Volume One, Chapter 19: The Balance of Mercy and Authority
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As she spoke, Qin Xianxian hurriedly came out of the room again. Passing by Shen Qingli, he grasped her wrist gently and smiled softly, “Second Miss Qin, do you need any help?”
Qin Xianxian smiled back, “Young Master Shen, it’s just family matters; no need to trouble you.” Then she turned and instructed, “Lianxin, prepare the tea.”
“Yes, Second Miss.”
Leaving three people in the courtyard, Qin Xianxian quickly made her way to the wood storage room.
Outside the wood storage room, Lianxin stood guard; inside, it was quiet. Qin Xianxian found this unsurprising—after all, the old nanny had done something shameful and wouldn’t dare shout loudly in the Qin residence.
“Second Miss.”
“Open the door.”
“Yes.”
Lianxin turned and unlocked the door.
Creak—
The door opened, and the old nanny inside sat on the ground, lifting her head in response. Upon seeing who it was, her eyes flickered with surprise.
She had originally thought it was Su Yiqiu who discovered the secret and sent someone to capture her. How could it be this young girl instead?
A little maid like this would be much easier to handle.
The old nanny’s previously despondent face suddenly regained a measure of calm.
Qin Xianxian watched the change in her expression with great interest, guessing most of her thoughts.
“Lianxin, close the door and wait outside. Don’t let anyone come near.”
“Yes.”
Creak—
The door closed, and the old nanny was the first to speak, her voice cold as she questioned, “Second Miss, why have you locked me up?”
“I just wanted to catch up with you a bit, no need to be so nervous,” Qin Xianxian said softly. “Tell me, how many years have you served Auntie?”
The old nanny stood, glanced at her, suspicious yet truthful. “Over thirty years, Second Miss. Why do you ask?”
“Over thirty years... so you came along with Auntie when she moved to the Su residence?”
“Of course.”
“And you watched Cousin Wanwan grow up?”
“Indeed.” The old nanny lifted her chin slightly, pride evident in her tone.
She had been with the lady for many years; though a servant in the Zhao household, she commanded some respect.
Qin Xianxian paid no mind to her attitude—after all, she was a seasoned schemer and not to be taken seriously.
Smiling faintly, she cut to the chase: “After thirty years of loyal service, today you betray us. Have you thought about the consequences?”
The old nanny looked up at her, disdain shifting to surprise, then regained composure. “I don’t understand what you’re saying, Second Miss.”
“No need to pretend. I’ve already sent someone to inspect the medicine. You’re bold indeed, daring to commit a capital offense.” Qin Xianxian’s tone gradually grew colder.
The old nanny was startled, then said sternly, “Second Miss, don’t speak nonsense! What medicine? I know nothing of it.”
Qin Xianxian curled her lips in a mocking smile: “Caught red-handed by my maid, and yet you still deny it? The doctor has confirmed it’s poison—a deadly substance.”
The old nanny frowned, lips parting slightly in disbelief.
Deadly poison? Impossible. The lady told her it was merely—
Before she could react, Qin Xianxian continued coldly, “Your Zhao family is cunning. To secure your uncle’s release, you’re willing to trade Cousin Wanwan’s life. Truly malicious.”
The old nanny’s eyes darted, urgency in her voice: “Impossible! It’s not poison, it’s not—”
Her gaze caught a gleam of triumph on Qin Xianxian’s face. She snarled, “Are you deceiving me?”
Qin Xianxian smiled wryly, “All’s fair in war. But you did poison her, so what difference does it make if it’s deadly or not?”
The old nanny’s cheek twitched; she gritted her teeth, “It was only tonic medicine. Second Miss, you meddle too much.”
Qin Xianxian’s expression darkened.
Still denying it—truly difficult to deal with. But she had plenty of ways.
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Qin Xianxian glanced at the nearby woodpile, bent down, and picked up a sturdy wooden stick, slowly approaching the old nanny.
The old woman swallowed, eyes wide as the raised stick forced her to retreat step by step.
Qin Xianxian’s smile vanished; she said coldly, “Don’t move, nanny. This stick has no eyes—it might accidentally hit you next.”
“Second Miss, what are you doing?”
Qin Xianxian pulled out a packet of powdered medicine from her waist and glanced at her sideways. “Nanny, if it’s tonic medicine, why not try it today yourself?”
“This... this medicine is precious, specially prepared by the lady for the Fifth Miss. I—how could a servant like me take it?”
Qin Xianxian bit her lip inwardly—still pretending? Such smooth-talking.
She swung the stick without hesitation and struck her.
Smack—smack—
The sound echoed sharply in the quiet wood room.
The old nanny clenched her teeth, eyes shut, enduring silently.
Qin Xianxian frowned slightly.
What a tough one. Looks like she needs a stronger dose.
Her eyes darkened with scorn. “You know very well what this is. If you won’t take it, I’ll do it for you. Think carefully: if something happens to me, my father will investigate. This will inevitably implicate Auntie, and your uncle’s release might be out of the question—or worse, his life.”
The old nanny trembled, hands clenched before her, suddenly chilled to the bone.
This young girl, only sixteen or seventeen, was so composed, as if she could see through people’s hearts—unnervingly so.
Biting her lip, the old nanny lowered her head, shouldering all the blame: “Yes, I poisoned her. So what? It was my own decision. Your Qin family wronged our Fifth Miss.”
Qin Xianxian smiled coldly, threw the stick aside, and pulled out a written confession she had prepared earlier, handing it over. “You can read, can’t you? Since you admit it, then sign here.”
