“That’s right,” responded Bingtang. “The emperor looks like he wants to keep both mighty generals at his side to feel more secure.”
Qin Yining chuckled in spite of herself when she heard the reply. She naturally caught the sarcastic tones in Bingtang’s doublespeak and issued a reminder. “Don’t repeat this outside this room.”
“Miss, I’m not dumb. I’m just talking to you about it. Why would I make trouble for myself and talk about this outside?”
Qin Yining placed a pale-blue silk ribbon onto Lian Xiaozhou’s gleaming, pitch-black braid. She carefully tied it into a beautiful bow before breaking out into a smile.
“That’s right, our Miss Bingtang is no dummy. That’s why she found herself a dependable tiger to be close with.”
Bingtang immediately blushed a bright crimson and stomped her foot. “Miss! What are you talking about!”
The maid’s reaction deeply amused her mistress. “What, do you not understand what I’m talking about? Huzi is a good man. He’s smart and loyal.”
“What’s it to me if he’s a good man or not? I can’t be bothered with him!”
The Qin fourth miss responded with a long ‘uh huh’. “Then next time I see the prince, I’ll ask him for a favor and not let Huzi come see you anymore, alright?”
A beet red Bingtang glared at her mistress and flounced outside. “You’re not a good person, miss! I’m not talking to you anymore!”
Qin Yining burst out laughing and patted Xiaozhou’s shoulder. “Go and keep your big sister Bingtang company. She’s feeling shy.”
Lian Xiaozhou nodded seriously and chased her big sister outside with beaming grin.
When the little girl had left, Qin Yining remarked with emotion, “It looks like Bingtang does have some good feelings for Huzi. I got it all out of her just with a little bit of teasing.”
“You worry too much, miss,” smiled Jiyun. “I feel that even if you don’t set them up, Bingtang and Huzi’s relationship is getting along quite well. They bicker whenever they see each other, but all is right with the world after they squabble.”
Qin Yining smiled as well. “When I have the chance to in the future, I’ll find good husbands for both of you as well. You can stay by my side as overseers.”
It was Jiyun and Xianyun’s turn to turn bright red. They, too, leveled glares at their mistress. “Just like Bingtang said, you’re not a good person, miss!”
Seeing that she’d bullied all the beauties of her household into bashful submission, Qin Yining giggled happily.
But at this time, hurried footsteps came from the yard. A young serving girl sprinted into the courtyard and called out loudly, “Bad news, bad news! Something's happened to the senior elder master!”
The fourth miss’ laughter immediately cut off and her heart skipped a beat. Pale-faced, she rose to her feet and scrambled out of the house. At the same time, everyone living in the rear garden ran out of their residences.
The old dowager came stumbling out of the main house with a tobacco pouch in hand, gripping Qin-mama’s hand and demanding nervously, “Hurry and speak! What’s happened to Meng’er!”
“That’s right, speak up, you!”
The serving girl grew even more frightened when she realized that she’d sent the entire family into a panic. Her knees weakened and she sank to the ground. “It’s, it’s news from outside that says the senior elder master was rammed by a horse on his way back home. In the confusion, the groom lost control and the carriage tipped over!”
“What?!” Horrified gasps rang out from the crowd.
The old dowager quickly ran forward and pointed her tobacco pipe at the little girl. “Quickly, quickly! Is Meng’er hurt??”
A carriage tipping over meant the occupants inside must’ve been thrown every which way. That was the serving girl’s guess, which was shared by the rest of the family. The second wife hugged her seven-month pregnant stomach and swayed, almost fainting on the spot. The second madame hastily helped her daughter-in-law away to rest.
“Where is the lord now?” asked née Sun anxiously. “What about the servants by his side?”
“The messenger didn’t say,” answered the girl fearfully. “He only said that the lord is at the yamen of the eastern Warden’s Office.”
The Warden’s Office? Of the Five Wards?
If that was the case, that meant Qin Yining could heave a sigh of relief. Her father wasn’t in any grave danger if he hadn’t been sent to a hospital.
