“Have the fourth miss enter.”
The pageboy immediately went to respectfully invite Qin Yining in. It wasn’t until she stepped into the brightly covered hallway that the pageboy started, surprised by the miss’ bedraggled appearance. He was afraid of being dragged into the troubles of his masters and quickly took his leave with a lowered head.
Qin Yining left Bingtang outside and entered by herself. She circled past a divider of the four gentlemen of the flowers to the side hall, meeting her father’s gaze.
He too was taken aback by his daughter’s reddened and puffy eyes. “Daughter Yi, has someone bullied you?” His first reaction was that Cao Yuqing had done something to his daughter.
Qin Yining took off her cloak and hung it to the side, revealing her dirty skirt and bandaged hands. “We ran into something during the trip today. Father, can we talk here?”
Qin Huaiyuan nodded and frowned ferociously as he looked at Qin Yining. Not only were her hands and elbows superficially treated, her eyes reddened, but there were also traces of blood on her white, intersecting collar! He threw down his book and strode over without even putting his shoes on. He lifted his daughter’s chin to peer closely at her neck.
“You’re hurt! Who hurt you? Née Cao?”
“So father knew of née Cao’s real identity.”
Qin Yining’s words halted Qin Huaiyuan’s in his tracks. “You know?” He responded after a long moment.
“Yes.”
Qin Huaiyuan’s brow was knit tightly. “Are your wounds alright? Shall we summon a doctor first? Are you hurt anywhere else?”
“I’m fine, father. Miss Tang already treated me on the way back.”
Qin Huaiyuan nodded. “Come, sit. Tell me what happened today.”
* * *
Chapter 141: The Ins and Outs of Things
Chapter 141: The Ins and Outs of Things
Qin Huaiyuan waved a hand and called out, “Have Miss Tang come by.”
Qitai was on duty outside and immediately voiced his assent.
Before long, Bingtang entered, curtseying as she did so. “Great fortune to the lord.”
“No need to stand on courtesy, Miss Tang. Please fetch a change of clothing for daughter Yi from the inner residence, as well as some medicine to dress her wounds. Quietly.”
Being highly perceptive, Bingtang immediately understood the undertone that she wasn’t to speak of what had happened today. She nodded seriously. “Understood. This servant will go immediately.”
“Many thanks for the trouble, Miss Tang.” Qin Huaiyuan nodded with a smile when he saw that Bingtang had instantly understood his unspoken meaning.
“This servant wouldn’t dare, this is just part of my duties.” Bingtang departed after another curtsey.
Qin Huaiyuan gave orders for Qitai to guard the door and not allow anyone to approach the study. He finally looked questioningly at his daughter when everything had been arranged properly. Qin Yining carefully recounted everything that had happened today to her father, holding nothing back.
The marquis remained quiet for a long time, studying the picture of the carp frolicking amongst lotuses on the porcelain teacup cover. He didn’t seem to be in a daze or deep in contemplation. He just sat there quietly.
However, the fourth miss knew that veritable seas and rivers were being upended in her father’s heart. Many things would be connected, and many difficult decisions would present themselves.
Qin Huaiyuan finally spoke again after forty five minutes. “That day when we returned to the capital, you returned home first and I made camp outside the city. The emperor arranged for a welcoming ceremony the next day, but there was an assassination attempt.”
Qin Yining sat up ramrod straight, looking seriously at her father, who smiled back at her.
“Not long after I followed the emperor into the palace that day, one of his Silver Masks delivered a report. The emperor threw the secret report to me so that I could see that there were two groups of assassins. One of them remained yet unidentified, but the other group confessed under torture. They were members of Azure Justice, and the Silver Masks already knew that the alliance is being led by your maternal grandmother.”
Qin Yining blinked when she heard this, many fragmented clues connecting themselves in her mind. So this was why so many things had happened lately!
“So, the emperor suddenly wanted to execute mother and display her head because he wanted to lure my maternal grandmother into rescuing her?”
