“Messengers have come from the palace with a summons from the emperor!” the pageboy responded.
“I see.” Qin Huaiyuan compressed his lips and gave orders to Qitai. “Go get my court uniform.”
“Understood.” Qitai bowed and rushed off to prepare clothes and a carriage.
The lord of the household turned back in to see an inner room full of crying females. He spoke sternly. “No more troubles may arise at home from now on. I trust that everyone heard what Qitai said just now. If Xihua falls, the capital is next. Refugees are already streaming in. Police yourselves well and increase the amount of guards in the manor from henceforth. Be extremely cautious even if you do have to go out.”
He turned to the old dowager. “Mother, you’re elderly and shouldn’t be troubled with these matters. All inner residence affairs will be handled by daughter Yi from now on.” The marquis turned to the door, where Qin Yining had been standing all along. “Come here.”
Qin Yining quickly walked up. “Father.”
“Mm. Your grandmother, mother, and aunts are kindly folk who panic easily in the face of these matters. I don’t know when I’ll return from the palace. If the emperor is angry with me as well, then the future does not look good. …if I don’t return, then you must keep the inner residence in order and discuss things outside with your second and third uncle. Don’t panic and don’t lose your head, understood?”
* * *
Chapter 181: Orders in the Face of Danger
Chapter 181: Orders in the Face of Danger
Qin Yining clenched her hands tightly. They were slightly clammy from sweat but not because of fear, and not of worry that her elders wouldn’t listen to the words of an unmarried girl. What she cared about was her father saying that the future was bleak if the emperor was angry.
What would the emperor be angry about?
Pang Xiao’s ambush, naturally!
However much benefits receiving his favor had brought her before would bring her the same amount of disaster after the fighting started. This would come down on her, a noble girl who barely set foot outside the manor, so what of her father, someone who’d overseen the peace talks?
The negotiations had indeed been a success, so although Great Zhou reneging on the agreement wasn’t Qin Huaiyuan’s fault, would the emperor see it this way?
Pang Xiao had a closer relationship with her, which, in times of peace, the emperor would think that an alliance via marriage was a good thing. But now that the prince was attacking, would the emperor possibly bear no ill will towards her at all? And wouldn’t Elder Statesman Cao and the empress take advantage of this to add fuel to the flame?
Father probably understood this as well, which was why he’d that the future didn’t look good. And in putting her in charge before he returned… he meant to entrust the family to her in case he didn’t return! From this she could tell that if he didn’t return, she was to take charge of the Qins and try her best to keep everyone safe.
Cold sweat beaded the girl’s forehead and her back grew damp, soaking through to her undershirt. Qin Huaiyuan couldn’t help but feel guilty pain when he saw his daughter calm, but ashen-faced. How old was she? She’d returned home for less than a year and hadn’t enjoyed much of a good life, but one thing had happened after another. Now she had to accept additional duties in the face of danger. Even a man might not be able to endure this pressure, yet here he was, forcing his own daughter to do so.
The marquis patted his daughter’s shoulder with barely concealed sorrow. Apparent from a soft, “my daughter’, he was unable to say anything else.
However, the expression on Qin Yining’s face grew more and more composed. She looked back seriously at the man. “Don’t worry, father. That’s all I need to look after this family to the best of my abilities and wait for you to come back.”
“Mm. You…”
“No!” The old dowager suddenly shouted harshly, having reacted to what was going on. “What do you mean by this, Meng’er? You’re acting as if your mother has died!” The matriarch shot to her feet, pointing a trembling finger at her son.
Qin Huaiyuan met the matriarch’s gaze head-on. “Mother, do you trust how I do things?”
The old dowager might have been filled with irritation, she had to admit that her son was always quite dependable. He possessed the necessary smarts and knew how to size up a situation.
“Mother, I am the head of this household and must ensure everyone’s safety in crisis. Everything I do is for the Qins. I know you don’t like this, and perhaps second and third sister-in-law aren’t satisfied that the authority of the inner residence has been handed to a little girl.”