The rest of the family also came to the conclusion and wiped the cold sweat off their brows. Palms placed together, everyone made bows of gratitude toward the heavens.
“I’ll go take a look at father’s condition.”
With the second and third elder master not present, the Qin custom was to defer to Qin Yining when there was no one who could make the decisions at home.
Née Sun nodded without a beat of hesitation. “Go with your cousins. You’ll be less likely to come off worse for the wear if you have helpers by your side.”
The old dowager nodded as well. “Go see how things are now and hurry back.”
“Understood, Old Dowager.” Qin Yining dipped a curtsey and returned to her house to grab a cape. She called for Jiyun and had servants prepare a carriage as soon as she reemerged.
Qin Yu and Qin Han didn’t drag their feet either. They jumped on their horses and followed the carriage to the eastern Warden’s Office.
When they reached the yamen and explained the reason for their visit, not only were they not sent away, but treated with enthusiastic courtesy when led in.
The Qin fourth miss quietly speculated which faction these people belonged to. There was the old aristocracy, imperial family, titled nobles, Northern Ji officials, and surrendered Great Yan officials. Troubled waters made for the best cover.
Though guesses flooded her mind, she didn’t dwell on them. She and her cousins strode straight for the inner office buildings.
At this moment, East Warden Sir Zheng happened to be giving instructions to his men. When he caught sight of Qin Yining, Qin Han, and Qin Yu, he approached politely to greet them. “So it’s the Qin young masters and Miss Qin.”
The three didn’t know the warden, so they bowed or curtsied politely back.
“Your Lordship, how is my father?” asked Qin Yining anxiously.
Chapter 382: Charging Horses (II)
“Don’t worry, Miss Qin and young masters Qin,” responded Sir Zheng with a smile. “Master Qin is just fine. You’ll see when you go inside.”
The Qin fourth miss quickly thanked the warden and followed her cousins through the door behind Sir Zheng.
The decorations inside were the same as any to be found within the central room of an ordinary residence. The Qin children were greeted by Qin Huaiyuan’s glowering face at the head seat as soon as they crossed the threshold. Four nondescript followers stood behind him, the sort who’d blend into a crowd as soon as they were tossed in.
“Are you alright, father?” Qin Yining rushed forward. “Are you hurt?”
“Yes, senior uncle. We were all horrified when we heard you'd been in an accident,” added Qin Han.
A hint of a smile finally crossed the Qin patriarch’s face when he saw his daughter and nephews. “I’m fine. It's all thanks to my men catching me. Otherwise, if I’d fallen from the carriage and been trampled by the herd of charging horses, you wouldn’t be seeing a living me at the moment.”
Qin Yining's heart shook when she heard the details.
“Father, you travel through a bustling district in the capital after court is dismissed. Why would there be a herd of horses?”
“I’m just as surprised to find that there would be a group of officials’ sons charging their horses around the city, right under the watchful eye of the Son of Heaven! They didn’t care about possibly hurting pedestrians. They rammed my carriage today, but what if they trample someone to death tomorrow?”
The Qin fourth miss had postulated that
something might be amiss when she saw her father brooding here. So it was a group of noble scions racing horses in the capital!
Great Zhou’s system of law was mostly complete and sound. But even the most holistic regulations applied only to ordinary folk. After all, it was the older relatives of these scions who created these laws.
These days, it was nothing unusual for any rule-breaking to be swept under the table.
Qin Han and Qin Yu’s expressions were less than pleasant by now. The Qins had come from Great Yan and suffered through the trash emperor’s rule. This was a worrying sign, one that induced concern for their new home. The decay of a nation didn't happen overnight—it was a function of chronic rot.
Great Zhou hadn’t been established for long but already showed signs of corruption. This made for a highly disquieting future.
Just as silence reigned in the room, the door opened to admit Sir Zheng.
Qin Huaiyuan looked calmly at the warden. “Were you able to find out who did it?”
