“It’s my fault for making father worry.” Qin Yining opened bloodshot eyes. “Did you not return last night either? Were you with the emperor the entire time?”
“Mmhmm.” Qin Huaiyuan likewise looked just as weary. “I happened to be present when Minister Cheng entered the palace yesterday.”
His daughter chuckled ruefully. “I know without even hearing about it that it must’ve been a mighty battle of words. It’s all my fault for causing so much trouble, father.”
The Qin patriarch smiled at that. “How is this your fault? You’re actually an innocent bystander who got dragged into all of this. It all originated that day when their group startled my carriage, and I didn’t want to just let them off the hook like that. Neither did I want them to harass the citizenry with their unbridled behavior, which is why I kept after them so hard and ended up attracting this sort of trouble.”
“Father, I’m not afraid of trouble. Just that… is Jingzhe really beyond saving?”
Qin Huaiyuan nodded with a sigh. “My daughter, you’re a smart girl. I don’t need to explain things for you to understand. His Majesty punishing Jingzhe is just a way to stopper Minister Cheng’s complaints with a servant. We lose only one person to be able to maintain this hard-fought equilibrium. We’re not the ones who lose anything, but rather Minister Cheng.”
“But there’s a human life involved in all of this!” Qin Yining’s voice was slightly hoarse.
“I know your thoughts, my dear, and that you’re kind. But what else can we do now that the imperial decree has been written? My daughter, I know you’re smart and might even think of a way to save Jingzhe. But you must remember that you’re a Qin daughter, that you must think carefully before taking action.”
Her father’s meaning was very clear.
Jingzhe was just a servant. If it really came down to things, it was no big deal to sacrifice a servant if necessary. The Qins hadn’t established their foundations in the capital city yet, so they needed the emperor’s favor and protection. Now that he’d ordered Jingzhe’s execution, that was set in stone. If they dared beg for mercy, that would be blindly striking at the emperor’s face.
From the perspective of a bystander, Qin Yining knew that she shouldn’t intervene and make things even worse.
But Jingzhe had acted to protect her! If it wasn’t for her, why would he be losing his life?
He was one of her men after all. If she shrank inwards and cowered whenever anything happened, what would she bring out to win loyalty in the future? Not to mention, she didn’t want Jingzhe to become her sacrificial goods anyhow.
When her thoughts travelled here, she declared, “Father, I promise not to harm the family’s interests.”
Your daughter is saving Jingzhe no matter what!
The girl looked apprehensively at Qin Huaiyuan. What should I do if father overrules my decision, harshly rebukes me, or even stops me?
To her great shock, Qin Huaiyuan burst out in chuckles in the next instant.
“Father, you…”
“I know that you’re as ornery as a mule. You’re just like me in my youth. I always acted to how I decided on something, and didn’t care if those around me would stop me or not.”
Qin Yining dimpled at the clarification. “Father is such a rational and dependable person, when were you ever like that? You’re just teasing me.”
“How am I teasing you? Everyone starts off brash and self-assured, slowly maturing to solid dependability after their personality settles down.” Qin Huaiyuan took off the hat of his official uniform and rubbed his face. “Daughter Yi, do whatever you’d like. Just remember what I said and don’t forget that you’re a Qin. You must ensure the safety of the family first. Only when the clan grows stronger will you have more backing outside the manor.”
“I will remember everything that father says,” Qin Yining responded gratefully. “Thank you for your understanding.”
The minister responded with only a smile as he patted his daughter’s head.
Back home, Qin Yining visited née Sun before going back to catch up on sleep. All of the servants could tell that the fourth miss’ complexion was exceedingly poor, especially those around her who knew the full situation.
The Qin fourth miss sat cross-legged on the heated platform next to the window. Though she was extremely tired, she wasn’t the least bit sleepy because of how worried she was about Jingzhe.
Li Qitian had personally given the order to execute Jingzhe. Since they couldn’t beg for mercy on his behalf, they had to think of a way to make the emperor voluntarily rescind the death sentence.
