Xu Shi didn’t notice the abnormality in Qin Shuying’s eyes, merely thinking she had fallen into another bout of melancholy about spring flowers and autumn moon. She grasped her hand in one swift motion, speaking intimately and warmly: “You child, missing your parents again.”
Qin Shuying’s body stiffened, and Feng’er’s innocent, childlike smile flashed through her mind. That smile seemed to give her the courage to face everything!
Xu Shi could pretend, but she herself must learn to pretend even better—otherwise, how could she avenge Feng’er?
Feng’er, mother will definitely avenge you! For you, mother is willing to do anything! Wearing human skin, becoming a demon, becoming a vengeful ghost—none of it matters!
So what difficulty could there be in dissembling with Xu Shi?
Qin Shuying had always been melancholic and sentimental, with poor health and a predominantly weak disposition. Her current pitiful and wretched appearance would surely not arouse Xu Shi’s suspicion. Hadn’t Nanny Fu and Lu Ye yesterday also acted as if they were accustomed to such behavior?
Qin Shuying gradually loosened her grip, and what Xu Shi saw was her red-swollen eyes and pale complexion.
Xu Shi laughed inwardly. Grief harms the body—this thirteen-year-old orphan girl, how much longer could she last? When the time came, all the wealth of the third branch would be within her grasp!
But her face showed nothing but pity: “Good child, lie down quickly, don’t get up.” Her tone was sincere and worried, truly moving.
She then turned to scold Qin Yunyun: “Yunyun is the same. You’re so worried about Seventh Sister that you can’t eat or drink, your little face has grown thin by a whole circle. That would be fine, but you even copied Buddhist scriptures until midnight. If you accidentally catch a cold, wouldn’t that make Seventh Sister feel guilty and worry herself sick, worsening her condition? Wouldn’t that be your fault then?”
Qin Shuying lowered her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. Indeed, Xu Shi harbored no suspicion. This was fortunate—when she couldn’t control her grief and tears, she would at least have an excuse.
Qin Yunyun pouted playfully: “Mother, wasn’t I just anxious? Now that Seventh Sister is well, how do you know it wasn’t my sincerity that moved the Buddha? How could Seventh Sister blame me for being meddlesome?”
Xu Shi’s confidante, Nanny Zhang, said: “Madam, in this old servant’s opinion, Seventh Miss slept for a day and night, but ultimately remained safe and sound, passing through death’s door entirely thanks to Sixth Miss’s day and night prayers. Do you remember? When Master fell ill before, Sixth Miss also stayed awake day and night, not drinking a drop of water, praying constantly, and Master recovered quickly. Sixth Miss truly has a kind heart—filial to elders, loving to sisters. Looking at all of the capital, few could compare to her. Seventh Miss, this old servant doesn’t mean to speak out of turn, but having a sister like Sixth Miss is truly a blessing you’ve cultivated over three lifetimes.”
“Yes, yes indeed.”
The maids and old women behind them all chimed in agreement. Only Lu Ye stood far away, her face full of indignation and anger, but not daring to speak. As for Hong Juan, her head was lowered so much that her expression couldn’t be seen. Hui Qin kept agreeing constantly, ready to follow orders at any moment.
With everyone talking at once, she wasn’t given any chance to speak. Was this supposed to be a sickbed visit?
Qin Shuying smiled gently, her face full of gratitude, tightly grasping Qin Yunyun’s hand: “Sixth Sister, I…”
Suddenly, a violent coughing fit interrupted the words that had just reached her lips. Qin Shuying’s mouth faced toward Qin Yunyun’s mouth area, coughing so hard she couldn’t catch her breath. Her body mostly leaned against Qin Yunyun as she struggled to speak, but the coughing wouldn’t stop. Her small face turned red from holding her breath, and saliva also splattered onto Qin Yunyun’s face.
Disgusting!
Qin Yunyun hurriedly turned her face away, pushing Qin Shuying toward the inner part of the bed. She wanted to move outward, but Qin Shuying gripped her hand tightly with no sign of loosening, leaning her entire body even more against her.
Nanny Zhang was very perceptive and immediately stepped forward, trying to support Qin Shuying so that Qin Yunyun could get up and leave.
