However, the moment she stepped through the gates of the Lu residence, Qin Shuying seemed to see that little boy who had already shown some masculine spirit—his childish face, brilliant smile, rushing toward her, sweetly calling out: “Mother!”

Qin Shuying swayed slightly. Whatever Ziteng said, whatever Xu Shi and Qin Yunyun said, she didn’t hear a single word.

Under that tree, Feng’er had once run around wildly.

Under that eave, Feng’er had once eaten peaches.

On that open ground, Feng’er had once ridden tree branches pretending they were horses…

Feng’er’s small figure, his sweet smile…

After Qin Yaoyao died, she was buried in the Lu family ancestral graves—this was what the Xu couple had fought for on Qin Yaoyao’s behalf.

But no one knew where Feng’er had been buried. Since he was a bastard child, he was probably thrown into a mass grave…

Qin Shuying unconsciously tightened her grip on Ziteng’s hand, gripping so hard that she hurt Ziteng without realizing it.

At this moment, Ziteng wasn’t faring much better than Qin Shuying.

Though her hand was being gripped painfully by Qin Shuying, she was completely unaware of it.

Her smile froze at the corners of her lips, her eyes cold as ice and snow, her hands cold as ice shards.

Lu Changxuan and the steward led them to Cixin Hall where Old Madam Lu lived, and naturally Nanny Yuan, a capable woman by Old Madam Lu’s side, came forward to greet the guests.

“In-law Madam!”

Nanny Yuan warmly approached them, but Qin Shuying imperceptibly slowed her pace, falling several steps behind Qin Yunyun.

Nanny Yuan said, “In-law Madam, both young misses, the Old Madam is waiting for you. Please follow me!”

Upon seeing the attire of Qin Shuying and Ziteng, Nanny Yuan couldn’t help but examine them more closely, her eyes layered with greed and desire.

A flash of mockery passed through Qin Shuying’s eyes.

This Nanny Yuan was in her thirties and was a relative of the Lu family. Years ago, when she had nowhere to turn, it was Qin Yaoyao who had taken her in and given her food to eat. Nanny Yuan daily flattered Old Madam Lu and eventually became a managing nanny by the Old Madam’s side.

How destitute she had been back then—her family couldn’t even afford a meal, and one of her sons had starved to death. After Qin Yaoyao gradually built up the business and the Lu family had food and clothing, Nanny Yuan immediately attached herself to them, and her remaining son and daughter were saved.

Now, barely six years later, Nanny Yuan’s sallow, waxy face had become ruddy and full, her figure rounded, adorned with gold and silver jewelry—clearly she was living very comfortably.

Seeing her eyes squinting into slits from smiling, the sharp pain in Qin Shuying’s heart seemed to find an outlet. In causing Feng’er’s death, Nanny Yuan also bore responsibility…

Qin Shuying’s emotions gradually calmed, and she squeezed Ziteng’s hand. “Ziteng, we’ve arrived.”

Ziteng suddenly snapped to attention, as if awakening from a dream.

“Miss.” Ziteng called out softly, lowering her head.

“Pull yourself together!” Qin Shuying said lightly.

Ziteng nodded and once again put on the expression a maid should have.

Entering the room, several guests had already arrived—mostly wives of Lu Changxuan’s colleagues, and some Lu family relatives.

Xu Shi held the highest rank among these people and sat in the place of honor, with Qin Yunyun and Qin Shuying standing at her left and right sides.

With one glance, Qin Shuying could see all these people clearly.

They were all familiar faces indeed.

The fair, slightly plump woman was the wife of Lu Changxuan’s superior, Madam Zhao, accompanied by her concubine-born daughter who appeared to be thirteen or fourteen and was very respectful toward Madam Zhao. The woman in bright colors was the wife of Lu Changxuan’s colleague, Madam Zhong, accompanied by her daughter who was nearly fifteen and constantly smiling. The woman who kept smiling while examining Qin Yunyun and Qin Shuying was Lu Changxuan’s aunt, also accompanied by a thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl.

