After seven years apart, seeing Old Madam Liang and Luo Meixiang again, Liang Zhen showed no excitement or anger—only tranquility and calm.

On the contrary, when Old Madam Liang and Luo Meixiang saw her, they both gasped and stood stunned for a long moment—this was exactly like a second Zhao Wanniang!

And one with an astonishingly impressive bearing!

Liang Zhen performed proper and thorough courtesies to Old Madam Liang and Luo Meixiang. “Old Madam, Madam.”

Old Madam Liang withdrew her astonished gaze, slightly raised her eyelids, and hummed through her nose, asking: “Just you mother and daughter returned? Where’s your son-in-law?”

Everyone tacitly avoided false enthusiasm or pretended excitement over a long-awaited reunion.

Liang Zhen’s voice was neither high nor low, answering flatly: “My husband has official duties.”

Old Madam Liang looked at Liang Zhen before her. She was extremely beautiful, and at this age, beyond her refined features, she had gained additional composure and dignity.

Despite enduring such hardships, Liang Zhen still maintained her proud bearing and the demeanor of a noble legitimate daughter. Her propriety was faultless, and her tranquil gaze revealed no true emotions.

Standing there, even the stunning Liang Qiong was overshadowed by Liang Zhen.

Liang Zhen had left the capital at fifteen, already resembling Zhao Wanniang greatly. Now, after these years, the resemblance was even stronger. Only their temperaments showed obvious differences.

Zhao Wanniang…

Old Madam Liang’s tone showed some fluctuation: “Just a petty county magistrate, merely eighth rank. Too busy to even accompany his wife home to visit her family—your father isn’t necessarily busier than him.”

Qin Shuying was somewhat puzzled. Old Madam Liang had always prided herself on being aloof and proud, never speaking such pointless sarcastic words. Today she had changed?

This must be because Liang Zhen’s bearing made her unable to sit still!

Liang Zhen had arrived yesterday at noon. Since Liang Zhe wasn’t present then, Qin Shuying had received her. After half a day of contact with Liang Zhen, Qin Shuying finally understood what a true noble legitimate daughter’s bearing should be.

Liang Zhen’s every gesture was proper and elegant, her words and actions flawless. Her appearance and demeanor made others feel ashamed of themselves. Without that accident years ago, she would have been more than qualified to be the matriarch of an aristocratic family.

Years ago, Liang Zhen had been isolated and powerless, with her maternal family having troubles, which allowed Luo Meixiang to scheme against her forcibly.

Consider this: back then, the entire Prince of Pacifying the West’s residence was under Luo Meixiang’s control. Knocking Liang Zhen unconscious and placing her in that man’s bed was simplicity itself.

The Liang Zhen of those days had submitted to force, and given the circumstances, if she hadn’t married into Xianren County, she might not have even kept her life.

Though she had no relatives to depend on during her years in Xianren County, she lived well and maintained her legitimate daughter’s demeanor. One could imagine that today’s Liang Zhen wouldn’t be so easily manipulated.

After waiting a while, Qin Shuying heard no response from Liang Zhen to Old Madam Liang’s words. Glancing sideways, she saw Liang Zhen holding Qu Linglong’s hand, standing aside by herself as if she hadn’t heard Old Madam Liang’s mockery at all.

From the moment she saw Liang Zhen, Luo Meixiang found her grating. This wretch, after marrying a petty county magistrate for so many years, still maintained the bearing of a noble legitimate daughter, every gesture elegant and composed—how infuriating!

What Luo Meixiang couldn’t stand most about Liang Zhen years ago was precisely this bearing, especially with that face so resembling Zhao Wanniang!

Finally catching an opportunity, she hastily spoke mockingly: “Elder Sister, after these years away from the capital, where have your manners gone? When Old Madam speaks to you, you don’t even respond—what kind of attitude is this?”

Liang Zhen looked at her calmly, saying in a bland tone: “Father has been at the frontier for so many years without returning, only coming home once this year. Yet His Majesty is in the imperial city every day. Does this mean Father is busier than His Majesty?”

At this point, Liang Zhen paused, her lips curving in the faintest of smiles.

Luo Meixiang was immediately silenced.

Not because she couldn’t speak, but because this involved Emperor Delong, and she dared not continue.

After the events of these past twenty-odd days, Luo Meixiang could see clearly that Emperor Delong was disciplining the Liang family. Regarding matters involving Emperor Delong, Luo Meixiang dared not even make a sound.

What puzzled Luo Meixiang most was Old Madam Liang’s strange behavior—she didn’t even go to the palace to plead for mercy. When any family encountered such major troubles, wouldn’t the old titled lady do something? With her status and advanced age, no one would truly blame her for speaking up.

Yet Old Madam Liang acted as if nothing had happened, remaining aloof and cold, as though the troubles belonged to someone else’s family.

This made Luo Meixiang very dissatisfied.

But dissatisfied as she was, she dared not say a word, since she still needed to cling to Old Madam Liang’s support.

Regarding Liang Zhen’s counterattack, Old Madam Liang’s lips curved in a meaningful smile, but she said nothing and showed no anger or displeasure.

Instead, she lifted her eyelids and beckoned to Qu Linglong: “Why stand so far away? You haven’t received your meeting gift from Great-grandmother yet. Jinxiu, bring the item here.”

Only then did Qu Linglong approach Old Madam Liang and receive the jade bracelet she handed over, respectfully expressing thanks: “Linglong thanks Great-grandmother.”

Her words and actions were entirely proper, with an indescribable dignity—neither servile nor arrogant, neither intimate nor distant.

Old Madam Liang’s tone was bland, though her words weren’t unpleasant: “Great-grandmother has nothing particularly good. You may keep this. We’re family—no need for formal thanks.”

Qu Linglong smiled very gently: “Yes.”

Then she returned to Liang Zhen’s side.

Luo Meixiang also produced a meeting gift. Qu Linglong accepted it and expressed thanks.

Subsequently, Old Madam Liang ordered the meal to be served.

The dining table was quite silent, with little conversation. However, this perfectly matched their family’s rules.

Liang Jie and Liang Yuan sat at the men’s table, their four eyes constantly shifting between Qin Shuying and Liang Zhen. Qin Shuying acted as if she hadn’t noticed their sinister gazes, doing whatever she needed to do.

Liang Zhen and Qu Linglong dined with extremely elegant postures, every movement displaying excellent upbringing.

Old Madam Liang was the same.

Qin Shuying silently observed everything, her wariness of Old Madam Liang intensifying: capable of flexibility, unflappable, with unpredictable emotions…

After finishing the meal, Old Madam Liang didn’t ask anyone to stay for conversation, instead dismissing everyone.

Thus, Luo Meixiang led the three Liang Qiong siblings, while Liang Zhen and Qin Shuying accompanied Qu Linglong, walking out one after the other.

Everyone was very quiet, especially Liang Zhen, whose eyes held some indifference. She said nothing, holding Qu Linglong’s hand and walking slowly.

Suddenly, a not-so-quiet child’s voice interrupted the silent people on the brick pathway: “Mama, who is she exactly? No one explained just now.”

It was A Ning asking her wet nurse.

The wet nurse’s face paled as she pinched A Ning’s hand. A Ning was unwilling to give up, glancing at Qu Linglong and pouting.

Though still young, A Ning already understood how to judge people.