“No, Great-grandmother. Even if Shuying marries in the future, the Qin Manor will still be Shuying’s maternal home. Shuying will often return to visit you…”

Before Qin Shuying could finish her words, a man’s voice came from outside: “Well said!”

With dignified bearing and elegant demeanor, it was the Sixth Prince Zhou Qin.

“Great-grandmother, seeing you all gathered here so harmoniously, this prince took the liberty of entering directly. I hope Great-grandmother won’t blame me.”

Except for the Old Madam, everyone else bowed in greeting.

“Your Highness, how could this old woman blame you? It’s been quite some time since I’ve seen you. Come, sit down quickly.”

The Old Madam had always held this great-nephew in high regard.

The Sixth Prince naturally sat down without ceremony, glancing at the ginseng that hadn’t been properly put away yet. “Great-grandmother, this is good stuff. So it was Seventh Aunt who offered it to you out of filial piety?”

The words “Seventh Aunt” falling into Qin Shuying’s ears made her break out in goosebumps all over.

Qin Shuying was one or two years younger than Zhou Qin. All these years, he had never called her “Seventh Aunt,” always addressing her as “Seventh Miss.”

Qin Shuying remained silent. With elders present, her silence wasn’t considered impolite, though she clearly knew Zhou Qin had come specifically to find her.

Although Zhou Qin was a prince and his maternal family was in the capital, he actually rarely visited more than a few times a year.

This was someone who had learned Qin Lianlian’s fence-sitting ways down to his bones. Qin Shuying had never planned to easily forgive Qin Lianlian, so naturally she wouldn’t truly befriend Zhou Qin either.

Though the words were directed at Qin Shuying, since she didn’t respond, Nanny Gu feared something unpleasant might develop and quickly said: “Indeed it is. Young Master Liang, knowing that Seventh Miss wasn’t feeling well, brought it over. Seventh Miss immediately sent it to the Old Madam. Such genuine filial piety!”

Zhou Qin’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Such genuine filial piety indeed!”

After chatting with the Old Madam for a while, Zhou Qin suggested taking his leave.

The Old Madam, wise with age, knew Zhou Qin had come to see Qin Shuying and asked Qin Shuying to see Zhou Qin out.

Qin Shuying and Zhou Qin walked out of Xuan Hall. Today’s weather was rather overcast without harsh sunlight, but with a gentle breeze.

Northern autumn always came particularly early. In another half month, it would be time to wear outer garments. Counting the days, it had been almost a year since her rebirth – how quickly time passed!

“Seventh Aunt, this prince heard that Second Uncle was injured. Come with this prince to see him.”

Qin Shuying didn’t refuse. She had originally planned to visit Qin Kaiyu anyway.

“Seventh Aunt, those words you spoke to the Old Madam just now – this prince completely agrees with them. When you marry in the future, the Qin Manor will be your backing. If Madam Liang treats you poorly, you’ll still have the Qin Manor to rely on. Mother Consort is from the Qin family, so she’ll naturally support you too.”

Qin Shuying remained silent.

“Seventh Aunt, this prince has always believed you to be a clever and magnanimous woman, possessing a clarity and resilience rare among other women. When Third Uncle passed away, he surely hoped the Qin Manor could prosper and flourish, able to hold a place in the capital. This prince believes that since Third Uncle had no sons, you inherited his aspirations. I wonder if this prince speaks correctly?”

Qin Shuying smiled faintly. “Your Highness flatters me! This subject is merely a young woman who cannot lift with her hands or carry on her shoulders. What could I possibly accomplish?”

Zhou Qin’s previously gentle expression instantly turned cold and rigid. “What do you mean by that?”

“Your Highness, Concubine Lian worked painstakingly for over ten years yet still couldn’t revitalize the Qin Manor. Father even lost his life – surely he was more wise and intelligent than this subject? Your Highness, you’ve placed too many expectations on this subject. You’re destined to be disappointed.”

Zhou Qin’s face darkened. Was this what he meant? His meaning was that after Qin Shuying married, she should remember to draw Liang Zhe’s power to his side.

Someone as clever as her – how could she not understand?

Did he need to speak plainly?

That was impossible!

