Volume One, Chapter Four: Everyone Fears Qin Songting
Song Xianwan withdrew her gaze, but her eyes fell on his hand.
She had heard from the servants in the mansion that Qin Songting’s curved saber was seized from the leader of the Rongdi tribe on the battlefield.
Since then, it had become the weapon he never parted with.
The handle of the saber was inlaid with an obsidian stone, dense and weighty, even heavier than a curved saber forged from black iron.
She watched as he spread his five fingers and then closed them again, the hollow of his hand pressing against the scabbard. Then his fingers twitched slightly, and Song Xianwan’s eyes blinked subtly in response.
Qin Songting smiled faintly, released his grip on the saber, and sat down by himself.
The man picked up a tangerine, peeled it absentmindedly, and said without looking up, “Wasn’t it the old madam who sent for me?”
Qin Songting had only recently been promoted from the position of Junior Minister last year. Near the end of the year, news came that trouble had arisen in Jiaxing, so he took his men there.
He didn’t even have time to attend the reunion dinner.
Today, he had just returned from Jiaxing, and it was the old madam who had sent someone to summon him back, saying there was an urgent matter.
In the current Yongning Marquis Mansion, the only person who could make this fierce man bow his head was the old madam.
After all, since the death of Qin Songting’s parents, he had been raised by her.
Sometimes, the old madam wondered where her teachings had gone wrong to raise such a wild son.
“I have no time now to talk about you. Go back first.”
The old madam looked at him sitting with his legs crossed, leaning back, lacking any manner of a noble son.
It made her feel faint and unwilling to look any longer.
Upon hearing this, Qin Songting stuffed the peeled tangerine into his mouth and stood up.
His gaze first landed on Qin Siyu, who was kneeling on the ground, then moved upward, passing over Song Xianwan’s face.
Though he said nothing, Song Xianwan felt as if he had spoken a thousand words.
She shifted her step to avoid his eyes. Qin Songting raised his hand and flicked the ivory whistle in his palm.
“Then this grandson will take his leave.”
Black cords wound around his fingers as he withdrew his hand and turned to leave.
Qin Siyu cautiously moved aside, afraid he would fix his gaze on her.
Everyone in the Yongning Marquis Mansion feared Qin Songting.
They said it was better to offend the easygoing Fifth Master than to cross this smiling, dagger-hiding eldest young master.
If you offended the Fifth Master, you might still survive; but if you angered Eldest Young Master Qin, even if you died, he would dig you up just to kick you again.
This showed how notorious Qin Songting’s reputation was.
---
“Your cousin is like this; don’t be afraid.”
Old Madam Qin saw Song Xianwan step back and assumed she was frightened by Qin Songting’s reckless behavior. She reached out to comfort her.
Song Xianwan nodded lightly, but her face showed little fear.
About a quarter of an hour later, Nurse Kang brought in Gu Shuya.
Fifth Lady Gu Shuya managed the household affairs; naturally, the mansion had many informants. As soon as Song Xianwan arrived at Jingheyuan, someone had already sent her word.
“Mother.”
Gu Shuya stepped forward and bowed to Old Madam Qin.
Seeing her, Old Madam snorted coldly, “Fifth daughter-in-law, now that you’re in charge, so capable, have you stopped listening to this old woman?”
Hearing this, Gu Shuya looked puzzled. “Daughter-in-law does not understand what Mother means.”
“You don’t? I think you’re deliberately picking on Awan.”
Old Madam Qin looked up at Gu Shuya and ordered someone to bring over the charcoal brazier and medicinal herbs from Haitangyuan.
The old madam had been holding back her anger, thinking they were family and that if a quarrel broke out, Song Xianwan’s life would only grow harder.
But when she saw the charcoal and herbs, she couldn’t help but stand up.
“You… did you survive the entire winter like this?”
The charcoal was of the poorest quality, producing ash and smoke when burned. As for the medicinal herbs, they were far from being suitable for a noble household.
Old Madam Qin’s heart ached uncontrollably. She pulled Song Xianwan close, then looked at Gu Shuya.
“Is this how you treat your niece?”
Gu Shuya only frowned slightly upon seeing the items.
“It was my oversight, failing to properly supervise the servants below. Please forgive me, Mother.”
She remained composed and then looked at Song Xianwan. “Awan, it was Fifth Aunt’s fault. When you were shortchanged, why didn’t you come to me?”
Upon hearing this, Song Xianwan held Old Madam Qin’s hand and lowered her eyes. “Fifth Aunt works hard every day; Awan dared not disturb her.”
Old Madam Qin looked at Gu Shuya with a stern attitude. “If you can manage this household, then do so. If not, hand over the authority to manage it as soon as possible.”
She fixed her gaze on Gu Shuya. “Don’t think I don’t know your intentions. No matter how much resentment you harbor, swallow it down.”
“I’m not dead yet!”
Old Madam Qin’s words were blunt and unyielding, like a slap in Gu Shuya’s face.
Her hand clenched the handkerchief, yet she forced a polite smile.
“Daughter-in-law understands. I will return to deal with those insolent servants.”
After saying this, Gu Shuya bowed and left, taking Qin Siyu with her.
---
A storm had been deftly deflected by her, and Song Xianwan truly admired her for enduring it all with such grace.
“Grandmother, don’t be upset. Awan is fine.”
Song Xianwan collected her thoughts, helped Old Madam Qin back to her seat, and gently soothed her.
Old Madam sighed deeply, looking at Song Xianwan and nodding helplessly.
“I’m old now. How long can I protect you? If I don’t find you someone to rely on, when I’m gone, I won’t rest easy.”
She patted Song Xianwan’s hand, speaking with full affection.
Song Xianwan crouched down, smiling at Old Madam. “Grandmother will surely live a long life.”
“Nurse Kang, see Awan out.”
Old Madam waved her hand, instructing Nurse Kang to escort Song Xianwan out.
The Marquis Mansion was a large clan, blooming with prosperity and many descendants. Old Madam knew the root of Gu Shuya’s grudges.
As long as she held onto those past grievances, Song Xianwan’s days in the mansion would be difficult.
But Old Madam merely wished to find her a dependable future before she died.
So she could feel at peace before the afterlife, honoring Song Xianwan’s mother who had died young.
Song Xianwan followed Nurse Kang outside and heard her say, “The old madam knows what Fifth Lady has done. Don’t worry, miss, as long as the old madam is here, she won’t succeed.”
“Nurse Kang, I know Grandmother cares for me. I’m aware of these troubles and know what to do.”
“It’s just that I don’t understand why Fifth Lady bears such deep hostility toward me?”
It was as if she had come to the mansion to snatch something from her.
Hearing this, Nurse Kang hesitated, then shook her head and said, “Those are old, trivial matters. You only need to know the old madam’s heart is with you.”
Seeing Nurse Kang unwilling to say more, Song Xianwan smiled and nodded, not pressing further.
As she left Jingheyuan, her thoughts unsettled, she pondered the matter.
Gu Shuya’s hostility could not be without reason. Could it be that Mother had some grudge against her?
Lost in thought, Song Xianwan failed to notice the person in front of her.
A snowball, mixed with a few blades of weed, suddenly struck her head, followed by an angry woman’s voice.
“Qin Songting, do you even have a heart?!”