Qin Yining laughed cheerfully, “Hey, what’s there to feel wronged about? Why should a family divide things so clearly? Regardless of who’s right or wrong, I’m still the junior who doesn’t understand propriety. I’ll go apologize to the old master in a moment.”

Yao Chenggu was at a loss for words, secretly thinking how this father and daughter pair from the Qin family both spoke in the same manner!

What Qin Yining said was actually the simplest worldly principle – no matter what household it is, when juniors clash with elders, once word spreads, it’s always the juniors who get criticized and have their spines poked at.

He had experienced such things in his youth, but now the tables had turned and he had become the elder.

Yao Chenggu’s mind raced, showing a face full of admiration and pity as he flattered, “Truly the daughter of a great household, a daughter educated by Wise Pan An indeed has extraordinary bearing.”

Qin Huaiyuan smiled and said he didn’t dare accept such praise.

However, Pang Xiao sensed something off about Yao Chenggu’s words, noticing his grandfather’s expression. Could he have deliberately mentioned “Wise Pan An”? After all, back then Pang Zhongzheng had fallen into Emperor Beiji’s hands precisely because of Qin Huaiyuan’s stratagem, which had also made Wise Pan An famous.

Pang Xiao was extremely clever – how could he not understand the subtle verbal sparring that had just occurred?

Sister Yi was willing to suffer grievances for his sake and for the family’s harmony, but he couldn’t pretend to be oblivious. He immediately said, “I’ll accompany you. I should also kowtow to the old madam.”

Though he spoke of kowtowing, his expression made it clear that if Yao Shi showed any improper behavior, he would be there to intimidate her, ensuring Qin Yining wouldn’t suffer any more grievances.

Both Ma Shi and Sun Shi were straightforward by nature and lacked such subtle thoughts.

Ma Shi was particularly relieved that the family hadn’t completely torn apart, thanks to Sister Yi’s willingness to yield.

Thus, Qin Huaiyuan went inside to inform the Old Dowager, then accompanied by Sun Shi and bringing servants, he went with the Qin Yining couple and the Yao Chenggu couple to the guest courtyard to invite Yao Shi back to the front hall for the reunion banquet.

Some matters only torment when one is conflicted, but once a decision is made, the mood becomes cheerful. Though Qin Yining was walking toward meeting Yao Shi, her thoughts were actually on what the two children could eat at tonight’s banquet.

Soon the group arrived at the guest courtyard’s entrance.

A servant woman was guarding the gate. Seeing Qin Huaiyuan’s party approach, she quickly bowed respectfully, showing some anxiety in her expression.

“Paying respects to Master, Madam, Your Highness, Your Highness the Princess, Old Master Yao, and Madam.”

“Rise. What’s the matter?” Qin Huaiyuan noticed the woman’s troubled expression.

The servant woman hesitantly glanced at Yao Chenggu and Ma Shi before quietly saying, “It’s nothing serious, just… it’s not quiet inside right now.”

“Not quiet?” Qin Huaiyuan was puzzled.

Both Yao Chenggu and Ma Shi’s hearts skipped a beat. Could it be that Yao Shi was causing trouble again while they were away?

The group hurried into the courtyard.

As soon as they stepped onto the clean-swept brick floor, they heard shrill screaming, angry cursing, and the sound of things being smashed coming from the side room.

“…What trash! Whose dogs are you! How dare you refuse to let me eat!”

“It’s not that this servant won’t give you food, but Old Master Yao ordered it. Without his word, how would this servant dare let you dine? Why don’t you wait a bit longer? Once Old Master Yao returns and gives the word, this servant will immediately prepare your meal?”

“Bah! What dog shit! I can tell you’re specially sent by that little slut to torture me! That foxy whore holds a grudge because I exposed her secrets, so now she’s harming me like this! Don’t I know my own father? He loves me most. Even when he says he’s punishing me to kneel and won’t let me eat, it’s just words – when has he ever let me go hungry behind closed doors? You two dogs just don’t know your place. Just wait, when my son comes, I’ll rip off your heads and kick them like balls!”

“Oh my, Old Madam Yao, please calm your anger!”

Crash! Some wooden object was smashed, followed by a series of shattering porcelain sounds – clattering and jingling – making the several people at the entrance stop in their tracks.

Qin Huaiyuan and Sun Shi’s faces immediately darkened.

Pang Xiao wrapped an arm around Qin Yining, not allowing her to take another step forward, his fists already clenched and crackling.

Poor his Sister Yi, always compromising and yielding, never expecting his dear mother to speak of her this way behind her back.

Ma Shi’s face turned ashen with rage, raising her foot to kick down the door, but Yao Chenggu beat her to it.

“Shut your mouth!” Yao Chenggu pushed open the door to find Yao Shi standing on a thick cushion, both hands raised high holding a blue and white porcelain vase ready to smash. The floor was covered with porcelain shards, chairs and tables overturned, clearly showing how violently she had been raging.

The two servant women ordered to watch over Yao Shi had long since cowered in a corner, trembling with fear.

Seeing the people at the door, Yao Shi finally stopped her actions, throwing the vase to the ground with another crash and clatter.

“Father! These two Qin family dog slaves are bullying me, they…”

Slap!

Yao Chenggu delivered a vicious slap across Yao Shi’s face, stunning her speechless. She bit her tongue and a trickle of blood appeared at the corner of her mouth.

“You wretched creature! Kneel down!”

Yao Shi’s eyes filled with tears as she bit her lip and whimpered, carefully avoiding the porcelain shards as she knelt down.

Yao Chenggu scolded, “Why I would punish you – it seems you haven’t used your brain to think at all!”

“Wuu… I did nothing wrong!”

