong very much wanted to square off with her, hands on hips.

But she helplessly backed down. Looking at Qin Yining’s appearance, her lips trembled, but she couldn’t manage to squeeze out a single word in retort.

“Since your Miss Huining hasn’t taught you the rules of being a servant, when I have some free time in the future, I’ll definitely teach you properly on her behalf.” Qin Yining smiled slightly: “Sister Bi Tong just needs to wait.”

Bi Tong couldn’t help but shiver all over.

Qin Yining’s beautiful eyes swept around in a circle, lingering on those who had just laughed mockingly, and added: “Anyone else who wants to learn together with Miss Bi Tong, just go ahead and perform.”

Those who had just been mocking Qin Yining now didn’t even dare to breathe heavily. This matter had nothing to do with them originally—why would they want to provoke Fourth Miss? No matter how much she erred, she was still Grand Tutor Qin’s legitimate daughter, while Qin Huining was ultimately an adopted daughter.

Bi Tong was both angry and frightened, feeling as if a wild beast was stalking her, the sensation climbing up her spine and making her entire body cold. She couldn’t help but somewhat regret her earlier impulse. She should have performed when Qin Huining was present—that way she could have earned Qin Huining’s appreciation while also deflecting Qin Yining’s fire.

Seeing no further disturbance outside the door, Qin Yining lost interest in watching the excitement and returned inside to sit and rest.

Before long, Xiao Ling came to report: “Miss, the Grand Dowager, the master, and the others have all arrived.”

“I know.”

Qin Yining came to the courtyard and saw Second Master Qin Xiuyuan and Second Madam Su Shi together supporting the grandly dressed Grand Dowager as they entered.

Third Master Qin Zhiyuan and Third Madam Wang Shi walked beside Qin Huaiyuan, talking with smiles.

Behind them, First Master Qin Yu and his wife, Second Master Qin Han and his wife, along with all the various cousin brothers and sisters had come.

Qin Huining and Sixth Miss walked hand in hand at the very back, speaking in low voices about something. Seeming to sense Qin Yining’s gaze, when they looked over, they even let out a mocking laugh.

The whole family had arrived, with only Sun Shi missing.

It seemed Sun Shi was still at the Duke’s mansion, unwilling to return. She was probably putting on airs, wanting to wait for Qin Huaiyuan to come fetch her.

Qin Yining sighed helplessly, adjusted her mood, and stepped forward to bow to the Grand Dowager, father, uncles, and aunts.

When Qin Huaiyuan saw Qin Yining again, not only did he no longer feel angry, but he actually felt several parts more fond of her.

If Qin Yining hadn’t gone to Prince Ning’s mansion to demand Tang Meng’s release, there wouldn’t have been those fence-sitters quickly choosing sides, there wouldn’t have been Prince Ning’s successful impeachment of Grand Tutor Cao, and there wouldn’t be his glorious appointment to the position of Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor today.

Originally, as prime minister, Qin Huaiyuan had already reached the pinnacle of his official career. No matter how hard he tried, advancing even an inch would be an enormous difficulty, not to mention that maintaining his stable position was already not easy.

Who would have thought that the difficult problem that had troubled him for years would be solved by this little girl’s seemingly wrong move? This was enough to show that this girl was not only clever and perceptive with keen political awareness, but also someone with great fortune.

“Yining, you’ve probably read enough books during these days? You can move back to live there later.”

Qin Huaiyuan turned to the Grand Dowager and said: “I think Yining’s Xueli Courtyard is in a remote location, and it’s troublesome when sending people on errands. I’ll assign Yao Qin and Yu Qi from my side to Yining. As for their monthly wages, Yao Qin and Yu Qi’s wages will still be counted under the outer courtyard study.”

Everyone present was somewhat stunned upon hearing this.

All present knew that Qin Huaiyuan’s study had four beautiful first-class senior maids, all fifteen years old, named after their respective talents in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting: Yao Qin, Yu Qi, Mo Xiang, and Dan Qing. They only served in the outer courtyard study, receiving wages given separately by Qin Huaiyuan, and held particularly transcendent positions among the mansion’s servants.

There were many rumors behind the scenes, and Sun Shi had eaten countless jealous fits over these four maids. Last year, when Second Master Qin Xiuyuan took a fancy to Yu Qi and wanted to ask Qin Huaiyuan for her to become his concubine, Qin Huaiyuan had flatly refused.

Today he had actually given two of them to Qin Yining at once!

Qin Yining’s side had lost Yu Xiang, and the day before yesterday Rui Lan had been punished and sent away, leaving her short of exactly two senior maids.

It was remarkable that such an important person as Qin Huaiyuan would actually notice that his daughter was short two people, and generously make up for it!

What kind of father-daughter affection was this?

It seemed they had all underestimated Qin Huaiyuan’s cherishing of his daughter!

Wasn’t it said that Qin Yining had made an error and was detested by Qin Huaiyuan, which was why she was confined to the ancestral shrine for reflection?

Looking at it this way, that wasn’t the case at all!

Qin Huining’s teeth ground together with a grinding sound. Qin Huaiyuan was publicly giving Qin Yining face, telling everyone that she was his most beloved daughter.

But then what did that make her?