“If sacrificing just the two of our lives could quell this turmoil and bring peace to the realm, that would be acceptable. But what His Majesty wants is not merely our two lives.

“Given His Majesty’s temperament, he will surely exterminate everyone completely, preferring to wrongly kill a thousand rather than let one escape. Neither the prince nor I are alone—we have family, friends, and those who follow us, and those people have their own families.

“Now that we hold these positions, frankly speaking, we’re already riding a tiger and cannot dismount. The two of us can go to our deaths, but what about everyone else? We don’t have the right to demand that all people generously die for the sake of peace under Heaven. No one was raised for just eighteen months—why should they sacrifice themselves for the majority?

“Moreover, in my view, His Majesty’s actions hardly make him a wise ruler. He’s wildly ambitious, recklessly waging wars, and has done countless things that burden the people and drain the treasury. Furthermore, he’s suspicious of meritorious officials and persecutes them—his behavior is utterly disgraceful. I don’t believe such a narrow-minded and suspicious emperor can properly guard this realm. If we let him continue his chaos, and Tianji Zi stirs things up again, within ten years Great Zhou will surely descend into great turmoil once more.”

Qin Huaiyuan never expected that Qin Yining would speak such words at this moment. It was only because there were just the two of them, father and daughter, here—if this spread and Li Qitian learned of it, it would be enough to execute Qin Yining several times over.

However, now that Qin Yining had such thoughts, Qin Huaiyuan wasn’t particularly surprised.

“Have you already decided?” Qin Huaiyuan asked.

Qin Yining smiled, “Since we cannot retreat into seclusion, this seems to be the only path left.”

“You must know that if you choose this path, the suffering you’ll face will be beyond your imagination. Perhaps it will be even more difficult than before.”

“But it seems the prince and I no longer have any other choice.”

Both father and daughter fell silent.

After a long while, Qin Huaiyuan finally said, “Many times it’s not about what we want to do, but what we can still do. Your father knows that both you and Zhixi are sensible people. If you decide, your father will also support you. Just take good care of yourselves, and remember that your own safety must always be the priority—never act impulsively.”

“Yes, your daughter will remember.” Qin Yining smiled. Many words swirled in her heart, such as instructing Qin Huaiyuan to take good care of himself, and that if she and Pang Xiao truly met with misfortune in the future, the children would have to be entrusted to him.

But after a moment’s contemplation, she ultimately didn’t voice these heart-wrenching words.

Given her father’s intelligence, even without saying certain things, he understood them in his heart. Since he understood, why speak more and make both their hearts heavy?

Qin Yining then changed the subject, “I was just wondering, Father, how come I haven’t seen Aunt Cao today?”

She had thought this would be a lighter topic, at least one that could distract Qin Huaiyuan. Who would have expected that upon hearing this, Qin Huaiyuan’s steps halted, and his face showed a somewhat strange stiffness.

“It’s nothing, she probably went out on some business,” Qin Huaiyuan said evasively. “Won’t you go see Zhao Ge’er and Han Ge’er?”

They had been chatting perfectly well, so why was Qin Huaiyuan so eager to send her away the moment Cao Yuqing was mentioned?

Qin Yining was certain there must be some intrigue here, but since she was a daughter and not a son, it wasn’t appropriate to probe further. She went along with Qin Huaiyuan’s wishes and said, “I was just thinking of going to see my mother. I’ll spend time with the children afterward.”

“That’s good. I’ll go discuss this relocation matter with your second and third uncles.”

Qin Yining paid her respects to her father, then went to Xingning Garden to see Sun Shi.

Sun Shi wore a peaceful smile as she instructed Nanny Jin to lead people in cataloguing their trunks and valuables. Seeing Qin Yining arrive, she smiled and said, “Daughter Yi, come quickly.”

“Mother.” Qin Yining respectfully paid her respects, then sat beside Sun Shi with a beaming smile.

Sun Shi took her hand and smiled, “After this trip out, your complexion looks even better.”

“Yes. Though we were conducting serious business, being with the prince, he would never let me suffer.”

“That’s good. If he treats you well, I can also set my mind at ease. Once you and your son-in-law finish handling matters, you must hurry to catch up with us.”

Qin Yining smiled and nodded, “Yes, Mother, please don’t worry.”

Sun Shi was still the same as before—not particularly skilled at such matters. Qin Yining also didn’t want her to know about these troublesome affairs.

Sun Shi smiled and said, “Where is your father?”

“Father went to the front courtyard to discuss travel arrangements with Second Uncle and Third Uncle.”

“Mm.” Sun Shi nodded, with some hesitation in her expression.

Qin Yining immediately noticed Sun Shi’s unusual state and couldn’t help but smile as she asked, “Does Mother have something to instruct your daughter?”

“It’s not really that, just something I need to tell you.” Sun Shi smiled, “I plan to arrange for Cao Shi to enter the household as your father’s honored concubine.”

Qin Yining was extremely surprised.

From her understanding, Sun Shi was definitely not a particularly magnanimous person. With the four concubines that Qin Huaiyuan had previously taken for the sake of offspring, although Sun Shi wouldn’t go so far as to have them killed, she would still be displeased when Qin Huaiyuan visited the concubines’ quarters. Why would she now voluntarily suggest letting Cao Yuqing enter the household?

Perhaps seeing her surprise, Sun Shi said with some emotion, “Having experienced so much, I’ve now come to terms with things. Your father is well and healthy—that’s better than anything. Moreover, how many years does a person’s life really have? Your father and I have already lived through half of ours. I don’t want to create unpleasantness over such matters anymore.

