Return of the Swallow c1-644

by Edited by Deyna up to chapter ~100.

  Née Sun grew even more panicked when she listened to what sounded like the last words from her mother. Qin Yining understood what the duchess meant and frowned. “You don’t actually need to worry, grandmother. I’m not the one who set the precedent of the Institute hiring from the Royal Academy. It’s a tradition from our ancestors. I have the desire to bring our family here and such is my freedom to do so. Can the emperor reach into even private business?”

  “Silly girl.” The duchess responded. “Do you think the emperor is rational? If he was, our family wouldn't be in these straits. Your father has a special status and it’s not proper for us to remain. Additionally, I have things to do.” She stood up and patted née Sun’s head, then said benevolently to Qin Yining, “You haven’t returned home for long but I can tell you’re a smart girl. Let’s avoid visits in the future. We’ll each live our own lives. Growing old peacefully will be the greatest blessing of all.”

  Qin Yining’s forehead was furrowed tightly, while Bingtang, Songlan, and Qiulu all felt that the duchess was being too coldblooded. Their mistress had spent more than just silver in saving the females and bringing messages into the dungeon so that the males might not pass onto the next world with great uncertainty. She’d also assumed enormous risk in giving them a good burial and retaining all of the needed servants. But the duchess now saying “avoid visits and cut down on contact” was drawing a clear moat between the two.

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  Chapter 86: Meeting Once Again (I)

  Chapter 86: Meeting Once Again (I)

  Qin Yining understood that such an enormous tragedy had resulted in permanent trauma to the surviving female members of the Ding Manor. Living meant shouldering all of the pain, and it was much easier to just die and let go of it all. The duchess had lost everything in just one night, but still had to grit her teeth and carry on. She had to lead the rest of her family, loved ones who had lost all thought of what to do, on with their lives. The path ahead would be troubled and full of obstacles, particularly when their hearts were full of hate.

  Although Qin Huaiyuan had tacitly allowed Qin Yining to help the remaining Suns and hadn’t taken advantage of their current straits to further raise his position higher, he was still a favored official and Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent. Now, he was being forced to accept née Cao as a concubine, to speak of nothing in the future. Qin Yining’s own marriage might be closely tied in with the royal family in the future.

  The Sun females hated the royal family to a one, and it was now unavoidable that the Qins would be tightly connected with the royals in many ways. They walked different paths, so nothing the duchess said would make a difference. The only thing she could do was distance herself from Qin Yining. The girl wasn’t angry or disappointed. She was just sad that the tides of circumstance would ebb and flow this way.

  When the duchess saw her granddaughter’s expression, she sighed softly once again, and wordlessly patted the girl’s shoulder. Née Sun found it hard to control her emotions, covering her face as she sobbed. In the past, her sisters-in-law would dote on her and naturally comfort her when she cried. but now that they themselves were almost drowning in sorrow, they were unable to pay attention to anything else.

  Qin Yining pulled on née Sun’s arm as a hint to her mother to stop crying. When the madame actually did stop crying, the girl continued, “Grandmother says you’ve already arranged for your next stop, but where are you going? This is such a large family and all of the Duke of Ding’s businesses have been confiscated. Moreover, you’re all women and have no guards for protection. How will you settle down?”

  The duchess smiled gratefully, it seems that Qin Yining still retained her sincere attitude and hadn’t been put off by the earlier proclamations. “If you’re worried, darling Yi, you can come with us. It’s not far from here.”

  Qin Yining’s thoughts started spinning rapidly as she looked at her grandmother. Not far from here… able to house so many females… and grandmother moving in with peace of mind… Inspiration struck as she exclaimed with surprise, “You’re going to the Celestial Nunnery?!”

  The duchess was surprised that the answer had been guessed so quickly and nodded.

  ……

  Qin Yining and née Sun left Jin-mama, Caiju, Songlan, Bingtang, and Qiulu to help the duchess get everything in order. The Qin fourth miss took time to have Songlan pass a message to Steward Zhong to prepare a hundred tael bank note and a three thousand tael money order.

