Originally, Qin Shuying had wanted to use Mu Tianxiang’s hand to deal with Lianpin. Now that Mu Tianxiang had completely fallen, Qin Shuying had no choice but to change her plans.

After the Mu Tianxiang incident, Consort De and Lianpin inexplicably began to feel mutual sympathy.

At the end of the day, both of them were merely chess pieces in Emperor Delong’s hands.

Since Emperor Delong loved and valued Empress Wen so much, would he really let Fifth Prince or Sixth Prince become emperor?

Even a blind person could see that the future realm would definitely belong to the Crown Prince!

But could they really be resigned to this? Could they really cease their activities and withdraw?

Through Consort De and Lianpin’s considerable efforts, both the noble ladies and people in the palace understood one thing: Empress Wen was Empress Wen—she was not Lin Yuan.

As for why she didn’t show herself?

Mind your own business!

In the previous dynasty, there was an emperor who didn’t hold court for over thirty years, and very few people had seen him, yet he continued being emperor just the same. What more for an empress?

By the time Qu Yi entered the capital, the palace had beaten to death twenty or thirty palace maids and eunuchs over this matter, and several tables’ worth of noble ladies had been invited by Consort De and Lianpin for “tea.” After that, this matter gradually became something no one dared speculate or discuss anymore.

On the third day of the fourth month, Qu Yi brought Old Madam Qu to the capital.

After corresponding and consulting with Qu Yi, Liang Zhen had arranged for a residence not far from the Liang family—this would be the Qu family’s future mansion when they came to the capital. Everything in the mansion had been properly arranged, and Qu Linglong had visited several times, personally selecting many items for herself.

On the day Old Madam Qu entered the capital, Qin Shuying and Liang Zhe went to the wharf to welcome them.

Old Madam Qu was advanced in years, and the land route was too bumpy, so they had taken the water route.

Besides Qu Yi and Old Madam Qu, there were also several male relatives from the Qu family’s main branch, along with their wives.

Seeing Liang Zhe and Qin Shuying come personally to welcome them, the Qu family members felt their faces greatly honored. After much lively greetings and pleasantries, the several male relatives from the Qu family’s main branch were also clever people, naturally not sparing in their flattery and compliments.

Five men from the Qu family’s main branch had come—some to do business in the capital, some to study, and some to travel. There were also two wives, slightly older than Liang Zhen, both very clever and obviously accustomed to traveling about.

Additionally, there was Qu Yi’s legitimate elder sister, around thirty years old, with very lively eyes, speaking endless flattering words.

Liang Zhen had mentioned before that these main branch relatives treated her fairly well, so Qin Shuying showed appropriate warmth and hospitality without error. As for Qu Yi’s sister, though overly clever, it had nothing to do with Qin Shuying’s own life, and Liang Zhen wasn’t easy to bully, so after saying a few words, Qin Shuying withdrew from the conversation.

Then those main branch relatives and wives privately couldn’t help but mutter to themselves, feeling fortunate that when Liang Zhen had married into the Qu family, they hadn’t given her mockery or grief.

Look—if they had bullied Liang Zhen back then, her brothers could probably knock down the entire Qu family with just one little finger.

The welcoming banquet was held at Guangbin Tower, and the Qu family members naturally exclaimed in amazement.

Qin Shuying also met Qu Yi, who appeared to be a very upright man with outstanding looks, elegant and distinguished. Standing together with Liang Zhen, they were well-matched in appearance.

Old Madam Qu was a small elderly lady around fifty, with a smile that never left her face. Upon seeing Qu Linglong, she called her “my darling” and “my treasure” constantly.

Qu Linglong also loved Old Madam Qu dearly, following closely behind her and never leaving her side, clearly showing genuine love and respect.

Since the Qu family had come to the capital, Liang Zhen and Qu Linglong naturally had to move to the Qu family residence.

Thus, four days later, Qin Shuying began to feel somewhat lonely.

