"My grandmother is gravely ill and doesn't have many days left to live?"
Yue Ning stood dressed in a moon-white martial outfit, her jet-black hair tied into a high ponytail with silk. She bore an oval face strikingly similar to Jiang Shi's, with delicate features, almond-shaped eyes, and pearly white teeth. Yet her sword-like eyebrows that extended toward her temples, combined with years of martial arts training since childhood, gave her an exceptionally heroic air.
Add to that the noble bearing cultivated from growing up in a marquis's household, and Yue Ning's mere presence was enough to command awe.
Now, with narrowed eyes, her voice carried a dangerous edge.
She knew the Qin Manor folks lacked discernment to some extent, but she never imagined a mere concubine-born daughter of the Qin family would dare utter such words cursing her grandmother. Yue Ning clenched her fist—had this person not been a girl, she would have already thrown a punch!
Qin Shuang was terrified out of her wits. Having accumulated grievances for days, she only wanted to humiliate Qin Guan and belittle her recent favor from the Grand Princess. But in her arrogance, she'd gone too far—actually saying the Grand Princess didn't have long to live...
This was even more serious than cursing Jiang Shi, and worse still, it was heard by none other than the young lady of the marquis's household, Yue Ning herself!
With a "thud," Qin Shuang fell to her knees. "M-my lady, this humble girl only—"
Trembling uncontrollably, sweat poured down Qin Shuang's face as she struggled to form coherent words. Nearby, Qin Guan was equally startled by Yue Ning's sudden appearance. She rose and knelt as well, followed immediately by Mo Shu and Qin Xiang.
Yao Xinlan, coming to her senses, hurriedly stood up. Given her delicate condition, her entire body shook as she knelt on the cold floor.
Yue Ning ignored them all, stepping forward to loom over Qin Shuang with a cold smile playing on her lips. "Not a single soul in the entire Great Zhou would dare curse my grandmother. What manner of creature are you, to say she doesn't have many days left?"
Qin Shuang shivered in terror. "This humble girl misspoke, I merely—"
"Misspoke?" Yue Ning gave a humorless laugh. "Wrongdoing demands consequences. Otherwise, anyone could claim they 'misspoke.' Do you know that in the Yue family army, such words would cost the speaker their tongue?"
Qin Shuang convulsed violently, nearly collapsing to the ground. "I beg for your mercy, my lady—"
"My lady." Jiang Shi, her face pale with anger, also knelt. Though lacking an official title and far beneath Yue Ning in status, Yue Ning had previously shown her respect as an elder by not requiring her to kneel.
"I beg your leniency. This humble woman failed in discipline, allowing such treasonous words to be spoken. Please entrust her to me—I will punish her severely as an example to others—"
Jiang Shi's voice carried sincere entreaty, though it had been years since she'd last humbled herself so.
Her sharp glance at Qin Shuang could have flayed skin, so intense was her fury.
Yue Ning turned to regard Jiang Shi, eyes narrowing. "Then tell me, Old Madam, how exactly will you make an example of her?"
Jiang Shi pressed her lips together, then steeled herself. "By household law—twenty strokes of the rod first, then confinement for two months to copy the Qin family precepts until she reforms..."
Qin Shuang's eyes widened in horror. Though a concubine's daughter, Lin Shi had never mistreated her. She'd grown up surrounded by maids and servants, never suffering so much as a scrape—let alone a beating.
Twenty strokes could half-kill a grown man—what would they do to her?Qin Shuang couldn't hold back her tears. She didn't want her tongue cut out, nor did she wish to endure the flogging.
Her gaze instinctively sought out Lin Shi for help. Lin Shi had come with Jiang Shi and was now kneeling on the ground with a large group of servants behind her, not even glancing in Qin Shuang's direction. Gritting her teeth, Qin Shuang turned to look at Qin Xiang instead.
Her fifth sister had always been doted on by Jiang Shi. If she could just speak up...
Qin Shuang stared at Qin Xiang, who clearly sensed her silent plea. Yet Qin Xiang only bowed her head lower.
Silent sobs wracked Qin Shuang's body as she thought of the impending twenty lashes, her legs nearly giving way beneath her.
"The Old Madam is quite reasonable," Yue Ning remarked casually. "This time, I'll give her face. Your sixth miss shall be left to the Old Madam's judgment."