Fine sweat beaded Sir Zheng’s face and he disregarded fumbling for a handkerchief. He swiped at his face with a sleeve and beamed merrily. “Master Qin, don’t be in a rush. Us at the Warden’s Office of the Five Wards specialize in cases like these. We’re already combing the city for the culprits. But the capital is so big, therefore we won’t have immediate news. Therefore, why don’t you…”
Qin Yining and her cousins looked at each other, fully understanding what was afoot. As large as the capital may be, how could some noble children galloping horses through a market remain uncaught for so long??
The only possibility was that there was someone in the group whom even the Warden’s Office didn’t dare offend. Or some august personage in the background had pulled some strings to protect those good-for-nothings.
The Qin fourth miss fumed quietly. Those brats are bullying father because he’s a foreigner! If things had been as before, though Great Yan was on the decline, no one dared bully her father apart from the trash emperor!
Qin Huaiyuan smiled gently at this and responded politely, “Thank you for your troubles, Sir Zheng.”
“Not at all, not at all.” The warden heaved a subconscious sigh of relief to see Minister Qin so easygoing. He opened his mouth to persuade Qin Huaiyuan to await news at home when the minister stole a march on him.
“I’m sure that with the Five Wards’ capabilities, they’ll find the culprits very quickly. The Warden’s Offices are in charge of the security of the capital. This sort of incident is a piece of cake. Plus, these people behaving in such a fashion is indeed a hidden threat to the people.
“I bumped into them today, but naturally won’t think much of it since I know His Majesty is wise and just. But what if one day a commoner runs afoul of them and is trampled, hurt, or even loses their life? What will the people say about the emperor then?
“Therefore, this official feels that out of consideration for His Majesty’s reputation and for the brothers at all five wards of the Wardens’ Offices, and especially for my own justice, I shall wait here for further development.”
A slack-jawed Sir Zheng took quite a bit of thinking before a simple man like him understood what Qin Huaiyuan was expressing.
The minister wasn’t leaving! He was going to wait until they caught the culprits. Otherwise, it would be a gesture of them disregarding the emperor’s dignity, which meant the minister could absolutely censure old Zheng in front of the emperor.
More sweat dotted the warden’s forehead, while Qin Huaiyuan remained smiling. “Why don’t you take a seat, Sir Zheng? It’s been a tiring day for you too.”
“Not at all, not at all.” Wreathed in smiles, Sir Zheng took a seat while inwardly goggling at the terrifying look in Qin Huaiyuan’s eyes. Wasn’t the minister a scholar? He looked as weak as a limp noodle! But why was he able to make one subconsciously want to submit with just a glance of his eyes?
Qin Yining and her cousins looked at each other again, finally able to relax.
This was also when the Qin fourth miss realized that as long as her father held down the fort, she really had no fear of anything else. She wasn’t the slightest bit nervous even with putting on such a demonstration at a warden’s office!
The Qin contingent might be coolly composed, but Sir Zheng wanted to cry. He was just doing his job, what did a fight between the gods have to do with him?
He wanted to send off this metaphoric Buddha, but understood that Qin Huaiyuan wouldn’t let things go so easily. The minister occupied a lofty position and received significant imperial favor. Add to that what had happened with the Lus just a few days ago, everyone now knew that the Qins were a group of tough nuts. If anyone wanted to crack the newcomers, the bullies might end up worse for the wear instead.
But what could he do?
Only send out his men again and have them search thoroughly. They had to find the culprit even if they lifted the very roof tiles off of houses!
A stiff atmosphere, conducive to developing irritation, stretched on as the group waited silently. Sir Zheng’s sweat threatened to soak right through his clothes. Qin Huaiyuan remained as relaxed and unflappable as ever. Affected by her father, Qin Yining was equally cool as a cucumber.
Two hours passed before there was finally a disturbance from outside.
Some men of the Five Wards walked in, carrying a young man wearing brocade robes of light blue.
The young man looked ordinary, but there was a timid air about him. He smiled awkwardly when everyone looked at him, unsure of what to say.
