The cozy lantern light softened Qin Yining’s features. The old dowager had liked how the girl looked to begin with, since Qin Yining resembled her eldest son. The mama’s words drew her deep into her memories of how filial the child Qin Huaiyuan had been, and the contented bliss of being taken care of by a child was subconsciously projected onto Qin Yining as well. She put her arm around the girl and gently patted Qin Yining’s back. “Good girl. Your father was a good child, and you are very much like him in that. But you’ve suffered so much in the past, and grandmother spoke some ugly words when I was angry. They made you sad, didn’t they?”
Qin Yining couldn’t help but smile at those words, her eyes growing hot. No matter how the old dowager would treat her in the future, she could feel that in this moment, the family matriarch was treating her with genuine familial love.
“Don’t say that, grandmother.” She changed her form of address as well. “We’re family, and I’m your granddaughter. However you educate me is for my own good, so how would I be sad?”
“Good girl.” The old dowager settled her arm more firmly around Qin Yining and stroked her back, like comforting a child. “Grandmother will dote on you well from now on and make up for all those lost years. What do you say?”
“It’s enough that I can stay by grandmother’s side and keep you company.” Qin Yining snuggled further into the old dowager’s embrace. The atmosphere was quite warm inside the house, and even the candle’s flame seemed to dance in happiness. Qin-mama seemed infected by the happiness flowing between grandmother and granddaughter as even she smiled in contentment.
However, before the magical moment could continue further, a shrill scream shattered the peaceful happiness.
“Help! Anyone! Miss Huining is committing suicide!”
The old dowager almost fell off the bed. “What?! Did you hear them?! Darling Hui is committing suicide?!”
Qin-mama privately cursed the person screaming outside and hastily comforted the old dowager. “Don’t panic, mistress. This servant will go take a look.”
“No no no! I really heard that! Darling Hui is taking her own life!” The old dowager scrambled off the bed in a panic and started to run outside without even thinking about her shoes.
Qin Yining chased after her with shoes in hand. “Grandmother, please put your shoes on first. I’ll help you over.”
Qin-mama was quick enough to grab some thickly furred outerwear for the old dowager while Qin Yining put some shoes on the old dowager, and joined her in helping the old dowager out. Jixiang and Ruyi came running over with a serving girl holding a lantern. The group sped along the covered hallway to Qin Huining’s rooms.
The maids’ sobbing, begging pleas rang out before they reached the door. “Miss, don’t do anything foolish!”
“Think of the old dowager, you still have the old dowager!”
“Miss, this only makes your enemies rejoice and your family sorrow!”
What ‘family’? What ‘enemies’? Was this trying to persuade someone to come to their senses or adding fuel to the flame?! Qin-mama’s expression was dark and she looked questioningly at the old dowager. Her mistress’ expression wasn’t that pleasant either.
The doors to the warmed residence were thrown open, clearly framing the sight of Qin Huining standing on a black lacquer garden stool. She was grasping white damask silk [1] in her hands and on her tiptoes, trying to put her head through the loop. Cai-mama, Bitong, Bitao, and the other maids were grasping at her legs, feet, and kowtowing in front of their miss. Sobbing, begging, and sniffling sounds filled the air, completing the utterly chaotic scene.
“And what’s all this about?!” The old dowager trembled in her anger. “Granddaughter Hui, get down from there right now!”
“I, I have no face to keep on living! Grandmother, just let me go!” Qin Huining’s cheeks were a mess of tears. Wet streaks stained her clothes as well. “I lost so much face today and mother refuses to acknowledge me now. My heart is broken beyond hope! Grandmother, I am an unfilial granddaughter, so just let me go!”
“Go where?! You’re a miss of the Qin family, where on earth do you want to go?! Get down from there!” The old dowager was both angry and pained as she barked at the servants. “You there, why aren’t you helping your mistress down yet?!”
“Understood!” Cai-mama, Bitong, and Bitao scrambled to their feet. Having reached her goal, Qin Huining let her body soften, falling onto Bitong and Cai-mama. The two exerted a great deal of effort to ensure that Qin Huining wasn’t injured, the aches and bruises that appeared later on their own bodies bearing testament to how much care they took. Nonetheless, in the moment, Bitao took hold of her miss’ hands. “Miss, hurry and get up so that the old dowager isn’t distressed.”
