Though the Yao matriarch was confused at the sudden change of heart, she genuinely liked the Qin fourth miss and sprang into action to mete out justice on the girl’s behalf.
But née Yao and Yao Chenggu had flanked her at some unknown point in time and pulled her back from charging in. Yao Chenggu even surreptitiously pinched her arm.
There was naturally an understanding between an old couple. Née Ma turned back to study her husband’s eyes, hesitantly refraining from taking action.
“Servants, take her back and lock her up in Snowtrace Garden!” Pang Xiao growled. “No one is to let her out or visit her without this prince’s express permission!”
“Understood!” Female servants assented and helped Qin Yining up. They pulled Lian Xiaozhou up as well and carted the two off, flanking the two like they were afraid of a breakaway attempt.
The prince stood with his hands behind his back, coldly watching Qin Yining being taken away until the girl’s figure disappeared around a corner. He turned back to consider Lady Rou coolly.
“What are you all doing here?”
The lady’s hair was a disheveled mess and she’d been weeping up a storm. She was quite the piteous sight, and lifted her eyes fearfully when she heard the question. But when she met Pang Xiao’s slightly narrowed, phoenix-shaped eyes, it felt like an arrow of ice had plunged into her heart. She shuddered and lowered her head again.
“In, in response to Your Highness, this concubine was just out for a walk.”
“Dusk has fallen. Are you here for the view of night?” Pang Xiao arched a brow, responding in a measured, gentle tone. However, servants were already trembling at the threatening notes within his voice.
Lady Rou was shaking like a leaf. She couldn’t utter a single word.
Seeing an awkward situation develop, Xinche screwed up her courage to jump in. “In response to Your Highness, indeed. Big sister Lady Rou said she wanted to go out for a walk after dinner. We happened to run into Miss Qin.”
“Did this prince ask you?”
“What?” Xinche blinked.
“Did. this prince. ask you?” Pang Xiao flicked a sidelong glance at Xinche, as if reading every single thought in her mind.
Terrified and embarrassed, Xinche frantically lowered her head.
“Since you were bestowed by His Majesty, you must carefully consider every word and action to avoid losing face. Don’t think you’re superior to anyone in the manor just because you were an imperial honor. If this prince discovers that you’ve been acting out or ignoring the confines of your station, I can return your corpses to His Majesty. Try me if you don’t believe it!”
“Yes, this concubine wouldn’t, this concubine doesn’t dare!” Lady Rou’s voice shook so much that it didn’t even sound human.
Pang Xiao waved a hand.
As if pardoned from certain death, Lady Rou and Xinche ran off with their retinue.
Pang Xiao set off for Pinecrane Hall when tranquility returned to the scene. Née Ma was about to demand an explanation, but Yao Chenggu pulled her back again.
The group entered the residence silently.
After dismissing all the servants and making sure that no one was near, Pang Xiao began, “That was a fright to grandfather, grandmother, and mother, wasn’t it? That’s my fault.”
Née Ma hissed back anxiously. “What were you doing just now, yelling and glaring at the lass?? How great of a man are you be to go toe-to-toe with a woman?! Where has your conscience gone after twenty some years of living?? Have you forgotten everything I’ve taught you! With how the lass was crying, I’m heartbroken even if you’re not!”
“Mom, don’t get worked up. Dafu did all that on purpose.” Née Yao tugged on née Ma’s hand, some resignation rising at the sight of her impulsive mother.
“Even so, you still made lass Yi cry!”
“Yes, grandmother.” Contriteness welled up in Pang Xiao when he thought back to how Qin Yining had been earlier. “I put on that full song and dance of kidnapping darling Yi so that I could protect her family’s future. Now that she’s in the manor, if my attitude towards her is different from what I showed that day, that would make a lot of people speculate.
“The ten girls that His Majesty bestowed usually know their place. They haven’t come out a single time in all the days that darling Yi’s been here. But suddenly they want to walk around today? Something else is afoot here, which is why I put on that act with dearest Yi just now. We did that to pull the wool over the eyes in our manor.”