“Although Cao Shi comes from a poor background, she’s a woman of loyalty and righteousness. Her heart belongs to your father, and for your father’s sake, she would even risk her life to protect you and me. With such deep affection, even a stone would be warmed.

“Your father already has feelings for her. I’ve thought about it—with such a beauty entering the household, your father won’t look at anyone else, right? It’s better than having the Old Madam arrange for three or four more women to be elevated in the future. Having someone we know and trust like this, our household can also live more peacefully.”

Hearing this, Qin Yining couldn’t help but look at Sun Shi with new admiration.

It seemed that Sun Shi was even more magnanimous and reasonable than she was. If the positions were reversed—if there were an absolutely beautiful woman devoted heart and soul to Pang Xiao, willing to risk life and death for him, and Pang Xiao had also developed feelings for her—she would probably feel jealous hatred rather than acceptance. She would only feel betrayed, because her own devotion had never been any less than anyone else’s.

The same must be true for Sun Shi.

“Mother, don’t you feel wronged?”

Sun Shi was startled, her smile somewhat bitter, “I do feel wronged, and I do feel jealous, and it’s even harder to imagine my husband being with another woman.”

Taking a deep breath, Sun Shi smiled again, “But in this world, there are always some things more important than one’s own feelings.”

Qin Yining truly admired Sun Shi’s transformation. She embraced Sun Shi, silently patting her back to offer comfort.

Sun Shi also held Qin Yining and continued, “However, although your father has agreed, Cao Shi has politely declined. These past few days she’s been staying in the guest quarters and refuses to come walk around the main residence. I can’t very well force her, so this matter has stalled.”

Qin Yining was quite surprised. She knew very well Cao Yuqing’s bitter devotion and dedication to Qin Huaiyuan. Now that Qin Huaiyuan had relented and Sun Shi had also agreed, what did Cao Yuqing’s refusal at this moment mean? Cao Yuqing had originally entered the Qin household as a concubine and had earnestly competed with Sun Shi for favor. She shouldn’t mind the status of concubine.

Then what was the reason?

Qin Yining hesitated and said, “Should I go speak with her?”

“How could you, as a married daughter, be involved in arranging such matters for your father?” Sun Shi laughed with a “puchi,” “Alright, don’t worry about this matter. I’ll go speak with her. If she refuses to enter the household, there must be some knot in her heart. Any misunderstanding can be cleared up with talk.”

Seeing Sun Shi’s gentle smile and peaceful tone, Qin Yining knew she was sincere about facilitating this matter, so she didn’t say more and simply nodded, “Mother, whatever you do, as long as it comes from your heart, your daughter will support you.”

“Yes.” Sun Shi nodded, but her eyes grew moist.

She had already discussed this matter with Zheng Shi, and her ability to think so openly was also the result of Zheng Shi’s guidance.

Qin Huaiyuan wasn’t a man who indulged in beauty. With Cao Shi being so devoted and dedicated, if she as the principal wife still refused to agree, that would be rather unreasonable. She had agreed to it, but it also depended on Qin Huaiyuan’s intentions. If Qin Huaiyuan refused, she wouldn’t persuade him, but if Qin Huaiyuan agreed, she would do her best to arrange it.

Now that Qin Huaiyuan had agreed, Sun Shi knew that matters of the heart couldn’t be prevented. Moreover, Cao Shi herself wasn’t particularly objectionable.

But even though she understood all the reasoning, her heart still ached.

Sun Shi held Qin Yining close, closing her eyes and silently shedding tears.

Qin Yining’s heart also felt heavy.

But since the elders had already decided, as a married daughter, she had no reason to say more.

Qin Yining returned to her room with a troubled heart.

Zhao Ge’er and Han Ge’er had eaten their fill and were being watched by Xianyun, Qiu Lu, and the others as they played with nine-link rings together on the arhat bed.

Seeing Qin Yining, the two children immediately bounced up joyfully, clamoring, “Mother, Mother, hugs!”

Qin Yining’s heart nearly melted. She hurried over, embraced the children, and kissed each one, “My precious darlings, Mother missed you so much.”

Zhao Ge’er and Han Ge’er giggled and both smeared saliva on Qin Yining’s face.

The mother and her two sons gathered together, laughing and playing for quite a while, their joyful laughter carrying outside.

When they were tired from playing, Qin Yining held the children as they lay down, gently asking, “Do you like Grandfather and Grandmother?”

“We like them!”

“Can you learn what Grandfather teaches you?”

“Of course we can learn it.” Han Ge’er sat up, “Han Ge’er is the smartest—I learn everything right away.”

Zhao Ge’er also nodded vigorously, indicating that he too was the smartest.

Qin Yining smiled and nodded, looking at these two children’s pure and innocent smiling faces. They still didn’t know that they were about to be separated from their mother, and who knew how long this separation would last, or whether it might be forever…

“Why is Mother crying?” Han Ge’er crawled over using both hands and feet, using his small hand to wipe away Qin Yining’s tears.

Zhao Ge’er had been smiling originally, but now his little face grew serious as he pouted, “Mother, don’t cry.”

Qin Yining smiled, but with her smile came even more tears. She sat up and embraced both children, “Mother is fine. Mother just can’t bear to part with you.”

Zhao Ge’er continued pouting.

Han Ge’er asked, “Is Mother going to work again and buy pastries for Han Ge’er to eat?”