As a mother, how would née Sun bear to let her daughter suffer through the same torment?
Qin Yining shook née Sun’s arm.
“Don’t worry, mother. My mother and grandmother-in-law are both very honest people. Like you say, the prince is domineering, but he doesn’t bully me and even takes my side. Though my mother-in-law nurses certain thoughts, which mother in this world isn’t worried that her son will forget her after taking a wife? It’s all understandable. A life isn’t built in a single day. The road ahead is long, so things will only become better.”
Enchanted by her daughter’s description, née Sun also found herself hopeful for the future.
Her heart saw things clearly. She was of average talent to begin with and had some of the tempers that came with being raised as the treasured daughter of a noble house. The old dowager was highly materialistic, so née Sun had lost hope for harmonious relations a long time ago.
But Qin Yining was different. She had much of her life left to live and life in the prince’s manor would be her main stage in the future. There weren’t many in the prince’s family to begin with, so if someone didn’t like her, life would be very difficult.
Née Sun hadn’t slept well since her daughter’s wedding. Her mind tossed and turned, feeling like once out of her sight, her daughter would change from the apple of the Qin eye to a broken tile carelessly discarded.
She hadn’t treated Qin Yining kindly before, and her daughter had married shortly after they two had grown close.
Not having much time to lavish her daughter with attention, née Sun hadn’t even begun to make things up to Qin Yining. She was truly worried that the girl wouldn’t have a good life in her new home.
Though Qin Yining couldn’t fully comprehend her mother’s desire to compensate her, she could sense the sentiment. To prevent her mother from sinking into wild thoughts after her departure, she relayed a litany of good things about her new life.
“The prince is busy with official affairs, but he always makes time to come see me.
“My mother-in-law is kind-hearted. When she saw that I’m to learn how to keep a household in order, she sent her favorite granny servant to help me out. You see, she was afraid that no one would listen to my orders.
“Grandmother-in-law treats me like her own granddaughter. She always holds my hand when she talks to me. She’s so much friendlier than our old dowager.
“The prince’s manor is large, but few live in it. Therefore, everyone has a lot of living space and the servants don’t need to bunk together.”
Chapter 428.2: Father and Son-In-Law
Née Sun carefully drank in everything her daughter relayed, growing increasingly relaxed as she did so. She nodded in the end. “Your father is a highly capable individual. A match that he himself’s given the nod for won’t go wrong.”
“Mother defends father so fiercely!” Qin Yining chuckled. “I must tell father later so he knows how deep your feelings run.”
A rare flush of bashfulness crept across her mother’s face. She playfully shoved the fourth miss. “You naughty girl!”
As mother and daughter whispered in the room, Pang Xiao and Qin Huaiyuan arrived in the outer study. The minister took a seat on the heated platform next to the window, while Pang Xiao genteelly knelt down again.
“This son-in-law pays my deepest respects to my father-in-law. Please accept my kowtow.”
Qin Huaiyuan merrily helped the younger man up. “Get up, get up. We’re all family here. There’s no need to be so polite.”
“No, father-in-law must accept my kowtow. I wanted to thank you long ago—thank you for acquiescing to me and my darling. It wasn’t convenient to speak outside, so I didn’t have the chance to express my gratitude until now.”
“Do get up.” Qin Huaiyuan helped up his son-in-law with a smile. “You’re an open-minded person. It’s I who must apologize to you for the affairs of yesteryear.”
Pang Xiao hastily shook his head at this response. “Father-in-law, no matter what the others say or label you with, please listen to me. Back in the day, you were of Great Yan and my father of Northern Ji. You were on opposing sides to begin with, and each did things to the best of his ability.
“Though your plot to drive a wedge between him and his emperor worked brilliantly, that tyrant viewed my father as a thorn in his side a long time ago. He was worried that my father would mutiny and was just looking for an excuse to get rid of my father.
