Qin Yining helped Ma Shi to her feet with both hands, saying through tears: “That’s my grandmother—how could I possibly not save her? Moreover, she was doing this for me from the beginning. Please rise quickly, don’t kneel anymore.”

Ma Shi sobbed while wiping her tears with her sleeve, then stood up and carefully studied Qin Yining’s expression. Seeing that she truly seemed to intend to help with the rescue, she felt slightly more at ease, then became somewhat embarrassed.

Qin Yining and Old Madam Zheng had a direct blood relationship as grandmother and granddaughter, while she was merely an outsider. She really had no standing to say those words just now, making it seem as if she doubted the Princess’s character.

Ma Shi was somewhat anxious and stammered an explanation: “Princess, please forgive me. Just now I was… I was too worried about Old Madam’s situation, so I spoke those words…”

“You were wholeheartedly concerned for my grandmother—how could I blame you for that?” Qin Yining gently interrupted her explanation, soothingly patting the back of her hand: “Don’t worry, I understand everything.”

Ma Shi raised her eyes to meet Qin Yining’s clear gaze that revealed wisdom and tolerance, and her agitated emotions miraculously calmed.

The Princess wasn’t that kind of person. She should trust her.

The group entered the front hall. Qin Yining brought Manager Zhong and Jingzhe, while Ma Shi kept only an elderly nanny by her side, sending everyone else to the courtyard. Only then did Ma Shi speak quietly: “Speaking of it, I could be considered distantly related to the Princess. My aunt is the distant cousin of your second uncle’s wife. However, my family has little contact with your second uncle’s wife’s natal family, so we’ve never had dealings.

“My married name is Fu. My husband was a scholar with some learning. Although our life as a couple was hard, it was sweet and happy. But the local bully took a fancy to me and came to our home to cause trouble repeatedly. My husband couldn’t stand it and argued with the bully, only to be… beaten to death.”

Recalling the sad past, Ma Shi began crying with choking sobs, weeping as she continued: “I went to the yamen to file a complaint, but that bully’s family knew many powerful people. After bribing them with silver, the local county magistrate ignored the matter. In court, they even wanted to judge me as an unchaste woman who had seduced the bully.

“It was Old Madam Zheng who stepped forward to settle the matter and saved me. Old Madam Zheng has a chivalrous heart—besides me, she saved many others with similar experiences. We were all left with broken families and nowhere to go, so Old Madam Zheng arranged for us to work in her enterprises to make a living.

“Old Madam has shown me the grace of giving me a second life. Now that she’s in trouble, I truly feel anguish in my heart, wishing I could repay her kindness with my life. Unfortunately, I’m just a useless woman and truly can’t be of much help. When I saw the Princess just now and knew of your capabilities, it was like seeing a lifeline. In my urgency, I acted as I did. If there was any offense, please don’t take it amiss, Princess.”

Qin Yining smiled and squeezed Ma Shi’s hand: “How could I take offense? You’re a woman of loyalty and righteousness. That you can support this enterprise and that my grandmother would place you in such an important position proves you’re far more excellent than you think. So Manager Ma truly need not belittle yourself.”

Hearing Qin Yining’s words, Ma Shi felt like she’d drunk a bowl of iced sour plum soup on a hot summer day—comfortable throughout her entire body. To think that such a noble person as the Princess would actually deign to listen so patiently to her old stories made her heart move with emotion, feeling that Old Madam Zheng’s granddaughter was indeed like Old Madam Zheng herself—both generous and outstanding women.

Meanwhile, Qin Yining’s mind had already turned several corners.

That Ma Shi could be placed in this position by grandmother showed she was trustworthy, and her loyalty to grandmother was beyond question. Combined with her earlier behavior, Qin Yining no longer remained guarded against Ma Shi.

Qin Yining instructed Manager Zhong: “Please have someone investigate thoroughly to see how my grandmother is doing now and whether she’s alive or dead. Also look into that High Commissioner Gao’s background—what family he has and what his usual character is like.”

Manager Zhong nodded: “I’ll arrange this immediately.”

