“Mama, you…” Qin Yining was at a loss for words. “Why are you helping me like this?”
Qin-mama curtsied and smiled warmly. “You are the old dowager’s granddaughter, miss, therefore my mistress as well. Serving my mistress well is my duty. Besides, I serve at the old dowager’s side. Whatever I do is behalf of the old dowager as well. Please go back, miss. We’ll pretend that nothing’s happened today. Just study at peace. You never heard any disturbance.”
Qin Yining immediately understood what the old servant meant. The mama was here purely out of her loyalty to the old dowager. She wanted to create a good relationship for the old dowager, and was helping balance out the various parties in the family so that no particular side would grow too strong. As the matriarch of the family, it was no good if any family member grew particularly entrenched. As it was in court, so too was it at home. With the old dowager’s personality, Qin-mama’s wisdom, maturity, and loyalty were all integral to the matriarch maintaining the livelihood of the Qin family and receiving a title in her own right as well.
The girl curtsied with a smile. “Many thanks to mama, I understand now.”
“Please don’t be this way miss, this servant isn’t worthy.” Qin-mama avoided Qin Yining’s gesture and turned to Qiulu. “I won’t take you to task for this on account of your loyalty. You should go back and reflect as well. As a servant, you need to manage affairs for your mistress, not create more problems for her. do you understand that?”
Qiulu nodded repeatedly, her face burning with contriteness. They’d saved Miss Tang last time because she’d said too much, and it’d happened again today. She now knew that she’d brought trouble for the miss in barging here. Thankfully, Qin-mama was tolerant and kind. “This servant understands. Thank you for your teachings, Qin-mama.”
The old servant nodded. “Go back and study in peace, miss.”
It was enough at the moment for Qin Yining to know that Ruilan wouldn’t die, and Qiulu wouldn’t be punished. The rest could wait until she was released. It was up to her whether Qin Huining could make a move against her or not! She’d never wanted to harm anyone, but now that someone was in her face, there was no reason to not strike back!
Although circumstances and situations changed drastically in the world outside, life within ancestral hall remained as peaceful as always. On this day, it was an old woman over sixty years old that came to deliver Qin Yining’s meal box.
The fourth miss found it a bit odd. The newcomer was wearing a brand new, inky green padded jacket made of fine cotton fibers. The material and cut of the jacket were the most current fashions. There was a golden hairpin stuck in her hair and a pair of bracelets made of interwoven gold on her arms. She looked like someone with status and not someone who would usually be delivering meal boxes. When she saw Qin Yining, the old servant curtsied respectfully, “Greetings to Fourth Miss, my husband’s surname is Jing. I’m in charge of the meal box today.”
“Please rise, Mama Jing.” Qin Yining helped the other up with a smile. Mama Jing handed the meal box over to Wife Ge and Xiaoling with an affable expression.
As the two servants set up the table, Mama Jing spoke lowly to Qin Yining. “Fourth Miss, I’m an overseer in the kitchens of the outer residence. I’m here on behalf of Steward Zhong today to convey that Miss Ruilan has been taken to Cloudsoar Inn. She’s not injured seriously, it’s all superficial wounds. A few days of medicine will sort her out. Don’t worry, miss.”
“Mama Jing is one of the Institute’s?” Qin Yining responded with surprise.
“In response to the fourth miss, my son is a third rank shopkeeper beneath Steward Zhong. Our entire family depends on Steward Zhong’s promotions. Now that you are the owner of the Institute, I must depend on you too in the future. I’m just here to deliver a message, it’s no big deal. I am old anyways, and plan to retire to days of peace at home.”
“I see, thank you for making the trip, Mama Jing.”
“You’re too polite miss, it’s this servant’s honor to be able to meet you.” Mama Jing looked around before continuing in a low voice. “Steward Zhong also wanted me to bring some news. The Prince of Ning censured Grand Preceptor Cao in front of the emperor a few days ago. Others had dared to criticize the grand preceptor before, but most remained neutral. The prince led the group this time, and many neutral parties supported him. The emperor immediately criticized the grand preceptor and removed his position, commanding him to go home in forced retirement.”
