In that moment, Zhu Pingniang was at a loss for what to do. Anyway, her little Qin'Er was already stuck in her hand, and all she could do was endure and watch how things unfolded... she really had no other options left.
Zhu Pingniang was very clear about one thing. The attempt to arrange a marriage for Qinling back then was the direct reason why Qinling confronted her. It was her failure to handle the matter properly. And now... since Qinling had chosen to live alone all these years, without even a friend to accompany her on a boat trip, that was enough to show Qinling's attitude.
Under the current suppression, Zhu Pingniang was uncertain about the extent of Qinling's feelings for her, but she knew that it was almost impossible to change Qinling's emotions now...
Even if Zhu Tongjun were struck down by a Celestial Tribulation now, Qin'Er's feelings would still chase all the way down to the Abyss Sea.
So...