Née Ma was no fool. She understood everything from that explanation. Frowning, she thought for a moment and then pounded the heated platform a few times. “What a rotten state of affairs! We can’t live freely in our own home!”
It was indeed aggravating, frustrating, and humiliating. Pang Xiao felt the same mix of feelings, but with how things were now, they had to go on with their lives even if they felt that way.
“Dafu, go peek in on Miss Qin later. Comfort her a bit so that she doesn’t feel uncomfortable with what’s just happened. It’s not to her fortunes that she is tied to you.” Yao Chenggu fished out his tobacco bag, rough fingers patting down strands of tobacco into his pipe.
Pang Xiao arched a brow at these words, not quite satisfied. “What do you mean by that, grandfather? Am I not good enough to her?”
“Don’t you be disgruntled! What did I want when I chose your grandfather? I wanted him to play his role well, to be content with his lot, and lead me into a peaceful life. But just look at you, not a single moment of quiet in your days. You’re either out fighting a war or in constant danger at home!
“Whoever’s your wife will have to worry and fret all the while, and might even be dragged down with you at a moment’s notice! You say you’re good enough to her, but she needs to help you plot and scheme, and put on an act with you as well! Even if none of that’s your fault, it’s still immensely tiring for her!”
Née Ma’s scolding jabbed at Pang Xiao right where things were the most tender. He would’ve had the same thoughts, even if no one had said anything to him.
His situation was very difficult, and Qin Yining would have to stumble through all the ditches and ridges with him. He could only give her his unwavering heart, but was unable to give her absolute peace.
What did women want?
Even a traveling lady-gallant like his grandmother had settled down with a cook in the end, all for the sake of stability. Qin Yining had suffered since young—it wasn’t like she liked living such a hard life.
It was the first time that Pang Xiao faced his inadequacies.
Though there were thousands of bright sparkles around him, this sole failing was enough for Qin Yining not to be with him.
Seeing her grandson glower with an expression like he wanted to eat someone, née Ma’s temper fired up as well. She glared back and prepared to take off her shoe. “What? You’re dissatisfied with what I said? I’ll beat the stuffing out of you!”
“Ai, sigh. Mom!” Née Yao hurriedly pulled the two apart when she saw that her mother was about to take her shoe off.
Née Ma’s feet had never been bound and the soles of her shoes had been hand-sewn by themselves. They were hard and thick; each slap left marks. With how much née Yao loved her son, how could she bear for him to suffer like that?
Yao Chenggu had lit his pipe by now and puffed merrily away, completely removed from the scene and enjoying the show.
Pang Xiao docilely suffered through two slaps of a shoe before he said with resignation, “Don’t be angry, grandmother. I’ll quietly visit dearest Yi after spending some time here with you. Will that do?”
“Hmph. That’s more like it.” Née Ma was quick to anger but also quick to forget. She was deeply gratified at how Pang Xiao listened to her just as ever, despite being grown and a prince. Upon further thought, all of these issues weren’t really his fault. It’s all thanks to that unfaithful, disloyal emperor who abandoned his morals!
……
Li Qitia
n took in a detailed report from a spy in the Pang Manor. “So in your opinion, the prince really did speak harshly to the Qin girl?”
The spy was dressed in black with a lithesome figure. A female voice sounded from a face wrapped in black cloth.
“In response to Your Majesty, this subordinate feels that the Faithful Prince of the First Rank does hold some affection for the Qin girl. Her beauty fells nations and she is celestially stunning. Heroes have often been ensnared by beauties. But in the prince’s heart, revenge for his father ranks just a bit higher. That’s why he has a love-hate relationship with the Qin girl.”
“Mm.” Li Qitian paced with his hands behind his back and analyzed everything carefully. He finally chuckled easily. “We knew that someone like him wouldn’t be able to put down the grudge of his father’s death. You’ve done very well.”
“Many thanks to Your Highness’s compliments. This is only what this subordinate should be doing. One other thing is that the Princess of Anyang has come calling two days in a row. The prince wasn’t home the first time, and came up with an excuse not to see her the second. When the princess was disappointed today, some anger flared as well.”
Li Qitian nodded enigmatically. “We see. Go back and continue your duties.”