But Qin Shuying’s coughing suddenly stopped, and she gripped Qin Yunyun’s hand even tighter, saying: “Sixth Sister, your great kindness and virtue, this sister will never forget… cough cough…”
Although Xu Shi had only come today to put on her “great benefactor” act and check on her physical condition, seeing that she remained weak and pale, she was finally reassured. Physician Liu had said that Qin Shuying’s illness wouldn’t take her quickly, but would drag on slowly—by the end of this year there would be a “conclusion.”
Xu Shi was overjoyed. With only a few months left, she couldn’t wait to put some of the treasures left by Qin Yongzhou and his wife to use first. Lianpin in the palace needed large amounts of silver.
Thinking of this, Xu Shi was in an excellent mood, her smile becoming increasingly kind and benevolent: “Look how distant you’re being, child. Ever since you returned, I’ve treated you like my own daughter. Your food, clothing, and expenses are even better than Yunyun’s. I spend money like water on you without ever frowning once. Whatever you need, just say it—even if I have to empty my private savings, I won’t frown once.”
Nanny Fu had just returned to see a room full of people, and happened to hear Xu Shi’s speech. She couldn’t help but feel furious. When Miss returned to the Qin mansion, she had brought substantial wealth with her. Under Xu Shi’s deception, she had lined her own pockets—when had she ever spent a single penny of her own? Now it had become as if Miss depended entirely on Xu Shi for her livelihood!
She hurried to Qin Shuying’s side, her eyes full of anger, and spoke up: “First Madam, our Master and Mistress left Eighteen shops, over a thousand mu of fertile land, and countless precious treasures and paintings for Miss! Every shop is in a prime location with thriving business and abundant income—Miss couldn’t spend it all in a lifetime!”
Xu Shi merely smiled, presenting an appearance of tolerance and magnanimity, not bothering to argue with an ignorant servant.
Nanny Zhang said: “Nanny Fu, that’s not right. It’s true that Third Master and Third Mistress left many shops for Seventh Miss, but Seventh Miss only knows how to read and embroider—she doesn’t know how to manage them at all. Those shopkeepers each have their own ideas, and their loyalty has long since scattered. If First Madam hadn’t helped oversee them, the shops would probably have been carried off by now! But First Madam, considering that Seventh Miss is her blood niece, never complains of hardship or fatigue, and doesn’t slack off even when misunderstood. Now that Nanny Fu is a free person, what right does she have to stay at the Qin mansion? Eating and drinking from the Qin household—have you no shame?”
Qin Shuying concealed the cold laugh in her heart. This Nanny Zhang dared to speak such lies and distort the truth right in front of her, the master—how arrogant! Who exactly gave her such arrogant confidence?! Xu Shi!
Qin Shuying lowered her eyelids, a flash of ruthlessness passing through her eyes.
Nanny Fu trembled with anger. Qin Shuying seemingly inadvertently blocked Nanny Fu’s hand away, frowning with some displeasure: “Nanny, First Madam treats me so well—who in the entire Qin mansion doesn’t know this? Don’t overthink things. Go pour me a cup of water—my throat is dry.”
With simple words, she brushed past the previous incident. The others naturally attributed Qin Shuying’s displeasure to Nanny Fu, since Qin Shuying and Nanny Fu had been at odds for many days now.
Nanny Fu was stunned, finally lowering her head in complete disappointment to pour water. Xu Shi’s smile became even more radiant—the girl from the third branch was just foolish.
Qin Shuying spoke to Qin Yunyun again, her delicate features expressing endless misery and dependence: “Sixth Sister, you know my condition. Whenever the weather changes, I’m bound to be bedridden for a long time, not daring to leave the house, confined to these deep chambers in lonely suffering. The servants in Spring Garden are afraid of catching my illness and falling sick themselves, so they don’t dare come near me normally. Even when they speak, they won’t face me directly, fearing I’ll pass my sickness to them. Sixth Sister, if you would just come see me once each day so we sisters can talk, I would be completely satisfied…”
She didn’t mention what Nanny Zhang had just said.
As she spoke, another bout of breathless coughing seized her, as if she might cough up her very lungs. Her entire body leaned against Qin Yunyun, her mouth facing toward Qin Yunyun as if trying to say something, but ultimately the coughing prevented her from speaking, only sending a mouthful of medicinal breath onto Qin Yunyun’s face.
Qin Yunyun, smelling the unpleasant odor, struggled to shake off her hand, covered her mouth, and backed away several steps in disgust, her face full of revulsion.