But why would Li Qitian pardon the guard for no reason at all?
In the emperor’s eyes, he was already biased towards the Qins by having them lose only a singular servant and making the Chengs eat such a loss. Qin Yining could easily anger the emperor if she set a single toe wrong. The consequences were sure to be disastrous.
She pinched the forehead between her brows and sat wordlessly on the platform, furiously brainstorming ideas.
When Jiyun and the others saw that Qin Yining refused to rest, they could only opt for silently keeping her company when their entreaties had no effect.
The fourth miss didn’t eat a single bite of lunch.
Neither did she touch her dinner.
Her refusal to eat or sleep worried Jiyun and Xianyun to no end. Xiaoman, Xiaoxue, and Dahan were also extraordinary touched.
Their mistress had done all she could in this matter; it had nothing to do with her that Jingzhe had bene dragged in. Though their hearts ached for their brother, they wouldn’t vent their spleen on Qin Yining.
Just as a frantic Bingtang and Jiyun were about to notify Qin Huaiyuan, the fourth miss suddenly hopped off the platform. “Have Xiaoman and the others come here. I have orders for them. Jiyun, make a trip to Steward Zhong’s. Tell him I want to utilize the people we left behind in Great Yan. Have him make a surreptitious trip over.”
Seeing that Qin Yining’s eyes were clear and she blazed with good spirits, the maids wondered if she’d thought of a plan.
Seeing Jiyun and Bingtang stare unblinkingly at her, the girl smiled. “I thought of a plan that should work, so hurry and do as I say.”
“Understood.” The group quickly split off in different directions.
After summoning the hidden guards, Qin Yining gave them orders in a low voice. They looked at each other with bafflement, but nodded in the end and went off to carry out Qin Yining’s orders.
Steward Zhong arrived before long. As it was already dark, it wasn’t convenient to visit inside the manor. Qin Yining flung on an outfit before meeting the steward in a carriage outside.
Chapter 390: Rescue (II)
When the fourth miss met up with Steward Zhong, she immediately had him send a secret letter via messenger pigeon to the old Great Yan capital. It was to be delivered to someone trustworthy.
As for the contents of the letter, she drew close to the man and whispered a few words.
Steward Zhong listened in wide-eyed astonishment. “Miss, people might want to kill for you for this! Do you know that the Great Zhou people are…”
The girl raised her hand slightly, preventing the steward from speaking further. She smiled reassuringly at him. “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. Just do as I say and send out the messenger pigeon. The faster the better.”
Still slightly doubtful, the steward set his concerns aside when he saw how confident Qin Yining was. He nodded solemnly. “Don’t worry, I’ll have it handled as soon as possible.”
“Then I thank you for your troubles. A life is at stake here, so please exercise caution.”
“Understood.”
Not wanting to hold the steward up, Qin Yining alighted from the carriage as soon as she gave her instructions. Steward Zhong immediately had his groom whip the horses into a fast trot and left the Qins in a hurry.
The Qin fourth returned to her room with her maids. Before she reached her door how
ever, she saw Cao Yuqing standing in front of it with her hands behind her back, a frown on her face. The guard captain didn’t seem to come with inclinations of friendship.
Having known that this visit would arrive, Qin Yining smiled faintly. “Hello. Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?”
“Alright.” Cao Yuqing rather admired the girl’s composure. Add to that a face that was the spitting image of a young Qin Huaiyuan, the two combined swept away much of her original gloomy air.
The two entered the house and took a seat on embroidered cushions placed on stools. Bingtang and the others dismissed themselves after bringing in tea and snacks.
A straightforward person, Cao Yuqing cut straight to the chase. “Why did you have all of the Silver Masks memorize that ridiculous thing? It’s completely made up!”
“I know it’s all made up.” Qin Yining smiled. “It’s just something I created to save the lives of Jingzhe and the others. Madame Cao, you know everything at stake here, right? I hear that the emperor’s sent out another team of men to Great Yan to search for the treasure that the emperor emeritus left behind.”
