Jing Zhe could feel Qin Yining's nervousness and worry.
His heart felt warm.
Although they were all in the business of risking their lives, in the Dayan Dynasty, the Emperor had never considered their safety when he used them to do things. He only cared about whether or not they could complete the task.
Now that they had met Qin Yining, they finally realized that there was a master who would consider their safety. Didn't you see how Qin Yining had volunteered to enter the palace for his own safety?
These people were used to being spies. Even though they had become imperial bodyguards, they still couldn't help but pay attention to the happenings in the imperial court. They knew how difficult Qin Huaiyuan's current situation was.
Qin Yining was willing to step forward to protect them. If Jing Zhe didn't step forward to admit his wrongdoings, would their young miss have to take the blame? At that time, wouldn't her reputation be even more irreparable?!
Thinking of this, Jing Zhe made up his mind. His heart surged with pride. Even if he was going to be beheaded, he wouldn't regret protecting his master today.
Jing Zhe thought of many things, but in reality, it only took a few breaths.
When Qin Yining saw that he was only silent, he couldn't help but become more anxious. He insisted, "Head Steward Li, today's matter has its own conclusion. Jing Zhe is a bodyguard I hired with money. What's wrong with him loyally protecting his master when danger suddenly arose? Furthermore, he didn't hurt anyone. The one he killed was a horse. If Your Majesty had ordered for the people involved in this matter to enter the palace, I would have been the one to enter the palace to explain the situation. "
Although Li Guanwen was a bit embarrassed by Qin Yining's words, he still admired her for her loyalty. However, in her heart, she admired her loyalty and secretly envied Jing Zhe for having such a master who was willing to protect her servants.
Not only Li Guanwen, but the people who followed Qin Yining all felt the same way.
Even the second-generation masters, who had been clamoring for a long time, quieted down at this moment.
Li Guanwen cleared his throat and said, "I'm sorry, Miss Qin. This is Your Majesty's order. I can't go against it." He then instructed his men to bring Jing Zhe along. After bidding farewell to Lord Zheng, he left with Minister Cheng.
Qin Yining walked him out of the door before returning with a worried frown.
Seeing that the situation had eased, Lord Zheng heaved a sigh of relief in his heart. "Miss Qin, today's matter is almost settled. You can go back now."
Before Qin Yining could reply, the other rich second generations shouted, "Why should she go first? We are the victims, so we should be the ones to leave first! "
At this moment, the soldiers brought by the Minister of War had already retreated. The Warden's Office of the Five Cities was once again safe. Furthermore, Your Majesty had already intervened in this matter. Lord Zheng knew that he could only make the same choice as before and firmly stand by Your Majesty's side in the future.
Qin Huaiyuan was a mainstay of Your Majesty's faction. Naturally, he had to protect Qin Yining. Moreover, she was a girl.
Thinking of this, Lord Zheng's expression darkened. "Today's matter is already very clear. You all rode your horses first. There were countless witnesses. Do you still want to deny it? Miss Qin was in the carriage from beginning to end and never showed her face. If Miss Qin's servants were in the wrong, then Chief Steward Li had already taken them away just now. You people can't escape even if you rode your horses. Do you still want to deny it? "
Seeing that Lord Zheng had suddenly become unyielding, the second-generation masters were somewhat flustered.
Qin Yining glanced at Lord Zheng and naturally understood the reason for his sudden change in attitude. He smiled and said, "Many thanks, Lord Zheng. However, how can I be at ease now that my people have been brought into the palace? I believe that no matter what the result is, your yamen will definitely receive the news first. I hope that Lord Zheng will allow me to wait here with my people. "
When Lord Zheng heard this, he didn't feel that her request was overstepping his bounds.
Qin Yining's attitude was very sincere and she was wholeheartedly protecting her servants. Whether it was her etiquette or her intentions, they were all very admirable.
Thus, Lord Zheng didn't object. He smiled and said, "I'm just afraid that Miss Qin won't be used to it because this place is too crude."
"Of course not. Lord Zheng is too polite. "
The two exchanged a few pleasantries before Qin Yining returned to his seat.
The second-generation masters looked at each other in dismay. They thought to themselves that when Minister Cheng enters the palace and meets the Emperor, they'll see how your Family Qin people die.
As a result, the group of people chatted with great confidence and even casually asked for tea and snacks.
Seeing that this group of people didn't have any self-awareness, Lord Zheng was a bit annoyed. However, because of their status, he didn't want to offend them. He could only order people to prepare tea and snacks.
This wait lasted until the afternoon. There wasn't any news from the palace. Instead, the fathers of these second-generation masters personally came and dragged Lord Zheng out to plead with him, hoping that he could bring them back.
Lord Zheng's head was already hurting from all the noise from these second-generation masters. Thus, he went with the flow and agreed to their requests. However, he requested that these people couldn't leave the capital at will. They had to be at his beck and call.
As a result, Lord Zheng received a lot of gratitude.
Qin Yining watched as the court officials smiled and spoke to Lord Zheng. Then, as soon as they entered the room, their expressions immediately changed. Those with calm temperaments would tell them to leave with a sullen expression. Those with bad tempers would beat up their sons on the spot and take them away while cursing.