Qin Huaiyuan nodded heavily. “The emperor was absolutely enraged that day, so I could only bow my head and be grounded in solitary confinement. I couldn’t do anything in the subsequent matters and couldn’t get word out. Thankfully little Prince Pang messed up the entire affair, or the consequences would have been unthinkable.”
Qin Yining started sweating and murmured, “I’d actually recruited men to raid the execution grounds that day as well. It really is thanks to Pang Zhixi because otherwise, even our family would be labelled as rebels, and not just Azure Justice.”
Her father didn’t seem surprised at all that she had made her own arrangements. He only nodded silently.
“Father, née Cao must’ve arranged for today’s matters in advance. I can tell that née Cao has a high position in the Silver Masks. She purposefully brought me out today and pretended to be captured. I’m sure it was to test me out and also capture Azure Justice in one fell swoop.”
“Precisely.” Qin Huaiyuan nodded. “The emperor may be fearful of external enemies, but he’s occupied his position for thirty some years. How could someone who fought for the throne and won out against all comers lack shrewdness? Since he failed at using your mother, he must have more plans to follow up on that.”
Qin Yining nodded and felt another wave of fear. Had she agreed to the duchess’ demand to kill Cao Yuqing today, not only would her own life be in jeopardy now, but the skies would fall in over the Qins.
The ceiling lamp was brightly illuminating Qin Yining’s ugly expression. How would Qin Huaiyuan not understand her thoughts when he saw sweat bead her forehead? It was easy for one to be fearless when still in the fog of confusion after running into a matter of life and death. But once the truth was laid bare, and the abrupt realization dawned that death had once brushed by within a hair, well then, even he would shake from fear, much less a little girl.
“It’s been tough on you to be dragged into this.” Qin Huaiyuan rubbed his daughter’s head with a sigh.
“Don’t say that, father.” Qin Yining smiled wryly. “I still hold to those same words. Since I enjoy the benefits of being a Qin daughter, I should shoulder the corresponding responsibility and pressure. I only think that I’m rather lucky in having avoided the wrong path and not brought the family into this.”
Qin Huaiyuan felt the same way as well and nodded.
“Father, did you know of Auntie Cao’s identity long ago?”
“Yes.” Qin Huaiyuan hesitated and decided to tell Qin Yining everything. “One of the emperor’s most vaunted forces is the Silver Masks. This secret service specializes in assassination, information gathering, investigations, and protection detail. Née Cao is the leader of the Silver Masks. Our nation’s crisis was resolved after the peace talks, and so the internal disputes of court began to appear again. The emperor is wary of the Caos’ complex and wide web of power at court and wanted to put a trump card in my hand to counter them. This is why the emperor had me accept née Cao.”
Qin Yining was slack jawed with surprise. “Does Elder Statesman Cao not know of Auntie Cao’s identity?”
Qin Huaiyuan shook his head. “This is the best part of the Silver Masks. Each of their members reside in the shadows with a wholly unexpected identity. They’re absolutely loyal to imperial power and have complete anonymity. Statesman Cao doesn’t know about née Cao at all. He think she’s just a normal woman. And according to what I know, née Cao’s last marriage was because of an imperial decree to kill her husband after gaini
ng certain intelligence.”
Qin Yining thought back to all she’d seen today. Such a beautiful woman with such tremendous skills was in fact become someone else’s tool. She couldn’t even decide her own marriage; that was just a tool to complete a mission! Last time’s marriage had been a mission, resulting in her being a widow. Her status now as Qin Huaiyuan’s concubine was also a mission…
“She’s someone to be pitied as well.” The girl gave a long sigh and her father remained quietly smiling. Qin Yining sighed again and rose. “Father, I won’t tell mother what happened today. If mother asks of my maternal relatives, I’ll say that they’re doing very well. I’ll find an opportunity to tell her later that grandmother and them don’t live at the Celestial Nunnery anymore, that they’ve found another place. As for my wounds, I’ll say that I fell out of carelessness if anyone asks.”
“Good, thorough thinking.” Qin Huaiyuan responded approvingly. “Remember that your attitude towards née Cao can’t change at all. She’s in our family to assist in a few things, and there’s also the possibility that she’s here to keep me under surveillance as well. Regardless, I’ll will take care of these things. Just be yourself.”
