Second Master snapped out of his daze and hurriedly shook his head: “What is eldest brother saying? We are family. When we benefited from your favor before, I never even thanked you properly. There’s no need for eldest brother to apologize first at this time. Thunder, rain, and dew are all imperial grace. Whatever His Majesty wishes to do, how could we subjects influence it? From now on, eldest brother must not speak to me like this anymore, lest it create distance between us.”
“That’s right, eldest uncle,” Qin Yu also said. “His Majesty’s decree – we just need to comply with it. Our family experienced so much in Great Yan back then, and now that we can all be reunited together as a family, that’s already a blessing. Not being officials, not participating in court disputes – there’s nothing wrong with that.”
“I feel the same way,” Qin Han also joined in persuading. “Isn’t it better for our whole family to gather together peacefully and live our lives than anything else? Having experienced all those things before, I realize that all fame, fortune, and profit are like floating clouds. As long as our family is still alive and living together, that’s the greatest fortune. As for those other riches and honors – when they’re flourishing, they’re like fire cooking oil, but if someone wants to take them away, isn’t it just a matter of one night? We’ve long since seen through all this.”
The catastrophe the Qin family had experienced in Great Yan, losing so many relatives – anyone with even a bit of heart could never forget the pain from back then. Although there weren’t many who could be as philosophical as Qin Han, when he mentioned it, everyone felt the same way.
Upon hearing these words, Qin Huaiyuan couldn’t help but be moved. He suppressed his stinging nose and nodded.
“Ultimately, it’s because I acted inappropriately in court that I aroused His Majesty’s displeasure.”
Hearing this, the old dowager stopped crying and grabbed Qin Huaiyuan to ask: “Meng Ge’er, explain clearly to me – why did His Majesty dismiss you from office? What inappropriate thing did you do? You’re getting on in years, and he valued you before. You could have entered the cabinet as prime minister! How did he suddenly stop using you? Could it be…”
The old dowager looked at Qin Yining suspiciously: “How is it that as soon as Sister Yi came back, you were dismissed from office? Could it be Sister Yi’s problem?”
His brothers and nephews didn’t blame Qin Huaiyuan, but the old dowager, instead of being gratified by her children’s solidarity, stepped forward first to stir up trouble.
Pang Xiao was displeased watching this, especially since the old dowager was dragging Qin Yining into it.
However, before Pang Xiao could speak, Sun Shi had already stood up, taking Qin Yining’s hand and saying: “Those words make no sense. Sister Yi is a woman of the inner quarters, and she received His Majesty’s rewards. None of us women in this room have received as much honor as she has. How can the men’s affairs be blamed on her? The old dowager is used to being the head of the family, but she should also think about how to maintain harmony among her children. Instead, she says such words now, making people look down on her.”
Hearing this, the old dowager flew into a rage. Not caring who was present, she pointed at Sun Shi and cursed angrily: “You still have the face to speak! It’s all because of you, you stupid woman! My Meng Ge’er was so talented before – he was the ‘Wise Pan An’! Wherever he went, he was appreciated. When we first came to Great Zhou, how valued he was by His Majesty! It’s all because of you! All because of you! If not for you, you stupid woman, would Meng Ge’er have lost his career path!”
After this unreasonable scolding, the old dowager beat her chest and stamped her feet, crying loudly. She also observed everyone’s expressions through her tears. Seeing that Qin Huaiyuan had no intention of coming to comfort or console her, she cried even more pitifully.
“The son I worked so hard to cultivate has now lost his career path. I don’t want to live anymore! I don’t want to live!”
The old dowager’s crying and carrying on gave Qin Yining a headache, and her brows knitted together in a knot.
As an outsider, Pang Xiao ultimately couldn’t speak out to scold the mother of his respected father-in-law. Moreover, in this matter, Qin Huaiyuan had indeed been implicated because of him.
Li Qitian’s scheme had failed today, and he would certainly vent his anger on everyone. Not seeing Qin Huaiyuan leading people to impeach him in court, he must have already harbored resentment.
As for Ji Zeyu’s situation, who knew how Li Qitian would deal with him…
Thinking of this, Pang Xiao’s handsome face, which had been hiding his worry, almost couldn’t conceal his emotions.
Second Madam and Second Master went to persuade the old dowager.
Sun Shi took Qin Yining’s hand and said: “It’s too noisy, it’s bad for your health. Let’s go outside first.”
Hearing this made Qin Yining feel embarrassed. She couldn’t help but observe Qin Huaiyuan’s expression. Seeing that her father remained impassive, as if he didn’t care, she breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Qin Yining followed Sun Shi out of the main hall. The old dowager’s crying and wailing had extremely strong penetrating power – even standing at the courtyard gate, they could still hear it clearly.
Sun Shi spat softly: “When our family was wealthy and noble before, we never saw her being grateful. Now that your father has been dismissed from office, your second uncle and third uncle haven’t said anything yet, but she’s making a fuss first. Is this how a mother behaves!”
Qin Yining hugged Sun Shi’s arm consolingly: “Mother, just think these thoughts in your heart. Don’t say them in front of father, lest father feel sad.”
Sun Shi nodded and sighed: “Sister Yi, don’t take any of these trivial matters to heart. You’re carrying a child now, so just focus on taking care of your health. Look how much weight you’ve lost on this trip, and your complexion isn’t good either.”
This was after Pang Xiao had tried every way to nourish and supplement her along the journey. If not for this, seeing Qin Yining as she had been in the desert, Sun Shi didn’t know how heartbroken she would have cried.
The old dowager’s crying inside the room gradually weakened.
Pang Xiao lifted the warm curtain and came out first. Qin Huaiyuan, Second Master, Third Master, Qin Han, and Qin Yu all came out afterward. Second Madam and Second Master’s wife, Eighth Miss, Qin Huining, and other female family members stayed inside to persuade and comfort the old dowager.
Qin Huaiyuan then said: “Now that I’m already suspected by His Majesty, it won’t be easy to change this impression in the future. Rather than continuing to be timid and cautious, it’s better to live freely and be myself.”
Second Master also nodded. Anyone who thought about the scheming in today’s great court assembly could understand it. His Majesty had failed to bring down Pang Xiao, yet had to put on a generous face and reward Qin Yining. Holding back his anger, he naturally wanted to find ways to vent his fury, which was why he took it out on the Qin family men. They should be grateful that Li Qitian was still relatively clear-headed. If they had encountered someone like the former foolish ruler of Great Yan, he might have directly ordered their homes raided and families exterminated. They had actually escaped a disaster.
Second Master then said: “What are eldest brother’s plans for the future?”
Qin Huaiyuan sighed softly: “Actually, I’m already exhausted in both body and mind. I only have this one precious daughter, and in the future I just hope to hold my grandchildren. I don’t want to bother with other matters. Now His Majesty has already classified me as being in the same faction as my son-in-law. No matter what I do, His Majesty’s suspicions won’t change. Why should I continue to force myself? It’s better to live more freely.”
Speaking to this point, Qin Huaiyuan looked at Pang Xiao with a smile: “Zhixi, what do you think about your mother-in-law and me moving to live in your prince’s mansion?”
Hearing this, Pang Xiao’s eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly: “Excellent! Father-in-law, I couldn’t ask for more! The prince’s mansion is spacious, and having the family live together would be lively. Sister Yi would definitely be happy too, and it would be good for her health. This couldn’t be better!”