Return of the Swallow c1-644

by Edited by Deyna up to chapter ~100.

  There were ten combined counts of grand felonies such as embezzlement, disregard of imperial authority, and treasonous intentions. The rest ran the gamut from disrespecting elders to carrying off women to causing others to commit suicide from showing lack of mercy. There was even an uproar over the fact that the patterns embroidered on his underwear violated regulations!

  Chapter 334: Driven Out

  In a quick turn of events, sage official Zhou Min, more noble than everyone else, had morphed a lecherous and greedy criminal weighted down by multiple accusations. The most frightening was that each accusation was followed by evidence of his crimes, making it impossible for Li Qitian offer even a paltry defense of his father-in-law.

  The situation was so disgusting that Li Qitian felt like he’d swallowed a live fly, or that he’d glimpsed part of a rat turd halfway through his rice bowl…

  He’d already primed Pang Xiao for action and was just waiting for today to slap the prince down. But to think that he’d be the one slapped across the face first!

  With how things had turned out, the emperor was forced to proclaim judgment on Zhou Min. But once the Secondary Grand Secretary was removed, there would be none of his own left in the council anymore. How would he able to influence the old Northern Ji officials in the future when it came to policy making?

  For purposes of dignity, he had to order a thorough, by-the-books investigation into Zhou Min.

  Since he suddenly had none of his own men in the council, there was no need to mention Pang Xiao joining the Grand Secretariat. A weary Li Qitian was about to dismiss the grand court gathering when yet another Northern Ji official popped out.

  “The rewards have not yet been announced for the Faithful Prince of the First Rank!” called out the official.

  The emperor wholeheartedly ground his teeth in that moment. He couldn’t confer the position onto Pang Xiao, but neither could he afford not to.

  For the sake of appearances, Li Qitian made Pang Xiao the Grand Secretary of the Hall of Military Glory. As he did so, he nursed one final shred of hope that some of the Northern Ji officials would jump out in opposition.

  But having just driven out the emperor’s father-in-law, the Northern Ji faction felt that they had won a smashing victory and should leave some face for the emperor. Thus, all of them stood out to loudly applaud the emperor’s wisdom and support Pang Xiao joining the council.

  This biggest winner in all of this was Pang Xiao. He’d effortlessly won the spoils from a contest fought by others and smoothly sailed into the Grand Secretariat!

  “The emperor must be so bummed right now.” Qin Yining burst into chuckles.

  When Pang Xiao recalled the barely concealed, spasming corners of Li Qitian’s lips, pleasant delight stole through his heart. “It’s all thanks to your good idea.”

  “That’s right,” agreed Xu Weizhi admiringly. “Thanks to Miss Qin’s wonderful plan, His Highness kicked Zhou Min out of the picture without shedding a single drop of blood and won tangible benefits without mobilizing a single person.”

  Xie Yue also nodded with high regard.

  Pang Xiao looked tenderly at the girl. “My darling, how should I thank you?”

  Qin Yining smiled. “I’m happy enough that my plan didn’t backfire, what need is there for thanks? But… my second and third uncle visited today. I have something else to discuss with you.”

  “What is it? Out with it all.”

  “I want to move out of the manor and back to the welcoming inns.”

  Panic descended on the prince. They’d already discussed this yesterday and Qin Yining had agreed not to leave. Why had everything changed in just a day??

  Seeing his brow tightly furrowed together, Qin Yining quickly summarized her conversation with her uncles.

  “I can only beat the drums and plead for imperial justice if I move out of the manor. If I’m locked up here, how am I supposed to bring a lawsuit against you?”

  The strategists were in silent, deep thought. Their eyes lit up when they understood and they looked at Qin Yining with approving esteem.

  Pang Xiao also understood the effort his darling was going to on his behalf, but he still didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at her words.

  “Tsk tsk, you want to bring a lawsuit against me to the emperor and you want me to let you go? Aren’t you being too overbearing?”

  “Me? Overbearing? I’ve just learned from the best.” Qin Yining burst out laughing.

  Though this was the last thing Pang Xiao wanted to do, he understood the gravity of the situation. If he couldn’t bear to send her out of the manor now, she probably really would have to enter the palace later on.

