Though it wasn’t yet time for the evening curfew, the mansion was already brightly lit with palace lanterns hanging high, making the shadowy areas appear even darker.
The servants outside the second gate had all gathered at the entrance upon hearing the news. The men were indeed stronger than Qin Yining, and house guards who had rushed over after receiving word were also present.
However, Qin Yining was Qin Huaiyuan’s legitimate daughter and a proper mistress of the household. Even with a hundred times more courage, these people wouldn’t dare lay a hand on the young miss. They could only surround Qin Yining without daring to move.
Qin Yining’s eyebrows were now arched in anger, her cherry lips tightly pressed together. Having just fought with the maids and old women, her hair ornaments were now loose and disheveled, sweat streaming down. If she wasted time with these people, and more pursuers came from the inner quarters, she feared she wouldn’t have the advantage.
“Move aside! Otherwise I’ll tell Father that you intended to show me disrespect!”
“Fourth Miss, we too are following orders. The Grand Old Madam said you mustn’t go out,” the guard said with a pained expression.
Qin Yining’s expression softened slightly, but her voice remained stern: “How dare you meddle in affairs between masters? Aren’t you afraid of implicating your families? Stand aside. I will explain to my father myself. The Grand Old Madam is advanced in years and is only suited to managing inner quarter affairs. She can’t manage outside matters. Moreover, who is the head of this household—don’t you know?”
Everyone looked at each other, finally stepping aside hesitantly to create a path for Qin Yining.
Qin Yining seized the moment, lifted her skirts, and quickly ran out.
Only then did the maids and old women from the inner quarters reach the gate in scattered groups, some gasping and leaning against walls, others with hands on their hips breathing heavily, pointing in Qin Yining’s direction with parched throats, unable to utter a word for a long while.
This Fourth Miss was far too good at running. Without seeming to exert much effort, she had left them far behind with each step.
Now that she had completely disappeared from sight, the group of outer courtyard servants still stood there stupidly. The maids and old women were also at a loss and could only return to report to the Grand Old Madam.
When the Grand Old Madam heard that Qin Yining had actually broken out, she flew into such a rage that she smashed an entire set of blue and white porcelain tea service, leaving not a single piece intact.
While the Grand Old Madam was throwing her tantrum, Qin Yining had already reached outside the mansion and saw Manager Zhong, Bingtang, and Song Lan by a carriage at the street corner, craning their necks to peer toward the mansion gates.
Seeing Qin Yining emerge, they quickly waved to her. Bingtang even lifted her skirts and ran over, supporting Qin Yining as she said, “Miss, are you alright? Thank goodness Song Lan jie came to call me. We two slipped out while no one was paying attention. We just saw many people rushing toward the second gate and were worried Miss wouldn’t be able to break out.”
“Don’t worry, they wouldn’t dare lay a finger on me.”
As they spoke, Qin Yining had reached the carriage.
“Manager Zhong, let’s get in the carriage first and talk as we go.”
“Yes.”
Qin Yining smiled gratefully at Manager Zhong, having Bingtang and Song Lan sit outside with the driver while keeping Manager Zhong inside the carriage to talk.
The carriage then raced swiftly toward the imperial palace.
Inside the carriage, Manager Zhong was still somewhat reserved.
Qin Yining smiled and said, “Manager Zhong is an elder, so I’ll take the liberty of speaking freely with you.”
The word “elder” awakened Manager Zhong to the situation.
By age, they could be grandfather and granddaughter, and moreover, they were master and servant—no one could find fault with this.
Manager Zhong relaxed and said seriously, “I’ve already had people investigate the palace affairs. It’s true that your household’s First Madam directly confronted Her Majesty the Empress and was sentenced to death in the Empress’s rage. The execution hasn’t been carried out yet—she should be imprisoned somewhere, awaiting His Majesty’s decision.”
Qin Yining frowned: “This truly happened?”
“Does Master have doubts about this matter?”
“I was indeed suspicious at first. No matter how confused His Majesty might be, he still cares about face. My father just returned successfully from peace negotiations—how could he turn around and kill the wife of a meritorious subject?”
Manager Zhong shook his head and said in a low voice, “Our Emperor’s actions have never been predictable by normal standards.”
For self-preservation, the Emperor had already abandoned all shame. Had he done few things to harm loyal subjects?
Qin Yining’s brow furrowed so deeply it could crack walnuts. She said anxiously, “Manager Zhong, do we have any way to save my mother’s life? Do we have connections in the palace?”
“Master need only give orders. Whatever is within my capability, this old man won’t refuse. Moreover, Zhaoyun Company’s connections are Master’s connections.” Manager Zhong smiled at this point. “Before coming, upon hearing of the palace affairs, I guessed Master wouldn’t stand by idly and would certainly think of ways to rescue Madam. Therefore, I’ve already arranged for people to bribe the guards at the gates. When the time comes, we’ll get eunuch clothing and find a way to sneak in and steal the First Madam out.”
Looking at Manager Zhong’s wrinkled but kindly and sincere smiling face, Qin Yining felt her nose sting and tears nearly fell.
Manager Zhong was an outsider, yet he could risk his own safety to help her because of her past small favor.
The Grand Old Madam had lived with Mother for nearly thirty years, yet remained so cold-hearted.
The coldness in that mansion had exceeded Qin Yining’s imagination. With this comparison, she could see even more clearly who was close and who was distant, who could be relied upon.
Though the carriage was cramped, Qin Yining still bowed to Manager Zhong: “Great kindness needs no words of thanks.”
“Master must not do this!” Manager Zhong quickly helped her up, saying, “If not for Master back then, our family would probably have been retaliated against by those ‘Pure Stream’ people long ago, tormented to the point of family destruction. This old man might already have grass a foot high growing on his grave—how could I be sitting here talking with you? Not repaying kindness is not this old man’s way. Master must never be so formal with me again.”
Qin Yining used her sleeve to dab the tears at the corners of her eyes, saying, “Alright, I won’t mention it again in the future.”
“What does Master plan to do after rescuing the person?”
“If someone goes missing from the palace, there will certainly be a thorough investigation. I can only arrange for my mother to escape. As for me, I cannot leave. At that time, a separation will be inevitable.” Qin Yining felt somewhat downcast, but immediately rallied her spirits. “However, no matter what, as long as there’s life, there will be days to meet again.”
Manager Zhong nodded upon hearing this, greatly admiring Qin Yining’s character of never abandoning others in times of crisis and her resilient spirit.
While they spoke, the carriage had reached “Guilin Tower,” the establishment under Zhaoyun Company closest to the imperial palace.
At this hour, Guilin Tower still had many diners. Qin Yining didn’t dare show herself in public, so she went to the back courtyard to wait for news temporarily.
Who would have thought that before long, Manager Zhong returned with an even more grave expression, bringing an even more despairing piece of news.
“Master, our people just discovered that shortly after you left the Qin mansion, people from the palace came again with a message. The First Madam’s matter has escalated. The sentence has changed from death by poisoned wine to public execution by beheading outside the Meridian Gate tomorrow at noon.”
Upon hearing this, Qin Yining’s mind thundered. The white porcelain blue-flowered covered bowl dropped from her jade-white hands, landing on her legs and splashing hot tea all over them before falling to the ground with a sharp shattering sound.
“Miss!” Bingtang and Song Lan quickly came forward to check her skirts, fearing she might be scalded.
Fortunately, it was winter and she was wearing thick clothing; otherwise, this bowl of hot tea would have caused burns.