Hearing this, everyone put down their teacups and looked at Qin Huaiyuan. It was obvious that the Qin family respected him.
Qin Huaiyuan smiled and said, "I haven't been home these days, so I've troubled Second Brother and Third Brother."
"Eldest Brother, what are you talking about? There hasn't been any major events at home these days, so we don't need to do anything. Besides, Old Madam, Eldest Sister-in-law, and Sister Yi are in the inner residence. These days, we've closed the door and declined visitors. We've been very cautious, hoping that eldest brother can come back safe and sound. Now that Big Brother is fine, we have a pillar of support for our family. "
Second Master spoke very seriously and sincerely, and everyone nodded.
Qin Huaiyuan shook his head and smiled bitterly. He waved his hand and said, "Second Brother, your words really make me feel ashamed. If I hadn't been implicated, Second Brother wouldn't have lost your official position and fallen to the Ministry of Rites. "
Second Master's heart warmed when he heard this, and he shook his head repeatedly. "If eldest brother hadn't promoted me, and if my colleagues in the imperial court hadn't given eldest brother face, with my aptitude, I would have had to work like boiling oil for who knows how many more decades to become a third-rank official of the Ministry of Revenue. I won't forget eldest brother's help at that time. Now, it's not eldest brother's fault. Eldest brother was innocently implicated, so how can I blame you? Besides, we're one family, so there's no need to speak like two families! "
"Exactly." Third Master also nodded.
Third Master respected Qin Huaiyuan very much.
Qin Huaiyuan was a transparent and upright person. Even though Third Master was born of a concubine, Qin Huaiyuan had never used his status as the eldest son of the first wife to bully him. When Third Master was convinced that he wasn't cut out for studying and decided to take over the family business, it was Qin Huaiyuan who arranged for him inside and outside. It was unknown how much money he had secretly made to help Third Master gain a firm foothold. Therefore, Third Master had always been grateful to Qin Huaiyuan. Now that he heard Second Master's words, he also nodded repeatedly.
Old Madam saw that her three sons were so harmonious and laughed. She lowered her voice and said to Mammy Qin and Second Madam beside her, "Look at these brothers."
Second Madam pursed her lips and smiled.
Mammy Qin whispered in old madam's ear: "It's hard to find such harmonious brothers in the capital. It's all thanks to old madam's good upbringing."
When Old Madam heard this, her heart felt even more comforted. People were in high spirits when encountering happy events. Right now, her face was glowing.
Qin Huaiyuan sighed and said, "Second Brother and Third Brother don't mind. That's because you're of noble character. But in the end, I understand that it was because I was the one who stood out. "
Turning to his family, Qin Huaiyuan said, "You all know that Da Zhou's troops are at the city gates. Xi Hua City is in a precarious situation. If Xi Hua City falls, the Tiger Army will have nothing to worry about. Their next target will be the capital. Right now, His Majesty is at his wit's end, therefore, he is using Cao Guo Zhang to contact the Tatan. Cao Guo Zhang and I have never seen eye to eye. His Majesty is using the Cao family, naturally he wants to suppress our family. Although I've been released from prison and returned home, I'm afraid that the days ahead will be filled with danger. "
When everyone heard this, their relaxed expressions from just a moment ago disappeared.
The topic was heavy, so Second Madam and Third Madam wanted to send the younger children away. After all, Qin Yining's eleventh cousin was only seven years old. They were afraid that children would talk nonsense outside.
However, Qin Huaiyuan waved his hand and said, "Second Sister-in-law, Third Sister-in-law, the ways of the world have changed. There are some things that we should let the children know. I've already ordered people to stand guard outside. What we say won't get out. "
Eleventh Master Qin Zong also nodded repeatedly and said to Second Madam: "Mother, don't worry. Your son isn't young anymore. He knows what to say and what not to say."
Only then did Second Madam and Third Madam nod and sit down.
Qin Huaiyuan continued: "Our Family Qin has always handled matters in an upright and upright manner. However, in today's world, people can't live long simply by being a good person. Just in case, I have to make arrangements in advance. If something unexpected happens to me, I'll entrust the family to Second Brother. Second Brother is an official in the imperial court and has seen many things. He'll be able to grasp the direction at critical moments. Second Brother is worthy of the position of Clan Head of the Qin Clan. When the time comes, all of you will have to listen to his arrangements. "
"Marquis, you …" When the members of the Sun Clan heard this, tears welled up in their eyes.
The Dowager Duchess also frowned. Her face was deathly pale as she said: "Meng 'er, don't speak nonsense. Nothing will happen to you. You'll live a long life."
Qin Huaiyuan smiled placatingly at his wife and mother. He said: "The current arrangements are only to ensure that nothing will go wrong. The ways of the world are like this. As the Clan Head, I have to make the necessary arrangements. Mother, don't stop me."
The Dowager Duchess hesitated for a moment, but in the end, she didn't stop him. The color of blood drained from her face, and she took out a handkerchief to silently wipe her tears.
Qin Huaiyuan didn't care about their tears. He earnestly instructed Second Master, "If I am secretly assassinated, Second Brother, take the entire family and immediately leave the capital and return to our old home. The sacrificial field near the ancestral grave was purchased by me many years ago. Although it can't allow the family to continue to prosper, it won't be difficult to feed the entire family. Even if His Majesty wants to punish us and confiscate our family, he won't seize our sacrificial field. This way, the entire family will be safe, and the Family's sacrificial offerings can be passed down. "
"Eldest Brother …" Second Master's heart trembled. For a moment, he didn't know what to say.
It turned out that long ago, when Qin Huaiyuan was still the icing on the cake and adding oil to the fire, he had already thought of a way out for the entire family.
