“You little chit.” Qin Huaiyuan picked up ‘The Commentary of Zuo’ and lightly smacked Qin Yining’s forehead. “You’ve got reasons for all your actions, huh?”
But the tap didn’t hurt at all.
In fact, there was even a faint sense of doting affection in the action. Qin Yining rubbed her forehead and then looked at her father, her eyes brimming with the kind of love that only a child shows their parent. Qin Huaiyuan felt very warm as he sensed the depth of her feelings. “Rise. Danqing has just had servants prepare osmanthus cakes. Have some with me.”
Qin Yining wasn’t a picky eater and liked all food, but osmanthus cakes were her favorite. Father knew that? And considered that I didn’t have time to eat today? She was greatly touched and smiled in assent, rising from her knees to take a seat on her recently vacated cushion.
Danqing and Moxiang came in with all sorts of cakes and snacks, placing them lightly on the small table. When Qin Yining saw her father pick up a piece of osmanthus cake, she also reached forward to grab one and bit off a large mouthful. It was soft, fragrant, and sticky, but not overly sweet. The faint sweetness soothed the tightly wound emotions of the day. Her appetite awoke with a vengeance, and she scarfed down four in a row, guzzling down a cup of tea before feeling like her stomach finally had something to work on.
She lifted her head to see that Qin Huaiyuan still holding that first piece of cake. He was just looking at her with a smile on his face. She immediately understood that he’d been afraid she wouldn’t eat anything if he didn’t make the first move, which was why he’d picked up a piece as well.
“Father.” Overcome with emotion, Qin Yining called out to Qin Huaiyuan.
The girl’s eyes were limpid and clear, and onlookers couldn’t help but soften their hearts at the sight. That charming exterior was so like the image that had been reflected back from his mirrors when he was young. Such a smart and pretty child was possibly the only inheritor of his bloodline that he’d ever have in his life. Qin Huaiyuan couldn’t help but stretch out his large hand to rub her head. Qin Yining’s eyes filled with surprise and delight, even butting his hand subconsciously like a little animal, making Qin Huaiyuan chuckle with joy.
So this was the joy of child rearing. Although his daughter had already turned fourteen when she’d returned, at an age where she could marry, she was still just a smart and mischievous child in his eyes. If there’d been peace beneath the heavens, Qin Huaiyuan really didn’t mind Qin Yining getting into all sorts of scrapes. His daughter could freely cause various troubles outside and then come home crying for her father. He would then settle everything for her and receive her worship and admiration in return. How nice would that be.
Sadly, these weren’t such times.
“Full?” Qin Huaiyuan asked when he saw Qin Yining no longer reaching for more food. She nodded, her face blushing red. He spoke on seriously. “Although your actions today are infallible in terms of their logic and justice served, you’ve forgotten the situation we facing.”
Qin Yining kept her head down and responded honestly, “In response to father, I haven’t forgotten, it’s just that…”
“You wanted to do all that, and so you did?”
“Yes.” Qin Yining nodded. “I just didn't want to do anything against my conscience and then live in regret and guilt. I know I took a bit of a risk, but I believe that the emperor still care about his reputation. Even if he wants to find fault, he’ll be able to find an aboveboard and righteous excuse, one that gives him the moral high ground. I spent some time thinking, and still feel that nothing I did was inappropriate. That’s why I did what I did, it’s not that I didn’t consider our family.”
She took a look at Qin Huaiyuan and continued when she saw that his expression hadn’t changed. “And, I’m your daughter. Father is the Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent now. If I do nothing when my maternal grandmother’s family is in trouble and refuse to save fifth cousin-in-law when I could’ve, then what will the people think about us? About father? That we’re heartless brutes who only think about ourselves? I didn’t want my momentary fear to stain father’s lifelong innocence!”
Qin Huaiyuan was silent for a moment. He didn’t lecture Qin Yining nor denounce her oversight. “So what do you plan to do now?”
