Yun Jingshu immediately became teary-eyed, stood up, and sobbed, “Young Master Liu, I, I only said this for your own good. Since you think I spoke too much, I’ll take my leave first.”

Liu Junqing remained silent, which meant he agreed with her words.

Yun Jingshu was both angry and resentful. Qin Shuying really had great skills—why could she make Liu Junqing protect her?

Thinking this way, she made up her mind. Suddenly hearing voices outside—it was clearly Qin Shuying—she stopped hesitating. Her foot slipped, and she stumbled into Liu Junqing’s arms.

Taking advantage of the momentum, she grabbed with one hand and tore open Liu Junqing’s robe, while her other hand clutched and disheveled Liu Junqing’s hair knot.

Liu Junqing was dumbfounded. When he tried to push her away, Yun Jingshu had already made her decision and clung to him, refusing to leave. How could she be pushed away so easily?

Therefore, when Qin Shuying lifted the curtain, what she saw was Yun Jingshu collapsed in Liu Junqing’s arms, both of them disheveled.

Behind Qin Shuying followed two theater attendants carrying trays, about to move forward. Hearing Qin Shuying’s exclamation, both looked over in unison.

Then Yun Jingshu’s maid rushed in, shouting, “Young Master Liu, what, what are you doing?”

The subsequent developments exceeded Liu Junqing’s expectations.

Now he understood—all of this was probably designed by Qin Shuying.

She had used Yun Jingshu’s feelings, used his own feelings, seamlessly and perfectly.

So she hadn’t been trying to frighten him—she truly knew about the Liu family’s involvement in the Dongyin Temple incident!

Those earlier words were all her true feelings; she wanted to break the engagement.

She had given him a chance to choose. Regrettably, he had thought she was throwing a tantrum and put on a righteous face. She must have been laughing to death inside, right?

Laughing at his sanctimonious pretense.

…

Looking at the cluster of bamboo outside, Liu Junqing clenched his fists.

He had set high aspirations since childhood, buried himself in studies, and never participated in inner courtyard affairs. Even knowing his mother and sister were scheming against Qin Shuying, he had remained a cold observer.

But why, when he saw Qin Shuying politely bidding farewell to Madam Liu, did he feel such heart-wrenching pain?

No, no, how could she do this?

His mother and sister hadn’t succeeded in their scheme—wasn’t she perfectly fine now? What right did she have to break the engagement?

He hadn’t done anything wrong. Was it necessary for her to blame him and insist on breaking the engagement?

No, he couldn’t let her break the engagement!

With this thought, he went to the courtyard where Madam Liu lived and walked straight in.

“Mother, I won’t break the engagement!”

Madam Liu was sitting in her chair talking with Liu Sujiang when she heard Liu Junqing’s words and was shocked.

Madam Liu said, “Junqing, why is this? You’ve already seen that Qin Shuying is not a good woman. She deliberately toyed with me and your sister, making us lose great face today. Your uncle has already sent someone to ask us about it.”

She was referring to Liu Gongqing, who held a second-rank position in the Liu family clan in the capital.

Such matters spread quickly. Liu Gongqing, as the backbone of the Liu family in the capital, naturally had to inquire when he learned of it, especially since it concerned Liu Junqing.

Liu Junqing didn’t ask how Madam Liu had appeased this uncle, saying, “Mother, I know everything about today’s events. I know what Mother was planning. If Mother hadn’t schemed against her, she might not have…”

He was actually defending Qin Shuying?

Seeing Liu Junqing’s expression, Madam Liu could no longer suppress her angry look and cut off his words: “Junqing, Qin Shuying is completely unworthy of you. You deserve a better woman! I simply won’t have her as my daughter-in-law!”

So what if she schemed against her?

Liu Junqing hadn’t expected his mother to be so agitated and tried to persuade her, “Mother, I didn’t stop you during this time. Do you know why? I was watching to see if Qin Shuying was worth my intervention. Now I know—she is worth my intervention.”

From her continuous observation of her son these days, Madam Liu had been psychologically prepared for this situation. That’s why she had proposed making Qin Shuying a concubine today.

But her son actually held her in such regard?

Even though she detested Qin Shuying, she wouldn’t become estranged from her own son over her. Madam Liu’s expression inevitably became unpleasant, but she forcibly suppressed her inner anger and retreated a step: “She’s just a woman. Since you like her, let her be a concubine.”

Liu Junqing said, “Does Mother think she would be willing?”

Yes, today’s events favored Qin Shuying completely. She stood on the moral high ground—how could she possibly agree to be a concubine?

Madam Liu’s face darkened. The confidence she had lost at the theater was picked up again as she declared resolutely, “If she’s unwilling, then we’ll fight another battle!”

In her heart, she hated that fox-spirit Qin Shuying to the extreme. She hadn’t even married in yet but had already made her son so concerned. If she truly became Junqing’s legitimate wife, what then!

She had failed three times in a row at Qin Shuying’s hands, and she definitely wouldn’t let her have an easy time. Once she entered the Qin family’s doors, wouldn’t it be up to her how to manipulate her?

Madam Liu’s thoughts didn’t escape Liu Junqing’s eyes.

Remembering Qin Shuying’s figure and that faint smile, Liu Junqing pressed his lips tightly together.

She had a resilient character and struck ruthlessly, yet never left any evidence. She was worthy of standing by his side.

Liu Sujiang watched coldly as her brother spoke of nothing but Qin Shuying, not knowing what he saw in her. She couldn’t help asking, “Mother, will Princess Fu’an agree?”

Madam Liu said, “Princess Fu’an will agree, definitely.”

To be able to keep Qin Shuying under her nose to torment, Princess Fu’an would naturally be very pleased.

Liu Junqing frowned. His handsome features didn’t become ugly when he frowned but remained just as distinguished. “What does this have to do with Princess Fu’an?”

Madam Liu hesitated to speak. How could she not know the drawbacks of marrying a princess? But she also had to see the benefits! Man proposes, God disposes. Her son was so intelligent—surely he wouldn’t fear those old outdated rules? Besides…

Liu Sujiang said, “Brother, Princess Fu’an likes you, and I also like her as my sister-in-law.”

Liu Junqing frowned again. “So when Mother entered the palace to see Consort Kang, it wasn’t simply because of your past good relationship, but to plan this matter?”

Liu Sujiang simply spoke openly: “Brother, do you know how vicious Qin Shuying is? The scar on Princess Fu’an’s face was caused by her! She actually held the princess underwater and nearly drowned her! Also, that dead person at Guangbin Tower was killed by Qin Shuying! How can we let such a woman become the mistress of our household!”

Madam Liu also said, “Junqing, don’t be deceived by her appearance. What Jiang’er said is all true. She even dares to kill people—there’s nothing she wouldn’t do.”

Liu Junqing looked at Liu Sujiang. “How does Sister know that person was killed by Qin Shuying?”