The Crown Prince laughed heartily again, “Naturally! Naturally! A gentleman does not take what others love. For me to snatch your book was already wrong of me. It’s just that this book is so appealing to me that I couldn’t resist the temptation, hahaha.”

The Fourth Prince also smiled and said, “Crown Prince big brother, your subject…”

The Crown Prince waved his hand, saying, “I already know what you want to say. Don’t worry, I’ll have a copy made for you. Oh, by the way, Seventh Miss Qin, would you have any objection if I made a copy?”

Qin Shuying naturally said she wouldn’t, and added, “A good horse awaits its Bole. For this book to catch Your Highness’s eye is truly its good fortune.”

The Crown Prince laughed heartily and turned to Princess Fu’an, saying, “Fu’an, I truly came to the right place for your birthday banquet today!”

Having said this, without caring what those behind him thought, he lifted his steps and walked forward.

Needless to say, Princess Fu’an was furious. She had worked so hard on half a birthday banquet, yet it was only by basking in Qin Shuying’s reflected glory that the Crown Prince praised her even once!

The princes behind followed one by one. When the Sixth Prince passed by Qin Shuying, he glanced at her. Behind the princes, some noble ladies and men entered later, but because the imperial family was ahead, they all remained standing at the back without moving.

At this time, Liang Zhe also followed in after the princes passed, clearly having witnessed the scene just now. When passing by Qin Shuying, he glanced at her.

Only after the imperial family had walked far away did Qin Shuying and Lin Zilan take their seats. Qin Yue’s palms were full of sweat, her legs still weak, patting her chest as she said, “Seventh Aunt, I, I was nearly scared to death.”

Lin Zilan whispered, “His Highness the Crown Prince is truly a kind person.”

Qin Shuying lowered her brows and eyes, saying nothing.

Among the imperial family, who could be truly kind? For the Crown Prince to hold the position of heir apparent for over ten years, he certainly wasn’t an ordinary person. Previously, he hadn’t faced any major threats and was even heard to have some political achievements. These past seven or eight years, he had faced increasing threats, and his style of conduct had changed considerably, basically becoming someone who maintained the status quo.

This position of heir apparent really wasn’t easy to occupy!

It was far too easy for things to go wrong.

However, the Crown Prince’s love of books was famous throughout the court and countryside. Not only did he love books, he also loved hydraulic engineering. The “Ingenious Brush Chronicles” was actually a craftsman’s book, a collection of mechanical devices compiled by Qin Yongzhou, with exquisite blueprints and many additional illustrations showing laborers operating the devices.

What Yun Jingshu had seen was one such illustration—more than ten bare-chested, short-pants-wearing men lying on a waterwheel, constantly pedaling the wheel with their legs to drive water from low places to high places using this device called a waterwheel.

Yun Jingshu didn’t understand the principles involved, and she was too eager to label Qin Shuying as morally corrupt, so in her haste she slandered Qin Shuying in such a way.

But the Crown Prince understood, so he immediately recognized the precious value of this book.

That’s why he couldn’t wait to “snatch” the book from Lin Zilan’s hands. If it could be put to his use, this would count as one of his achievements.

What surprised Qin Shuying was that the Fourth Prince was also very fond of mechanical devices. The Crown Prince letting only him look at the book was quite telling. At the same time, it showed that the person the Crown Prince relatively trusted was the Fourth Prince, not the other three princes.

As for that glance Liang Zhe gave her, Qin Shuying didn’t quite understand what it meant, but she could tell he was quite pleased.

Liang Zhe had always been in the northwest, and everyone knew he was someone the Fourth Prince trusted.

And Liang Zhe was her lifesaver in both lives. She planned to repay this debt, and as long as it wasn’t excessive, she would stand on Liang Zhe’s side.

Did this mean she was now considered part of the Fourth Prince’s faction?

Qin Shuying felt somewhat troubled. She had never intended to participate in the struggle for succession. Staying away from imperial power struggles, seeking revenge, breaking off her engagement, then remaining unmarried—these were her plans for this lifetime.

…

The hall was filled with discussions, and Yun Jingshu had long since disappeared to who knows where.

Mu Tianxiang’s complexion was very ugly, while Liu Sujiang’s face was gloomy, not knowing what she was thinking.

Luo Jinniang walked over, sneered, and said, “Qin Shuying, you’re quite capable, always having tricks others can’t think of to bewitch people’s hearts.”

Liang Qiong followed closely behind, squeezed her hand, and said, “Alright, cousin, didn’t you want to freshen up? Let’s go quickly.”

Luo Jinniang sneered once and walked past Qin Shuying and the others.

Lin Zilan pursed her lips and said, “Too low-level, not worth engaging with.”

Qin Shuying chuckled and said, “Sister Lin, that mouth of yours really shows no mercy.”

Qin Yue also said, “Indeed, Miss Lin, with what you said just now, Miss Yun probably wanted to die. Only you would have such courage, silently checkmating her in front of His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Lin Zilan giggled, “These people don’t use their cleverness for proper things, so I really have no interest in competing with them. By the way, Sister Yue, I heard your aunt say your cooking skills are excellent. Could you teach me a few techniques?”

Qin Yue glanced at Qin Shuying and said, “That’s just my aunt’s kind praise. It’s not as good as she says.”

Lin Zilan said, “Your aunt has sharp eyes. If she says it’s good, it must be good. Tell me quickly—my mother keeps saying that my needlework isn’t good and I can’t cook, so how will I manage when I marry? I can never make up for my needlework in this lifetime, but at least let me improve my cooking a bit so mother won’t nag every day. My ears have grown calluses.”

When it came to marriage, Lin Zilan showed no trace of shyness.

Seeing her speak so interestingly and sincerely, Qin Yue began talking with her. In her previous life, Qin Shuying often cooked, and in this life she occasionally prepared food for the old madam with her own hands, so she also had topics to discuss. The three of them chatted about this and that.

Before long, His Highness the Crown Prince emerged from the private room, with the princesses and princes seeing him off. When passing by Qin Shuying’s area, the Crown Prince walked by without looking sideways.

After the Crown Prince left, the Fourth Prince also followed, leaving only three princes and two princesses to return.

When returning past Qin Shuying’s area, Princess Fu’an changed from her previous indignant expression to a pleasant countenance, saying, “Seventh Miss Qin, you are someone Crown Prince brother specifically instructed to be well entertained, so naturally I must treat you well. Come with me.”

Qin Shuying didn’t even have a chance to decline before Princess Fu’an had already gracefully walked past her.

Having come to Guangbin Tower, everyone wanted to take a look around, and she was no exception, but she hadn’t had time to explore yet!

Qin Shuying helplessly glanced at Lin Zilan and Qin Yue, whispering to them, “Sister Lin, Sister Yue, find an opportunity to tell Ziteng that I’ve been invited to a private room by Princess Fu’an.”

The noble ladies were in the hall, but the maids and matrons were not here—they had separate entertainment arrangements.

Both Lin Zilan and Qin Yue nodded, and Qin Shuying followed behind Princess Fu’an and the princes.