Qin Yongtao’s questions were nothing more than about Qin Shuying’s interactions with Princess Yongjia. Qin Shuying concealed everything that happened after mounting horses on the small path, speaking only of things a minister’s daughter could do while following a princess: burning incense, viewing scenery, chanting sutras.

Qin Yongtao nodded slowly, then said, “The Princess Imperial has a precious body. Your gaining her favor is a good thing. However, you are a daughter of the Qin family—at all times you must remember your identity.”

Having said this, Qin Yongtao took a sip of tea, then looked at Qin Shuying from behind his desk with hopeful expectations.

Qin Shuying didn’t disappoint him, nodding and replying, “Yes, this niece constantly remembers.”

Only then did Qin Yongtao continue with satisfaction, “These years, after Third Brother and his wife passed away, I’ve been busy with official duties and my care for you has been limited. That you could grow up to be like this today is thanks to Old Madam. Though Jinling has some petty airs, her heart isn’t bad. If not for her care of you, the reputation of a motherless daughter would have been enough to ruin you, and the Liu family would certainly have broken off the engagement.”

Qin Shuying lowered her eyes and remained silent, seeming to listen attentively.

“Therefore, when you speak before the princess, you must be careful with your words. Do you understand?”

Qin Shuying replied respectfully, “This niece will keep it in mind.”

Qin Yongtao nodded, rarely showing a smile, “I knew you were as clever as Third Brother—this puts my mind at ease. Rest assured, when you marry out, I will certainly ensure you do so with dignity.”

Qin Shuying remained extremely obedient.

Qin Yongtao was very satisfied.

This niece not only had a good marriage prospect but could also bring monetary prestige to the family, and could even curry favor with figures like Princess Yongjia.

Rare still was her understanding of the bigger picture—when he hinted that she shouldn’t tell Princess Yongjia about Xu Shi’s harsh treatment of her, she understood the meaning.

Mm, clever.

Her luck was truly enviably good.

…

Returning to Yilan Garden, Hong Juan came in with an invitation card, “Miss, this is an invitation from Miss Liu, asking Miss to watch opera at Hongman Tower. There’s also an invitation from Miss Yun.”

Qin Shuying took the invitation cards. She didn’t blame Hong Juan for speaking so clearly—Liu Sujiang’s invitation used the specialized cards from the famous Hongman Tower in the capital.

It seemed yesterday’s meeting with Princess Yongjia had instantly spread throughout the capital.

She opened Yun Jingshu’s invitation—it was asking her to appreciate lotus flowers.

“Since everyone is from the south, why not go together? Ziteng, prepare ink—I’ll write a letter to Miss Yun. How about we invite Miss Yun along?”

Ziteng understood immediately and hurried to lay out paper.

When Nanny Fu came in and learned of this, she was somewhat puzzled, “Why does Miss want to do this?”

Qin Shuying said, “Miss Yun has long fancied Liu Junqing. Why shouldn’t I help bring them together?”

Nanny Fu was stunned, murmuring to herself, “When Miss Yun came to the residence before, she did see Liu Junqing several times…”

She frowned in thought, remembering past times when Yun Jingshu was only a few years old. The first time she saw Liu Junqing, her eyes went straight.

At that time, Madam and Madam Yun were close, and Huzhou was near the master’s official residence. Liu Gongshan often brought Liu Junqing to the residence, so Qin Shuying could often see Liu Junqing, and Yun Jingshu saw him too.

Qin Shuying didn’t interrupt her contemplation. Even though she couldn’t remember many things from when Qin Yongzhou was alive, and even though Yun Jingshu never mentioned Liu Junqing and Qin Shuying’s engagement now, a young lady’s feelings were innate.

During these recent gatherings, she had noticed Yun Jingshu’s gaze toward Liu Junqing was quite unusual.

Three days later.

Qin Shuying went to Hongman Tower as arranged.

Liu Sujiang had reserved a large private room on the second floor with a clear view of the opera stage. It could seat over ten people—a second-class good private room at Hongman Tower.

Of course, first-class private rooms were for high officials and nobles. Even if ordinary people wanted to reserve them, the opera house might not agree. Some nobles would maintain long-term reservations for first-class rooms, and even if they didn’t go for long periods, the opera house wouldn’t dare let others use them.

Being able to spend money for a second-class private room showed Liu Sujiang was quite willing to spend silver.

Qin Shuying, with Ziteng and Lu Ye, had their carriage stop before reaching the opera house. Lu Ye poked her head out and told Ziteng, “There’s a shop with excellent malt candy that tastes especially good when eaten warm. Since we’re here, let’s try something fresh.”

Speaking thus, she helped the veiled Qin Shuying out of the carriage.

Qin Shuying had a graceful figure, and her light purple dress made her appear even more elegant and refined.

Accompanied by Ziteng and Lu Ye, she walked to an alley beside the main road. With Ziteng’s company, she stood waiting for Lu Ye to make purchases while looking at the exquisite trinkets at roadside stalls.

Across the street, a person in blue clothing observed all this, then walked hurriedly into Hongman Tower.

Lu Ye entered the alley where the shop was located. After inquiring, she indeed bought food and came out, handing Ziteng a package while carrying several packages herself.

The three chatted and laughed as they walked toward the opera house, which was only twenty or thirty steps away.

By the time the three stepped up to Hongman Tower’s entrance, the person in blue had already reached somewhere in the opera house and whispered a few words to someone in the darkness.

That person nodded repeatedly.

At this time, Qin Shuying’s group had just barely entered the opera garden. They stood and observed at the bottom of the opera house for quite a while before ascending to the second floor.

Lu Ye went first. Just as she entered the agreed-upon private room, a man rushed out from inside. He wore brocade robes, was fat-headed and big-eared with trembling flesh, yet moved quite nimbly. With quick hands and sharp eyes, he embraced Qin Shuying and shouted loudly, “Good darling, you finally came! Come in quickly, let me apologize to you!”

Speaking thus, his hands wandered over her. Qin Shuying was stunned in place by his embrace and only cried out in terror “Mmm… mmm…” after he had groped her several times.

After a moment of shock, Ziteng and Lu Ye frantically tried to push the man away.

But the man was corpulent and determined to take advantage of Qin Shuying—how could two teenage girls push him away?

Qin Shuying dared not scream and used force to hit him, struggling continuously.

At this time, opera enthusiasts were gradually taking their seats, with people constantly coming and going in the corridor. This scene between the man and Qin Shuying fell under everyone’s gaze.

“Good darling, why are you shouting? Let’s just quietly go inside!”

The man held Qin Shuying with an expression of appeasement that appeared particularly obscene to Ziteng.

How could Qin Shuying comply?

She struggled desperately while Ziteng and Lu Ye frantically helped. Though the man was somewhat flustered by Ziteng and Lu Ye’s clawing attacks, he had one of Qin Shuying’s arms clamped in his grip, preventing any movement.

Opera enthusiasts gradually gathered to watch, some pointing and clearly disgusted by Qin Shuying’s apparent behavior.

“She looks like a young lady from a good family too—how can she behave like this with a man in public? Truly moral decay!”

“Yes, whose daughter is this? How shameful!”