Qin Yining understood her father’s meaning and nodded with a smile. She had Bingtang come in and changed clothes in the wash room. Once her wounds were redressed and the cuts on her neck concealed, she went off nonchalantly to the Garden of Tranquility to greet her mother.
Née Sun tugged on Qin Yining’s hand to closely question her daughter about the Suns. The girl glossed over things by saying everything was good, departing for the night only after her mother was in good spirits.
……
Peaceful, calm days passed for the better part of a month. It was now well into spring in the capital, and the newest set of spring outfits had been delivered to each branch of the family. Songlan was helping Qin Yining try on her new clothes when the miss asked Bingtang, “What was that just now? What did the old dowager say about going for a walk outside?”
* * *
Chapter 142: Oft Spring Garden (I)
Chapter 142: Oft Spring Garden (I)
Bingtang was holding up an aqua silk wrap up to Qin Yining and assessing its measurements. “I heard about it from the serving girl at the Garden of Loving Piety, but she only knows some vague words from when she delivered hot water this morning. She doesn’t know the particulars, and only said that the old dowager is of the mind to take the family out for a walk. She didn’t say anything else.”
“I see. These clothes are fine, no need for further adjustments.” Qin Yining looked at the ivory robe and dress ensemble through the bronze mirror and took it off to have Songlan put it away. She sat down on the embroidered cushion of the bowed legged stool in front of her vanity, and saw that Songlan was coming to her with another pale-pink, padded cotton jacket for her to try on. The Qin fourth miss hastily waved a hand. “No need, it doesn’t matter if they’re tighter or looser.”
“Try it on, miss. What if some part doesn’t fit you well?”
“Why does fit matter? Being able to wear it is fine.” Qin Yining was thoroughly tired of repeated fittings and mirror viewings.
Songlan burst out in a chuckle. “Oh miss. If the other girls in the family knew that a beauty didn’t care about her looks… Those who don’t have your looks are all trying various ways to enhance themselves. The sixth miss doesn’t dare eat her fill because she wants to maintain her figure. The seventh miss washes her face everyday with nectar. But you, you don’t care!” She’d put the clothes neatly away into the redwood drawer on the side as she spoke.
Bingtang handed her fellow maid the wrap, a belt, and other accessories. “Our miss is born with fine beauty.” She smiled. “Besides, everyone goes after different things. Why do you think the sixth and seventh miss do all that? Women beautify themselves for self enjoyment. They’re doing that for their own futures. But our miss is different.”
“That’s right. I don’t have anyone I like and don’t care about about any of this.” Qin Yining was plainly uninterested.
“Nono, I don’t mean this when I say our miss is different.” Bingtang chuckled. “You don’t need to mind that much because of your natural beauty, and even if your appearance and health were weak, there’s still a Prince Pang who is utterly devoted to you, no?”
Qin Yining’s face immediately exploded with a blush and she rolled her eyes at Bingtang. “Why, you!”
Bingtang broke out into hearty laughter, heralding the arrival of Riceball with a twitch and a twist of its little butt. Qin Yining’s heart melted when she saw the bunny’s adorable figure by her feet. She picked it up to place it in his lap and stroked it lovingly.
“Prince Pang has gone to a great deal of thought.” Bingtang covered her mouth as she laughed. “He left Riceball with you so that you’ll think of him whenever you see it! So… would this count as… a token of love?” She pointed at the knotted square on the bunny’s neck.
It seemed to understand Bingtang’s words as it twisted and turned in Qin Yining’s lap, looking for a comfortable position. It placed two claws on Qin Yining’s hand and blinked its large eyes up to the girl, looking steadily up at her.
"Don't be silly, we don’t have a relationship at all! How would we exchange any tokens?” Qin Yining retorted in a mock angry tone and looked down at Riceball with a hidden smile. The snow white bunny was marred only by a circle of black fur around its left eye, making it seem like someone had punched it in the face. The effect was both adorable and comical. The girl burst out into chuckles and brought the palm-sized bunny closer for a cuddle.
