Chapter 83: The Domineering Newcomer

Qin Huining’s face had gone as white as a new sheet. Her limbs prickled as tendrils of fear crept along her limbs. It felt like the blood in her veins were just a few degrees shy of freezing.

“Father speaks truly.” Her dry voice cracked. She wanted to mount some kind of defense, but she couldn’t force another word past her lips. She hadn’t really reasoned out her argument, simply feeling that she was completely innocent. The old dowager, née Sun, and her maternal grandmother were just biased to a fault. 

Not only had Qin Yining taken everything from her after returning, she’d even hit and cursed at Qin Huining, going to so far as to firmly trample the latter! 

But she’d never once thought about the fact that her mere existence was proof that Qin Huaiyuan had once been made a complete fool. Father commanded the winds and rain! How had he allowed such a blight on his life to remain, especially by his side as a constant reminder? So is he going to send me away now?

The old dowager was also nervous, and anxiously spoke up, “Meng’er.”

Qin Huaiyuan smiled gently at his mother, settling her worries with a wave of his hand before turning to Qin Huining with a firm gaze. “You’ve been a Qin daughter for fourteen years. Although we have recently come to know that we aren’t related by blood, I, your mother, nor the old dowager have ever viewed you as an outsider since. But it seems you’ve actually placed yourself in that category first.”

It was deathly silent inside the house as everyone looked at Qin Huining with various expressions. 

“Even after daughter Yi returned, you were still accorded the same food and trappings as all the other young misses in the household. We’ve never shorted you on anything. Think back carefully, isn’t that the case? I hope you will use your wiles on proper pursuits in the future. Up until now, I can pretend that things of the past didn’t happen, but the future is up to you. That’s all I’ll say, you can go take care of your mother now.”

Qin Huining felt like she’d been tossed into a cavern of permafrost, but her face was burning hotly. She’d assumed that father was unaware of the affairs around the house since he spent his days at court. She’d presumed that as long as she kept the old dowager happy, she would escape any consequences of her actions. 

But Qin Huaiyuan’s words today completely upended all of her thoughts. She didn’t dare stammer anything, skittishly curtseying before walking out, fighting to keep control with every step.

Qin Huaiyuan shook his head as he looked at her retreating figure, his slender hands lifting the teacup to this lips.

Off to the side, the second madame felt even more awkward. So senior uncle-in-law knows everything! He’s just normally too lazy to bother with things at home. Née Sun had charged out of the ancestral hall because she’d been goaded by the sixth miss’ message. She’d then promptly fainted in the Garden of Loving Piety and was still resting in bed. If Qin Huaiyuan blamed the second branch of the family for this… then how will my husband have any future at all!

The second master held an unimportant position in the Ministry of Rites and just quietly drew his salary every so often. The Qins were one family, and there was no reason for the second branch to offend the head of the household for an immature, concubine-born daughter! Why, there were lines and lines of people waiting, just hoping for an opportunity to reach the grand preceptor!

“Sixth daughter was brash yesterday. I’ve already yelled at her,” the second madame smiled hesitantly. “She made her senior aunt faint from anger! It really is negligence on my part. I hope you don’t take it to heart, brother-in-law.”

“Don’t worry, this matter started with daughter Hui.” Qin Huaiyuan smiled back in response. “It’s really not your fault.”