Nanny Fu said: “How dare they call themselves a duke’s household? They’ve completely disgraced the face of all noble families!”

Ziteng said coldly: “Women’s lives are already bitter, yet Eighth Miss still plotted against you, Miss. This kind of ending now doesn’t waste her scheming efforts.”

Nanny Fu sighed again, becoming even more worried about Qin Shuying’s marriage prospects.

Qin Shuying thought for a moment and said: “Nanny, see where Eighth Sister has been taken. I am her elder sister, and since she’s returned, it’s only proper that I go see her.”

Nanny Fu said: “She’s been taken to Concubine Li’s place.”

Qin Shuying then said: “Help me change clothes. I’ll go see Eighth Sister.”

Nanny Fu called Hong Juan in. Hong Juan asked: “Miss, which outfit shall you wear?”

Qin Shuying said: “That cream-colored set will do, and keep the jewelry simple too.”

Hong Juan went to prepare. Nanny Fu and Ziteng exchanged glances—the miss was truly kindhearted. Back when Eighth Miss had harmed her so badly, the miss now considered Eighth Miss’s feelings and dressed plainly and ordinarily.

However, Qin Shuying didn’t think this way. She simply remembered that when she had been Qin Yaoyao, she too was a concubine-born daughter who had suffered through those later events. This was merely the sorrow of seeing fellow creatures perish—mutual sympathy between those sharing the same affliction.

After getting ready, Hong Juan accompanied Qin Shuying to Concubine Li’s courtyard.

When Concubine Li learned that Qin Shuying had come, she was stunned.

Qin Shuying had never set foot in her courtyard, and she had a mortal feud with Qin Fangfang. Was she coming now to mock her daughter? Thinking of her daughter’s pitiful state with barely a breath left, Concubine Li’s tears fell continuously.

But she was a concubine while Qin Shuying was the master—she absolutely had no grounds to block her entry.

Upon seeing Qin Shuying, Concubine Li’s feelings were extremely complex. Qin Shuying’s attire clearly showed she was afraid of upsetting Qin Fangfang.

Earlier, when she had seen Qin Fangfang in those shabby old clothes, she could hardly believe it.

Initially, though Qin Fangfang had gone to be a concubine, her dowry hadn’t been small. How dare Duke Zhuangmu’s household allow Qin Fangfang to return wearing such clothes? Even the Qin household’s second-class maids wouldn’t dress so shabbily!

She had cried her fill, and First Madam had sent someone to fetch a physician while also having someone inform Qin Yongtao.

After examining Qin Fangfang, the physician only said her life was not in danger, but she had been starved to this condition from eating too poorly in the past.

Starved to this condition?

Concubine Li couldn’t imagine what kind of suffering Qin Fangfang had endured at the duke’s household.

How had she been so possessed back then to listen to Xu Shi’s words and actually try to harm Qin Shuying? The result was sacrificing her own daughter!

When she saw Qin Shuying, Concubine Li couldn’t describe the feelings in her heart.

“Seventh Miss has come. Eighth Miss is still unconscious and cannot thank Seventh Miss.”

“What kind of words are those, Concubine? Eighth Sister and I are sisters. My coming to see her is natural sisterly affection—Eighth Sister need not thank me. What did the physician say? If medicinal supplements are needed, I have some aged good herbs. Concubine, please just say so.”

Concubine Li’s nose tingled with emotion. Qin Shuying was truly sending charcoal in snowy weather! Though Qin Fangfang was now part of the Sun family and had been sent back, she still belonged to the Sun family. She didn’t know if the master would have someone send Fang’er back after he returned. If she were sent back, what could she do to stop it?

If the master showed mercy and let Fang’er recover at home for a few days, those days would certainly require medicinal herbs. The prescription the physician had just written included several precious herbs, and the household funds probably wouldn’t…

“This concubine thanks Seventh Miss on behalf of Eighth Miss!” Concubine Li tearfully thanked her repeatedly.

