"I know you dote on your daughter." Old madam smiled, "I was just thinking about Sister Yi. Now that there are two less people in the house, I wanted to order people to choose a good one from Ci Xiao Garden for Sister Yi. Now that you have a plan, it's perfect. "
Qin Yining ignored Qin Huining's gaze that seemed to want to eat him and happily saluted, "Thank you, old madam. Thank you, father."
Even though she resisted in her heart.
She wanted to turn Snow Pear Courtyard into an impregnable iron bucket. How could there be more people by her side?
However, her father gave her face, so she couldn't not appreciate his kindness. Since they were here, she could settle them in any way she wanted. There was no need to make her father unhappy.
Nowadays, Qin Huaiyuan was in high spirits because of happy events. Everything was pleasing to his eyes. Seeing Qin Yining happily thanking him, for the first time in many years, he experienced the satisfaction of a father giving to his children. His mood became more and more cheerful.
After chatting for a while, seeing that the auspicious time had arrived, everyone went to kowtow and offer incense to the old ancestor according to their status and seniority.
Qin Yining naturally lined up with the girls. The girls knelt in two rows, held incense with both hands, and respectfully kowtowed to the ancestral tablets. After offering incense in turn, they left.
After all the ceremonies ended, the men all went to the outer courtyard.
Old madam said, "You all go back. First Master wants to hold a banquet to thank his colleagues. You all be careful and don't offend the distinguished guests."
The girls answered in unison, "Yes."
Second Madam thought for a while and smiled, "Eldest Uncle is now the Grand Preceptor of the Crown Prince. His Highness the Crown Prince will also be present at the banquet, right?"
Old madam smiled and shook her head, "The Crown Prince's banquet will be held three days later. The Crown Prince will personally visit the Grand Preceptor. At that time, we will still be busy."
"The Crown Prince will visit?!" Third Madam smiled and clapped her hands, "Oh my! That's such a great honor! It's all thanks to Uncle that our family is able to enjoy such glory. "
Old madam was overjoyed by her words, and a few more wrinkles appeared on her face because of her smile.
Second Madam also put her arm around Qin Yining's shoulder and said, "That's why I said that our Sister Yi is a little lucky star. After she came home, good things happened one after another."
All the sisters laughed along with her.
Qin Huining clenched his fists tightly. What did he mean by that? Was it because she was the daughter of the first wife that her father didn't become the Grand Preceptor?
Old madam nodded in agreement. She put her palms together and bowed in the direction of the ancestral hall. She said, "I have also noticed that ever since Sister Yi came back, Eldest Brother's official career has been smoother. Thanks to the ancestors' blessing, our family's lost flesh and blood has been found. It is like looking for a needle in a haystack."
Second Old Madam and Third Old Madam imitated old madam's actions and sincerely bowed three times.
Third Madam smiled and said, "Alright, there are many things to do in the manor today. Let's disperse and return to the courtyard. Mother, Second Sister-in-law and I will send you back."
Old Madam nodded.
Nanny Qin had already asked a sturdy older female servant to carry a small sedan chair over. She helped old madam get on the sedan chair and sit down. Second Furen and Third Furen followed along with their maidservants and left the ancestral hall first.
Seeing that the elders had left, the girls went all the way to the inner residence.
Third Young Miss and Eighth Young Miss had always been close to Qin Yining. Along the way, they chatted and laughed as usual. Seventh Young Miss wasn't familiar with Qin Yining, but it could be seen that she was more respectful and warm than before.
Qin Huining and Sixth Young Miss walked behind them. Seeing them surrounding Qin Yining like stars surrounding the moon, they couldn't help but feel sour in their hearts.
Sixth Young Miss sneered and said, "So what if her status is noble? If the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked. Your personal maidservant is a thief. This time, you can't blame it on Eldest Aunt, right? Now, she has been by your side for a long time. "
The originally joyous atmosphere was broken by Sixth Young Miss's words.
Qin Huining pulled Sixth Young Miss's arm and shook it, "Shuang Jie 'er, don't say these things. Let's go back quickly." As she spoke, she looked timidly in Qin Yining's direction, as if she was afraid of being bullied.
When Sixth Young Miss saw Qin Huining like this, she instantly imagined many scenes of Qin Yining bullying Qin Huining. She felt more and more injustice for Qin Huining.
"Don't be afraid. There will always be people who don't curry favor with those in power. You still have me!"
Qin Huining held Sixth Young Miss's hand with gratitude. Her eyes rippled as if she was about to cry.
Qin Yining, Third Young Miss, Seventh Young Miss, and Eighth Young Miss looked at each other. The four of them tacitly led their people forward quickly.
When Qin Huining and Sixth Young Miss looked forward again, they had already walked ten steps away.
Sixth Young Miss flew into a rage, "How dare she ignore me!"
Qin Yining said to Third Young Miss from the front, "Let them do what they want. Do you want to lower yourself to quarrel with them?"
Third Young Miss nodded in agreement, "Eldest Uncle is holding a banquet today. It's better to avoid unnecessary trouble. Fourth Young Miss, don't take it to heart. Living a peaceful life is the most important thing."
Qin Yining teased Third Young Miss, "That's why I say Third Young Miss is the most virtuous one. In the future, the Count of Jian 'an's Estate will be blessed."
Third Young Miss's face flushed red. She pinched Qin Yining's face and said, "Don't laugh at me. I'm the third and you're the fourth. You're the next. Now that Eldest Uncle is the Grand Tutor, your husband's family must be rich and noble. You still have the time to laugh at me. "
Seventh Young Miss and Eighth Young Miss also laughed.
