Qin Shuying remained calm and unangered, smiling faintly as she said, “Third Sister speaks so well. Back then, Second Sister must have been very reassured too! With Third Sister by Second Brother-in-law’s side, caring for him so attentively, those Hongxiu and Tianxiang were probably modeled after Third Sister! Third Sister has set a fine example for all the women under heaven! Third Sister’s concern for this younger sister is truly moving to tears! I will certainly remember Third Sister’s heartfelt words. Seeing how well Third Sister can care for Second Brother-in-law in her place, Second Sister can surely rest in peace in the underworld!”
“Bang!” Xu Shi slammed down her bowl heavily. “What are you saying! Changxuan is your third brother-in-law!”
Could Xu Shi no longer maintain her composure? Was she done performing that kind and amiable act?
Qin Shuying smiled slightly and said, “Madam, Second Brother-in-law is Third Brother-in-law, and Third Brother-in-law is Second Brother-in-law. Everyone in the capital knows this. Did Shuying say something wrong?”
“You…”
Xu Shi was furious. The point wasn’t about second brother-in-law versus third brother-in-law, but about Qin Feifei’s status—before Qin Yaoyao, she would forever be just a concubine.
Qin Shuying clearly knew how to strike at Xu Shi’s sore spots, saying, “Whether Second Brother-in-law is Third Brother-in-law, or Third Brother-in-law is Second Brother-in-law, in any case, Third Sister is caring for her brother-in-law in Second Sister’s place. Second Sister’s spirit in heaven will surely be very comforted! Second Sister will definitely visit Third Sister often to thank her for caring for Second Brother-in-law! When Third Sister’s child becomes the legitimate eldest son, he should also thank Second Sister’s son for dying early! Third Sister, don’t you think so?”
Qin Feifei was so angry she nearly jumped up, pointing at Qin Shuying: “You, you, you…”
Qin Shuying sneered inwardly but continued speaking without pause: “Madam, although Third Sister will forever be just a concubine before Second Sister, didn’t you often tell me that as women, we must keep to our proper place? Therefore, I believe Third Sister will surely care for Second Brother-in-law well in Second Sister’s place. You needn’t worry—whether he’s Second Brother-in-law or Third Brother-in-law, he’s still your son-in-law and will be filial to you.”
Xu Shi had suffered a mute loss, but there wasn’t a single error in Qin Shuying’s words.
The commotion here was loud enough that Qin Yongtao heard it too. He sent someone over to inquire: “Master asks if there’s any trouble?”
Qin Shuying lowered her eyelids. Now was not the time to break with Qin Yongtao.
Moreover, she currently had no intention of breaking with Qin Yongtao.
Qin Yongtao had met countless people and been immersed in officialdom for years. If he truly decided to eliminate her, it would be very difficult for her to escape his grasp.
So while she could say certain things to Xu Shi, she couldn’t let Qin Yongtao witness them directly. And she dared to speak this way in front of Xu Shi precisely because she was certain Xu Shi wouldn’t dare tell Qin Yongtao.
Of course, just because Xu Shi wouldn’t tell didn’t mean others wouldn’t tell Qin Yongtao—that would be Qin Feifei and Qin Yunyun. But if it were Qin Feifei and Qin Yunyun, they would have to dare to speak up. They had always been virtuous and gentle, so bringing up such matters before their father would naturally be inappropriate. And if they could speak, she, as their niece, could also defend herself.
Of course, if Concubine Li was willing to tell Qin Yongtao, that would be best. But would Concubine Li tell Qin Yongtao that Xu Shi had been cornered by Qin Shuying at the banquet?
Qin Shuying smiled slightly. If Concubine Li were that foolish, how could she live so well in the Qin residence?
So at this moment, Qin Shuying said nothing, picked up a piece of bamboo shoot as if no one else were present, and began eating it carefully.
Naturally, Xu Shi wouldn’t let Qin Yongtao know she had been cornering Qin Shuying—that wasn’t exactly admirable behavior. Though they were husband and wife, and though her current position was unshakeable, she knew Qin Yongtao’s forbidden zones.