Some of them had a very distant and disdainful attitude when they entered the room. There were also some who greeted her politely.
Qin Yining secretly noted down these people's behavior. She could analyze who was on the side of the emperor and who was on the other side.
As for those second-generation masters who were taken away by their fathers and grandfathers, Qin Yining could already guess that they would be punished when they returned home.
After all, the situation in the imperial court was very tense.
As court officials, they had to stand on the right side in order to have a good future.
These fathers had schemed and chosen either the side of the emperor or the side of the old officials and aristocratic families. However, no matter what choice they made, it was the result of careful consideration.
Unexpectedly, before the situation had matured, their choice of sides and arrangements had been broken by the son of the Bai Family.
Qin Yining couldn't help but laugh. Her gloomy mood had finally been amused by these people.
Qin Yining had Bing Tang take Lian Xiaozhou home first.
"Go back and explain to Old Madam and Mother. There's no need to be too detailed. Just say that I have some matters to attend to at the yamen and I'm not sure when I'll be back. Ask them not to worry. If Mother asks about the details, be careful not to say too much. Otherwise, I'm afraid that the guards at home won't be able to do anything in front of Mother in the future. "
Qin Yining knew her mother's temperament very well. She was afraid that the Sun Clan would be eager to protect their daughter and would make things difficult for the secret agents and Cao Yuqing who stayed at home.
Bing Tang also knew that Qin Yining had important matters to attend to and that it would be inconvenient to take her and Lian Xiaozhou with him. Thus, she nodded and left first.
Qin Yining was left with Ji Yun, Young Man, and the other two to accompany him.
While waiting, Zheng Daren didn't neglect and ordered people to send food and drinks. It was already past xu, but there was no news from the palace. Qin Yining also didn't have any intention of leaving. He even specially prepared a guest room for Qin Yining for her to stay for the night.
Qin Yining was worried about how the palace would deal with her, so how could she sleep? She thanked Zheng Daren, but still waited in the same place.
Zheng Daren admired this young woman's loyalty even more. He didn't force her and just let Qin Yining do as she wished.
As for Young Man and the other two, they were now even more loyal to Qin Yining than before.
It could be said that in the past, they were tied together by benefits and money, and they were forced to serve as bodyguards. But now, they weren't tied together by money, but by their feelings. As bodyguards, wasn't it the same no matter who they worked for? To be able to meet a master who treated them as human beings and cared about their safety was their fortune.
Qin Yining waited there for the whole night. During this time, she was extremely tired, but she just closed her eyes and took a short nap.
Just like that, when the sun was high in the sky the next day, news finally came from the palace.
Zheng Daren entered with a smile and cupped his hands, saying, "Congratulations, congratulations. Your Majesty has made a wise decision. This matter has nothing to do with Miss Qin. It was a servant who offended his superiors and injured Minister Cheng's son. Your Majesty will only punish that bodyguard of yours to be beheaded and won't pursue the rest. He also won't allow Minister Cheng to pursue the matter. Miss Qin, you are safe now. "
With every sentence that Zheng Daren said, Qin Yining's heart became colder. In the end, she felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave.
Jing Zhe was going to be beheaded!
Fatuous ruler! Fatuous ruler!
Qin Yining was roaring in her heart, but on the surface, she tried her best to restrain herself from saying anything unpleasant. Instead, she forced herself to calm down and asked, "Zheng Daren, you said that my bodyguard was sentenced to be beheaded by Your Majesty?"
"That's right. He's just a servant. Miss, you don't have to take it to heart. " Mr. Zheng admired Qin Yining's loyalty, so he didn't mind saying, "The current situation is the result of the balance between all the forces. It's a good thing for Miss Qin's father to keep the balance by losing only one servant."
Qin Yining obviously knew that Zheng Daren's words were correct.
But how could she swallow this anger? How could she tolerate the fact that her own stability was built on someone else's sacrifice?
She knew that people were divided into different classes, high and low, but her experience growing up made her never look down on any servants. Servants were also people, and they were also born and raised by their parents. How could her life be more precious than other people's?
Qin Yining had stayed up all night, so her face was deathly pale and her eyes were dark. Coupled with the thunderbolt from the blue, her vision darkened even more. For a moment, her mind was in a mess. She wanted to save Jing Zhe, but she couldn't think of a way.
Just as Zheng Daren was asking with concern, someone came in and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, Minister Qin from the Ministry of Rites is here."
"Quickly invite him in."
Zheng Daren immediately went out to welcome him.
Qin Huaiyuan was still wearing his official robes from yesterday's morning court. He looked very tired, and it seemed that he didn't sleep well either.
Qin Yining bowed to Qin Huaiyuan.
Qin Huaiyuan smiled and said, "Sister Yi, come back with your father."
Qin Yining's lips trembled. Just as she was about to speak, Qin Huaiyuan said, "You've been out all night, so you should go back and rest." Then he turned to Zheng Daren and said, "Brother Zheng, I'm sorry for disturbing you. I'll have to trouble you to take care of my daughter."
"Don't mention it. We're all on the same side." Zheng Daren smiled politely.
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.