“Therefore, a lot of factors came together with the passage of time to result in this conclusion. It didn’t have much to do with your plan at all.
“And even if it was because of your plan, there’s nothing for it either.
“I didn’t blame things on you to begin with. If I had, why would I have sought out my darling back in the day?”
“Back in the day?” Qin Huaiyuan adroitly captured the crux of the matter.
The prince nodded. “I learned about it from my father’s old strategists. They hatched a plot to swap out the enemy’s daughter. I heard my father’s guards say that they swapped out my darling with an orphan from the Hall of Fosters. But, the strategists said that the babe wasn’t an orphan, that she’d been bought with silver.
“Anyways, they threw Yining’s swaddling clothes away after swapping her out. It was only after they followed up that they found out née Liu had taken my darling home with her.
“I was fourteen or fifteen then. When I heard my father’s men talk about the enemy’s daughter, I felt she was quite innocent in all this. So I went to look for her in the city of Liang.”
Pang Xiao then described how he’d seen the Qin Yining thrown to the ground after being chased out by the medicine shop associate. She’d stubbornly refused to cry after that treatment.
Following her, he witnessed how she bought buns for her foster mother and displayed a strength beyond her seven years of age.
At the end of the prince’s recollection, he mentioned how he’d left her some money. “It was a pity that when I went back the next year, Yining’s foster mother had already passed away. I was unable to find her again. I didn’t have much money when I gave her what I had. I’d just joined the army then and my father’s strategists were mostly focused on using me. I had no silver or actual power.
“If I only had even thirty percent of what I do now, my darling wouldn’t have suffered in the mountain for so many years.”
Qin Huaiyuan silently took all of this in with a calm expression. “So it seems your destinies crossed paths long ago. This is all heaven’s will. The silver you gave her then saved her life, which is why you are husband and wife now.”
The prince’s ears turned scarlet and he murmured, “Perhaps this is what’s meant by fate.”
“I don’t have any requests of you, just that you treat my daughter well.” Qin Huaiyuan smiled. “She’s had a tough life and never enjoyed much of good fortune. After returning home, she suffered even more because of me. I can’t stay by her side for the rest of her life, but you can. I give my daughter to you now.” His tone was very serious at the end.
Pang Xiao rose to bow. “Understood. Please be at ease, father-in-law. I will treat my darling well.”
The conversation was mutually enjoyable, and matters of business raised after concluding the personal ones.
“Casualties in the wake of the earthquake must be very severe this time,” analyzed the minister for his son-in-law. “His Majesty’s private purse is empty. He’ll undoubtedly hasten his efforts to find the treasure when he urgently needs money. My guess is that he’ll also assign missions for various officials in order to add to the national treasury. The golden fish that you gifted my daughter were simply too eye-catching. If the emperor cares about this and asks to borrow money, what will you do?”
“Don’t worry, father-in-law. I have my ways if he really does ask. His Majesty still owes the Valiant Tigers a year’s worth of pay.”
Chapter 429.1: Disaster Relief
Qin
Huaiyuan grinned at his son-in-law’s words. “You’re probably the only person in the entire court with this much pluck and charisma to say such things.”
Pang Xiao smiled back.
“I’m only at ease to say this much without a filter in front of you, father-in-law. I would never be this brazen if I was out there. His Majesty rules the country with kindness and filial piety. How would he allow such a catastrophe to strike?”
The Qin patriarch and the prince were both highly intelligent. They needed not to spell things out before reaching a tacit rapport. With Li Qitian’s character, he’d keep things under wraps even if he’d erred. He’d try for cover-ups in any way possible.
Qin Huaiyuan paused to think. “I understand what you mean. But aren’t you the one to shoulder the blame if pay is late? This is why I admire your capabilities. You have to lead troops into war and earn their unwavering loyalty. Not only have you never incurred the resentment of your men, but you’ve also inspired them to stay in the frontlines. They steadfastly slay enemies by your side despite not being paid! That’s really something else.”
