In any large manor, it was inevitable that the servants would slack off, shirk their duties, or run off randomly to visit some of the other residences. Qin Yining’s new rules weren’t anything strange and in fact, ones that should’ve been followed in the first place. But, people were used to being lackadaisical and naturally didn’t accept things so readily when they heard about these new requirements.
“I know some of you might not feel happy about this, but no worries, I’d like to prune the trees anyways. Feel free to break the rules if any of you want to leave the manor! If I catch any of you, that’ll be twenty hits of the plank first before being thrown out. If anyone catches someone breaking the rules and brings them to me, I will award twenty taels of silver.”
The servants shivered when this was all announced. The miss was just as fierce as the rumors said, alright! But twenty taels of silver was also very tempting. That was more than a year’s worth of salary!
“Secondly, the guard is to be tripled from today onwards. Whether it’s the inner or outer residence, or even the night watch, drinking and playing cards is strictly prohibited! If I catch anyone neglecting their duties because of drinking or playing cards, that’ll also be twenty hits of the plank before being thrown out. In addition, a careful record of the names and times of those on duty will be kept, to be handed to me everyday for confirmation.
“Those who have more duties than before because of my orders will receive triple their pay during overtime. The night watch will receive a midnight snack.”
The mamas and ladies looked at each other when they heard the last bit. The practice of overtime pay and a midnight snack had never been implemented in the manor before. This miss may seem harsh, but she was a fair one.
“The original rules of the household do not change. I’ll listen to reports everyday in the main hall of the Garden of Tranquility. I’ll take the night report at the hour of the dragon [4] unless there’s an emergency. Is this all clear?”
“We understand,” came the resounding chorus.
* * *
A circular opening in a garden wall that acts as a pedestrian passageway, and a traditional architectural element in Chinese gardens.
7-9pm
Author footnoted that she meant 8am here] and give orders for whatever everyone needs to be careful of. Those who need to pick up something or request funds should try to be present at this time to retrieve their command tokens. [5. These gave servants the right to enter and exit the manor or any other level of needed authority.] Those who can’t make this hour can report in at the hour of the monkey. [6. Author footnoted 3pm
Chapter 183: Killing Intent
Chapter 183: Killing Intent
Qin Yining rose and paced slowly, Riceball in her hands. “Let’s all do our jobs well in the days when I’m in charge and try our best to be considerate. As long as no mistakes are made, I don’t wish to gain a bad reputation either. But at the same time, all of you know that I don’t have a good temper. If you really do make a mistake, don’t think you’ll be lucky or can escape my notice. I know how the servants and people outside talk about me. I already have a bad reputation and am not afraid of it.”
“We will remember your teachings well.” The group of servants were now fully on board with answering to the fourth miss.
Qin Yining’s taut body relaxed when she saw that the servants were listening to her. She’d never been in charge of so many people before and was just proceeding with her thoughts after power suddenly made its way into her hands. She didn’t know if this was the right thing to do, but it looked like she could heave a sigh of relief now.
Outside the moon gate, née Sun flashed a gratified smile to see how easily her daughter was navigating the scene. Thus reassured, she left to take care of Jin-mama in the back.
Qin Yining listened to various reports after this and gave her orders accordingly. She also had someone wait outside the palace doors for news of Qin Huaiyuan.
Her movements were relayed to the other branches, as well as the second and third elder master in the outer residence. Second Elder Master Qin Xiuyuan’s study in the east side yard. It was separated from Qin Huaiyuan’s by only a wall. The two elder masters as well as senior master Qin Yu, second master Qin Han were listening intently to a pageboy’s report.
The pageboy carefully recounted word-for-word how Qin Yining had disciplined the servants and the new rules she’d set. The second and third elder master kept nodding. The two breathed a long sigh of relief in unison when the pageboy was dismissed.
“Senior brother’s eye has always been unique. This arrangement is very good.”
Qin Han smiled in agreement. “Indeed. Senior uncle’s foresight is as strong as ever. I told you father, that you were worrying too much. Fourth sister is a smart and capable person. Even if the manor isn’t airtight after these arrangements, it will cut off a lot of trouble at the knees. At the very least, it’s better than us keeping a close eye on the outer manor but failing to secure the inner. With fourth sister in charge of the inner residence, while she may not turn it into anything tremendous, at least we can be assured that the inner residence won’t do anything stupid.”
“Precisely,” the third elder master commented. “We don’t need to worry about the inner residence as a source of trouble this way. It’ll save us all a bit of effort with niece Yi at the helm.”
The second elder master nodded and moved on with worry. “I wonder if the emperor will be displeased with our elder brother. To think that Great Zhou would rip up the peace accords so quickly after coming to an agreement! My head is still spinning from the speed of this change. We wined and dined Lian Shengjie and sent beauties to keep him company. The emperor wanted to be friends with Great Zhou and played the best host he could, treating Lian Shengjie as the most honored of guests. But the Faithful Prince of the First Rank came attacking as soon as he left with the last of the reparations!”