“Still dare to argue! You want to cause trouble? Fine, fine, fine! This place is yours to rage in. From now on we’ll all go to Xiyu, leaving this whole place for you to make trouble as you please!” Yao Chenggu was so angry his hands shook as he turned and strode away, nearly stumbling on the porcelain shards when he misstepped.

Pang Xiao quickly supported Yao Chenggu, helping the old man out of the chaotic room.

Yao Shi collapsed onto the cushion, sobbing and terrified.

From Yao Chenggu’s words, it sounded like they planned to abandon her and not take her to Xiyu?

Yao Shi was truly frightened by Yao Chenggu’s words. She hurriedly crawled up, navigating around the shards on the floor to reach the doorway and grab Yao Chenggu: “Father, Father, I… I know I was wrong. I won’t dare do it again.”

Seeing Yao Shi’s swollen cheek, the blood at her mouth corner, and her face smeared with tears and snot, Yao Chenggu still felt heartache.

But compared to his love for his daughter, which was more important – that or their future survival?

Yao Chenggu steeled his heart and didn’t respond, instead looking questioningly at Qin Huaiyuan.

Qin Huaiyuan wore a smile, but his aura was commanding, as if this wasn’t just outside an ordinary side room in the Qin residence, but rather as if he were attending morning court in the golden throne hall.

No matter how shrewd Yao Chenggu was, he had never seen Qin Huaiyuan with such presence, making his heart increasingly anxious.

This was completely ruined now!

Yuping had cursed so viciously, and this whole family had heard it all. Looking at Qin Huaiyuan’s demeanor, then at Sun Shi’s expression as if she wanted to devour someone alive – could all their efforts have been in vain?

“Since everything’s been discussed, let’s go to the banquet.” Qin Huaiyuan smiled slightly, taking the lead with Sun Shi walking ahead.

To the banquet? After all this, who could still eat?

Yao Chenggu’s heart was filled with anxiety. To survive, they had no choice but to follow to Xiyu, but if they really went to Xiyu, he genuinely feared Qin Huaiyuan would find a way to kill him!

Qin Yining and Pang Xiao supported Ma Shi on both sides.

Ma Shi was so angry her tears were about to fall. Qin Yining quickly comforted her, “Grandmother, don’t take it to heart. The old madam must have been hungry to behave like that.”

Ma Shi sobbed once and finally let two streams of bitter tears fall. She raised her aged hand to wipe her face, choking out, “Yi girl, you… I…”

“There, there, Grandmother, don’t be sad. This is nothing.”

The more Qin Yining consoled her, the sadder Ma Shi became.

Their group walked ahead, with Yao Chenggu following behind Ma Shi with his hands clasped behind his back. Only Yao Shi walked alone, sobbing and covering her face as she headed toward the flower hall where the banquet was set.

In the flower hall, the feast was fully prepared.

Because this was a special reunion banquet, they weren’t being so particular about seating arrangements. The Old Dowager had the screens removed and three tables set up in the main hall. The Qin family members, young and old, had all assembled.

Seeing Qin Yining and Pang Xiao returning from afar, Zhao Ge’er and Han Ge’er tottered over on their little legs with joy.

“Mother, Mother!”

“Daddy, Han Ge’er wants hugs!”

The children’s sweet, milky voices eased the tense atmosphere of the group.

Pang Xiao and Qin Yining each picked up one of the little ones.

Qin Yining smiled as she bounced Zhao Ge’er, “Oh my, my precious Zhao Ge’er seems to have grown a bit bigger.”

“Mother!” Zhao Ge’er hugged Qin Yining’s neck and leaned over to nuzzle Ma Shi who was right beside them: “Great-great-grandmother.”

“Yes! Good child, good child.” Ma Shi was heartbroken and immediately burst into tears.

Zhao Ge’er was startled and reached his little hand up to wipe Ma Shi’s tears, his own mouth quivering as if he might cry too, “Great-great-grandmother, don’t cry.”

“There, there, Great-great-grandmother isn’t crying. Great-great-grandmother is happy. Oh my dear great-grandson, let Great-great-grandmother hold you.” Ma Shi quickly wiped her face with her sleeve, forcing back her tears as she smiled and took Zhao Ge’er into her arms.

Such a good child, who looked so much like little Pang Xiao – why did Yao Shi always doubt his bloodline and consequently dislike both boys while being so harsh to Qin Shi? How could she increasingly not understand this daughter she had raised herself?

Han Ge’er blinked his big curious eyes, poking his little head out from Pang Xiao’s arms, “Great-great-grandmother.”

“Yes, Great-great-grandmother is here.”

“Great-great-grandmother is happy? Why do you adults cry when you’re unhappy, and also cry when you’re happy?”

Ma Shi was momentarily at a loss for how to answer.

Han Ge’er opened his little arms toward Qin Huaiyuan: “Grandfather, hugs. Grandmother, Han Ge’er wants hugs.”

Qin Huaiyuan’s mood improved considerably as he took the affection-seeking Han Ge’er and laughed, “Let’s go inside quickly.”

The Qin family members had all stood up by now, smiling and greeting them.

Everyone had heard about yesterday’s incident in the household, but as it was the main branch’s private matter, everyone tactfully showed respect and didn’t discuss it much.

Now seeing Yao Chenggu’s composed expression, while Ma Shi and Yao Shi had clearly been crying, and Yao Shi’s face was suspiciously swollen on one side, everyone was puzzled but, out of proper upbringing, didn’t show it openly.

Qin Huaiyuan politely guided Old Master Yao and Ma Shi to the seats of honor next to the Old Dowager.

Yao Shi sat with Sun Shi, Second Aunt, and the other female relatives, positioned directly across from Yao Chenggu and Ma Shi.