Pang Xiao smiled despite himself. “Father, that’s actually not that hard. As long as I’m willing to stick with my men through thick and thin, be the first to charge and the last to retreat, my actions speak for me aplenty.”
The look of respect in his father-in-law’s eyes spoke volumes.
“That’s what common sense would reason. But how many can truly stick by those principles? As a matter of fact, the logic and truth behind a lot of things in life are so obvious that it doesn’t take a genius to figure them out.
“Take studying for example. Every examinee understands that he must pour over previous test questions so thoroughly that the knowledge becomes his own. At the same time, he must pay heed to politics as to acquire insights into the thoughts of those in power.
“Eighty percent of the examinees are aware of these simple rules, but only a handful are able to come out on top. That’s because the majority failed to stay disciplined and persistent.
“Most of us falter and waver in our studies, a pursuit that hardly puts our lives at risk, to say nothing of braving a battlefield and besting enemies! You risk your life every minute you’re out there!”
Flustered momentarily by his father-in-law’s praise, Pang Xiao waved a hand in dismissal. “I’m hardly as remarkable as father makes me out to be. I’m just a little bolder, is all.”
“Brave, cautious, yet kind-hearted,” Qin Huaiyuan reached out and patted his son-in-law on the other side of the small table.”You are a very good young man. I have utmost peace of mind in leaving my daughter in your care.”
Qin Huaiyuan’s compliments were the greatest affirmation possible to Pang Xiao.
Growing up without a father, it’d always been Yao Chenggu who mentored and guided him along the path of life. The grand-lord was indeed clever in his own ways, yet his cleverness was at best street smarts that’d be adequate for running an eatery in the marketplace. When it came to navigating the treacherous waters in the imperial court, Yao Chenggu simply wasn’t up to the task.
Now that Wise Pan An was his father-in-law, Pang Xiao felt his confidence grew by a few notches when facing the world. His father-in-law would surely be the beacon he needed whenever self-doubt struck.
Qin Huaiyuan’s complete trust in him was particularly heartening. The minister had trusted Pang Xiao even in Great Yan. That was a tremendous validation that a son-in-law could receive.
Lunch took place as usual in the main house in the old dowager’s residence.
It was a casual family gathering, and the prince couldn’t be bothered with the formalities. A simple room divider was set up between the womenfolk and the men as they ate.
Qin Yining nestled between née Sun and the second madame and obediently ate a few more bites when suggested by the elders. She also caught the enthused discussions on the other side of the divider; the men took turns offering analysis of current affairs.
Pang Xiao wasn’t as talkative as he’d been with Qin Huaiyuan, but he neither did put on the airs that befit his position. He was calm and dignified, simple as that. He hardly spoke, but every time he did, his comment perfectly hit the spot, which earned him showers of praise from the second and third elder masters.
Qin Han, Qin Yu, and several others of the younger generation also refreshed their understanding of the prince. They’d regarded him as an uncultured boor before, but he proved them exceedingly wrong.
On the other side of the room divider, the second madame tugged at née Sun’s hands and whispered, “It looks like daughter Yi’s married into a good family. You can be at peace, elder sister.”
Having received her daughter’s overview and made her own close observations on the sidelines, née Sun couldn’t be happier. She nodded and replied correspondingly, “I only have one daughter. Her happiness most certainly gives me peace of mind.”
Qin Huining was seated not far from née Sun. She caught her foster mother’s iteration about “only one daughter”. It triggered so much ache and bitterness that she wanted to burst into tears.
She no longer had any hope for what little connection that remained between her and née Sun. The Qins were only keeping her as they would a kitten or a puppy, one who’d begged for many years at its owner’s side.
But to actually hear that née Sun cared not a thing for her! Qin Huining was heartbroken to the brink of a breakdown.
She sniffled and forced her tears back, so as not to draw attention to herself on this auspicious day and incur more animosity. As she looked up, she was met with Qin Yining’s merry gaze.
