From the looks of it, Qin Feifei’s days in the Lu household were extremely miserable. Not only was she dressed shabbily, but she also frequently did manual labor, and her hands had become very rough.

After Grandmother’s death, the Qin family should no longer obstruct Qin Feifei from visiting, right?

Why was she still in such a wretched state?

Lu Changju’s clothing and appearance were also much worse than before, but at least they were still neat and tidy. In contrast, Qin Feifei was no different from those slovenly market women.

Qin Shuying asked, “Third Sister, what are you doing here?”

Only now did Qin Feifei confirm that the person before her, dressed in luxurious clothing, along with the tall and handsome man beside her who seemed too divine to be of this world, were indeed her seventh younger sister and seventh brother-in-law.

“We’re here selling handkerchiefs and kerchiefs.”

It was then that Qin Shuying noticed a woman standing not far behind them, who had been staring at her all along.

In front of that woman was a small stall selling handkerchiefs, kerchiefs, and children’s undergarments.

Qin Shuying withdrew her gaze. “Since that’s the case, I won’t disturb your business.”

With that said, she looked toward Liang Zhe. Liang Zhe lowered his head and smiled at her, took her hand, and turned to leave.

“Qin Shuying!”

Lu Changju was unwilling to let Liang Zhe walk away just like that and called out to stop Qin Shuying.

The Liang couple turned around. Liang Zhe’s eyes were cold as ice, his tone chilling: “Who gave you permission to shout at the Heir Apparent’s wife? How improper!”

Lu Changju could hardly believe that the first words spoken to her by the man she had been thinking about constantly were actually a reprimand. She was immediately stunned.

After saying this, Liang Zhe spoke gently to Qin Shuying: “Shuying, let’s go.”

Qin Shuying replied with a smile, “Mm.”

The celestial couple walked away hand in hand.

Qin Feifei and Lu Changju stood there like stone statues, dazed for a long while.

This incident didn’t affect Qin Shuying’s mood at all.

No matter what became of Qin Feifei, from now on it had nothing to do with her.

When it was time for lunch, the group slowly made their way back.

Since they had eaten quite a lot of various snacks, none of the four were hungry, so they weren’t in a rush to return home and walked at a leisurely pace, stopping here and there.

When they passed by Guangbin Tower, Liang Zhe suddenly stopped the horses, lifted the carriage curtain, and asked the people inside: “Elder Sister, Shuying, I heard that Guangbin Tower recently introduced several rare dishes. Why don’t we go in and try them?”

Liang Zhen looked toward Qin Shuying, who smiled and said, “Since we’re rarely out, let’s go in and try them.”

So they got off the carriage and entered Guangbin Tower.

At this time, Guangbin Tower was past the dining hour, and most people were those who had finished eating and drinking and were leaving.

Along the way, Liang Zhe also encountered quite a few acquaintances. While greeting them, the four walked inside.

Both Liang Zhen and Qin Shuying were married women and weren’t wearing veils, so many people looked at her and Liang Zhen.

Liang Zhen knew that those people were all looking at her. Seeing Liang Zhe with two women, those who knew him understood that one must be Liang Zhe’s wife, and the other must be the legendary Liang Zhen who had come to the capital half a year ago but had rarely appeared in public.

Before marriage, Liang Zhen had been a famous lady in the capital, and her wedding had been so scandalous that many people were very curious about her.

However, facing others’ curious gazes, Liang Zhen maintained a gentle smile throughout, polite and gracious.

They had just gone upstairs, requested a private room, and ordered several newly introduced exquisite dishes when a man dressed as a personal attendant came in, greeted Liang Zhe and the others, and said: “Sixth Prince is also dining over there. Hearing that Deputy Commissioner Liang has arrived, he requests that Deputy Commissioner Liang join him for the meal. His Highness said that they are all family ladies, so there’s no need to be formal.”

After the grand wedding, the Fourth Prince, Fifth Prince, and Sixth Prince were all uniformly addressed as princes.