Cao Yuqing frowned. “Yes, that is indeed the case. The treasure’s no trifling sum. Great Zhou’s national vaults are empty and they have need of money. Of course the emperor will care about this, but what’s that have to do with the Silver Masks?”
“You should know what will happen if the emperor gets anxious over the lack of results, right?”
Cao Yuqing fell into deep contemplation.
That was right. If he couldn’t find the treasure, then Li Qitian would naturally question those who were closest to the former Great Yan emperor.
Now residing in the capital, Yuchi Yan was fully in the emperor’s grasp. Perhaps everything about him had already been fully investigated. Of course, any attempts to locate the treasure through him would end up fruitless.
The existence of the Silver Masks was no secret, and Qin Huaiyuan had never concealed the fact that he’d taken the hidden guards under his wing.
If Li Qitian grew impatient, he would definitely come knocking.
She’d personally trained and operated the Silver Masks. Her feelings for her people ran deep. If at all possible, she didn’t want at all for them to lose their lives for what the trash emperor had done!
“But will you be able to save Jingzhe this way?”
“Don’t worry.” Qin Yining smiled confidently. “Not only will I be able to save him, I’m going to get rid of this latent threat for the Silver Masks. How many of them are in the capital now?”
“Sixteen, including Jingzhe. The rest are carrying out missions outside. But this batch is the last one I trained. There won’t be any replacements if there are any more casualties.”
The fourth miss nodded with a smile. “In the vastness of heaven and earth, there is nothing more important than life. Yes it’s not an aboveboard plan, but isn’t it a good one if it helps them live?”
Cao Yuqing lowered her long lashes with emotion. “Are you absolutely confident in this?”
“I’m ninety percent confident it’ll work, ignoring some uncontrollable factors,” estimated the girl conservatively.
The guard captain thought for a while longer and grinned. “Alright then, I understand. Don’t worry, us Silver Masks have been trained in withstanding interrogation. We don’t reveal anything about our masters when we’re captured. This little story isn’t hard at all. I’ll pass on my orders shortly.”
Qin Yining nodded with a smile. “Thank you for your troubles.”
“Not at all. If this really does save their lives, then I’m the one who should thank you.” Cao Yuqing patted Qin Yining’s shoulder and quickly strode out.
Suspense hanging in the air, the Qin fourth miss sent out men everyday to gather the latest updates about Jingzhe.
After six days, Li Qitian received an urgent missive from the capital of the former Great Yan.
After reading it, he slapped the dragon-themed desk and shot to his feet in the study. “To find something by accident after searching hundreds of miles for it! Li Guanwen, hurry to the Qins and get Qin Meng and his daughter’s guards into the palace! Oh right, née Cao as well, the one who used to be Qin Meng’s concubine. Have her enter the palace too! Hurry, go now!”
“Yes yes yes, this servant will go now.” Li Guanwen tripped in the midst of the emperor’s urgency and almost sprawled over the floor. He stumbled out of the study while his master looked again at the urgent letter, delighted surprise brimming in his eyes.
Things couldn’t be clearer in the letter. There were rumors in the old Yan capital that since they were the former emperor’s most confidential weapon, the Silver Masks might know where the treasure was!
And those Silver Masks were at the Qins!
It looks like Qin Huaiyuan really is Our lucky star!
Li Qitian gleefully paced where he was, going over how he would question the guards in a moment and how he should treat them.
Qin Yining was teaching Lian Xiaozhou embroidery when a serving girl ran in frantically. “Miss, miss, someone’s come from the palace and want to take our guards away!”
The fourth miss almost jabbed a hole in her own finger. She rushed to the feet and strode outside.
Since it was afternoon, her father happened to be at home too. He was chatting with Li Guanwen in the front yard.
Though the eunuch was in a great rush, he maintained a high degree of courtesy. “Don’t worry, Minister Qin. The emperor only wants to ask a few questions of your and Miss Qin’s guards.”
