"Xisi, in your childhood, your health was frail, often falling ill. It was attributed to the disharmony with the Qin family's fate. The venerable Daoist Chiyuan mentioned that your destiny was mysterious. Thus, you were placed under the name of your stepmother early on, to temper your status with her nobility, before living away from home. This way, everyone could find some joy, which is why you were sent back to the old mansion. Grandmother understands that you harbor grievances, resenting our decision to keep you in the old mansion for ten years. But this was also for our mutual benefit."
Madam Qin looked at Qin Liusi, speaking softly, "Over these years, the Qin family hasn't skimped on your upbringing. The arrangements made have been diligent. Your sustenance until now, though seemingly heartless, is also a favor from the Qin family."
Qin Liusi raised her gaze to meet hers, her eyes calm and serene.
The old lady's words were not far from the truth—heartless yet benevolent. It was the benevolence of giving life and nurturing, but lacking in companionship and guidance. However, the cause and effect had already been set in motion.
Qin Liusi stood up, bowing respectfully to Madam Qin.
Madam Qin felt an even greater discomfort in her heart, biting her tongue before continuing, "You harbor resentment, and grandmother understands. But you bear the surname Qin, registered in the Qin family genealogy as the legitimate eldest daughter of the main branch. As long as your name remains, you are the eldest miss of our Qin family."
"Given that our ancestors have been stripped of their official titles, what significance does being an eldest miss hold for me?" Qin Liusi smiled self-deprecatingly.
Madam Qin bit her lip, saying, "This doesn't change the fact that we were once of noble lineage. I won't beat around the bush. Our Qin family has been confiscated and exiled by the emperor. Do you understand the implications of this?"
"Please elaborate," Qin Liusi replied.
Madam Qin closed her eyes, her face showing restraint.
Mrs. Wang, noticing this, continued, "Your grandfather was the Minister of the Guanglu Temple, a third-rank official. During the temple's ritual at the Tai Temple in July, the sudden death of the sacrificial lamb without any signs was deemed ominous, arousing the emperor's wrath..."
In a dynasty, temple rituals were significant, especially the sacrifices. Yet, on such a crucial occasion, a major problem occurred, particularly with the sacrificial lamb. During the founding of the Da Fang Dynasty, it was said that the founding emperor, leading his troops, was trapped by enemy forces in a jungle for nearly half a month. At that time, with supplies depleted, a group of people survived for half a month with only a lamb that appeared out of nowhere. Following the lamb through the mist, they eventually found their way out of the jungle and rendezvoused with reinforcements, turning defeat into victory. Therefore, the founding emperor considered the lamb to be a divine entity, even regarding it as a symbol of good luck for the Da Fang Dynasty. Hence, it was necessary to have a live lamb among the sacrificial animals.
Yet now, the sacrificial lamb had suddenly collapsed, blood pouring from its seven orifices, offered to the ancestral temple. Naturally, this was seen as ominous and disrespectful, implying the emperor's lack of benevolence.
When the emperor is angered, millions fall.
Qin Yuanshan, as the Minister of the Guanglu Temple, was deemed negligent in his oversight. Coupled with the influence of Consort Meng, who was hostile to the Qin family, accusations of disrespect and disloyalty were heavy, causing the Qin family to crumble without even a whimper of resistance, the entire structure collapsing.
Mrs. Wang paused, her fists clenched, lips pursed.
"In such a crucial occasion, how could Grandfather be negligent? This must be the work of schemers!" Qin Liusi remarked.
Madam Qin was somewhat surprised by her acuity, her voice tinged with hatred as she said, "You're right. Your grandfather, being cautious by nature, wouldn't have been lax on such an important occasion. But despite all precautions, loopholes were still exploited!"