Lu Changxuan handed Old Madam Lu a cup of tea, saying: “Mother, have some tea first.”

Lu Changxuan knew Old Madam Lu’s nature—there might be even more unpleasant words to come. After all, his mother-in-law and Qin Yunyun were still here, and it wouldn’t be good if they heard such things.

Old Madam Lu’s angry expression remained as she snorted and sat down, accepting the teacup Lu Changxuan offered.

Lu Changju snorted: “Seventh Miss, you truly have no respect for seniority. Seeing mother and elder brother, you still sit there brazenly. If the noble ladies of the capital knew of your behavior, who would want to associate with you!”

Qin Shuying paid her no mind, only looking at the hairpin on Old Madam Lu’s head: “Old Madam, you are someone who understands propriety best. Between sensible people, there’s no need for beating around the bush. The hairpin on Old Madam’s head is my mother’s relic and should naturally be returned to its rightful owner.”

Old Madam Lu had just taken a sip of tea when she heard these words. The tea got stuck in her throat, unable to go up or down, and she choked it out.

“Cough, cough, cough…”

The entire room filled with Old Madam Lu’s coughing. Being in the midst of anger and urgency only made her cough more violently.

Lu Changju and Nanny Yuan hurriedly helped her catch her breath.

Lu Changxuan showed no signs of anger. Without even looking at Qin Shuying, he said to Xu Shi: “Mother-in-law, your residence’s Seventh Miss seems to have developed madness. Mother-in-law should quickly have someone escort her back and keep her well cared for at the residence lest her condition worsen. If mother-in-law lacks sufficient staff, your son-in-law can arrange for a few more people. Today’s full-month celebration still has male guests requiring your son-in-law’s attention, so I cannot accompany mother-in-law.”

Xu Shi slowly nodded. Lu Changxuan’s words were most appropriate. Now her mind was crystal clear and her demeanor much calmer: “You go attend to your duties. We will need a few people sent over. Seventh daughter has developed madness—I, as her aunt, only learned of this today. It’s all my fault.”

Lu Changxuan said: “Mother-in-law need not blame yourself. With so many affairs in the residence, it’s inevitable that mother-in-law would overlook some things. Now that we know, there’s still time. Mother-in-law should also ask a physician to properly treat Seventh Miss’s illness. Speaking of which, your son-in-law knows an old physician with excellent medical skills whom I can recommend to mother-in-law.”

Xu Shi nodded with a smile: “That would be wonderful.”

Qin Shuying sneered coldly in her heart. Sinister, ruthless, and calculating—Lu Changxuan was truly a formidable character. In her previous life, Qin Yaoyao naturally knew he had many methods, never showing his emotions, and would never act without certainty. Once he moved, he would strike decisively.

If Xu Shi followed Lu Changxuan’s words and confined Qin Shuying to the Qin residence without letting her out, no matter how sharp Qin Shuying’s tongue might be, what could she do? No matter how capable Qin Shuying might be, she would have no place to exercise her abilities.

Lu Changxuan was indeed formidable, immediately finding her weak point.

If it were the former Qin Shuying, or Qin Yaoyao, they would naturally be helpless.

Qin Shuying leisurely stood up: “If Master Lu says I’ve developed madness, there’s no need to trouble Master Lu. I can return by myself.”

With that, she lifted her foot to walk outside, with Ziteng quickly following.

However, Lu Changxuan lightly shifted, seemingly casually but blocking Qin Shuying’s path, his face still smiling: “How can Seventh Sister go back by herself when she’s ill?”

He called out loudly, and someone outside responded. Lu Changxuan said: “Immediately call four people to escort Seventh Sister back to the Qin residence, and deliver her personally into father-in-law’s hands.”

Qin Shuying sneered coldly in her heart. Lu Changxuan was truly formidable—he would stuff her into a carriage, tie her up inside, return her to the Qin residence, never let her out again, and find an excuse of serious illness. From then on, wouldn’t Qin Shuying be at everyone’s mercy until she died?

This was exactly what Xu Shi had done before.

Qin Shuying neither argued nor made a fuss, standing quietly in place as if this matter had nothing to do with her.

In just a moment, four servants indeed entered. Lu Changxuan gave them a few instructions, and the four servants looked over with unfriendly expressions.

Qin Shuying walked with composure, as if merely going to do something perfectly ordinary, saying peacefully: “I dare not trouble Master Lu.”

With that, she flicked the clothing that the servants had touched and walked out with her head held high.

Though Qin Shuying’s face was calm, her gaze was stern, with a faint aura of inviolable righteousness. Since Lu Changxuan hadn’t ordered the servants to push or manhandle Qin Shuying, they dared not touch her, only positioning themselves around her in a subtle restraining formation, escorting her out.

Ziteng also made no noise, quietly following behind.

Only then did a trace of relief appear at the corner of Qin Yunyun’s mouth. No matter how capable she was, an arm could never twist a thigh.

Lu Changju snorted: “She got off easy. That jade has quite good quality though!”

Old Madam Lu was still coughing, her brow filled with lingering anger.

The Lu residence’s five-courtyard compound wasn’t large, but it wasn’t small either. After winding through the passages, Qin Shuying reached the front gate’s covered walkway.

Qin Shuying stopped there. From here she could see outside the front gate where a carriage was already prepared—still the Qin residence’s vehicle.

Nanny Liu, having received Lu Changxuan’s instructions, had come out first and given the coachman a few words. She was to personally accompany them back.

The main gate was open, and there were people across the way. Qin Shuying gave an almost imperceptible nod toward the opposite side, then stood in place without taking another step outside.

“Seventh Miss, the carriage is just outside the gate. Please hurry out and board,” Nanny Liu said with a pleased expression. She hadn’t forgotten how Qin Shuying had treated her earlier.

However, Qin Shuying said: “Nanny Liu, that jade hairpin on Old Madam Lu’s head—you brought it for Third Sister, who then gave it to Old Madam Lu, right? At that time, Second Sister hadn’t died yet.”

Nanny Liu’s chest pounded wildly. She quickly looked around and saw only a few servants from other residences walking on the road, plus the four Lu residence servants beside them. Only then did she feel slightly relieved, though annoyance had already surfaced: “Seventh Miss, please go out and board the carriage!”

Qin Shuying said lightly: “On such a joyous day as today, Old Madam Lu couldn’t even produce a decent piece of jewelry and had to use her daughter-in-law’s things to maintain appearances. The tea served today was all inferior grade. I imagine in a few days, servants will have to be sold off, otherwise life will become unbearable. You servants, can what you eat and use now compare to when my Second Sister was alive? Back then, the servants ate fresh seasonal foods, the kitchen steward’s monthly salary was one tael, and you nannies received eight hundred coins monthly, with new clothes every season. Now, I hear your monthly salaries are four hundred coins, with no clothes or rewards at all. Even on such a joyous day as today, the reward money is only ten coins. Previously, it would have been five hundred coins! The difference is like heaven and earth!”

The four servants were stunned, looking at each other with expressions full of doubt.

What Qin Shuying said was completely accurate.

Feeling it wasn’t enough, Qin Shuying added: “My Third Sister is also something else. As the lady of the house, she dresses herself so well. If she would just save a little, even the scraps from her fingers would be enough for all your expenses. Why torment you like this?”