Madam Ji said leisurely, “Contempt of what? Contempt of imperial grace, or contempt of the Princess Consort? If it’s contempt of imperial grace, I’ll immediately have the steward find another hundred or so people from outside to turn my humble residence upside down until we find it. If it’s contempt of the Princess Consort, that’s easy to handle – I’ll personally apologize to the Princess Consort myself. The Princess Consort is gentle and magnanimous, not like what Madam Lu suggests – she wouldn’t punish me.”

No one had expected Madam Ji to be so shameless, simply refusing to search for the item.

Lu Ruyang flew into a rage, “Madam Ji, you evade responsibility like this – could it be that someone from your household stole the item, and you’re afraid of losing face when it’s discovered, so you deliberately create entanglements and refuse to search?”

Madam Ji remained silent, her expression becoming somewhat unpleasant. She didn’t even fear Princess Yongjia or submit to her – would she really fear a mere consort of Fifth Prince?

Lu Ruyang continued, “I believe Madam Ji would absolutely never do such a thing. Then, are you perhaps protecting someone?”

Fifth Princess Consort said, “Madam Ji, it’s all because Ruyang is thoughtless and has made things difficult for you. Ruyang, you must change this temperament of yours. When you return, you’ll be confined for a month. Only when you realize your mistake will you be allowed out!”

Lu Ruyang immediately knelt on the ground, hastily begging forgiveness, “Princess Consort, forgive me! Princess Consort, forgive me!”

Fifth Princess Consort then said to Madam Ji, “Madam Ji, Ruyang is thoughtless, and I’ve punished her as well. Please don’t blame her anymore – let this matter end here.”

These words made it sound as if Madam Ji absolutely insisted on doing something to Lu Ruyang.

Everyone present was somewhat surprised. Fifth Princess Consort had been very virtuous and magnanimous just moments ago – why did her words now seem to carry other implications?

Could there be hidden circumstances?

Qin Shuying suddenly said, “Madam Lu, please get up quickly. The Princess Consort has already punished you. If you continue kneeling there, it puts both the Princess Consort and Madam Ji in an awkward position.”

Lu Ruyang felt both new grievances and old hatreds surge up in her heart. She took several deep breaths before pretending to look startled, pointing at Qin Shuying and saying, “Madam Liang, why is the jade ornament on you!”

Instantly, everyone looked toward Qin Shuying in unison.

Qin Shuying was stunned, asking, “What?”

Lu Ruyang pointed at Qin Shuying’s sleeve, “The Princess Consort’s purple jade ornament is in your sleeve!”

Qin Shuying didn’t believe it, “How is that possible?”

As she spoke, she went to feel her sleeve.

Unexpectedly, a purple jade ornament actually fell out from her sleeve.

Qin Shuying was secretly amused – how similar this was to when she had been framed by Lianpin in the palace for picking Consort De’s peonies.

But her face instantly lost all color as she frantically tried to cover up, “This, this is my own item, definitely not the Princess Consort’s seven-leaf purple jade ornament. You’re mistaken.”

As she spoke, she stuffed the jade ornament back into her sleeve.

Lu Ruyang wouldn’t let Qin Shuying succeed. She immediately reached out and snatched the seven-leaf purple jade ornament away, “Everyone look – this is the Princess Consort’s seven-leaf purple jade ornament! Madam Liang, you’re too despicable, actually stealing the Princess Consort’s belongings in public!”

The crowd immediately burst into discussion, saying all kinds of things.

Qin Shuying argued, “This really isn’t the Princess Consort’s item – this is my own!”

Lu Ruyang held the jade ornament high so everyone could see it clearly, “Everyone look – isn’t this seven leaves? Isn’t this a purple jade ornament? Qin Shuying has always had sticky fingers, stealing from my aunt-in-law. My aunt-in-law only refrained from publicizing it out of consideration for the Liang family’s reputation, but instead of repenting, she found an excuse to lock my aunt-in-law away, preventing her from seeing anyone. If you go to the Liang household and ask around, everyone knows about this!”

The aunt-in-law Lu Ruyang mentioned was Luo Meixiang.

Qin Shuying immediately defended herself, “I didn’t steal the Old Madam’s things – what nonsense are you spouting!”

Lu Ruyang had long wanted to thoroughly humiliate Qin Shuying and trample her underfoot. With this opportunity, how could she let it pass? She said hatefully, “Didn’t steal? You’re truly speaking lies with your eyes wide open. You stole a priceless treasure that my aunt-in-law had hidden away, and you still dare say you didn’t steal?”

Qin Shuying was bewildered, “What priceless treasure? What kind of story are you making up!”

Lu Ruyang proudly raised her eyebrows and blurted out, “A firearm that my aunt-in-law bought from a foreigner long ago!”

Fifth Princess Consort’s eyes stared unblinkingly at Qin Shuying.

Qin Shuying became even more confused, “What firearm or water device – I have no idea what you’re talking about!”

Lu Ruyang sneered coldly, “You stole the item, so of course you won’t admit it now. Unfortunately, you can’t argue your way out of this. Today you’ve stolen the Princess Consort’s seven-leaf purple jade ornament right here, and everyone saw it. Everyone knows what kind of character you have.”

“I didn’t steal…”

Fifth Princess Consort suddenly coughed. Lu Ruyang was startled and immediately continued, “Where exactly did you hide that firearm? Do you know that thing is very dangerous and could kill someone if handled carelessly!”

Fifth Princess Consort continued staring unblinkingly at Qin Shuying.

Qin Shuying said angrily, “What exactly are you babbling about? This is simply nonsensical! I’ve said before that you’re a junior who shows no respect for elders, constantly making noise and being unruly – how does this benefit you? Now it seems the Princess Consort has been too benevolent, actually allowing you to act so wildly. Princess Consort, Ruyang also calls me aunt. I’ll take the liberty of speaking out – please discipline her strictly so she doesn’t come out and embarrass the Prince’s household in the future.”

Before Fifth Princess Consort could respond, Lu Ruyang said, “I have the seven-leaf purple jade ornament in my hand. You should think about how to explain yourself to all these people first! Stealing something and still trying to argue, stealing something and trying to shift blame – an elder like you isn’t worth my respect at all.”

At this moment, Fifth Princess Consort also appeared very troubled, saying, “Madam Liang, this seven-leaf purple jade ornament of mine isn’t actually worth much silver, but purple jade is rare, and His Highness gave it to me as a token. If you like it, I wouldn’t mind giving it to you, but with things like this… now that it’s come to this, even if I wanted to cover for you, I couldn’t.”

Purple jade was indeed rare and extremely expensive, certainly not what Fifth Princess Consort called “not worth much silver.” Everyone believed this was Fifth Princess Consort trying to minimize the matter, helping people understand that Qin Shuying’s mistake wasn’t that serious.

At the same time, the entire venue erupted in even more commotion. Fifth Princess Consort was clearly acknowledging that this was the seven-leaf purple jade ornament and that Qin Shuying had stolen it.

Qin Shuying argued again, “Princess Consort, I truly didn’t steal your item. This is my own.”

Fifth Princess Consort gently shook her head and sighed, “Madam Liang, so many people witnessed this. Continuing to argue like this really serves no purpose. Since you like this jade ornament, I’ll give it to you. Alright, let this matter end here – don’t say anything more.”

A cold gleam gathered in Qin Shuying’s eyes. She finally understood what was happening today.