Pang Xiao took Qin Yining’s hand and lowered his head to devoutly kiss her fingertips. “I’ll listen to everything you say. Yi Jie’er, actually I’m not afraid whether anyone sponsors me or not. It’s truly not easy to support a hundred thousand Pingnan Army troops, but I can always find a way. You don’t need to feel wronged for the sake of money.

“I was previously unable to refuse such generous hospitality and arranged for her to stay in the guest courtyard in front of everyone, treating her merely as a guest, while I stayed in the military camp the whole time. But her conduct is too improper – to actually do such a thing, there’s no place for her in our household anymore.”

Qin Yining’s heart warmed, and she seriously considered the current situation. “This matter isn’t actually that difficult. After all, it’s a matter between women. A father who can send away his daughter in exchange for advancement, would he really care about his daughter’s life or death? Would he refuse to cooperate just because his daughter suffered some grievances?”

Pang Xiao heard the jealous undertones and murderous intent in Qin Yining’s words. For some inexplicable reason, his heart filled with an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

It truly was as he had just told Yao Shi – even if Qin Yining was jealous, he liked it. If she was like all other women, neither fighting nor competing, showing no reaction even when seeing other women being attentive to him, then he would worry whether he had already lost Qin Yining’s affection.

“Don’t be angry. I’ll send her home later.”

Qin Yining shook her head. “If you send her back, the nature of the matter changes. Then it won’t be a matter between women anymore. Don’t interfere in backyard affairs.”

Pang Xiao thought for a moment and understood Qin Yining’s meaning, nodding. “Alright, I’ll do as you say in everything.”

Qin Yining deliberately teased him. “Everything I say? Even if I mess up your source of income, you’ll still listen to me?”

“Didn’t I already say I’ll find a way to handle this matter? Don’t let yourself suffer grievances for such reasons.”

How wonderful.

Qin Yining leaned against Pang Xiao’s shoulder. After quite a while, she said, “There’s nothing much happening at the mansion. I’ll go home to visit.”

“I’ll go together.”

Pang Xiao was about to instruct the people outside to prepare the carriage and horses.

But Qin Yining stopped him. “It’s just one street away – not worth the trouble. Let’s just walk over.”

Pang Xiao nodded. “That’s good too.”

The two made brief preparations, then took their people and left.

Returning to the Qin household, Qin Yining dismissed all the servants, keeping only family members to talk, and shared the news that Qin Huaiyuan was still alive.

Old Dowager’s eyes widened like copper bells, and she leaned forward excitedly. “Are you certain of what you’re saying!”

Qin Yining said, “When I received the letter, it was already the day before I was to depart. I was also worried that if the news leaked it would be dangerous, so I destroyed the letter. But I can confirm that it was indeed my father’s handwriting, and the person rescuing my father is someone I met in the desert, so there should be no mistake.”

Sun Shi was so excited that tears streamed down her face. “Really? Really!”

She no longer knew what she was saying, unconsciously repeating this phrase over and over.

Old Dowager was even more overjoyed, grasping the hands of Nanny Qin and Second Madam as the three of them cried together.

Second Master and Third Master were so delighted they could barely contain their urge to shout.

The whole family was as happy as if it were New Year.

Qin Yining’s gaze fell on Eighth Miss and Qin Huining, noticing that although they were cheerful, their joy was limited. Thinking about it, she understood.

After Qin Huaiyuan’s incident, no one even came to offer condolences to the household, let alone dare to become in-laws. The two marriages that Eighth Miss and Qin Huining had mentioned were originally settled, but in the end all came to nothing.

Both Eighth Miss and Qin Huining were not young anymore – they were already of marriageable age. Someone like herself already had children, yet Eighth Miss and Qin Huining had essentially had their engagements broken off. It would be strange if they could be happy.

Qin Yining couldn’t say much about this – she could only discuss it privately with the elders later.

When the whole family had finally calmed down, Qin Yining said, “Everyone knowing is enough. Don’t go spreading it outside. If people find out, not only will there be more troubles, but it might also bring disaster to Father.”

“We all understand,” Second Master and Third Master said in unison.

Old Dowager asked, “When can your father return? Is he in the desert now? Will he suffer hardships?”

Qin Yining said, “My father went to seek refuge, so naturally he can’t return in the short term. However, that place is an oasis in the desert, and my people are all there. Although life can’t compare to being at the mansion, he probably won’t suffer much.”

When Old Dowager heard that he couldn’t return, she disappointedly pursed her lips. Her wrinkled face actually showed a grieved expression, just like a bullied child.

Seeing Old Dowager like this, Qin Yining couldn’t describe what she felt in her heart.

After all, Old Dowager was already old. There were many things Qin Yining didn’t want to remember or hold grudges about anymore.

The family talked for a while longer, then happily dispersed.

Pang Xiao talked with Second Master and Third Master in the outer courtyard, while Qin Yining linked arms with Sun Shi to escort her back to her room.

After Sun Shi’s joy, her pent-up emotions had dissipated and her mood had improved considerably, though she was feeling somewhat low now.

“Yi Jie’er, I think your father probably won’t be able to return for three to five years.”

“Why does Mother say that?”

“If His Majesty knew your father was still alive, he might say we’ve deceived the throne. Your father is very shrewd – he won’t rashly return and leave himself open to criticism.”

Qin Yining smiled and took Sun Shi’s arm. “Is Mother missing Father?”

Sun Shi’s face grew warm from the teasing. “You naughty girl, you just know how to talk nonsense.”

After walking forward a distance, Sun Shi continued, “Missing him is certain. But no amount of longing is more important than your father’s life. As long as he’s alive, even if he’s not at home, it’s no big deal.”

She let out a long breath, and Sun Shi’s face showed the first brilliant smile in days. “Having experienced this incident, I’ve also come to understand. Nothing is more important than a person being alive and well.”

“Yes. Nothing is greater than life and death,” Qin Yining also sighed.

Sun Shi stopped walking and grasped Qin Yining’s hands, looking her up and down with eyes full of tender concern. “When I heard your father had met with trouble, my mind was already muddled. I was dazed all day, and even after returning home, I didn’t take proper care of you.”

Speaking of this, Sun Shi felt deeply ashamed. “You’ve suffered. How did you become so thin?”

Bingtang, Ji Yun and the others following behind Qin Yining were all speechless for a moment. Only thinking to show concern for her daughter after all this time had passed – wasn’t it too late?

But Qin Yining didn’t take it to heart, smiling, “Mother, don’t mind it. What’s past is past. I’ll come home more often to eat meals in the future, and all that weight will quickly return.”

Sun Shi nodded happily. “You’re right.”

Qin Yining escorted Sun Shi back to her room and didn’t rush to return to the mansion, staying to chat with Sun Shi for a while longer.

At the same time, in a two-courtyard residence in the western part of the city, Qiu Feishan stroked her prominently protruding belly, her hands trembling slightly as she received a letter that Bi Ying handed to her.

“Madam, don’t be anxious. Your pregnancy is getting more advanced – you must be more careful.”

Qiu Feishan shook her head and unfolded the letter. At first glance of the contents, she was so shocked her face turned pale, and her hand loosened, letting the letter flutter to the ground.

The letter’s contents were simple – it was clearly a threatening letter.