Though the situation was chaotic, the standoff continued.
Chapter 387.2: Whose Fault Is It
As Sir Zheng contemplated what to do next, a coarse yell sounded from outside. “Announcing Grand Supervisor Li!”
The newest arrival cause hearts to skip a beat, and the crowd headed out the door in welcome with strange looks on their faces.
Head eunuch Li Guanwen was garbed in the usual silvery-gray robes of a eunuch’s casual uniform. He wielded a horsetail whisk with an ivory handle, and gave it a strong flourish when those inside came out.
Using the shrill tones unique to eunuchs, he declared loudly, “His Majesty has instructed this servant to ask Minister Cheng a few questions. We would request that the minister respond truthfully.”
Minister Cheng hastily bobbed his head. “We will speak all that we know of without reserve.”
The eunuch inclined his head and suddenly shifted his expression dramatically with another brandish of the whisk.
“Minister Cheng, do you intend on rebelling with this private deployment of troops!?” demanded the eunuch.
Cold sweat dripped down the minister’s forehead as soon as he heard this.
“This subject wouldn’t dare, this subject is fearful.” He quickly pressed his forehead to the ground, while the noble scions behind him raised a panicked din of how they would never.
Li Guanwen continued shrilly, “We already know of the matter of the publicly charging horses. Severe punishment will be doled out, but not a single innocent will be wronged, nor a single villain go unpunished. Is the minister satisfied with Our promise?”
“Y-yes, of course I am satisfied. Many thanks to Your Majesty for thinking of his subjects. Many thanks.” Minister Cheng quickly kowtowed.
The eunuch’s expression morphed again, shifting from harsh severity back to his usual mild-mannered respect.
He walked forward to hep the minister up and commented gently, “Please don’t be this way, Your Lordship. The emperor means for this servant to ask you if you’ve come back to your senses and see reason again. If so, please enter the palace with this servant to clearly explain the matter. All will be taken care of once it is clarified.
“You are an important official and the emperor has high hopes for you. He knows that you only undertook such brash actions because of worry over your son. This is why, before I arrived, specific orders were given to the imperial hospital for the best doctors to be sent to your son.”
“This subject is ashamed and deeply thanks His Majesty.” Minister Cheng’s entire head was covered in sweat by now. The eunuch’s words had been uncompromisingly clear.
If he hadn’t ‘come back to his senses’ or ‘see reason again’ and continued to barge about in this manner, then he might very well be faced with suppression from the emperor’s troops. They were within the hallowed walls of the capital city, at the foot of the Son of Heaven himself! Which emperor would tolerate personal deployment of troops in his own city?
Terror struck the minister, and his rampaging heart set off by his son’s injury final settled down. But when his thoughts turned to how his precious baby, the sole heir to the Chengs, was now unconscious after hitting his head, the minister’s anger flared anew.
“Grand Supervisor Li.” He pointed at Qin Yining. “This matter has much to do with the Qin daughter. When I enter the palace to clarify the situation, I request that she and her guard be brought in as well.”
Li Guanwen snuck a look at Qin Yining, noting that the Qin fourth miss displayed no signs of anger and just stood there quietly. He sighed in relief.
Thank goodness this one is a mature and calm one.
If she also raised a fuss at this time, things would become incredibly difficult for him caught in the middle. She was the apple of Qin Huaiyuan’s eye, after all.
“Miss Qin, today’s matter has to do with your guard, correct? His Majesty means that all involved in this need to enter the palace for an audience. Which of your guards did it? Please have him come with me.”
A ferocious frown tightly knitted Qin Yining’s forehead together as she stared holes into Minister Cheng’s face. If it wasn’t for this man going about things this way, why would they have attracted the emperor’s attention?
She didn’t want to hand over her guard. Their lowly identities meant that they would easily be turned into a scapegoat.
“My men acted to protect me. Why don’t I got with you, gonggong?”
“That… wouldn’t be appropriate.”
