“Yeah, everyone in the Anping Manor are kind people!”
Steward Zhong pressed his hands downward for silence when he saw that the crowd was about to be diverted off on a tangent. Silence swiftly took over.
“There’s one thing everyone has to keep in mind. The empress is our neighbor. Her Oft Spring Garden isn’t too far away. She goes there to dip in the hot springs, and there are eunuchs and Cao family guards looking after it. Don’t go there, no matter what! You can only build houses in this yard. Avoid her residence even when you chop down firewood and hunt in the woods. Don’t anger the empress! Our miss doesn’t have much power or people. Her authority is limited only to this yard. Her words don’t mean anything anywhere else.”
Everyone nodded their understanding. The Caos were powerful and the grand preceptor had held high status for many years. The trampress was the sort to literally eat flesh and drink blood. Miss Qin was just an unmarried girl. It was already great benevolence that she was giving such a big residence for them to take shelter in.
No one was a fool. What kind of jobs could a noble girl possibly have for them? Even if she did want people for hard labor, she’d hire strong and young men and women. There was no need to take in the elderly, weak, mothers, and children. And find doctors for them? And sell her own belongings to pay them wages?
It sounded like a job, but she was saving their lives! What else would she keep around a bunch of commoners for?
She could’ve turned this area into fields or raise pigs on it, but she was hiring them to build houses and wreck such a perfectly fine residence?
She was probably just trying to make them feel better. After all, they all had their own houses in times of peace and could feed and clothe themselves. No one was a beggar in normal times.
When comparing the Qins and the royal family, it was easy to see who came out on top. The empress’ residence was sitting empty, and the imperial couple hadn’t offered any silver to help the people. When it was time to conscript for the army or pay taxes, the emperor always shamelessly said that everything beneath the heavens was his. The people were all his, and everything they owned was his. It was right and proper that they offer it up to him.
But where was he when disaster struck and the people needed their emperor?
Was this how the emperor treated his beloved people? Letting them sleep on the streets, being bullied and mocked by others, and fed only one bowl of porridge a day—porridge so watery that they could see their own reflections in it?
Some of the more sensitive womenfolk and elders were wiping at their eyes. Even the men were hugely touched, their emotions running high. Everyone’s gratitude towards the Marquis of Anping and the Qins rose another notch.
Steward Zhong was infected by the atmosphere, and he too felt emotional as he thought of how generous Qin Yining had been to donate such a valuable park to the refugees and all of her various kind acts before. He shook his head with a sigh and then perked up again.
“Alright everyone, let’s settle in first. Food and doctors will be here shortly. Please follow the rules while we’re here and be careful of open flames…”
The steward had brought several local gangsters with him to help settle everyone in, but unexpectedly, no one tried to cause any trouble. Possibly out of sheer gratitude, they all did what they were told and claimed whatever spot they were given. They were more docile than even trained soldiers.
It looked like appreciation, tolerance, and love would flourish when people were truly thankful.
……
Qin Yining was just as busy as the steward at this time. She received a message just after listening to all the reports for the morning.
“Miss, Miss Huining’s returned. She’s kneeling outside the side door.”
* * *
Chapter 189: Returning Home
Chapter 189: Returning Home
Qin Yining slowly put down the teacup in hand and responded with confusion. “Didn’t I say to let her in if she came back? Why is she kneeling in front of the door?”
The messenger felt awkward and snuck a quick look at the miss’ expression. He continued haltingly when he saw that the mistress wasn’t angry. “She was fine at first, but started crying when she heard that you’d arranged a guest residence for her. She wants the old dowager to make the decision for her. Those in the outer residence didn’t dare disturb the old dowager, so they sent me to you instead.”
“I see.” Qin Yining thought for a moment and turned to Songlan and Jiyun. “The two of you can make the trip. Tell Qin Huining that if she wants to take up residence in the Qin Manor, she can do so as a guest. I’m arranging only the guest quarters for her. If she doesn’t want to want to come back, then she can do whatever she wants with herself. Father’s still in the dungeons at the moment, so she can keep crying at the door if she’s not afraid of getting dragged into this.”
