Chapter Twelve: Since You Refuse to Admit It, Let the Authorities Decide

“Children shouldn’t meddle in such matters…” Upon hearing Qin Wanru’s words, Qin Huaiyong frowned and waved his hand dismissively.

“If children shouldn’t interfere, then what about me? Am I so old now that my bones no longer need to concern themselves with such affairs?” The old lady interrupted Qin Huaiyong with a bitter voice.

Qin Wanru let Qingyue help the old lady settle into a chair nearby.

“Mother, there’s… something peculiar about this matter.” Hearing the old lady’s angry retort, Qin Huaiyong dared not push further and hurried to explain.

“What’s peculiar about it? Father, do you believe the words of a servant woman are far more important than those of your own daughter?” Qin Wanru raised her bright eyes to look at Qin Huaiyong.

Nanny Fang had come as part of Di’s dowry; Qin Wanru intended to sever Di’s support, and moreover, have Di herself do the severing. She wanted to see how many would remain loyal to a mistress who could not protect her own confidantes.

A threat to one’s life cannot be brushed aside with a few words.

“Have that woman beaten to death!” This time, before Qin Huaiyong could speak, the old lady said coldly. She had always cherished Qin Wanru, and now that Qin Wanru had nearly lost her life, pushed into such a wretched situation by Di and her daughter’s scheming, her fury was boundless.

What use is a servant who so harms her mistress?

“Mother… it’s still a human life, and besides, it was only a mistake…” Nanny Fang was Di’s trusted aide; Di was loath to part with her. Hearing the old lady’s order, Di hurriedly protested.

“Mother means that if I had died, it would have been nothing more than a mistake?” Qin Wanru’s face was taut, her voice cold.

Only she, Qingyue, and Nanny Fang had been present; no matter how Nanny Fang argued, it was of no use.

Di was momentarily speechless, stunned as she glanced at Qin Wanru resting against the bed. She felt as if Qin Wanru had become a different person: in the past, the girl would never have spoken to her this way. A little coaxing, and she would always be obedient.

“Sister, how can you speak to Mother like that!” Qin Yuru, who had stopped crying, now reproached Qin Wanru, supporting Di.

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“Grandmother, since Nanny Fang won’t admit it, let’s send her to the authorities and let them investigate why someone sought to harm me. Even if I refuse a marriage arranged through deceit, it shouldn’t cost me my life!” Qin Wanru leaned back, ignoring Qin Yuru’s words. Her gaze was calm, without the slightest ripple, as if she had anticipated Qin Yuru’s reaction.

To the authorities?

Not only Di and her daughter trembled inwardly, but Qin Huaiyong also grew anxious.

The affair had already become a mess; he had gone to Magistrate Qi’s residence, apologized profusely, and made many assurances before the magistrate agreed not to pursue the matter further. The engagement was dissolved under the pretext that the birth charts were incompatible. If the case went to court and escalated, his official career would be jeopardized.

How could Qin Huaiyong, eager to rise in his profession, accept that?

“Take care of that servant!” Qin Huaiyong addressed Di directly.

“General!” Di was startled.

“Mother, you are reluctant, aren’t you? Well, disposing of a dowry maid must pain you. Perhaps I’ve wronged her—maybe it’s best to send her to the authorities instead!” Qin Wanru raised her eyes, calm and cool.

“Send her to the authorities, then. Right now. Our household will not wrongly accuse a servant!” The old lady sneered, echoing Qin Wanru. She immediately called for someone.

“Why haven’t you dealt with her yet?” Seeing the old lady was serious, Qin Huaiyong grew anxious and kicked Di lightly, his voice harsh.

Though not forceful, the kick startled Di, who quickly nodded, “I will deal with this wicked servant at once.”

She then turned and shouted to the maids behind her, “Hurry up and drag her out for punishment!”

The maids exchanged furtive, fearful glances with Qin Wanru before dragging the struggling Nanny Chen away.

On the bed, a mocking smile flickered at Qin Wanru’s lips. These maids were likely Di’s people as well; she wondered if they would dare continue to blindly follow Di after today.

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“You may leave.” The old lady’s gaze lingered in silence as she waved her hand.

“Mother, but what about Yuru… what should we do?” Di and Qin Yuru resumed their tears, eyes reddened.

“I don’t know what you two are thinking. This whole matter should never have happened!” The old lady spoke with exhaustion, her heart desolate. Such a grave matter, and she had been kept in the dark—clearly, the couple regarded her as an outsider.

The secret had been kept from only herself and Zhuozhuo; the old lady’s heart chilled further. She was Qin Huaiyong’s legitimate mother, but not his birth mother.

Qin Huaiyong’s birth mother had died early, and the old lady had raised him herself. As a child, he was close to her, but after marrying Di, that closeness faded.

Today’s events truly broke the old lady’s heart. She closed her eyes after speaking.

Seeing her like this, Qin Huaiyong knew he was at fault. He glanced at his younger daughter, sighed helplessly, and led the still-weeping Di and Qin Yuru away from the old lady’s courtyard.

“Grandmother, will you truly not concern yourself with Elder Sister’s affairs?” Once they left, Qin Wanru rose from the bed and walked behind the old lady, gently massaging her temples as she softly asked.

“I am old, and I can no longer manage them! Your father has grown so willful, he cares nothing for my opinions!” the old lady replied, weary and aggrieved.

“Grandmother, let Aunt Shui come out from the ancestral hall,” Qin Wanru reminded her.