After thinking it over, Qin Shuying said, “Let’s add more fuel to their fire and let them make their own fuss.”

Old Madam Liang had a cold and callous nature. The old marquis had already treated her extremely well, yet she could still do such things with Prince Liang—having an affair was one thing, but she even bore Prince Liang a daughter.

Then she found ways to bring her own daughter into the mansion and killed Zhao Wanniang. Not content with killing Zhao Wanniang, she also tried to harm Zhao Wanniang’s children.

She wanted to turn the entire Liang family completely into the bloodline and domain of her, Luo Yanyan. If she hadn’t died, Concubine Yue’s children probably wouldn’t have fared well either.

With such a mother, Luo Meixiang was no better, treating Zhao Wanniang’s children like enemies and using despicable methods everywhere. As for Concubine Zhou, she inherently couldn’t shed the petty character of a concubine.

Previously, with Old Madam Liang present, Luo Meixiang’s flaws were suppressed, so outsiders saw the Marquis Pingxi’s wife as elegant, noble, and stunningly beautiful; they saw Liang Qiong as dignified, gracious, elegant, and beautiful; they saw the Luo family’s second branch as prosperous and thriving.

Once Old Madam Liang fell, Luo Meixiang became like a bird with clipped wings, immediately panicked with nowhere to go; Liang Qiong showed her claws, fully displaying her restless and false nature; the Luo family’s second branch, having lost their support, was quickly suppressed by others.

Of course, behind all this were the machinations of the Liang Zhe couple.

Although Liang Yuan and Liang Jie still held their positions, getting marriages like before was no longer possible.

Anyone with eyes could see that Liang Zhe paid no attention to these two younger brothers, and with Liang Yunshan gone to the border city, even if he wanted to look after Liang Yuan and Liang Jie, he was willing but powerless.

So, given these people’s selfish nature and desperate circumstances, getting them to fight among themselves couldn’t be easier.

After Qin Shuying and Ziteng finished their discussion and had just set the matter aside, Hong Juan brought in Princess Yongjia’s invitation, asking her to go to West Country Temple.

Throughout the winter, the weather had been cold and unsuitable for visiting entertaining places, so Princess Yongjia hadn’t invited her. Now, with spring’s warmth and flowers blooming, and clothes becoming lighter, Princess Yongjia could no longer restrain herself.

At West Country Temple, Princess Yongjia was still waiting for her in front of the Great Buddha Hall.

This time, Qin Shuying wore a face veil.

After offering incense, Princess Yongjia chatted with her casually, mentioning Princess Yongxing: “She wrote to me saying the mutton in the northwest is very delicious, and the raisins are plump, sweet, and tasty.”

“Your subject’s wife knows a little about this, but has never eaten the finest mutton. Ziyu did have live sheep transported to the mansion at great speed, but our household cooks don’t really understand how to prepare it. Though the taste they produce is fresh and delicious, it’s not as wonderful as Princess Yongxing described.”

“Even after marrying, Yongxing remains so innocent and cheerful. You’re not like her—you used to be straightforward and resilient, but now that you’re married, you’re overly cautious in handling matters. You were better before marriage.”

Qin Shuying smiled. “With Princess Yongxing’s exceptional beauty preceding me, how could your subject’s wife catch Your Highness’s eye?”

Princess Yongjia shook her head. “I say you’ve changed now, and you still argue.”

Having spent long periods with Princess Yongjia, Qin Shuying knew her frank nature—she said whatever came to mind and did whatever she pleased, rather like a famous scholar’s free-spirited manner.

Therefore, whether Princess Yongjia was joking, laughing, angry, or scolding, one only needed to treat her sincerely—there was no need to overly constrain one’s nature.

“Since Your Highness says so, your subject’s wife must reflect carefully. Your subject’s wife has indeed changed, but while it’s obvious to others, I haven’t noticed it myself.”

Princess Yongjia glared at her. “If it were Yongxing, she would definitely ask me why I said that. If it were the former you, you would also retort forcefully. But look at you now—keeping your thoughts to yourself, probably thinking about how to distance yourself from me.”

These words had some truth to them, and Qin Shuying couldn’t help but laugh. “Your Highness wrongs your subject’s wife. It’s truly because I haven’t made any progress on the matter Your Highness mentioned, and I felt too ashamed to face Your Highness.”

On her coming-of-age day, Princess Yongjia had spoken with her at length—words that kept Qin Shuying pondering for a long time.

At that time, Princess Yongjia had spoken about her own origins and marriage prospects.

Princess Yongjia said that everyone claimed she and Emperor Delong were born of the same mother, but she believed she was not Emperor Delong’s legitimate sister.

No one had told her she wasn’t Emperor Delong’s sister from the same mother. She just felt it herself—she felt she wasn’t Emperor Delong’s sister from the same mother.

Although Great Zhou’s princesses weren’t as honored as in previous dynasties, if Princess Yongjia were truly Emperor Delong’s sister from the same mother, she would never have ended up with such a marriage arrangement and then remained alone.

Though it was said at the time that eunuchs had interfered, if Emperor Delong had put even a little effort into it, the eunuchs wouldn’t have dared treat Emperor Delong’s own sister so shabbily.

Princess Yongjia had previously only told this suspicion to Princess Yongxing, who had wanted to help her find clues but ultimately had no way to begin. Soon after, Princess Yongxing married far away, making her even more willing but powerless.

When Qin Shuying came of age, Princess Yongjia told her this suspicion, hoping Qin Shuying could help when possible.

Princess Yongjia herself knew this matter couldn’t be rushed—she had been searching for decades without finding the reason, so how quickly could Qin Shuying manage it?

She said, “You needn’t be anxious either—take it slowly. After all, this is the only matter left in my life.”

Her tone carried some coolness and helpless resignation.

Hearing Princess Yongjia speak this way, Qin Shuying thought for a moment and said, “Your Highness, your subject’s wife has an idea—I don’t know if it’s right or wrong, but please listen.”

Princess Yongjia looked at her with furrowed brows. “Speak.”

“Your Highness, your subject’s wife has been favored by the Empress and summoned by her several times—Your Highness should know this?”

Princess Yongjia replied casually, “I know.”

“Then shall your subject’s wife tell Your Highness about those occasions?”

Princess Yongjia didn’t understand the purpose, but since Qin Shuying wanted to speak, she must have her reasons, so she listened carefully.

Qin Shuying spoke for a long time, telling Princess Yongjia about everything from her first meeting with Empress Wen after marriage up to seeing Empress Wen the other day.

Since Emperor Delong had allowed Consort De and others to see Empress Wen, he no longer intended to keep Empress Wen’s appearance mysterious.

Therefore, Qin Shuying speaking about this now wasn’t violating any taboos.

After hearing Qin Shuying’s words, Princess Yongjia was very perceptive and caught the key point in Qin Shuying’s words: “You’re saying that each time Empress Wen met with you, you talked about me with her?”

“Yes.”

“What do you mean by this?”

“Your Highness, your subject’s wife has no particular meaning—I just feel this matter could serve as one of the clues for tracing your origins.”

Princess Yongjia had now mounted her horse, with servants following at a distance—no one dared get too close.

Qin Shuying rode alongside her.

After traveling some distance, Princess Yongjia said to Qin Shuying, “I am a Princess Imperial, so naturally I have met Empress Wen. I remember when I was only a few years old, my sister-in-law treated me extremely well—her smile was kind and very gentle, and she would have all sorts of delicious and beautiful things sent to me. I thought that since she was my sister-in-law, she would naturally treat His Majesty’s legitimate sister so well.”