Qin Yining, Old Madam, and Sun Shi were currently traveling in the palace’s oil-wall carriage toward the palace gates to change to their own carriage.
Qin Yining still covered her face sobbing, continuously murmuring: “I don’t want to marry a lecher. If they betroth me to this person, I’ll hang myself, jump in the river…” Though her voice wasn’t loud, the eunuch driving outside could certainly hear her clearly.
Old Madam remained silent like an old monk in meditation.
Sun Shi listened, wishing she could cover Qin Yining’s mouth. In her heart, she had already cursed this troublemaking dead girl ten thousand times. She had acted this way just now before the throne, and she was still carrying on even after leaving. Though she wanted to scold her a few words, being still in the palace with eunuchs following outside the carriage, she couldn’t act.
Only when they reached the palace gates and the three changed to their original vermillion-wheeled canopied carriage, driven by the Qin family’s loyal servants away from the palace grounds, did Qin Yining finally stop “crying.”
Sun Shi could no longer contain her temper, erupting in scolding: “You ignorant dead hoof! In the mansion you’re like the Monkey King—give you a stick and you could overturn the house! How is it that when outsiders say a few words to you, you dare cry before the throne? If His Majesty or the Empress blame us, who can bear the responsibility? Do you want to harm our family or what!”
Qin Yining hurriedly smiled and took Sun Shi’s arm to have her sit down, smiling: “Mother, don’t worry. Please hear your daughter’s explanation.”
“Explain what! You’ve already cried! If His Majesty wants to blame us, he’s probably already resentful now! What use is your explanation! I think your father shouldn’t have brought you back. The family originally had peaceful, calm days that you’ve stirred into complete chaos!”
Qin Yining still smiled, but the mirth in her eyes gradually faded.
Though she understood Sun Shi’s temperament and didn’t want to fuss about it, she was still occasionally hurt by Sun Shi’s careless words.
However, Sun Shi was her mother. If she didn’t protect her, should she watch her be scolded by her mother-in-law?
Qin Yining expanded her smile even more: “Mother, don’t be angry. Listen to me—I deliberately cried like that just now. I was originally the one being harassed by the lecher. If I didn’t take the opportunity to cry and make a fuss, I’m afraid His Majesty would have issued an immediate edict betrothing me to the Cao family.”
Sun Shi was startled, her anger immediately diminishing.
She was only angry that Qin Yining cried before the throne, but she also didn’t want Qin Yining to marry such a lecher.
Thinking carefully, she had also scolded her daughter unreasonably. Was it better for Qin Yining to not cry or make trouble and wait for the Emperor to arrange the marriage?
Sun Shi came to her senses, coughing awkwardly twice, earning a dissatisfied eye-roll from Old Madam.
Qin Yining continued explaining: “I’m not being picky about marriage arrangements, but right now I don’t know Father’s intentions. How could I foolishly agree to things carelessly?”
Qin Yining understood clearly in her heart—her marriage would certainly be a political alliance, and the alliance partner would certainly be someone beneficial to Qin Huaiyuan. When she originally agreed to return to the Qin family, she had already thought of this.
In this world, whose marriage wasn’t arranged by parents and matchmakers? Her father choosing marriage prospects from among those beneficial to his career path made no difference to her. After all, marrying anyone would be the same, wouldn’t it?
By now Sun Shi had completely come to her senses, never expecting that while she was only focused on nervous worry, Qin Yining had already thought so much!
No wonder Mother said Qin Yining saw things clearly and told her to consult Qin Yining’s opinions more. Thinking carefully, last time when she followed Qin Yining’s advice and took the initiative to humble herself before Old Madam, Qin Huaiyuan not only didn’t rebuke her but became harmonious with her. This time, having met the Emperor, Qin Yining could be so clear-headed in adapting to circumstances.
Sun Shi smiled with satisfaction, tapping Qin Yining’s forehead. But having scolded her too harshly just now, she felt somewhat guilty and regretful, yet as a mother felt it improper to apologize to her daughter.
“Yesterday your eldest uncle sent things to your maternal grandmother through someone, including two white fox pelts. Your maternal grandmother had them sent over, saying they’re for making fur collars when you make court robes. I’ll have Cai Ju send them to you later.”
Qin Yining knew that Sun Shi speaking this way was her way of yielding and showing goodwill. She didn’t fuss about Sun Shi’s earlier words, nor about the fox fur not being exclusively for her alone. She just smiled happily: “Thank you, Mother, and thank Maternal Grandmother too.”
Seeing Qin Yining smiling cheerfully as usual, Sun Shi’s heart felt pleased watching her.
Old Madam had seen the mother and daughter interact this way many times recently and was accustomed to it, only feeling even more tenderness toward Qin Yining in her heart.
She wanted to scold Sun Shi a few words, but seeing Qin Yining smiling and holding hands with Sun Shi while talking, with the atmosphere now so pleasant, Old Madam couldn’t open her mouth.
The carriage returned all the way to the Qin mansion. Just as it stopped before the mansion gates, several servants came forward.
Qi Tai, the senior attendant beside Qin Huaiyuan, bowed: “Old Madam, First Madam, Fourth Miss have returned! The Grand Tutor has been concerned about you and specially instructed this humble one to wait here. This humble one will go report to the Grand Tutor now.”
Old Madam, supported by Qin Yining and Sun Shi’s hands, alighted from the carriage, smiling: “Tell your master to come to Compassionate Filial Garden to talk. Say I have important matters to discuss with him.”
