Qin Yining understood in her heart that such a major incident at Duke Dingguo’s mansion had caused irreparable harm to the womenfolk. Sometimes living on to bear all the pain wasn’t as easy as simply choosing death.

Her maternal grandmother, a mere woman, had lost everything overnight, yet still had to grit her teeth and steel herself to lead these rudderless women forward. The road ahead would be rocky and difficult to traverse.

Especially since their hearts harbored hatred.

Although Qin Huaiyuan had tacitly permitted her to help them and hadn’t taken advantage of their misfortune to elevate himself, he was ultimately the emperor’s favored minister and the Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor.

Not to mention distant matters—today alone, Qin Huaiyuan was being forced to take Cai Shi as a concubine. In the future, her own marriage might have inseparable ties to the imperial family.

The women of Duke Dingguo’s household despised the imperial family, while the Qin family inevitably had countless connections to the imperial house. Their paths diverged, and whatever her maternal grandmother said would be useless—the only option was to keep their distance.

Qin Yining felt neither anger nor disappointment, only sadness at this harsh world.

Seeing Qin Yining’s expression, the Duchess of Dingguo sighed softly and patted her shoulder comfortingly once more, ultimately not voicing additional words.

Sun Shi couldn’t control her emotions and covered her face, sobbing quietly.

In the past, her eldest and second sisters-in-law would have indulged their youngest sister-in-law and comforted her in such moments. Now, they themselves were nearly drowning in grief and had no energy to spare for others.

Qin Yining tugged at Sun Shi, signaling her to stop crying. Seeing that she indeed stopped sobbing aloud, she then said, “Grandmother mentioned you’ve arranged somewhere to go—where might that be? With such a large household, all of Duke Dingguo’s properties have been confiscated. You’re all womenfolk without any household guards for protection—where can you establish a home?”

Seeing Qin Yining’s sincere attitude without the slightest hint of resentment, the Duchess of Dingguo couldn’t help but smile with relief.

“If Miss Yi is concerned, you’re welcome to come and see for yourself. The place isn’t far from here.”

Qin Yining observed the Duchess’s expression, her mind racing.

A place not far from here that could accommodate so many women, where the Duchess could confidently settle with the household’s females…

Suddenly struck by inspiration, she asked in surprise, “Are you going to the Immortal Maiden Temple?!”

The Duchess was amazed she had guessed so quickly and nodded.

Qin Yining and Sun Shi, accompanied by Nanny Jin, Cai Ju, Song Lan, Bingtang, and Qiu Lu, stayed to help the Duchess’s household with arrangements. During this time, she also found a moment to instruct Song Lan to summon Manager Zhong and withdraw three thousand taels in ready-to-exchange hundred-tael banknotes to carry with her.

The women and servants filled six large carriages and arrived at the Immortal Maiden Temple in the afternoon.

A young Taoist nun had spotted them from afar and ran inside to report.

By the time the group reached the mountain gate, Immortal Liu had already emerged with several young nuns to greet them.

“Infinite Supreme Taiji Salvation Celestial Worthy! Old Madam, honored ladies, madams, and misses, are you all well? I heard you plan to seek refuge here. This humble Taoist has already ordered rooms prepared and arranged specifically for everyone’s settlement.”

Immortal Liu wore a gray-blue Taoist robe with a brand-new azure cloak draped over it. Whether she had gained more weight wasn’t certain, but she looked quite round and plump, her face wreathed in shrewd smiles.

“Thank you for taking us in, Immortal Liu.” The Duchess sighed and led the women through the mountain gate following Immortal Liu. “Your divine calculations proved accurate—everything you predicted came to pass.”

“Ah, this humble Taoist would have preferred to be wrong.” Immortal Liu also sighed, then noticed Bingtang nearby, who was blinking her bright, water-like eyes while looking at her, dressed cleanly and prettily. She couldn’t help but smile: “Oh my, it’s Jingzhen! Come here and let your master have a look.”

“Master.” Bingtang released Qin Yining’s arm and stepped forward with a smile to pay her respects.

Immortal Liu patted Bingtang’s head and said, “I see you’re living well now. Miss Qin truly is a righteous person.”

Qin Yining, supporting Sun Shi’s arm, smiled gracefully: “The Temple Master flatters me—I dare not accept such praise.”

Immortal Liu glanced at the group of women in white mourning attire behind them, then saw two old servants supporting a pale-faced young woman, followed by a pregnant woman with a visible belly holding a swaddled infant. She said, “The weather is cold—perhaps we should first let the ladies and madams settle in their rooms.”

“That would be good. Thank you, Immortal.” The Duchess smiled gratefully.

Immortal Liu summoned two disciples: “Take everyone to the side courtyard first.”

“Yes, Master.”

The two young nuns bowed respectfully and led the group to the western side courtyard.

Immortal Liu then guided the Duchess, Sun Shi, and Qin Yining’s group to her own quarters.

As they walked, Immortal Liu kept examining the pale-faced Sun Shi.

Just as they reached the courtyard gate, they heard a young man’s complaining voice: “Why did you take so long? The master has been waiting anxiously.”

Walking toward each other from opposite directions, both Qin Yining and Bingtang widened their eyes.

Before them stood a young man of seventeen or eighteen years, average height, with a tiger-like head and robust features, thick eyebrows and large eyes. His features were quite proper, dressed in a deep blue cotton robe with a woolen jacket over it and wearing a six-fold warm cap. He too looked at them in surprise, and the moment his gaze touched Bingtang, his originally fair complexion instantly flushed red.

It was the young man who had covered Bingtang’s mouth in the main hall that day!

If he was here, then the young man Immortal Liu called “Master” must also be present?!

Indeed, the bamboo curtain of the main room lifted, and a handsome young gentleman emerged wearing a brocade cloak with a gray fox fur collar. He was tall and lean, with long eyebrows and phoenix eyes, and a gentle temperament—exactly the young man Qin Yining had encountered before.

Qin Yining quickly lowered her eyes. Thinking of that day’s scene, she couldn’t help but blush with embarrassment.

Seeing her blush, Pang Xiao, though he had been deliberately softening his gaze and slightly hunching his back to alter his presence, couldn’t help but awkwardly look away.

Immortal Liu’s shrewd gaze moved back and forth between their faces, then grinned: “Quick, it’s cold outside—everyone come inside to talk. This humble Taoist’s place is cramped, but this room has a charcoal brazier lit. Since you’ve all met before and aren’t strangers, Master, please come in as well.”

Following the host’s lead, since Immortal Liu had spoken thus and the Duchess would need to settle the women here going forward, Qin Yining couldn’t very well object. She simply supported Sun Shi and the Duchess and followed them inside.

The room was indeed warm as spring.

Immortal Liu took the seat of honor and invited everyone to sit as they pleased.

The young master sat in the place of honor to Immortal Liu’s left, with the tiger-headed young servant standing behind him.

The Duchess and Sun Shi sat across from him, while Qin Yining stood behind her maternal grandmother as usual, temporarily dismissing Bingtang, Nanny Jin, and the others to the outer room.

Seeing Immortal Liu calmly drinking tea, and knowing her usual temperament, Qin Yining didn’t want to drag things out further. She bowed and said, “Coming here today, besides entrusting my maternal family’s women to the Temple Master’s care, there’s another matter I must trouble you with.”