Liang Zhe replied: “Since the Prince is here, this official will go see the Prince. The ladies need not go.”

The attendant didn’t dare to persuade otherwise and could only lead Liang Zhe alone to see Zhou Qin.

When they reached that room, indeed only Zhou Qin and Mu Tianxiang were seated, with the rest being attendants.

Liang Zhe paid his respects. Zhou Qin, not seeing Qin Shuying, said: “Deputy Commissioner Liang need not be so formal. Why didn’t your esteemed wife come over?”

“My wife is tired and doesn’t dare to be discourteous.”

“No matter, we’re all family.”

Liang Zhe thought for a moment and said: “Your Highness, please wait. This official will go and have them come over.”

Before long, Liang Zhe brought Liang Zhen, Qin Shuying, and Qu Linglong over.

The three women paid their respects to Zhou Qin and Mu Tianxiang. Mu Tianxiang looked at the three women with a smile, arrogance faintly flickering in her eyes. Qin Shuying saw this and wasn’t surprised at all.

Even when Mu Tianxiang was still unmarried, she had been very wise. Not only did she not follow Princess Fu’an in causing trouble, but she was also able to abandon Kangpin and choose Lianpin instead—quite shrewd indeed.

Remembering the ambiguous words she had said to her at the traveling palace, Qin Shuying inwardly sneered.

Mu Tianxiang was so clever. Now that Lianpin felt Mu Tianxiang was a burden, perhaps Mu Tianxiang thought Lianpin was the obstacle instead.

Qin Shuying had originally been somewhat troubled about how to deal with Lianpin, because they couldn’t even meet face to face and had no intersection in their daily lives. It wouldn’t be easy for Lianpin to manipulate Qin Shuying, and it would be equally difficult for Qin Shuying to find Lianpin’s weaknesses.

However, with such a clever person as Mu Tianxiang around, many things would become much more interesting, wouldn’t they?

Although the Mu family had committed great crimes, Mu Tianxiang could still persuade Zhou Qin to bring her out alone, which showed Mu Tianxiang’s methods.

Mu Tianxiang was now a princess consort, with a higher status than Qin Shuying. It wasn’t until Qin Shuying and Liang Zhen had properly paid their respects that she slowly said: “Why should the Heir Apparent’s wife and Madam Qu be so formal? Speaking of relationships, the Prince should call the Heir Apparent’s wife aunt. We’re all family, so there’s no need for these troublesome empty formalities.”

She hadn’t said this during the bowing, but only after it was completed.

Qin Shuying remained unmoved and only said indifferently: “I follow the Princess Consort’s wishes,” then sat to one side. Liang Zhen and Qu Linglong also sat down without ceremony.

Mu Tianxiang sipped her tea slowly, but her heart couldn’t hide her surprise.

What kind of person Qin Shuying was, Mu Tianxiang had collected much information about her and had long understood, so she wasn’t too surprised by Qin Shuying’s behavior. However, after suffering such a blow, Liang Zhen could still maintain such composure—she was truly not to be underestimated.

Mu Tianxiang put down her teacup and beckoned to Qu Linglong: “Good child, come here, let this palace have a look. What a well-behaved child.” She also said to the maid beside her, “Take out that jade pendant. This palace likes this child at first sight.”

After the maid brought out the jade pendant, Mu Tianxiang smiled and said to Qu Linglong, “Good child, this palace came out in haste today and didn’t bring anything. This is a meeting gift for you.”

Qu Linglong stood up and came forward, extending both hands to respectfully receive the jade pendant from Mu Tianxiang’s hands. Mu Tianxiang gently placed the jade pendant into Qu Linglong’s hands.

At that very instant, there was a sharp “crack” sound—the jade pendant had actually dropped to the ground.

It shattered into many pieces.

The maid’s expression immediately changed: “Oh my, why didn’t you catch it? This was the Princess Consort’s most beloved jade pendant.”