Qin Shuying gave Lun’er a few more instructions before heading toward the side hall herself.

Who said status and position weren’t important?

Take herself, for example – she wasn’t qualified to bring a servant girl inside. Lin Zilan, as the designated Fourth Prince’s consort, was granted special permission to bring two maids into the palace.

As the sky gradually darkened, Qin Shuying finally saw Old Madam Liang emerge from a secluded corner. Calculating the time, she had been inside for a full quarter hour.

Qin Shuying quickly walked back without waiting for Emperor Delong to come out – perhaps the side hall had another exit, or perhaps Emperor Delong wouldn’t come out even if she waited longer.

When Qin Shuying returned to the greenhouse full of doubts, Old Madam Liang wasn’t there but had gone to admire the scenery in the snow.

There weren’t many people in the greenhouse. Qin Shuying chatted casually with some curious ladies while secretly observing the surrounding situation.

After a long while, Old Madam Liang returned with Luo Meixiang and Liang Qiong. Qin Shuying’s gaze quickly swept across Old Madam Liang’s face but detected nothing unusual.

After everyone sat for a while longer, Qin Shuying got up, excusing herself to use the washroom. Outside, she found Lun’er, who was seemingly admiring the snow.

Lun’er was very clever. Seeing Qin Shuying go to the washroom, she quietly followed.

She whispered to Qin Shuying: “Madam Liang, when your family’s old madam came over just now, she showed some anger, some satisfaction, and some disdain.”

Qin Shuying was stunned – how could she not see this?

In her eyes, Old Madam Liang had always appeared cold and indifferent.

Lun’er said: “Madam Liang, our miss had me stay because she knew I have the ability to observe facial expressions. I won’t hide it from you – this is my only skill. Your family’s old madam, to outsiders she appears cold and detached, as if she has no excess emotions, but I can discern the emotions behind every subtle movement of hers. She was exactly like that just now – angry, satisfied, and disdainful. Yes, just like that. Also, I think she’s hiding something in her left sleeve – she keeps touching it intentionally or unintentionally. Oh, and when she saw Princess Liang, her gaze was very venomous, as if she harbored the hatred of having her husband stolen!”

This last sentence made Qin Shuying completely convinced of Lun’er’s abilities.

After dismissing Lun’er, Qin Shuying returned to sit in the greenhouse.

Soon, it was time for the banquet to begin. The female relatives laughed and chatted merrily, very cheerful.

Qin Shuying leisurely enjoyed the delicious delicacies.

Before long, another palace maid came over: “Please, Princess Fuqing and Madam Liang from Pingxi Earl’s residence, come with me. The imperial consorts request your presence.”

Under everyone’s gaze, Liang Qiong and Qin Shuying followed the palace maid out with elegant steps.

Arriving at the greenhouse where Consort De and the others were seated, Qin Shuying immediately spotted Old Madam Liang sitting in a position that was neither in a corner nor at the center. In the past, Old Madam Liang would definitely have sat below Consort De, Consort Kang, Consort Lian, and the others.

Qin Shuying paid her respects to the three consorts. Consort De pointed at Qin Shuying and said to Consort Lian: “Sister Lianpin, look at your good younger sister – she can even push down Old Madam Liang. How truly capable.”

Consort Lian’s gaze was cold as she looked at this cousin.

After Sixth Sister married, it became convenient for her to go out, and since she was newly wed, Consort Lian had been able to summon Qin Yunyun once.

From Qin Yunyun, Consort Lian learned many things about Qin Shuying, including how Qin Shuying had a lowly servant beat Qin Yunyun on her wedding day. Moreover, Qin Yunyun said that Qin Shuying must be possessed by Qin Yaoyao’s spirit.

Although Qin Yunyun claimed that Qin Feifei and Qin Fangfang shared this belief, Consort Lian didn’t quite believe that Qin Shuying was possessed by Qin Yaoyao. However, this didn’t prevent her from developing thoughts of eliminating Qin Shuying. How detestable – to dare beat Sixth Sister on her wedding day!

When Qin Shuying first married Liang Zhe, Consort Lian had thoughts of winning her over.

But now, with Qin’er’s marriage alliance with the Mu family, her strength had greatly increased.

The Pingxi Earl’s residence was being demoted from marquis to earl. Although Emperor Delong valued Liang Zhe highly, if she interfered somehow and Emperor Delong became disgusted with Liang Zhe, then Qin Shuying would be at her mercy.

It would be best to have Qin Shuying under her control. This way, Qin Shuying’s substantial dowry would become hers, and the Pingxi Earl’s countless gold, silver, jewels, fertile lands, and business connections could all serve her purposes.

Furthermore, Qin Yunyun had also conveyed Xu Shi’s intentions – Qin Shuying must become a stepping stone for their mother and daughter.

Now, hearing Consort De’s meaningful words, Consort Lian smiled sweetly: “Sister, you don’t know – this younger sister of mine has always been shrewd and capable. She plans carefully before acting on anything, and won’t make a move without complete certainty. For instance, she had several encounters with Assistant Liang before breaking off her engagement with the Liu family. Looking at how Assistant Liang now holds an important position while Scholar Liu, despite his fine reputation, hasn’t even reached sixth rank, you can see how sharp my sister’s judgment is.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall erupted in discussion.

This was almost explicitly saying that Qin Shuying and Liang Zhe had an improper relationship before marriage.

In the Great Zhou, which placed extreme importance on reputation, Consort Lian’s words were tantamount to completely ruining Qin Shuying’s name.

If this claim were substantiated, how could Qin Shuying ever show her face in public again?

Though Consort De had initiated the topic, after Consort Lian spoke these words, Consort De didn’t respond. She merely smiled with a powdered face, leisurely eating orange segments that palace maids had peeled for her.

Everyone discussed animatedly, but Qin Shuying remained unmoved.

She maintained her faint smile, as if these people’s discussions had nothing to do with her. Even Old Madam Liang finally began to regard Qin Shuying seriously.

Old Madam Liang had never taken Qin Shuying seriously, both deliberately and from genuine disdain. However, at this moment, Old Madam Liang’s eyes narrowed slightly – this Qin Shuying appeared ready to counterattack.

Indeed, when the female relatives’ discussions died down slightly, Qin Shuying was about to speak.

However, just as she opened her mouth, another voice stole the question she wanted to ask: “Old Madam Liang, is everything Consort Lian said true?”

Qin Shuying didn’t turn around, but she knew this was Lin Zilan’s voice.

Her heart warmed.

This was exactly what she had wanted to ask, but Lin Zilan asked it first. Having Lin Zilan ask was naturally better. However, although Lin Zilan had been granted marriage to the Fourth Prince, she wasn’t officially the Fourth Prince’s consort yet, so she needed to consider many things before speaking.

But Lin Zilan didn’t consider so much and asked directly.

Lin Zilan was thinking entirely of her.

Old Madam Liang hadn’t expected that Qin Shuying could have such a close friend as the future Fourth Prince’s consort. Facing Lin Zilan’s question, Old Madam Liang smiled faintly: “As long as it’s what Ziyu likes, how could I have reason to obstruct it? Madam Lin, don’t you think so?”

Old Madam Liang’s words were very cleverly spoken.

She both confirmed Consort Lian’s words, meaning that Qin Shuying and Liang Zhe had indeed been secretly involved, and questioned why Madam Lin didn’t properly manage her own daughter.