What?! That old fellow Grand Preceptor Cao was over just like that? It went without saying that the neutral folks suddenly tilting towards the prince was a result of the good relations between the Duke of Ding, Qin Huaiyuan, and the prince. But had they discussed it with the prince beforehand or just moved with the wind?
Regardless of which it was, the successful actions against Grand Preceptor Cao had much to do with her rescuing Tang Meng. Qin Yining never would’ve thought that she’d become the catalyst for the grand preceptor’s fall!
Grand Preceptor Cao deserved his fate, but his daughter was still the empress. How would she react to her father losing power, and how would she treat those responsible for this outcome? In addition, the position of Grand Preceptor to the Heir Apparent now sat empty. The emperor only had one son, so he would certainly find an appropriate candidate to tutor the heir. Who would take up this mantle? This candidate would’ve great influence over the movements of court and the future of Great Yan!
Qin Yining didn’t eat much of breakfast because Mama Jing’s news had been too surprising. Her presence had also helped Qin Yining really just how widespread the Institute’s network was, and how great its capability. No matter the changes in court, the Institute of Luminous Grace wasn’t simply a treasure vault, but ale to do much more. She became greatly excited and confident at this thought.
A flurry of door pounding suddenly sounded when it was past noon. Wife Ge opened the door to see head maid Jixiang by the old dowager’s side. “The lord has been honored with the position of Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent! He’s returned home now. Hurry and have Fourth Miss dress formally, the lord is going to lead the entire family in praying at ancestral hall later and report these great tidings to the ancestors!”
Wife Ge and Xiaoling beamed when they heard this. “This is absolutely wonderful! The lord really possesses untold fortune. Fourth Miss, we’ll help you dress immediately!”
* * *
Chapter 42: Appearances
Chapter 42: Appearances
Between the two servants, one rushed off to Snowpear Courtyard to fetch clothing and accessories while the other adroitly helped Qin Yining wash up. Xiaoling came back with an outfit in short order and respectfully helped the fourth miss into it. Her attitude was much more reserved compared to a few days ago.
Qin Yining found this amusing. The official daughter of the grand preceptor is more eminent than one of the prime minister, hmm? But she didn’t feel proud, because this was the trampress’ background as well.
The area outside the ancestral hall became boisterous after a moment. Cheery servant chatter could be heard through the door. Wife Ge and Xiaoling pulled back the doors to join in the conversation. Qin Yining was curious as well and took a few steps out of the door, looking at servants carrying in scented candles, worship goods, and others not too far in the distance. She noticed that Qin Huining’s maids Bitong and Bitao were also present. They were helping Jixiang and Ruyi from Garden of Loving Piety.
It was easy to see what was going on here. She was much worse than Qin Huining when it came to maintaining appearances. She had much to learn.
Bitong and Bitao had long since glimpsed Qin Yining as well. When they saw her in complete formal attire, Bitong smiled and couldn’t stifle her laughter.
“She’s daydreaming that the lord will let her out.” Bitong’s voice was loud, but she hadn’t tried keeping it low either. Everyone in the vicinity heard and perked up their ears, keeping their hands firmly busy on th
e task at hand.
Bitao pulled at Bitong. “Do you want to do? Just do your job, why are you trying to start things?”
“Don’t you pull at me!” Bitong flung off Bitao’s hand and snorted. “They all say that the tone is set at the top. That cheap whore Ruilan dared steal Old Dowager’s jade bracelet. We can tell from this that her mistress isn’t anything good either. The old dowager was merciful and only threw her out of the manor with a beating. If it’d been anyone else, Ruilan would’ve been beaten to death. But some people still sit and sleep easy after their servant’s done something so shameful. It really chills my heart to see this.”
