Chapter 11: Times Have Changed

As soon as Old Madam Qin spoke, the entire dining room knelt in unison, their expressions filled with terror.

Except for one person.

While everyone else knelt, she alone stood, her posture as straight as a snow lotus perched atop a cliff, impossible to ignore.

Qin Liuxi stood perfectly upright, her eyes cast down toward the mandala embroidered on her lapel, acting as if she hadn't noticed the room full of people kneeling before her.

Old Madam Qin's gaze swept over her; she pursed her lips, her brow furrowing.

Qin Liuxi was clearly a member of the Qin family, yet she gave the impression of an outsider who was not part of the fray—someone beyond control.

"The Qin family has fallen. Your grandfathers, husbands, fathers, or brothers are all on the road to exile, suffering unknown agonies, and we do not even know if they are hungry, thirsty, sick, or..." Old Madam Qin's eyes grew moist, but she stubbornly wiped away the tears that were about to fall.

In the hall, a chorus of soft sobbing broke out.

"Confiscation and exile are not decapitation. The only thing we can be grateful for is this 'mercy' bestowed by His Majesty. As long as we manage things properly, there will come a day when we can bring your fathers and brothers back home." Old Madam Qin took a deep breath and continued, "On the premise of this, we must guard this household well and keep it stable. The children at home must study even harder. If anything happens to them in the Northwest, you will be the pillars of the Qin family in the future!"

"Grandmother, I will definitely study hard," Qin Mingqi of the second branch said, his eyes red as he clenched his fists.

Concubine Wan nudged the little bun beside her, Qin Mingchun. The latter let out an "ah," blinking his dark, innocent eyes as he clumsily declared his resolve: "I... I will too."

Studying... studying was far too difficult!

Looking at these two grandsons, Old Madam Qin thought of the eldest legitimate grandson of the first branch who had just turned twelve and was following the exile, as well as the eldest illegitimate son of the second branch, and her tears rolled down.

Her husband, her three legitimate sons, and her two grandsons were all on the road to exile. In terms of pain, no one suffered more than she did.

Now, she could only pray for heaven's mercy, that they might arrive safely. Even if life was hard there, as long as they kept their lives, it was a blessing.

"The confiscation came suddenly, and we could not take any family wealth with us. We only have this old residence to shelter us, which is a great mercy amidst misfortune. Times are different now; the Qin family's future can no longer be like before. Simple food and water are inevitable, and we must cast off our silks and satins to learn to wear coarse cloth and cotton shoes... *cough, cough, cough*." Old Madam Qin began to cough.

Madam Wang raised her head, wiped the slight redness from the corners of her eyes, and said, "Mother, do not be anxious. There is plenty of time ahead. Everyone is just momentarily confused and hasn't adjusted yet; they will understand in time."

No matter who it was, falling from the clouds required a process of adaptation.

Even someone as strong-willed as her was no exception.

Thinking of her only son on the road to exile, Madam Wang felt a piercing pain in her heart, but she took a deep breath. She was the matriarch of the Qin family; she could not show weakness.

"That is the truth. Everyone, stand up. Finish this meal, and if you still cannot wrap your heads around it, go back and think about it slowly." Old Madam Qin waved her hand, signaling everyone to rise.

The crowd stood up, sat back down in their respective places, picked up their utensils, and ate in silence.

The food tasted like wax, yet they had to grit their teeth and swallow.

After the meal, Old Madam Qin sent the concubines and the younger generation back to their rooms, leaving only Madam Wang, Madam Xie, and Qin Meiniang to speak. The matter of how to run this household in the future had to be settled.

Seeing this, Qin Liuxi turned to leave, but Old Madam Qin called out to her.

"Xi girl, you stay and listen as well."

Qin Liuxi paused, sat back down, and picked up a cup of tea.

(End of Chapter)