  And that, would truly be his eternal regret.

  So the only thing he could do was nod and, with a gentle expression, viciously smash the teacup in his hand.

  In the stillness of the night, the sound of porcelain shattering travelled very far out.

  “Get out! This prince is filled with distaste at the sight of you!” Though Pang Xiao’s voice overflowed with violence, he still smiled with resignation when he looked at Qin Yining.

  The Qin fourth miss responded with a glare when she saw how half-hearted he was about his acting. She cleared her throat and tears suddenly sprang forth in her eyes.

  “Your Highness, what kind of tantrum are you throwing now?” she demanded tragically. “You wanted me to come serve tea, but now you’re picking at everything I do. I’m not a maid. Since you think my service is so poor, why come bother me!”

  She shoved the door open, rushing outside with her face in her hands.

  Xu Weizhi and Xie Yue were startled by Qin Yining’s spontaneous tears.

  Pang Xiao was also taken aback, but quickly settled fully into the role. He too charged out the door and chased her to the covered hallway.

  “How dare you?! These are hallowed grounds, how dare the daughter of a surrendered noble just walk about freely like this?! Servants, grab her!”

  What on earth would Huzi know about what had happened in the house? All he saw was Qin Yining stumble to a sitting position in the yard, weeping up a storm. His master’s expression was tight with eyes about to spit fire. The guard really didn’t know what to do.

  Why was his master so angry? Did he really not like Miss Qin anymore?

  “What are you still standing there for?!” Pang Xiao levied a glare at Huzi.

  His scalp numb, the guard quickly summoned burly granny servants and had them haul up the Qin fourth miss.

  Bingtang and Jiyun was shocked and furious. Their hearts ached for the injustice to their mistress, but Pang Xiao's heart seemed to be made of stone. He showed absolutely no pity and growled his commands, “The manor doesn’t put up with useless personnel. Since this prince has grown bored of toying with you, there’s no use keeping you around. All of you, scram!”

  Half-blinded by tears, Qin Yining looked up at the lofty Pang Xiao and was too choked up to protest.

  Beet red with fury, Bingtang clawed herself free of the granny servant restraining her. She charged at Pang Xiao.

  “You heartless, mean-spirited ingrate! What the hell are you?? Just a stupid prince who can’t even hold onto his position properly! What do you have to be proud of? Bullying my mistress because she doesn’t have any backing at the moment? You’re an animal!”

  She’d never thought that the couple who’d sworn undying love to each other would turn into this.

  Huzi rushed up to block the maid. “Stop, the prince isn’t someone you can insult!”

  Bingtang couldn't struggle free this time, so she spat on the guard’s face instead. “Get out of my way! You’re just the same as him! All of you will go to hell for bullying my mistress!”

  It was the first time that Huzi had seen Bingtang so furious. He went slack-jawed with surprise at the spittle on his face.

  Both touched and guilty at seeing Bingtang defend herself like this, Qin Yining grabbed the maid’s hand for a quick squeeze.

 
; The pressure stopped Bingtang in her tracks and she looked back at the Qin fourth miss, perplexed.

  The fourth miss looked at Pang Xiao. “Since this is the case, we’ll leave. But I’m taking my maids with me.”

  “This prince doesn’t want a single one of your people. Take all those who served you these days as well.” Uttering one bald-faced lie after another, Pang Xiao forced himself not to keep her.

  Utterly dejected and heartbroken, Qin Yining took Bingtang and Jiyun’s hands and left. When they walked out of the Pang Manor, Xianyun, Qiulu, and Lian Xiaozhou were thrown out with packs on their backs as well.

  The crimson-red doors of the princely manor slowly shut in their faces.

  Chapter 335: The Prince Suffering A Beating

  The maids were shell shocked to be so unceremoniously thrown out of the manor. They looked at each other, more concerned about Qin Yining’s devastated mood. They wanted to comfort her, but didn’t know the right words to say.

