In his official career, Qin Huaiyuan had encountered many people, but those whose thoughts aligned so perfectly with his own, who could understand his thinking without need for elaboration, were few – just like Qin Yining.

She was indeed his daughter – not only did she resemble him in appearance and conduct, she was also exceptionally intelligent.

Qin Huaiyuan was pleased in his heart and said with a gentle expression: “You do understand your father’s difficulties.”

Qin Yining said earnestly: “For father to have reached such high office under the Emperor, I’m afraid you must sleep with one eye open in vigilance. It’s truly mentally and physically exhausting. You are the head of our household – if you were to make any oversight, our family might end up like Duke Dingguo’s. Sometimes when I think of this, I worry about father’s hardships and pressures. It’s such a pity that as a daughter, I cannot share father’s burdens.”

Seeing her appear so mature despite her young age, Qin Huaiyuan found his daughter utterly endearing. The words she spoke were precisely what could touch his heart most deeply. In this household, not just the Old Madam, but even his two younger brothers only regarded him as a mountain that would never fall.

Sometimes, what men needed wasn’t for family members to help them much, but simply to understand their sacrifices and difficulties – that alone was enough to warm the heart.

Having discussed all that needed to be settled, Qin Huaiyuan said: “Go pay respects to your grandmother shortly. If grandmother asks anything, respond properly.”

Qin Yining understood that Qin Huaiyuan was worried she might argue with the Old Madam and offend the elderly lady.

“Yes, your daughter understands.”

Qin Huaiyuan nodded with satisfaction: “Then go back now, and comfort your mother well – she must be heartbroken.”

Qin Yining agreed and had just stood to bow when Qi Tai’s voice came from outside: “Master, someone has come from the palace saying the Emperor urgently summons you – you must enter the palace immediately!”

Qin Huaiyuan said calmly: “I understand.”

Qin Yining’s heart tightened: “Father, about the Zhaoyun Company matter…”

“Your father has his own judgment. You may go now.”

“The Emperor won’t punish you, will he?” Qin Yining was deeply worried. If what she possessed would harm her family, she would rather not have it.

Qin Huaiyuan tapped Qin Yining’s forehead: “You’re just a child – do child-like things. At such a young age, don’t worry so much. Go pay respects to your grandmother.”

This indulgent tone was something Qin Yining rarely received from her elders. Her small face immediately flushed red, her misty eyes curved into two crescents as she obediently bowed to Qin Huaiyuan and withdrew.

Qin Huaiyuan watched Qin Yining walk away before instructing Qi Tai to prepare the carriage and horses.

Qin Yining hurried back to the Garden of Filial Devotion. Before reaching the entrance, she saw from afar a young maid crouching on the steps. Upon seeing her approach, the girl quickly got up and scurried into the courtyard.

Finding this strange, Qin Yining slowed her pace, then continued forward. Just as she stepped onto the stairs, she saw Nanny Qin carrying a lamp and walking out quickly.

Qin Yining immediately understood and approached Nanny Qin, asking tactfully: “Nanny Qin, does the Old Madam have any instructions?”

Nanny Qin curtsied, and Qin Yining returned the courtesy.

When they moved aside, Nanny Qin lowered her voice: “The Old Madam is unwell. She just took medicine and is currently in a foul mood. Today’s news about Duke Dingguo’s family spread everywhere, and the Old Madam was worried. She advised the First Madam a few words, but the First Madam was perhaps in a bad mood and contradicted the Old Madam. In her anger, the Old Madam ordered the First Madam confined to the ancestral hall for reflection. Fourth Miss should be careful when you see the Old Madam shortly.”

Qin Yining was somewhat surprised.

She wasn’t surprised that Sun Shi had acted foolishly, but rather that the Old Madam was so opportunistic to such a degree.

The Old Madam’s dislike of Sun Shi hadn’t been just a day or two. Previously she had always endured it, but now she couldn’t tolerate it even for a single day.

“Thank you, Nanny Qin. I understand. Though mother is impulsive, her heart isn’t bad. Moreover, when encountering such matters, no one would remain calm. It’s natural that she might speak without thinking and offend the Old Madam. The Old Madam is wholeheartedly concerned for our entire Qin clan. Sigh! This is difficult for the Old Madam too.”

