“Yes.”
A plan took formation in her mind as Madame Lu turned this detail over. She summoned her pageboy to give a few instructions, sending the boy sprinting off into the distance. The madame closed the window and urged her groom to faster speeds.
Smooth Providence was a tavern three stories high. Qin Yining arrived before the noon rush, a time when there were no other guests on the third floor. To facilitate ease of conversation, she booked the entire floor. She and Missus Liao took a table with an expansive view and had their followers wait at the head of the stairs.
Chapter 364: To Take Down A Peg
Seeing that there was no one else around, Miss Liao gravely knelt and performed a gesture of greeting. She whispered, “Alliance Head, apologies for my impertinence just now.”
Qin Yining quickly helped the older woman back up. “Not at all, you don’t need to stand on ceremony with me. Please, do rise.”
Missus Liao returned to her seat. “The others were worried that since we hadn’t met before, your guards would arrest me when I came to meet you. Thank goodness for your sharp wits in recognizing me instantly.”
The Qin fourth miss smiled. “You’re the wife of Hallmaster Liao. Why would I not know who you are?”
“You are a noble’s daughter, which makes it inappropriate for a rough-and-tumble group like the men to stay by your side. Thus, we came up with the idea of having me be your contact in the future. Please tell me whatever instructions you have. That will take some of the awkwardness in operations out of the equation.”
“Thank you all for the careful effort. Are you here alone, or has everyone left Great Yan?”
Awkwardness flashed across Miss Liao’s face, which she concealed with a smile. “In response to the alliance head, we only have left a core of roughly a hundred from before. There’s so many mouths to feed, and since we don’t need to oppose the tyranny of Great Yan anymore, everyone’s turned their attention to doing business. The four hallmasters have reached an agreement to do business on the Tartar border.”
“The Tartar border? So you’re doing business with the Tartars?”
“Precisely. We wouldn’t travel so far otherwise.”
Qin Yining arched a brow. “That’s a good idea, but you can do business anywhere in this vast world, no? Though the Tartars have a truce with Great Zhou at the moment because of their own internal conflict, trade relations haven’t been restored between the two nations. Do you know that your ‘business’ is actually smuggling?”
“Oh dearie me, Alliance Head, don’t scare me like that! If this matter isn’t publicized, then we’re just doing business. Only if someone reports us does it become smuggling. Besides, don’t we have you? You’re smart and resourceful, and now your father is a principal second rank minister. We have quite a patron backing us, so it doesn’t matter even if someone does report us.”
To think that Missus Liao would trot out the song and dance often found in city marketplaces and start up this shameless act with her!
Qin Yining’s expression darkened and she laughed softly, responding in a measured pace. “When the old alliance head passed the position to me, I declined it in every way possible. I’m young with limited worldly experience—what right do I have to lead Azure Justice? All of you are famous wandering heroes in the jianghu, while I’m just a little girl sheltered in the inner residence. Even my hair is longer than the breadth of my experience in this world. But the four hallmasters agreed with the old alliance head and wanted none other than me.
“I was really very happy then, feeling that the brothers in Azure Justice were good men and heroes united in their shared aspiration to restore peace to the world. These were fighters of justice bravely taking a stand against the tyranny of the Great Yan trash emperor! I was both ashamed and proud to be your leader.”
Missus Liao had been in the alliance for quite a while. She drew herself up straight when she heard this and declared with some pride, “Azure Justice members are naturally all fighters of justice!”
“But now the fighters of justice have turned to smuggling?”
The older woman’s expression shifted and she readied to defend herself. However, Qin Yining raised a hand and continued evenly. “I know that you won’t listen to everything I say. I’m alliance head in but name only, and you’ve never looked to me as your leader in anything you do. You never ask about my opinions when you make decisions. Are you waiting to push me to the front to take the blame when something happens?”
“Now that really goes overboard! We’ve always been open and honest. When have we ever pushed someone else out to take the blame?”