Qin Huining flung aside the maid’s hands and slumped on her knees, holding onto the old dowager’s thigh as she sobbed. “Grandmother, why did you tell them to save me? Just let me die!”
The matriarch frowned. Although she was distressed for Qin Huining, she was also angered by the girl’s methods of getting attention. “Granddaughter Hui, what’s the meaning of this continued temper tantrum!? Your father has just been made Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent and it’s a time of great joy at home. Who are you trying to curse in this way?!”
Qin Huining raised her head violently and looked incredulously at the old dowager. Her grandmother’s brows were tightly knit together in an angry frown. “I know you’re going through a lot right now, but you should be more mature about it all. Don’t you know your mother’s character? Why did you set her off like that? Can’t grandmother’s love soothe over the uneasiness and envy in your heart?”
“No, that’s not it…” Qin Huining covered her face as she cried, using her hands to hide the rictus of disdain on her face. Like I thought, even the old dowager doesn’t care about me anymore.
“That’s not it? Then what’s this in front of me? You live in my residence but cause me pain by trying to commit suicide. What is this, but a display of resentment!?” The old dowager loved Qin Huining most of all after all, so she couldn’t bear to lecture the girl any further. But a ready target presented itself in those who served Qin Huining. “Née Cai, you’re her wet nurse. She may be acting out, but what about you?! Your mistress hung damask silk over the beams, and you didn’t bother stopping her?! Clinging onto her thighs and crying like a useless child, exactly who are you putting on a show for?! I might as well hang you up there instead!”
The color drained from Cai-mama’s face as she repeatedly kowtowed in fear. “This servant failed in her duties, this servant would never dare.”
A vein throbbed in the old dowager’s forehead as her emotions caused her hands to tremble again.
“Qin-mama, help grandmother back for now,” Qin Yining, finally stepping up from behind the old dowager, spoke when she saw the tremors in her grandmother’s figure. “Don’t let anger harm grandmother’s body. Miss Huining has always been a mature one, this is just an impulsive act. I’ll talk some sense into her, and I’m sure she’ll come to her senses soon.”
The mama nodded, completely at ease leaving the situation in Qin Yining’s hands, and coaxed the old dowager back to her own rooms. The old dowager wasn’t feeling well at all as she was escorted back, but was given some peace of mind when she saw how Qin Yining was giving Qin Huining a way out.
That left only the sniffling Qin Huining and kneeling Cai-mama, Bitong, and Bitao in the room after the old dowager’s departure. Qin Yining snorted derisively. “Crying, throwing a tantrum, and then threatening a suicide. Qin Huining, do you fancy yourself a stage actress? What, did you think things have been a tad too peaceful at home?”
“And who the hell do you think you are?! Get out!” Qin Huining bounded to her feet with bloodshot eyes, ready to push Qin Yining away. But Qin Yining’s hand blurred, closing around Qin Huining’s slender neck in a flash!
“You wanted to die? Then why don’t I help you along!?”
*
* *
Thin but fairly stiff silk frequently used for suicides in ancient China.
Chapter 56: Returning In Style
Qin Huining scrabbled at Qin Yining’s wrist with both hands, trying to peel off the latter’s fingers. But Qin Yining’s hand was like a metal clamp; her grip didn’t loosen in the slightest.
Qin Huining’s throat was nearly pinched shut and she began to have trouble breathing. She tried to screech, but her next words came out as a panicked rasp, “What are you all still standing there for?! Help me! Get someone!”
Off to the side, Cai-mama and Bitao were scared silly by Qin Yining’s violent reaction. Their mistress’ shrieks jolted them back into action and they sprang forward to try and rip Qin Yining’s hands off their mistress.
However, they were arrested in their tracks by a single glare. Qin Yining had accumulated quite a reputation thus far, and one look was enough to cause them to freeze in place, shuddering in fear. As for Bitong, she couldn’t even summon the courage to take a step forward.
