Liu Junqing stood with his hands at his sides, offering no explanation, but his gaze accurately fell upon Qin Shuying behind Qin Lulu.

He observed that her attire today was the same as when he had seen her before—elegant and understated. Her entire demeanor was serene, like a pure lotus flower, graceful and charming yet refined and indifferent.

For some unknown reason, he recalled his father’s and mother’s words, and an indescribable feeling arose in his heart.

The broken engagement…

Liu Junqing said, “I didn’t know the young ladies were here. We have been discourteous!”

Qin Shuying restrained her smile, took Qin Lulu’s hand, and gestured for her to remain silent. She stepped forward, performed a curtsy, and said, “Greetings to Elder Brother Liu! Since you have friends with you, we shall take our leave first.”

With that, she pulled Qin Lulu along, gave Qin Yue and Lin Zilan meaningful looks, and turned to leave.

“Ah…” one of Liu Junqing’s friends called out regretfully.

However, Qin Shuying had already led the others away without looking back.

Qin Lulu wanted to say a few words, but seeing that Qin Shuying clearly didn’t wish to converse further with Liu Junqing, she could only regretfully glance back at him before hurrying to follow.

Once they had left, one of Liu Junqing’s friends burst into laughter, “Junqing, that one in the back must be your fiancée, right? How interesting! When other families’ daughters meet their betrothed—especially one as talented and handsome as you—which one doesn’t act shy? Which one doesn’t deliberately try to say a few more words? But your fiancée was wonderful—she didn’t even lift an eyelid before walking away like that. Fascinating, fascinating!”

A complex and unclear emotion flashed through Liu Junqing’s eyes, though his expression remained unchanged as he said, “Young ladies are thin-skinned, which is quite normal. Brother Zhao, let’s go.”

Just as they were about to leave, one of them seemed to remember something and asked, “Now that you mention it, I recall—isn’t that Seventh Miss Qin?”

Liu Junqing nodded, “Indeed.”

“Just now someone came over to tell us—I wonder if you heard. They said that at the ladies’ peach blossom gathering, Seventh Miss Qin was publicly scolded by Princess Fu’an, who made her slap her own face and told her to get lost. No one knows what Seventh Miss Qin said, but Princess Fu’an was so angry she nearly jumped. In the end, somehow, Princess Fu’an claimed that Seventh Miss Qin’s storytelling had angered her, but the story must have been told so well that she rewarded her with a pair of gold bracelets.”

Liu Junqing turned his head, “Really?”

That person said, “Of course it’s true. All the ladies and young misses present witnessed it with their own eyes.”

The one called Brother Zhao said, “Junqing, your fiancée can tell stories so well? What a remarkable person!”

Liu Junqing’s expression changed slightly. Not knowing what he was thinking, he only said, “I’m afraid it’s all exaggerated gossip. Come now, Brother Zhao, let’s go.”

After they left, two figures emerged from behind the rose wall that stood two or three men tall—it was Liang Zhe and Liang Yanjun. Liang Zhe wore blue robes, and with those cold, sharp eyes, even children would be too frightened to cry upon seeing him.

Liang Yanjun stood behind him, pondering, “Young Master, regarding the bet you made, I feel like I might lose!”

Liang Zhe watched the directions in which both groups had departed and asked, “How so?”

“When this Young Master Liu mentioned Seventh Miss Qin, he seemed troubled. When Seventh Miss Qin saw Young Master Liu, it was as if she were looking at someone completely unrelated like this subordinate. How is this like a betrothed couple at all?”

Liang Zhe pondered for a moment, then asked, “Are you saying that Seventh Miss Qin was unmoved upon seeing Liu Junqing?”

“Exactly. Young Master Liu is extraordinarily talented—he’s the youngest top scholar in our Great Zhou, about to enter the Hanlin Academy with unlimited prospects. His family background is outstanding, and he’s handsome and debonair. Throughout the capital, I’ve heard many boudoir maidens dream of marrying him, including numerous daughters of distinguished nobles and first and second-rank officials. This Seventh Miss Qin is too strange—to remain completely unmoved?”

Liang Zhe said, “She’s not unmoved. She understands that harboring treasures brings guilt.”

“What do you mean… I understand now. Young Master means that since she’s now an orphaned daughter, she feels unworthy of Young Master Liu, so she simply doesn’t entertain such thoughts. If that’s the case, she could inform her family and have both families dissolve the engagement. However, during this period when you had me observe Seventh Miss Qin, I never saw any communication between her and the Liu family—of course, the ceremonial exchanges after Young Master Liu’s success don’t count.”

Liang Zhe narrowed his eyes and said, “Let’s wait and see. I’ll eventually find some clues.”

Liang Yanjun nodded, then his face showed distress again. Young Master, you really are something—what good would finding clues do? This isn’t even our family’s business…

“Pay closer attention to Princess Fu’an’s side. See what Seventh Miss Qin actually said to Fu’an on stage today. A well-told story? I doubt anyone would believe that. Fu’an certainly came up with quite the excuse!”

Suddenly, Liang Zhe seemed to think of something. The corner of his lips curved into a smile that seemed to change the very color of heaven and earth. “I know why now!”

Liang Yanjun asked curiously, “Young Master, what did you think of?”

“A few days ago, Madam Liu entered the palace to see Concubine Kang.”

Liang Yanjun murmured to himself, “Madam Liu saw Concubine Kang?”

Suddenly, his eyes lit up and his mouth hung open wide. “Ah… ah…” he went on for quite a while before closing his mouth.

“Young Master, even I can figure out what they’re doing—acting so brazenly without fear of being criticized behind their backs? Seventh Miss Qin is an orphaned daughter with an elderly grandmother, no maternal uncles, and an uncle like that with no support whatsoever, yet they bully her like this? How shameless!”

Liang Zhe said, “Who says she has no support?”

Liang Yanjun blinked, “Concubine Lian? Young Master, didn’t you say that Seventh Miss Qin doesn’t get along with Concubine Lian at all? They’re practically mortal enemies?”

“You know it, I know it, but others don’t! Stupid!”

Liang Yanjun went “Ah… ah…” for another long while, scratching his head as he said, “I understand now, Young Master! This, this Seventh Miss Qin is so clever—she knows how to use borrowed force against force.”

Liang Zhe gave a cold smile. Not knowing what he was thinking, his icy expression finally softened, and he actually looked somewhat like an ordinary young master. He rubbed his forehead, looked up at the sky helplessly, and said, “…Come beat people up with me!”

Liang Yanjun said, “Young Master, pretending to be a wastrel is exhausting. I’m really not good at it. Can’t you try a different approach? Every time I act like a bully, I disgust even myself.”

“Pretending? Why would it be pretending? This young master is originally a bloodthirsty demon, a libertine who frequents pleasure quarters, accomplishing nothing, only knowing how to eat meat and kill women!”

“That was all slander from that woman—it wasn’t true. Now that Young Master has returned, as long as you show even half your true abilities, how could the people of this capital not believe in your great talents and superior wisdom?”

But Liang Zhe paid him no heed and simply walked away.