However, the second elder master subtly pulled her back, not allowing her to approach.
The third elder master especially couldn't stand the sight of his father's official wife like this. With a quiet scoff, he turned and excused himself. Out of sight, out of mind.
Only Qin-mama was left awkwardly standing by the old dowager, not knowing whether to mollify her mistress or make herself scarce.
The room fell silent. The old dowager's throat had already gone hoarse, yet no one came forward to comfort her—not to mention Qin Huaiyuan hadn’t begged for her forgiveness yet! Her fury burned even hotter.
"This is all your fault, you bitch!” She pounded her chest and leveled an accusing finger at the silent née Sun. “You've talked my Meng'er into developing such bad behavior. Out with it—what kind of pillow talk have you been deceiving him with?!"
Qin Huaiyuan's face went as dark as the blackened bottom of a pot.
Née Sun's patience finally ran out. "What a joke!" she scoffed. I've talked your son into developing bad behavior? Take a look at him—he’s not a three-year-old child anymore! Would he fall for any of my pillow talk? I've even thought of telling him to kick out everyone who causes a ruckus, but would he possibly listen to me?!"
"You!" The old dowager's eyes went round with rage; she knew née Sun's indirect accusation was referring to herself.
Chapter 527.2: Chastisement
Née Sun's expression remained as obstinate as ever, her words sounding as if she was squeezing them out of the gaps between her teeth.
"I've truly had enough! Old Dowager is the matriarch of the house who should be maintaining peace between her sons and daughters! Why is it always you who is instigating trouble?! What bone do you have to pick with daughter Yi that you must harm her so?!
"First, you encourage the eighth lass in fantasies of worming her way into my son-in-law's heart. Did you consider how the sisterly bond between the eighth lass and daughter Yi might be affected if she fails in becoming a concubine? Did you even think about how the two of them and their families are supposed to get along with one another if it did work out?
"You are displeased? You are displeased? You think your son is not filial enough? Let me tell you something. Never mind the others—as Yining’s birth parents, we feel ashamed of ourselves living in this house, for daughter Yi bought it with her own money!
"The family lost all of your possessions on the way here! Had daughter Yi not purchased this manor beforehand with her own private savings out of concern that her parents and uncles would lose face and quietly transferred ownership of this place to us, our entire family would still be renting!
"You do nothing to add to the family’s industries while eating out of daughter Yi's hand and living in her house. Our daughter does not seek your gratitude, her only wish being to fulfill her filial duties. And you?
“She has been kidnapped, we don’t know whether she’s alive or dead, yet you stab her in the back like this! The way I see it, you don’t even care about whether your granddaughter lives or dies! You are her grandmother! Where is your humanity?!"
"This, this ludicrous insolence!" The old dowager furiously pounded the edge of her mattress. "Meng'er, if you are the one I raised, you will divorce her! Divorce her!"
"Divorce me? By all means, please do! I've seen through you all! When my father and brother were still alive and the Duke of Ding at its prime, who was the one who came grovelling to us to arrange a marriage? I certainly wasn’t the one who was in a hurry to marry into the Qins!
"After I carried daughter Yi in my womb for ten months and gave birth, why did she go missing? Who will compensate us for the suffering caused by fourteen years of separation?
"You look down on me because I cannot bear you a grandson. You look down on me because my family has fallen out of power. When my family was persecuted, you were shameless enough to allow the trampress’ sister to marry into the family!
"When the entire family was left tightening their belts because of a natural disaster, my daughter did the hard labor of hunting and chores—despite starving herself! She saved all her provisions for you, but not only did you not feel for her, but you licked your chops and ate her pet rabbit! The little runt was only the size of a palm, yet you had no trouble swallowing it down! Have you no shame?!