The second and third madame were indeed feeling slighted, but they didn’t feel like they could actually say anything when brought up, especially the third madame. The third miss had married with great pomp and circumstance just a few days ago, thanks to the marquis. The third branch of the family was feeling quite grateful about this.
“Although daughter Yi is unfamiliar with the reins of power, I’m sure there will be no problem with mother and everyone else giving her pointers. Pandemonium is descending upon us and our family is on the edge of a blade because of me. It’s likely that we’ll attract unpleasantness if we don’t maintain an airtight front.
“Dear Yi has learned by my side for a while and can dissect political situations with aplomb. She has a nimble mind and can handle sudden developments. This is why I’m temporarily giving her control over the inner residence. When the crisis pass and all is calm at court again, this power naturally reverts back to the old dowager and the other madames.”
Qin Huaiyuan’s words were as clear as could be. The times weren’t good. Someone who couldn’t read political layouts wouldn’t coordinate well with him and might even invite disaster instead.
The old dowager, second, and third madame lowered their heads in silent acquiescence. Qin Huaiyuan patted Qin Yining’s shoulder with peace of mind. “Then let’s give the command token to daughter Yi while I’m here.”
The old dowager’s expression was quite ugly as every fiber of her being resisted her son’s decision. But there was nothing she could do about it; she too had to admit that his judgment was right. Out of all the womenfolk, Qin Yining was indeed the one most sensitive about the affairs of state.
Née Sun had been in charge of the family before. The command token had returned to the old dowager after the fall of the Duke of Ding. Now that the lord of the house had spoken, she had to hand them over, no matter how reluctant she was to do so.
Qin Yining accepted the box into her care, looking down at the wooden token that had been burnished to a bright sheen after many generations of handling. She smiled at Qin Huaiyuan. “Don’t worry, father. Maybe things aren’t as bad as you think and you’ll be able to return quickly.”
“That’s right.” Qin Huaiyuan smiled as well. Qitai had returned with a set of court robes by now and helped his master quickly change in the side room. Everyone had much more to say, but there was no time to speak even another word. The two men left hurriedly.
Qin Yining saw her father off her with her eyes before turning back to help her mother to her feet. Unnerved and perturbed auras clung to the old dowager, second, and third madame. Whether it was because the command token was now in the fourth miss’ hand or fretting over their future, no one was happy.
The girl didn’t want to poke at the despondency either. “The old dowager must be tired. I won’t disturb your rest then. Mother and I will take our leave then.”
The old dowager waved her hand wearily. She’d been caught in the throes of anger earlier, but there was only fear left now that the enormity of what was happening had sunk in. Her son had been urgently summoned into the palace. Who knew what would happen, especially with the tone that he’d been using? She didn’t have the strength to pay attention to anything else.
Qin Yining helped née Sun out the door, wiping off her mother’s tears as they walked. She
comforted lowly, “Don’t worry, mother. Bingtang and Jiyun have already sent Jin-mama, Caiju, and Cailan back to the Garden of Tranquility. Their injuries shouldn’t be life-threatening. No matter why the old dowager acted the way she did today, it’s not the time to be focused on this. Please just endure this for now, mother.”
“I know.” Née Sun sniffled, a belly full of suffering, but still nodding understandingly. “Your father spoke very clearly just now. None of us will live if Great Yan really does fall and the Great Zhou emperor starts settling the score. There’s absolutely no meaning in squabbling over petty things like these.”
“You’re absolutely right, mother.” Qin Yining was quite gratified by how much her mother had grown during this time. “Don’t you worry, mother! I’m still the ‘protective talisman’ of Great Yan, the safe-keeper of our fortunes. This was calculated by the Soothsayer herself. I can at the very least keep all of you safe.”
Née Sun was still worried. “I’m afraid that the emperor will take out his anger on you when he thinks of little Prince Pang.”