This morning, after listening to the steward matrons report on the mansion’s affairs, Qin Shuying’s attention was drawn to something concerning the West Courtyard. Actually, she hadn’t just noticed it today—she had been paying attention for quite some days.

The current Liang family was divided into four courtyards: East, South, West, and North.

As the head mistress, Qin Shuying lived in the East Courtyard, while Luo Meixiang, Concubine Yue, and several of Liang Yunshan’s concubines and chamber maids lived in the West Courtyard. The North Courtyard was the outer courtyard, and the South Courtyard contained scattered residences that were still unoccupied.

The West Courtyard had many compounds where Liang Yunshan’s wives and concubines lived quite spaciously, with some rooms still empty.

The North Courtyard was the largest, serving not only as the men’s quarters but also housing Liang Yunshan’s and Liang Zhe’s separate outer studies, as well as some rooms for entertaining male guests.

Liang Yuan, Liang Jie, and A Yuan lived in the North Courtyard.

Now, when the steward matrons or Ziteng and others mentioned the West Courtyard, they generally referred to Luo Meixiang or Concubine Yue.

Since Qin Shuying only had Nanny Fu as a steward around her, and she felt sorry for Nanny Fu and didn’t want to overwork her, all major matters were now managed by Ziteng, Lu Ye, and Hong Juan, with Zhishu, Zhihua, and several others helping.

The inner residence had more than ten head steward matrons who reported matters to Ziteng and others, who then selected the important ones to tell Qin Shuying.

However, Qin Shuying personally listened to the steward matrons’ reports every ten days.

Today was the day to hear the steward matrons’ reports.

The steward matron in charge of the second gate said, “…In the West Courtyard, Concubine Zhou has visited several times. Each time she comes looking worried, but when she leaves, her complexion looks much better.”

Qin Shuying understood in her heart. After dismissing the steward matrons, she called Ziteng in to discuss.

Ziteng’s face showed suspicious red clouds. Qin Shuying remained composed and asked nothing—this was most likely because Liang Yanjun’s devoted efforts over these past months had moved Ziteng’s heart.

Qin Shuying understood all of Ziteng’s concerns and pain.

But she couldn’t continue like this forever—her life’s path was still very long.

Qin Shuying had the intention to avenge her, but how easy would it be to bring down Fifth Prince? As for that private brothel, after Qin Shuying married Liang Zhe, she had arranged for that madam to be killed.

The source of Ziteng’s tragedy lay with Lu Changxuan, Xu Shi, and Lianpin. Lu Changxuan was already dead, but Xu Shi was still living well—it was time to let her taste the loss of what she valued most.

So no matter how bitter and difficult the path ahead, Qin Shuying would walk it, determined to make Fifth Prince and Sixth Prince lose power, and ensure that Lianpin and Xu Shi received their punishment.

Then she hoped Liang Yanjun wouldn’t retreat and would ultimately win the beauty’s heart.

Qin Shuying asked Ziteng, “Previously we had people watch Concubine Zhou, and we discovered something amiss, which helped us find Old Madam’s weakness and persuade the Master. After Old Madam’s great incident, Concubine Zhou remained inactive all along. Now that the matter has passed and she’s visiting Luo Meixiang so frequently, do you know what it’s about?”

Ziteng replied, “I know a little. Concubine Zhou’s grandson had his position taken away and is quite troubled about it. Second Master Luo was recently transferred out of the capital to take a post in the southwest, so he can’t manage affairs in the capital anymore. Concubine Zhou feels sorry for her grandson and wants Luo Meixiang to put in a few words to help him.”

What help could Luo Meixiang provide now?

She could barely protect herself.

“However, Luo Meixiang wants to save face and doesn’t directly refuse Concubine Zhou, only vaguely putting her off, so Concubine Zhou has come looking for her several times. Concubine Yue has been beating drums and gongs for Luo Meixiang, making quite a commotion, so Concubine Zhou really thinks Luo Meixiang still has influential words to speak as before.”