The other female relatives, being of insufficient status, basically didn’t speak much, only smiling as they watched Old Madam Lu converse with Xu Shi and Madam Zhao, occasionally chiming in with agreement.

When the ladies and madams saw the two young misses enter behind Xu Shi, their eyes all brightened, especially at the miss walking at the back—her shimmering, color-changing clothes and the complete set of jade jewelry on her head were obviously extremely valuable, instantly attracting all the girls’ gazes.

Lu Changju’s expression changed countless times. She had dressed in her finest today and had been secretly pleased with herself, but after Qin Shuying entered, she discovered she had been utterly outshone.

Particularly galling was that even the maid following behind was dressed more expensively than she, a legitimate young miss!

After paying her respects, Qin Shuying stood quietly behind Xu Shi, seemingly oblivious to all this, listening to the ladies’ conversation.

They were talking about Lu Changsong.

Old Madam Lu said, “Changsong finished his exams and was exhausted—he rested for three days before recovering his energy.”

Madam Zhao said, “Scholar Lu is young and promising. Old Madam, rest assured, the Second Young Master will certainly pass with high marks.”

Having one son with a bright future ahead, and with Lu Changsong’s scholarship also being excellent, Old Madam Lu naturally felt no need for modesty and said, “I’ll borrow Madam Zhao’s auspicious words.”

The metropolitan examination had ended four days ago. Among the students who had taken it were also Liu Junqing and Xu Zhiyang.

Sure enough, Xu Shi began speaking of her maternal nephew: “My nephew also took the examination this year. I wonder what his results will be. Speaking of it, this youngest son of my maternal brother is both clever and capable—he and the Second Young Master are both outstanding young talents.”

“Both will pass, both will pass!” Old Madam Lu was happy today. “When the time comes, we’ll celebrate together, celebrate together.”

These words were both lively and auspicious, making everyone laugh. The maids and old women served tea and water in an orderly fashion, while the ladies and misses chatted warmly—everything appeared festive and joyous.

Aunt Lu flatteringly smiled and said, “Sister-in-law, you have the best fortune—a house full of children and grandchildren, with two nephews so accomplished. Our Lu family owes all its good fortune to sister-in-law.”

Qin Shuying silently lowered her eyes. This Aunt Lu was a widow who depended on the Lu family for survival. But in earlier years, when Old Madam Lu was in distress, she had kicked her when she was down, mocking and ridiculing her. Old Madam Lu had always harbored resentment about this.

So after Old Madam Lu’s fortunes turned, she didn’t treat kindly this widowed sister-in-law who had returned to her natal family. In daily life, if Old Madam Lu wanted to snap at Aunt Lu, she snapped; if she wanted to scold her, she scolded. Aunt Lu now depended on her sister-in-law’s generosity for herself and her daughter’s livelihood, so whatever Old Madam Lu said was law—she dared not go against her wishes and constantly flattered her with free-flowing flattery.

Her words were quite fitting for the occasion. Old Madam Lu was happy today, glanced at her without scolding, but also didn’t respond.

Aunt Lu smiled, showing no embarrassment. Her daughter standing beside her, called Mei Niang, showed a flash of panic and shame on her face, then turned her smile toward Lu Changju.

Lu Changju remained aloof toward Mei Niang’s flattery, maintaining her full young miss airs.

Aunt Lu’s words were rather crude, and Madam Zhao and Madam Zhong, considering their own status, naturally didn’t respond.

Xu Shi certainly wouldn’t acknowledge it either, but when fortune was mentioned, she couldn’t help but say a few words: “Speaking of it, Fei’er is also blessed, being able to continue the Lu family line so quickly. Old Madam, shouldn’t we have someone urge them to bring the young master out for us to see? Thinking of seeing the young master, I got up before dawn to dress properly.”

Qin Feifei was a meritorious member of the Lu family, and Xu Shi had to speak up for her.