“No need to be in a hurry, Missus Liao.” Qin Yining saved a hand. “To obstruct someone’s path of wealth is to kill their entire family. I won’t prevent you from conducting business, and it’s not like you’ll listen to anything I say. You guys will probably only think of me when you run into real trouble. But no matter what, I hope you don’t forget the original intentions that you formed Azure Justice with. Money and physical temptations will entrance the eyes and cloud the heart. You can make money, but you cannot commit evil.”
Miss Liao’s complexion alternated between red and white. She’d come prepared with a mountain of arguments. The other party was just a noble girl—a little nothing who would be overwhelmed with several hoity toity compliments. The older woman just needed to spend a little time coaxing the Qin fourth miss.
But when she met Qin Yining’s beautiful, knowing eyes and took in words that stabbed into her heart, not a single word of her prepared platitudes floated out.
The conversation hurt because Qin Yining spoke only the truth. Azure Justice now did indeed harbor some of these thoughts.
No wonder Qiao Shangfei had reminded her, before she set off, to show some more respect to the alliance head.
Missus Liao had thought it a function of the four hallmasters highly respecting the old alliance head, so the same courtesy extended to the granddaughter. But it now seemed that she’d thought too simply of the situation.
“Alliance Head.” Missus Liao drew herself to attention. “I’m committing everything you say to memory. I’ll be sure to tell them when I return.”
Qin Yining nodded. “That would be lovely. Is there anything else with your point of contact this time?”
Such a blatant question put the older woman on the spot.
Chapter 364.2: To Take Down A Peg
Her sole mission this time was to meet with Qin Yining and tell her about the alliance’s smuggling operations. That way, when they needed the Qin fourth miss sometime in the future, the girl wouldn’t be completely oblivious to what Azure Justice was doing.
But if the missus really did say that she had no other business, then she would come across as overly mercantilistic, even if that was the main point of her visit.
A married woman over thirty years of age couldn’t lift her head in front of a girl of sixteen years! Her lips twitched a few times before she finally voiced, “We mainly just missed the alliance head. We heard that your family ran into a little accident on the way to the capital.”
“Indeed, we did run into a little accident.” Qin Yining dimpled. “It looks like the alliance’s main forces have all moved to the Tartar border?”
Missus Liao didn’t immediately understand the point being made. She asked in confusion, “Why do you say that, Alliance Head?”
“If not, then the alliance’s intelligence network needs to be enhanced.”
Comprehension swiftly descended this time, and Missus Liao flushed as brightly as cooked shrimp when she processed the jeering notes in the girl’s tone.
Azure Justice had prevailed in Great Yan for a time, so how would they not know what had happened to the Qins on the family’s way over? It was just that no one had particularly paid any attention to it.
Only when they were worried that their smuggling operations might blow up in their faces that they finally came looking for their alliance head. There h
ad been no reaction whatsoever when their leader was robbed and lost.
If Missus Liao declared that their intelligence network was just fine, then it was something wrong with the people. If there was nothing wrong with the people, then pray tell, how should the madame face her alliance head?
Embarrassment painted the woman’s face a deep crimson and a few hints of veneration sprang forth. No wonder the old alliance head had passed the position onto the Qin fourth miss! This was no ordinary girl. Missus Liao even had the misconception that she was facing the old alliance head when dealing with Qin Yining.
Taking stock of the older woman’s expression, Qin Yining understood that she’d taken Miss Liao down enough pegs today. Any further would likely see an opposite effect. Therefore, the Qin fourth miss appropriately changed topics to the affairs of the Great Zhou capital.
Missus Liao heaved a silent sigh of relief to herself, deeply grateful that the alliance head wasn’t pursuing things further. She responded with a circumspectly respectful attitude, none of her prior subtle irreverence to be found.
As Qin Yining purposefully set up a way to save face and Missus Liao accepted it with deep appreciation, the atmosphere quickly warmed up. It really did seem that the two were long-parted friends, like they’d first presented upon their meeting.