Qin Yining instructed him: “Though investigating matters is important, your own safety must come first. Once you’ve learned what you can, return to our home. I’ll also return home shortly.”

“Yes, Princess, rest assured. I’ll take people and go in disguise.” Manager Zhong felt warm in his heart and after bowing, quickly went out.

Qin Yining turned to meet Ma Shi’s puzzled gaze and smiled in explanation: “To solve problems, you must first understand the details thoroughly.”

Ma Shi nodded in understanding, saying with some admiration: “The Princess is indeed knowledgeable and thinks things through thoroughly. I was completely panicked just now and had no idea what to do.”

“Who wouldn’t panic when encountering such matters? It’s only human nature.” After consoling Ma Shi a few times, Qin Yining rose to take her leave.

Ma Shi knew that such a noble person must have many other matters to attend to. Though having Qin Yining there made her feel much more settled in her heart—as if she had a backbone for everything—she couldn’t very well ask her to stay at this moment. She escorted them to the door.

“If there’s any news, please be sure to send someone to tell me.”

“Don’t worry, I will.”

The two women parted, and Qin Yining left with Jingzhe. After confirming they weren’t being followed, they returned to the old residence.

In the past when going out on business, though Qin Yining pursued efficiency, she wouldn’t be in such a hurry to return home. But now it was different—there were two precious little treasures at home that tugged at her heartstrings. Unless absolutely necessary, Qin Yining didn’t want the two children to leave her side for even a moment.

Secretly returning to the manor, she went to her room and before even changing clothes, first went to see how the two children were doing.

Bingtang and Ji Yun were with the wet nurses. Seeing Qin Yining return, they came forward to pay respects and inquire: “Princess, did things go smoothly?”

“Not very smoothly—we still need to see how things develop.” Qin Yining removed her cloak and rubbed her hands together, not daring to get too close to the children for fear of bringing the outside chill to them. Children were weak, and it would be bad if they caught cold.

“How are the children?”

“Princess, rest assured. Both young masters fell asleep not long after eating their fill. They’re very well-behaved—no crying or fussing.” Seeing that Qin Yining’s hands were red from cold, Bingtang said: “Let this servant help you change clothes first. You’re still nursing—binding your chest for so long must be uncomfortable.”

“Yes, it’s quite painful and swollen.”

Qin Yining went to the inner chamber and changed out of the men’s clothing, putting on her usual honey-colored brocade jacket for home wear, with a white rabbit fur vest over it and a cotton skirt below.

Taking the ginger tea Bingtang handed her, Qin Yining sipped it. The slight spiciness of ginger and sweetness of brown sugar mixed perfectly, the warm current flowing from her throat straight down to her stomach, making her entire body feel warm.

Qin Yining sighed comfortably: “It’s still best at home. I’ve probably grown accustomed to northern weather—even snowy days don’t feel difficult to endure. Returning to the south suddenly, I can’t stand this kind of damp cold instead.”

Bingtang chuckled: “The Princess has married a chicken and followed the chicken—marrying the Prince, this northern man, you’ve become a northerner.”

Qin Yining raised an eyebrow: “Little minx, when did you learn to have such a sharp tongue? Huzi is also a northern man—in the future we’ll all become northerners together.”

“Princess! Have you no shame!” Bingtang stamped her foot.

Seeing Bingtang’s cheeks flush, and knowing her feelings for Huzi had always been good, Qin Yining sighed softly: “With the current unstable situation and the Prince having taken Huzi away, your marriage has been delayed.”

“It’s not as if I’m eager to marry him—why is the Princess saying such things?” Bingtang blushed bright red, keeping her head down without looking at Qin Yining.

Thinking of the Duke Dingguo’s wife whose life and death were uncertain, Qin Yining sighed heavily with worry.

“What’s wrong, Princess? Are things outside not going smoothly?”

Qin Yining felt troubled with no one to consult, and since Bingtang was someone she trusted, she told her everything she had seen and heard at the Zheng Family Cloth Shop.

Bingtang listened with furrowed brows: “Such a thing could happen! With the Duke Dingguo’s wife gone like this, who knows what will happen to her!”