Chapter 4 Authority

Qin Huaiyuan saw the old lady getting anxious, so he bowed and spoke in a soothing tone, "Mother, please don't worry. I have no intention of sending away Huijie. It's just that the Qin family's bloodline cannot be mixed, and the family tree cannot tolerate confusion. My intention is for Qin Yining to be listed in the family tree, replacing Qin Huining, and to inform our ancestors that Huijie was mistakenly brought in and will be adopted as my daughter from now on. She will no longer be ranked in the family, and Yining will be the eldest daughter of the main branch of the Qin family."

The crowd looked at Qin Yining and Qin Huining with different expressions.

The old lady fell silent.

Indeed, the family tree cannot tolerate mistakes, but she couldn't bear to part with Qin Huining.

Qin Huining felt as if she had been struck by lightning. From now on, she would only be an adopted daughter of unknown origin, no longer the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister Qin! She was about to come of age, and the Prime Minister had been carefully considering her marriage for these years. Now, her status would plummet, and what would happen to her marriage?

Why did this misfortune have to strike at this critical moment?

Why did Qin Yining have to come back?

Qin Huining couldn't hold back her sobs. This time, she was truly unable to control her tears.

As the child raised by her side, Sun Shi couldn't bear to see Qin Huining so aggrieved. She anxiously turned to Qin Huaiyuan and said, "Sir, you can't..."

"Even if Huijie becomes an adopted daughter, she will be treated the same as your own daughter in terms of food, clothing, and expenses," Qin Huaiyuan looked at Sun Shi with an unwavering and resolute gaze, then narrowed his eyes slightly. "Do you want me to send Huijie back to the nursing home, or find her biological parents and send her back to them before you are satisfied?"

This was a blatant threat!

He was publicly embarrassing himself for the sake of a wild girl who had just been found!

Sun Shi's face flushed with anger. She couldn't help but blurt out, "Is a wild girl who didn't grow up under your nose worth all this trouble! Qin Meng, could it be that this girl is from your concubine? Why did you only bring her back? Fortunately, you also brought her mother, that seductive woman! Since you've always favored them over us, you might as well live with your concubine in the future!"

Sun Shi was the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Dingguo, with a noble background, and naturally had a somewhat arrogant temperament. Normally, her sisters-in-law and sisters would give in to her because she was Qin Huaiyuan's legitimate wife, and the old lady doted on her eldest son and fourth granddaughter, so she was also tolerant of Sun Shi, which led to her domineering temperament.

If it were anyone else, they would never dare to argue with their husband in public like this, but Sun Shi had a strong backing from her natal family and naturally had no fear.

Qin Huining was moved to see her mother standing up for her despite knowing that she was not her biological daughter. She hugged her like a kitten and called out repeatedly, "Mother, don't be angry, don't be angry with father for the sake of your daughter..."

But Sun Shi didn't listen, she just glared at Qin Huaiyuan.

Unable to bear it, Qin Huaiyuan scolded, "Outrageous!"

"You're the one who's outrageous!" Sun Shi's red-painted fingernails pointed directly at Qin Yining's forehead. "Tell me, where is your mother? Is your father keeping her in some mansion!?"

Qin Yining looked at Sun Shi in disbelief, took two steps back after being poked by her, feeling desolate in her heart. Seeing Qin Huining holding onto Sun Shi's arm without any resistance as Sun Shi approached, she immediately understood something.

It seemed that survival in this mansion required more acting.

She knelt down, holding up her skirt and crying, "Please, madam, calm down. I know it's hard for you to accept for a while, but I really came from Liangcheng. Do you know how I survived when I was eight years old and had no one to rely on?"

She reached out her hands, covered in calluses and scars, and grabbed Sun Shi's well-maintained hand.

"Look at the calluses and scars on my hands, and you'll know that I haven't lived a privileged life. With my father's integrity, even if he knew that Huining wasn't his biological daughter, he could still accept her. If I were really a concubine's daughter, how could my father let me live such a difficult life?

"Moreover, my father is the current Prime Minister, a trusted minister of the emperor. If he really wanted to favor a woman, why would he keep a concubine? He could just bring her home, and who could stop him? He really has no need to tell such lies.

"Madam, since you can't accept me for the time being, I can wait for you to accept me. I'm also willing to get along well with Huining. Please don't act rashly, lest you hurt your relationship with my father."

Qin Yining was naturally beautiful and very delicate, and her tearful plea moved all the women in the room to tears. Sun Shi stood in place, looking down at her tear-streaked face, holding her rough hand, and believing some of her words.

Moreover, what she said was not unpleasant, especially the last sentence.

Sun Shi glanced at Qin Huaiyuan, who was as calm as water, and thought to herself: If Qin Huaiyuan could give me a way out now, then this matter could be put on hold for the time being.