Qin Yining relaxed when she saw that her father wasn’t opposed to her actions. Her father’s character rose more than a few notches in her esteem for that acceptance. She knew that if Qin Huaiyuan didn’t want her to save them, he had thousands of ways to erase what she’d done and make it so that no one could connect her aid to her. Since father hadn’t stopped her, that meant he was tacitly agreeing to what she’d done and would help her as well. Of course, there was some things that he couldn’t do because of his position, which left them up to her.
Her motivation rose, and her thoughts began spinning rapidly. “Father, the most pressing matter is mother, then the execution three days later. If the emperor doesn’t give any other orders, the rule for those executed is to be dumped in common graves. No one will be allowed to bury them.”
“I thought you would have me beg the emperor for mercy for your maternal relatives.”
“It’s easy enough for me to beg you, but it’s hard for you to beg the emperor.” Qin Yining smiled wryly. The emperor had clearly been scared out of his senses by Great Zhou’s response. The only thing he could coherently put together was the intent to pacify Great Zhou. The Suns had simply been the unlucky target, as he’d already made up his mind to make an example out of them.
When faced a choice between one’s life, or another’s, a scared man would obviously choose to save himself. Qin Huaiyuan wouldn't be able to do anything and might even get himself in trouble if he interfered at the wrong moment. If things weren’t handled well, then the entire Qin clan would be dragged in. Qin Yining wasn’t an idiot, she was already grateful enough that her father was letting her operate in the shadows for the Suns.
* * *
The Commentary of Zuo is an ancient Chinese narrative history traditionally regarded as a narrative on the Spring and Autumn Annals.
Chapter 79: Unlucky Slaughter
Chapter 79: Unlucky Slaughter
Qin Huaiyuan was familiar with many people at court, but someone who both happened to share his views and not need reminders like his daughter were few and far between. She’s my daughter alright. Not only does she look like and does things like me, she’s also incredibly smart. Qin Huaiyuan was genuinely delighted at his daughter’s rationale and spoke with a warm expression, “So you understand my difficulties.”
Qin Yining responded seriously. “That father has been able to rise to these heights probably means that you sleep with one eye open. Even at the best of times, it’s a tiring and mentally taxing undertaking. You’re also the head of the household. If you overlook something of importance, our family may well end up like the Duke of Ding’s. I sometimes worry for your efforts and pressure when I think about it. It’s a pity that I’m a girl and cannot share your burdens.”
Qin Huaiyuan felt a burst of affection for his daughter when he saw how her maturity outshone her age. Her words seemed to most often speak to his heart. In this family, not only the old dowager, but even his two brothers viewed Qin Huaiyuan as a mountain that would never collapse. Sometimes, a man didn’t so much want help from his family, but just the knowledge that they understand his efforts and difficulties. That was enough for him to feel immensely touched.
Everything that needed to be spoken of had been settled. “Go greet your grandmother later. Make sure you answer properly if she asks anything.”
“Yes, I understand.” Qin Yining understood that Qin Huaiyuan was worried she’d talk back and anger the matriarch.
“Then go on back.” Qin Huaiyuan nodded in satisfaction. “Comfort your mother well. she must be very saddened.”
Qin Yining assented and had just risen to curtsey when Qitai’s voice traveled in. “Milord, a messenger has arrived from the
palace with an urgent summons. The emperor has urgent business and requests milord’s presence as soon as possible!”
“Understood,” Qin Huaiyuan responded faintly.
“Father, the Institute…” Qin Yining asked solemnly.
“I have my own thoughts about it. Go about your business.”
“The emperor won’t punish you, will he?” Qin Yining was very worried. She was already determined to take a step back if her actions would harm her own family.
Qin Huaiyuan tapped his daughter’s forehead. “A child should do what a child would do. Don’t worry so much at your age. Go greet your grandmother.”