“Why not? I’m one of the parties involved and witnessed everything. I’ll be able to add to the explanations if His Majesty has any questions.”
“But His Majesty didn’t invite you to enter the palace, just the culprit. Miss Qin, listen to me. This isn’t a good matter for you to show your face in.”
……
Gratitude flooded the hearts of Jingzhe and the others to hear Qin Yining haggle with Li Guanwen, all in the name of refusing to hand them over and wanting to enter the palace herself.
They could tell the Qin fourth miss giving them utmost respect by viewing them as real flesh and blood. She’d never treated them like their old master, as tools that could be done with or without.
All of them were hot-blooded men and immensely touched.
Since they served Qin Yining, how would they possibly allow her to be caught in the middle like this? She was yet an unmarried girl!
Jingzhe took a step forward when his thoughts travelled here. “I’m the one who killed the horse. I didn’t raise a hand against young master Cheng. He knocked himself out after falling off of the horse. If you don’t mind, sir grand overseer, I’ll head into the palace with you.”
“Jingzhe!” exhorted Qin Yining, but it was too late for anything other than glaring at him. “Who permitted you to take action on your own??”
Chapter 388: Unwilling to Accept
Jingzhe could sense Qin Yining’s nervousness and worry. His heart was full enough to burst.
Though he and his compatriots put their lives on the line in their course of work, back in Great Yan, the emperor never considered their safety when he sent them out. He only cared if they would complete the mission or not.
It wasn’t until meeting Qin Yining did they learn that there were masters in this world who cared if they made it back alive. Here she was, volunteering to enter the palace to keep him safe!
Being used to their roles as hidden guards and spies, they would still occasionally keep an eye on the matters of court even after transitioning to guards. They knew what difficult straits Qin Huaiyuan was in at present.
But the fourth miss had taken a stand to protect them! Was he, Jingzhe, not going to admit to his guilt and let his mistress take the fall instead? Her reputation would be even more unsalvageable then!
When his thoughts travelled here, they affirmed his resolve. Lofty heroism swept through his heart. Even if he were to be executed, he wouldn’t regret defending his mistress today!
All that passed through his mind in the span of a breath.
Qin Yining grew ever more agitated when she saw her guard remain silent.
“Grand Supervisor Li,” she continued resolutely. “The rights and wrongs of what happened today are convoluted and everyone has their own conclusions. Jingzhe is one of my hired hands—what wrong has he committed in protecting me in an emergency? He didn’t hurt anyone, just killed a horse. If His Majesty wishes to summon those involved in this matter, then I should be the one to enter and give an accounting.”
Though the girl’s words put him in a slightly sticky situation. Li Guanwen quite admired the Qin fourth miss’ sense of justice. He inwardly envied Jingzhe to have a mistress so willing to protect her people.
It wasn’t just the eunuch; the same sentiments were shared by others serving Qin Yining. Even the noble sons quieted down.
Li Guanwen cleared his throat. “My apologies, Miss Qin. Such are His Majesty’s wishes and this servant cannot go against them.
” He turned and gave orders for Jingzhe to come with them, bid farewell to Sir Zheng, and left with Minister Cheng.
Qin Yining sent them off to the door before returning with a furrowed brow.
Sir Zheng could finally be at ease after seeing that matters had been temporarily resolved. “Miss Qin, things are mostly over with here. You are free to go.”
The noble scions raised a fuss before the girl had a chance to respond. “Why can she leave first? We’re the victims here, if anyone’s leaving first, that’s us!”
With the departure of the troops that Minister Cheng had brought with him, safety was restored to the Warden’s Office of the Five Wards. The emperor had become involved himself, so Sir Zheng knew that he could only continue walking the path he’d set a foot on before. All would be fine as long as he firmly stood on the emperor’s side.
Given Qin Huaiyuan’s status as the mainstay of the emperor’s faction, the warden naturally had to protect Qin Yining. Not to mention, she was also a girl.
