“Elder Brother and Sister-in-law are heartbroken from losing their child, and court politics are indeed tense right now. Elder Brother is someone His Majesty favors for entering the cabinet. How many factions have their eyes fixed on Elder Brother’s every move? If things go badly, he could lose his life. I lack ability and am just a small official in the Ministry of Rites. If I had capability, I could help Elder Brother too.

“Mother, we’re one family – we don’t speak as two families would. How much Elder Brother and Sister-in-law have contributed to this family over the years, everyone knows in their hearts. Third Brother’s family and I are very grateful. Mother, please don’t quarrel with Elder Brother over these matters anymore, as it would only distract him.”

The Old Dowager was very hurt.

She truly saw through Qin Huaiyuan now, feeling he was no longer the filial son who obeyed her every word. She had placed all her affection on this son, even neglecting her legitimate second son for so many years.

Now when she was heartbroken, wasn’t it still the second son who came to coax her?

Moreover, Second Master’s words truly gave the Old Dowager a way out.

She couldn’t find reasons to refute Sun Shi, nor did she dare truly do anything to her eldest son – she would still need to rely on him in the future, so she could only swallow this bitter pill.

If she didn’t speak now, everyone would also think this was her, as an elder, yielding to Sun Shi.

So the Old Dowager wiped her tears and stopped scolding people, no longer mentioning having Qin Huaiyuan divorce Sun Shi – after all, she could see that Qin Huaiyuan wouldn’t obediently divorce his wife.

Seeing the Old Dowager pacified by Second Master’s few words, and Sun Shi in his arms no longer wailing, Qin Huaiyuan relaxed slightly.

“Mother.” Qin Huaiyuan patted Sun Shi’s shoulder, then said: “You’re advanced in years and should properly enjoy your remaining years. From now on, whether it’s household management, children’s marriages, or mansion affairs, you shouldn’t worry about any of it. Just take care of your own health and live to a hundred, letting your son show filial piety to you for a long, long time.”

With one sentence, Qin Huaiyuan made the Old Dowager’s eyes redden again as she shrieked: “You unfilial son! You want to rebel!”

Qin Huaiyuan was sternly and clearly warning the Old Dowager to behave herself and live her own life, not to extend her hands into other branches’ affairs or meddle with the inner courtyard’s money and matters.

“Mother, I’ve said all I need to say. If Mother truly cannot stand us, we’ll have no choice but to move out.”

Qin Huaiyuan bowed again: “Just now His Majesty came to our residence with people. His Majesty is already suspicious of me. I’m already exhausted from walking on thin ice in court. I just want to come home and relax my tense nerves peacefully, without creating unnecessary trouble. Please understand, Mother.”

After speaking, Qin Huaiyuan took Sun Shi and left.

This left everyone stunned by the news that His Majesty had personally visited and sent people to search the house like confiscating property.

Second Master hadn’t been in the front earlier and hadn’t seen Li Qitian, so he was only learning this news now.

The Old Dowager was so frightened her whole body trembled, gripping Second Master’s hand tightly: “What your elder brother just said… that’s not right. Those people were clearly searching for your in-laws’ family. How could it be His Majesty bringing people to search our home?”

Second Master was also caught off guard by this news and stood up: “Mother, court affairs are truly tense now. I’ll go discuss countermeasures with Elder Brother first. Please rest well and absolutely don’t cry anymore.”

“Good, good, good, go quickly!” Compared to competing with her daughter-in-law, the Old Dowager cared more about her own life and repeatedly waved her hands, urging Second Master to leave.

Second Master left with Second Madam as well.

Reaching the corridor, they saw the servants all standing far away. Eighth Miss and Qin Huining stood far off under the corner eaves talking, not daring to approach.

Second Master quietly instructed Second Madam: “Watch Mother and don’t let her cause more trouble. This matter is unusual – I’m going to ask Elder Brother.”

Second Madam said quietly: “I wouldn’t dare. What if I say too much and Mother tells you to divorce me?”

Second Master rolled his eyes in exasperation and scolded: “Nonsense!” Then hurried away.

Second Madam inhaled the winter’s icy air and breathed on her hands a few times. Thinking of Sun Shi’s scolding of the Old Dowager earlier, she felt immensely satisfied.

She’d long been disgusted with the Old Dowager’s behavior. Sun Shi had practically voiced her every thought. It wasn’t just Sun Shi who felt sorry for Qin Yining – Second Madam had always remembered Qin Yining’s kindness. People aren’t plants or trees; there weren’t many who could be as ungrateful and shallow as the Old Dowager.

Second Madam stood outside for quite a while before returning to the room, only to find Second Madam Han serving by the Old Dowager’s side. She was happy to be free of the burden, so she didn’t approach but sat on the heated kang in the outer room, taking the teacup a maid handed her to warm her hands.

In the front courtyard study, Qin Huaiyuan, Second Master, Third Master, Qin Han, and Qin Yu gathered together, discussing Li Qitian’s earlier visit.

Qin Huaiyuan said quietly: “Son-in-law took the mansion troops to the Tatars to find Yining. His Majesty suspects son-in-law plans to collude with the Dragon Cavalry Army for treasonous purposes. He hurriedly went to the Prince’s mansion in disguise first but didn’t see our in-laws’ family, so he became suspicious of our residence and came looking.”

