Qin Yining straightened her back and said calmly: “Rest assured, I still have brothers from the Azure Sky Alliance under me. Protecting my Qin family members won’t be a problem.”

“But…”

“You just need to relay my words to the Prince. The Prince won’t blame you for this. From now on, your task is to protect Old Master Yao and Madam Yao.”

The ten men hesitated for a moment, then could only nod in agreement.

Qin Yining respectfully curtsied to Yao Shi: “Does Old Madam have any other instructions? If there’s nothing else, this daughter-in-law still remembers to go see our mansion’s Old Dowager.”

Yao Shi gritted her teeth. Qin Yining’s words made it sound as if she was being unreasonable and delaying her from seeing her elders!

Yao Shi snorted viciously and stormed off in anger.

Qin Yining slowly straightened up, rubbing her throbbing temples, and took Qian Yun, Qiu Lu, and Lian Xiaozhou to the Old Dowager’s room.

Bingtang had already examined the Old Dowager and revived her. The Old Dowager was gripping Second Madam’s hand and sobbing. All the women in the room were shedding tears, with Qin Huining crying most pitifully.

Though Qin Huining was an adopted daughter and Qin Huaiyuan had once sent her to live on the estate, there was still father-daughter affection between them. Now that he was gone, Qin Huining could only think of his kindness. She truly regretted not getting along well with her father.

Qin Yining’s eyes grew hot. She sat beside the Old Dowager and took her hand: “Old Dowager, you must take care of your health. Don’t be too sad.”

The Old Dowager closed her eyes and wailed with her mouth wide open: “My Meng Ge’er! My son! This is killing me! I’m already this old – what do I need to preserve my health for! If Heaven has eyes, take my life and give me back my son, give him back!”

Qin Yining closed her eyes as a string of hot tears flowed from her dry eye corners, stinging her eyeballs and eyelids so painfully she could barely open her eyes.

“Old Dowager, don’t be sad. Our family has weathered all kinds of storms – what obstacle can’t we overcome? Besides, what the Emperor relayed said ‘no bones remain.’ Perhaps Father was just captured? Maybe he’s not dead?”

Everyone looked at Qin Yining.

Qin Yining wiped her tears and said: “No matter what, we must be strong. We can’t let our loved ones grieve while our enemies rejoice, right?”

The Old Dowager gripped Qin Yining’s hand tightly, as if she wanted to break her wrist: “Your father might not be dead? He might still be alive?”

“It’s possible. As long as we don’t see a corpse for even one day, I won’t believe he’s gone just like that.” Though Qin Yining said this, only she knew this was merely to comfort the Old Dowager. The Old Dowager could be selfish in her actions sometimes, but her love for Father was genuine. She was afraid the Old Dowager couldn’t get through this ordeal…

Giving the old lady some hope and time to accept reality was better than losing her life.

Qin Yining extended her arms and embraced the Old Dowager, rocking her gently: “Old Dowager, don’t worry, don’t be afraid. Your granddaughter will be filial to you. Our whole family will be filial to you. Our family has experienced so many great storms – didn’t we get through them all in the end? Now let’s pack up first. I’ve prepared a residence outside. Let’s go back to our own home first.”

Hearing that Qin Yining suddenly wanted to move at this critical juncture, everyone was somewhat puzzled. But seeing Qin Yining’s haggard and thin appearance, and thinking that this was the prince’s mansion and the family had dealt with Yao Shi, they guessed there was something fishy going on and tactfully didn’t ask more questions.

Second Madam sniffled: “Yi Jie’er, you’re the one paying for this residence again. After our family was robbed, there simply isn’t enough silver in the public coffers to buy a residence in the capital. Second Aunt feels really bad about this.”

“Second Aunt, you’re being too formal saying such things. We’re family – there’s no need to calculate so much.” Qin Yining stood up and smiled comfortingly at everyone: “Everyone pack up. Let’s move over as soon as possible.” So we can set up the mourning hall.

Everyone put away their earlier grief and returned to their rooms to pack.

“Princess Consort, Shopkeeper Zhong has arrived.” Ji Yun ran over breathlessly to report.

Qin Yining nodded and took the maids to the front courtyard.

Shopkeeper Zhong wore a dark blue wide-sleeved outer robe and was quietly wiping away tears. Seeing Qin Yining, he quickly composed his expression and bowed: “Princess Consort, I’ve had the residence ready for a long time and arranged for people to watch the house. Are we moving now?”

“We’re moving now. Shopkeeper Zhong, thank you.” Qin Yining’s voice was even less clear than before, mostly just breath.

Hearing Qin Yining speak like this, Shopkeeper Zhong felt even worse and sighed heavily: “What kind of terrible thing is this!”

Qin Yining smiled bitterly and shook her head: “How many Azure Sky Alliance brothers are still in the city now? I’d like to ask some brothers to come help at the new home.”

Shopkeeper Zhong said: “The day before yesterday, upon receiving news that you were in the palace, Liao Zhibing took the Zhao family brothers and rushed north day and night. I’m not sure exactly how many brothers remain, but I know how to contact them. I’ll go find people to see you later.”

Qin Yining nodded: “Thank you for your trouble. At this critical moment, I’m actually quite flustered. I’m grateful to have you here.”

