In Qiu Qiniang’s room.

“Miss, you can’t throw that—it’s a Songmo Mountain inkstone worth ten taels!”

“Miss, you can’t throw that—the Minglan porcelain vase from Jingzhen has to be returned to the storeroom!”

“Miss, you can’t throw that—the peony hairpin was a reward from Madam!”

“Miss, you can’t throw that…”

Fortunately the voices were deliberately kept low. Otherwise, if anyone heard, how could they not think—goodness, even when throwing a tantrum and hurling things she can’t do as she pleases. Being a young lady is truly aggrieving.

“Outrageous, truly outrageous!” Qiu Qiniang finally grabbed a bamboo pillow and viciously threw it on the ground, stomping on it twice with all her might. She nearly twisted her ankle, but fortunately her personal maid Zaochun caught her.

“Miss, please don’t be angry anymore. It’s not worth it.” Zaochun said timidly, wanting to let go but not daring to.

“How is it not worth it? Tell me.” Qiu Qiniang glared at Zaochun in fury.

Zaochun had only spoken casually. Her mouth hung open for a long time without producing a single word. In the blink of an eye, Qiu Qiniang pinched her, the pain causing tears to well up in her eyes.

“If you dare cry, I’ll make you kneel on the stone slabs for a day.” Qiu Qiniang was truly enraged today.

How could she not be angry? She had clearly meant to intimidate Qiu Sanniang, yet it turned into Qiu Sanniang showing off to her.

“Miss…” Feeling utterly wronged, Zaochun forcibly held back her tears. Through her physical pain, she finally managed to squeeze out words of comfort. “Why bother competing with Third Miss? When Prince Jing’s mansion comes to Madam to propose marriage, Miss will marry out in glory. Forget Snow Pear Blossom—even if you wanted the moon from the sky, your husband could pluck it down for you.”

Such comfort clearly had an effect. Qiu Qiniang’s mood calmed down.

“That’s right. Let her gloat for now. She can afford to buy Snow Pear Blossom, but she can’t win over Madam’s heart.” Her bright red cherry lips uttered indulgently, “Last night, you saw it too, didn’t you?”

“I saw it, of course I saw it.” Zaochun’s head bobbed like a chicken pecking rice. “Madam Wei removed the bracelet from her own wrist and gave it to Miss. Isn’t that a sign of favoring Miss? This servant has never seen such a beautiful bracelet.”

Qiu Qiniang’s expression cleared like clouds parting to reveal the sun. She raised her wrist, and in the candlelight a gleaming gold bracelet appeared. The openwork carving of grape leaves entwined with vines was incomparably beautiful. Such craftsmanship and workmanship couldn’t be found anywhere in all of Luo Zhou—only in the capital. Yes, she absolutely must marry into Prince Jing’s mansion to vent her anger for both her birth mother and herself. From then on she would live a life without worries about food and clothing—even Zhang Shi would have to seek favors from her. For this goal, she would not hesitate to make an enemy of anyone. She had thought she’d already coaxed Zhang Shi’s favoritism, having put in so much effort on ordinary days, unlike Sixth Miss who always appeared timid and weak. Who knew Zhang Shi would recommend Sixth Miss to Madam Wei, which infuriated her immensely.

Fortunately, she wasn’t stupid. Understanding that relying on others was inferior to relying on herself, she disregarded Zhang Shi’s displeasure and exerted herself to perform. Sure enough, last night Madam Wei showed greater affection for her than for Sixth Miss. However, if she couldn’t make Zhang Shi change her mind, even if Prince Jing’s mansion had intentions, the matter couldn’t succeed.

Having Zaochun light a lamp, Qiu Qiniang went to the main courtyard to see Zhang Shi. Even if it meant humbling herself, she had to express to Zhang Shi her willingness to submit to her control and regain her trust. From childhood, she understood that her status as Seventh Miss meant what she gained required loss. However, everything would be temporary. Once she married in and obtained her husband’s favor, what did it matter if she was a concubine-born daughter!