Qin Huining’s pupils constricted immediately, and humiliation worthy of consecutive face slaps descended. She averted her gaze awkwardly.
Qin Yining had hoped to extend an olive branch. After all, Qin Huining was the foster daughter of her father. Despite the unpleasant experiences she’d had with the girl, it was all bygones now. She had her own family now and a husband who adored her. She no longer had to hang on to the negative memories of the past.
Little would she know that her good intentions would be misinterpreted.
Never mind. If she’d acted too friendly, she might scare Qin Huining. In any case, she didn’t anticipate further dealings with the foster girl, so things were what they would be.
Qin Yining kept née Sun company after lunch and the women stole a cat nap in the afternoon, while Pang Xiao remained by his father-in-law’s side to discuss current affairs in a quiet corner.
In a low voice, the old dowager pestered Qin-mama in the main house. “Go check on what the fourth lass is doing. Why doesn’t she come talk to me on her day back to the family?”
Chapter 429.2: Disaster Relief
Qin-mama secretly sighed with resignation. It was her mistress who’d irrevocably broken with the fourth miss. Now she’s blaming the girl for giving her a wide berth?
It wasn’t as if the fourth miss had no sense of self-worth or self-respect! Why would she want to fawn over such a loathsome character?
Yet the mama couldn’t possibly voice these thoughts out loud. She made up an excuse for Qin Yining.
“The fourth miss isn’t used to being away from the senior madame. She’s only just married and might want to have some private words with her mother.”
The old dowager naturally referenced Qin-mama’s words with bedroom happenings of newlyweds, and nodded with understanding. Although still displeased with Qin Yining’s distance, the old woman at least kept her displeasure in check.
The skies darkened as the hour grew late. Curfew would soon be imposed if Qin Yining didn’t depart soon. She bade farewell to her family with reluctance and climbed into the carriage with Pang Xiao.
Inside the moving carriage, Qin Yining strained to see the front entrance of the Qin manor grow smaller as the distance increased. It wasn’t until the carriage rounded the corner did she straighten her posture and heave a sigh.
Pang Xiao reached
his arm over to pull his wife closer, letting her lean against his shoulder.
“Hard to let go, isn’t? No worries. We don’t live that far. You can come back to visit anytime you wish,” he murmured in a low voice.
“Mm.” Qin Yining nodded, feeling wistful. “Actually, it’s more than finding it hard to let go. It’s just that I’m feeling a bit lost. I wasn’t all that happy with a lot of things at home, and thought that it’d be nice to leave trouble behind after I marry. But now that I’m actually living my new life, I kind of miss the bedlam and the fuss. Well, I don’t miss being plotted against. I simply miss that particular piece of time.”
“I understand.” Pang Xiao sighed softly and kissed the top of his wife’s head. “Don’t worry about it. Anyone would feel the same. Memories and nostalgia aren’t a bad thing, but life goes on. It’ll be better down the road, and the future will bring you more moments worthy of a place in your heart.”
He caressed her lower back with his hand, which traveled to the side of her svelte waist to pull her against him. “You’ll be busier once we have our own children.”
Taken aback by his words, Qin Yining felt her cheeks instantly flame.
She hadn’t given that much thought yet, but reality dawned on her in this moment. Children were a definite possibility now that they were married. They were so much in love, and Bingtang had checked her body, proclaiming her fit to be a mother despite her frailty. If things were to go on as they’d always been, she would soon bear a child for her beloved.
Flustered by those thoughts, Qin Yining felt heat in her face again, and a warm wisp of anticipation in her heart.
Pang Xiao lowered his head and lightly nibbled on her earlobe.
Qin Yining shuddered involuntarily and sat back. She covered her ear and glared at him, her face beet-red. “What’re you doing??”
Aroused by his wife’s flushed face and bashfulness, Pang Xiao reached over and folded Qin Yining into his chest, prodding the servants and the coachman.
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