This obvious bit of doting was something that Qin Yining rarely received from her elders. She blushed in sudden happiness, and her dewy eyes curved into half crescents from her smile. She curtsied docilely and took her leave.
Qin Huaiyuan had Qitai prepare the carriage after he sent Qin Yining off with his eyes.
Qin Yining quickly reached the Garden of Loving Piety and saw a serving girl stooped on the steps from a fair distance away. The girl rose and hopped back into the courtyard when she saw the fourth miss. It was an odd event, so Qin Yining purposely slowed her steps as she walked. She’d just set foot onto the steps when Qin-mama came out, walking quickly with a lantern in her hands.
Qin Yining immediately understood the situation. She walked up to the old servant and asked delicately, “Qin-mama, does Old Dowager have some instructions for me?”
The two exchanged greetings and walked off to the side. There, Qin-mama murmured in a low voice, “The old dowager isn’t feeling well and has just taken her medicine. She’s off in a huff. What’s happened at the Ding Manor today has spread far and wide. She was worried and gave a few words of advice to Senior Madame. The senior madame may have been in a bad mood and thus retorted angrily. The old dowager took offense and had the senior madame confined to the ancestral hall to reflect on her wrongs. When you enter, be careful when you see the old dowager.”
Qin Yining was a bit surprised by this, not née Sun’s inappropriate response, but that the old dowager would be so self serving. This wasn’t the first time she hadn’t gotten along with her daughter-in-law. But the matriarch had endured it before, and now she wouldn’t take it for even a day.
“Thank you, Qin-mama. I understand. Although mother is impulsive, she doesn’t mean any harm. No one can remain calm in this sort of situation, and the old dowager must think for the entire Qin clan. Ai! The old dowager is truly in a difficult spot.”
Qin-mama smiled at having met someone who shared her thoughts so precisely. “That’s what I told Old Dowager as well.”
“It’s so much better that you are by the old dowager’s side than us little girls. All we know to do is panic whenever we run into situations like these…”
The mama naturally liked the sound of these words. Her smile remained on her face as the two walked through the door hand-in-hand. The old servant’s chin rose unconsciously in pride. Meanwhile, Qin Yining was forcefully tamping down her sorrow and panic and kept her focus on maintaining a small smile on her face. Elders were often superstitious, and the old dowager was already afraid of being dragged down by the Suns. If she walked in with a long face, wouldn’t that just make things worse?
“Old Dowager.” Qin Yining circled around the black lacquer divider, the sparrows alighting on plum blossoms greeting her silently, and curtsied properly.
The old dowager was taking a pull from the brass pipe with its accompanying tobacco pouch. When she saw her granddaughter walk in, a frown creased her forehead. “Why have you come back so late? Where did you go again? Don’t you imitate your mother in not knowing the difference between your family and outsiders! Although your maternal relations treated you well, and gave you money and a business, it’s Qin blood that flows in your veins. You’re a Qin!
“Don’t think you’ve become something just because you inherited a business! That was nothing to them. You’re just a little girl with long hair and a short span of experience. What do you know?! Look at you acting so grateful. You should be afraid of attracting trouble for our family!”
A materialistic lecture was unceremoniously thrown in her face barely after she’d finished greeting the old dowager. Truthfully, it pained Qin Yining quite a bit. Even if the Institute was just a single hair on an ox to the Suns before, wouldn’t that be the same to the Qins as well? Yet the old dowager hadn’t seemed similarly inclined. But Qin Yining knew that this was just how the old dowager was. What else could the matriarch do? Kill her own granddaughter?
“The old dowager speaks truly. Your granddaughter had come home early, but ended up speaking to father in the outer study for a long while. This delayed me for a bit and was why I didn’t immediately come.” Qin Yining neatly admitted her faults.
So she’d actually yelled wrongly at Qin Yining? This made for an awkward situation. The old dowager had nursed a bellyful of anger all day, but her verbal punch had just smacked into a cloud of cotton instead.
