Qin Yining returned to the rear hall halfway up the mountain. Her face was deathly pale as she breathed a sigh of relief. She wiped her forehead, and her hands were covered in cold sweat. Her heart was also beating wildly.
Qiu Lu hurriedly wrung a handkerchief to help her wipe her face. She said with lingering fear, "You really scared this servant to death just now! There were so many people, a black mass of people. If they had rushed in, a mouthful of saliva from each of them could have drowned us to death! Luckily, Miss was quick-witted and answered the questions so cleverly. If we had provoked the public's resentment, wouldn't we have been trampled to death right now?! "
Qin Yining took the honey water that Ji Yun brought over and drank a bowl. Only then did she feel alive.
"I'm quick-witted? I was so nervous that I almost died. " Putting down the white porcelain bowl, Qin Yining stroked her chest and said, "Do you think it's so easy to pretend to be a swindler? In that kind of situation, I had to weigh every word carefully, not daring to say a single wrong word. Moreover, I had to act like a 'saintess'. However, you all know best what kind of person I am. How could I have the aura of an otherworldly immortal? I had to think of what to say, and what actions to take. Fortunately, I had already guessed some of the questions they were going to ask. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known what to do. "
"Isn't that so. When I was supporting Miss, Miss was constantly trembling. It made me so nervous that I also trembled." Ji Yun smiled bitterly. "How did Miss predict that they would ask those questions in advance?"
"This isn't difficult. At this critical juncture, I can still guess what the public is concerned about. "
Just as Qin Yining was speaking, a guard came in from outside. "Replying to Reverend, people from the Marquis of Anping's Estate have come."
Qin Yining was delighted to hear this and hurriedly said, "Quickly invite them in."
She hastily went downstairs with Ji Yun and Qiu Lu.
Upon seeing Qin Huaiyuan, Second Old Master, and Third Old Master, Qin Yining smiled happily. Not only were their clothes drenched in sweat, but they were also wrinkled like salted vegetables. Qin Yining knew that the three of them must have been huddled together with the crowd just now. They must have heard the news and rushed over to the villa.
Qin Yining bowed emotionally. "Father, Second Uncle, Third Uncle, it's so late. I had to trouble you to make this trip.."
"You're welcome. . "Third Old Master and Third Old Master........... s throat..... and my throat....................................
..... s..... Yining....................
.................... in..............................................................
. ".... As she spoke, she gave Qin Huaiyuan, Second Old Master, and Third Old Master each a big bowl.
Qin Yining stood to the side, holding a jug to refill their cups. He helped his father and two uncles drink half a jug of iced sour plum soup before they put down their bowls.
"We rushed over as soon as we heard the news. Unfortunately, there were too many people, so we had to abandon the carriage and walk along with the crowd. Father saw your performance just now. You did very well. "Qin Huaiyuan smiled.
Qin Yining blushed and said, "Father and Uncles saw it? I was just putting on an act. "
Second Old Master laughed and said, "You pretended well. You pretended quite well. You were even hugging a little rabbit. Under the light, you looked like Chang 'e. The commoners have never seen such a scene before. Just by looking at your appearance, they were already intimidated. "
"That's right. It's very good that you're like this. Otherwise, no one would believe your words. "
Third Old Master also said.
Qin Yining said, "It's precisely because I was afraid that my words wouldn't be effective that I came up with this plan. In any case, we managed to deal with the crisis for the time being."
"You said that you were going to set up an altar to inquire about the Heavens tomorrow. What are you going to do when the time comes?"
Qin Yining smiled bitterly, "How would I know how to set up an altar? I don't know anything. When the time comes, I can only ask a proper Daoist priest to teach me. I believe that if I follow the steps, I won't make a fool of myself. As for how I'll give the commoners an explanation, that will still be up to His Majesty. "
Qin Huaiyuan raised his eyebrows when he heard this, "So you're saying that you've already thought of a solution to the food problem?"
"Daughter doesn't know if the problem can be solved easily. I was just about to discuss it with Father. Didn't Father come with a tacit understanding? "
Qin Huaiyuan smiled when he heard this.
Qin Yining was just about to tell him the solution he had thought of when a sharp voice came from outside, "His Majesty has arrived!"
Qin Yining frowned when he heard this.
It was already so late. Even if something big had happened outside and the Emperor wanted to ask about the situation, he could just send someone he trusted. Why would he need to personally come out of the palace?
It just so happened that Father and two uncles were here today. If they didn't come, how would they explain themselves if word got out that a man and a woman were alone together?
It was obvious that Qin Huaiyuan, Second Old Master, and Third Old Master had also thought of this. Their expressions didn't look too good.
They all stood up to welcome the Emperor.
"Long live His Majesty."
"Welcome, His Majesty!"
Yuchi Yan was wearing a net headscarf and casual clothes. He even wore a pair of soft-soled boots that he wore indoors. Because he walked in a hurry, his face was flushed and his brows were deeply furrowed. It was obvious that he had rushed over after hearing the news.
When he entered the room, Yuchi Yan didn't see anyone else. He only saw Qin Yining, who was wearing a snow-white silk jacket and skirt. He anxiously supported her with both hands. "Xuansu, are you alright?"
Qin Yining's brows were tightly furrowed. He quickly retreated and broke free from Yuchi Yan's warm hands. He bowed his head and said, "Many thanks for Your Majesty's concern. This subject's daughter is fine."
Qin Huaiyuan, Second Old Master, and Third Old Master were all experienced people. When they saw the Emperor's undisguised adoration for Qin Yining, they all understood. Although Qin Yining had been forced to cultivate, the Emperor had never given up on Qin Yining. If Qin Yining had the slightest desire to climb up the social ladder, he probably would have succeeded long ago.