“Understood.” The spy took her leave and vanished into the shadows.
Chapter 316: Relaxed Leisure
Li Qitian gazed at the pot of coral sitting in the corner of the study, momentarily lost in thought. Emotions vied for dominance in his eyes, and it took a full hour for uncertainty to leave his face and give way to resolution.
“Li Guanwen.”
“This servant is here.” The eunuch who’d been waiting in the shadows immediately came forward to make his bow.
Li Qitian’s voice echoed in the spacious hall. “Go to the Palace of Serene Piety and take some new fabric to Helan. Tell Hexiang to serve her mistress well and not entertain any other thoughts. We will not show her mercy if she does.”
“Understood, this servant will go immediately. Your Majesty, will you be choosing an imperial concubine’s token tonight?”
Li Qitian thought for a moment. “We will visit the empress tonight.”
……
The days passed by quite peacefully for Qin Yining. She’d been grounded ever since running into those two concubines and being yelled at by Pang Xiao. Snowtrace Garden had a wonderful view, and those serving her were Pang Xiao’s specially arranged confidantes. She kept only Lian Xiaozhou by her side and taught the child whenever she had time to.
For example, the Qin fourth miss would continuously ask the girl questions to train her speaking and critical thinking skills. Common sense knowledge and rules of the world were also topics, as well as the art of tea and cooking. Anything that Qin Yining ran into, but Xiaozhou didn’t know, would be very patiently turned into a teaching moment.
On this day after lunch, Qin Yining was feeling a bit bored when she heard some barking. One dog’s voice was rough and low, the other thin and soft. The latter was obviously Salt, but the former was an unfamiliar dog.
Lian Xiaozhou jumped up happily and ran outside when she heard the sounds. “Big sister! Doggy!”
There was a dog hole in the rear wall to Snowtrace Garden. Née Yao’s Pekingese dog Salt often squirmed through it for visits and fun.
Qin Yining chased after the little girl to fling a cotton cape around her shoulders. “Slowly, don’t trip!”
Head maid Xianyun smiled. “Miss, you really do treat Miss Lian as your own little sister.”
Xianyun had a graceful, pliable body with delicate features. Just like Jiyun, she was one of Pang Xiao’s trusted servants.
Jiyun had exemplary martial arts skills and made for a perfect bodyguard, which was why Pang Xiao had sent her to Qin Yining.
Xianyun didn’t know how to fight, but she was prudent and intelligent. She knew the art of tea, how to cook, and was very skilled with needlework. She was an old hand at managing the staff in the residence; Qin Yining didn’t need to say or worry about anything at all. Xianyun could handle everything deftly and was quick-witted and mature. Pang Xiao had given her to Qin Yining now that they were both in the manor.
“Xiaozhou saved my life.” Qin Yining smiled. “If I hadn’t run into her in the mountains, I would’ve starved or frozen to death. The child’s father had just died and she had no one else in the mountains. Just look at her, she’s over ten, but still looks like a child. My thoughts were that if I made it out alive, I would take her with me to thank her. Now that I have the chance to, I must take care of her as well as I possibly can.”
She was afraid that Pang Xiao would discover something and reminded Lian Xiaozhou over and over again to add a year to her age.
“You’re a kind-hearted soul, miss. No wonder the prince only has you in his heart.” Xianyun flung a white fox fur cloak over Qin Yining’s shoulder and brought over white rabbit fur hand warmers that were lined with cotton. “You grew up in the south and will take a while to acclimate to the northern winters. Dress a bit more warmly before you go out. His Highness will be saddened if you catch a cold.
“Many thanks.” Qin Yining stuck her hands into the hand warmers with a smile. They were soft and warm. They must’ve been resting on the heated platform just now, just waiting to toast her cold hands.
Xianyun lifted the door curtains when she reached the door, admitting a blast of winter air.
The courtyard had been swept very cleanly of snow, with only some occasionally drifting off the branches or walls. Dressed in a red cotton jacket, Lian Xiaozhou was stooped on the ground, hugging a snow-white Pekingese and staring at a large, black dog that was baring its teeth back at her.