But Qin Huaiyuan felt pity after hearing Qin Yining's words and thinking about the dire situation in Liangcheng and Qin Yining's experiences over the past six years. He was immediately filled with heartache and anger.

These days, he was already at his wits' end!

The two countries had been at war for several years, and Great Yan was already in a losing position. Now, the Grand Marshal of Great Zhou's army was the illegitimate child of Pang Zhongzheng, the former Guardian General of Beijiao, whom he had eliminated years ago.

Pang Xiao, with the courtesy name Xi, was twenty-two years old. After Pang Zhongzheng was posthumously honored as the "Prince Zhongshun" following his vindication, Pang Xiao inherited the throne. He was referred to as "Young Master" in the martial world and was the only prince from a different surname since the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty. He was highly revered by the people. It was said that at the age of fourteen, he followed the Great Zhou Emperor Li Qitian in opposing the tyranny of Beiji, and now he held great prestige in the military. He could mobilize troops without needing an official military order; a mere gesture from Pang Xiao was enough.

Despite his youth, Pang Xiao had been on the battlefield for eight years, known for his cunning military strategies and ruthless nature. When Pang Zhongzheng was cruelly executed by the Beiji Emperor, Pang Xiao sought revenge in the same brutal manner. He personally tortured and killed three former court officials who had falsely accused and harmed his father, and it was rumored that the bloodstains outside the Wu Gate took three days and nights to wash away.

On the other hand, there was Qin Huaiyuan, the "mastermind" behind the scheme that caused the conflict.

After the establishment of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the conquests were directed towards the Great Yan. After years of conflict between Great Yan and Beiji, Great Yan had weakened considerably. How could they withstand the unstoppable force of the Great Zhou?

If the city were to be breached one day, how could Pang Xiao not seek vengeance for his father?

During this period, whenever Qin Huaiyuan thought of that despicable person, he found it hard to sleep. The continuous years of war had depleted the national treasury, and the factions advocating for war or peace were in heated disputes, making it impossible for anyone to focus on governance.

Qin Huaiyuan was already overwhelmed with state affairs in the court. Returning home, these ignorant women did not understand the gravity of the situation and were causing him unnecessary distress.

Qin Huaiyuan couldn't be bothered to explain to the women, let alone deal with the unreasonable Sun family. He simply said, "This matter is settled," and left, leaving Sun standing there alone.

Everyone could see that Qin Huaiyuan was truly angry. After all, he was the head of the family, and if he was truly upset, no one could defy his will.

Sun was somewhat afraid, as she was the one who had started the argument earlier. However, showing weakness would be a blow to her pride, leaving her in a dilemma. Feeling wronged, she sniffled and left without looking back, refusing to give any attention to Qin Yining.

On the other hand, Sun's trusted maid, Jin Mama, paid her respects to the old dowager and then to Qin Yining, saying, "I've conveyed your well wishes to Fourth Miss."

Qin Yining didn't recognize the woman and was taken aback by being addressed as "Fourth Miss" for the first time. It was the first time someone had referred to themselves as a servant in her presence. She was momentarily at a loss.

A young girl by her side, dressed in a light pink embroidered jacket with double buns on her head, whispered, "This is Jin Mama, the most trusted maid of the madam."

Qin Yining smiled gratefully and nodded at Jin Mama, saying, "Hello, Jin Mama."

Jin Mama smiled and withdrew.

Meanwhile, the old dowager instructed Qin-mama to move Qin Yining's belongings to Cixiao Garden. Seeing that the group was still lingering, she dismissed them all.

Following the example of the other girls, Qin Yining paid her respects to the old dowager and was about to leave when she heard the old dowager call out, "Qin Yining."

The other sisters stopped in their tracks, but as the old dowager hadn't called them, they had to suppress their curiosity and leave.

Qin Yining turned back and bowed to the old dowager, saying, "Grandmother."

As soon as the words left her mouth, the old dowager impatiently rolled her eyes and said, "Didn't your mother tell you? In a family like ours, we don't use familial terms. You should address me by my title."

Qin Yining lowered her head and respectfully called out, "Old Dowager."

"Good," the old dowager drawled. "Although you're staying in the manor, I'm still worried. You must be careful with your words and actions. I'll have a teacher come to instruct you. You must learn well and not bring any vulgar behavior into the manor. The young ladies in the manor are all refined and cultured. You mustn't tarnish their reputation."

Qin Yining clenched her fists at her sides and bit her lip, then meekly replied, "Yes, Old Dowager, I will be careful."

The old dowager continued, "Don't think that just because you've returned, you can overshadow Yining. She's been the legitimate daughter of this manor for fourteen years, well-versed in etiquette and manners, proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Your talents can't compare to hers. You should learn from her in the future."