And so, the warden’s face darkened. “The matters today are very clear indeed. You all committed the crime of charging your horses on city streets. There are countless eyewitnesses. Are you still trying to deny it even now? Miss Qin remained within her carriage from beginning to end. If her servants committed a crime, then Grand Supervisor Li just left with the culprit. But you instigators won’t be getting off cleanly either, or are you trying to deny all that even happened in the first place?”
The warden’s sudden hardened attitude sent the noble sons in a slight panic.
Qin Yining took a look at Sir Zheng, naturally understanding why his attitude was suddenly so clear. She smiled. “Many thanks to Sir Zheng. Except, I can’t be at ease at all now that my man’s been taken into the palace. I feel that no matter what, your yamen will be the first to receive any updates. Therefore, please permit me in waiting here with my people.”
Sir Zheng didn’t think her request out of bounds. The Qin fourth miss shone with sincerity and she was wholeheartedly focused on protecting her people. Whether her manners or motivation, all were worthy of respect.
Thus, the request wasn’t denied. “I only fear that the surroundings here are too crude and basic. You might feel uncomfortable, Miss Qin.”
“Not at all. You’re too polite, Sir Zheng.”
The two exchanged a few more pleasantries before Qin Yining took her original seat again.
The noble sons looked at each other. Let’s see how your Qin family dies when Minister Cheng has his audience with the emperor!
Armed with that confidence, the group chit chatted with complete ease of mind and even requested tea and snacks.
Their utter lack of self awareness irked Sir Zheng, but due to their identities, didn’t want to offend them. He could only give orders for tea and snacks to be prepared.
The wait stretched into the afternoon. Nothing was forthcoming from the palace, but the fathers of the noble sons paid personal visits. They dragged Sir Zheng out for a round of pleading, hoping they could take their sons home.
Long irritated by the rambunctious boys, Sir Zheng granted the favors at no cost to himself. He only requested that they not leave the capital, and had to present themselves whenever summoned.
His actions won him rounds of gratitude and thanks.
A show unfolded before Qin Yining’s eyes. Each official conversed smilingly with Sir Zheng and instantly morphed into another expression after entering the office. Those with more reserved characters darkly commanded their sons to leave. Others with fiery tempers gave their sons a good thrashing before hauling them off, cursing loudly all the while.
Some treated Qin Yining extremely distantly with a good helping of disdain, whereas others engaged in several pleasantries.
Chapter 388.2: Unwilling to Accept
Qin Yining quietly committed their behavior to memory. One could tell from these displays which ones were part of the emperor’s faction, and which ones in others. Those who were taken home by their fathers and grandfathers were absolutely in for a healthy application of the house rules when they returned home.
After all, the situation at court was taut these days. As an official, one had to choose the proper side for a good career.
The senior generation schemed incessantly, choosing to stand firmly in the emperor’s camp or that of the aristocracy and old officials, depending on results of careful deliberation.
But who would’ve thought that their positions and set up would be ruined by their own good-for-nothing sons before anything had borne fruit!
A giggle teased itself out of Qin Yining, her weighty feelings swept away by this entertainment.
She had Bingtang return home first with Lian Xiaozhou.
“Go home and explain things to the old dowager and mother, but there’s no need to go into too much detail. Just tell them I have some business at the yamen and don’t know when I’ll be back. Tell them not to worry. Be careful not to give any details if my mother asks you a lot of questions. Otherwise, I’m afraid she’ll give the guards a difficult time in the future.”
She was well aware of her mother’s personality. Née Sun’s protective tendencies would make her put the hidden guards and Cao Yuqing in a difficult position.
Bingtang also knew that she and Lian Xiaozhou would only be underfoot when Qin Yining had business to attend to. The maid nodded and left, leaving Jiyun and the three other guards at her mistress’ side.
In the interim, Sir Zheng didn’t fall short on hospitality. He had servants bring in food and drink, and prepared a guest room for the girl when there was still no news from the palace after the hour of the dog.