When he, Zhou Qin, spoke, he could never leave himself vulnerable to criticism.

In the imperial palace, except for that fool Princess Fu’an, no one could speak so clearly.

These meanings were understood by you, me, and everyone.

“Seventh Aunt, as long as you act, you won’t disappoint me. Do you understand?”

Qin Shuying looked at Zhou Qin’s handsome features and earnest gaze, smiled faintly, and said: “Then this subject can guarantee that this subject will not disappoint you.”

In this lifetime, what Qin Shuying detested most was speaking indirectly, acting like a whore while demanding a chastity arch.

In her previous life, they all chose the most pleasant words to say while doing the filthiest deeds.

In this life, she hadn’t expected them to speak plainly either.

Since that was the case, she would follow their example.

Zhou Qin, you certainly won’t be disappointed.

You won’t be disappointed!

Arriving outside Qin Kaiyu’s quarters, they saw maids and servants bustling back and forth, busy without pause.

Zhou Qin had arrived, yet there wasn’t even anyone to greet him.

Zhou Qin frowned and strode inside. Only then did a maid recognize him: “Sixth Prince Your Highness!”

Immediately, the courtyard became even more chaotic as everyone hastily bowed, dropping whatever they were doing.

The Sixth Prince held a noble status and was also handsome, so the young maids inevitably harbored additional thoughts.

Zhou Qin entered the room where Qin Kaiyu was leaning against the headboard, a cloth bandage around his forehead, drinking medicine with a servant’s assistance.

The servant saw the Sixth Prince enter and quickly alerted Qin Kaiyu. Qin Kaiyu looked up, having just swallowed the medicine, and was about to address Zhou Qin when a young woman walked in behind him.

Her expression was indifferent, her features cold and sharp. In Qin Kaiyu’s eyes, she inexplicably carried an air of mystery and eeriness.

“Cough, cough, cough…”

Qin Kaiyu choked.

Qin Shuying stood beside Zhou Qin, asking the servant a few questions. It took Qin Kaiyu quite a while to suppress the uncomfortable sensation in his nose.

“Second Uncle, since you’re not seriously hurt, that’s good. This prince brought Seventh Aunt here.”

Qin Kaiyu immediately understood Zhou Qin’s meaning – Zhou Qin now valued Qin Shuying and wanted him not to create any trouble.

Qin Kaiyu felt wronged. He truly had no intention of targeting Qin Shuying now.

It was just that what Qin Fangfang had said was too bizarre and mysterious. Unable to resist, he had followed Qin Fangfang’s suggestion and climbed onto Qin Shuying’s roof, wanting to hear how Qin Fangfang would “make her reveal her true form.”

Who knew that after lying on the roof for quite a while, he heard nothing clearly.

Someone in the back courtyard kept hammering something – a wooden stick beating against a chair while singing songs – disturbing him so much that he couldn’t hear what Qin Shuying and Qin Fangfang were saying at all.

As for any “true form,” that was all Qin Fangfang’s one-sided claims.

Then he was struck by a stone that flew from who knows where. In pain, he rolled and fell to the ground.

Although he hadn’t heard anything about “revealing her true form,” Qin Fangfang’s previous speculations and descriptions were frightening enough, so now when Qin Kaiyu saw Qin Shuying, he couldn’t help but examine her from head to toe.

“Second Brother, what’s wrong? You’re looking at me this way – it’s making me feel uneasy. Could the rumors circulating in the manor really be true?”

Qin Kaiyu’s heart jumped. “What rumors?”

Qin Shuying looked around, then said: “Second Brother, I’ll tell you, but don’t get angry.”

“You… speak.”

Even Zhou Qin moved two steps closer, as Qin Shuying’s expression was truly strange.

“Second Brother, they’re privately spreading rumors that Cai Luan… Cai Luan died with unresolved grievances and is haunting the manor!”

“Bullshit!”

Qin Kaiyu naturally couldn’t contain himself.

Regarding the rumors that Cai Luan died with unresolved grievances and was haunting the manor, he had heard them himself.

“Second Brother, you said you wouldn’t be angry with me.”

“I’m not angry with you… Fine, fine, fine. You stand aside. Let me have a word with His Highness.”