Eighth Young Miss said, "Third Young Miss is right. I've also heard people speculate that Fourth Young Miss will be the Crown Princess in the future."
Seventh Young Miss also nodded, "That's right. With your family's background, you'll be well-matched to be the Crown Princess. I've heard that the Crown Prince is cultured and refined. He's an extremely refined person and is skilled in calligraphy and painting. His attainments in calligraphy and painting have already reached the pinnacle. Although there's a concubine in the fu, a concubine is still a concubine. In the future, the Crown Prince will inherit the throne. The Crown Princess will be the Empress. "
"Aiyo, you're really getting more and more ridiculous. His Majesty's health is good. Look at what you're saying." Qin Yining tickled Seventh Young Miss, "I should've told Nurse Zhan what you said. See if Nurse Zhan will hit you."
Third Young Miss, Seventh Young Miss, and Eighth Young Miss's hearts trembled when they heard the first half of Qin Yining's words. They inwardly thought that they had misspoken. If word got out, it would be very disrespectful.
However, the second half of their words were mischievous and intended to change the topic. Seventh Young Miss and Qin Yining laughed and joked around. She secretly sighed at Qin Yining's deep and quick-witted thinking. Psychologically, she became closer to Qin Yining.
When they reached the fork in the road, Qin Yining bid farewell to them and returned to Snow Pear Courtyard.
Everything in Snow Pear Courtyard was the same as before, except for the absence of Ruilan.
After visiting Nurse Zhan, Qin Yining returned to his room to rest.
Qiu Lu and Liu Ya served him by his side. Qiu Lu was as usual, but Liu Ya was a little unhappy.
Liu Ya originally wanted to be promoted as a third-ranked servant girl by her young miss's side. Now, the two second-ranked servants above her had left. If they really knew how to do things, they should've immediately promoted the servants around them. Who would've thought that her young miss, who was grounded and didn't say anything, would be snatched away by the people in the outer courtyard's study room.
Moreover, Yao Qin and Yu Qi were both first-ranked servants. They were even higher ranked than Ruilan and Yu Xiang!
Liu Ya felt angry. If this continued, how long would it take for her to rise above others?
Qin Yining played with his teacup and looked as if he was in a daze while staring at the lattice window. However, he clearly saw Liu Ya's slightly dissatisfied expression.
She didn't understand what was wrong with Liu Ya, but she didn't want to see the person beside her with a black face. Thus, she said, "Liu Ya, go and rest first. Qiu Lu, stay. "
Liu Ya's heart was filled with resentment. There was no one beside her, but her young miss still refused to use her.
There was no need to pull her! She was more than willing to rest! Anyway, they were all third-ranked servants. She wouldn't receive an extra monthly salary even if she did more work!
Liu Ya bowed and turned to leave.
When only Qin Yining and Qiu Lu were left in the room, Qiu Lu said, "Young Miss, don't lower yourself to her level."
"I don't care. I just don't know what happened to her. What happened these days?"
Qiu Lu shook her head, "Other than Sister Ruilan's incident, nothing else happened. Young Miss, how is Sister Ruilan now? Everyone said that she was beaten to death. You weren't at home, and we were grounded. Although Nanny Zhan could move around, I didn't dare to ask. "
Qin Yining laughed and held Qiu Lu's hand, "Don't worry. Ruilan is now recuperating at the Cloud Stepping Inn with Miss Tang. I still have something I want to do. Perhaps I'll need your help. "
Qiu Lu's expression turned serious and said, "Young Miss, please tell me what you need. I'll do my best to help."
"I'm not sure yet. I'm just guessing. Today, my father is holding a banquet with his colleagues. I think there will be people who are upright. Now that I've taken Miss Tang in, they will definitely know. With their concern for Miss Tang, they will definitely take action. I want to make use of this matter … "Qin Yining whispered a few words into Qiu Lu's ear.
Qiu Lu widened her eyes in surprise, "Young Miss, is this alright?"
"What's wrong with it? I don't harm innocent people, but those who have bad intentions won't be able to escape. "
Just as she finished speaking, Liu Ya's voice came from outside, "Young Miss, someone is here to give you a gift."
Qiu Lu's eyes widened even more, "Young Miss, your guess is too accurate!"
What Qin Yining said just now was that someone would definitely give her a gift today.
Qin Yining smiled and asked Qiu Lu to help Liu Ya receive the gift.
The gift was a scroll of painting. Qin Yining unfolded the painting and was stunned when she saw it.
Wasn't this painting the 'Painting of the Eight Horses' hanging in Prince Ning's residence? Laying the painting flat on the square table, Qin Yining's fingertips brushed across the painting and finally landed on the bottom left corner of the painting.
When she saw this painting at Prince Ning's residence that day, there was no signature on it.
But now, there was a signature and stamp on the painting. The words "Layman Qing Yan" were written on it.
Anyone with a bit of common sense would know the name of Layman Qing Yan. In the past, Qin Yining didn't know about it, but Nanny Zhan had told her about it.
The Crown Prince was obsessed with calligraphy and was a famous master of calligraphy and painting. 'Layman Qing Yan' was the name that the Crown Prince used to sign off on his paintings. It was derived from the meaning of 'during the Qing Hai banquet, the peace of the four seas'.
This painting was actually done by the Crown Prince!?
Liu Ya smiled and said, "Young Miss, the person from Prince Ning's residence who came to deliver the painting is still waiting in the outer courtyard. He said that Prince Ning has something to say to you."
Qin Yining was stunned and quickly nodded, "I understand. Qiu Lu, accompany me. "
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