Tang Xiu smiled and accepted the order, hurrying off to deliver the reply.

Only then did Ji Yun ask: “Princess Consort, what do you plan to do? Duke Changguo was already a renowned minister in court during the Northern Ji Kingdom. His Majesty didn’t touch a hair on Duke Changguo’s head back then. If we mishandle this, I’m afraid Duke Changguo will become angry and unite the Northern Ji old ministers against us—that wouldn’t be good.”

“If this were some years ago, Duke Changguo might indeed have done so. But the situation in court has long since changed. Without speaking of distant matters, in outsiders’ eyes, my father is probably an example. Whether it’s the Northern Ji old ministers or the aristocratic families among the original court factions, seeing how the pillar of the Great Yan surrendered ministers faction ended up in such a state—with His Majesty not even willing to grant posthumous honors—don’t they understand?”

“You mean Duke Changguo will choose to act low-key and swallow this grievance?”

Qin Yining slowly nodded: “Never mind capturing his youngest son—even if it were his legitimate son or legitimate grandson, at this critical juncture he wouldn’t dare do anything.”

Qin Yining couldn’t help but smile as she spoke: “You can tell from the calling card Duke Changguo’s wife sent.”

Ji Yun was startled: “That’s true. This servant was overthinking.”

Qin Yining shook her head and took Ji Yun’s hand, smiling: “You were wholeheartedly thinking of me. I understand that in my heart.”

The two exchanged smiles, and Qin Yining continued with a laugh: “When you go out these days, pay attention to the court situation—there may be things we don’t know about from being away.”

“Yes, this servant will be careful to notice.”

With everything arranged properly, Qin Yining stayed in the room with Bingtang doing needlework.

She made a list, preparing to purchase some elegantly colored, soft and comfortable Hangzhou silk and cocoon silk to make clothes for Zhao Ge’er and Han Ge’er.

Though the children weren’t by her side, in her mind they grew each day. She imagined how they would look when older and sewed accordingly. Even if she never had the opportunity to dress them in these clothes, at least they embodied her heartfelt feelings.

Time passed quickly.

In the afternoon, after Qin Yining had rested briefly and just finished washing and dressing, Ji Yun came from outside to report: “Princess Consort, Duke Changguo’s wife requests an audience. She’s currently in the flower hall.”

“I understand.” Qin Yining stood up: “You two both come with me.”

“Yes.” Bingtang and Ji Yun responded in unison.

Bingtang asked: “Princess Consort, don’t you want to change clothes?”

Qin Yining looked down at herself—a plain slate azure jacket, a lotus-white long skirt. The only jewelry on her entire person was the white jade bracelet on her wrist and the silver hairpin securing her chignon.

Qin Yining thought for a moment and put on a black sable fur-collared lotus petal silk tapestry cloak that she rarely wore.

The silk tapestry on this cloak was exquisitely detailed with elegant colors, and the mink fur at the shoulders was jet black and lustrous. Because she loved it too much, Qin Yining was reluctant to wear it.

With this precious cloak complementing her originally casual attire, even without heavy makeup or gold hairpins and pearl ornaments, she still emanated overwhelming nobility that wouldn’t diminish Prince Zhongshun’s consort’s status.

Qin Yining walked along the covered walkway with her two maids, calculating possible future developments as she went. By the time she reached the flower hall, she had prepared her emotions and entered first with an expressionless face.

She saw a plump woman past sixty, wearing a sparrow-blue front-opening wide-sleeved cloak with kingfisher feather hairpins, her gray hair neatly arranged, sitting to one side. Her bearing was noble and elegant—though advanced in years, she clearly showed the gentle refinement of good birth.

Behind her stood an elderly nanny and a young daughter-in-law, with no one else present.

Seeing Qin Yining enter, Duke Changguo’s wife stood up. Her gaze fell on Qin Yining with unmistakable amazement, but her look was very polite and restrained, without any impropriety that might cause discomfort.

Qin Yining smiled slightly: “This must be Duke Changguo’s wife? Please take the seat of honor.”

“I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare.” Duke Changguo’s wife bowed: “By rank, this old woman should pay respects to the Princess Consort.”

“What are you saying? Duke Changguo is virtuous and respected, and you are an elder. This junior cannot accept your courtesy.” Qin Yining stepped aside to avoid her bow, supporting her with both hands and humbly inviting her to sit, then instructed: “Serve good tea.”

“Yes.” Ji Yun hurried to prepare it, soon bringing up blue and white covered bowls.

Seeing Qin Yining’s gentle hospitality without the expected unreasonable arrogance, Duke Changguo’s wife couldn’t help but resent Shang Zhihua even more.

Shang Zhihua was Duke Changguo’s wife’s late-in-life son born when she was forty. For this son, she nearly lost half her life, and having raised him safely with great difficulty, who would have expected him to be a ne’er-do-well who stirred up trouble.

Usually when he drank with courtesans, gambled, fought crickets and roosters, she had broken countless canes disciplining him. When he liked his cousin and quarreled with his wife over her, she reluctantly played the evil mother-in-law to help him settle down, allowing that cousin to enter as a concubine.