“The more our situation worsens, the more terrified the emperor will be. He’ll try everything he can except hurt me. So really, don’t worry, mother.” Qin Yining patiently explained the ins-and-outs to her mother and summoned a serving girl. “Make a trip to the Venerable Study Hall and have Songlan and Qiulu come to the Garden of Tranquility. Leave only Zhu-mama in the residence for now. Then go tell the mamas in charge of management to come to the Garden of Tranquility at the fifteenth minute of the hour of the chicken. [1] I have orders for them.”
Qin Yining now exercised control over the inner residence, a marked difference to how she was before. The serving girl quickly curtsied and left respectfully. Née Sun nodded with gratification to see how her daughter was acting.
The two returned to the Garden of Tranquility to check in on Jin-mama, Caiju, and Cailan. The granny servants who’d administered the punishment had taken their orders seriously and beaten the servants with a heavy hand. Thankfully, they hadn’t really wanted to kill the servants and had avoided landing their blows on the spine or waist. One smack with a plank there was enough to cause paralysis. Even so, Qin Yining had returned halfway through. Twenty hits of the plank was still quite a suffering.
Caiju and Cailan were better off because they were young. Jin-mama was worse off due to her age. She was also someone with some dignity and small authority normally, so being beaten in front of the flower-hung gate with everyone watching was a great loss of face.
* * *
5-7pm
Chapter 182: Compliance
Chapter 182: Compliance
The three were burning with fever from their injuries, particularly Jin-mama. Bingtang and the doctor had carefully looked them over, applied medicine, and went off to brew some oral mixtures.
Née Sun stooped by the bed, holding Jin-mama’s hand tightly with tears trickling down her face. “Nothing can happen to you, wet nurse! You’re the only one left from my family. I’m so useless to drag you down like this.”
Jin-mama’s lips and mouth were dry. She could barely move her tongue and weakly tried to shift her head on the bed. “Don’t cry, madame. This servant is alright, hmm?”
Her voice was so weak that she seemed not long for this world, making née Sun cry even harder. Qin Yining grabbed a stool for her mother to sit down on and handed over a wet handkerchief. The girl then stooped in front of the bed to be on the same level as the mama and clasped the servant’s hand.
“Don’t worry, Jin-mama. Father has left the command token in my hands. I’ll be in charge of the inner residence for a while to come and I’ll definitely exact justice on your behalf. I won’t let off anyone who likes to gossip and spread ill will within the manor. Just rest and recover, not only for my mother, but also for yourself. Although chaos is engulfing our world, I’ll fight for all of you each day I have. I’ll never leave any of you behind.”
Jin-mama was so moved that she wanted to cry. She rasped out dryly, “This servant thanks the fourth miss. I’m afraid the madame won’t have anyone handy by her side these days. I’ll have to ask you to keep an eye on things, miss.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve arranged for maids from the Venerable Study Hall to come serve. They’re all trustworthy people.”
“That’s good.” The old servant finally nodded. Her age and injuries finally caught up to her, sending her into a delirious sleep.
“Take care of her well.” Qin Yining reminded Bingtang.
“Don’t worry miss, I may not know anything else, but this won’t stump me at all.”
Qin Yining then found a quiet corner with Jiyun. “Everything’s going to change now. Who knows how many pairs of eyes will be staring at the Qins? Don’t use your messenger pigeons anymore. You might attract fatal attention as a result.”
Jiyun started and nodded hurriedly. “Your considerations are thorough, miss, and quite right. I’ll be careful in the future.”
Qin Yining nodded and sat down in the side room for a spot of tea. She’d just rested for a while when a report sounded from outside. “Fourth Miss, the granny servants and ladies in charge of managing affairs have arrived.”
“Have them wait in the main hall. I’ll be there shortly.”
“Understood.”
The Qin fourth miss rose so that Songlan could help her into the simple aqua sleeveless robe and dress ensemble that she’d just brought over. The maid swept her mistress’ hair up in a new knot and secured it with a silver hairpin that had butterflies overlooking a pearl tassel. The pearl tassel swung behind the ear, matching the pearl studs in the girl’s ears. They exuded a soft, elegant hue, imparting a noble and simple air.