Just as Jiang Shi was about to express her gratitude, Yue Ning added, "However, the Old Madam's favor won't last forever. I hope your household treasures it."
Jiang Shi's face twisted as if she'd been slapped. "Yes, thank you for your mercy, my lady," she replied stiffly.
Yue Ning gave a cool laugh before sweeping her gaze around the room, finally settling on Qin Guan. "Ninth Miss, I've come on my grandmother's orders to fetch you. She took ill last night and wishes for you to examine her today."
After the incident at Marquis Anyang Manor last night, it was indeed dangerous for the ailing Grand Princess. Qin Guan lifted her head to meet Yue Ning's bright almond eyes. The young lady tilted her chin slightly. "Come, the carriage awaits at the gate."
After a brief hesitation, Qin Guan glanced at Jiang Shi.
Jiang Shi didn't even look at her, merely saying sternly, "Go then. It's your fortune that the Grand Princess values you. Be careful."
Qin Guan nodded and rose to her feet.
Without a second glance at the kneeling Qin household members, Yue Ning turned to leave.
Qin Guan followed. Before they'd even exited, Qin Shuang's uncontrollable sobs could be heard behind them.
Fuling, who had been waiting outside and heard everything clearly, followed Qin Guan with barely concealed satisfaction. "Miss," she whispered, "Sixth Miss is finally getting her due—"
Before she could finish, Yue Ning turned around ahead of them. "Kindness is virtuous, but one shouldn't endure humiliation."
Qin Guan smiled slightly. "Does my lady think this humble girl would allow herself to be humiliated?"
Having grown up among the Yue army, Yue Ning had not only mastered martial arts but developed a strong, decisive personality. She had little patience for overly meek women and had intended to encourage Qin Guan to be more assertive. This unexpected response made her raise an eyebrow. "Isn't that so?"
Qin Guan's smile widened. Though a young lady, Yue Ning was remarkably straightforward and bold.
"Set your mind at ease, my lady. That was in the past. It won't happen again."
Yue Ning arched her brow once more before striding ahead. Her entire bearing radiated vigor—even on this overcast day, Qin Guan felt as if she carried sunlight within her. Recalling how Yue Ning had punished Qin Shuang with just a few words, Qin Guan couldn't help but admire her. Though young, Yue Ning possessed an air of decisive authority.
As for Qin Shuang's impending punishment, since the Qin household would administer it themselves, they would naturally control its severity. Qin Guan narrowed her eyes slightly, hoping only that this experience would temper Qin Shuang's behavior somewhat.The group of them headed straight out of the estate, with Yue Ning leading the way. However, she had unknowingly taken a wrong turn. Qin Guan, following behind, noticed and was about to remind her when, unexpectedly, two maidservants appeared around the corner. The two women were carrying laundry basins and collided abruptly with Yue Ning. With a loud clatter, the basins and the clothes inside tumbled to the ground.
Yue Ning stumbled back a step, raising a hand to clutch her arm.
Seeing this, Qin Guan hurried forward. "My lady, are you alright?"
Yue Ning shook her head and lowered her hand. "It's nothing."
The two maidservants, upon hearing the address "my lady," immediately dropped to their knees in fright. "Spare us, my lady—"
Yue Ning waved them off, frowning helplessly at the increasingly unfamiliar path. "Why does this route feel wrong?"
Qin Guan chuckled. "Because you took a wrong turn, my lady."
As soon as she finished speaking, Qin Guan's gaze fell upon the scattered clothes on the ground.
Amid the pile of garments lay a pair of gray boots, clearly stained with a layer of black, sticky soil. Qin Guan's eyes narrowed instantly—this was the fermented flower soil from the orchid garden, mixed with wood ash!
"Whose clothes are these?" Qin Guan asked directly, fixing her gaze on one of the maidservants.
The woman hesitated briefly before answering, "These are all Steward He's clothes. We were just about to take them for washing."
Qin Guan pressed her lips together. When she turned, she noticed Yue Ning watching her thoughtfully. A faint smile curved Qin Guan's lips. "Since you're unfamiliar with the way, my lady, allow me to escort you out of the estate."
Yue Ning nodded, casting one last glance at the clothes on the ground before walking away.
OpenNovel