Qin Yongtao was most filial to Old Madam, and Old Madam currently valued Qin Shuying. If he knew she had cornered Qin Shuying in front of so many people, Qin Yongtao would show her no mercy.
Only she knew how cold and ruthless Qin Yongtao could be in private. If he became angry, he could avoid her courtyard for months at a time—wouldn’t that just benefit those vixens for nothing?
Xu Shi suppressed her angry expression and told the servant, “Today Feifei returned home, and we mothers and daughters were happy, so our voices got a bit loud and disturbed Master’s mood.”
The servant went to relay the message. Only then did Xu Shi grit her teeth and say in a low voice, “Virtue and words, virtue and words—an unmarried woman constantly speaking of men. Does she know no shame?!”
In front of so many people, if this had been the original Qin Shuying, she probably would have gone home and hanged herself with a white silk cord!
In this world where reputation was valued as life itself, how many women could endure having their own aunt brand them as “shameless” before so many people!
Qin Shuying’s smile remained sweet as she looked up, but only she knew that her eyes had filled with frozen hatred.
“Madam praises me too highly. Whatever I do can’t compare to Third Sister.”
Qin Feifei was so angry smoke came from her seven orifices, but she didn’t dare speak loudly again.
Not a single person at this table could taste the food.
After the lunch banquet.
At Yanfei Pavilion, Qin Feifei spoke with Xu Shi.
“Mother, when you said Seventh Girl had changed dramatically, I didn’t quite believe it. Now I finally do—Seventh Girl is somewhat sinister!”
Xu Shi narrowed her eyes. “Feifei, Seventh Girl must be possessed by evil spirits, so we need to invite a virtuous and respected Taoist priest to exorcise the demons!”
Qin Feifei smiled with pursed lips, coldness flashing in her eyes: “Mother truly cares for Seventh Sister with such devotion!”
Xu Shi gave a sinister smile. “An aunt caring for her niece—that’s her duty!”
At Yilan Garden.
Upon receiving the news, Qin Shuying’s hand didn’t pause in her writing. This couldn’t help but remind her of something from long ago. Back then, when Qin Yaoyao hadn’t yet married, Xu Shi had invited a Taoist priest to exorcise evil spirits from one of Qin Yongtao’s favored concubines. In the end, the evil spirits were exorcised, and the concubine died too.
However, Qin Shuying only said “I understand” and continued writing with her head down.
Ziteng stood in the shadows, the corners of her lips curving in an enigmatic smile.
It was good that Miss had money—several maids and servants at Yanfei Pavilion had been bought with her generous payments, and they would pass along news as soon as they had it.
Five hundred taels of silver each…
They couldn’t earn that much in a lifetime of service—how could they not be tempted?
At Xuan Hall.
News of the lunch banquet naturally reached Old Madam’s ears. Nanny Gu looked worriedly at Old Madam’s complex expression and sighed softly in her heart. Master, you’ve truly disappointed Old Madam too much.
After a long while, Old Madam said, “If I weren’t here, how would this girl survive? Alas—”
Nanny Gu didn’t dare speak, only stood worriedly by Old Madam’s side, heavy with concerns.
The next day, Qin Shuying took the token Old Madam had given her and left the residence.
Upon hearing this, Xu Shi was so angry she smashed an official kiln Ru porcelain teacup to pieces: “That bitch raised by a whore!”
Nanny Liu didn’t dare respond, not knowing whether Xu Shi was cursing Old Madam or Qin Shuying.
During this period, this wasn’t the first time Qin Shuying had left the residence. Though Madam was angry, she had never been in such a boiling rage as today.
“Feifei returned home, and she actually went to burn incense! Today, she’s pretending to be ill again and not attending! The old… hmph!” Xu Shi had been holding in anger since yesterday and was worried about having no outlet. She complained about Old Madam thoroughly, then smiled coldly: “So what? Didn’t Second Girl die just the same! Even that bastard she bore died too! A concubine’s daughter is still a concubine’s daughter—no matter how high you elevate her, it’s useless! A chicken can never become a phoenix!”