"This is only one possibility." Qin Huaiyuan sighed. He looked at the entire family and said, "If no one secretly assassinates me, once my political opponents do something and take the opportunity to trample on me in the Imperial Court, I'm afraid that the situation will become even more serious. At that time, the ones who will be implicated will be our entire family. What happened to Duke Ding might be our family's precedent. "
As soon as he said this, the hall fell into a deathly silence. Many people revealed frightened expressions. Some of the younger children were so frightened that they cried. Even the Dowager Duchess, the Sun Clan, Second Madam, and Third Madam were so frightened that their faces turned pale.
If that really happened, the Family would be completely ruined. At that time, they wouldn't even have the qualifications to go back and farm.
Qin Huaiyuan turned his gaze to Qin Yining. "Sister Yi, you have the Tian Jizi's approval. It's an extremely precious life. Even if it's for a good omen, His Majesty won't do anything to you. When the time comes, you have to think of a way to ensure the safety of all the women in the family." As for the men, they couldn't escape.
Qin Yining stood up and bowed seriously. "Don't worry, father. If there really comes a day, I'll definitely shoulder my responsibility. I know what you're worried about. I'll do whatever you're worried about."
Qin Huaiyuan looked at his beloved daughter. His eyebrows and eyes curved into crescents. He nodded and said, "Very good. Sister Yi is so sensible. Father is very relieved."
Qin Yining broke out in a cold sweat when she heard Qin Huaiyuan's disheartened tone, as if he was giving his last words. However, she maintained a serious expression and said, "Father, don't be too pessimistic. The current situation hasn't reached that point yet. We still have a lot of room for maneuver. Where there is a will, there is a way. Father, even if you are disheartened by some people, you can't lose hope in life. As long as you still have a breath, you shouldn't give up hope! "
Qin Yining's words immediately stabbed Qin Huaiyuan's heart, causing a crack to appear on his calm smile.
No one noticed it. Only his daughter did. He was truly disheartened. He was disheartened by the Emperor, the imperial court, and the dark future of the Yan dynasty. He had worked hard for so many years. Even if the Emperor was muddleheaded and incompetent, he didn't have any thoughts of passing. He only wanted to do his duty well and assist the Emperor in managing the Yan dynasty well so that the people could live and work in peace and contentment. That was his lifelong wish.
But now?
The Emperor was still muddleheaded. The iron hooves of Da Zhou still wanted to trample the Dayan. The people he had worked hard to protect were treated like animals by the Emperor. When the refugees entered the city, they didn't have a roof to shelter them from the sun. They didn't even have an inch of mats to sleep on. Every day, they were only given porridge and soup. Children and old people who died of illness were left on the streets in carts to be cremated in mass graves.
The Emperor's way of doing things was even worse than his daughter's!
His daughter didn't have money, but she knew to sell all her valuables to feed the refugees. The Emperor was such an important person, yet he didn't know this. He had money, but he didn't save the people. Instead, he bought clothes and jewelry for the demon empress.
When he was released from the Ministry of Justice's prison, he had arranged for someone to inform him of the Emperor's actions over the past few days. At that moment, Qin Huaiyuan felt as if his burning heart had been dug out and thrown into an ice cave. In the past, he was ignorant. He actually had hope in this kind of Emperor.
However, since ancient times, "a woman won't marry two husbands, a servant won't serve two masters." Qin Meng was born at the wrong time. He didn't meet a wise emperor, but he also didn't want to be a treacherous servant.
He was bitterly disappointed. He didn't want to take any more actions. He also didn't want to work for this kind of Emperor. Although he wouldn't betray him, he also didn't want to try his best.
He thought that no one could understand or see through his thoughts. However, Qin Yining saw through it.
The scene fell into a dead silence again. Everyone looked at Qin Yining and Qin Huaiyuan in silence. They seemed to understand Qin Huaiyuan's desolate mood at this moment.
Second Old Master and Third Old Master frowned.
Old Madam, Sun Clan, and the others felt sorry for Qin Huaiyuan. They were so sad that they cried.
Qin Yining stood up and walked slowly to Qin Huaiyuan. She slowly knelt down and put her hands on Qin Huaiyuan's knees. She looked up at Qin Huaiyuan.
"Father, you're disappointed in those people. You're disappointed in this world. Your life's ambition was destroyed by that person. I know the pain in your heart. If that person was a wise emperor, if that person could realize your ambition, even if he used you to your last advantage and made you into a stepping stone, you wouldn't feel regret or resentment, even though your heart is bitter. However, that person is a pile of mud that can't be supported. He doesn't even have that kind of thought. Instead, he despises your efforts and persecutes you. "
Qin Yining's eyes were bright and clear. Although she didn't say the words "incapable emperor," everyone knew what she was talking about.
Qin Huaiyuan looked down at Qin Yining. The hands on his knees gradually clenched into fists.
"Father, I grew up in the marketplace. In the past, Liang City was in chaos for many years. I've seen too many of those dark things. Human lives are the most cheap. In one family, there were seven children, four girls, and three boys. In order to feed the entire family, as a mother, I had no choice but to start selling the eldest daughter.
"At first, the market was good. The eldest daughter was sold for one tael of silver. Later on, things went bad. Ten catties of buckwheat noodles were exchanged for the youngest girl. The food that was exchanged for was enough to feed the three boys. As a mother, I felt sad. As a brother, I felt guilty because their lives were exchanged for by selling their family. However, these people, no matter how difficult it is, will still do their best to live. They will work hard until their last breath.
"Father, even if you're no longer the Prime Minister or the Grand Preceptor. Even if we're no longer rich and have to farm in the future, our family will still be alive. Being alive is our biggest asset. Father, why are you so pessimistic? Why do you have to lose hope? "
Qin Huaiyuan suddenly asked in a choked voice, "What about you?"
Qin Yining was stunned.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
