Qin Yining was actually very nervous. She wasn't sure about her father's attitude towards the Duke Ding's matter.
Her father was a calm, reserved, and resourceful official. This kind of person was definitely not a soft-hearted person.
She must save the Sun family's womenfolk.
She wasn't afraid of Dowager Duchess' opposition because no matter how much Dowager Duchess opposed it, she wouldn't be able to obstruct her actions.
But her father was different.
If her father was determined to oppose her, he would definitely have a way to control her actions.
She nervously followed Qi Tai to the outer courtyard's study. As soon as she entered the courtyard, she saw two beautiful maidservants wearing light blue fine cotton coats waiting in the corridor. They were Mo Xiang and Danqing.
When they saw Qin Yining, the two of them curtsied. One entered the room to pass the message while the other came to greet her.
"Greetings, Fourth Miss. Master ordered us to wait here for you."
"Thank you, Sister Danqing."
Danqing carefully lifted the dark green bamboo curtain for Qin Yining. Qin Yining nodded and smiled before entering the study.
Qin Huaiyuan was wearing a light gray Taoist robe and a dark blue brocade jacket with a gray mouse fur collar draped over his shoulders. He was sitting cross-legged on the black arhat bed next to the window, reading a book.
"You're back? Come and sit down. "Qin Huaiyuan flipped a page of the book.
Qin Yining first performed a thorough etiquette before sitting down on the other side of the arhat bed. She took the tea that Mo Xiang brought and placed it on the small table beside her.
The maidservants all retreated.
Qin Huaiyuan was still reading. He was multitasking and asked, "What did you do today? Tell me. "
Although Qin Yining was already mentally prepared, her heart still couldn't help but skip a beat. She hurriedly got up and bowed her head as she replied, "Father, I heard that Eldest Uncle and Second Uncle had returned today. I was going to pay my respects to them. I didn't expect that when I arrived at the gate of the Duke's Mansion with Mother, I would encounter the confiscation of property."
"Yes." Qin Huaiyuan gently put the book button on the small table. The cover was written with the words "Zuo Zhuan".
"Cao Guozhang took people to search the house and announced that all the men of the Sun family, regardless of their age, would be beheaded, the women would be escorted to the Jiaotong, and the servants would be sold in three days. The onlookers were in an uproar, and Cao Guozhang even ordered people to kill a commoner on the spot to stop the discussion."
Qin Huaiyuan asked, "And then?"
"Later, Cao Guozhang gave the order to take them away. Grandfather, grandmother, uncle, aunt, cousin, and cousin-in-law were separated forever. The scene was very … Mother cried sadly. We were seen by Cao Guo Zhang. " Although Qin Yining avoided the important and dwelling on the trivial, he had no choice but to tell his father that Cao Guo Zhang had discovered them. If anything happened, he would be mentally prepared.
Qin Huaiyuan pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "What about you? You didn't do anything after that? "
Qin Huaiyuan's voice was low and gentle, as if there was a smile in it, but Qin Yining clearly felt a chill run down his spine. He hurriedly knelt down and saluted.
"Father, please calm down. At that time, Fifth Cousin and Fifth Cousin-in-law were a young couple, and they didn't want to separate. The scene was really pitiful. When the soldiers tore at each other, Fifth Cousin-in-law was pushed and fell, which affected the baby. Father, you also know that the Sun family was wronged. I really couldn't watch Fifth Cousin-in-law lose her life like that. Therefore, I immediately ordered people to use my connections to save Fifth Cousin-in-law's life. Fortunately, Fifth Cousin-in-law gave birth to a baby girl … "
Qin Yining quickly glanced at Qin Huaiyuan, but Qin Huaiyuan's expression was the same from beginning to end, making people unable to see whether he was happy or angry.
Qin Yining had to continue speaking sincerely, "As for the matter of renting the house, I don't think there's any harm in it. Since the emperor has decreed that the Sun family's convicts should enter the Jiaofu as slaves or maids, what he's waiting for is the rental of Zhao Yun Agency. There's no other family in the imperial court that has the right to enter the Jiaofu, right? Unless … unless the emperor is so negligent that he doesn't know that Zhao Yun Agency has already been given to me. "
The emperor really doesn't know.
It's estimated that the emperor is already regretting it. When he confiscated the Duke Dingguo's Estate, he must have been thinking about the business of Zhao Yun Agency.
Qin Huaiyuan coughed, then said softly, "Impudent."
Although his voice wasn't loud, the majesty in his words wasn't lacking.
Qin Yining hurriedly kowtowed, "Yes. Daughter knows her mistake, I shouldn't talk about the emperor behind his back. "
Qin Huaiyuan was amused by her appearance, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. He forced himself not to let the corners of his mouth curl up, "Are you saying that it's wrong to only talk about the emperor?"
Qin Yining pursed her lips. When she raised her head, her clear eyes were like a clear spring. She looked at Qin Huaiyuan with confusion.
"I didn't disobey the emperor's decree, nor did I do anything excessive. The emperor rules the world with benevolence and filial piety. Even if Duke Dingguo is guilty, there's no reason to ignore the matter of a convict giving birth to a child. I think that even if I don't do anything, the emperor will send someone to save fifth cousin-in-law when he knows. What's more, I'm the owner of Zhao Yun Agency. There's a new convict in the Jiaofu, and my Zhao Yun Agency is short of manpower. There's nothing wrong with renting her. Isn't the rule of renting people in Zhao Yun Agency set by the royal family? "
"You little girl!" Qin Huaiyuan picked up Zuo Zhuan and gently patted Qin Yining's forehead, "The reason is all yours."
