The old dowager nodded in agreement and put her hands together, bowing in the direction of the ancestral hall. “I’ve also noticed that my eldest son’s career has been smooth since granddaughter Yi’s return. It’s all thanks to the protection of the ancestors that one of our children, lost in the outside world, could be found like a needle in a haystack.”
The second and third madame imitated the old dowager and devoutly bowed three times as well.
“Alright, there’s much happening today, we should all go back now.” The third madame smiled. “Mother, let me and sister-in-law take you back.”
The old dowager inclined her head. Qin-mama had long since had granny servants standing by with a sedan chair and helped her mistress in. The second and third madame accompanied the chair, their maids at their sides, and were the first to leave the ancestral hall.
When they saw their elders had departed, the girls all headed for the inner residence. The third and eighth miss were closer to Qin Yining to begin with, and they laughed and chatted as usual. Although the seventh miss wasn’t as close to Qin Yining, she was more respectful and affable than before. Qin Huining and the sixth miss walked behind them, feeling sour that the others were all hovering around and making a fuss out of Qin Yining.
As if to rid herself of that feeling, the sixth miss laughed loudly. “So what if she has a noble status? That still doesn’t cover up her crookedness. Her maid is a thief, you can’t blame that on senior aunt this time, can you? That maid was last in your company.”
The previously happy atmosphere was shattered in an instant. Qin Huining shook the sixth miss’ arm. “Don’t be like this, sister Shuang. Come, let’s hurry and go back.” She looked fearfully at Qin Yining when she said this, as if completely terrorized by the girl.
When the sixth miss saw this charade, imaginary scenes of Qin Yining mercilessly bullying Qin Huining immediately floated into her mind, and she grew ever more indignant on Qin Huining’s behalf. “Don’t be afraid, there are still those out there who don’t pander to power. You still have me!”
Qin Huining grasped the sixth miss’ hand with a grateful look, her eyes looking watery, as if she was about to cry. Meanwhile, Qin Yining and the third, seventh, and eighth miss all looked at each other. In unspoken agreement, the four quickly walked off. When Qin Huining and the sixth miss finally tore their eyes from each other, the group was already a dozen steps away.
The sixth miss’ temper flared. “How dare she ignore me!”
Qin Yining was in the middle of speaking to the third miss, “Just let them throw whatever tantrum they want. We shouldn’t lower ourselves to their level.”
“Precisely. Senior uncle is holding a banquet today and having one fewer thing to worry about is most preferable.” The third miss nodded in agreement. “Don’t dwell on it, fourth sister. Passing the days peacefully is most important.”
“That’s why they say you’re the most virtuous among us,” Qin Yining teased the third miss. “You’ll have pleasant days ahead in the Earl of Jiannan’s manor.
“Don’t you tease me!” The third miss blushed fiercely and pinched Qin Yining’s cheeks. “I’m third, but you’re fourth in line. You’re next! Now that senior uncle is the grand preceptor, your husband’s family is sure to be either wealthy or noble. How do you have time to laugh at me!”
The seventh and eighth miss started laughing as well. The eighth miss jumped in, “Third sister’s right. I’ve even heard some speculate that fourth sister will be the crown prince’s consort in the future.”
“Precisely,” the seventh miss nodded as well. “With your family background, you are eminently suited to be the crown prince’s consort. I’ve heard that the crown prince is a genteel and elegant person, someone exceedingly refined. He’s also very talented at painting. Apparently his skill in painting has reached extreme peaks. Although he has a concubine already, a concubine is just a concubine in the end. The crown prince is sure to inherit the dragon seat in the future, and his consort will become the empress.”
“Aiya, look at you all saying more and more nonsense. The emperor’s in fine health, so what are you all talking about?” Qin Yining tickled the seventh miss. “If I go tell Zhan-mama any of this, I’m sure she’ll beat you!”
The first part of Qin Yining’s response caused frissons of alarm in the third, seventh, and eighth miss as they realized they’d misspoke. It would be seen as grave disrespect if these words travelled to another’s ears. However, the second part was a purposeful joke to change the subject. The seventh miss started bantering with Qin Yining. She’s shrewd and quick witted, I really should get closer to her.