  Qin Yining patted Bingtang’s shoulder comfortingly and took Lian Xiaozhou's hand. She wiped away the tears on her face.”Let’s go. We need to make it to the inns before curfew. I’m unfamiliar with the roads in the capital. Jiyun, Xianyun, do you know them?”

  They nodded and knew that this wasn’t a convenient place to talk. They suppressed their inner confusion for now and led Qin Yining in the direction of the inns.

  The dusk of northern winters arrived with a biting wind that was interspersed with snowflakes. No matter how warmly Qin Yining was wrapped up, she still couldn’t get used to it. She was freezing inside and out. Her own breath wafted back in her face as white mist, quickly forming a layer of white frost on her collar and hair by the side of her temples.

  Supporting Qin Yining, Jiyun was quite vexed. “What is with the prince? We can’t hire a carriage so late at night…”

  Because she didn’t know what had happened between the lovebirds and out of concern that her mistress would be sad, she swallowed the rest of her words.

  Thankfully, Qin Yining wasn’t a finicky, delicate beauty. All of them had had their share of tough times as well. They made it to the welcoming inns just before curfew fell.

  The second and third elder master rushed out when word of her arrival was sent in. First master Qin Yu, second master Qin Han, and fifth master Qin Xian followed closely after, with tenth master Qin Rong and eleventh master Qin Zong bringing up the rear. Finally, eighth miss Qin Baoning and Qin Huining rounded out the group.

  Aside from the old dowager, second madame, and second wife, as well as the kidnapped Qin Huaiyuan couple and Cao Yuqing, essentially everyone in the family was present and accounted for.

  “Niece Yi, why have you returned at this hour?” the third elder master asked urgently as he descended the stairs. He looked at the girl up and down, and up and down again, deathly afraid that she’d been humiliated.

  Qin Yining smiled and didn’t respond, instead sweeping her eyes over her family. “It’s been a long time. Thank goodness a family reunion is still possible.”

  That singular sentence voiced endless helplessness. After weathering the destruction of their family home, famine, ambush, and kidnapping, it was unprecedented good luck that they could all still gather together.

  The idea brought tears to the eyes of those gathered.

  The eighth miss came up and grabbed Qin Yining for a hug. “Fourth sister, you’re finally back. I was so worried.”

  Fifth master Qin Xian brought his two younger brothers forward and had them bow to the fourth miss. “Fourth big sister.”

  “You’ve grown a lot taller, fifth brother,” said Qin Yining with a smile.

  “What about me, fourth big sis?” The newly turned six-year-old Qin Zong tilted his head up at the older girl.

  “Eleventh and tenth brother have also grown a lot taller. Come to think of it, our family’s been separated for a very long while.”

  “It’s cold outside and not the best place to catch up. Let’s go inside first.” The second elder master looked at everyone cheerfully.

  With Qin Huaiyuan absent, he was the pillar of the family. Everyone headed inside when he gave the order.

  There were several three-story lofts to the rear of the inns; several options had side yards as well. Due to Qin Huaiyuan’s prestige, the Qins were assigned a loft with a side yard. They were neighbors with the Commandery Prince of Yan, Yuchi Yan, and the princess consort Li Yanyan. Across the alley were the Lis and Gus.

  The group entered the yard, closed the doors, and reconvened in the old dowager’s main house.

  The old dowager was being served snacks by Qin-mama and the second madame. Her expression turned very ugly to see the family pour in through the door, clustered around Qin Yining.

  Sitting on the heated platform next to the window and leaning on a soft cushion, awkwardness also blossomed in the second wife’s face when she saw the fourth miss. It’d been she and the old dowager who’d eaten Qin Yining’s pet rabbit.

  However, there was no trace of ill will on the girl’s face at all. She curtsied to the old dowager and then to her second aunt and cousin-in-law. Their initial discomfort was assuaged by Qin Yining being just as friendly as before.

  The family gathered around for a sharing session, and with unspoken accord, refrained from mentioning the dishonor to Qin Yining from being carried off to the Pang Manor as soon as she entered the city.

  Night had well and truly fallen after a bit of conversation.

  “Niece Yi is tired too, go rest with your maids,” said the second elder master. “We don’t have that much space, so I’m afraid you’ll have to bunk with each other and make do with what we have.”