She’d had more than enough! Qin Yining had beaten her before and bullied her miss again and again. Now that Qin Yining had fallen out of favor, it was time to get a few stomps in! They all said that Qin Yining was a barbarian. It’d be even better if she could provoke this barbarian into a fight on this grand day. Her miss would reward her greatly! Bitong was feeling very proud of herself, so the taunting look on her face grew even deeper. “They say she’s the lord’s official daughter, but who knows what’s really the case? Even Senior Madame doesn’t like her, and here she is lording it like she really is something noble. If she is, why did she slip out to meet with some outside male and get locked up in the ancestral hall for punishment? She’s just a barbarian with the savagery in her still. She’s going to taint our good reputation in entering the manor with all these base airs!”
Everyone fully took in these harsh words and also weighed up Bitong’s provocation. Those who’d heard of the fourth miss’ heroic feats before were already waiting for a good show with bated breath. However, they were only greeted by Qin Yining’s amiable smile when they looked at the ancestral hall doors.
“To hear such words from sister Bitong on this joyous occasion is proof of how well Miss Huining teaches her servants. I wonder if you thought of these words yourself, or where they from your mistress?” Qin Yining remained where she was, still smiling gently, but the look in her eyes made Bitong recall the biting pain of the night when Qin Yining’s fists thudded onto her body.
The maid really wanted to stick her hands on her hips and go at it with Qin Yining again, but she cowardly gave up the fight with resignation. Her lips vibrated as she looked at the fourth miss, but she didn’t say anything in response.
“Since your mistress has never taught you the manners a servant should have, I’ll make sure to do so when I have free time some day.” Qin Yining smiled faintly. “Just you wait.”
Bitong shuddered involuntarily.
Qin Yining’s beautiful eyes took in the surroundings and lingered on those who had laughed just now. “If anyone wants to join Miss Bitong in lessons, just imitate her all you want.”
Those who had laughed at Qin Yining earlier didn’t even dare breathe loudly now. It had nothing to do with them to begin with, so why anger the fourth miss? As much trouble as she would get into, she was still the official daughter of Grand Preceptor Qin, and Qin Huining was just a foster daughter.
Bitong was both furious and fearful, and the feeling of being targeted prey sent chills down her back. She was regretting her early impulsiveness. She should’ve done all that when Qin Huining was present. Not only would she then receive her mistress’ commendation, but she would also be able to redirect fire from Qin Yining.
When Qin Yining saw that all was in order outside the door, she lost the interest to look around and returned inside to take a seat. Xiaoling came back before long. “Miss, the old dowager and lord are all coming.”
“I see.” Qin Yining came to the yard in time to see Second Elder Master Qin Xiuyuan and Second Madame née Su helping a formally dressed Old Dowager through the doors. Third Elder Master Qin Zhiyuan and Third Madame née Wang flanked Qin Huaiyuan and were chatting merrily. Senior Master Qin Yu and his wife, Second Master Qin Han and his wife, as well as a gaggle of cousins brought up the rear. Qin Huining and the sixth miss were at the very end, holding hands and murmuring lowly to each other. They seemed to sense Qin Yining’s gaze and giggled when they looked back at her. The whole family was here, bar née Sun.
Née Sun was likely still in the Ding Manor and refusing to return. Perhaps she was still maintaining a haughty attitude and waiting for Qin Huaiyuan to bring her back. Qin Yining sighed soundlessly and adjusted her emotions, going forward to greet the old dowager, her father, uncles, and aunts.
Qin Huaiyuan was now looking at Qin Yining with absence of anger and many more tinges of affection. If it hadn’t been for her going to the prince and demanding Tang Meng, those flip-floppers in court wouldn’t have swiftly taken a side. The Prince of Ning wouldn’t have successfully taken down Grand Preceptor Cao, and he wouldn’t have received the position of Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent. His career had previously been bottlenecked at the position of prime minister. No matter how hard he tried, it was an exceedingly difficult thing to even inch forward, not to mention just maintaining his position was difficult enough. To think that a problem that’d plagued him for many years would be easily resolved by this little girl! From this, one could see that not only was she smart and perceptive, sensitive to politics, and she possessed great fortune as well.
“Daughter Yi has studied well these days, I’m sure? You can go back to your residence after this.” Qin Huaiyuan turned to the old dowager. “I feel that her Snowpear Courtyard is rather far. She’ll need many servants to send out on errands. I’ll give her my Yaoqin and Yuqi. As for their stipend, still mark them under the outer study.”
