Qin Yining’s earnest pleading had already softened Sun Shi’s heart.

She never expected that what seemed to her clearly to be Qin Yining’s wrongdoing actually had so many intricate, interconnected relationships influencing each other behind the scenes.

Such a complex matter that she found difficult to understand even listening to it, yet Qin Yining could figure out on her own. Just looking at Duke Dingguo’s wife’s appreciative and delighted smile, Sun Shi knew how much favor Qin Yining had gained.

Sun Shi had never considered herself stupid. As an inner quarters woman, she had always felt it sufficient to manage just the small territory of the inner quarters. Now, however, she felt that Qin Yining’s incident had given her an enlightenment.

Sun Shi murmured: “I never thought inner quarters matters would be influenced by the imperial court.”

Duke Dingguo’s wife felt like supporting her forehead again upon hearing this.

“Isn’t this obvious? When the court wind blows, the inner quarters grass moves. You’re fortunate to have married the honest Qin Meng. If it were other families with several minor wives from different households in the inner quarters, you’d know how court matters influence the inner quarters. Yi Jie’er has pleaded with you so earnestly – won’t you agree to return?”

Sun Shi looked down at Qin Yining, whose eyes were full of hope, and slowly nodded: “Very well. Seeing your sincere acknowledgment of fault, and fearing your father would lose face before the Crown Prince, I’ll return.”

Duke Dingguo’s wife breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

Sun Shi couldn’t understand, but she understood clearly – Qin Yining’s visit this time was clearly to provide Sun Shi with a graceful way down.

This incident was originally Sun Shi’s fault. Not only did she actively provoke trouble, but she also offended Old Madam Qin and Qin Meng. Hoping for the in-laws to come fetch her was impossible. She could only find her own way down. If Qin Yining hadn’t come to kneel and plead, this step would have needed to be built by Duke Dingguo’s manor sooner or later, inevitably requiring them to lower their status again and lose face for the Sun family before the Qin family.

Thinking of this, Duke Dingguo’s wife couldn’t help saying: “Now that you’ve calmed down, think carefully – Yi Jie’er is so sensible, wronging herself to provide you with a graceful exit. But what about the one in the manor?”

“Yi Jie’er came immediately after her house arrest was lifted. But that one in the manor wasn’t under house arrest! You’ve stayed at your natal home for so many days – why hasn’t she shown any gesture? She hasn’t even sent someone to inquire! When you left the manor, she instigated you, saying she would come accompany you. When you actually returned to your natal home, she shrank her neck and ignored you! Both daughters are yours, but you should see clearly now what each one’s character is like, shouldn’t you?”

At this point, Duke Dingguo’s wife helped Qin Yining up: “Yi Jie’er, come with me. Your mother needs to be quiet for a while. Let’s go sit inside.”

Qin Yining looked back worriedly at Sun Shi before following Duke Dingguo’s wife to the inner room, leaving all the outer room’s space to Sun Shi.

In Sun Shi’s mind, Duke Dingguo’s wife’s words kept replaying, and her expression had changed several times.

Meanwhile, Qin Yining sat closely beside Duke Dingguo’s wife on the auspicious pattern arhat couch by the window.

Duke Dingguo’s wife held Qin Yining’s hand and said: “Yi Jie’er, you’re a good child. Maternal Grandmother knows you’ve been wronged.”

Qin Yining shook her head repeatedly: “What grievance is there? Being able to return home and serve by my relatives’ side – I’m already very satisfied. I understand Mother’s difficulties. Even though her blood flows in my body, for her, the reality of her birth child being switched is very hard to accept. Moreover, Mother is already trying hard to accept me. This time it was indeed my mistake that angered Mother, causing her to act thus.”

“You child.” Duke Dingguo’s wife’s dry, warm hand stroked Qin Yining’s satin-like long hair scattered behind her back, her heart feeling as if someone had kneaded it.

Though she herself had suffered endless grievances, she kept speaking well of her birth mother.

Perhaps grandparents and grandchildren were naturally closer, or perhaps the two truly had fate – Duke Dingguo’s wife now truly cherished Qin Yining in her heart.

Qin Yining thought for a moment, then said: “Maternal Grandmother, I have two more matters I’d like to discuss with you. You’re experienced and knowledgeable – you’ll surely know what’s best to do.”

Duke Dingguo’s wife had always been patient with younger generations’ consultations, especially when it was the Qin Yining she favored asking questions.

Duke Dingguo’s wife smiled lovingly, holding Qin Yining’s hand and placing the bronze openwork carved rose flower hand warmer that Nanny Bao had brought in her hands.

“What questions do you have? Speak.”

Qin Yining smiled gratefully, placing the warmer in Duke Dingguo’s wife’s hands so they both held one warmer together.

“Maternal Grandmother, it’s like this – I’ve now arranged for Miss Tang to temporarily stay at the Stepping Cloud Inn. She has truly acknowledged me as her master and will serve by my side in the future. She has knowledge of medical arts, and I want to keep her by my side as an additional helper. I want to find time to help her return to secular life. What does Maternal Grandmother think of this arrangement?”

“You’re worried that because of the relationship between the Tang family and the upright officials, your father won’t approve?”

Speaking with intelligent people was effortless.

Qin Yining smiled and nodded: “Yes, I also fear it might affect the relationships between Duke Dingguo’s manor and the Cao family or Prince Ning.”