“I see.” Qin Han said, “I never thought brother-in-law would be so devoted.”

Qin Yu also said approvingly: “Yes, brother-in-law even defied imperial decrees multiple times for Fourth Sister.”

Second Master and Third Master weren’t as relaxed as the young men.

Second Master remained silent, calculating the current situation in his mind.

Third Master said worriedly: “His Majesty came searching our home but found no one – can he trust us? Elder Brother, if you say you weren’t involved, His Majesty definitely won’t believe it.”

Qin Huaiyuan smiled bitterly: “Yes, but His Majesty suspects me yet has no evidence to prove I hid our in-laws’ family. Moreover, even if His Majesty caught them, he wouldn’t do anything to them – at most he’d confine them in the palace as hostages.”

“Without leaving hostages, son-in-law can act freely outside. There’s nothing wrong with that.” Third Master said cheerfully: “Elder Brother needn’t worry. Son-in-law is very capable. Since he’s gone to find Yining, she’s probably safe. As for His Majesty’s suspicions, let him suspect. We have clear consciences and nothing to fear from shadows being crooked. We didn’t harbor them anyway, so let His Majesty think what he wants.”

Second Master thought for a moment: “That may be true, but I fear His Majesty will be suspicious of Elder Brother from now on and won’t value him anymore.”

Hearing this, Qin Huaiyuan couldn’t help laughing: “Don’t worry. Though His Majesty doesn’t completely trust me, he still needs to use me. Our residence is temporarily safe. But during this period, we should also think of escape routes.”

“Escape routes?” Second Master and Third Master said in unison.

Qin Huaiyuan sighed: “Yes. It’s better to be prepared than caught off guard. I’ve learned to be cautious now.”

Thinking of the assassins who had massacred their family in Great Yan, everyone’s hearts turned cold again, feeling uncomfortable all over. The atmosphere became oppressive once more.

Especially Qin Yu and Third Master, who had both lost their wives, and Third Master had also lost his legitimate son.

Everyone felt very depressed and sad.

Qin Huaiyuan sighed: “Born in chaotic times, we can only forge ahead with determination, make all preparations, then support each other moving forward. It’ll be fine. I’ll carefully observe the outside situation and control everything well. Don’t worry.”

“Good. I’ve always felt at ease with Elder Brother’s decisions.”

“Me too. Uncle has always chosen the most correct direction. We’re all at ease.”

Seeing his two brothers and two nephews trust him so much, Qin Huaiyuan couldn’t help showing his first smile of the day.

In his heart, he silently prayed for Yining’s current safety, hoping Pang Xiao would find her quickly. After finding her, even if they wandered the world and never returned, it would be better than becoming sacrifices of war.

Qin Yining, who was being worried about by her family, was not doing well at all at this moment.

The terrain of the uninhabited desert changed constantly – a position that was a hill one moment would become flat ground after sleeping. Moreover, while winter daytime temperatures weren’t too high, nights were extremely cold.

Though they had brought sufficient food and water, bouncing around in the desert like this, plus Qin Yining’s resolve to die ever since refusing Cao Yuqing’s suggestion to take her away and following the tribespeople into the desert, meant both her physical and mental endurance were nearly at their limits.

Especially after thinking everything through and understanding she might die, the taut string in Qin Yining seemed to suddenly snap. Her body weakened day by day, as if the deficiencies from previous injuries and blood loss were all triggered by this bout of cold.

Fortunately, because they were carrying supplies and the supplies were being consumed along the way, after Qin Yining fell ill, the tribespeople were all very worried and worked together to clear a cart for her.

Qin Yining was wrapped in a thick cotton coat, lying alone in the cart, sometimes awake and sometimes unconscious.

Lu Heng and Uncle A’erhan flanked the cart on both sides, using scarves to cover their mouths and noses, squinting against the sandstorms, both looking worriedly at Qin Yining.

“We don’t even know where we are now. If this continues, I’m afraid the Clan Leader won’t make it!”

After this experience of not abandoning each other, Uncle A’erhan privately called both Qin Yining and Lu Heng “Clan Leader.”

Lu Heng said: “There’s no other way now. We’ve already given her medicine, but the desert environment is too harsh and not conducive to her recovery.”

“Thank goodness for the cart,” Uncle A’erhan sighed.

Chagan Bala spat twice to get sand out of his mouth: “How about we turn back? Send the Clan Leader out of the desert first? The outside environment is much better than here.”

Lu Heng smiled bitterly: “You think I don’t want to? When we entered the desert, the pursuers were already very close. They followed our trail. Seeing us enter the desert, they didn’t dare follow. In this situation, they definitely won’t dare return to report to the Khan. They’ll certainly wait outside like sitting ducks.”

Uncle A’erhan nodded in agreement: “Yes, with the Clan Leader, it’s inconvenient for us to escape. They’re all elite cavalry. Even though our people have food and drink in the desert, the consumption is enormous. If we go out and face those guys who’ve been resting, we probably won’t get any advantage.”