“Your maternal family has suffered great misfortune, and I shouldn’t really be scolding you about it. But you must not forget your own position. Though you are a daughter of the Sun family, once you entered our Qin family’s doors, you became a Qin family woman. In everything you do, you should at least consider our Qin family’s circumstances. Don’t forget that your husband is the current Grand Preceptor!”

The Old Dowager had been holding back this anger for days!

Though someone of Sun Yuanming’s great talent had met such an end, which was truly lamentable and regrettable, what the Old Dowager worried about was their Qin family being implicated by Duke Dingguo’s household.

The Emperor had issued an edict, and regardless of whether this decree was reasonable or not, an imperial edict was an imperial edict. Though Sun Yuanming’s death to demonstrate his resolve was tragic and heroic, the crime of defying imperial orders was real.

On the day the incident occurred, when Qin Huaiyuan insisted on rushing to Duke Dingguo’s mansion, the Old Dowager had tried to stop him. But her son was grown up with his own ideas, and she couldn’t stop him.

She had originally thought that Qin Huaiyuan would just go take a look and be done with it. Who would have imagined that he would actually help out at the Sun family? Even when she sent people to say she had fallen ill and needed Qin Huaiyuan to return to attend to her, he only came back to take one look, and after confirming she was only pretending to be sick, lectured her about propriety before leaving again.

But whom was she doing all this for?

Her son wasn’t the type to forget his mother after marrying a wife, so perhaps Sun Shi had done or said something.

Today, she had finally caught Sun Shi returning to the mansion—how could she not vent her frustrations?

Sun Shi was already heartbroken, and now felt even more dizzy and confused. She wasn’t good at analyzing these major affairs to begin with, and now her mind was even more muddled. She didn’t carefully consider the deeper meaning in the Old Dowager’s words, but only felt that the Old Dowager was blaming her for staying too long at her maternal home.

Qin Yining could tell from Sun Shi’s expression that she was about to explode and tried to stop her, but couldn’t match Sun Shi’s quick tongue.

“The Old Dowager is being far too unreasonable! My maternal family has suffered such a tragedy, with both my parents fallen ill from grief, and Yuan Ming’s funeral arrangements aren’t even complete yet. How could I possibly abandon them? The Old Dowager should at least put herself in my shoes and not make such unreasonable demands!”

Sun Shi’s voice was somewhat hoarse, making her shrill cries sound even more desperate.

Hearing Sun Shi’s words, Qin Yining knew trouble was brewing and quickly explained: “Old Dowager, please calm your anger. Mother doesn’t mean it that way…”

The Old Dowager had already stood up angrily with a start and couldn’t hear what Qin Yining was saying anymore.

“You say I’m making unreasonable demands? Is this how a daughter-in-law speaks to her mother-in-law? I’ve been tolerant of you all these years, and you take me for a soft persimmon that’s easy to bully? You tell me to put myself in your shoes? I don’t have a legitimate eldest grandson who would die to demonstrate his resolve, so I really can’t relate!”

“You!” Sun Shi trembled with rage!

The greatest regret of her life was that she still hadn’t borne Qin Huaiyuan a son. How much scorn had she endured from her mother-in-law over the years?! And now she was using this matter to stab at her heart again!

Sun Shi’s tears fell like rolling pearls as she covered her chest and cried breathlessly.

“I know the Old Dowager can’t stand me, I…”

“You still want to go back to your maternal home?” Seeing Sun Shi cry, the Old Dowager felt both annoyed and vindicated, sneering: “Do you think Duke Dingguo’s mansion is still the same Duke Dingguo’s mansion as before! For the sake of you being my daughter-in-law, I’ll give you a word of advice. Though Yuan Ming made a heroic gesture, he still defied imperial orders. The Emperor is holding back for now, but your Duke’s mansion essentially has a sword hanging over its head. If you’re truly filial, you should think about your parents and brothers!”

“You’re not young anymore—you can’t be worse at handling affairs than your own daughter, can you? Look at how you’ve guided poor Hui Jie’er. If I had to look at your character, I should be grateful that my Yi Jie’er was switched away early and wasn’t led astray by you!”

Such cutting words made Sun Shi’s face turn deathly pale.

The Old Dowager could scold her, but she shouldn’t say such things in front of her daughter and the servants. How would she maintain dignity and establish rules in the future?!

Sun Shi felt her dignity had been trampled into the dust by the Old Dowager!

Qin Huining, who had been unable to eat or drink properly these past days due to her beloved’s death before her eyes, had already lost considerable weight and looked pale. Hearing the Old Dowager’s pointed criticism now, she felt humiliated, angry, and helpless all at once.

So this outsider who had taken another’s place had actually saved the Old Dowager’s real granddaughter?!

Qin Yining looked at the weeping Sun Shi, then at the Old Dowager glaring angrily, then at Qin Huining who kept her head down in silent endurance, and felt quite helpless for a moment.

Sun Shi’s mind wasn’t clear.

The Old Dowager was too calculating, extremely good at seeking advantage and avoiding harm.

And Qin Huining had become even more sensitive and jealous…

If she let these three continue stirring up trouble, something serious might happen.

So Qin Yining looked pleadingly at Nanny Qin beside the Old Dowager.

Nanny Qin immediately understood and nodded slightly, helping the Old Dowager calm down by stroking her chest and assisting her to sit down, playing the role of peacemaker: “Old Dowager, please calm your anger. The First Madam is straightforward and doesn’t have ill intentions. We’re all family here, and privately you still care about the First Madam’s household.”

Then she turned to Sun Shi: “First Madam, don’t blame the Old Dowager for speaking harshly. Words led to words, and the Old Dowager is worried about the household. You know how difficult things are for the Grand Preceptor at court now. Please don’t be sad. The Old Dowager is doing everything for this family’s good.”