It didn't hurt at all.
There was a touch of doting in it.
Qin Yining touched her forehead. When she looked at Qin Huaiyuan again, the admiration in her eyes almost turned into a hot spring and soaked Qin Huaiyuan in it.
Qin Huaiyuan felt warm in his heart and said, "Get up. Danqing just ordered people to prepare osmanthus sugar cake. Have some with me."
Qin Yining was not picky about food. She liked to eat everything. But osmanthus sugar cake was her favorite.
She didn't expect her father to know. And he even considered that she was busy today and didn't have time to eat.
Qin Yining was very moved. She smiled and said yes. Then she got up and sat in the seat just now.
Danqing and Moxiang came in with all kinds of pastries and gently put them on the small table.
Qin Huaiyuan first picked up a piece of osmanthus sugar cake.
Seeing this, Qin Yining also picked up a piece and took a bite.
It was fragrant and soft, but not overly sweet. The sweet and delicious taste made her feel much better after a day of tenseness. She couldn't help but feel hungry. She ate four pieces in a row and drank a cup of tea. Only then did she feel a little better.
When she looked up, she saw that Qin Huaiyuan was just holding the piece of cake. He didn't eat it. Instead, he smiled and watched her eat.
Qin Yining immediately understood that Qin Huaiyuan was afraid that if he didn't eat, she wouldn't dare to eat either. That was why he picked up a piece for show.
"Father." Qin Yining was moved and called out to him.
The girl's bright and clear almond-shaped eyes were moist. His heart couldn't help but soften when he looked at her. Her charming appearance was familiar. She was so similar to himself when he saw himself in the mirror when he was young. Such an intelligent and lovely child was the only bloodline he could possibly have in this lifetime. She was the only continuation of his life.
Qin Huaiyuan couldn't help but pat her head. Her eyes were full of surprise and joy. She even instinctively rubbed against his palm like a small animal. Qin Huaiyuan couldn't help but laugh.
So there was this kind of joy in taking care of a child.
His daughter was already 14 years old when she came home. She was at an age where marriage could be discussed.
However, in Qin Huaiyuan's eyes, she was just a smart and cunning child.
If the world was peaceful, Qin Huaiyuan wouldn't mind his daughter causing trouble. If his daughter was naughty and got into trouble outside, she would come home crying to him. He could use his ability to help her solve her problems. Then, he would receive her adoration and admiration. How wonderful would that be?
Unfortunately, she was born at the wrong time.
"Are you full?" Qin Huaiyuan asked when he saw that Qin Yining wasn't eating.
Qin Yining nodded. Her cheeks were red.
Qin Huaiyuan said solemnly, "Although what you've done today is impeccable in terms of morality and reason, you've forgotten what kind of situation you're in right now."
Qin Yining lowered her head and said honestly, "Father, I didn't forget. It's just that … "
"It's just that you wanted to do it, so you did it?"
"Yes." Qin Yining nodded and said, "I just didn't want to do something that went against my conscience. I didn't want to live in regret and guilt for the rest of my life. I know I was taking a risk, but I believe that His Majesty is also a person who cherishes his reputation. Even if he wants to find fault with us, he will find an honorable reason to let himself stand on the moral high ground. I thought about it and felt that there was nothing wrong with it. That's why I took action. It's not that I didn't consider our family's situation. "
Qin Yining glanced at Qin Huaiyuan. Seeing that his expression remained the same, she continued, "Moreover, I am Father's daughter. Father is now the Grand Preceptor of the Crown Prince. If something happened to my maternal grandmother's family and I didn't do anything when I clearly had the ability to save Fifth Cousin-In-Law, how would the world talk about our family? How would they talk about Father? Wouldn't we become ingrates who are greedy for life and afraid of death? Daughter doesn't want Father's reputation, which has been pure for his entire life, to be tainted because of a moment of fear. "
Qin Huaiyuan was silent for a moment. He didn't say anything. He didn't reprimand Qin Yining, nor did he blame her for her mistakes. After a while, he finally said, "What do you plan to do next?"
Qin Yining saw that Qin Huaiyuan didn't object. Her hanging heart finally relaxed. In her heart, she was even more certain of her father's character and worshipped him.
She knew that if Qin Huaiyuan didn't want her to save Fifth Cousin-In-Law, he had ten thousand ways to erase what she had done so that no one would be able to use it against them.
Since her father didn't stop her, it meant that he tacitly approved of her actions and would help her deal with the aftermath.
However, there were some things that she could do, but Qin Huaiyuan's position wasn't convenient for him to do.
Qin Yining was somewhat excited. Her mind was also active. After thinking for a while, she said, "Replying to Father, the next most important thing is Mother. Then there is the execution in three days. If the Emperor doesn't give orders, the people who are executed in this dynasty will be thrown into a mass grave. He didn't say that people can't help collect the corpses."
Upon hearing this, Qin Huaiyuan said, "I thought you would ask me to beg the Emperor for mercy and let go of the male members of your maternal grandfather's family."
Qin Yining smiled bitterly and said, "It's easy for me to beg you, but it won't be easy for you to beg the Emperor."
The Emperor was frightened by Da Zhou's letter of credence. He must find a way to appease Da Zhou's anger. The Sun family was unlucky enough to bump into the knife's edge. The Emperor had already made up his mind to cut them down.
When a person was afraid, one side of the scale was their own life and the other side was other people's lives. Naturally, they would choose to protect themselves. Even if Qin Huaiyuan went and talked until his mouth was broken, it would be useless. He might even get himself into trouble. If he didn't handle it well, he might even harm his entire Family Qin.
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