But unexpectedly, after getting what he wanted and losing novelty in a few days, he began causing trouble again. Not only did he dally everywhere in the pleasure quarters, but this time he dared to molest that fierce god Pang Zhixi’s wife in broad daylight!

Seeing her today, Duke Changguo’s wife had to admit that this woman before her was so beautiful that even she, as a woman, couldn’t help wanting to look more. Going back forty or fifty years, her own youthful appearance had been considered dignified, yet didn’t match one-tenth of hers. This was a woman who could make men lose their souls—no wonder she could bewitch Prince Zhongshun into daring to defy imperial edicts for her sake.

Now her unreliable foolish son had also fallen under her spell.

Duke Changguo’s wife sighed deeply in her heart.

Though she felt somewhat helpless, she bore no resentment toward Qin Yining. Was it wrong for a woman to be born beautiful? Many men had seen Qin Yining, but not everyone molested her to her face like her good-for-nothing son. Ultimately, it was still her own son’s fault.

If she didn’t use this opportunity to properly discipline that boy and straighten him out, who knew what greater disasters he might cause in the future.

Therefore, Duke Changguo’s wife had come to plead with sincere apologies and reconciliation. Regardless of what Duke Changguo thought, as a mother, she already regretted spoiling her youngest son.

“Princess Consort, this old woman came today because of my worthless son. I know this time he offended the Princess Consort—it’s entirely his fault. Failing to teach him properly is my failure as a mother. I sincerely apologize to you here.”

Duke Changguo’s wife stood and curtseyed.

The elderly nanny and daughter-in-law behind Duke Changguo’s wife also bowed.

Qin Yining quickly stood to support her, not letting her bow down, then helped her sit again, saying flatly: “I understand Duke Changguo’s wife’s motherly heart.”

Duke Changguo’s wife sat back in her previous position. Seeing Qin Yining’s expressionless face, she knew her emotional appeal had failed.

Her apology was sincere, but hoping to move the other party was also part of her plan.

She hadn’t expected this Princess Consort, barely twenty years old, to be so composed and unmoved by external influences.

Duke Changguo’s wife recalled Duke Changguo’s words before she left.

“Qin Huaiyuan’s daughter is no ordinary woman. Dealing with her is different from dealing with ordinary women. When you go, just apologize sincerely and don’t play clever tricks. We’re already walking on thin ice—if you want Xiao Jiu to live, you must accommodate her.”

Duke Changguo’s wife’s heart grew cold, and she began regretting her earlier approach.

She was accustomed to palace intrigue and unconsciously used her usual tactics.

“Princess Consort, please calm your anger.” Duke Changguo’s wife said urgently: “It’s all this old woman’s fault for poor child-rearing that led to his lawless behavior. The Princess Consort is from a proper official family with noble status—how could you tolerate that scoundrel’s verbal insults? A thousand wrongs, ten thousand wrongs—they’re all that scoundrel’s wrongs. The Princess Consort may capture and punish him as you see fit, but please punish him severely. After venting your anger, could you allow this old woman to take him home for strict discipline?”

Seeing Duke Changguo’s wife’s anxious appearance for her son’s sake, Qin Yining felt sympathy despite herself.

If she were an unreasonable and domineering person, she had plenty of ways to teach them a lesson today while achieving her own goals.

But facing such a woman, she couldn’t bear to implement those schemes.

“Forget it.” Qin Yining said: “Duke Changguo’s wife is innocent after all. As the saying goes, ‘failure to teach is the father’s fault.’ Though your son is your youngest, in today’s world of patriarchal authority, even if Duke Changguo’s wife wanted to properly educate your son, society wouldn’t allow him to constantly stay by a woman’s side.”

At these words, Duke Changguo’s wife felt bitter inside and nearly shed tears.

After all, women understand women best—Qin Yining had identified her exact difficulty.

Qin Yining smiled: “I don’t want to make things difficult for you today. The fault of poor discipline lies with Duke Changguo. I wish to speak privately with Duke Changguo. If you can convey this message and arrange it properly, your son’s matter can naturally be resolved.”

Conversely, if Duke Changguo’s wife couldn’t comply and spread the matter around, the Ninth Young Master’s fate would be uncertain. After all, molesting a princess consort was a serious crime—even if Qin Yining killed him, with Pang Xiao’s status backing her, Duke Changguo really couldn’t do anything to her.

Duke Changguo’s wife’s heart pounded as she looked at Qin Yining with alarm and suspicion.

She vaguely sensed the scent of conspiracy.

Looking at Qin Yining’s beautiful face and confident expression, Duke Changguo’s wife hesitated briefly before nodding.

“Very well. This old woman will certainly convey the message and guarantee that those around me won’t leak the information.”

“Duke Changguo’s wife is a wise person—this way everyone benefits. If Duke Changguo agrees, I’ll inform you of the meeting arrangements.”

“Yes.” Duke Changguo’s wife stood and bowed: “In that case, this old woman takes her leave. My son was presumptuous and offended the Princess Consort—please spare him for a few days.”

Qin Yining understood—Duke Changguo’s wife feared that before they could discuss a solution, the Ninth Young Master might be killed by her first.

Qin Yining naturally wouldn’t do such a thing, so she smiled: “Rest assured. Since you’re willing to agree, I naturally won’t act rashly.”