The crowd was collectively taken aback. Everyone knew that there were four beautiful first-rank maids serving in Qin Huaiyuan’s study. They were all fifteen and each talented with the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Their names of Yaoqin, Yuqi, Moxiang, Danqing [1] were related to their expertise. They served only in the study and received a separate stipend from Qin Huaiyuan. Their positions amongst the servants were without parallel. There were also rumors that née Sun had been jealous of these four girls on many an occasion. Second Elder Master Qin Xiuyuan had even set his eyes on Yuqi last year and wanted her for a concubine, but Qin Huaiyuan had flatly turned him down. But now he was giving two of them at once to Qin Yining!
Yuxiang had disappeared from Qin Yining’s side and Ruilan had been sent away as punishment earlier, so the fourth miss happened to be missing two head maids at the moment. It was rare that someone as lofty as Qin Huaiyuan would take note that his daughter was lacking two maids and would so generously fill in the gap! How strong was this father daughter relationship? It’d seem that everyone had underestimated Qin Huaiyuan’s fondness for his daughter! Wasn’t the word on the street that Qin Huaiyuan disliked his daughter because of the mistake she’d made and had sent her to the ancestral hall for punishment? This wasn’t the case at all!
Qin Huining ground her teeth audibly. Qin Huaiyuan was giving Qin Yining face and tell others that she was his most beloved daughter! So what of her then?!
* * *
Direct translations of swaying zither, jade chess pieces, fragrance of ink, and crimson green
Chapter 43: Gifts
Chapter 43: Gifts
“Oh you dote on your daughter so.” The old dowager started laughing. “I was just thinking about those two empty places in granddaughter Yi’s house today and wanted to pick someone from Garden of Loving Piety for her. But it’s perfect if you have those two in mind.”
Qin Yining ignored the vengeful look that Qin Huining was not so secretly giving her. It almost felt like that latter wanted to stab her with a dinner fork. Despite her initial reluctance, she curtsied happily. “Thank you to Old Dowager and father.” She wanted to make Snowpear Courtyard an impenetrable fortress—how would she do that with new faces popping up by her side? But her father was showing her face, and she absolutely couldn’t reject his gesture. The maids were going to come to her anyways, she could make some arrangements for them later. There was no need to make father unhappy here.
&nbs
p; Qin Huaiyuan was in wonderfully high spirits thanks to the joyous occasion. The satisfaction of a father bestowing gifts onto his children suffused his heart for the first time when he saw Qin Yining give thanks, and his mood grew ever brighter.
The crowd chatted a bit more and then lined up according to seniority when the auspicious hour arrived, presenting themselves in batches to kowtow to the ancestors and pray with incense. Qin Yining was naturally standing with the rest of the girls. They were arranged in two rows, each holding a stick of incense. They kowtowed respectfully to the ancestor plaques and bobbed the incense sticks in their hands when they rose before leaving. As the ceremony drew to a close, the men withdrew to the outer residence.
“You may all leave now,” the old dowager said. “The lord will be holding a banquet in the manor to thank his peers. Take care not to disturb the guests.”
“Understood,” the women chorused together.
The second madame thought for a moment and smiled. “Now that eldest brother-in-law is Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent, I’m sure that the crown prince will attend the banquet as well?”
The old dowager shook her head. “His banquet is in three days. The crown prince will be personally attending to pay his respects to his teacher. We’ll have plenty to be busy with then.”
“The crown prince is coming here?” The third madame clapped her hands with a smile. “Aiyaya, that is tremendous respect! This is all thanks to our eldest brother-in-law that our house gains such glory!”
The old dowager beamed merrily at these words, adding a few more creases to her face as she smiled widely. The second madame wrapped her arm around Qin Yining’s shoulder. “This is why I say our niece Yi is a lucky star. So many good things have come one after another since she’s come home!”
All of the girls murmured in agreement. Qin Huining, however, clenched her fists tightly. What do you mean by that?! Was it because I was the official daughter before that father didn’t become the grand preceptor?!
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