Thanks to what had just happened, the four Silver Masks standing guard around the corner refreshed a deeper understanding of their mistress.
They’d originally felt that Qin Huaiyuan sending them to his daughter was a misuse of good talent for a petty job. But she turned out to be the alliance head of Azure Justice! A mere few words were sufficient to knock some sense and respect into the alliance member who’d harbored other thoughts.
Days in which they’d be able to fully display their talents seemed almost tangibly within grasp to the four. Their mistress now occupied a different place in their hearts.
As Qin Yining and Missus Liao chatted and ate, a ruckus suddenly travelled in from downstairs.
The two paid it no heed at first, but when the disturbance grew shriller and even footsteps thudded heavily on the wooden stairs, the Qin fourth miss frowned in the direction of the stairs.
Xiaoman immediately went downstairs to assess the situation.
Ear-piercing arguments and curses drifted into their ears before the guard returned.
“You want my mistress to wait?? Do you know who she is?! Who the hell are you to delay my mistress’ business!? Can you afford the damages???
“What do you mean someone’s rented it out? These are my bank notes slapping you across the face right now! How dare you not rent out Smooth Providence to my mistress??
“That’s just the daughter of a minister—what is she good for? My mistress is the official daughter of the Lu clan!”
……
The maid’s stridently loud tones came in increasing waves of illogical obstinance. Qin Yining’s forehead drew together with almost an audible click. She didn’t need to go for a look to know who was raising the fuss.
Xiaoman charged up the stairs and reported in. “A man and a woman’s in the first floor hall. The one causing a disturbance is the woman’s maid.”
Qin Yining nodded to indicate her understanding.
“Get that minister’s daughter downstairs. My mistress will personally speak to her. Hop to it!”
“Miss,” a livid Jiyun stated. “These people are absolutely ridiculous! I’ll go downstairs and teach them a lesson!”
“No need.” The Qin fourth miss rose. “I’ll go myself. I’d like to see just how ruthless they’ll be to a mere minister’s daughter.”
“Understood. I’ll help you downstairs.” In fine fettle and ready to do battle, Bingtang helped her mistress downstairs.
Jiyun followed beside them, ready to barrel in and rip someone to pieces at the drop of a hat.
Missus Liao clucked a tongue at the sight. Who would’ve thought that a noble daughter’s maids would be so ferocious?
Or was it like mistress, like servant?
The group headed for the first floor, Xiaoman and Xiaoxue leading the way, Jingzhe and Daman bringing up the rear. The men ensconced two charming maids who were supporting a plainly dressed, stunning beauty.
This combination instantly drew the eyes of all those in the first floor hall.
Qin Yining was rather surprised that there were still customers on the first floor, given that the other party was raising such a fuss about renting the tavern out. When she saw that the crowd’s eyes were burning a hole in her face, she pulled out a pale-purple gauze scarf and covered half of her face before approaching Madame Lu.
Chapter 365: Lu Heng
There weren’t that many customers on the first floor at present, but neither was there only a small scattering of them. Even with her face veil in place and her maids helping her forward, Qin Yining could still feel gazes from everyone present.
Madame Lu was sitting primly in the middle of the hall at a spot next to the window. Though her chin was lifted proudly and a jeering curve graced her lips, it wasn’t hard to see jealousy glittering in her beautiful eyes if one took a closer look.
Being an exceedingly attractive person, the older woman loved most feeling men’s gazes resting on her. But when the Qin fourth miss descended the stairs just now, she’d heard firsthand how all conversation and chewing of meals had ground to a halt. No one so much as reached for another piece of meat, and even her respected second elder cousin [1] paused from refilling his wine cup.
It’s so nice being young! If she was ten years younger, it was a given that everyone’s eyes would cling to her instead. There would be no thought given to anyone else!
