Summer mornings dawned early, and birds were already leaping and chirping on the branches in the courtyard. He wore a blue robe, standing under the corridor eaves with half his body bathed in sunlight and half in the shadow of the wall.
He was looking toward her direction, and by his appearance, he was waiting for her.
“Second Brother.”
Qin Shuying walked over and greeted him with proper courtesy.
Qin Kaiyu was half a head taller than her. At this moment, he tilted his chin up slightly with an arrogant expression, nodded lightly, and said, “Is Seventh Sister going to keep her appointment with Princess Yongjia?”
“That’s correct.”
“When I was at home before, I never knew Seventh Sister was so capable that even the Princess Imperial would look upon you with favor.”
Qin Shuying seemed not to understand the sarcasm in his words and replied, “It’s all due to the Princess Imperial’s generosity.”
Qin Kaiyu nodded. “It’s good that Seventh Sister understands this principle. Speaking of which, why is the Princess Imperial generous? It’s because Seventh Sister is the cousin of Imperial Concubine Lianpin and a daughter of the Qin family. Seventh Sister should naturally understand this principle, so I won’t say more. Today, you’re going to keep this appointment for the first time. After all, you’re a young lady, and though the Princess Imperial is a woman, she is a princess, not comparable to ordinary women. Though Seventh Sister is clever, you haven’t really been out much. I’ll accompany you there to prevent Seventh Sister from lacking in proper etiquette and losing face.”
Since Princess Yongjia didn’t want others to know she was going to burn incense, how could she let Qin Kaiyu approach? Whether she had proper etiquette or not, how would Qin Kaiyu know?
Qin Shuying acted as if she completely didn’t understand these things and replied without hesitation, “Then I thank Second Brother.”
Qin Kaiyu’s expression showed some pleased satisfaction. “We’re all family, no need for excessive courtesy. Time is getting late, we should depart early so as not to keep the princess waiting for you.”
Having said this, he walked away with his hands clasped behind his back.
When Qin Shuying reached the main gate, a carriage was already waiting, and Qin Kaiyu had also mounted a tall horse.
After getting in the carriage, Ziteng said in a low voice, “Miss, what is Second Young Master trying to do? It’s only been a few days since he scolded you, yet his attitude changes so quickly. These past few days we haven’t seen any of his brotherly affection, but today he’s eagerly coming forward.”
After Qin Shuying’s explanations last night, Ziteng had gradually regained her composure. Though her expression was still cold at this moment, she had more human warmth, and it was rare to see her speak like this before.
Previously, she would deeply consider every word and would never dare say an extra sentence.
Qin Shuying smiled. “Ziteng, Second Brother is showing concern for me. How could I not appreciate it?”
Lu Ye pouted and said, “Second Young Master is going to take advantage.”
Qin Shuying curved her lips in a smile but said nothing.
For a maid to speak of a young master was also improper. Though Ziteng and Lu Ye felt indignant, they ultimately said nothing more.
Qin Shuying looked through the semi-transparent curtain toward Qin Kaiyu, whose expression was flying high. Lu Ye’s comparison couldn’t be more apt—Qin Kaiyu was indeed going to take advantage.
And his justification was excellent too: a cousin escorting his cousin sister to burn incense—truly a considerate good brother.
He had returned to the capital for some time but hadn’t secured even a minor official position. Though the Sixth Prince was planning for him and a minor position wouldn’t be a problem, naturally he wanted a better placement.
If he could strike up a conversation with the Princess Imperial, how wonderful that would be.
Though the Princess Imperial didn’t participate in political affairs, she was close to the ladies of noble families. If she had the inclination to say a word in front of Madam Rong, Madam Liang, or other ministers’ wives, people wanting to curry favor with her would line up in droves.
Qin Shuying’s eyes turned cold. Imperial Concubine Lianpin must already know about Princess Fu’an’s matter. Knowing that Princess Fu’an was targeting her, Lianpin had made no moves whatsoever.
She was waiting for her and Princess Fu’an to fight to the death while Lianpin sat back to reap the benefits.
Even when she had revealed such information, Lianpin didn’t seize the chance to bite Imperial Concubine Kangpin hard, but instead wanted to watch her compete with Princess Fu’an.
Wanting to harvest without paying—did she really think she was a fool?
Lianpin was an opportunist, and she had seen through this long ago.
Earlier she had rushed to enter the palace, and after entering, rushed to embrace the thigh of Imperial Concubine Defei who had a deep background. Having embraced someone’s thigh, she didn’t know how many palace consorts she had helped Defei deal with.
The Zhou family’s money, Qin Yongzhou’s money, Qin Yaoyao’s money—all continuously supplied her palace connections. Without their money, Lianpin couldn’t have bought off so many informants, avoided so many dangers, or reached her current position.
Qin Shuying was a businesswoman. To gain benefits from her, one must first invest. Without investment but wanting dividends—where in this world existed such good fortune?
Since she had extended an olive branch to her, yet she was too proud to accept it and instead wanted to watch her performance, cooperation was impossible. Then in the future, Lianpin could forget about getting any benefits.
Since Qin Kaiyu wanted to perform as a good brother today, she was happy to accept. As for whether he could curry favor with Princess Yongjia, that was beyond his control.
It was over an hour’s carriage ride from the Qin residence to Western Kingdom Temple. Along the way, amid the monotonous sound of wheels, Qin Shuying and her group finally arrived at Western Kingdom Temple.
The sun had risen overhead. Though it wasn’t too hot yet, the strong sunlight made everything appear particularly bright.
Qin Shuying wore a veil and got out of the carriage.
Princess Yongjia couldn’t possibly wait outside and had naturally arranged a meeting place beforehand.
According to their agreement, Qin Shuying went to the Great Buddha Hall and saw from afar Princess Yongjia, also wearing a veil, standing on the steps. She was tall and slender with flowing dress and skirts, with only the similarly veiled Ziyuan standing beside her.
Even Ziyuan wore a veil—Princess Yongjia clearly didn’t want people to recognize them.
Qin Shuying lifted her skirts and ascended. Lu Ye waited by the carriage while only Ziteng followed up.
Upon meeting, Qin Shuying didn’t perform formal courtesies, and Princess Yongjia, seeing her arrival, apparently didn’t want her to bow. Taking her hand, she turned and walked while saying, “Let’s burn incense first, then I’ll take you to see something good. What is your maid carrying? Is it the book you mentioned?”
Qin Shuying nodded. “Yes.”
“Just call me Miaozhen—it’s my courtesy name.”
Qin Shuying went with the flow. “Yes, Miaozhen. I don’t know if you’ll like it. I often read it and find it quite interesting. Sharing good books together—that’s my thinking.”
“So you share your good books with Miss Lin as well?”
“Yes.”
Princess Yongjia gestured for Ziyuan to take the book. “Then I won’t refuse your kindness.”
Princess Yongjia’s words were very casual, clearly showing her peaceful mood. Qin Shuying chatted with her while walking into the Great Buddha Hall.
Though Qin Kaiyu desperately wanted to approach, he didn’t dare act rashly without the princess’s permission, ultimately fearing the princess’s displeasure. Having seen Princess Yongjia from afar earlier, he understood she didn’t want to be recognized and didn’t dare come forward to pay respects. He cupped his hands in salute and stood in place.
He was somewhat dazed: Did Princess Yongjia notice him? Did she ask Qin Shuying who had escorted her? Would Qin Shuying have the tact to speak well of him in front of the princess?