Standing behind the covered hallway with his hands behind his back, Qin Huaiyuan smiled faintly to see the hidden guards adore Qin Yining so much.

  He didn’t fault his daughter for taking action without discussing things over with him first. On the contrary, he felt that the girl’s stratagem and resourcefulness were becoming ever more mature. Such a way that attained two objectives with a single move wasn’t something that would occur to just anyone.

  Cao Yuqing stood next to the Qin patriarch and also grinned when she saw the man’s smiling profile. “The pupil has outdone the master. You have your heir, milord.”


  “Indeed.” Qin Huaiyuan inclined his head. Though it was regretful that he didn’t have a son, what more could he wish for these days?

  When it came to looks, talent, courage, wit, loyalty, empathy, sensitivity to politics, and brilliantly pinpointing the crux of a problem—his daughter had it all!

  Such a wonderful and filial daughter left those good-for-nothing noble scions so far behind her that they ate dust in her wake! What was there to be proud of in birthing sons like that? Show some real skill and raise a smart and beautiful daughter!

  Qin Huaiyuan broke out in involuntary hearty laughter and walked towards the old dowager and others who’d come out to welcome him.

  “Old Dowager, look, I told you that the lord would be just fine. His Majesty places a lot of importance on the lord.” The second madame teased her mother-in-law as she supported the Qin matriarch’s arm.

  A beaming smile spreading over the old dowager’s face, she tugged on Qin Huaiyuan’s arm. “The next time the emperor sends you out on a task, make sure you send word of it back home. Don’t let your mother worry for nothing.”


  “Understood, mother.” Qin Huaiyuan smiled with comforting ease. “We’ve finally gained a proper foothold now and won’t have to worry about much as long as we keep to our places and live out our days peacefully.”


  “Really?” The old dowager gripped Qin Huaiyuan’s arm in delighted surprise.

  Guilt and anguish washed over Qin Huaiyuan to see his elderly mother this way. “Naturally, as long as we keep to ourselves and don’t make any trouble.”


  “That’s good, that’s good.” The old dowager nodded merrily and had Qin-mama tell the servants to prepare food.

  After a reunion meal with the family, Qin Yining fell fast asleep after washing up.