The Qin fourth miss didn’t announce her intentions to depart. So highly worried about potential imperial punishments, she couldn’t sleep at all. Thus, she thanked the warden and remained where she was.
Sir Zheng was even more impressed by such ties of comradeship. He didn’t force her to rest and left her to her own devices.
Xiaoman and the others felt such loyalty for Qin Yining as they’d never had before. If it was said that ties of profit and money bound them together before, the bonds had morphed to those of emotional ones. As guards, they lay their lives on the line for anyone they worked for. To meet a mistress who viewed them as actual human beings and cared about their safety was their greatest fortune.
The Qin fourth miss spent the night at the warden’s office, closing her eyes for a few moments whenever weariness really got to her.
Word finally came from the palace at mid-morning of the next day.
Sir Zheng entered the door with smiles and raised a cupped fist salute. “Congratulations, congratulations! His Majesty has determined that this matter has nothing to do with Miss Qin. It was a subordinate offending his superiors and harming Minister Cheng’s son. His Majesty has only sentenced your guard to be executed and will not pursue anything else further. Minister Cheng isn’t allowed to either. You’re safe, Miss Qin!”
The warden’s every word chilled the girl’s heart. At the end, it felt like she’d been plunged into an icy abyss.
Jingzhe is to be executed!
Trash emperor, decrepit emperor!
An inner voice roared inside of her, but she strove with all of her strength not to say anything ugly. Forcing calm on herself, she asked, “Sir Zheng, did you say my guard is to be executed?”
“Precisely. But that’s just a servant, there’s no need to think too much about it.” Respecting the Qin fourth miss’ sense of righteousness, the warden felt compelled to add further advice. “The current lay of the land is the result of balance attained between many different parties. Sacrificing just one servant to maintain this equilibrium is a good thing for your father.”
Qin Yining naturally knew the truth of Sir Zheng’s words. But how was she to tolerate her own security to be built on the sacrifices of others?
There was a natural hierarchy in society, whether upper, middle, and lower class. However, her experiences growing up di
stilled in her the notion that even the lowest of the low were people. No one was to be looked down upon; everyone was born and raised by their own parents. Was her life more noble than anyone else’s?
Having stayed up all night, Qin Yining’s face was completely bloodless, paired with dark circles under her eyes. The thunderbolt of bad tidings made the scene fade in front of her, her brain absolute glue. She wanted to save Jingzhe, but had no idea how to.
Just as Sir Zheng was about to inquire after her wan complexion, a message came in from the outside. “Reporting to milord, Minister Qin from the Bureau of Personnel and Rites is here.”
“Have him come in, quickly.” Sir Zheng went out in welcome.
A haggard Qin Huaiyuan was still wearing yesterday’s court robes. It looked like he hadn’t slept well the last night either.
Qin Yining curtsied to her father.
“My daughter,” smiled Qin Huaiyuan. “Come home with me.”
Qin Yining’s lips vibrated and she wanted to say something when her father cut her off. “You’ve been outside for a full day and night. It’s time to go home and rest.” He turned to Sir Zheng. “Brother Zheng, we’ve imposed on you long enough. Thank you for taking care of my daughter.”
“Not at all, we’re all friends here.” Sir Zheng responded with some pleasantries.
Feeling that it’d be futile to stay longer, Qin Yining left with her father to take the carriage home.
Chapter 389: Rescue (I)
The atmosphere within the carriage was exceedingly stiff. Qin Yining hadn’t slept a wink all night, and morning greeted her with news of Jingzhe to be executed. Her head throbbed painfully. She leaned against the wooden walls of the carriage, closing her eyes for a bit of rest as she squeezed the center of her forehead, her complexion looking utterly ghastly.
“I’d thought you returned home already and didn’t anticipate that you would wait at the yamen. Your mother was very worried when I returned home. That’s when I learned that you were here.”
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