"You enjoy domestic bliss, but instead of treasuring what you have, you elect to incite discord among your children’s marital affairs! Do you think me to be a mute just because I do not say anything? A divorce would be wonderful! My mother's business in the south has flourished for a long while, so it isn't like I have no home to return to! In fact, I would rather like to tell others how a grandmother like you treats her sons and daughters!" Finished with her rant, née Sun spat harshly and turned to leave.
Qin Huaiyuan's brows had already scrunched into tight furrows. He pulled née Sun back. "Don’t go. It’s dangerous outside, what with the war beginning......"
"Let go of me!" Née Sun shook Qin Huaiyuan's hand away in one swift motion, tears streaking down her face. "Qin Meng, I have been with you for so much of my life already. Through all the grievances, pent-up frustration, and danger, I have stayed by your side and endured them all with you.
“I have tolerated all that I should and should not have, yet your mother looks down on me for not bearing you a son. I have also welcomed one woman after another for you. Though it makes me jealous, I still care about the years we have been together as husband and wife. Since when have I ever forbidden you from taking concubines?
"Your mother is indeed doing what mothers do and looking out for her own children and grandchildren, but I am a mother as well! I only have Yining, and I was a fool for not treating her well before. Now that she’s gone missing, my heart feels as if someone has ripped it out of my chest and roasts it over an open fire!
“And now your mother seeks to sabotage my daughter's marriage for the sake of another granddaughter! Am I to just accept that someone is trying to bully my daughter? If you’re a real man, then divorce me this instant! Since you can’t leave the capital, then I’ll go! I’ll go to Tatar and find my daughter!" By then, née Sun was crying so hard that her voice shook too much to continue on.
Qin Huaiyuan's eyes were also rimmed in red. Paying no mind to née Sun's fierce struggles, he slowly raised his arms to draw her into an embrace.
"Alright, alright, I am the one who did not do enough. We aren’t young anymore and your health isn’t worth sacrificing for all this crying. We still need to live to see our daughter have sons and daughters of her own, do we not?"
Née Sun wouldn't have minded it if no one comforted her, but as she clutched at Qin Huaiyuan's lapels and leaned against his chest, taking in the faint fragrance of ink, she finally broke out wailing, pounding his chest hard as she did so.
"This is all your fault! Why must you be an official?! You bend over backwards for the Qin family, but why is my daughter to be sacrificed?! My daughter isn’t even seventeen. She’s still so young!"
Née Sun bawled her heart out and sobbed, venting all of the worries, grievances, and resentment she had kept bottled up for so long. Qin Huaiyuan rested his chin against the top of her head and allowed her tears to soak his collar as his eyes turned even redder.
Watching the couple so, the second madame also grew choked up and wiped tears away with a handkerchief. She recalled the disaster that had taken family and servants away from her, unable to suppress the wave of grief that washed over her.
The old dowager stared at them, dumbstruck. In all the years since née Sun had married into the family, she had never acted in such an obscene manner. How dare she hog Qin Huaiyuan’s chest and cry like this?!
Her firstborn hadn't consoled her when she was crying just now!
The old dowager pursed her lips and began whimpering again. "Such sinfulness," she prattled on, "unfilial child, unfilial child......"
The second elder master rubbed at his temples. Seeing that his older brother was ign
oring their old mother, he braced himself and sat along the edge of the bed, handing the old dowager a handkerchief.
"Mother, don't be sad. You are the matriarch of our family and have crossed more bridges than all the roads we have traversed. You think of your children more than anyone."
Chapter 528.1: Falling Ill
“Elder brother and sister-in-law are heartbroken from losing their child. Furthermore, the political situation in court is truly very tense. His Majesty has tapped elder brother to enter the council, so many factions are watching his every move. Just one misstep and everybody’s lives will be forfeit. It’s me who’s too useless and can only amount to being a petty official in the Ministry of Rites. If I could do more, I would be able to help my elder brother.
“Mother, let’s speak no more of splitting the family. Elder brother and sister-in-law have given a great deal to the family all these years, which we’re all aware of. Third brother and I are truly grateful from the bottom of our hearts. So please, don’t worsen your mood with arguments, that would be distracting elder brother instead.”