  The old dowager sighed. “Space is at such an incredible premium in the capital. All of our family valuables are gone. Who knows how long the inns will let us stay and eat here for free?” She look at Qin Yining. “My granddaughter, the family will be depending on you in the future.”

  Of course, the Qin matriarch was referring to the girl entering the palace for the return of Qin Huaiyuan and the family fortune.

  Qin Yining looked questioningly at her uncles. She could tell from their ensuing expressions that they hadn’t discussed the matter with the old dowager yet.

  Thus, she smiled and didn’t respond, leaving with Bingtang and the others to the side room that Qin-mama had just helped clear out.

  She’d just reached the corridor when she heard someone mutter, “We have to squeeze and pack in tightly, but her servants are so very noble huh? They live better than us masters.”

  Qin Yining turned back to see Qin Huining quietly grumbling as she tugged on the second wife’s arm.

  The fourth miss smiled. “So despite not dying in the face of multiple tragedies, it seems that Miss Huining hasn’t grown up at all.”

  It’d never occurred to Qin Huining that the fourth miss’ ears would be so sharp that she would pick up such a soft voice. Embarrassed, the foster girl didn’t dare give offense since Qin Yining might have a glorious future after entering the palace. She lowered her head and didn’t look at the fourth miss.

  Qin Yining couldn’t be bothered to fuss about this. She took her maids to their room and closed the door before she whispered lowly what everything today had been about.

  The night had settled down for Qin Yining, but disaster was just rearing for Pang Xiao.

  Shoe in hand, née Ma heartily smacked it down again and again on the prince’s back.

  Though there was a satin jacket cushioning the blows, the blows rang out so loudly that listeners winced with each blow.

  The beating didn’t satisfy the Yao matriarch at all.

  “You self-serving little dirtbag! Playboy rotten to the core! How wonderful did you say lass Yi was? And how much you liked her? Then all of a sudden you humiliate her and throw her out! Are you a man or not? Are you??”

  The shoe came down mercilessly as she cursed, multiple thick layers forming a fearsome ‘family weapon’. Even a tyrant of the bat
tlefield like Pang Xiao cowered and shrank to the side, but there was no place to hide as née Ma had a firm grip on his collar.

  “It’s freezing outside and dark, AND it’s snowing. How could you be so cold-blooded as to throw her out? How will she face the people she runs into, a poor little thing like her? I’ve wasted all my time raising you! To think that our family would produce such a wicked weasel like you!”

  “Grandma, don’t be so angry, let me explain.” Pang Xiao felt that his back, shoulders, and arms would be beaten to a pulp soon that if he didn’t defend himself.

  Chapter 336: An Imperial Lawsuit

  “Explain? I don’t want to listen to you! So you’ve grown up now and have a lot of ideas of your own. You don’t listen to the words of an old woman like me anymore! Look at you, all noble and wealthy. You’ve made it in the world, but you’ve thrown away your good character! If this is how you are as an official, I’d rather you were just a cook!”

  Née Ma flung her shoe at Pang Xiao and turned away. “Those I hate the most in this life are people like you who cast off a woman after promising the world to her! If I were younger, it’d be a sign of how strong your muscles are if I didn’t kick you to death with one stomp!”

  Holding one of his grandmother’s shoes with both hands, Pang Xiao sighed with relief to see that his grandmother was no longer hitting him.

  “Grandma, don’t be so mad at me. This is a show that darling Yi and I put on.”

  “Another show?” Née Ma blinked, taken aback.

  Pang Xiao nodded and continued quietly, “Too much has happened over the past two days. The emperor set up a trap for me and it was only because of my darling’s counter-plan that I safely made it through disaster. Not only did I not suffer any losses, but I successfully joined the council as the Grand Secretary of the Hall of Military Might.

  “I respect and sympathize with her, how would I ever cast her away? It’s just that some things have happened in her family…”

  The prince went over how the Qins had been kidnapped, the kidnappers were holding the Qin Huaiyuan couple as hostages, and how Qin Yining was being forced into the imperial selection as a result.