Qin Shuying didn’t continue the lengthy conversation and said to Hong Juan: “Hong Juan, see what medicinal herbs Eighth Sister needs, then take my seal and fetch them from the shop.”

Some color returned to Concubine Li’s pale face, and guilt grew in her heart.

After speaking, Qin Shuying entered the room to see Qin Fangfang.

Qin Fangfang lay on the bed, her face ashen, her lips completely bloodless.

After Qin Shuying sat briefly, Zou Shi and Qin Lulu also arrived. Qin Lulu’s face was full of indignation: “This Sun family is too wicked! How could they do such a thing!”

Zou Shi also made inquiries, and Concubine Li repeated what she had just told Qin Shuying.

While they were talking, Dong Shi arrived with Qin Yue and Qin Wei.

Since Dong Shi’s return, this was only the second time Qin Shuying had seen her outside of Old Madam’s presence.

Today Dong Shi wore a blue-green dress, making her appear younger than when she first returned. Her complexion looked good, and her mood was obviously pleasant.

After thinking about it, Qin Shuying understood.

Qin Kaile had several concubines and intimate maids, with quite a few concubine-born children. While this was partly due to social customs, it was also partly due to Xu Shi’s arrangements.

As a woman, it would be strange if Dong Shi were willing to accept this. So now that the great mountain of Xu Shi had been toppled, Dong Shi had returned to the Qin household to manage affairs without having to compete with concubines, and she could arrange marriages for her daughter—naturally her mood was good.

As for how those concubines fared beside Qin Kaile, Dong Shi probably had her own arrangements. Most commonly, she would add one or two beautiful young women for Qin Kaile, letting them fight among themselves while she watched from the sidelines.

Dong Shi said: “Concubine, the physician just said Eighth Sister’s condition is due to long-term hunger, plus improper care after miscarriage, which led to this state. I’ve already sent someone to fetch medicine—they’ll return soon. Lanxiang, bring Eighth Sister’s porridge.”

Lanxiang said: “First Madam, it’s ready.”

A little maid followed behind Lanxiang, taking the porridge from the food box and placing it on the table.

Dong Shi said: “Concubine, when Eighth Sister wakes up, have someone give her some of this. When one has been severely starved, don’t rush to eat other things first.”

Concubine Li understood this principle and quickly thanked Dong Shi.

Everyone had shown their concern and began to leave.

After leaving Concubine Li’s courtyard, Dong Shi looked at Qin Shuying and said: “Seventh Sister, we’re going in the same direction—shall we walk together?”

Qin Shuying said: “I’ll follow Elder Sister-in-law’s lead.”

After bidding farewell to Zou Shi and Qin Lulu, Dong Shi led the young ladies back.

Dong Shi said with a smile: “Yue’er, Wei’er, your Seventh Aunt is only three years older than you. You can become close with each other. Seventh Sister, if they come to disturb you, please don’t find them bothersome.”

Qin Shuying smiled: “We’re all family—Elder Sister-in-law needn’t speak this way.”

Qin Yue smiled warmly: “Seventh Aunt, the female teacher at home is excellent. Since Seventh Aunt also attends classes, from now on we sisters can study together with Seventh Aunt and Fifth Aunt. We’re young and if there’s anything we don’t understand, we hope Seventh Aunt won’t be stingy with guidance and will give us more instruction.”

Qin Shuying smiled slightly and said: “Speaking of coursework, with Elder Sister-in-law here, what need is there for your Seventh Aunt? I haven’t attended classes for several years and have fallen behind considerably. When you discover that your aunt is crude and uncultured, Yue’er, please don’t laugh at me.”

Qin Wei then said: “Seventh Aunt, don’t be too modest. I’ve already heard that Seventh Aunt is excellent at arithmetic and very good at business too. Since Seventh Aunt is so clever, how could those music, chess, calligraphy, and painting be difficult for you?”

Qin Shuying was noncommittal. Hong Juan, listening, became unhappy—their miss wasn’t a merchant! What did this Second Miss mean? Was she truly ignorant or pretending not to understand?

Moreover, Qin Wei’s words carried an undertone of sourness throughout.