The girl looked at Jiyun. “Pay careful attention. Throw her out if she dares become violent.”
“Will do.” Jiyun smiled and teased Songlan. “After you, Miss Songlan. See how much the miss loves you? She sends a guard with you on your errands.”
Songlan burst out laughing. “Wasn’t it a certain prince who sent a hired hand because he was afraid our miss might run into troubles? How are you teasing me instead?” She curtsied at Qin Yining and flounced off.
Qin Yining blushed and pointed accusingly at the departing Songlan. “Is she crazy? She’s teasing even me now!”
Bingtang laughed heartily. Jiyun, demoted from guard to hired hand, followed Songlan with a chuckle hanging in the air.
Their bantering carried back into the house to Qin Yining’s ears. It would seem that Jiyun had found her place amongst the rest of the maids. They weren’t as politely standoffish as they’d been when she’d first arrived.
The fourth miss thought for a moment and rose, calling for Bingtang. “Come, let’s go take a look too.”
“Why didn’t you go with Songlan and them just now, miss?” Bingtang immediately reacted and smiled. “You’re too evil, miss! You want to watch the show!”
Qin Yining smirked.
Songlan and Jiyun caught wind of stifled sobs and a low buzz of conversation before they drew near the side door. They looked at each other, feeling that something wasn’t quite right. They quickly stepped out to see Qin Huining kneeled in front of the door and a dozen other citizens clustered not too far away, pointing and murmuring.
Qin Huining’s hair was a messy tangle and her hairpins knocked askew. Although her clothes were made of fine fabric, they were somehow wrinkled with a two inch long rip in her sleeve. Threads poked out, adding to the effect created by piteous tears streaming down her face. She looked exceedingly like a Persian cat that’d been discarded by a wealthy family. There were knots and burrs in the previously glossy fur, making the sight even more forlorn.
Flames of irritation ignited in Songlan’s heart and she swallowed the urge to chuckle coldly. How dare this one come back to create more trouble with the chaos that was already engulfing the manor!
“Aiyoyo! And here I was wondering who’s causing trouble at the door. So it’s Miss Huining.” Songlan walked down and reached out to help the figure out. “Please rise, miss. What are you doing? Hasn’t the guest residence been already prepared? Why aren’t you willing to come in?”
The maid’s voice was a bit more striking than usual. It pitched her words perfectly at the crowd.
Qin Huining however, lowered her body even more and sobbed out, “I’m not going to the guest residence! I’m a Qin daughter, why am I living in a guest residence? The servants said that Qin Yining holds the command token now and is sending me there? What right does she have to treat me this way? I want to see the old dowager! The old dowager will give me justice!”
She sniffled and hiccuped, suffering from the gravest injustice beneath the heavens.
Songlan let her hands drop when she noted how the miss was insistent on making a scene. She smiled moc
kingly. “And what kind of words are these, Miss Huining? Do you still think you’re a Qin daughter? Ignoring the fact that our masters would be shocked and disgusted to hear that, even the servants will die laughing from that!”
“That’s right,” Jiyun piped in. “The lord and madame loved you like their own daughter. They never shorted you on anything the misses had. You had maids and servants at your side, ate the finest foods, and wore silks and satin. But you weren’t satisfied with that and tried to frame our miss. You even made a voodoo doll to curse the old dowager and frame the madame!”
Jiyun walked down the steps and spoke directly to the people watching the show. “Friends and countrymen, don’t you think it’s ridiculous that such an ingrate has the face to come trouble after all that?”
The crowd looked at each other. Some felt the show was boring and slipped away.
“Both, both of you are framing me!” Qin Huining flushed hotly, greatly dismayed to see that people were leaving. She didn’t think she’d be able to go back and live the life of an honored miss if she couldn’t make use of public opinion!
“The lord has a soft heart,” Songlan continued. “Even after you trying to hurt our old dowager, madame, and miss, the lord still thought of the many years of familial ties and only sent you to the country manor. Your stipend, food, and clothing allowance all stayed the same. If it’d been anyone else with a harder heart, they would’ve left you on the streets to fend for yourself! And you would’ve deserved it and had to take it!
