Seeing her sincere words and enthusiastic glances left and right, Qin Shuying figured she had seen other noble ladies chatting in groups of three to five and couldn’t restrain herself anymore.

Qin Shuying looked toward Dong Shi, who naturally couldn’t be happier – they had come today to meet people, and she hadn’t hoped to catch a son-in-law in just one visit.

Dong Shi then looked at Madam Lin, seeing that she had no intention of stopping them, and nodded with a smile.

Lin Zilan took Qin Shuying’s hand and stood up, then waved to Qin Lulu and Qin Yue. Qin Shuying also pulled up Qin Lulu, and Qin Yue naturally followed.

However, that Fourth Miss Lin sat properly without moving, displaying the appearance of a great family’s daughter, very reserved.

Qin Lulu looked at Fourth Miss Lin with surprise. Lin Zilan explained with a smile: “Fourth sister has always been in the capital – she has close friends and is probably waiting for someone.”

Qin Yue glanced at Madam Lin, seeing her act as if she heard nothing. Qin Yue instantly understood Fourth Miss Lin’s position in the Luo family.

She was probably like Qin Wei – this Fourth Miss Lin’s concubine mother was favored!

From Lin Zilan saying she and her mother had only recently come to the capital, it wasn’t hard to deduce that the legitimate wife had probably been serving her parents-in-law at the ancestral home in Yunzhou for a long time, while the favored concubine and Fourth Miss Lin were the ones who stayed by Minister Luo’s side.

Qin Shuying naturally understood as well. Only Qin Lulu was still somewhat puzzled, but she wasn’t one to meddle and naturally wouldn’t ask.

The four girls went to the edge of the flower hall, looking at the surrounding scenery, all very excited.

Lin Zilan was especially excited, looking here and there with undisguised joy in her eyes. But she was also rule-abiding and didn’t chatter, only occasionally exclaiming softly in admiration.

Seeing her so innocent yet knowing proper boundaries, the three Qin sisters exchanged smiles, their favorable impression of Lin Zilan increasing considerably.

While they were talking, they saw a group of people escorting a noble lady inside.

The noble lady wore luxurious clothing, had a tall figure, and was extremely beautiful – one could say absolutely gorgeous. Every frown and smile exuded charm. The bright red flower-scattered dress she wore and the golden jewelry on her head didn’t give any sense of vulgarity, but rather made her appear full of allure and captivating beauty.

Lin Zilan looked at several ladies following beside the noble lady and said: “I recognize her – the tallest one is Minister Yu’s wife, a first-rank noble lady. Even she is so enthusiastic toward that lady, suggesting that lady’s status is extraordinary. Sister Qin, do you recognize that lady?”

Qin Shuying shook her head: “I don’t recognize her.”

Qin Lulu and Qin Yue also shook their heads, saying they didn’t know her.

Lin Zilan was very curious, and Qin Lulu and Qin Yue were also curious. For even the Minister’s wife to be so attentive, who could this be? If she were a princess consort, it would be impossible – a princess consort’s arrival would definitely be announced.

Moreover, she was so beautiful – truly a rare beauty.

While they were puzzled, Fourth Miss Lin walked over with a boastful tone: “You don’t even know this? This is from the Western Conquest General’s residence, the wife of the Marquis of Pingxi, Madam Liang née Luo, a super first-rank noble lady. Madam Liang is Grand Secretary Liang’s concubine’s daughter and also Noble Consort De’s close friend. She married well and has Noble Consort De as her backer, so naturally others want to curry favor with her.”

Her disdain for Lin Zilan not recognizing Madam Liang was obvious.

She particularly emphasized the words “concubine’s daughter,” and her implied meaning wasn’t hard to guess.

Lin Zilan only glanced at her briefly and said: “I see, sister is truly well-informed.”

Fourth Miss Lin snorted, very pleased with herself.

Even Qin Lulu was annoyed by Fourth Miss Lin’s rudeness, yet Lin Zilan remained steady as a rock, showing no sign of anger.

Lin Zilan enthusiastically continued watching the noble ladies entering behind.

This Luo Shi was so beautiful, tall and graceful, naturally drawing everyone’s attention upon entering. However, while some were enthusiastic, others were dismissive.

Someone commented: “…This is the Marquis of Pingxi’s second wife. The previous wife died after only three years. Speaking of it, she’s also fortunate. Clearly a concubine’s daughter, yet more glorious than legitimate daughters. Marrying the Marquis of Pingxi as the legitimate wife, she bore twin sons and also has a daughter. The Marquis of Pingxi hasn’t even requested the legitimate wife’s son be enfeoffed as heir apparent – this heir apparent position will most likely fall to these twins. If not for the twins, that heir apparent would probably have been decided long ago.”

The implication was that if Luo Shi hadn’t given birth to twins but rather one older and one younger son, the Marquis of Pingxi would definitely have already requested enfeoffment of Luo Shi’s eldest son as heir apparent.

Several people agreed with this opinion, since with two sons born almost simultaneously, requesting enfeoffment for either would seem unfair to the other.

“It’s said that among the twins, whoever proves more accomplished won’t be requested for heir apparent enfeoffment.”

“That’s exactly the saying.”

“It’s just a pity for that Liang Zhe – originally he also had maternal grandfather’s support. After grandfather died and uncle became disabled, no one speaks for him anymore. Isn’t he at Luo Shi’s mercy now?”

“Young Master Liang is fine though. Now he has military merit and serves before His Majesty as a fourth-rank guard. Even without the heir apparent position, he won’t fare too badly. But his sister is truly pitiful – actually married off to such a distant place to such a minor official. She’ll never return to the capital in this lifetime!”

“Didn’t First Miss Liang have an affair with that minor official, which is why she married him?”

“Can you believe such talk? Would the legitimate first daughter of the super first-rank Western Conquest General’s residence have such poor judgment?”

“But back then, everyone saw them in bed together, shameless…”

“Indeed… eh, look who’s coming?”

These people were discussing right beside Qin Shuying and the others without being too cautious around them, so the four girls heard everything clearly.

Lin Zilan whispered quietly: “Seeing with one’s own eyes may not necessarily be the truth.”

Qin Shuying’s eyes flashed but she said nothing.

Indeed, someone in eunuch clothing hurried over, calling out in a thin voice: “Princess Yongjia arrives, Princess Fuping arrives, Princess Fu’an arrives!”

In the flower hall, the noble ladies and girls who had been discussing various topics all stopped and looked toward the entrance.

Soon, a middle-aged woman accompanied by a pair of twelve or thirteen-year-old sisters walked slowly forward.

The middle-aged woman was Princess Yongjia, about forty years old, with a fair complexion, smiling face, slightly plump figure, and medium height. Her clothing wasn’t elaborate and her accessories weren’t complex, yet she appeared dignified, generous, and overwhelmingly noble.

Princess Fuping and Princess Fu’an flanked her left and right, similar in height and build.

Princess Fuping’s dress and accessories were simple, her ornaments also plain, her steps steady, and her expression open and bright.

Princess Fu’an wore a lake-green dress with complex patterns and extremely valuable jewelry. She had particularly large eyes that sparkled and were very eye-catching. Whenever she smiled, she easily made people feel favorable toward her.

Everyone bowed: “Greetings to Princess Yongjia, Princess Fuping, and Princess Fu’an!”