Chapter 5: The Prince

Qin Yining hung her head, not wanting to argue with the old dowager, and simply replied, "Yes."

Seeing Qin Yining being so obedient, the old dowager's mood improved a lot. She then continued, "Even though you say that, don't forget to start learning as soon as possible. In a few days, Jiajie will come of age, and soon after, you and Huijie will also come of age. During this time, I will pay attention to the matters of finding suitable in-laws for you. If you are not up to standard and are looked down upon, your marriage prospects will not be good. I don't want to bother with you."

Qin Yining pursed her lips and when she raised her head, a compliant smile appeared on her face. "I will take your advice to heart, and I will not disappoint your expectations."

Her face was naturally beautiful, with a captivating appearance, but her eyes were as clear as a spring, and her dimples when she smiled made her look very cute. The old dowager was almost softened by her endearing smile and obedient attitude.

With a stern face, the old dowager waved her hand. "You may go."

"Yes, grandmother. I take my leave." Qin Yining bowed and stepped back.

The old dowager added awkwardly, "If you need anything, go find Qin Mama."

Qin Yining immediately showed a pleasantly surprised smile. "Yes, thank you, grandmother."

As Qin Yining obediently left the main hall, the old dowager asked, "Lujuan, what do you think of this child?"

Lujuan was Qin Mama's nickname.

Qin Mama smiled and handed the old dowager a brass hand warmer. "You have a discerning eye, thinking of refining this unpolished gem. Besides, she is the legitimate daughter of the old master, so her talent is unquestionable. Moreover, after enduring so many hardships and surviving until today, she must be a resilient and intelligent person."

Without resilience, she wouldn't have been able to survive alone at such a young age. Without intelligence, she wouldn't have been able to survive in the dangerous world of the city and the countryside.

The old dowager sighed. "My feelings towards her are complicated, perhaps due to our blood ties... Is everything settled for Huijie? Be careful and don't let my Huijie suffer."

Seeing that the old dowager didn't take her words to heart, Qin Mama didn't say anything more and just smiled in response.

As Qin Yining left the main house and walked into the courtyard, she felt a resentful gaze on her back. She suddenly turned around, but only saw the half-closed window of a side room, without seeing anyone.

Since there were many people in the house who disliked her, she didn't care who it was. She continued on her way, leaving the Cixiao Garden behind.

After Qin Yining had walked away, Qin Huining dropped the twisted handkerchief and sighed. The senior maid Bitong immediately brought her a cup of warm honey water. "Don't be angry, it's just an unstable wild girl."

Qin Huining drank the honey water in one gulp, and the sweet taste made her feel much better. She composed herself and said, "Nurse."

Cai, the senior maid, immediately smiled and asked, "What can I do for you, miss?"

"I remember you had a few words with Jin Mama by my mother's side."

Cai was Jin Mama's niece.

"Of course, miss. What do you need?"

"Come here." Qin Huining called Cai over and whispered a few words to her.

As Qin Yining left the Cixiao Garden, before she could see clearly around her, the girl who had reminded her earlier came forward to greet her. "Hello, Fourth Sister. I'm Baoning, the eighth daughter of our family. My father is the third master. The one who was just scolded away by the old dowager is my brother."

Baoning had helped her just now, and with Qin Han's care for her and his defense just now, as well as her cheerful and straightforward words, Qin Yining had a great fondness for her.

Qin Yining followed Baoning's example and returned the greeting. "Hello, Baoning."

Baoning smiled brightly. "You've just returned, and you don't know much about the mansion. If you need anything, you can come to me. I live in the Cuiwei Tower, with my third sister."

Qin Jiaoning, who had been pulled by Baoning, pulled her hand away and said, "You chatterbox, aren't you afraid of annoying your Fourth Sister?"

Baoning stuck out her tongue but didn't say anything more.

Qin Jiaoning smiled and said, "This girl insisted on waiting for you here. I told her to wait until you were settled before we came to disturb you. She was in a hurry to say a few words and bid farewell. Jin Mama is still waiting. After you're settled, we sisters will meet again?"

"What Third Sister said is true. After I'm settled, I'll definitely come to disturb you." Qin Yining's speech was slightly slower due to her need to think, and her melodious voice had a unique charm.

"Why be so polite, Fourth Sister? I might not be able to resist coming to disturb you first!" Baoning laughed and pulled her hand.

Qin Yining couldn't help but smile.

Qin Jiaoning and Qin Baoning bid farewell to Qin Yining.

When the two of them left, Jin Mama smiled and walked up to her. "Miss, shall we go?"

Qin Yining quickly smiled and said, "Thank you for waiting, Mama."

"Serving the miss is my duty, no need to be polite."

Jin Mama then led Qin Yining towards the direction of the Xueli Courtyard.