  On this day, the remaining Sun family took six carriages and arrived at Celestial Nunnery after noon. A little nun had been waiting for a while and ran inside when she saw them in the distance. When the group reached the doors, Priestess Liu had already come out with some younger nuns.

  “Oh Great High God! Are you alright, Elder Madame, madames, misses? When I heard that you wanted to seek sanctuary here, I had someone clean up a residence for everyone to inhabit.” Priestess Liu was wearing a gray-blue Taoist robe and a new black cape. She seemed to have put on some weight as her round face beamed merrily with shrewd smiles.

  “Many thanks for your succor, Priestess Liu.” The duchess sighed and brought her family into the nunnery. “Priestess Liu’s vision is divine. Everything you said came to pass.”

  “Ai, I’d rather wish I was inaccurate.” Priestess Liu also sighed and looked at the cleanly dressed, pretty Bingtang who was blinking her large eyes back at her old master. The priestess couldn’t help but smile. “Aiyo, it’s Jing Zhen! Come over here and let master take a look at you.”

  “Master!” Bingtang let go off Qin Yining’s arm and came forward to make a smiling curtsey.

  Priestess Liu patted Bingtang’s head. “It looks like you’re living well. Miss Qin is indeed a kind soul.”

  Qin Yining dimpled as she supported née Sun. “The priestess praises me too highly. I am unworthy.”

  “It’s cold outside, why don't we have the madame and ladies rest inside?” Priestess Liu said when she noted the women dressed plainly in white and two granny servants holding up a young wife with an ashen complexion, and another woman in early pregnancy holding a baby.

  “That would be wonderful. Thank you, priestess.” The duchess smiled thankfully.

  “Take our guests to the side yard.” Priestess Liu summoned two disciples.

  “Yes, master.” The two nuns cupped their hands in a Taoist greeting and took the group to the west side yard while the priestess invited the duchess, née Sun, and Qin Yining to her own.

  As they walked, Priestess Liu kept looking at née Sun with her face drained of all color. They’d just reached the doors to the yard when they heard a young man complain, “What’s taking so long? My master is impatient.”

  Both Qin Yining and Bingtang widened their eyes. The young man facing them was about eighteen years old and average height. He was muscular and had thick brows set into very regular features. He was wearing a navy blue cotton jacket and a wool shrug thrown onto his shoulder. A six panel hat kept his head warm and did nothing to conceal the surprised look he was shooting them. When his look fell on Bingtang, his fair face instantly flushed beet red.

  It was the young man who’d clapped his hand around Bingtang’s mouth in the temple! If he was here, then the young man that Priestess Liu hailed as her patron must be here as well!

  Indeed, the bamboo slats and cotton door curtains lifted to reveal a charming gentleman. His squirrel fur collar, brocade cape flared as he strode out. He was tall, had long brows and a pair of phoenix eyes, and a gentle demeanor. It was the young man that Qin Yining had met before, alright.

  When she thought of what’d happened when they met, she flushed an awkward red. While Pang Xiao had been assiduously looking off into the distance and had even slouched to change his aura, he too looked away awkwardly when he saw Qin Yining’s reddened face.

  Priestess Liu’s shrewd look flickered between several people before she grinned widely. “Come, it’s cold outside. Let’s chat inside. My place is small
and only this house has an active brazier at the moment. You’ve all met anyways. Please come in, patron.”

  Guests followed the host’s lead. Since Priestess Liu had already expressed her stance and the duchess was to settle here in the future with the rest of her family, Qin Yining was in no position to express disdain. She could only help née Sun and the duchess inside.

  It really was as warm as spring within. Priestess Liu occupied the head seat and had the others take seats where they wished. The young patron sat at the head left seat while his strong follower stood behind her. The duchess and née Sun sat in front of him while Qin Yining took up her usual position behind her grandmother. She sent Bingtang and Jin-mama to the outer room.

  When Qin Yining saw that Priestess Liu was taking her time and drinking tea, she didn’t want things to drag on further consider the priestess’ personality. She stepped forward and curtsied. “Apart from entrusting my family to you today, I also have something to ask of you, honored priestess.”