Qin Yining parted from them at the crossroads, taking the turn to Snowpear Courtyard. Everything was as usual in her residence, except for the absence of Ruilan. After greeting Zhan-mama, Qin Yining returned to her house to rest.
Qiulu and Liuya were serving at her side. Qiulu was the same as usual, but Liuya was a bit dissatisfied. She was a third-rank maid, and had ambitions to climb higher. Now that the two second-rank maids above her had finally disappeared, those remaining should’ve been promoted. Who would’ve thought that her mistress would be grounded and not bother thinking of them, and then those two from the outer study would be one step ahead? Yaoqin and Yuqi were both first-rank maids, a level even higher than Ruilan and Yuxiang! Liuya was quite irritated. How long until it’s my turn?!
Qin Yining was toying with a teacup and seemingly lost in thought, gazing out the gridded window, but she could clearly see every bit of Liuya’s disgruntlement in the reflection. She didn’t understand what was wrong with the maid, but she didn’t want someone with such a dark expression by her side. “Liuya, go rest. Qiulu, you stay.”
Resentment took root in Liuya’s heart. There’s no one by her side anymore, and she still doesn’t want me! Fine! Whatever! She’d be delighted to rest! She was a third-rank maid anyways, it’s not like her stipend would increase if she took on more duties. Liuya curtsied curtly and left.
When only Qin Yining and Qiulu were left, the maid spoke up, “Don’t be bothered by her, miss.”
“I didn’t mind, but I don’t know what’s gotten into her. Has something happened these days?”
“Nothing else has happened apart from sister Ruilan’s matter.” Qiulu shook her head. “Miss, how is sister Ruilan now? Everyone says that she’s been beaten to death. You weren’t home, and we were grounded. Although Zhan-mama can walk around, we didn’t dare ask her.”
Qin Yining smiled and took Ruilan’s hands. “Don’t worry, Ruilan is recovering at Cloudsoar Inn right now with Miss Tang. But I have something I’d like to do and need your help.”
Qiulu grew solemn and still. “Tell me anything you need, miss. This servant will do everything she can to accomplish it.”
“I’m not too certain about this yet, so I’m just guessing. My father is holding a banquet for his peers today, and there should be some Clearists among them. They must already know that I’ve taken in Miss Tang. With their concern for her, they’ll certainly make some moves here. I’d like to use this matter to…” Qin Yining murmured the remainder next to Qiulu’s ear.
“Miss, is this really alright?” Qiulu widened her eyes.
“What’s not alright about it? I’m not harming any innocents, but anyone with evil intentions won’t be able to escape.”
Liuya’s voice traveled in from outside. “Miss, there are people here with a gift for you.”
Qiulu’s eyes widened even further. “Miss, you guessed too rightly!” Her mistress had just told her that there would be people by with gifts today.
Qin Yining dimpled and went out with Qiulu to accept the gift. It was a painting scroll, and she was briefly halted in her tracks when she unfurled it. It was the painting of horse herd that had hung in the Prince of Ning’s manor! She laid it flat on a table to examine it and ran her fingertip lightly over the surface of the painting, finally resting it on the artist’s signature in the bottom left. W
hen she’d last seen this painting, there had been no signature. But today, it was stamped and signed, “Bright and Clear Peace”.
Anyone who saw this name would recognize it. She hadn’t known before, but Zhan-mama had explained it to her. The crown prince adored painting and was an acclaimed artist. “Bright and Clear Peace” was the name he was accustomed to using as a signature. It was derived from the notion of an age of peace, prosperity, and security on all sides. The crown prince painted this!?
Liuya smiled. “Miss, the messenger from the Prince of Ning is still waiting in the outer courtyard. He says that the prince has something to say to the miss.”
Qin Yining started and quickly nodded. “Understood. Qiulu, accompany me.” She certainly had to meet with someone from the Prince of Ning.