Qin Yining purposefully applied some lipstick and brow dye from Beauty Works. She didn’t use any of this normally, sticking only to lotion to moisturize her skin. But she might be too young to exert control over the situation today and thus decided to spend some extra effort on makeup. Her brows were carefully traced in a slender, upward arc. Some rose-red lipstick dabbed on the mouth brightened the entire face. She was beautiful, but not overly so. Some sternness had been added to her usual demeanor.
“Miss, let me go with you in a moment.” Songlan tucked a white chiffon wrap around Qin Yining and offered a velvet fan in the shape of a crabapple blossom flower.
The fourth miss accepted the fan and picked up Riceball from the table for a cuddle. The bunny had been plopped on the table, staring at her with its large, black eyes. She smoothed its fur down.
“Thank you for the thought. I would’ve brought you today even if you hadn’t said anything. I only know the names of the older servants in the manor, but don’t know anything else about them. Stay by my side and give me your thoughts as well.”
Songlan nodded with a smile. The fourth miss usually brought Bingtang and Jiyun for excursions outside the manor, but Songlan and Qiulu didn’t bear any complaints. Their miss was someone who put people in the place where they shone the brightest.
She needed protection when venturing out, so naturally she brought along Jiyun and her command of martial arts. When she needed to discuss things at home, she would look for the smart, inventive Songlan and her grasp of things and people in the manor. Qiulu was a smart and conscientious person, and was cool-headed and taciturn. Therefore, she was put in charge of safeguarding all important items. As for Yaoqin and Yuqi that her father had gifted to her, Qin Yining treated them as her masters for the zither and chess. She always treated them politely.
Therefore, though there were many head maids in the Venerable Study Hall, they got along well and no one felt that someone else was stealing their limelight. Qin Yining thought for a moment and summoned Jiyun with the command token as well. The three made their way to the main hall together.
Granny servants and ladies from various residences were waiting in the yard in front of the main hall. Little groups of two and three had formed and an overall hum of conversation buzzed. Surprise and uneasy sho
ck was the reaction after learning that the command token had been handed over to the fourth miss today. The fourth miss was a renowned barbarian tyrant! She was quite something and beat people up with a deadly look in her eyes! Even Miss Huining had been beaten up at the drop of a hat, so what of them in the future?
“The fourth miss is here,” the serving girl at the moon gate called out. [1] Everyone straightened their postures and looked snuck glances at the door in unplanned unison.
The fourth miss was holding a bunny the size of a palm and slowly entering with two beautiful maids. Leafy shrubbery was her backdrop and the snow-white moon gate a foil. The trio was such a pretty sight that it invited the crowd to sneak a few more glances. But when their eyes travelled across Qin Yining’s face, everyone subconsciously lowered their heads again.
The miss was smiling gently instead of being angry, but they still had the nervous palpitations that arose when facing the lord, the feeling of being deathly afraid of committing any mistakes.
Two second class maids brought out a chair from the house and put it beneath the covered hallway of the main house. A black lacquer table with tall legs was placed off to its side and tea set out on it.
Qin Yining sat primly in the chair, placing the docile Riceball on her legs and slowly stroked its fur. She looked over the rough dozen people assembled and spoke slowly. “With today’s summons, I’m sure everyone knows that the inner residence is under my care for a few days.”
“Yes.” The mamas and ladies responded.
“Father has given me this important duty despite my youth and immaturity. I’m looking to help and support from all of you in the days to come.”
“This servant wouldn’t dare.”
Qin Yining smiled. “I won’t talk of rules since everyone has served the manor for a long time. I only want to emphasize a few things. Firstly, no one can exit the manor unless sent outside with specific business. Private transport of items is to be strictly prohibited. The guards will be on careful watch for that. The doors will be unlocked at the hour of the rabbit [5-7am] and locked at the hour of the dog [3]. Doors to the various residences will be kept locked, and no one not allowed to enter a specific area may exchange items or information there.”
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