The old dowager was deeply hurt. She’d seen the real Qin Huaiyuan today. This son of hers who she had poured all her love into, even at the cost of neglecting her second son for so many years, was no longer the filial son who showed her utmost obedience.
Now in her spell of grief, wasn’t it her second son who came to coax her? Furthermore, the second elder master’s words gave the old dowager a way out of her embarrassing situation.
She couldn’t find any comeback to retort née Sun’s arguments, nor did she dare to really do anything to her eldest son. Her future was in his hands, so all she could do was suppress her anger and endure this affront.
If she stopped speaking now, everyone would think she was being the gracious elder and letting née Sun have her way.
So the old dowager wiped her tears away and didn’t curse Qin Huaiyuan anymore, nor tell him to divorce née Sun. It wasn’t like he would listen to her, in any case.
Qin Huaiyuan’s strained mind finally relaxed a little when he saw how easily the old dowager was coaxed. Likewise, his wife finally stopped sobbing in his arms.
“Mother.” Qin Huaiyuan patted née Sun’s shoulder before turning around. “In your advanced age, you should spend your days relaxing, not worrying. From now on, you no longer need to worry about matters of the house or the marriages of the children. All you have to do is care for yourself and live a long life, letting your son serve you filially into the days.”
The old dowager’s eyes rimmed with red again when she heard Qin Huaiyuan’s words, and she shrieked, “You unfilial son! This is a betrayal!”
This was a blatant warning for the old dowager to remember her place! Her son wanted her to stop recklessly meddling in the family's affairs and keep her hands out of the family’s coffers.
“Mother, this is all your son will say. If you really cannot stand to see us, then we will have no choice but to move out.” Qin Huaiyuan raised cupped fists. “It was the emperor and his men just now, I fear he already suspects me. I am exhausted from all the stress and fear I endure at court. When I return home, I wish for simple relaxation and rest. I hope mother understands my desire to not stir up more trouble.”
After speaking, Qin Huaiyuan left with née Sun.
The news of the emperor’s personal arrival and searching their residence like he wanted to charge them with crimes shocked everyone. The second elder master hadn’t been at the front just now and so hadn’t seen Li Qitian. This was his first time hearing the news.
“Y-Your elder brother said just now… no, that’s not right, they were clearly searching for our in-laws, so why would the emperor come search our home?” The old dowager trembled with fear as she clutched her second son’s hand with a death grip.
Stunned, the second elder master rose in a panic. “Mother, the situation at court is truly tense. I will go talk to my brother about countermeasures. You should rest well and please, don’t cry again.”
“Yes, yes, yes, go!” Compared to vying for influence with her daughter-in-law, the old dowager naturally cared much more about her own life. She hurriedly waved the second elder master away, urging him to be on his way.
The second elder master left with the second madame. When they stepped into the corridor, they noticed that all the courtyard’s servants were standing far away. The eighth miss and Qin Huining were also huddled in a corner far away, engrossed in their conversation and not daring to approach.
“Watch over mother and don’t let her get into any more trouble,” softly reminded the second elder master. “The situation this time is unlike the ones before. I’m going to go and talk to elder brother.”
“That, I don’t dare do,” his wife murmured back. “What if I say one thing wrong and mother tells you to divorce me too?”
The second elder master rolled his eyes angrily, berating, “Nonsense!” before turning to hasten away.
The second madame sucked in a breath of the cool winter air and huffed into her hands a few times. Recalling how née Sun had cursed the old dowager earlier filled her with delight.
The old dowager’s attitude had long grated on her, and née Sun’s lambasting practically mirrored what she’d always wanted to say. It wasn’t just née Sun who loved Qin Yining dearly, the second madame also remembered Qin Yining’s grace. People weren’t unfeeling plants; those as short-sighted and ungrateful as the old dowager were quite rare.