“Our hands are tied in this matter, there’s nothing any of us can do. I’m now worried about senior uncle. We all know what the emperor is like, and Pang has repeatedly expressed how special fourth sister is to him. I’m afraid the emperor will project his anger…” Qin Yu trailed off worriedly.
His words made everyone frown silently. They were all very afraid. The dreadful blood and gore from the destruction of the Suns yet lingered in the air.
“The emperor is capricious and there’s nothing we can do to steady him otherwise. We won’t be able to do anything if that really does happen. How mighty was the Duke of Ding once? He was still caught off guard by catastrophe, to the great pity of all the Sun males.” The third elder master was immensely saddened when he thought of the Suns’ tragic downfall.
“And father,” Qin Yu continued. “You’ve just settled in as the Right Attendant of the Ministry of Education. If the emperor really does vent his anger on our family, your hard-won promotion will likely evaporate as well.”
Who could be more depressed than the second elder master about this possibility? But really, what could they do now in this situation?
“With how things are, we need to thank the heavens if we can hold onto our lives. I’m not afraid of my position, but most worried that our family’s lives are in danger. We don’t know how elder brother is in the palace and there’s no point to wildly speculating here. We should head back to our residences and tell the females of our branches to listen to niece Yi’s arrangements. Let’s make it through this first.”
“Second brother speaks truly.” The third elder master nodded approvingly. The men discussed a bit further and decided to have someone wait outside the palace for new of Qin Huaiyuan.
The second and third elder master returned to their residences and talked sternly to their wives and daughters. They might have caused general panic if they spoke too bluntly of certain things, so the two masters didn’t fully clarify everything. However, impending disaster still loomed over everyone’s heads.
They all knew that if they would inv
ite calamity if they didn’t remain on the alert at this time. Therefore, the original dissatisfaction from Qin Yining holding the reins of power was slowly replaced by panic.
Within the Garden of Tranquility, Songlan and Qin Yining carefully pondered over the news from the second and third branches. The maid broke out in compliments. “To think that the second and third elder master would be so perceptive!”
“Naturally. Second uncle is a third rank official at court now, so his mind is naturally clear. Third uncle must also be a smart person given what an accomplished businessman he is. They’re already skilled at reading situations. Add to that their years of experience… they know better than anyone what’s really going on here.”
“That’s right. Who doesn’t raise a thumb in admiration when outsiders talk about the Qins? The three elder masters are heads above others, particularly the marquis!” Qiulu piped in.
Qin Yining smiled faintly at this, but began worrying again when she saw how the hour was getting late.
“Have our men not received word of father?”
“Not yet. The marquis is still in the palace. Qitai is also frantically waiting outside.”
The fourth miss nodded, her heart in her throat. She itched to charge right into the palace and slaughter the damn trash emperor and trampress. The danger to the Qins would be half eliminated without them! Killing them would also be exterminating evil for the Great Yan citizens.
Qin Yining’s expression slowly darkened. It was the first time that she’d felt such an acute urge to get rid of the imperial couple. She had a better appreciation now of what her maternal grandmother had wanted to do.
The lives of her entire family were at stake. It was an agonizing feeling to be on someone else’s chopping block. She’d rather she herself was the blade, even though these kinds of thoughts were highly treasonous!
The girl’s eyes narrowed. The night ahead was long, but she was in increasing spirits as a variety of thoughts crystallized in her mind. Although she might not be holding a good hand, it was still enough for her to give it her all. Perhaps her treasonous thoughts wouldn’t be tolerated anywhere in the world, but so what? She’d just think of it as ridding the world of an evil!
It was the quiet depths of night. Née Sun had already gone to bed and Qin Yining was cuddling the soft and cute Riceball next to a lamp with an embroidered cover. She had thoughtful maids by her side keeping her company. She just couldn’t relax as long as her father had yet to return home, and could only comfort herself with the notion that no news was good news.
In the morning, this comfort was extended to the old dowager as the fourth miss was summoned as soon as she woke up. She saw Qin-mama waiting on the outer side of the room divider as soon as she set foot into the residence. The old servant looked meaningfully at Qin Yining, who responded with a wink and an understanding nod.
The fourth miss circled past the auspicious divider into the house proper and made a curtsey to the family matriarch. “Old Dowager.” She took the forehead wrap from head maid Jixiang’s hands to help the old dowager with it.
Her grandmother was frowning up a storm. “Granddaughter Yi, your father didn’t come back all last night and there’s been no news today either. I just asked your second uncle, but he hasn’t heard anything from the palace either. What do you think the emperor’s summoned your father for? What if, what if…”
Tears had welled up in her eyes. All thoughts of power and profit paled in comparison to her son’s safety at this moment. She didn’t care who wielded the command token and just wanted her son to return safe and sound so that he could be by her side like before.
Qin Yining quickly fished out a handkerchief to wipe away the tears and spoke comfortingly. “Old Dowager loves my father so much that it’s causing you to panic. At a time like this, no news is the best news. Have you heard of what’s happened outside?”