Nanny Qin understood the subtext and smiled: “That’s exactly how I consoled the Old Madam.”

“With Nanny Qin by the Old Madam’s side, you’re much more useful than us young girls. When we encounter problems, we just panic…”

These words pleased Nanny Qin greatly. As they entered together and passed through the main hall, she wore a smile throughout, her chin unconsciously raised.

Qin Yining also suppressed the sadness and panic in her heart, forcing a smile onto her face.

The elderly were superstitious and already feared the Qin family would be implicated by Duke Dingguo’s family. If she appeared mournful too, what could possibly be accomplished?

“Old Madam.” Upon entering, Qin Yining walked around the black lacquered carved screen depicting “joy climbing the brows” to reach the inner chamber, where she performed proper courtesies.

The Old Madam held a slender yellow brass tobacco pipe in her hand, puffing away. Seeing Qin Yining enter, she frowned and said sternly: “Why are you returning so late? Where did you go? Don’t learn from your mother – she still can’t distinguish between family and outsiders. Though your maternal family treated you well, giving you money and business, the blood flowing in your veins is Qin family blood, and you are a Qin family person!”

“Don’t think that inheriting your maternal family’s property makes you something special. To them previously, it was merely a drop in the bucket. You’re just a young girl with long hair but short sight – what do you know! Now you’re already so grateful, but aren’t you afraid of bringing disaster upon yourself and implicating our entire mansion!”

Such a barrage of mercenary economic philosophy made Qin Yining’s heart heavy with frustration.

Even if Zhaoyun Company was a drop in the bucket to the former Sun family, wasn’t it the same for the Qin family? Why hadn’t she seen the Old Madam willing to give it to her?

But Qin Yining knew this was the Old Madam’s nature. She was still her grandmother after all – she couldn’t very well kill her, could she?

“Old Madam’s teaching is correct. Your granddaughter returned early, but father called me to the outer courtyard study and spoke with me for a long time, which delayed me and prevented me from immediately paying respects to you.” Qin Yining obediently admitted fault.

So she had scolded the wrong person?!

The Old Madam had been full of pent-up anger, but encountering such a soft rebuff, she couldn’t help feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Where would Qin Yining wait for the old lady to back down? That would only invite resentment.

So she immediately provided a way out: “Making grandmother worry is all your granddaughter’s fault. Today not only did Duke Dingguo’s mansion have this incident, but Great Zhou’s diplomatic letter was posted all over the streets, and someone was killed by Uncle Cao in public. Outside is currently in chaos, so your granddaughter truly shouldn’t have returned late. But there was urgent business matters, so I went to see Manager Zhong to inquire about accounts before returning, which made me slightly late. Please forgive me, Old Madam.”

The Old Madam felt her dignity was preserved and her heart was considerably soothed. “Mm, good that you know your mistake. Stand up and speak.”

Unconsciously, she had forgotten all the scolding words she had initially intended to say.

Qin Yining smiled sweetly as she stood, taking a beauty’s hammer to massage the Old Madam’s legs, only asking about topics like whether the Old Madam’s evening meal had been fragrant. She showed no intention of pleading for Sun Shi.

Seeing this, the Old Madam felt even more satisfied.

Just then, the senior maid Ji Xiang rushed in from outside with a pale face: “Old Madam! Something terrible has happened outside!”

“What happened? Being so flustered – be careful not to startle the Old Madam!” Nanny Qin scolded.

Ji Xiang looked at Qin Yining, her eyes filled with complexity and pity, then knelt: “Old Madam, the Sun family men were just taken out and all beheaded! Including the five-year-old young master!”

The Old Madam was shocked, and the tobacco pipe dropped from her hands, scattered ash and embers spreading across the floor.

“What did you say? Wasn’t the execution supposed to be in three days!”

Ji Xiang said: “Just now Qi Tai from master’s side came to report that master was kept in the palace tonight by the Emperor to discuss important matters. The reason the Sun family was executed early was because… because Great Zhou, not having received Duke Dingguo’s heir’s brain matter, in their fury ordered the mass execution of twenty thousand of our Great Yan prisoners! The Emperor was enraged and couldn’t wait three days – he immediately ordered all Sun family men beheaded! Right now their corpses are thrown outside the Meridian Gate, covered in blood, for anyone to spit upon…”