But Qin Yining knew better than to wait for the old dowager to apologize. That was just inviting her grandmother to hate her. She immediately created a way out. “It’s my fault for making you worry, grandmother. I shouldn’t have come back late when everything is a mess outside from the matters of the Duke of Ding Manor today, not to mention when Great Zhou’s letter is plastered everywhere, or even when Elder Statesman Cao killed someone in broad daylight. Unfortunately, there were some urgent business matters I had to attend to, and I also paid a visit to Grand Steward Zhong to ask about the accounts. This was why I came home a bit late. Please forgive me, Old Dowager.”
The old dowager felt that this gave her enough face, and her ruffled temper was suitably soothed. “Mm. As long as your know your faults. You can rise to speak.” She’d unconsciously forgotten the fiery words she’d wanted to rain down on Qin Yining.
The girl rose to her feet with a merry smile and took the small mallet to massage the old dowager’s legs. She kept her conversation topics to the old dowager’s dinner and other trivial topics. She didn’t mention her mother once, or ask for mercy on née Sun’s behalf, further pleasing the old dowager.
Just as the scene was turning harmonious, Jixiang rushed into the room, her face drained of all color. “Old Dowager! Terrible things have happened!”
“What is it? How can you just rush in so frantically like this? You’ll alarm the mistress!” Qin-mama hectored.
Jixiang looked over at Qin Yining, her eyes holding a complicated look, and knelt. “Old Dowager, the Sun males were all just dragged out and beheaded, including the five year old young master!”
The old dowager jerked up with surprise, her pipe falling from her hands. In the silence that reigned after that announcement, the loud clatter of the pipe hitting the floor, and the hissing of the scattered live and dead ashes reigned. But the old dowager quickly regained her voice. “What did you say?! Wasn’t it supposed to be three days later?”
“Qitai just sent word that the lord was summoned into the palace tonight,” Jixiang responded. “The Suns were executed early because… because Great Zhou angrily slaughtered twenty thousand Great Yan captives when they didn’t receive Sun Yu’s brains! The emperor was incensed and didn’t want to wait three days. He gave orders for their immediate beheading! The bloody corpses have been thrown out the palace’s meridian gate, allowing anyone to spit and curse at them…”
Fear and panic struck the old dowager in waves. She took a shaky step back, but her ankles gave way. She cried out in alarm as she fell back onto the luohan bed.
“Mistress!” Qin-mama quickly went to the matriarch’s aid. Qin Yining also automatically moved to support her grandmother as well. But if one took a careful look at her expression, they’d realize that her mind was at those palace gates. Pained tears brimmed in her expressive eyes. Her hands trembled as she strove to keep her tears under control and calm herself.
The old dowager stared off blankly into space as
tears began to roll down her face. “This, this is evil! Pure evil! I don’t even know what to say!” She turned to Jixiang. “Did Qitai say if the lord had any orders?”
“In response to Old Dowager, there’s nothing else. The lord only says that he won’t return tonight and for you not to worry.”
“How can I not worry! The emperor demands lives at the drop of a hat!” The old dowager patted her chest, tears still trickling down her cheeks.
* * *
Chapter 80: Undercurrents
Chapter 80: Undercurrents
“I shouldn’t have told Meng’er to be an official! Look at all this madness He dealt a great blow to Northern Ji with that ploy back in the day, but now that demon Pang Zhixi hates him to the bone! And now that Meng’er’s the Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent, the emperor goes to him for help with any matter, no matter big or small. Which might even cause others to be jealous and start to scheme against him! My heart hangs in the balance with him everyday, like it’s roasting over a fire!”
Qin-mama tried in vain to comfort her mistress when she saw how inconsolable the old dowager seemed to be. On her other side, Qini Yining was still on auto-pilot as she supported the old dowager. Her heart had been caught in the claws of an overwhelming grief.
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