After finishing her painting, she looked up to see that some others, like herself, had also completed theirs.

Qin Shuying carefully put away her brush and ink, estimating that about two-thirds of the allotted time had passed.

At this moment, a maid approached, bowed to Qin Shuying, and said: “Seventh Miss Qin, Princess Yongjia requests that you come up to speak with her.”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but the people around had already begun paying attention to what she would do when she came down, so her words were naturally heard clearly.

Everyone looked at Qin Shuying in shock, wondering what kind of luck she had that one princess after another liked to call her for conversations.

Although they had later heard the madams’ discussions suggesting that Princess Fu’an’s reward probably wasn’t because Qin Qi told interesting stories, this still couldn’t eliminate their hostility and jealousy toward Qin Shuying.

Favored by princesses, and with a fiancé like Liu Junqing – what kind of luck did she have?

Liu Junqing, whom many young ladies had since seen, was handsome as a celestial being, polite and courteous, pure as white jade, like an immortal descended to earth. What kind of fortune did Qin Shuying have to become his wife?

Qin Shuying sensed the subtle hostility and jealousy from those around her, but calmly returned the bow and said: “Please lead the way, elder sister!”

Under everyone’s strange gazes, Qin Shuying walked with elegant bearing, leisurely steps, a smile on her face, and clear eyes, ascending the platform step by step.

Princess Yongjia watched her approach with considerable interest, thousands of thoughts racing through her mind, the smile at the corners of her lips becoming more pronounced.

After Qin Shuying performed her courtesy, Princess Yongjia said carelessly: “With Fu’an in such a state, you still have the heart to attend the calligraphy and painting gathering. You truly are thick-skinned.”

Qin Shuying replied: “Your Highness, after this subject’s daughter fell into the water, I only tidied myself briefly. Seeing that the time had arrived, I came to the gathering. Since I saw someone rescue Princess Fu’an and noticed Your Highness showed no unusual concern, I assumed Princess Fu’an was unharmed. I had originally thought to visit Princess Fu’an after the gathering ended, but wasn’t sure if it would be appropriate. Since Your Highness has mentioned it, may this subject’s daughter boldly ask – where is Princess Fu’an? Is she seriously injured? Would it be acceptable for me to visit her?”

Princess Yongjia wore a strange smile as she looked Qin Shuying up and down before saying: “What a silver tongue! You could talk the dead back to life. Never mind, I merely wanted to see you. Fu’an can barely take care of herself now, so you needn’t visit. As for whether she’ll see you once you leave this garden, that has nothing to do with me.”

“Yes! I obey Your Highness’s command!”

“It seems you’ve finished your painting as well. Why don’t you stay here and chat with me?”

Qin Shuying smiled and declined: “Your Highness, please forgive me, but I dare not! If I dared to sit here, I’m afraid the noble ladies of the capital would cook and eat me afterward.”

Princess Yongjia appeared languid and indifferent: “Oh? Why is that?”

“Your Highness’s status is so precious, while this subject’s daughter has no backing and nothing worthy to offer. I dare not trouble Your Highness. Look, the first one who won’t spare me would probably be Madam Rong. See her there—”

Qin Shuying looked toward Madam Rong not far away with a half-smile. She wasn’t sitting on the platform now, but in the front row below, where everyone could clearly see each other’s facial expressions.

Madam Rong had been closely watching the situation on the platform and was now staring intently at Princess Yongjia and Qin Shuying.

Princess Yongjia glanced at Madam Rong and frowned, then heard Qin Shuying continue: “Your Highness, look how Madam Rong is watching us. She must have something to say to you. Why don’t you call her up to chat? Madam Rong is talented and intelligent, and I hear she has an excellent relationship with Lord Rong. I’ve always heard about this but never had the chance to witness it. Seeing her today, she indeed has an orchid heart and gentle nature, graceful and accomplished. She would naturally be much more interesting than this subject’s daughter. Having her accompany you in conversation would be more befitting Your Highness’s status.”

When she mentioned the “excellent relationship with Lord Rong,” Qin Shuying didn’t miss the flash of disgust in Princess Yongjia’s eyes.

It seemed the rumors were all true.

Qin Shuying smiled behind her hand, then felt Princess Fuping’s subtle gaze.

Looking up, Qin Shuying saw Princess Fuping watching her with a half-smile, as if appraising her. Qin Shuying showed no fear, smiled openly, and nodded as a form of greeting.

Madam Ji, dressed in plain clothes, had been sitting there all along without saying anything, as if she hadn’t heard their conversation at all. This was completely different from how Madam Rong had been eagerly positioning herself near Princess Yongjia earlier.

Ziyuan laughed: “Seventh Miss Qin, Her Highness called you to chat because she finds you clever. The way you speak, it sounds as if Her Highness is being meddlesome.”

“Elder sister speaks too seriously. This subject’s daughter is unworthy of such praise.”

No explanation, no submission.

Princess Yongjia came back to her senses, looked at Qin Shuying with complex emotions, and finally lifted her eyelids: “Fine, since you’re unwilling, I won’t force you. You may go.”

“Thank you, Your Highness!”

Qin Shuying performed a courtesy and withdrew.

For some reason, Madam Ji, who had maintained no presence throughout, now turned her head to watch Qin Shuying’s departure, as if breathing a sigh of relief.

Just as she was contemplating this, watching Qin Shuying return to her seat, she suddenly heard Princess Yongjia’s lazy voice: “Madam Ji, if someone is unwilling, what’s the point of forcing them? Don’t you agree?”

Madam Ji’s expression immediately changed, her entire body tensing. She stood up, slowly performed a bow, lowered her head, and answered submissively: “Your Highness is correct.”

Princess Yongjia waved her hand: “We’re just chatting casually. Why such formality? Please sit and talk.”

But Madam Ji said: “Your Highness is the sovereign, while this subject’s wife is a subject. I dare not disrupt proper protocol.”

Ziyuan said: “Madam Ji, please sit and talk. Look, everyone is watching you!”

How could Madam Ji not know this? But she remained unmoved, saying respectfully: “Elder sister Ziyuan, I dare not forget the proper relationship between sovereign and subject. That Your Highness allows this subject’s wife to sit is Your Highness’s consideration for me. But I cannot forget my place because of Your Highness’s consideration.”

Truly immovable as stone. Ziyuan glanced at Princess Yongjia’s expression and saw she showed no anger.

“Fine, fine, sit down. I won’t talk to you anymore.”

Princess Yongjia waved her hand dismissively. Only then did Madam Ji perform another bow and sit down.

By this time, Qin Shuying had returned to her desk and witnessed everything, smiling slightly. There was another person like herself who didn’t know how to read the situation! She wondered how long this Madam Ji had been resisting.

When she came down earlier, she hadn’t forgotten to observe Madam Rong, who looked furious and glared at Qin Shuying as if she had done something to wrong her.

Qin Shuying lowered her head, gently blew on her painting to dry it, and arranged her hair with her delicate hands, embodying an indescribable tranquil elegance.