*clenches fist* For April Fool's, I'm gonna to raise the Patreon stockpile to four advance chapters today! This is not a joke, repeat, this is not a joke! Check it out for advance chapters!
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Chapter 44: Being Courted?
Chapter 44: Being Courted?
Things were in full swing in the outer courtyard, with faint sounds of theater filling the air. Servants were rushing to and fro through the alleyways and around the artificial mountain. Qin Yining was afraid of bumping into one of the honored guests, so she took a winding and remote little path through a moon gate [1] and took another turn before finally reaching the place that Liuya had told her. This was also a place where they received guests in the outer residence, but it was a bit more narrow and out of the way. It was reserved for those guests who didn’t have a high status.
Qin Yining entered the small yard and saw a tall, thin man standing with his back to her. His cloak, trimmed with long, snow-white fur, was quite familiar to her. A thirteen year old pageboy by his side saw her and quickly bowed. When the man turned around, he revealed himself to be the young man that Qin Yining had met in the Prince of Ning Manor.
She was a bit taken aback. According to her speculations, this was the prince’s son who’d once been an imperial prince. Why is he being used as a messenger? His status was lofty, so why had they put him in this yard?
“So it’s your honored self.” Qin Yining bent her knee in greeting. “The servants were careless and actually put you here to wait for me. I’ll have them prepare the main hall immediately.”
The young man laughed softly at her words, and his normally furrowed brow eased slightly. His bright eyes fixed themselves on Qin Yining as he spoke in a gentle voice. “Don’t mind it, lady. I had them purposely bring me to some place out of the way. After all, my to-do is three days later. The grand preceptor is treating his guests today and there’s too many who know my face. It wouldn’t be good if they saw me now.”
What does he mean that his to-do is three days later? Qin Yining’s mind went back to the old dowager casually saying that the crown prince would personally visit and hold a banquet for his teacher three days later. As soon as she made the connection, she started with shock and quickly fell to her knees. “So it’s Your Royal Highness! This girl was brash and rude, please forgive me.”
When Qiulu heard that this was the crown prince, her hands immediately turned clammy from fear as she thumped to her knees as well.
“You and I didn’t make a fuss about our identities when we met, why are you worried now? My name is Weichi Yan, secondary name Qingyan. [2] Just treat this as getting to know a friend, my lady, or getting to know your father’s disciple.” Weichi Yan extended a hand to help Qin Yining up.
“This subject wouldn’t dare.” She stood and took two steps backwards before continuing politely. “I made a mistake about Your Highness’ identity earlier and might not have accorded you proper respect and due. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”
“Oh? Who did you think I was?” Weichi Yan was concerned about a different point than Qin Yining.
She lowered her eyes. “I thought you were the son that the Prince of Ning gave up.”
Weichi Yan laughed softly. “Why did you think I was him? We don’t look alike at all, and he’s older than me.”
“I guessed from your speech and gestures, and from what you called the prince, as well as your bearing in the Ning Manor.” Qin Yining responded respectfully. “It never crossed this subject’s mind that you were the crown prince, and said all manner of nonsense about your painting. I am ashamed.”
“No, your words were very helpful to me that day. You could say that they were a smack of enlightenment on the head. They helped me understand that what makes a good painting isn't the skill of one’s technique, but a true understanding of the world that reflects the realest form of the subject. That’s what gives a painting its soul.” Weichi Yan waxed eloquent as he talked about painting. His eyes gave away his passion as they gleamed in the night. “If I wasn’t the crown prince, I’d truly want to travel the world and see all the lands with my own eyes. I would surely be able to create paintings with such a soul then.”
Qin Yining lowered her eyes, concealing the emotions within. It looks like the crown prince really does love painting. But as the heir to a nation, is it really the best to have such an ardent pursuit of leisurely activities when Great Yan sways from the great winds battering it?
“Your Highness, then why did you gift the painting to me?” She tried to right the topic’s course back to sensibility.
“Ah, that painting isn’t suited to be hung in the Ning Manor.” Weichi Yan came back to himself. “It’s fine if I gift it to a lady though. Treat it as thanks for the success of that matter.”