"This subject (commoner) greets Your Majesty." Qin Huaiyuan, Second Old Master, and Third Old Master all bowed deeply.
Yuchi Yan finally noticed that there were other people in the room. He coughed awkwardly and said, "You may rise."
"Many thanks, Your Majesty."
Yuchi Yan sat down in the main seat in the room and asked, "Zhen had just returned to the palace when we heard that the citizens of the city had gathered here. We immediately rushed over. How are you? Are you injured? "
"Replying Your Majesty, this subject's daughter is fine." Qin Yining respectfully replied.
Yuchi Yan nodded, "That's good. You did very well this time. Just now, I asked the imperial bodyguard about the situation. Your words were very appropriate. You pacified the people's hearts and also prevented a great chaos. If the citizens had rioted, there would have been no need for Da Zhou's people to attack. I'm afraid that the capital would have fallen into chaos. "
"This subject's daughter was also in a hurry. That's why I made this decision."
Yuchi Yan saw her lowered eyebrows and submissive eyes, dressed in white. Although she did not see her graceful bearing with her own eyes, but just by imagining, she knew how outstanding she was in front of others. The fondness in her eyes almost turned into substance and overflowed, her voice was also extremely gentle.
"I heard from the imperial bodyguard that you plan to set up an altar to consult the heavens tomorrow?"
"Yes." Qin Yining purposely ignored Yuchi Yan's gentle tone.
"You are the person who was divined by the Tian Jizi to be able to protect the prosperity of the nation. Presumably, you can also communicate with the gods, right?"
Qin Yining raised her head and met Yuchi Yan's interested gaze.
At this time, it was very important to answer his question so that he would not think that she was borrowing his influence to become arrogant and achieve her goal.
Qin Yining said, "Replying Your Majesty, to tell you the truth, this subject's daughter deliberately said that in order to stall for time."
"Oh?" The smile on the Emperor's face deepened.
Second Master and Third Master revealed a look of surprise.
Qin Yining said, "Although this subject's daughter was divined by the Tian Jizi, this subject's daughter only happened to do a divination. This subject's daughter is only an ordinary woman. How could she have such exaggerated abilities? To say that I have a good life, I admit that the Tian Jizi's words are indeed exaggerated. However, to say that I am some kind of Saintess, I don't believe it myself. "
"But your fate is indeed extremely good. You are someone who can protect the fate of the nation. If you say that you are not now, wouldn't it be meaningless for us to confer you the title of Master Xuansu? "
"The purpose of this subject's daughter's cultivation here is only to pacify the people. Could it be that Your Majesty also believes in the rumors among the common people and believes that this subject's daughter can communicate with the gods? If this subject's daughter really has such great abilities, it would be better to directly ask the gods to help us in the Dayan. "
She was not pretentious at all. Such a straightforward statement greatly pleased Yuchi Yan.
After being suppressed for several days, Yuchi Yan finally relaxed. He smiled happily and said, "Forget it. It's fine if you say that in front of me, but you must not say that when you go out."
"Yes." Qin Yining bowed and said in a low voice, "I don't know how the rumors among the common people spread, but they have already demonized this subject's daughter. This subject's daughter was also forced into a corner and could only brace herself and blindly deceive them. There are so many people here today. If we don't deal with it properly, it will cause a revolt among the common people. This subject's daughter also has the determination to give it a try. At worst, this subject's daughter will die. "
"En. You are very intelligent and quick-witted. " Yuchi Yan praised sincerely, then asked, "I wonder how you will deal with the common people after the altar is set up tomorrow?"
Qin Yining said without changing her expression, "This subject's daughter is only looking for an excuse to use the word 'delay'. Shouldn't Your Majesty be the one to truly solve the food problem?"
Yuchi Yan was rendered speechless by Qin Yining's rhetorical question.
That's right, this was indeed something that he should do.
Yuchi Yan said awkwardly, "That is indeed our matter, but how will you explain it to the common people tomorrow?"
"That's simple." Qin Yining smiled innocently, "I will tell them that I have already explained the method to Your Majesty. Your Majesty will naturally make a decision. This way, no matter what Your Majesty decides, it will be in accordance with the will of the heavens. The common people will definitely not object. "
Yuchi Yan was speechless.
This was throwing the problem back to him.
But he just couldn't get angry at Qin Yining, "So we have to thank you?"
"This is what this subject's daughter should do. Your Majesty doesn't need to be so polite." Qin Yining lowered her head.
Yuchi Yan looked at her and was speechless for a long time. He inwardly thought that she really was Grand Preceptor Qin's daughter. Her temperament was exactly the same as Grand Preceptor Qin's.
"Beloved Official Qin, your daughter isn't willing to help us, so this burden will be placed on your shoulders."
Qin Huaiyuan acknowledged in a low voice, saying, "This subject will naturally do his best. However, I presume that Your Majesty already has a solution."
Second Master and Third Master saw that the Emperor was about to discuss serious matters with Qin Huaiyuan, so they didn't dare to listen and hastily retreated.
Qin Yining also wanted to leave, but Yuchi Yan said, "Xuansu, stay behind."
His tone was so gentle that Qin Yining felt goosebumps all over her body. However, she couldn't disobey the imperial decree and could only retreat a few steps to stand behind Qin Huaiyuan.
The Emperor said, "Right now, the national treasury is empty. If we want to buy food again, we must have money. Fortunately, Emperor Taizong issued treasured banknotes. We were thinking that it would be better to have the banknote printing bureau print another batch of treasured banknotes. With power in our hands, if we don't have money, we can print a large batch and use it to buy food. "
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