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  Chapter 87: Meeting Once Again (II)

  Chapter 87: Meeting Once Again (II)

  The light in Priestess Liu’s eyes grew even brighter. Whenever a favor was needed, there was money to be had. She’d always felt that one should have a hobby. Life would be so boring without a hobby. Some liked to eat, others liked to be pretty, while some liked money. She loved money.

  “Please speak of anything you need, Miss Qin.”

  Qin Yining took out two two-thousand tael notes from her sleeves and handed them over to the priestess with both grin. She continued when she saw that the priestess’ eyes had curled into slivers from a wide beam. “You know of what’s happened to my maternal relations, so I’d like to commission forty nine days of soothing rites. Here are thousand tael notes. I hope the priestess will take special care in them.”

  “I see.” Priestess Liu blinked understandingly at Qin Yining and counted the bills in hand. “Miss Qin has the best bearing and is most generous. Don’t worry, I will try my best in this matter. You can be at ease with the Sun females residing here.”

  “Then I leave this in the priestess’ hands.” Qin Yining retreated back behind the duchess when she saw that her goal had been met. She could understand grandmother’s desire to reduce contact. But she just couldn’t be at ease if she didn’t use some money to ease the way for her family that was currently drowning in sorrow. The duchess understood the effort that Qin Yining was going to and was deeply touched. She patted Qin Yining’s hand with great emotion. Née Sun was surprised that Qin Yining had so much money, but she was happy because her daughter was filial and thinking for née Sun’s family.

  Just as Priestess Liu was merrily counting her money, a low, resonant voice spoke up measuredly. “Is this young miss the daughter of Grand Preceptor Qin?”

  He’s finally talking to her! Huzi looked excitedly at his master.

  Both the duchess and née Sun were a bit surprised. They hadn’t thought that an outside male would address them of his own accord. If he really was someone who abided by the code of manners, he would’ve removed himself from the situation when he saw them speaking. He would’ve never just sat off to the side and blatantly listened in. But since they were in Priestess Liu’s house and she’d asked him to stay, they couldn’t very well forbid the young man to talk. Qin Yining looked over and rested her eyes only briefly on Pang Xiao’s face before curtseying.

  “That would be me. This gentleman has a deep shared destiny with Priestess Liu. It’s the second time we’ve met, yet I still don’t know your honored surname, or where you might hail from.”

  “My surname is Yao and quite ordinary. I come from the north and am here on business.” Pang Xiao stood up to return a dashing bow and responded with the surname of his maternal relations.

  “So it’s Sir Yao.” Qin Yining looked down and didn’t say anymore. Pang Xiao also sat down as well, his heart pounding a bit from his first real discourse with Qin Yining.

  Songlan came in at this time and curtsied with a smile. She then walked over to Qin Yining and spoke a few words in a low tone. Not a change flickered over the Qin fourth miss’ expression. She nodded to indicate her understanding and dismissed Songlan after murmuring a few words next to the maid’s ears. The duchess and née Sun didn’t think much of this.

  The priestess started chit-chatting with the duchess again, covering some mundane, everyday topics. Although Qin Yining stood next to them, her attention was plainly elsewhere. Her eyes kept subconsciously flitting to the windows and door. Pang Xiao remained quiet, but his attention was on the girl. He guessed that something was about to happen given her movements. An interested smile curled his lips. He knew that Qin Yining was a smart girl and was greatly looking forward to finding out what she was up to.

  “It’s getting late, so we…” The duchess began with a smile when she felt the hour was getting late.

  However, Qin Yining placed her hand on her grandmother’s shoulder to stop her. “I get along so very well with the priestess. I’d love to stay and chat a bit longer. I don’t think the priestess minds, do you?”

  Priestess Liu blinked, not sure how she got along so very well with this noble girl. But since the Qin fourth miss had just given her fourth thousand taels and the Duchess of Ding was to take up residence in the nunnery, there would surely be much more money in the future. With this future revenue, whatever the noble girl said, went.

