Qin Shuying gave Xu Shi no chance to refute. Instead, she knelt down, her eyes filled with tears as she said to Old Madam: “Old Ancestor, this servant doesn’t know her place or shame, daring to privately open the warehouse to steal my late mother’s jewelry! I don’t know if the items Father and Mother so devotedly intended as birthday gifts for Old Ancestor are still there?! How could they so trample on my parents’ filial devotion!”

Suddenly, Qin Shuying pointed at the screen Qin Yunyun had just presented: “Most hateful is that Nanny Zhang privately took Father’s rosewood screen to make the frame for Sixth Sister’s screen, putting Sixth Sister in an unfilial and unrighteous position! Putting Old Ancestor in an unkind position!”

Qin Shuying spoke very rapidly, as if she had practiced these words a thousand times, completely unlike her usual reticent, gentle, and weak nature. Xu Shi had never expected Qin Shuying to speak so quickly and fluently. For a moment, she couldn’t find an opening to interrupt and had no way to refute.

Now the entire room truly fell completely silent. How could an old servant have such audacity unless Xu Shi had instructed her!

Having lost the initiative, it was too late for Xu Shi to salvage the situation!

Qin Yunyun’s face flushed red as she immediately retorted: “Seventh Sister, this was clearly given to me by Mother. How could it be…” Just as the words left her mouth, she realized something was wrong. Indeed, Xu Shi glared at her fiercely.

Qin Shuying said gently: “Sixth Sister, First Madam was also deceived by that servant Nanny Zhang. This rosewood screen frame was always displayed in Mother’s room—how could I be mistaken? The screen’s base is carved with the four characters ‘Eternal Peace and Prosperity.’ If you don’t believe me, Sister Xiang Qin, Sister Xiang Chun, could you turn it over and look?”

How could Xiang Qin and Xiang Chun dare to actually turn it over? They looked at each other, then toward Old Madam.

Old Madam remained silent. After a long pause, she said: “We’ve made everyone witness this spectacle. Nanny Gu, when today’s business is finished, tell the eldest to take Seventh Miss to the authorities and properly sort through everything Third Son left behind. Without rules, nothing can be accomplished. Though the Qin manor cannot compare to century-old aristocratic families, we are still clean and honest. We absolutely cannot let certain individuals corrupt our family’s reputation! Someone, tie up Nanny Zhang first!”

Qin Shuying breathed a sigh of relief. This battle was initially victorious.

Old Madam had originally been a young lady from an official family, but her male cousins, relying on their sister being a palace beauty, became lawless—forcibly taking common women and seizing wealth through trickery. They were eventually convicted and their entire family executed. Old Madam, being young, was spared from punishment, but her parents and elder brothers all died miserably.

In fact, Old Madam knew that while her male cousins were somewhat arrogant, such matters wouldn’t concern the Emperor—they didn’t constitute major crimes. Her female cousin was involved in palace consort struggles and participated in witchcraft. Because those blasphemous objects were brought in by maternal family members, the Emperor was enraged enough to execute the entire family. But since witchcraft was taboo, the Emperor used the cousins’ extortion as the stated crime.

Therefore, Old Madam despised most in her life those who, having gained some status, didn’t know their own worth. Because she understood Old Madam’s mindset, Qin Shuying dared risk this performance.

Xu Shi, relying on having Imperial Consort Lianpin, didn’t know the limits of heaven and earth, not even respecting Old Madam. Especially these past three years, she had done many things that displeased Old Madam.

Rather than having the family destroyed due to maternal relatives’ arrogance, it was better to suffer public humiliation and make Xu Shi restrain herself. Besides, the Xu family was currently like oil cooking over fierce flames—a family without flaws wasn’t one that could reassure the Emperor. Look at Empress’s family—they had quite a few “worthless” descendants!

How could Old Madam not see through Qin Shuying’s thoughts? She felt both sighing and gratified. Child Shuying truly resembled Yongzhou—the same stubbornness, the same intelligence. However, being too clever inevitably brought self-harm.

Making Xu Shi lose face before everyone was a warning that the Qin manor was still in Old Madam’s hands, not Xu Shi’s. Old Madam could favor whoever she wanted and humiliate whoever she chose.

Of course, afterward, Old Madam naturally wouldn’t spare Qin Shuying either. But compared to continuing to live meekly and eventually dying silently, she would rather be punished and disliked by Old Madam.

How could Nanny Zhang willingly be tied up? She naturally struggled, but several strong servants overpowered her resistance. The seated madams acted as if they saw nothing, calmly drinking tea. While some young misses were frightened pale, none behaved too inappropriately.

Luo Shi’s complexion remained normal as she smiled: “Old Madam, the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra was personally written by the holy monk Master Xuanseng. I’d like to borrow it for study—would Old Madam be willing to part with it?”

This was smoothing things over. Old Madam said: “Willing, willing.”

In a moment, the hall was again filled with cheerful laughter. Old Madam then directed Zou Shi: “Second daughter-in-law, the red leaves in the garden are blooming beautifully. Lead everyone to see them.”

Zou Shi agreed and led the female guests to the back courtyard to admire autumn.

Only Xu Shi and Qin Shuying remained, both kneeling on the ground almost simultaneously, neither defending themselves.

Unexpectedly, Old Madam didn’t scold anyone. After a long silence, she finally said: “Both of you may go.”

This meant temporarily not pursuing the matter—but accounts would be settled later.

Both withdrew from Xuan Hall, where maids and servants stood everywhere outside. Passing Hui Qin, Qin Shuying stopped and glanced at her. Hui Qin instinctively stepped back. Having heard about the events in Xuan Hall, she now looked at Qin Shuying as if viewing a monster.

Where had Seventh Miss gotten the courage to embarrass First Madam before so many outsiders?! Who was First Madam? She was Imperial Consort Lianpin’s birth mother! The manor’s ruling matriarch! Having both Lianpin and two sons, her position was unshakably secure!

When they separated at the crossroads, Xu Shi stopped and looked at Qin Shuying. She truly hadn’t expected this girl to be so ruthless!

Even now, Xu Shi found it somewhat unbelievable.

She watched Qin Shuying slowly approach. Her gaze was profound, her smile barely perceptible. Though she had a bright face, she looked sinister.

Xu Shi seethed with hatred but smiled on the surface: “Seventh Miss, it’s all because I trusted people too readily that servant Nanny Zhang found an opening. Don’t worry—once Old Madam’s birthday banquet is over, I’ll immediately punish that old servant!”

Qin Shuying also smiled, laughing deeply. She was still too inexperienced—look at Xu Shi, now this was a true master!

“First Madam, your words are too formal. We’re all family—naturally Shuying trusts you.”

Xu Shi smiled warmly: “Good, that’s excellent. By the way, you haven’t left Spring Garden in so long, and it’s rare to have so many young people together today. The weather is quite nice too—go quickly to accompany the guests.”

Qin Shuying smiled harmlessly: “Then Shuying will go ahead first.”

Only after Qin Shuying’s figure disappeared in the distance did Xu Shi withdraw her gaze and walk step by step toward the banquet hall.