“Ah, don’t say such things. Which family wouldn’t be flustered with such a major incident? Princess Consort, you’ve already done very well. This old man’s entire family’s lives and property were saved thanks to your intervention. Just running errands and doing odd jobs for you – I still feel I can’t repay even one ten-thousandth of your kindness. Please don’t be so polite with me.”

Qin Yining’s eyes grew hot and her nose felt sour, almost bringing her to tears.

They say adversity reveals true character.

Some people, though they were her family, wouldn’t even provide a place for mourning at the critical moment, claiming it would bring bad luck.

Some people, though they were outsiders, treated her with complete sincerity, unafraid of inviting trouble and doing everything they could to help her.

While Qin Yining was talking with Shopkeeper Zhong, Second Master and Third Master had already taken the Qin family men to arrange hiring carriages for the move.

Though Ji Yun hadn’t explained the details when she came out to report earlier, just saying that Qin Yining had met with Yao Shi, they had already guessed what happened.

Though Second Master wasn’t as outstanding as Qin Huaiyuan, he had also worked in official circles for many years. Third Master was even better at business. Both had more than adequate intelligence. Even if Qin Yining didn’t complain to them, they could guess that Yao Shi and Yao Chenggu must have said something.

The Qin family wasn’t without anywhere to go – why would they need to stay here stubbornly?

None of them complained, and no one blamed Qin Yining for a single word. Upon learning the news, they quietly began ordering people to pack. Seeing that Qin Yining had even had Shopkeeper Zhong choose a place to settle, they felt no resentment toward Qin Yining at all.

Qin Huaiyuan was already gone. The remaining family members shouldn’t be suspicious of each other but should stick together even more.

With the prince’s mansion servants following orders, the Qin family’s belongings were packed quickly. Soon dozens of carriages were loaded outside the side gate. Shopkeeper Zhong had people lead the luggage carriages ahead while he stayed by Qin Yining’s side to receive instructions.

Everything arranged properly, before departure, Second Master said: “Yi Jie’er, you go attend to your grandmother and help them get in the carriages. Your Third Uncle and I will go bid farewell to Old Master Yao.”

Qin Yining opened her mouth, but before she could speak, Third Master already said: “We’ve been staying here for so long after all. Leaving without saying goodbye would be too impolite.”

Qin Yining thought about it and said: “Then I’ll go with you both.”

“No need. You go accompany your grandmother.”

Second Master and Third Master were determined not to let Qin Yining suffer more indignities. The two brothers, taking young servants with them, went to visit Chunhui Hall.

Yao Chenggu was drinking tea and eating pastries. Hearing a maid report that the two masters of the Qin family had come, he quickly patted the crumbs from his hands, ordered “show them in,” and went to the main hall of Chunhui Hall.

Soon, the two men came side by side and both bowed: “Old Master Yao, our family is about to move. Thank you for your care during this time.”

“Not at all, not at all. We’re all family – why speak of two households? If you ask me, there’s no need for you to move. Staying together would be livelier, wouldn’t it? The Emperor granted such a large residence. With you gone, leaving just us, wouldn’t it be too empty?”

Third Master was holding back anger. He’d never seen anyone so shameless, and immediately smiled with feigned delight: “Old Master Yao makes a good point! Second Brother, maybe we shouldn’t move after all.”

Yao Chenggu’s breath caught, and his smile became somewhat stiff.

Second Master said sternly with a straight face: “Nonsense. Everything is already prepared. Saying we won’t move now – wouldn’t that just create more trouble? Besides, our family needs to hold funeral rites. We shouldn’t make other families encounter taboos.”

“Other families?” Third Master looked completely puzzled. “This is Prince Zhongshun’s mansion. The ones in charge are either the Prince or the Princess Consort. Where is there anyone qualified to say it’s taboo?”

Yao Chenggu’s face had turned completely dark. He said with a grim expression: “What do you two mean by this?”

Second Master knocked Third Master’s forehead once: “I told you not to speak such blunt truths!”

He then cupped his hands toward Yao Chenggu and said politely: “Please sit for a moment. We’ll take our leave. Coming to bid you farewell today is one matter. Later we’ll also send word to the Prince to express our gratitude.”

Third Master also nodded and cupped his hands: “Then we’ll part here. If there are other matters in the future, corresponding with the Prince by letter will be the same.”

Second Master and Third Master nodded and left one after the other.

Yao Chenggu’s face was dark as water as he remained tense. Thinking of Pang Xiao’s fondness for Qin Yining, he felt that telling Pang Xiao about this matter would be problematic. But the Qin family had moved out for no good reason. If Pang Xiao asked about the cause, he wouldn’t know how to answer either.

Regardless of how anxious and conflicted Yao Chenggu felt, the Qin family still moved out of the prince’s mansion at this time and came to the front of a large two-courtyard residence in Ping’an Ward.

Servants had already set up a mourning hall in the main hall, and a coffin was prepared, though nothing was placed inside.

Qin Huaiyuan’s memorial tablet was placed on the offering table, with sacrificial items and an incense burner below.

Shopkeeper Zhong said: “Upon hearing the news, I had people prepare things. If the Princess Consort is not satisfied, just give instructions and we can change it.”