Amidst laughter and conversation, lunch was finished, and they went to find Liang Zhen.

As soon as they entered, they saw the maids and old women in Liang Zhen’s courtyard whispering with their heads together, discussing something unknown.

Liang Zhen managed her household with considerable method, and the people in her courtyard were all very well-behaved. For them to be discussing things so animatedly today, it must be that what Liang Zhe had said last night had come true.

Indeed, as she walked in, Liang Zhen said to her: “Shuying, I just learned that the Mu family has been found guilty of treason and selling out the country. All males and females fifteen years and older are to be beheaded, males under fifteen are to be exiled to Yunzhou, and females are to be sent to the Imperial Music Bureau. The Lu, Liu, and Yun families had many men involved in the Mu family’s affairs. All participants are to be beheaded, and the remaining implicated persons will be punished according to their crimes.”

Qin Shuying sat down. “No wonder the old women and maids in Elder Sister’s courtyard are all discussing this.”

“The news just came in, so it’s inevitable they would discuss it. I’m afraid everyone in the entire capital is discussing it now. Since we’re in the spotlight, we must also restrain the people in our manor properly.”

Qin Shuying nodded: “Elder Sister’s concerns are very reasonable.”

Seeing that Qin Shuying was in much better spirits, Liang Zhen once again set aside the household affairs and handed them over to Qin Shuying to manage. The next day, Liang Yanjun personally came to see Qin Shuying and told her about the progress of the matter.

The evidence of the Mu family’s dealings with the Blue Eagle was conclusive. The Lu, Liu, and Yun families participated in the production of black raw stones and maritime transportation, the Mu family was responsible for meeting with the Western State people and negotiating prices, and finally the profits were divided among the Mu, Lu, Liu, and Yun families.

Once verified, all four families and their related clan members were arrested and convicted. For a time, people in the capital were in a state of panic.

With the Mu family’s downfall, Concubine Kang was sent to the Cold Palace for knowing but not reporting, and the Seventh Prince and Princess Fu’an were reduced to commoners.

The Liu family members primarily sentenced were the main Liu family branch, that is, Liu Gongqing’s lineage. Liu Gongshan was demoted because his involvement was not deep, and Liu Junqing, whose position was not high to begin with, was not greatly implicated. As for the future, that was hard to say.

Lu Ruyang’s grandfather and maternal grandfather were both sentenced to death. Poor Lu Ruyang’s father, once a promising young talent, also became a prisoner in an instant. Great-aunt Liang immediately fell ill.

Yun Jingshu’s father was sentenced to death, but it did not implicate other members of the Yun family.

All four princes had married half a month ago. The Seventh Prince met a gloomy end. Since Mu Tianxiang had married the Sixth Prince, the Mu family’s crimes did not extend to her, but Lianpin immediately felt as disgusted as if she had swallowed a fly.

Even without hearing anyone mention it, Qin Shuying could guess what kind of attitude Lianpin would have toward Mu Tianxiang in the future.

Zhou Qin had married Mu Tianxiang to gain additional support, but in the end she became a burden. It would be strange if Lianpin didn’t torment Mu Tianxiang to death.

Those who had originally harmed Qin Yongzhou had almost all received their due punishment. Qin Shuying set up an incense altar and sent some paper money and scriptures to the Qin Yongzhou couple, along with some words.

Seeing Qin Shuying like this, Liang Zhe breathed a great sigh of relief, and Qin Shuying also cooperatively appeared more cheerful.

While she was happy, there were many others who were not.

Princess Fu’an was now pregnant. She went to the palace to seek Emperor Delong, but he avoided seeing her and had someone relay the message: “Disobedient to her father’s command, an unfilial daughter.”

Princess Fu’an returned to the Liu family and threw herself into Nanny Cao’s arms, crying as if the sky were falling. Nanny Cao immediately understood Emperor Delong’s meaning.