She stood outside for a while before returning inside, only to see the second wife tending to the old dowager. Relaxing happily, the second madame didn’t approach them. She took a seat by the fire pit in the outer room and accepted a cup of tea offered by a servant, warming her hands.
In the study, Qin Huaiyuan, the second elder master, the third elder master, Qin Han, and Qin Yu were all gathered together, discussing what had happened with Li Qitian earlier.
Qin Huaiyuan’s voice was low as he spoke, “My son-in-law has led his personal forces to search for daughter Yi in Tatar. The emperor suspects him wanting to collude with the Dragon Riders to conspire a revolt. He first traveled in disguise to the Faithful Prince’s manor, then grew suspicious of our household when he saw none of the family there. Thus, our manor was searched.”
“I see.” Qin Han said, “I didn’t expect brother-in-law to have such well-meaning intentions.”
“That’s right,” praised Qin Yu. “Brother-in-law also defied a lot of imperial decrees for fourth sister.”
However, the second and third elder masters weren’t as relaxed as the younger generation.
Chapter 528.2: Falling Ill
The second elder master remained silent as he calculated the current situation.
“Will the emperor believe us after this, having searched our residence and finding nobody?” worried the third elder master. “Brother, the emperor will hardly believe you if you say you have nothing to do with it at all.”
“That’s right.” Qin Huaiyuan forced a smile. “However, the emperor currently has no evidence to prove I’m hiding the in-laws. Furthermore, the emperor won’t do anything even if he catches them. At most, they’d be kept in the palace as hostages.”
“It’s a job well done to prevent them from being taken as hostages. That will keep my nephew-in-law’s mind at peace, and he’ll be able to go about his business unfettered,” the third elder master declared soundly, “Brother, you don’t have to worry. With the prince’s exceptional skill, he’ll be able to find and bring back Yining safely. As for the emperor’s suspicions, well, just let him be suspicious then. In any case, we don’t have any secrets to hide, nor are we really sheltering them. He can think whatever he thinks.”
“Be that as it may, I’m just worried that the emperor will suspect and no longer value our brother because of this,” said the second elder master.
Hearing that, Qin Huaiyuan couldn’t help but a chuckle. “Don’t worry. Although the emperor doesn’t completely trust me, he still
needs to make use of me. Our household is safe for now, but we should use this time to make sure we have a way out for ourselves.”
“A way out?” the second and third elder masters echoed in unison.
“Right,” sighed Qin Huaiyuan. “It’s better to be safe than sorry. I’ve learned from my past mistakes.”
Collective chills ran through the group when they recalled the assassins that had killed off half their family in Great Yan. The atmosphere took a downward dip again, especially for Qin Yu and the third elder master. They’d both lost their wives, with the third elder master even losing his official son in that incident.
The general mood turned despondent.
“These are turbulent days, but we must temper our courage and continue.” Qin Huaiyuan heaved another sigh. “Everybody must prepare themselves and support each other going forward. We will be fine. I’ll carefully observe the situation and make sure everything stays under control. There’s no need to worry.”
“Alright. I can always feel reassured with elder brother in the lead.”
“I as well. Uncle always chooses the best direction for our household. We all believe in you.”
When Qin Huaiyuan saw the wholehearted trust his younger brothers and nephews placed in him, he couldn’t help but flash the first genuine smile he’d had all day.
However, he still silently prayed to the heavens in his heart. He just wanted his daughter to be safe and for Pang Xiao to find her a little faster. It would be perfectly alright if they roamed the world forever and never returned after he found her. That was at least far better than being yet another sacrifice in the coming war.
……
Qin Yining, the subject of her family’s concerns, was currently in dire straits.
The terrain of the uninhabited desert was constantly changing. A hill right in front of them would have completely leveled out when they awakened on the morrow. Furthermore, though it wasn’t too hot in the days of the winter desert, it was terribly cold at night.
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