Full of questions, Qin Huaiyuan nodded without a flicker of expression. “Since His Majesty would like to question them, of course it shall be done. Servants!”
The Qin patriarch had the guards summoned.
“Oh right, His Majesty also said that he wants to see Madame Cao.”
The minister’s heart spasmed. He knew what the emperor wanted, but smiled gently nonetheless, sending servants to fetch the madame. In the end, fifteen people total entered the palace.
Chapter 391: Returning Home
A rather worried Qin Yining watched as her father and the others departed the manor.
Though she’d fully gone over the plan again and again, thinking of all possible undesirable outcomes again and again, she still worried when reality descended.
The girl returned to her room to wait quietly.
Meanwhile, the summons of Qin Huaiyuan, Cao Yuqing, and the remaining guards in the family elicited panic from the Qins.
They’d gone through so much that they’d long since realized their current circumstances were no stable environment at all. There were too many dangers they had to eliminate in order to remain in their position.
The old dowager lit her pipe, but didn’t take a single puff of it. She merely held it in her hand, looking dazedly out over the verdant green of the small garden.
Qin-mama comforted her in a low voice off to her side. “Don’t worry, Old Dowager. The lord is such a very smart person that this servant think there’s nothing he can handle. Perhaps the emperor has an urgent mission to give to him this time.”
“That’s certainly possible.” The old dowager was much comforted upon hearing this.
Née Sun and the second madame nodded as well. “Look at how polite Grand Supervisor Li was to our lord just now. There were even a few hints of currying favor. I’m sure it’s nothing serious.”
The explanation further set people at ease. Freed minds could further speculate why Li Qitian wished to see their guard captain.
“Can it be because of née Cao’s beauty?” The second wife supported her stomach with a frown, ready to deliver any day now.
After all, Cao Yuqing really was an exceedingly beautiful woman. Even setting her face aside, her natural romantic airs of seduction lured even fellow women, causing them to reflect embarrassingly on themselves.
As the emperor, Li Qitian possessed the world and it was very normal for him to love beauties.
This proposition met with general acceptance.
Only née Sun remained a bit worried. “We aren’t thoroughly familiar with the emperor’s temper yet. He seems mercurial. Née Cao’s settled down quite nicely, and it’s not like we can’t afford to feed a guard. Life might be very difficult for her in the palace.”
“What kind of talk is that? You may have long hair, but you’re very short on wit.” The old dowager snorted. “Entering the palace makes her another master of all. She’ll be someone next to the emperor! If someone like that comes from our family, we’ll see no end of wealth and fortune in the future!”
“But not all happy endings look like that!”
“You really do like sticking your nose in everything!”
……
The old dowager and née Sun embroiled themselves in yet another argument while the second madame and wife tried to calm the two sides down.
Qin Yining didn’t care about the petty concerns the womenfolk were fretting over. She was relieved that none of them knew about the truth. There’d be fewer hearts roasting over a spitfire like hers, then.
Sleep was nowhere to be found that night.
Jiyun, Xianyun, Bingtang, and Qiulu all remained within the room, keeping their mistress company. They didn’t understand what was going on behind the scenes, but they were quite anguished to see Qin Yining unable to sleep.
“It’s been just a week and you’ve lost what weight you’ve been able to put on your bones. His Highness will be ever so worried when he sees you next.” A resigned Bingtang offered a bowl of warm red bean congee to Qin Yining. “You should think more of yourself. Do you not care about your own health either, working yourself to the bone like this?”
Qin Yining compressed her lips with a shake of her head. “Don’t worry needlessly. I’m fine.”
“How am I worrying needlessly? How many times have I nursed you back to good health? You haven’t fully recovered ever since losing all that blood last time.
“Then it was the famine. After that was the move and running for your life. Even after arriving at Great Zhou, you have to plot and scheme through all your days. I’m telling you, even the best body will collapse with how you’re using it!”
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