Qin Yining met Madame Lu’s dismissive and incendiary glare with a faint smile. The sheer gauze covered her dimples while her bright, almond-shaped eyes curved into waning moons. Hints of mischief sparkled in her bright expression.
“To think that we’d bump into Madame Lu here. Smooth Providence’s staff must have provided subpar service for big sister Lu’s maid to raise a fuss like this. I could hear the disturbance even on the third floor.”
Madame Lu snorted contemptuously. “Don’t try to pretend like we’re close. Aren’t you too high-and-mighty to befriend the Lu clan? I’m not worthy of you calling me big sister, oh no. Hurry up and leave with your people! I rented out this tavern a long time ago.”
The Qin fourth miss arched a slender brow, light rippling through her eyes. “Big sister Lu’s already rented out the place?”
“Yes! Do you need me to repeat myself? Hurry up and leave! Stop being an eyesore here.” Madame Lu was exceedingly unfriendly.
The younger girl nodded. “Big sister Lu’s memory must not be very good. I took pains to ask the manager just now and rented out the third floor only because it was empty. But big sister Lu says that you rented out the entire tavern a long time ago? Then, pray tell, why didn’t the manager mention this?”
“That old thing has a poor memory. Are you leaving or not?!” Urgency dripped into the Lu madame’s tone.
Qin Yining chuckled mockingly, the sound as crisp and pleasing as a silver bell. “Well now, isn’t that interesting? Big sister Lu is the one with a poor memory, but blames it on the manager. I ask only this: if you really had rented out the tavern a long time ago, then how did all the customers on the first floor make it inside? If the manager really does have a poor memory, allowing one customer inside is a mistake, but did he really let all of these people in because he has a bad memory? Surely you won’t say these are all your guests, big sister.”
The Qin fourth miss scanned the crowd of customers; the crowd sported varying body sizes and opulence of clothing. With Madame Lu’s temperament, she wouldn’t befriend anyone she deemed inferior.
The madame had nothing to say in return. She’d only wanted to deny Qin Yining face, but had forgotten the particulars of the situation.
The girl tittered softly, completely unperturbed by the madame trying to make things diff
icult for her. Her carefree laughter prompted the other guests to answer in kind, and an atmosphere that had been rather ruined by the madame’s maid lightened. The crowd’s impression of Qin Yining was thousands of times better than the domineering, spiteful Madame Lu.
As the Qin fourth miss laughed, she surreptitiously swept her gaze over the man standing next to the madame.
He looked roughly twenty five years old and held himself with an uncommonly refined air. His seated posture was lazily comfortable, a noble dignity suffusing every movement and gesture. Though his aura was out of the ordinary, there was nothing threatening about him.
He imparted the feeling of being as gentle and mild as water. One’s eye would be caught by his bearing, not his features. Just the former alone caused onlookers to unconsciously avert their eyes.
A saying rose in Qin Yining’s heart—the foundations of aristocracy are of nobility inborn.
Madame Lu was beet red with humiliation. Long accustomed to willful arrogance, she was someone that even the Princess of Anyang called ‘big sister’. She’d never been ridiculed in broad daylight like this!
“So it looks like you’re determined to be enemies with my clan!” she squeezed out through clenched teeth.
Qin Yining fluttered her long lashes with a smile. “The foundations of aristocracy have never been built upon bullying others from a position of strength, but are an accumulation of composure and masterful experience—as illustrated by the one standing next to you. As for you… loving and respecting yourself first is the key to the adoration and esteem that you’re so fond of. It’s absolutely not a function of a loud voice and threats.”
Madame Lu slammed her hand viciously onto a table and shot to her feet in abject fury. “Who do you think you are?! You’re just a broken piece of junk discarded by someone who’s gotten bored! Instead of finding a corner to hide in, you swan around in public! Stop making a fool of yourself outside when you’re just a dirty, rejected toy! The sight of you makes me sick!”
Return of the Swallow c1-644 Page 204