Qin Lulu couldn’t hold back and asked with some anger, “Wei Sister, have you prepared your return gift for your Seventh Aunt?”

Qin Wei pursed her lips and simply spoke plainly, “Fifth Aunt, Seventh Aunt hasn’t said anything, so what are you getting anxious about?”

Seeing that she was completely unreasonable, Qin Lulu said coldly, “What am I getting anxious about for your Seventh Aunt? I’m anxious for Elder Sister-in-law – with your rudeness, Elder Sister-in-law will be put in a difficult position later.”

Qin Wei raised her eyebrows, “You…”

Qin Yue tugged at Qin Wei’s sleeve, “Have you prepared your return gift for Seventh Aunt or not?”

Pulled by her, Qin Wei remembered her status and Concubine Miao’s instructions. Her expression darkened and she became somewhat clearer-headed, “I’ll go check, lest I make a fool of myself later.”

With that, she left.

Qin Lulu said worriedly, “What can one say about Wei Sister?”

She wanted to complain about Qin Kaile, but with Qin Yue present, it wasn’t appropriate to say anything.

Qin Shuying patted her hand, “How are your preparations going? Is there anything you still need? If there’s anything missing, you can tell me – I’ll certainly do my best to help.”

Qin Lulu smiled brightly, “Mother is also a meticulous person – she’s prepared everything properly.”

“When will Second Uncle return?”

“Father sent word that he should arrive soon.”

Qin Yue laughed, “Seventh Aunt, you’re clearly younger than Fifth Aunt, yet you seem like the older sister while Fifth Aunt seems like the younger one.”

All three giggled for a while.

The September weather was crisp and clear with autumn skies. The three ate fruits while chatting, and soon it was time for the noon meal.

The three returned to Xuan Hall, where Old Madam, having rested for a while, looked much better.

Dong Shi had a blue-clothed sedan chair prepared. Qin Shuying and the others helped Old Madam into the chair and followed behind, slowly making their way to the flower hall.

In the flower hall, Qin Yongtao and Liang Zhe were already seated at the men’s table.

When Old Madam arrived, there was another flurry of activity before everyone finally took their seats according to protocol.

As before, two tables were set – men and women separated.

Old Madam had Qin Shuying sit beside her. The table was full of delicacies, clearly carefully prepared.

Once Old Madam picked up her chopsticks, everyone began eating.

With the return of the Liang Zhe couple, Old Madam was relaxed, and everyone ate and laughed cheerfully.

Qin Yongtao was in excellent spirits. Liang Zhe spoke and acted very steadily, yet was obviously extremely adaptable. After spending over an hour together, Qin Yongtao’s opinion of Liang Zhe had risen considerably.

Those rumors from before couldn’t be trusted.

However, some recent rumors were worth deep consideration.

He became increasingly enthusiastic, talking eloquently.

Old Madam listened and frowned, saying, “Yongtao, you’re trying to eat and talk at the same time – can your mouth keep up?”

Qin Yongtao was startled, then laughed heartily, “Mother is making fun of me.”

Everyone chatted and laughed, while a servant kept appearing anxiously at the doorway, peering in several times with a worried expression, but ultimately held back from speaking.

Qin Shuying recognized him – that servant was Qin Yongtao’s personal attendant.

Qin Shuying gave Lu Ye a look, and Lu Ye withdrew. She returned quickly and held up three fingers, waving them.

Qin Shuying immediately understood – Lu Changxuan and his group probably hadn’t left yet and were causing some commotion.

This meal lasted quite a while, with both hosts and guests enjoying themselves.

Old Madam’s health was somewhat poor, so after eating her fill, she had Xiangqin and others help her back to rest. Qin Shuying escorted Old Madam to the door before returning to the dining table.

As the main character, she certainly couldn’t just leave.

After finishing the meal, Qin Yongtao enthusiastically invited Liang Zhe to his study for conversation. Liang Zhe couldn’t refuse and went along.

Dong Shi said to Qin Shuying, “Seventh Sister, Old Madam had everything in Yilan Garden left as it was, just so you’d have a place to go when you return. Go digest your food and rest a bit.”

With Liang Zhe being pulled away for conversation – who knew when that would end – they probably wouldn’t return to the marquis manor until dinner time.

Qin Shuying had always had the habit of afternoon naps, so she nodded, said goodbye to Zou Shi and the others, and let Qin Lulu drag her along as the two went to Yilan Garden together.

The two chatted and laughed, and before they knew it, they had reached the entrance of Yilan Garden.

From a distance, they could see several people standing outside Yilan Garden, apparently waiting for her.

Drawing closer, Qin Shuying discovered it was Xu Shi with an unfamiliar old woman, along with her personal maids Jin Huan and Yin Huan.

Qin Shuying had not yet requested an official title, and even if she did, it would only be a fifth-rank imperial mandate. She still had to bow to Xu Shi.

The last time they met was when Cai Luan died.

However, that was only a fleeting glimpse – they hadn’t even had time to speak.

Qin Shuying and Qin Lulu bowed, “Greetings, Great Aunt.”

Xu Shi hadn’t seen Qin Shuying for a long time, and seeing her today truly startled her.

Having married into the Marquis of Pingxi’s manor as the legitimate eldest son’s wife, although Liang Zhe wasn’t the heir apparent, his status was still very noble, so Qin Shuying’s standard of living had risen considerably.

Luo Meixiang would never openly shortchange Qin Shuying of anything – the gifts brought today were of very high quality. Moreover, Qin Shuying herself had money, and to match her status, her entire ensemble today was very elaborate. All her clothing materials and jewelry were extremely expensive with intricate designs, truly radiating an imposing nobility.

Her makeup had also changed – no longer the plain and simple look of before, she now wore light makeup. Though not brilliant, it made her appear dignified and charming. Except for her features which vaguely resembled the girl from before, her entire being showed almost no trace of that former girl.

Xu Shi almost didn’t recognize that the person before her was Qin Shuying.

Was this the same person as that submissive, weak, and pitiful orphan girl from before?

Jin Huan quietly reminded the stunned Xu Shi, “Madam.”

Only then did Xu Shi come to her senses, “Seventh Girl, you’ve changed so much I almost didn’t recognize you.”

Qin Shuying smiled faintly, showing hints of allure, speaking unhurriedly yet with an unmistakable undercurrent of arrogance: “Great Aunt has also changed greatly – I almost didn’t recognize you either.”

Having been confined for so long, Xu Shi had been in poor spirits and didn’t look well, indeed taking on the pallor of someone ill. She certainly looked different from a few months ago.

Xu Shi’s fists involuntarily clenched.

Her tone just now had been very amiable, her attitude very pleasant – very pleasant indeed!

She had even been somewhat humble.

Yet she dared to mock her with such a superior attitude?

“Great Aunt, I need to go in and rest now. Take care, I won’t see you out.”

With that, Qin Shuying calmly walked past Xu Shi and headed straight into Yilan Garden.

Being so ignored by Qin Shuying, Xu Shi’s carefully adjusted mindset immediately changed.

As Qin Shuying walked into the courtyard, the corners of her lips curved into a mocking sneer.

Xu Shi really had changed a lot.

However, she had never thought of letting her off.

Having caused the death of all her relatives, how could she possibly spare Xu Shi?

Look – she had only displayed a bit of arrogance, and Xu Shi immediately couldn’t speak all those nice words she had prepared, and her intentions immediately changed.