For a long moment, the only sound that reigned was Qin Huining’s choked breathing.
Finally, Qin Yining flung the other girl away disdainfully. Left to their own devices, Qin Huining’s knees couldn’t handle the sudden weight and collapsed beneath the girl, sending the hacking girl straight to the ground. .
“Oh? Didn’t you lack the face to keep living? The old dowager is benevolent, but a barbarian used to blood and gore has no such qualms. If you’re afraid to take your life because you fear the pain, I’ll gladly help send you on your way.”
While the words that echoed around the hall were horrifying beyond their wildest dreams, Qin Yining’s tone and voice was nothing less than tender and loving.
For just a second, Qin Huining realized that if the other girl truly wanted to kill her, there was no struggle she could put up that would forestall her death. She’d die before she could even breathe a cry for help.
Even further, who would believe that the grand preceptor’s daughter could be a murderer? The other Qin family members would just gloss over this matter out of concern for Qin Huaiyuan’s reputation! Exactly when had Qin Huining’s position in the Qin family become so precarious?! It wasn’t just a matter of wealth and glory anymore, now her very life was at the whim of another!
Qin Yining smiled when she finally saw fear overtake the foster girl’s face. “Finally afraid now, aren’t you? Qin Huining, listen carefully to everything I say next. Your suicide attempt has likely traveled throughout the entire manor by now, and will probably be common gossip for every aristocratic households within the city for the next month. Given this “prior history” you’ve just created for yourself, if you suddenly commit suicide, everyone will simply think that you’re up to old tricks again. So, if you dare try anything in the future, I won’t hesitate in hanging you from this very beam.”
Qin Huining followed Qin Yining’s eyes as the latter looked up, and then back at her. Still smiling, Qin Yining reached to the side, grabbing the crumpled heap that was Cai-mama. She hoisted the old servant up with a single hand, the latter no different than a sack of potatoes.
The mama’s feet were clear off the ground, her eyes wide with shock.
Qin Yining turned back to Qin Huining, her gentle smile in stark contrast to Qin Huining’s terrified face. “Do you see that? I’m not joking. I have more than enough strength to hang you up there. Just try provoking mother again so that she loses face in front of her in-laws, or disturb the peace at home. We’ll see then who’s faster, the people who run to your rescue, or me hanging you from that beam.
“It’s late. Rest, dear sister.” She patted Qin Huining’s shoulder and left.
Qin Huining was petrified, her eyes never leaving the door. Cai-mama was patting her chest and murmuring distractedly, “Is she even human? Is she even human…”
Bitong’s head was lowered as she thought over Steward Zhong’s instructions. The fear and despair in her eyes deepened further. Qin Huining remained quiet for a very long time before suddenly exploding in a shriek and destroying everything in the room in a fit of fury.
In that period of quiet, Qin Yining had gone to look in on the old dowager again, confirmed that nothing was wrong with the matriarch’s body, and leisurely returned to Snowpear Courtyard.
The following morning was the day the crown prince would pay a formal visit to the grand preceptor and host a banquet for his teacher. As a result, the manor was bustling with noise before the sun rose.
Steward Zhong also sent over a certificate from the Central Taoist Registry via Jin-mama of the kitchens early that morning. She came with a message. “The silver has been delivered and the two girls amply prepared.”
Qin Yining started and smiled. “Thank you for making a trip, mama.” She handed over a heavy pouch, embroidered with the character for good fortune. “I’ll have to trouble you lots in the future, so please take this as a token of appreciation.”
“Aiyo, miss, you’re the owner. There’s no need to be so polite.” Jin-mama waved her hands, coming up with every reason she could think of to turn down the pouch.
“We’re all family, so why stand on ceremony? Unless, mama, you think too little of me?” Jin-mama finally accepted the pouch when Qin Yining pretended to be angry. They exchanged some more pleasantries before the old servant took her leave.
Qin Yining returned to nibbling on the bird’s nest that the kitchen had sent and pursed her lips while she made some plans. She gave some orders to Qiulu with a smile. “Clean out a side room off my bedroom. Make sure it’s amply stocked with all necessities and decorations.”