“Yes.” The old dowager nodded and frowned even more ferociously. “So many refugees have streaming in! It’s already a year of drought and it’s dreadfully humid outside. The refugees have no housing or food to eat. It’ll be a great problem trying to settle them in.”
* * *
Chapter 184: Slaughtering the Donkey After It Finishes the Job at the Mill
Chapter 184: Slaughtering the Donkey After It Finishes the Job at the Mill
“The old dowager speaks rightly and this is only the beginning. When there are further developments at Xihua, I’m afraid there will be only more refugees fleeing the chaos and violence. But, let’s keep an open mind. Father has served the emperor for many years and is a trusted, able official. If things really do become that disorderly, the emperor will have to depend greatly on father’s wits and strategic planning. Father will naturally be safe since he’s a useful person. At worst, he’ll just be criticized a bit.”
“That’s true, your analysis is reasonable.” Although things were tense, Qin Yining’s analysis soothed the matriarch, and her nervous expression relaxed somewhat. “Nothing else matters as long as he’s safe. I don’t care about positions or wealth. I just want everyone to be safe.”
Qin-mama was incredibly grateful as she watched Qin Yining cheer up the old dowager with just a few words. Flashing an admiring and thankful smile towards the girl, she handed over a bowl of bird’s nest steeped in milk. The old servant moved to massage her mistress’ shoulders.
“Now, look at that, aren’t you feeling better, mistress? In my eyes, the fourth miss is just like the young lord. I know you miss the lord, mistress, and he may even be back very soon. But, even if he’s detained a while longer, we still have the fourth miss holding down the fort.”
The old dowager’s spirits lifted as she gazed upon Qin Yining’s charming face. The girl smiled faintly and offered a spoonful of bird’s nest to the old dowager.
“Have a bite, Old Dowager.” After the matriarch’s first bite, more spoonfuls followed. “Just think of how best to live life and take care of yourself. The ladies can take care of the inner residence while my father, uncles, and cousins provide us with peace of mind in taking care of everything outside. You’re the pillar of stability for the family. As long as you’re here, hale and hearty, the very skies are held up, and no amount of turmoil can shake this foundation.”
Her words lulled the old dowager into finishing the bird’s nest and a few more snacks. It took only the duration of a meal for the old dowager’s affection for Qin Yining to increase.
Typically, their positions were very different. The old dowager was repulsed by née Sun, but Qin Yining always helped her mother; in the process, denying the old dowager face several times. This had caused the relationship between grandmother and granddaughter to stagnate. But, now they were on the same side and thinking of the family. The intelligence that’d irritated the old dowager was now their pillar of support.
While the matriarch was soothed by her new feelings about her granddaughter, her heart once again leapt to her throat when Qitai sprinted back with news.
It was just past noon and Qin Yining was about to lie down for a little while when a serving girl ran in, huffing and panting. “Madame, miss, Qitai’s back. He’s heading for the inner residence and going to the Garden of Loving Piety.”
Née Sun and Qin Yining looked at each other before springing into action, dressing hastily and quick-stepping to the old dowager’s residence. The second and third madame, as well as the second and third wife (wives of the younger generation), and some of the other misses, had also rushed over. Even senior master Yu and Han had entered from the outer residence.
Qitai knelt on the floor. “Old Dowager.”
“Speak! How is Meng’er?!” The old dowager was on her feet and clutching Qin-mama’s hand.
“We’ve just received news that the emperor censured the lord, stripping the lord of his positions of the Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent and Prime Minister. He’s retained the position of Marquis of Anping but has been thrown into the dungeons. A crime hasn’t been identi
fied, and a trial has yet to be scheduled; His Majesty only told the lord to reflect on his wrongs. His life is in no danger, but who knows when the imperial temper will calm, and when the lord will be released.”
The room darkened before the old dowager’s eyes.
“My son!” she shrieked before fainting.
Née Sun covered her mouth to stifle her horrified sobs while the ladies within the house cried from fear and panic. Some went to take care of the old dowager; some went to comfort née Sun. Everything was a frantic mess.
Qin Yining’s lips we compressed as she took a quick step to Qitai. “Are you certain that there’s no present danger to father’s life?”
“Yes, we’re sure of that.”
“Is there any other news from outside?”
“The emperor is once again making use of Elder Statesman Cao. The statesman has been promoted to Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent and put in charge of handling this new flare-up of war. Unfortunately, this servant doesn’t know any more details.”
Qin Yining was stunned by what she heard. Qin Han and Qin Yu were immensely angered as well. Qin Yu was a mature, dependable sort and could hold his tongue, but Qin Han broke out in loud curses.
“What does the emperor mean by this? He was the one who made heavy use of senior uncle. Now he’s punishing our uncle on a whim and restoring Grand Preceptor Cao’s position? Our family has a huge feud with the Caos. With Grand Preceptor Cao back in power, will there be any good days ahead for us? Senior uncle and my father are all loyal subjects, His Majesty is…”
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