“And now, we’ve had such a huge thing happen in the family. The old dowager and madame have fallen ill and authority over the inner residence is in our miss’ hands. She’s a kind and gentle soul. When she thought of how chaotic it must be outside, she left orders that you could have a guest residence if you came back. And you still don’t know to be satisfied with what you have? You actually dare think you’re still a miss of our household? Just where do you get all of this shamelessness from??”
Qin Huining was shaking from fury and her face beet red. That quickly changed to horrified shock and some regret when she saw the crowd start to point and talk about her instead. Perhaps she shouldn’t have been so greedy and made a scene? But with how things had developed now, she had to see things through no matter what!
“But I…” she started weakly.
Jiyun interrupted Qin Huining’s words and walked up to help the foster girl up. The guard effortlessly picked Qin Huining up without seeming to use any strength at all. “Our miss is busy taking care of her elders, managing the inner residence, and settling in the refugees. She doesn’t even have time to sleep. She said that she would help even a stranger, much less a previous foster girl like you. Although you’re shameless sort, we can’t just leave you out in the cold. The guest residence is ready. Stop making a fool of yourself and come in, miss.”
Fingers exerting moderate pressure on the foster girl’s wrist, Jiyun took Qin Huining’s arm. Her grip wouldn’t leave any marks, and also made it so that the foster girl couldn’t struggle free.
Qin Huining’s eyes were teary and she wanted to speak more, but words failed her when she met Jiyun’s coldly superficial smile. She was somehow brought inside the manor, just like that.
The few remaining for the show scattered, whispering to each other that this foster girl was really an ugly piece of work. After all, no one knew if Qin Huining had been bullied, but everyone knew about the Qin fourth miss selling her assets to help the refugees. Some curious citizens had even gone to see if for themselves at Eternal Spring Mountain.
Upon entering, Qin Huining was greeted with the sight of Qin Yining in a pale-green outfit. The fourth miss was standing charmingly beneath a plantain tree as she looked merrily back.
“You’ve come back? Hurry and go settle in at the guest residence.”
Qin Huining felt like someone had slapped her across the face.
She was about to respond when cheers broke out at the front door. “The lord is back! The lord is back! Hurry, go tell the old dowager, madame, and miss! The lord is back!”
Qin Yining’s initial shock was quickly melted by glee. She picked up the hem of her dress and sprinted to the front door. Qin Huining was forced to totter on her tiny feet in the fourth miss’ wake, dragged on by Jiyun and Songlan.
* * *
Chapter 190: Reunion
Chapter 190: Reunion
Qin Yining’s hovering heart could finally settle back down in its rightful place when she saw Qitai lead Qin Huaiyuan through the doors. But when she saw how bedraggled her father looked, her speed petered out and she almost burst into tears.
When he’d been thrown into the dungeons, Qin Huaiyuan had been stripped of his court robes, boots, hat, and other accessories. He was only wearing a filthy undershirt and silk pants now. His hair resembled a crushed bird’s nest with strands pulled out from it. There were two pieces of straw stuck to his head and even his beard was gnarled and knotted.
To think that her elegant and ethereal father, a wise sage, would be in these straits!
Qin Yining clenched her teeth and used every iota of strength in her body to keep her sobs down. She flung herself to the ground with a few steps and wrapped her arms around Qin Huaiyuan’s legs.
“Father!”
Qin Huaiyuan looked down and and wanted to pat his daughter’s head. But when he saw how his dusty palm and the dirt between his fingernails contrasted with his daughter’s neat and gleaming locks, he hesitantly put his hand back down. He settled for a smile. “Do get up. I’m alright, see? I’ve come back just fine.”
The scene made everyone around them choke back tears. Qin Huining on the other hand, was standing dumbly in place. To think that the master of the house would sink to these straits!
