Return of the Swallow

directly or even told your grandmother.
Why catch the crown prince’s attention with it? Aren’t you afraid that you could’ve wrecked your father’s career?”

Qin Yining could tell that her father was half serious and half joking, and the old dowager’s brow indeed furrowed when Qin Huaiyuan’s career was mentioned.
But, the girl’s voice was as serene as ever, without a hint of nervousness.
“I did indeed think of that.
But, I don’t believe father’s career would’ve been impacted.
The crown prince’s personality is gentle, and he’s deeply vested in painting.
Although he has the desire to rule shrewdly, he lacks the talent to do so successfully.
But father happens to possess what he needs.
Father has strong political acumen and is decisive in his matters.
You also have a keen eye for sizing up the situation.
The crown prince will make frequent use of father’s wit and power in the future.
So therefore whether it’s consideration of his personality or his future, the crown prince won’t pay heed to the little matters of girls.
Not to mention, this was father’s first lesson to him.”

“What lesson?” asked Qin Huaiyuan.

Qin Yining smiled brilliantly.
“You taught the crown prince what it is to be benevolent.”

Qin Huaiyuan threw his head back and laughed loudly.
His daughter had used the crown prince’s presence to secure her father’s reaction, knowing full well that her father would never give orders to kill in front of the crown prince as he wished to set an example.
This had actually ensured the two maids’ safely beyond doubt, and had also given her the basis for this flowery speech.
Despite being played so masterfully, he found it difficult to get his laughter back under control and clapped Qin Yining’s shoulder.
“Daughter Yi’s ability to flawlessly offer compliments has reached new heights!”

The old dowager started smiling as well when she saw how happy her son was.
It was a rare occasion in recent times that Qin Huaiyuan had the opportunity to laugh so happily.
As she carefully considered her granddaughter’s words, the matriarch discovered to her very great surprise that Qin Yining had already considered all the consequences when she took action.
Her actions had been exceedingly precise, steering everyone in the plan away from the wrong path.
She’s the daughter of my precious firstborn son alright! The old dowager put an arm around her granddaughter and tapped her nose.
“You little rascal! You were the one up to no good, and yet you were able to come up with this boatload of justification! I’ll let it go this time since granddaughter Hui was at fault first.
But you aren’t allowed to do anything like this in the future!”

“Grandmother speaks truly, and your granddaughter will remember this well.” She naturally wouldn’t scheme and plot against innocents.
She just hadn’t been able to keep enduring the bullying this time.

Qin Huaiyuan felt his bottled up, dejected feelings disperse after a good laugh.
Having gained an understanding of Qin Yining’s abilities, he had to reconsider his thoughts on her future.
He hadn’t been so naive to allow a foolish girl to marry into a place where schemes and deception abounded, because even the most illustrious of backgrounds wouldn’t guarantee her happiness.
She might even lose her life in such a snake’s pit.
But a daughter that was this smart and skilled at reading the situation… someone of that caliber had to be placed in a position of importance.

“Mother, it’s been a tiring day, make sure to rest early.
Your son and daughter-in-law will be taking our leave now and will come see you on the morrow.” Qin Huaiyuan rose to his feet.
Beside him, née Sun was still immersed in the shock of the earlier revelation.
She abruptly came to her senses when she saw Qin Huaiyuan rise and bow.

The old dowager knew that her son would have to spend a great deal of effort explaining matters to née Sun when she saw the stunned look on the latter’s face.
She sighed and spread out her hands.
“You may go.”

Qin Yining smiled up at the old dowager after her parents left.
“The servants must be just about done moving.
Your granddaughter will take her leave as well.”

That took care of the last of the old dowager’s guests, which would finally allow the old dowager to rest.
The matriarch nodded and dismissed Qin Yining.
Qin-mama stepped forward, helping her mistress lie down with a smile.
“Now there’s nothing to worry about, right?’

The old dowager lay back and sighed at the picture of the five fortunes holding peaches on the roof of the bed.
“There’s always a good one and a not so good one in a family.
The two will tug and pull at each other.
It’s this way in the main branch, but also in the second, and third branch as well.
But I’ve gotten old… and don’t have the strength to look after everything all at once.”

“Oh how are you old, mistress! This servant still wants to serve by your side for another fifty years.”

“Fifty years? Then we’ll all be old spirits!” The old dowager broke into laughter.
“Speaking of moving, how is granddaughter Hui?”

Qin-mama thought for a moment and replied strategically, “Miss Huining is alright.
She just feels like a great injustice has been done to her, so she’s probably still crying in Snowpear Courtyard.
However, everything has been arranged for properly.
I’ve appointed Wife Ge to be the overseer mama.
I’ve also selected your Fugui and Caiyun as her head maids.
The newly bought maids will arrive tomorrow, and I’ll select the best of the lot for Miss Huining.”

The old dowager nodded.
“Wife Ge knows her place.
I hope she’ll be able to speak some sense into darling Hui.
I’ve always thought that my darling was a mature one, so how is she now… ai!”

Qin-mama comforted her mistress a bit longer with a smile and tucked her in.

Meanwhile, Qin Yining had already arrived at Venerable Study Hall with her people.
She’d also invited Zhan-mama to move over as well.
The palace mama had gotten a good idea of all the Qin misses over these days and knew that Qin Huining was an unstable element.
There would certainly be much happening in Snowpear Courtyard, so she accepted happily when Qin Yining extended her invitation.

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