Emperor Delong had said that Princess Fu’an was not allowed to consummate her marriage before reaching the age of hairpin ceremony. But Princess Fu’an had disregarded Emperor Delong’s imperial edict and, in order to win Liu Junqing’s heart, had secretly accomplished the deed and become pregnant.

Princess Fu’an was already a commoner, and Madam Liu’s attitude toward her immediately changed: “It’s all because of you, this disaster, that our Liu family has been implicated!”

Her son had married a deposed princess, and her daughter had married a useless prince. Madam Liu was filled with regret and immediately went to find Liu Junqing: “Jun’er, you must go find Qin Shuying. She can speak before Princess Yongjia. Beg her to help your father. Your father was all implicated by that lowly Fu’an, implicated by your uncle. Your father knew nothing…”

Liu Junqing gazed absently at the peach blossoms quietly budding in the courtyard and remained silent.

Liu Junqing had long known about Qin Shuying exposing the fake Old Madam Liang at the ice sculpture banquet. He had repeatedly pondered over the things people had said, and the more he thought about it, the more he marveled at Qin Shuying’s intelligence, decisiveness, and ruthlessness.

How could such a woman possibly be swayed by his words?

Knowing that the Liang family’s merits were too great and had aroused Emperor Delong’s suspicion, she and Liang Zhe had made the painful decision to have the Marquis Pingxi Manor demoted to Earl Pingxi Manor, and they had moved out of that enviable residence…

If he hadn’t broken off the engagement back then, and she had become his wife…

Liu Junqing sighed and was just about to leave when Yun Jingshu walked over: “Master, this concubine has stewed fish soup. Please have some before continuing your studies…”

Liu Junqing frowned impatiently but said nothing, flicking his sleeves and walking away.

Yun Jingshu watched his handsome profile and graceful figure like a gentle breeze, staring in fascination until tears rolled down her cheeks.

Her father had been imprisoned and would soon be executed. Her mother had abandoned her and returned to the south. Before leaving, she had told her that she was not a legitimate daughter, not the biological daughter of Madam Yun, and from now on, they would never need to meet again.

Yun Jingshu now saw through Madam Liu’s character. From now on, whether she could survive depended entirely on heaven’s will.

In the blink of an eye, it was time for the Princess’s Manor to hold the Hairpin Flower Banquet again.

Qin Shuying looked at the bright red invitation in her hand and became lost in thought.

How fast time passed—another year had gone by.

This time, would she be able to simply enjoy the beautiful scenery, delicious food, and books at Princess Yongjia’s manor in peace?

The next day, Qin Shuying had just reached the second gate when she saw Liang Qiong coming in, followed by an old woman who was craning her neck and saying: “Second Young Madam, this servant has not yet reported to Madam, and Second Young Madam has not sent in a calling card either. This servant cannot let Second Young Madam enter…”

Liang Qiong angrily shouted at the old woman: “What a dog-eyed, lowly thing! Don’t you see what you are to dare block me from entering! Get lost!”

The old woman looked anxious and was about to continue blocking when she saw Qin Shuying standing not far away and awkwardly called out: “Madam.”

Qin Shuying said coolly: “You guard the gate extremely well. Lu Ye, give her a reward!”

Lu Ye crisply responded and took out five taels of silver to reward the old woman.

The old woman was overjoyed—it was truly like a windfall from heaven!

Ziteng gave a meaningful look, and the old woman immediately withdrew very tactfully.

Liang Qiong was so angry she nearly fell backward, sneering coldly: “Sister-in-law, what grand airs indeed! Who is this performance for? This is the Liang family, not the Qin family. I can enter this gate whenever I want. What are you to dare block me?”

Liang Qiong had married a month ago and naturally now lived in the mansion bestowed upon Prince Huo Luo by imperial grace.

Emperor Delong treated Prince Huo Luo well, so the bestowed mansion was naturally quite excellent, but compared to the current Earl Pingxi Manor, it was certainly far inferior.

Liang Qiong had returned to her natal family once after her wedding for the customary visit, and this was her second time returning to her maiden home.