Duke Dingguo’s wife laughed: “You needn’t worry. The court situation has now stabilized, and since Prince Ning said he gave the person to you, presumably the Imperial Music Bureau won’t come demanding her without His Majesty’s decree. As for the Cao family, though Grand Secretary Cao is no longer Grand Secretary, his forces in court remain. Their firepower is currently all directed at Prince Ning and your father – they won’t care about a young lady like you for now.”

“Miss Tang is a pitiable child, and since you have fate together, if she’s willing to be truly loyal to you, keeping her by your side is good. As for other matters, we can take things step by step.”

Actually, Duke Dingguo’s wife’s words had been circling in Qin Yining’s mind for a long time. Though she could think of these things herself, hearing them spoken from Duke Dingguo’s wife’s mouth inexplicably gave her a sense of security.

“Yes, I understand.” Qin Yining broke into a big smile, the small dimples on her cheeks making her appearance extremely endearing: “Having Maternal Grandmother’s help makes me feel like I have a backbone.”

“Silly girl.” Duke Dingguo’s wife hugged Qin Yining’s shoulders and rocked her.

This child had been lonely and helpless for many years, having to make decisions on all matters big and small by herself. Living alone outside, every decision probably affected her future and survival. No matter how clever this child was, no matter how correct her chosen path, one person would inevitably feel panic, wouldn’t she?

Analyzing it this way, all these years she had never had anyone to rely on. No wonder she now showed such a satisfied smile in her embrace.

Her smile and dependence made Duke Dingguo’s wife feel both sour and numb in her heart, her eyes growing hot in waves, heartache almost bringing her to tears.

Qin Yining didn’t notice Duke Dingguo’s wife’s condition and continued: “Maternal Grandmother, your granddaughter has one more matter to request of you.”

“Whatever it is, just speak freely.” Duke Dingguo’s wife smiled.

Qin Yining roughly explained how Rui Lan had left the manor.

Duke Dingguo’s wife listened with tightly knitted brows, the character lines between her eyebrows creasing even deeper: “I never expected Qin Huining would act this way! This is disregarding human life for her momentary satisfaction! Our family has never produced such a young lady who could frame innocent people’s lives!”

Duke Dingguo’s wife stood up and paced a few steps, frowning: “Yi Jie’er, let me handle this matter.”

Qin Huining was, after all, Sun Shi’s adopted daughter. No matter what she did, others wouldn’t say Qin Huining was bad, only that Sun Shi’s upbringing was poor. Though she scolded Sun Shi verbally, as a mother she inevitably had to consider her daughter.

Qin Yining immediately understood Duke Dingguo’s wife’s thoughts and nodded: “However Maternal Grandmother wishes to instruct Miss Huining is appropriate, but I already have my approach for this incident.”

Duke Dingguo’s wife raised an eyebrow at Qin Yining.

Qin Yining explained all her arrangements and deployments. Finally, she stuck out her tongue: “When the time comes, I’ll inevitably need to invoke Maternal Grandmother’s name.”

“You little girl.” Duke Dingguo’s wife chuckled, very pleased with Qin Yining’s method of counterattacking while not forgetting to preserve human life. She smiled and tapped Qin Yining’s forehead: “Go ahead and let this little girl cause trouble as you wish.”

“Yes, thank you Maternal Grandmother.” Qin Yining rose and bowed with a smile.

Looking at the charming and pretty girl before her, Duke Dingguo’s wife’s fondness grew even more.

One benevolent and filial, one selfish and malicious – though both children were intelligent and beautiful, comparing their characters made the scales in her heart unconsciously tip toward Qin Yining.

“Mother.” At this time, Sun Shi approached the inner room doorway with an embarrassed expression.

Duke Dingguo’s wife felt stifled just looking at Sun Shi and said irritably: “What is it?”

“Mother, I’ve already ordered people to pack everything.” The implication was that she could return to the Qin manor at any time.

Duke Dingguo’s wife couldn’t help rolling her eyes.

She clearly had been eager to return long ago, just unable to save face. This time Qin Yining cooperatively provided a graceful exit, so naturally she climbed down this offered pole.

“Go then. When you return, think carefully about my words.”

“Yes.” Sun Shi lowered her head.

Duke Dingguo’s wife ordered people to prepare a carriage and personally arranged Qin Yining’s cloak before saying: “I’ll arrange the matter of taking Miss Tang to return to secular life. The Taoist temple where Miss Tang became a nun is called ‘Immortal Lady Temple.’ It’s not far from the capital, and I know the abbess. Like this – tomorrow when I’ve arranged everything, I’ll send someone to fetch you. I happen to want to go to Immortal Lady Temple to perform religious rites.”

Qin Yining looked at Duke Dingguo’s wife with surprise and delight: “Maternal Grandmother, how can this be proper? Troubling you to go such a distance.”

“What’s to fear? I’m also feeling stifled and want to leave with fewer people to walk around and find some peace. Don’t overthink it. When the time comes, just follow me – it’ll also prevent anyone from bullying you.” Duke Dingguo’s wife thought again and added: “Tomorrow I’ll only bring you and no one else.”

Sun Shi said with a fawning expression from the side: “Mother, won’t you even bring me?”

“Bring you for what? Just to annoy me before my eyes. Tomorrow I want to take my Yi Jie’er out to properly relax.”

Qin Yining nodded repeatedly with a bright smile, happily bidding farewell to Duke Dingguo’s wife. She followed Sun Shi back to the Qin family by carriage, unable to stop smiling along the way.

So this was how wonderful it felt to be cared for!