Qiulu nodded and went about her duties, while Qin Yining took Yaoqin and Yuqi, the maids that her father had just given to her, to pay her respects at Garden of Loving Piety.
Everything was calm at the matriarch’s residence today. It seemed that yesterday’s news of Qin Huining’s suicide attempt had yet to spread.
Née Sun, the second and third madame all headed for the outer residence to oversee the matters of welcoming the crown prince and the banquet. The old dowager was speaking with the girls in Garden of Loving Piety. Everyone had turned out splendidly for the day. They would be greeting the crown prince when the banquet started.
Qin Yining sized up Qin Huining and noticed that the latter was wearing a high collared jacket today, one that was just high enough to cover the marks on her neck. She’d also used a suitable amount of powder to hide the née Sun-gifted, swollen redness of her cheek, and was sitting next to the sixth miss. She seemed rather subdued.
It looks like Qin Huining’s the sort that only cooperates after violence. A slap is more useful than a hundred lines of earnest concern. She spared the foster girl no further thought since Qin Huining was behaving herself. Qin Yining joined the other girls in entertaining the old dowager.
At the fifth hour of the day, the hour of the dragon, a serving girl reported in, “The crown prince has arrived and is commencing the disciple ceremony in the front yard.”
Forty five minutes into the hour of the dragon, another runner came in. “The crown prince, the lord, and various masters have gone to the study.”
It was now the sixth hour of the day, the hour of the snake. [1] A merry Jixiang had come back from a quick check on the situation outside. “Old Dowager, the crown prince, three elder masters, and the younger masters have gone to tour the gardens in the back. Senior Madame says the banquet is ready and can start at noon. You and the misses can set out for Flower Hall now.”
“Noted.” The old dowager nodded spiritedly and inspected the miss’ outfits again. Only fifteen minutes had passed when a serving girl came tearing in from outside, skidding a halt in the covered hallway and rapidly fired off, “Old Dowager! Miss Huining’s maids Bitong and Xiao’ai startled the crown prince in the gardens just now. The lord has already thrown the two out of the manor and has given orders for Miss Huining to be locked in the woodshed. He will be questioning her later.”
; Qin Huining surged to her feet, eyes wide with shock. She looked pleadingly at the old dowager. “What’s, what’s going on? Bitong isn’t with me today because it’s that time of the month. I told her to rest because she was feeling uncomfortable. Why would she run into the gardens at the back and even startle the crown prince…”
The old dowager frowned and spoke to Qin-mama. “Lujuan, go find out what’s happened.”
“Understood.” The mama rapidly walked out.
Qin Yining cast her eyes downward, taking a sip of the warm tea. It was bitter when it first hit the palate, but soon came back with a refreshing feeling. Good tea.
The girls had all been excited about the banquet at noon, but were now on tenterhooks, particularly Qin Huining. Her face was ghastly white and sweat poured down her neck as she frantically guessed what had happened. Why would father want to lock her in the woodshed? Qin-mama returned after a while.
“Old Dowager.” Her expression was quite ugly. “This servant has found out about everything. Bitong and Xiao’ai didn’t know that the lord was touring the gardens with the other masters and the crown prince. Both of them had some free time today and were gossiping in the rear of the artificial mountain. As a result, the entire entourage heard their conversation. They said… said…”
“Said what? Speak clearly!” The old dowager frowned.
“I brought the lord’s body servant Qitai. He can make a full report.”
“Get him in here!”
Qitai was thirty some years old and had served Qin Huaiyuan for a long time. He was both loyal and quick-witted. He didn’t enter the inner room, kneeling just outside the divider of magpies alighting on plum blossoms. The girls could see his faint silhouette on the other side.
“…the crown prince and our masters were strolling along when they heard two girls chattering. The girls said that the fourth miss is an idiot short on brains because she didn’t even know that she’d been framed by someone else. The maid who stole the old dowager’s bracelet was set up by Bitong, who’d received her orders from Miss Huining. They also said that the old dowager was an easy one to manipulate if she threw out the fourth miss’ maid just like that.
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