The nanny’s eyes widened as she stared at the detailed confession. Panic flickered in her gaze.
Admitting guilt verbally and signing are two completely different things. Once signed, it’s a death sentence—she couldn’t easily escape.
Qin Xianxian looked down at her, sneering, “Do you want to do it yourself, or should I find someone to help? Think carefully: the more people know, the more danger your Zhao family faces.”
The nanny’s face changed abruptly. She knelt with a thud, crawling forward a few steps, trembling as she grabbed Qin Xianxian’s skirt. “Second Miss, I dare not do this again. But I really can’t sign this confession!”
Qin Xianxian looked at her, lips curling coldly. “Seems you want help. Should I look inside the residence? Or at the government office?”
She withdrew the confession and called loudly outside the door:
“Lianxin!”
“Yes, Second Miss, what orders?”
The old nanny shuddered, clutching the skirt tighter.
“Second Miss, please don’t—”
Qin Xianxian ripped her skirt free without mercy, eyes lowering with contempt.
“Nanny, if you sign here, I might still remember our old ties and be lenient. But if word gets out, more people will get involved. You know what to choose.”
The old nanny lowered her eyes, sitting down; her cloudy pupils shifted, tears forming as her voice faltered, “Second Miss, I will sign.”
Qin Xianxian took out the confession again, smiling, “Good choice.”
Watching her bite her thumb to break the skin, just as she was about to press the print, Qin Xianxian’s eyes narrowed, warning sharply:
“Don’t play tricks with me, a damaged fingerprint won’t count.”
The old nanny shuddered, then shakily extended the other thumb, pressing the bloody print on the confession.
One life sacrificed, not a bad deal.
Her eyes lingered on the confession a moment longer, suddenly sensing something amiss. Her eyes snapped open.
Qin Xianxian bent swiftly and tucked the confession into her sleeve.
“Second Miss, you—”
“I said, all’s fair in war,” Qin Xianxian smiled slightly.
She had prepared two confessions: one implicating only the nanny, the other dragging in the so-called Auntie.
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And now, the one she had the nanny sign was the latter.
The old nanny looked up, shocked.
After decades of living, she was defeated by a mere young girl.
“Nanny, I’m not cruel. Life is hard for women; if family members scheme against each other, it only worsens things. Marriage concerns Cousin Wanwan’s entire fate. Please convey to Auntie: do not let elder disputes ruin the mother-daughter bond with Cousin Wanwan, nor the sisterly bond with my mother.”
The old nanny’s expression grew complex.
She was a woman herself and understood the hardships. If their master hadn’t fallen into trouble, the lady would never sacrifice the Fifth Miss, who had grown up with them and held some affection. She had tried to persuade, but having exhausted all options, this was the last resort.
Qin Xianxian softened, bending down to help her up from the floor.
After a slap, one should offer a sweet carrot.
“Nanny, today this confession is only in my hands to secure Cousin’s freedom in marriage. Nothing else. As for your uncle’s case, I will have my father look into it. Whether he can help or not—only fate can decide.”
The old nanny paused, her eyes grateful, then respectfully bowed to Qin Xianxian.
“I thank Second Miss on behalf of the lady.”
Qin Xianxian smiled faintly.
A blend of kindness and severity truly works wonders! The matter was now completely settled.
She only regretted that the sugar powder she had ground in the kitchen went unused—she should have fed it to the old nanny earlier, just to frighten her properly.
———
Qin Xianxian returned to the courtyard to find Shen Qingli, Chen Chou, and Zhao Wanwan drinking tea at a round table.
Chen Chou and Zhao Wanwan were happily chatting, while Shen Qingli sat silently nearby.
“Where did Cousin go?” Zhao Wanwan was the first to notice her enter, smiling up at her.
“Oh, just saving someone from a dire situation.”
Though Qin Xianxian sighed softly, the corners of her eyes lifted, and her steps felt lighter than when she first left the courtyard.
Shen Qingli glanced up, his smile gentle and warm—seemingly, the issue had been resolved.
“Saving someone from a dire situation? Cousin has that ability?” Zhao Wanwan stood and pulled her over to the table.
“I just made it up; Cousin believed me,” Qin Xianxian said with a hand covering her mouth, her gaze filled with a hint of comfort.
This woman’s fate must have quietly begun to change.
Qin Xianxian then turned to Chen Chou and smiled warmly, “Young Master Chen, may I have a word?”
Chen Chou looked up and smiled, “Of course.”
Shen Qingli and Zhao Wanwan watched them move aside, then the two began speaking quietly.
“Young Master Chen, do you like my cousin?”
Chen Chou was somewhat surprised; he hadn’t expected such a straightforward question.
“Your observations are sharp, Second Miss Qin. Indeed, I have feelings for Miss Zhao,” Chen Chou admitted with a bashful smile.
“That’s good! My cousin is straightforward and oblivious to subtle things, lacking courage. If you truly care, you should try,” Qin Xianxian laughed.
Chen Chou seemed steady and reliable—just right for Zhao Wanwan. A mutual affection is far better than the tragic ending in the original story.
Chen Chou glanced at Zhao Wanwan nearby; she was looking at him too. Their eyes met in the air, his filled with warmth, hers with shyness.
He turned back to Qin Xianxian, smiling with hands joined, “Thank you for your advice, Second Miss Qin.”
They returned to the table and sat down.
“What were you and Young Master Chen talking about, Cousin?” Zhao Wanwan leaned close and asked softly.
“About marriage and love!”
At these words, all three looked at her in unison.