“This is the one who charged into Master Qin today,” declared Sir Zheng happily. “What does Master Qin say we do?”
The young man grew even more nervous, but maintained a collected front. He lifted his chin high. “Slice and dice or do whatever you want, I’m not afraid of you!”
Qin Huaiyuan stood next to the young man for a close look, ignoring the theatrics. “Who is Master Han to you?”
Chapter 383: Charging Horses (III)
The young man grew increasingly nervous and stared wide-eyed at Qin Huaiyuan. His terror was obvious, but he stuck his neck out and declared mulishly, “Master Han is my dad!”
“Oh, so it’s my sage nephew.” Qin Huaiyuan nodded with a slight smile.
Sir Zheng relaxed to see the minster speak so mildly and call the young man his sage nephew. The young man also audibly heaved a sigh of relief.
The Qin patriarch continued gently, “This official is new in town and Vice Minister Han has supported me greatly from the Ministry of Personnel and Rites. I’ve heard that his official son possesses high mastery of both the civil and martial subjects, and is equipped with both courage and intelligence. Now that I’ve finally been able to see things for myself, it’s plain to see that this really is the case.”
Young master Han tensed up again and swallowed hard, unsure of how to respond. It sounded like a compliment, but… there was something weird about it.
Sir Zheng joined in smilingly. “To think that the floodwaters surged into the Dragon King’s temple! [1] It was all just a case of friendly fire! Minister Qin and Vice Minister Han are both part of the Ministry of Personnel and Rites. What does the honorable minister make of this matter?”
In actuality, Sir Zheng knew full well who was behind the rampaging horses. His men had already gotten to the bottom of their investigation. However, the house supporting the main culprit was the Lu clan. This wasn’t someone the warden could offend.
On the surface, it appeared to be some noble scions running into Master Qin. But in reality, it was a struggle between the Lus and surrendered Great Yan officials.
Sir Zheng felt that his bad luck really knew no bounds—that he would be drawn into this conflict for no reason at all. He didn’t dare take a side now. Neutrality had always been his position all these years. He didn’t want to offend anyone and indeed, couldn’t afford to offend anyone.
All Sir Zheng hoped for now was that Qin Huaiyuan would be willing to settle
this peacefully. Perhaps the minister would be willing to turn a mountain into a molehill, and then into nothing at all, since he was colleagues with the young master’s father.
Qin Yining also sensed the difficult straits that her father was in. They were newly arrived on the scene and he’d been suddenly promoted to overall head of the Ministry of Personnel and Rites. A sudden new boss out of nowhere easily turned into an ostracized target, especially for someone like the vice minister who’d already been highly placed himself.
It didn’t seem plausible that the culprit was this cowardly fellow.
But since the warden’s men had come back with him, that was who the culprit was, even if he wasn’t.
In handling things this way, Sir Zheng was pushing Qin Huaiyuan to the forefront. If the Qin patriarch set even a toe down incorrectly, a grudge would develop between him and Vice Minister Han, one that deepened the conflict between the Great Yan officials and Northern Ji ones.
It really was a dicey situation!
Qin Yining looked anxiously at her father, only to see him rise and raise cupped fists.
“Sir Zheng, since we’ve caught the culprit, this matter should fall to the Wardens’ Office of the Five Wards to handle. I’m an official of the Ministry of Personnel, after all. It’s not within my jurisdiction to proclaim judgment on someone who sent their horses charging through the streets. Sir Zheng is a highly capable man of this fine office and has handled numerous cases like these over the years. I shan’t overstep myself.”
The sweat on Sir Zheng’s brow became even more pronounced. This was Wise Pan An alright! A hot potato that the warden had finally just gotten rid of had flown right back into his hands!
The Qin children heaved silent sighs of relief. Admiration flourished for Qin Huaiyuan’s quick wits.
Unwilling to accept the turnabout, Sir Zheng protested. “Master Qin is a highly capable official favored by His Majesty. How can a crude brute like me compare? It’s a walk in the park if such things are up to you to handle.”
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