She both soothed the Old Dowager’s anger and gave Sun Shi a graceful way out.

Anyone clever would follow the cue, offer an apology, and let the matter pass.

But Sun Shi quickly said: “I know the Old Dowager wants to distance herself from us now that our family has gotten into trouble! Where’s all that eagerness you showed when rushing to arrange marriages when our family was prominent?! Now that master has achieved success, you’ve forgotten who promoted him. When trouble comes, you want to shrink back—truly heartless ingrates that I despise!”

Sun Shi spoke the truth.

But even if it was truth, she shouldn’t say such things without regard for the occasion!

Could she still continue living in the Qin family after saying such words?

Qin Yining held her forehead and quickly pulled Sun Shi to kneel down: “Old Dowager, please calm your anger. My mother is confused from grief—she didn’t mean it.”

“Didn’t mean it?” The Old Dowager’s face was bright red, whether from embarrassment at being exposed or from anger.

“If it weren’t for the fact that you at least bore such a sensible daughter as Yi Jie’er, I would have had your father divorce you today!”

“If you don’t want your son to bear the reputation of being a fair-weather friend, then go ahead and divorce me! I’ve had enough of this kind of in-laws long ago!”

Sun Shi shook off Qin Yining’s hand and walked away.

Qin Yining quickly caught up and grabbed Sun Shi, while giving Qin Huining a meaningful look.

Qin Huining was at least more perceptive than Sun Shi. No matter how much she usually disagreed with Qin Yining, at crucial moments she should know who was family behind closed doors. After all, they were all from the main branch, and if Sun Shi made trouble, the entire main branch would lose face.

But Qin Yining had clearly overestimated Qin Huining’s intelligence and underestimated her selfishness.

“Old Dowager,” Qin Huining knelt down, her eyes that had been swollen from days of crying now misting over, “please calm your anger. Mother didn’t mean to say these things. Mother and Father have a very good relationship in private. Even if you don’t consider other things, at least for Father’s sake, please forgive this once.”

Though the words were meant to mediate, when applied to the Old Dowager, they were like pouring hot oil on fire!

The Old Dowager loved her son most and had a possessive desire toward him. This possessiveness was strongest regarding Qin Huaiyuan. Though she hoped her son and daughter-in-law would get along harmoniously and would get angry when her daughter-in-law did foolish things, psychologically she would secretly feel that if the daughter-in-law wasn’t good, her son would recognize who was truly closest to him.

Qin Huining had precisely grasped this psychology of the Old Dowager’s.

Sun Shi didn’t even love her anymore, so why should she still speak up for Sun Shi? There wasn’t a single good person in this household!

Sure enough, the Old Dowager exploded upon hearing these words, smashing the teapot and teacups while scolding: “I knew it was you, foolish woman, instigating Meng Ge’er behind the scenes, making him stay at the Duke’s mansion to help your maternal family! Don’t you see what time it is now? Your nephew is dead—do you want your husband to be implicated as well?!”

Sun Shi had just been held back by Qin Yining when she heard the Old Dowager’s words. Enraged, her face turned iron-gray, and just as she was about to shout back, she felt a pain in her chest. Her vision went black, her body went limp, and she collapsed.

“Mother! Mother!” Qin Yining caught the falling Sun Shi.

“Oh my, the First Madam has fainted!” Nanny Qin quickly called for help and ordered: “Quickly go fetch a doctor!”

The Old Dowager was stunned.

Was this some new trick she had learned? Was she really unconscious or faking it? Fainting at this moment—was she trying to frame her or what?!

Nanny Qin had already run out: “Quick, quick, quick! First carry the First Madam inside!”

The maids and servants rushed over in confusion to lift her.

“Don’t move her carelessly.” Qin Yining pushed away those who were acting blindly and said: “I’ve seen people who suddenly faint like this. Moving them afterwards makes it worse. Later, the doctor said it was due to heart problems, and when it flares up, you cannot move them carelessly. Quick, go call Bingtang!”

The last sentence was directed at the senior maid Ji Xiang.

When they had just returned to the mansion, both Bingtang and Song Lan had been sent by Qin Yining to prepare bathing and other matters first, so they weren’t with her.

Ji Xiang quickly nodded and rushed off.

Qin Yining anxiously pressed the tiger mouth pressure point and pinched the philtrum area.

Qin Huining also knelt beside Sun Shi now, tears streaming down her face: “Mother, don’t frighten your daughter! Please wake up!”

Qin Yining sneered coldly. Without avoiding the Old Dowager, Nanny Qin, or the servants and maids watching throughout the courtyard, she raised her hand and gave Qin Huining a slap.

This blow showed no mercy. Qin Huining, seeing stars from pain, fell to the ground. Turning her head to the side, she spat out a mouthful of blood that actually contained a tooth!

“Ah! My tooth! You!”

“Qin Huining, I’m telling you—if Mother is fine, so be it. But if something happens to Mother, I’ll chop you up first!”

“You dare!”

“Try me if you don’t believe it!”

Qin Yining’s gaze was too fierce, frightening Qin Huining into trembling. She didn’t dare meet her eyes again, and her confidence weakened.

“How can you blame me for this?”

“If not you, should I blame the Old Dowager? The Old Dowager has a loving mother’s heart and originally had no such intention, but you sowed discord and led her to say those things!” Qin Yining continued massaging Sun Shi’s cold, twitching hands and pinching her philtrum, saying anxiously: “I won’t argue with you now. If Mother is fine, I might spare your life. But if something really happens to Mother, wash your neck and wait!”