Qin Shuying smiled knowingly, suddenly filled with heroic spirit, and also shouted loudly, “Ah—I’m here too!”

Ziteng and Ziyuan exchanged smiles and also began shouting along.

On the vast mountaintop, wind howled past, carrying away their shouts.

Qin Shuying admitted that Princess Yongxing really knew how to have fun.

But the better fun was yet to come.

…

Until they returned, Qin Shuying’s mind was still in a dizzy haze.

Seeing Princess Yongjia’s lips moving, uttering those words: “Quite good, I’ll call for you next time.”

Qin Shuying responded appropriately, but her mind was still stuck in that dizziness and terror from the first time she jumped off the cliff following Princess Yongjia.

In this lifetime, she would never forget that feeling.

Ziteng also had a dazed expression.

“Sister, the feeling… really was quite good.”

Qin Shuying nodded. Yes, the feeling really was quite good.

She never could have dreamed there existed such a thing in the world—a rope tied around the waist, lower body, and limbs, and the entire person just jumped off a cliff!

However, after the initial fear, Qin Shuying actually quite liked that feeling of terror beyond measure.

After jumping down, someone pulled them back up.

Going up to rest briefly, everyone chatted and laughed, expressing their terror and dizziness, then jumped down again.

Qin Shuying jumped a total of four times.

This was already her limit. Though she felt it was quite good, that fear of having life and death beyond her own control wasn’t so easy to overcome.

Moreover, this sort of thing really couldn’t be accomplished with courage alone.

After jumping once, her entire mind was blank, her heart beating so hard it nearly jumped out of her chest.

Princess Yongjia didn’t force her, instead pointing to a maidservant and saying, “She’s a mountain herb gatherer. Such things have been her experience since childhood—really nothing significant. However, you didn’t disappoint me either. Being able to jump down without a sound on the first try—you’re quite a character!”

Later, after dining in the house and following Princess Yongjia for a swim in the pool formed below the waterfall, Qin Shuying finally mounted her horse to descend the mountain, dragging a body that was both exhausted and exhilarated.

Arriving at the temple, Princess Yongjia still covered her face with a veil and departed with confident strides.

Lu Ye came forward to meet them. Seeing Ziteng’s flushed cheeks, she was stunned, “Ziteng, what’s wrong with you? Have you been drinking?”

Ziteng was still as if floating on clouds, shaking her head with a dazed and intoxicated expression, “From walking.”

Lu Ye was puzzled, “Walking could make you look like this?”

Qin Kaiyu hurriedly came forward, reproaching Qin Shuying, “Seventh Sister, why didn’t you introduce me to Her Highness the Princess? How improper!”

Qin Shuying stood smiling, “Is that so? Then what does Second Brother think should be done now? Should I go call Her Highness the Princess?”

“This…”

Qin Kaiyu hesitated, and in that brief moment, Princess Yongjia’s figure could no longer be seen.

Qin Shuying paid no attention to his conflicted expression and headed toward her family’s carriage.

Qin Kaiyu flicked his sleeves and pursued, “Seventh Sister, you’re truly too improper!”

Qin Shuying looked at him and smiled, “Does Second Brother think that introducing Second Brother without Her Highness’s permission would be proper? Is this how Second Brother’s teacher taught Second Brother?”

“…”

Qin Kaiyu’s face flushed red, actually rendered speechless by her retort.

Though he had heard this cousin sister was sharp-tongued and had experienced their first confrontation, Qin Shuying’s merciless sarcasm still made him, who considered himself a gentleman, unable to save face.

Returning to the Qin residence, it was already dinnertime.

The matter of Princess Yongjia inviting Qin Shuying out had already spread among the Qin residence’s masters by afternoon. Such things couldn’t be concealed—Qin Shuying had been out all day without returning, so many people had seen her leave, and she only returned at evening, naturally leading to speculation about her whereabouts.

Qin Yongtao hadn’t instructed that others shouldn’t be told, so the truth was quickly known by everyone.

Besides, Princess Yongjia only didn’t want to be recognized while burning incense—she hadn’t said people couldn’t know about her friendship with Qin Shuying.

She had sent a proper formal invitation, and such invitations were recorded at the Princess’s residence.

Fangfei Courtyard.

Qin Yunyun’s eyes were red with tears. She didn’t know how she had endured this latter half of the day.

Qin Shuying could actually curry favor even with Princess Yongjia?!

How had she managed it?

“Caiying! How are you pouring tea? Are you deliberately trying to scald me to death?”

Upon hearing that Qin Shuying had returned to the Qin residence in high spirits, Qin Yunyun’s mood reached the extreme of fury. With a sweep of her hand, the teacup on the table fell to the ground with a “crack.”

Caiying had just set down the tea tray in her hands. Hearing the sound, she knelt down in panic, her voice carrying a crying tone, “Miss, Miss, this servant didn’t do it intentionally. Miss, please be magnanimous and don’t blame this servant.”

In recent days, Miss had already lost her temper many times. Especially upon learning that Seventh Miss had received good fortune, she became even more furious, moody and unpredictable, making her the scapegoat.

She had repeatedly hinted to Cai Luan not to tell Miss about those matters, but Cai Luan said, “Which side are you really on? Not telling Miss—you’re harboring evil intentions!”

She knew that Cai Luan wanted to tell Miss precisely to stimulate Miss into thinking of ways to get out.

Only if Miss got out could Cai Luan regain her position as head maidservant.

Now Cai Luan and she were like the maids around Seventh Miss before, looked down upon by other maids in the residence.

But could Miss really get out?

After getting out, could she behave properly? Could she avoid causing trouble and incidents? If she caused incidents again, could she preserve her own life then?

Just look at Cai Yan’s fate.

She would rather live more wretchedly now—wouldn’t it be fine when Miss married and she followed her out later? Why fight over current pride? Besides, Miss being confined was Old Madam’s order. Could they possibly go against Old Madam’s wishes?

But Cai Luan simply wouldn’t listen to her hints and advice.

Cai Luan argued confidently, “How could Imperial Concubine Lianpin and His Highness the Sixth Prince possibly let Miss have no chance to rise again? Just wait and see—once Old Madam’s anger subsides, Miss will definitely come out again! Besides, there’s still the Grand Master!”

When these words reached Qin Shuying’s ears, her hand holding chopsticks paused slightly.

This Cai Luan, though arrogant, was quite familiar with human nature and worldly affairs.

How could this chess piece Qin Yunyun be easily abandoned before she had displayed her highest value?

Just like herself—after today’s outing, Qin Yongtao was probably overjoyed.

Indeed, the next day, after finishing breakfast, a servant came to deliver a message saying Qin Yongtao wanted to see her in his study.

Being able to enter the Grand Master’s study—what great honor!

Previously, Qin Yunyun had often gone to the study to bring Qin Yongtao late-night snacks and such.

But going voluntarily was one thing, being summoned was another matter entirely.

Under the amazed gazes of the entire residence, Qin Shuying went to Qin Yongtao’s study.