Qin Huining had never imagined that Qin Yining would dare do anything in front of Qin Huaiyuan! The foster girl was much weaker and already pinned down on the ground. Fists rained like iron mallets on her head and face. She fought back with pained and angry might, clawing wildly and cursing loudly.
âYou barbarian! Stop!â
âHow dare you act like this in front of father!â
âStop! Stop hitting my face!â
âAh!! Help me, someone!â
The wild shrieks slowly turned into ghastly screams, like a pig being slaughtered.
The stunned old dowager finally came back to her senses and quickly gave orders, âHold her back, hurry!â
Qin-mama and the others rushed over to pull the two girls apart, but the silent Jiyun stepped forward at this time to block them. The mama paused uncertainly. She knew that this maid was a gift from the Faithful Prince of the First Rank and was apparently versed in martial arts.
The alarmed sixth miss was an ant on a hot pan. She summoned five strong granny servants from outside to have them rip off Qin Yining. Once again, Jiyun stretched out her arms to block them again. The granny servants naturally didnât think much of a pretty, skinny maid. They wanted to put on a good show of effort in front of the sixth miss and the old dowager. The granny servants rolled up their sleeves and attempted to barge past, but they were the ones sitting on the floor after a few rounds, the turn around so quick they didnât even have time to feel pain.
âYouâll have to get past me first if you want to harm the fourth miss.â Jiyun smiled sweetly.
Who wants to harm the fourth miss?!
Itâs more like the fourth miss trying to kill someone!
The granny servants hesitated as well, not daring to come further forward.
Qin Yiningâs left hand had a strong grasp on Qin Huiningâs hair and a knee firmly lodged in the foster girlâs back, keeping her on the ground. The foster girl was finding it hard to breath and stuck her neck out for some air, scrabbling with her hands and body against her attacker. A bruised eye socket and mouth was on full display for everyone else to see.
Everyone else stood insensate off to the side after Jiyun had blocked the old dowagerâs servants. The old dowager was even more maddened when she saw that Qin Huining was about to be beaten to death.
âStop, you wild brat! Stop! Do you ignore even my words?â The matriarch pounded the bed frame again.
âDonât forget about the snuff bottle, Old Dowager, and donât forget how you bullied my mother! Iâm just an ordinary girl. We can all go down together if you want to be this way!â
The old dowager promptly shut her mouth from fear after Qin Yining mentioned the snuff bottle and all her hairs stood on end when she met Qin Yiningâs razor-sharp gaze. The matriarch pulled on Qin Huaiyuanâs arm. âWhy arenât you disciplining your daughter? Are you going to let her just kill someone??â
Qin Huaiyuan also felt that itâd be rather bad if his daughter killed someone, and then there was threatening the old dowager with the snuff bottle incident.
âLetâs stop, daughter Yi.â
âI naturally must listen to fatherâs words. Let me just say a few more.â Qin Yining yanked Qin Huiningâs hair upwards, eliciting another painful scream and arcing her neck backwards. The foster girl was forced to meet Qin Yiningâs chilling, murderous gaze. âQin Huining, did you forget that I told you not to even think of harming my mother?â
âI, IâŠâ Qin Huiningâs voice shook from terror. She couldnât finish the sentence. She knew that Qin Yining would absolutely, certainly kill her!
âWhatâs with the voodoo doll?â
âThatâsâŠâ
âI canât be bothered to listen. The fabric used for the doll, the stuffing inside it, the thread used, the ink used for and the content of the birth date, even the handwriting⊠All of that is clues to be investigated. Iâm sure father and the old dowager will fully look into it! Weâll be able to find out who did it even if you donât say anything.â
Qin Huining shuddered, her teeth chattering in reaction. Qin Yining drew close by her ear, âIâll send you to where you should be if you still donât treasure what you have. Arenât you dissatisfied with how little you think you possess? Iâll return you to your birth parents so you have absolutely nothing!â
Qin Huining suddenly widened her eyes with horror.
âDonât worry, I wonât kill you,â Qin Yining sniffed disdainfully. âThat would dirty my hands and the dignity of the Qins. That ending would also be too easy for you. Iâm going to keep you around so you can thoroughly enjoy whatâs coming.â
The fourth miss released Qin Huiningâs hair and rose slowly. âOnly idiots would be blind to the real reason for the voodoo doll. If anyone still thinks my mother made it, that it can only be that theyâre purposefully targeting my mother and using this as an excuse.â
The old dowager was absolutely livid.
Qin Yining gently helped her mother up and transformed from her furiously violent self from moments ago. Her tone was so tender that it felt like the softest breeze. âMother, are you feeling better?â
âThis is nothing. When I ran into wolves in the mountains, they took off the skin on my arms and back. But here I am now, perfectly fine.â Qin Yining spoke lightheartedly, but her words caused Qin Huining to shiver even more violently. âFather, Old Dowager, my mother is tired. Iâm taking her back to the Garden of Tranquility. The voodoo doll has to do with the old dowager, so a thorough investigation should be launched into finding out who actually made it. If we lightly let off the person who wishes you ill, then that would be the greatest disservice to you.â
The old dowager already had a migraine from her anger, and these words only worsened it.
âAdditionally, the old dowager doesnât need to harp on about a divorce all the time. You can ask my father for his opinion. Divorce my mother if you want, I can take care of her! She wonât die just because she leaves your protection!â Qin Yining turned back to help her mother out. âLetâs go, mother.â
Qin Huaiyuan hadnât slept all night and felt quite resigned about his mother, after weathering this inner residence storm. He took the doll from Qin-mama and handed it over to his mother, tapping the birth date on the ugly doll.
âServants, have Qitai come here.â
âUnderstood.â A maid in the covered hallway sprinted out of the inner door to fetch the body servant.
Terrified, Qin Huining lifted a bloody and bruised face to look at Qin Huaiyuan. She had a feeling that he was going to proclaim judgment on her!