The Prime Minister's residence was a large four-courtyard mansion, and the old dowager's Cixiao Garden was located in the southwest, occupying the largest courtyard in the inner residence. After leaving the courtyard gate of the Cixiao Garden and turning left, walking along the bluestone-paved alley, the Magnolia Gate was on the right-hand side.

Mrs. Jin pointed to the doorway and said, "Normally, the young ladies are not allowed to leave through the second gate. If there's anything to be done, they should assign the maidservants around them to do it. The gate is locked at the second hour of the dog (7-9 pm) and opened at the first hour of the hare (5-7 am). If you need to buy something or find someone, be mindful of the time."

"Thank you for the guidance, Mrs. Jin."

Mrs. Jin smiled and led Qin Yining along the long and winding path, pointing out the Guangbo Garden of the third house and the Changning Garden of the second house along the way.

Passing through the back garden, they came across a large pond with a white stone arched bridge over it. The pond was filled with lingering lotus leaves, evoking thoughts of the summer, with its graceful willows and endless shades of green. Upon closer inspection, there was flowing water, which turned out to be from an external source. The exquisite luxury of this garden was something Qin Yining had never seen in her life.

Mrs. Jin noticed the delight on Qin Yining's face. After passing the back garden, she casually pointed and said, "That's the Cuiwei Tower, and just around the corner is the Xingning Garden where the master and madam reside." However, she led Qin Yining in the opposite direction.

As they walked further, the surroundings became more secluded, until they reached the end of an alley. Mrs. Jin pushed open a vermilion gate and said, "This is the Pear Courtyard."

Behind the vermilion gate was a small courtyard with a winding gravel path leading to a veranda. There were a few patches of bamboo and pear trees, as well as a sturdy and tall old locust tree. The main house had three rooms, with two rooms on each side, and a total of three courtyards. The courtyard looked somewhat desolate.

"This courtyard is fresh and elegant, and it's most suitable for a young lady. Due to the sudden arrangement by the old madam, there hasn't been time to clean it yet. I've already ordered someone to clean it and brought the maidservant arranged by the madam for you. Please rest here for a while."

Mrs. Jin's words were very polite.

Qin Yining simply nodded in thanks.

However, she understood in her heart that if they truly valued her, they wouldn't have let an unmarried girl live in a courtyard so close to the wall, nor would they have brought her here before it was cleaned and locked the door.

This was just a show of power.

Even so, having a courtyard like this to live in was much better than the caves and grass huts she had lived in on the mountain.

Qin Yining found a stone stool next to the bamboo and sat down to wait.

Little did she know that this wait would last for an hour, and she could see that it was almost noon. Qin Yining wanted to call someone, but she didn't know who to find in such a large mansion. Fortunately, her years of hunting had honed her patience, so she sat quietly on the stone stool.

A cold wind blew, and scattered bamboo leaves fluttered down. The girl's pale yellow dress and the color of the bamboo behind her softened into a painting under the bright noon sun. With her head bowed, her black hair cascading down her neck, she looked even more delicate and beautiful.

This scene was observed by two people crouching quietly on the roof.

The leader was dressed in a blue robe, with a flawless face, slanting eyebrows, and sharp phoenix eyes that were cold and deep, shining like stars in the cold night. His thin lips were pressed together, his expressionless face exuding an air of grace and nobility, like a drawn sword that made people lower their heads and dare not meet his gaze.

He quietly watched Qin Yining in the courtyard for a moment, then silently left the Qin family with his entourage.

His attendant was a spirited young man of seventeen or eighteen, with a tiger-headed appearance. He wore a deep blue outfit, and his long hair was tied behind his head, giving him a very energetic look.

As they left the Qin family's territory, the young man curiously asked, "Master, was that girl we just saw the person you were looking for?"

"Yes."

"She actually survived, she's really lucky! Mr. Zheng said that when you last saw her, she was only seven years old."

"Yes."

"The people of the Qin family are really despicable, making her wait outside in the cold, not even giving her warm clothes. It's amazing that she has such patience!"

"Yes."

"But she's Qin Meng's daughter after all, she deserves it! Mr. Zheng said that you even gave her money to take care of her stepmother's illness back then? Master, not to criticize, but you are too kind. You care about the child of your enemy, whether she lives or dies! She's just repaying her despicable father's debt with her life, why do you still care about her?"

The man paused, his expressionless face turning to look at the young man, causing the hairs on the back of his neck to stand up, and he dared not say another word.

His master was good at everything, but he was too cold. He had followed his master for several years and had never seen him genuinely smile. Even when the emperor exonerated General Xiang last year and posthumously honored him as "Loyal and Obedient Prince," and his master ascended to the throne, he didn't seem particularly happy.

Perhaps when the day comes for the great revenge to be fully avenged, he will be able to truly relax?

"Hey, master, wait for me, where are we going?"