All along the way she thought about how to persuade Zhang Shi, but unexpectedly she was turned away at the door. The junior maid guarding the gate said Madam had retired early today—after finishing dinner she had gone to sleep. But she could see the lights inside were brightly lit, with five or six maids and matrons standing in the corridor. How could this be the appearance of someone who had retired? Could she truly be angry with her and deliberately giving her the cold shoulder?

Qiu Qiniang felt somewhat frightened in her heart. She had seen clearly Zhang Shi’s methods for dealing with Third Miss. When it came down to it, Third Miss was the legitimate eldest daughter and had Master supporting her. Father didn’t dote on her, and her birth mother was timid—if Zhang Shi turned against her, she would be ruined. Only now did she feel afraid. But she also couldn’t force her way in to beg for mercy, so she had no choice but to turn back dejectedly.

As for the main courtyard, though Zhang Shi truly hadn’t retired, it wasn’t that she deliberately wanted to snub Qiu Qiniang—rather, Qiu Qiniang had come a step too late. The maids in front had received instructions to close the courtyard. No matter who came, they were to be turned away. After turning them away, they were to immediately report to Nanny An, who managed affairs.

Nanny An entered the outer room and said to Zhang Shi, who was about to speak in the inner room, “Madam, Seventh Miss came just now. You gave instructions to bolt the gate, so she was turned away.”

Zhang Shi hummed from inside. “Only now does she think of me? Well turned away. Turn her away a few more times, otherwise she’ll think she’s indispensable!”

Nanny An agreed with a murmur and withdrew.

“Does Madam still intend to marry Sixth Miss into the prince’s mansion?” The other person in the room turned out to be Fourth Madam Jiang Suxin.

“That was originally the plan, but Seventh Miss interfered. You saw it too—Qiongyu removed such a precious gold bracelet and gave it to her. When it comes to making people happy, that girl is the most capable. How can Sixth Miss compare?” Zhang Shi pursed her lips, her face looking somewhat harsh. “If she had told me beforehand, I would have let her do as she pleased. But going against me right to my face—she’s just like Third Miss, seven parts identical. All my affection for her was wasted. In the end, she didn’t come from my belly—one can’t raise intimacy with such children. Still, if Qiongyu truly favors Seventh Miss, I can only agree. Her birth mother must be supported by the Qiu household until old age. Even if she flies high, I still hold the string—she can’t escape my control.”

Fourth Madam had no objection to this. Having married in, she was a member of the Qiu family, more concerned with the Qiu household’s interests than the eldest and younger sisters-in-law who would eventually marry out. Zhang Shi wanting to establish connections with Prince Jing’s mansion through marriage was actually most crucial for their branch of the family. Therefore, controlling Qiu Qiniang was necessary.

“What about Third Miss’s marriage?” Fourth Madam had stayed until this moment because she had something to discuss with Zhang Shi.

“The matchmaker has it arranged. The eldest son of the Tan family in Qingfu County, Ping Zhou—he’s twenty-five this year, never been married, his family runs two general stores, and they have farmland in the countryside. Once Qiongyu confirms things with me, I’ll discuss this matter with Master.” Zhang Shi’s smiling face held a trace of smugness.

Fourth Madam thought: twenty-five years old and still unwed—who knows if there’s a reason for that? Moreover, two shops and some farmland looked like a small household and small business, seeming incompatible with Qiu Sanniang’s status. Ping Zhou was far from Luo Zhou, and the land was poor with a sparse population. How obvious a dismissal this was—and to somewhere so distant that even if she suffered grievances, she couldn’t return to her maiden home. But she still couldn’t say anything.

“By the way, you have something to tell me, don’t you?” Zhang Shi trusted her fourth daughter-in-law greatly. She didn’t hide her thoughts in front of her—this was also teaching her that for the sake of this branch of the family, using every means possible was the principle.

After Zhang Shi finished speaking, she noticed a somewhat hesitant expression on her daughter-in-law’s face. She thought to herself that it was rare to see her like this. Her heart grew heavier, and she said, “No need to feel awkward. Just tell me directly.”

“Madam, I want to ask your advice.” Fourth Madam’s oval face tightened. “I’m both afraid of displeasing you, yet I must speak to you first. But if you absolutely forbid it, just pretend your daughter-in-law never said anything.”