Qin Yining instantly understood his meaning. There was no leader in the herd of horses in the painting, a detail that could be explained in several ways. It could be alluding to the emperor occupying the lead position, but not fulfilling his duties. It could also insinuate that the leader was cowering in the back of the herd instead of standing out in front. if this painting hung in the home of someone who had a claim to the throne, it could be distorted as the Prince of Ning mocking the son of heaven, and possibly even harboring traitorous thoughts. But no one would think any of that when if it hung in a girl’s room.
As for the thanks he mentioned, it was likely the Prince of Ning’s successful attempt to rid Grand Preceptor Cao of his position. Still, Qin Yining didn’t want it. “I should not reject Your Highness’ gesture in gifting me the painting, but there should be a distance between men and women. Please take back the painting.” She immediately gave orders to Qiulu to retrieve the painting.
Weichi Yan frowned, and his follower immediately blocked Qiulu. “Why be so distant with me, my lady? Your father is a grand preceptor even if you do nothing, with his future tied to my Eastern Palace [3. The name of the Heir Apparent’s residence through imperial history, also a common indirect reference to the Heir Apparent himself.]. Perhaps even your own future will be tied to the Eastern Palace. Why refuse my gift?”
Qin Yining’s heat quailed when she heard this, and she lifted uncertain eyes to look at Weichi Yan. He was looking back at her with an impassioned, meaningful look in his eyes. His fair skin was slowly turning a deep red, the flush creeping down his neck, noticeably contrasting his snow-white fur collar.
Weichi Yan couldn’t return Qin Yining’s clear gaze for more than two breaths. He looked away, his heart pounding, and coughed twice to cover up the moment. “Keep the painting, or burn it if you don’t want it. Unfortunately, I have other matters to attend to and won’t keep you any longer, my lady. Farewell.” He hastily turned and left as soon as he finished speaking.
When Qin Yining watched him skitter out with his follower, the description ‘running with his tail tucked between his legs’ came to mind. Her thoughts were a bit heavy. The crown prince’s words had been very clear just now. Could it be that her future would be tied to the Eastern Palace like the others guessed? It looked like the crown prince was certainly of that mind, and now that she was the grand preceptor’s daughter, her status was certainly sufficient to justify such a mat
ch. But for some reason, she didn’t feel the joy of impending wealth and glory, the possibility of mothering the entire nation. That wasn’t what Qin Yining wanted.
She only wanted her family to be together safely and securely, and to live out her days in peaceful inconsequence. She didn’t want great wealth and glory, she just wanted smoothness and stability. As the crown prince or the emperor’s woman, she would never know peace. But if such a thing happened, could she really reject it? Now that her father was the grand preceptor, it meant that they’d taken a stance. They no longer had the luxury of watching on the sidelines. Marriage was the best way to consolidate their position. If her father really wanted to be a royal in-law, she was the only candidate to marry the crown prince.
As a Qin daughter, she had no right to refuse such an arrangement, especially when it was one of untold honor in the eyes of everyone else, one that that would attract much jealousy and admiration.
Qin Yining was quiet on her way back to Snowpear Courtyard. Having witnessed everything that had just happened, Qiulu’s face was still red. But she didn’t dare say anything when her mistress remained quiet.
Qin Yining felt irritation rise within her when she saw the painting in her residence again. “Store the painting well.”
“Understood.” Qiulu was about to roll it up when a serving girl outside reported, “Miss Huining and Sixth Miss are here.”
Before Qin Yining could even respond, the door curtains were lifted and Qin Huining walked in with Sixth Miss Qin Shuangning. Their head maids dutifully tailed the two.
“We had nothing to do, so we decided to visit at fourth sister’s. You don’t mind, do you?” The sixth miss had already taken a seat at the table for eight even as she spoke. Qin Huining also sat down casually.
“Of course not.” Qin Yining arched a brow. “I just find it weird. Sixth sister and Miss Huining don’t like me all that much, so why have you come? Qiulu, put the painting away. Liuya, serve tea.”
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