Qin Yining rubbed her cheeks fondly on Qin Huaiyuan’s knees and blinked her tears back before rising again. She flashed a dazzling smile at her father. “Will you shower and change clothes first, or go directly to see the old dowager?”
The lord smiled. “I’ll shower first so I won’t scare her.” He caught sight of Qin Huining out of the corner of his eye. “So you’ve come back, daughter Hui?”
Qin Huining came back to her senses and quickly walked up to perform a grand gesture of greeting.
“Father, your daughter has returned. I was immature before and disappointed you with many mistakes. Please be magnanimous and forgive me.” Qin Huining’s forehead was on the ground in an utmost gesture of humility.
Qin Huaiyuan rested a complicated gaze on the foster girl for a moment. “Mm. You may remain since daughter Yi has allowed you to come back. Keep to what’s proper in the future and don’t repeat your previous actions.”
Qin Huining’s heart skipped a beat. Since coming back, this was the first time she’d so objectively observed Qin Yining’s current status in the manor. The fourth miss was the real ruler of the inner residence now. Even the old dowager, née Sun, second and third madame had to listen to her orders!
Why had Qin Huining worked so hard to get into the old dowager and née Sun’s good graces before? Because they had the power in the house! It was now Qin Yining at the reins and Qin Huining had just tried to scheme against her…
Enlightenment struck the foster girl. It was impossible for her and Qin Yining to be opponents, because opponents fought on an even playing field. She would never be on the same level as Qin Yining anywhere.
The fourth miss could easily and arrogantly step on Qin Huining’s head, but the foster girl had to cling to the Qins if she wanted to live. She couldn’t offend Qin Yining as long as she wanted the shelter of this family.
The understanding twisted her heart with pain, but there was nothing she could do. She’d had enough suffering at the country manor and didn’t want to spend another day as a refugee with her home torn apart by war.
“Father, I understand. I’ll listen to the old dowager, father, and mother’s words from now on and to the fourth miss’ orders.”
Qin Huaiyuan
nodded when he heard the sincere tone and change in address. “Good.”
The fourth miss had already sent runners to the inner residence with the good news and had servants prepare a fragrant bath in the side room of the outer study. When Qin Huaiyuan and Qitai headed in to refresh themselves, Qin Yining had the kitchen prepare a banquet, to be set up in the flower hall of the Garden of Loving Piety later. Her father was safe and sound and the family was together again. This was a cause for celebration!
She still couldn’t sit still after arranging all that. She was filled with relief and excitement at her father’s safe return, so she decided to stand outside the study and wait for him to come back out.
It was a full hour before Qin Huaiyuan emerged again. His hair was half dry and loosely pinned on top of his head, secured with a black silk ribbon. He was wearing straight, jasper colored robes made of Hangzhou satin and walked forward in cloth boots. Although he was thinner than before, he’d reverted to use usual elegant, genteel, and handsome self.
Qin Yining dimpled. “Father, let’s go back together.”
“Yes.” Qin Huaiyuan nodded smilingly. “Qitai gave me a rundown of what’s happened in the manor. You’ve done very well.”
“Don’t praise me father. It was my first time as the head of the household. I was so flustered and all over the place. It was thanks to the old dowager and mother that I kept my head.”
“Oh you.” Qin Huaiyuan burst out laughing. “You’ve learned how to be humble. You’re very smart, charismatic, and are a good judge of character. That’s all very good. You’ve done very well both at home and outside. If it wasn’t for you taking in the refugees, it would’ve taken more effort for me to return.”
The girl was naturally delighted by her father’s praise, but she cared most about his last sentence.
“Father, is the emperor angry?”
“That he is.” Qin Huaiyuan nodded. “After all, your residence on Eternal Spring Mountain neighbors the empress’. Setting aside what the people think, I’m sure you can grasp why the emperor is angry. But it was also the force of public opinion that made Grand Preceptor Cao unable to make a move against me, and instilled some wariness into the emperor. When the Clearists begged for mercy on my behalf, it finally moved the emperor. But it’s a pity that your second uncle was dragged into this. He was moved to the Ministry of Rites as an attendant gentleman.”
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