Ji Yun felt stifled, but since the Princess Consort had given orders, she could only nod – she couldn’t take it upon herself to ruin the Princess Consort’s affairs.
Thinking of this, Ji Yun could only nod her head and said with heartache: “It’s just that this way, the Princess Consort is too wronged. You’ve suffered so much for the Prince’s sake, and people outside still gossip about you and speak ill of you. Coming home, you can’t find peace either and still have to be slandered. How long must you endure this? You’ve done so much for the Prince, yet he doesn’t even know. And who knows if the Prince might side with his mother and misunderstand you.”
The more Ji Yun thought about it, the more conflicted she felt. The more she analyzed, the more wronged she felt for Qin Yining, and tears nearly fell.
Qin Yining smiled and said: “There’s nothing to feel wronged about. Perhaps when I don’t know about it, he’s also suffering a lot but doesn’t want to tell me. Besides, even if the Prince sides with the Old Madam, there’s nothing wrong with that – she is, after all, his mother.”
“Sigh!” Ji Yun felt helpless and heaved a heavy sigh. But she understood in her heart that she shouldn’t continue speaking further. Since the Princess Consort could think it through, she could only comfort her and not sow discord – if she really stirred up trouble between the Princess Consort and the Prince, wouldn’t that be a sin?
When Qin Yining returned to the guest quarters, she had already adjusted her mindset and showed no signs of anything amiss.
The maids guarding outside immediately came forward to pay respects upon seeing Qin Yining, joyfully welcoming her in.
Upon entering the main hall, she was greeted by warm air mixed with the aroma of food. Qin Yining removed her cloak, walked around the screen into the room, and saw the old matriarch seated in the place of honor, with Eighth Miss and Qin Huining standing on either side. Qin Huaiyuan sat beside the old matriarch, while the Second Madam and Second Master, and Third Master were seated in order. Behind them stood Elder Cousin Qin Yu, Second Cousin Qin Han, Second Cousin’s wife Meng Shi, Fifth Cousin Qin Xian, Tenth Cousin Qin Rong, Eleventh Cousin Qin Zong, and nephew Qin Yuzhen.
Upon seeing Qin Yining enter, Nanny Qin hurriedly came forward with a smile.
“Oh my dear young mistress, this old servant has missed you terribly!” Nanny Qin excitedly curtsied to Qin Yining.
How could Qin Yining accept Nanny Qin’s courtesy? After all, she had served the old matriarch for a lifetime. Qin Yining quickly stepped aside and returned half the courtesy.
“How has Nanny Qin been?”
“Well, well.”
As she spoke, she personally laid out a thick cushion on the floor for Qin Yining.
Qin Yining knelt down and properly paid respects to the old matriarch.
“Granddaughter pays respects to the Old Matriarch.”
Though the old matriarch didn’t like Qin Yining, after not seeing her for so long, she still missed her somewhat. Moreover, she had fallen ill twice this year and her health was much worse than before. With Qin Huaiyuan often speaking in her ear about various matters, her thoughts were gradually being influenced.
So upon seeing Qin Yining, she wasn’t as confrontational as before, but smiled and nodded repeatedly: “Get up quickly, get up quickly. Come here, come to grandmother.”
Qin Yining was somewhat surprised by the old matriarch’s attitude, but seeing Qin Huaiyuan’s smile, she understood. She smiled and paid respects to Second Master, Second Madam, and Third Master before going to the old matriarch’s side.
The old matriarch held Qin Yining’s hand and had her sit beside her.
“Good child, you’ve suffered during this year away.”
“I’m ashamed to have troubled the Old Matriarch’s thoughts.”
“Ah, I’ve heard everything from your father. Our family’s old residence – you bought it back and renovated it, didn’t you?”
Qin Yining smiled and nodded: “Yes, it is, after all, our home. Inside, everything has been completely renovated, but the layout and furnishings remain unchanged – it’s still the same as before. When I returned this time, I stayed in Xueli Courtyard. The other courtyards all have proper people watching over them.”
“Good, good, very good.” The old matriarch was flooded with countless memories upon thinking of that residence.
From when she married into the Qin household, when the elders were still alive, all her memories – good and bad – were entwined with that residence.
Originally, when the country fell and the family was ruined, they had sold their possessions, and that residence, which had been mostly burned in a fire, was sold at a low price. The money had long been spent. She never expected that one day the old residence would return to the Qin family name.
This way, even if she closed her eyes one day and went to meet the elders and her husband below, she would have something to account for.
The old matriarch smiled, but tears had already gathered in her eyes.
Second Madam quickly comforted: “You’ve been thinking of your granddaughter every day. Now that she’s back, you should be happy. Why are you about to cry again? The family is reunited – this is a joyous occasion.”
Everyone hurried to persuade her.
The old matriarch wiped her tears and nodded repeatedly: “Yes, it’s a good thing, a joyous occasion. Your second uncle has now obtained a position, your cousins and younger cousins are all studying, and Eighth Sister and Miss Huining have also arranged their marriages. They’ll marry next year. Our family’s days are gradually improving, everything is stable. Even if I close my eyes someday, I’ll be worthy of our ancestors.”
“The Old Matriarch mustn’t speak this way. You’re a person of great fortune – our family’s blessings are all yet to come.”
Everyone chattered to comfort the old matriarch until she laughed. Only then did Qin Yining smile and ask: “Which families are Eighth Cousin and Miss Huining marrying into? Have you examined them carefully?”
“They’re already decided.” Third Master smiled: “The other party is a scholarly farming family. He’s the second son in the family, also born of a concubine. I’ve looked into it – the young man has a good temperament and matches well with our Eighth Girl. Plus with the relationship we have through elder brother and the Prince, I believe Eighth Girl won’t suffer after marriage.”
Eighth Miss was Third Master’s concubine-born daughter.
Qin Huaiyuan said: “The family I chose for Hui Jie’er is also a scholarly farming family. The other party is the fourth son in his family. His ancestors had considerable property, and he’s a legitimate son. He was previously engaged, but the originally betrothed girl fell ill and died, so the young man’s marriage was delayed. After I examined the situation, I felt it was very good – they’re an honest family – so we settled on it.”
Qin Yining nodded and smiled: “If father and third uncle think they’re good, then they must be. When our family’s girls marry out, first and foremost they cannot be bullied.”
Both Eighth Miss and Qin Huining’s faces flushed. Perhaps with the mindset of girls about to be married, both had put aside their previous petty thoughts and were focused on preparing for marriage.
Eighth Miss was truly satisfied.
Though Qin Huining sometimes wondered what would have happened if Qin Yining hadn’t returned and she was still Qin Huaiyuan’s legitimate daughter, now that she had to depend on the Qin family and even on Qin Yining’s status as Princess Consort, she could only keep such thoughts to herself. Since Qin Yining could become a Princess Consort, she only hoped she could also become a wealthy lady, live her own life, and in the future keep to their own affairs – that would be enough.
The old matriarch smiled and said: “The meal has been ready for a while. Everyone, please take your seats quickly, or the dishes will get cold.”
The whole family smiled in agreement and seated themselves around three eight-immortals tables according to their status.
Qin Huaiyuan held up his wine cup and was about to speak when a young servant hurried in from outside.
“Master, someone has come from the palace, saying they have an imperial edict to deliver.”