Qi Tai bowed in acknowledgment, served Old Madam, Sun Shi, and Qin Yining into small sedan chairs for transportation, then went to the outer courtyard study to report.
The group returned to Xinning Garden. They had just removed their cloaks, sat down, and had a sip of hot tea when Qin Huaiyuan hurried over.
Seeing Qin Huaiyuan enter, Qin Yining and Sun Shi quickly rose to bow.
Qin Huaiyuan waved his hand, carefully examining the three women’s expressions. Seeing nothing unusual, he relaxed slightly.
Qin Yining thought Old Madam would certainly want to discuss the palace events with Qin Huaiyuan, so she took Sun Shi’s arm: “Didn’t Mother say there were fox pelts for me? I’m also craving the pine nut osmanthus candy that Nanny Jin makes. Right now I’ll go with Mother to Xinning Garden. Later have someone send my food box over too—shall we eat lunch together?”
When Qin Yining asked “shall we,” her voice was soft and sweet, making it hard for anyone to refuse.
Sun Shi naturally loved having her daughter close to her, and also meant to make up for wrongly scolding her earlier. She immediately smiled and nodded, then bowed to Old Madam and Qin Huaiyuan: “We’ll take our leave first.”
Old Madam smiled and nodded.
Watching servants help Sun Shi and Qin Yining put on their cloaks and leave, Old Madam then became serious, saying to Qin Huaiyuan: “Today, thanks to Yining’s quick thinking, otherwise the consequences would have been unthinkable.”
Qin Huaiyuan sat beside Old Madam, frowning: “What happened?”
Old Madam then recounted today’s palace visit in detail—everyone’s expressions, what each person said—explaining everything to Qin Huaiyuan.
Finally she said: “If Yining hadn’t cried and made a scene on the spot, clamoring to become a nun and hang herself, I’m afraid His Majesty and the Empress would have arranged the marriage immediately. I can see the Cao family has ill intentions. Moreover, I always feel this matter isn’t finished. The Empress clearly resents our family and wants to use Yining as her target.”
Qin Huaiyuan said: “I understand this matter. His Majesty exclusively favors the Empress, so listening to her pillow talk does happen. But why would His Majesty behave this way…”
Qin Huaiyuan rubbed his fingers against the smooth table surface, pondering for a moment before understanding: “I’m afraid it’s still because I became the Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor.” But why would His Majesty suddenly act this way? Was it long premeditated, or a spur-of-the-moment decision?
“Oh?” Old Madam didn’t understand court matters well, so she asked: “What’s wrong with you becoming the Crown Prince’s teacher? Why would His Majesty act this way?”
Qin Huaiyuan understood these matters in his heart, but didn’t want to burden his mother with these troublesome affairs, lest Old Madam worry herself sick. So he just smiled lightly and brought Old Madam a bowl of tea.
“Mother, don’t worry about it. Your son has everything under control and can handle it all well. You just need to help your son manage the inner residence—that already makes your son endlessly grateful.”
Old Madam smiled: “You child, what need for such formal words within the family.” She was indeed distracted and began discussing preparations for the New Year with Qin Huaiyuan.
Qin Huaiyuan patiently accompanied Old Madam in planning how to celebrate the minor New Year festival and subsequent arrangements, even joining Old Madam for lunch.
After rinsing their mouths, Nanny Qin smiled as she entered, taking the warm towel from Qin Huaiyuan’s hands to wipe Old Madam’s hands, jokingly saying: “Old Madam is in such good spirits today—is it because the Grand Tutor serves you even better? Am I being outdone?”
While speaking, at an angle where Old Madam couldn’t see, Nanny Qin gave Qin Huaiyuan a meaningful look.
Qin Huaiyuan immediately understood there was business outside.
Old Madam laughed heartily: “Lu Juan, at your age, you’re still competing with Meng Ge’er.”
Qin Huaiyuan smiled: “Naturally I can’t compare with Nanny Qin. Nanny Qin serves Mother wholeheartedly and loyally for a lifetime. Even as her son, being busy outside, knowing Mother lives comfortably and contentedly at home gives me peace of mind.”
“This old servant doesn’t dare claim such credit—serving Old Madam is this old servant’s duty.” Nanny Qin turned to bow to Qin Huaiyuan, but quietly gestured to him, silently mouthing “The Crown Prince has come.”
Qin Huaiyuan nodded with unchanging smile: “Mother, rest a while this afternoon. Your son has matters to handle outside, so I’ll go now.”
“Go on, you’ve already spent so much time with me.” Her son was a powerful court official who certainly had many matters to handle. Being able to spare time to chat with an old woman about New Year arrangements and even eat lunch with her already satisfied her greatly.
Qin Huaiyuan respectfully bowed to Old Madam, then withdrew.
Leaving Compassionate Filial Garden, the senior attendant Qi Tai quickly approached, saying quietly: “Master, His Highness the Crown Prince has come, wearing plain clothes without attendants. This humble one could see His Highness came quietly by himself. This humble one didn’t dare make a fuss and arranged for him to have tea in the study.”
“Mm.” Qin Huaiyuan responded, thinking that perhaps the Crown Prince’s urgent visit could resolve his doubts.
Previously there had been no signs—he didn’t understand why the Emperor suddenly wanted to arrange his daughter’s marriage to someone from the Cao family. What benefit would binding the Qin and Cao families together bring to His Majesty?