Old Madam kept nodding, saying: “The marriage was personally decreed by His Majesty, so naturally there are no objections. Having Madam regard Shuying so highly is also Shuying’s good fortune. The date Madam mentioned – let’s go with that date. Afterward, I’ll send someone to deliver Shuying’s birth date and time to your residence. Time is pressing, so I’ll have to trouble Madam.”

Madam Mu’s resolute face showed slight emotion. She stood up and bowed to Old Madam: “I thank Old Madam on behalf of Wanniang for your understanding and magnanimity.”

Old Madam accepted the bow with composure.

Even after seeing Madam Mu off, Dong Shi still felt dizzy. Was that it? Was the matter settled just like that?

Wasn’t Old Madam the one who loved Qin Shuying most?

How could she so simply set the date with just a few words and agree to marry Qin Shuying off?

Moreover, by agreeing to this matter, Old Madam was indirectly acknowledging the Zhao family and indirectly opposing the Liang family.

The Liang family not only held the super first-rank title of Marquis of Pingxi and had the Marquis as a powerful military general, but Liang Yunshan also had sisters who had married high-ranking court officials, his younger brothers also held positions of power, and the clan was full of talent.

This was a family that ordinary people would never dare provoke.

Where did Old Madam get the courage to openly challenge the Liang family?

Although Qin Shuying knew Old Madam doted on her, she hadn’t expected Old Madam would go this far for her sake.

She escorted Old Madam back to Xuan Hall.

Halfway there, Old Madam became tired and needed to rest. Qin Shuying quickly placed a cushion on the stone bench.

Knowing Old Madam had something to say to Seventh Miss, Nanny Gu tugged at Ziteng’s clothes, and the two stood far apart at either end of the path to prevent others from approaching.

“Shuying, do you know what you should do after you arrive at the Liang family?”

Qin Shuying replied without hesitation: “Old Ancestor, Shuying will help Ziyou obtain the heir apparent position, and I will also establish myself firmly in the inner quarters and shoulder the responsibilities of a clan matron.”

Old Madam nodded with satisfaction, her emotions complex as she placed Qin Shuying’s hand in her own. “From the moment His Majesty decreed the marriage, you’ve had no way back. Therefore, on this path, you must forge ahead courageously without retreating even a bit. Liang Zhe must obtain the heir apparent position, and you must become the one in power in the Liang family’s inner quarters. Whether it’s Old Madam Liang or Luo Meixiang, they must all live according to your wishes.”

Qin Shuying’s throat choked up, “Old Ancestor…”

“Good child, you can do it. Grandmother believes in you – you will certainly be able to do it. Remember Grandmother’s words: no matter what methods Old Madam Liang and Luo Meixiang use, you must remain iron-hearted and unmoved. You must be cold and ruthless in seizing power. Only after you’ve obtained what you want can you speak of being filial to Old Madam Liang and being dutiful to your stepmother-in-law. Otherwise, it will be like falling off a ten-thousand-foot cliff with no burial place!”

“Grandmother, I know, I know…”

“Now you understand why Grandmother agreed to Madam Zhao so readily, don’t you?”

Qin Shuying wiped away her tears and smiled, “Grandmother, you truly are the rarest and cleverest grandmother in the world.”

Old Madam touched her cheek, “Silly child, what’s so clever about Grandmother? If I were truly clever, how would our family be in this state? How would your father have died with such unrest…”

Qin Shuying was startled, “Grandmother, you… you…”

Old Madam sighed, “Good child, Grandmother knows you have doubts about Yongzhou’s death. Four years ago, when you spoke to me about it, I didn’t quite believe it then. Now it seems perhaps you were right.”

Qin Shuying’s shock deepened further. So her weak cousin had indeed harbored suspicions back then and had even told Old Madam about them. Then why hadn’t Old Madam investigated?

“Good child, regarding your father’s death, Grandmother has mentioned it to your eldest uncle, and he has investigated.”

“Grandmother, Father’s death is full of mysteries. Shuying will exhaust all her abilities to seek justice for Father.”

Old Madam slowly patted the back of Qin Shuying’s hand, “Do you think Grandmother hasn’t investigated? Grandmother’s poor health these years has two causes: first, being too heartbroken over your father’s early death, which damaged my vitality. Second, from anger. Your eldest uncle… alas!”

All the disappointment and helplessness were contained in that long, drawn-out sigh.

Qin Shuying understood. Qin Yongtao must have investigated to the point where he felt no further investigation was necessary, so he had deceived Old Madam with lies.

Old Madam, with her keen insight, had seen through Qin Yongtao’s selfish motives at a glance.

But what could she do?

Qin Yongtao’s deception and lies hadn’t started just yesterday.

“Shuying, when you have children in the future, you must raise them well. They may not need outstanding talents, but they must have upright hearts. Honest and straightforward, open and honorable. In Grandmother’s lifetime, I can say I’ve accomplished everything I wanted to do, except for one thing I deeply regret – not properly educating your eldest uncle. He’s too eager for quick success and immediate benefits… alas! When the seedling is bad, even the descendants suffer… Also, Grandmother was blind to choose Xu Shi as a daughter-in-law…”

Speaking such words about her eldest son’s family in front of her branch family granddaughter was already naked disappointment and condemnation.

“Grandmother, you still have Shuying, still have Second Uncle, still have us…”

Old Madam smiled slightly, “Of course, nothing in this world is perfect. Don’t worry, Grandmother can think it through.”

“Grandmother, please rest assured. I will proceed step by step. Whoever killed Father, I will make sure they pay with their life and bear the consequences.”

Old Madam nodded, “Originally, I didn’t want to discuss this matter with you, to burden you with hatred and make you live in pain – that would be like cutting my own flesh. But in this world, there’s never a shortage of people who take advantage and are insatiably greedy. Since they could harm your father, they might not be willing to spare you either. If you’re not on guard and fall into their schemes in the future without realizing it or having any countermeasures, that would truly harm you.”

“Grandmother, that person must hold great power. Shuying’s strength is weak now, but if Ziyou obtains the heir apparent position and Shuying has people at her disposal, then when we seek revenge, we may not be without chance of victory.”

“Exactly so. Good child, with your intelligence, Grandmother can rest easy. Remember, once you’re at the Liang family, you cannot show even a bit of soft-heartedness. If they can treat Liang Zhe that way, what about you!”

Qin Shuying smiled, “I understand, Grandmother.”

“Come with Grandmother to Xuan Hall. I have something to give you. It’s something your father gave me. I have no use for it, but you’ll need it in the future.”

Qin Shuying supported Old Madam as they slowly returned to Xuan Hall.

Old Madam dismissed everyone and directed Qin Shuying to personally retrieve a beautifully crafted sandalwood box from the treasure cabinet.

It looked like merely a collectible, quite valuable.

Old Madam opened the box, revealing a sphere inside.

With nimble hands, Old Madam turned it left and right. Something strange happened – after her various turns, the sphere split in two, revealing a black object lying inside.

Old Madam picked it up and said, “Your father said this is called a gun – it can kill someone from a hundred paces away in an instant.”