“Miss, are you going to continue holding Riceball? We need to go make our greetings to the old dowager now. If we’re late, Snowpear Courtyard will have more criticism about us again.” Songlan had put the wardrobe drawer in order by now and took out a pale-blue cape for her mistress. The maid flung it over her mistress and organized her hair over the collar.
Qin Yining handed off the bunny over to Qiulu. “Alright, we’ll go greet the old dowager first and think of something for Riceball later. How come it hasn’t grown any bigger after a month?”
“Maybe it’s the type that won’t grow bigger.” Bingtang helped Qin Yining up with a smile and flanked her out the door with Songlan, making their way to the Garden of Loving Piety.
Pageboys had long since brought out vases with budding greenery from the greenhouse, sprucing up the old dowager’s residence in the throes of spring. A white and blue porcelain vase and green leaves painted a few hints of vitality and gentleness into what had been a slightly cold and hard yard. They quickly walked past the bluestone lined path and up the stairs. Maids lifted the door curtains to pass messages on inside when they saw the fourth miss’ group.
Qin Yining took off her cape in the outer room and handed it to Bingtang, already hearing lively sounds of discussion from inside. She asked Jixiang smilingly, “Is the old dowager in a good mood today? Did she enjoy breakfast?”
“The old dowager is in a wonderful mood today.” Jixiang smiled back. “The empress has been newly gifted the Oft Spring Garden and has invited many noble and titled ladies for an excursion. We’ve also received an invitation, and the old dowager is inside discussing who should be part of the Qin party.”
Qin Yining nodded. As I thought, the little serving girl didn’t have the full picture. She circled past the divider to make her curtsey to the matriarch.
The old dowager was actually still holding a grudge for Qin Yining living outside with née Sun, but she’d seen Qin Huaiyuan’s attitude towards this matter and couldn’t continue a fuss. Not to mention, there was the snuff bottle incident that hung over her head like a blade. Who knew when it would descend? So even if she was angry at Qin Yining and felt that the girl sided with outsiders over family, she still had to rein in her temper.
“Granddaughter Yi’s here, we were just talking about you.” The matriarch tugged her lips upward. “The empress is inviting many noble
ladies on an excursion to the Oft Spring Garden to celebrate peace in Great Yan. This is a wondrous imperial favor! There are three of us in the family with titles, and everyone can bring someone with them. You naturally can go with your mother.”
Qin Yining nodded amiably. “I’ve never seen such an occasion. Where might this Oft Spring Garden be?”
Qin Huining took up the conversation with some pride. She placed the newly served snacks respectfully at Qin Huining’s hand.
“You don’t even know about Oft Spring Garden? It’s an estate about twenty kilometers to the south of the capital, located in the Eternal Spring Mountain. Because the mountain has hot springs and is surrounded by other mountains on its sides, cold air can’t make it in. Therefore, Oft Spring Garden is quite warm all year around, and it’s said that even flowers still blossom in the garden throughout winter.” Qin Huining ended with a compliment. “The emperor truly dotes and shows great favor on the empress!”
The old dowager nodded and looked benevolently at Cao Yuqing. “The empress naturally enjoys great imperial favor. Yuqing, come with me on the excursion tomorrow.”
Cao Yuqing hastily put down the bitten snack in her hand and rose elegantly to curtsey. “Many thanks to Old Dowager.”
“Aiya, good child, what are you being so polite with me for?” The old dowager took advantage of the motion to pull the concubine next to her.
Qin Huining raised her brows proudly at Qin Yining when she saw this. The fourth miss was oblivious to this display from her standing position next to née Sun. Her mother had been sitting quietly on the embroidered cushion of a stool without a word. She patted the madame’s shoulder comfortingly.
“I’ll give you all some time to go make your preparations,” the old dowager continued. “Yuqing will naturally be with me. Senior and second daughter-in-law, go back and discuss who you’re bringing as well. Those coming on this excursion will all be madames and misses of great importance, so make sure you conduct yourself carefully.”
Return of the Swallow c1-644 Page 90