However, Xu Shi’s reaction was also extremely quick. She immediately stepped forward, grasped her hand, and said, “You silly girl, today is such a wonderful day. Why are you saying such things?”
Qin Shuying looked at Xu Shi with a half-smile: “First Madam, today is Old Ancestor’s joyous day. As a granddaughter, isn’t it proper for me to pay my respects to Grandmother? This is exactly what First Madam has always taught me!”
There was nothing wrong with these words. Xu Shi had indeed “taught” such things in the past. But she always felt that Qin Shuying’s gaze was completely different from what she had seen a few days ago. Yet she couldn’t quite pinpoint exactly what was different.
Without waiting for Xu Shi to speak again, Qin Shuying turned toward Old Madam, her words earnest and her emotions genuine: “Old Ancestor, for these past three years, Shuying has hoped day and night to be close to Old Ancestor. However, the maids and servants in the manor all say that Shuying is a jinx who would bring disaster to Old Ancestor. Therefore, Shuying has stayed quietly in Spring Garden, wholeheartedly trying to cleanse the misfortune from my body. For this reason, I dared not get close to Grandmother. Just recently, Shuying finished the mourning period, and my health has greatly improved. I no longer need to worry about bringing misfortune to Grandmother, nor do I fear others’ gossip and pointing fingers. Old Ancestor, from now on, Shuying will pester Old Ancestor every day. Please don’t dislike your unfilial granddaughter!”
Three days ago, Qin Shuying had completed her mourning period. At that time, Old Madam had also arranged for someone to perform the mourning removal ceremony.
Qin Shuying was the youngest among the grandchildren, and she was also the only precious child of her most beloved third son, Qin Yongzhou. Even though Old Madam had previously harbored much dissatisfaction toward Qin Shuying, under her current explanation, she couldn’t help but soften her heart by seventy percent.
Seeing how sincerely her granddaughter had observed mourning for her father, and how she considered others, today’s attire that was plain yet touched with joy, her earnest and affectionate words—Old Madam took it as a sign that she had truly grown up, and couldn’t help feeling quite pleased: “My child, you have indeed grown up. Come, sit here beside me.”
Qin Shuying sat to the left of Old Madam’s footstool, grasping Old Madam’s hand, her filial affection evident for all to see. On the right side sat Qin Yunyun. The left and right sides of Old Madam’s footstool were naturally reserved for the most cherished people.
In her previous life, Qin Yaoyao had known that Old Madam most favored those who understood propriety and礼仪. Xu Shi had originally used this very tactic to make Qin Shuying appear ignorant of rules and disrespectful to elders in Old Madam’s eyes, causing Old Madam and Qin Shuying to grow distant. Now, Qin Shuying was using this same strategy to regain Old Madam’s affection and protection.
This scene was exactly what Xu Shi desperately did not want to see. Xu Shi’s eyes darted about, and she immediately asked with a beaming smile: “Seventh Miss, is your health better now?”
Qin Shuying unhurriedly rose, performed a graceful curtsy, her posture elegant and composed, displaying the complete demeanor of a young lady from a distinguished family: “Thank you for First Madam’s concern. Shuying’s health is much better now.”
Seeing Qin Shuying’s deportment, Old Madam felt even more pleased. Gracious and natural, well-educated and reasonable, with determination and openness between her brows—she bore much of Qin Yongzhou’s bearing.
Seeing this, Xu Shi was secretly alarmed while continuing: “Since you’re better, then I can rest easy. When you were unwell recently, the maids and servants in your courtyard were all affected by your illness. Physician Liu even said it might take quite some time to recover. Old Ancestor, look how rosy Seventh Miss’s complexion is today, with such excellent color—she must be completely healed. In my opinion, Yunyun, your nightly copying of Buddhist scriptures to pray for your seventh sister’s blessing has indeed been effective.”
The implication was clear to everyone—she never forgot to take credit for herself at any opportunity.
Qin Shuying then curtsied to Qin Yunyun: “Sixth Sister, thank you for your loving care! First Madam is right. Shuying’s recovery is entirely due to Sixth Sister’s scripture copying and prayers. I must shamelessly ask Sixth Sister—if you have time in the future, please continue copying scriptures for me. Whenever I feel unwell, as long as Sixth Sister copies scriptures, I will surely recover. I’ve heard that Sixth Sister’s personal maid recovered from illness also because of Sixth Sister’s scripture copying and prayers. In the future, Sixth Sister’s maids will be blessed, I will be blessed, and everyone in the entire Qin manor will be blessed!”
Qin Yunyun felt displeased in her heart. Did this mean that whenever anyone in the entire manor fell ill in the future, she, Qin Yunyun, would have to copy scriptures?
Suppressing her impatience, she said warmly: “Sister, you’re being too formal. We’re all sisters—just staying up late to copy some scriptures, how could that warrant such grand courtesy? Old Ancestor, look how Seventh Sister is treating me like a stranger.”
Qin Shuying smiled gently and said: “Sixth Sister visits me every few days. I’ve long considered Sister as close as my own sister—how could I treat you like a stranger? However, when Sixth Sister cares for me so lovingly, if I don’t express gratitude, wouldn’t people say I don’t know good from bad? Sixth Sister, you wouldn’t want people to say such things about me, would you?”
Qin Yunyun was startled and quickly said: “Of course not.”
Seeing her granddaughters in such harmony, and Qin Shuying being so well-mannered—nothing like the aloof, stubborn, willful, and spoiled person Xu Shi had previously described—Old Madam was naturally delighted.
Qin Shuying lowered her eyes and smiled slightly. She naturally knew that Old Madam would never favor any particular granddaughter, so in front of Old Madam, this act of sisterly affection had to be performed despite how nauseating it felt.
At any time, unless Xu Shi threatened the interests of the Qin manor, Old Madam would never stand on Qin Shuying’s side.
Therefore, what she sought was Old Madam’s protection, not Old Madam’s justice.
As Qin Shuying spoke these words, Qin Yunyun felt an indescribable strange flavor about them. In the past, Qin Shuying had always been extremely enthusiastic toward her. Today, although her words still praised Qin Yunyun at every turn, her gaze remained off somehow. Could she be seeing things wrong?
Qin Yunyun looked at Qin Shuying again. This time, she could confirm that Qin Shuying’s eyes truly lacked warmth, appearing deep and unfathomable instead.
And her behavior and demeanor seemed to have changed overnight, with every gesture permeated with elegant nobility. The feeling of being a legitimate daughter, elegant, and well-bred naturally emerged.
Qin Shuying naturally knew Qin Yunyun was observing her. She neither avoided nor hid, meeting her gaze directly, her every movement radiating elegant composure. In her previous life, she didn’t know how much time she had spent cultivating herself to make herself worthy of Lu Changxuan. Now, performing these behaviors came naturally and effortlessly.
Zou Shi also chimed in cheerfully, saying: “Old Madam, Sixth Miss and Seventh Miss truly have deep sisterly affection.”
Old Madam laughed heartily: “A family should naturally be warm and close.”
Zou Shi suppressed the strange feeling in her heart and echoed Old Madam’s words. She also had the feeling—how did Seventh Miss seem like a completely different person today?
Qin Lulu had always presented herself as gentle and gracious, sitting upright with a smile but saying nothing.
Qin Fangfang was the daughter of Concubine Li, who was most favored by Qin Yongtao. With striking looks and a lively personality, she often showed filial piety before Xu Shi, and to outsiders, it appeared that Xu Shi treated her like her own daughter. She had always followed closely behind Qin Yunyun, and now said: “Sixth Sister, you treat Seventh Sister so well that I’m getting jealous!”