  “Of course not. To be honest, this humble nun feels that I get along very well with Miss Qin as well.”

  “Indeed. I find the priestess even more amiable after seeing her. It’s plain to see that we share destiny.” Qin Yining looked around with her charming eyes and laughed. “Has the priestess lived here long? I’ve only just returned to the capital and so don’t understand many things.”

  The duchess could feel the faint pressure that Qin Yining was exerting. Although she didn’t understand why her granddaughter had cut her off, she played along. “I remember that the priestess arrived here about five years ago?”

  Priestess Liu nodded merrily. “Indeed. I share a deep destiny with the capital. However, my knowledge is shallow and there’s much I can do to improve myself. Sadly, I haven’t had much of an opportunity to do things for others, so I really do feel ashamed.”

  “You’re too humble, priestess,” Qin Yining quickly responded. “Your predictions are on par with the ‘Soothsayer’.”

  During her time in the world, Qin Yining had heard of a wandering monk in Great Zhou who made unerringly accurate predictions. His title was ‘Soothsayer’. The soothsayer specialized in reading the heavens and predicting what would happen in the mortal world. He’d even read the destinies of the yet-to-ascend emperor of Great Zhou and his two notable generals a few years ago.

  History spoke of the Great Zhou emperor Li Qitian, Marquis of Northern Stability Ji Zeyu, and Faithful Prince Pang Xiao swearing brotherhood to each other. They were the rock solid triangle of rebellion against Northern Ji tyranny. According to the soothsayer, one of them represented the ‘Field Marshal’ star, also known as ‘Seven Kills’, and another the ‘Army’ star, also known as ‘Star of Destruction’. The last was said to be blessed with ‘unparalleled fortune’. Li Qitian had taken the throne, so he naturally possessed ‘unparalleled fortune’, while rumors abounded that Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu were the reincarnations of the ‘Field Marshal’ and ‘Army’ stars. Qin Yining comparing Priestess Liu to the soothsayer was high praise indeed.

  Priestess Liu plastered an honored smile on her face, but she started grumbling uncertainly inside. Huzi could barely keep a straight face as he snuck glances at her. Pang Xiao lifted his eyes and calmly sized up Qin Yining. Is this on purpose or not? Does she say this because she knows Priestess Liu’s true identity?

  The priestess laughed. “Gods above! This humble nun doesn’t dare accept Miss Qin’s luxurious comp
liments. I only have a little bit of smarts but have no ability to help people avoid or dispel disaster. What use is there in just being able to talk about something and not do anything about it?”

  “You’re too humble, priestess. Foreknowledge is still much better than being completely unprepared.” Qin Yining started chatting about Taoism next and then moved onto where the priestess had lived before the nunnery, and what the local customs were.

  Another two hours passed, and the duchess and née Sun were a bit tired. They’d been in the house for four hours now, and their waists were sore. The duchess made to take her leave again, but Qin Yining pressed her down with a smile again before she could even open her mouth. “We have a rare moment of free time today, so why not chat a while longer?”

  Everyone sensed how she was acting out of character this time. Née Sun couldn’t hold herself in and hectored with a frown, “What are you trying to do, daughter Yi? Don’t forget that we have things to do at home today!”

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  Chapter 88: Perilous Circumstances

  Chapter 88: Perilous Circumstances

  Qin Yining was actually already surprised by née Sun’s ability to just sit there for four hours today, listening to unimportant chatter between her, the priestess, and the duchess. Foremost on the girl’s mind was knowledge of née Sun’s desire to hurry back. Concubine Cao would be entering the manor today, and even if née Sun wanted to express the disdain of a wife for a concubine, being fashionably late was enough.

  Now that née Sun was growing truly angry, Qin Yining felt that it was alright to tell the others the situation outside. “Don’t be angry or anxious, mother. I’ve been delaying things because I was worried people would be afraid if I spoke the truth.”

  Pang Xiao arched and eyebrow and looked at Qin Yining with interest. Drastic shifts in expression occurred on the duchess’ and née Sun’s face.