Qin Yining blinked at the scene. “What’s that?”
“That’s Pepper. He’s ten years old and was brought over from the grand-lord’s old residence. He’s a really good watchdog and very smart. He can understand our words.”
The Qin fourth miss smiled. “That makes Pepper and Xiaozhou the same age then.”
Xianyun looked at the lean, strong black dog and then at the little girl in red crouched on the ground. Giggles couldn’t help escaping her.
Qin Yining walked down the steps, feeling that the black dog was luckier than her. He’d witnessed a young Pang Xiao! She leaned down with a smile, “Hello Pepper.”
The dog immediately looked over, twitching his ears. His tail wagged hesitantly and he no longer bared its teeth.
When Xiaozhou heard Qin Yining’s voice, she ran over with the smaller dog in her arms, her eyes sparkling. “Big dog!”
“That’s right, it’s a big dog. Do you like it, Xiaozhou?”
The little girl nodded rapidly. “Like it! Roast!”
Qin Yining almost hit the ground with her face. No wonder the smart Pepper, who understood human speech, was baring its teeth at Lian Xiaozhou! The chit wanted to roast him!
Having lived in the mountains for so many years, Xiaozhou’s primary cuisine had been roasted food, and she had a particular love of roasted meat. She’d been hunting sparrows to cook just recently as yesterday! And even though she was full now, she still had the urge to turn something over a spit.
Qin Yining poked the little girl’s forehead. “You can’t do that. You have plenty of food to eat now. Pan-fry, stir-fry, stews, deep-fry. There’s all sorts of goodies, but you still don’t find that enough? Pepper has an owner, you can’t cook him, understood?”
A deep furrow crossed Lian Xiaozhou’s forehead as she nodded sadly. She understood everything and was very smart, but still spoke clumsily as she hadn’t made great strides there yet.
But her greatest merit was that she was obedient to Qin Yining. If big sister said she couldn’t roast Pepper, then she wouldn’t think of doing so.
Perhaps because he no longer sensed any hostility after the girl stopped drooling over him, Pepper lifted his head and barked twice, then wagged his tail.
Qin Yining patted the dog’s head and scratched
his chin, prompting more barks out of Pepper. He huffed happily and threatened to take off with how furiously his tail was wagging. In the end, he lifted his paws and laid on the ground to expose his belly.
Qin Yining found this hilarious. Who would’ve thought that the legendary watchdog would be so friendly?
In Xiaozhou’s arms, Salt squirmed around and jumped down to circle around Qin Yining’s legs. The fourth miss handed her hand warmer to Xianyun and scratched the other dog with her now free hand.
The animals were soft and warm, and their fur quite pleasant to touch. She couldn’t help but pet them a bit longer. The action seemed to be dispersing the negative clouds in her heart.
“You’re gentler to them than to me, I’m so jealous!” Pang Xiao’s good-humored tones suddenly came from above.
Qin Yining lifted her eyes to see the prince standing in front of her, his hands behind his back.
Salt and Pepper leapt into action, their butts shaken by furiously wagging tails. They turned in circles around Pang Xiao’s legs, plainly wanting to get close and declare their welcome.
Qin Yining rose with a smile and Xianyun immediately handed over a hot handkerchief to wipe off her hands, then put the hand warmer back on.
“How come you didn’t go out today?”
“I actually did and just came back. I’ve got two pieces of news for you.”
Chapter 317: Two Pieces of News
“What are they?” A puzzled Qin Yining walked up to Pang Xiao.
He reached out to fling an arm around his shoulder and headed inside. “Zuo Jinwei angered His Majesty yesterday. He’s been caned thirty times in front of the rest of the court and divested of all of his titles. He’s now resting at home with nothing to do.”
The Qin fourth miss smiled, having no comment.
She’d long since anticipated that a good ending wasn’t in the cards for Zuo Jinwei. With how paranoid the Zhou emperor was and the inconsistencies with Zuo Jinwei’s reports, it’d resulted in the large spectacle in front of the city gates and blowing wide open a struggle that had been veiled in the shadows.
Return of the Swallow c1-644 Page 178