Luo Huan was the nephew of Madam Liang’s maternal family and also the legitimate second grandson of Grand Secretary Luo. Although Grand Secretary Luo had wielded great power, he had passed away several years ago. However, the current Lord Luo—Luo Huan’s father—also held high position and great authority.

Furthermore, there was Old Madam Luo, the old madam of the Western Conquest General’s residence, and Madam Liang, a super first-rank lady. The entire family could be said to enjoy unlimited glory.

However, no matter how powerful a family was, it couldn’t prevent descendants from automatically becoming wastrels.

Luo Huan was a famous wastrel in the capital, with a reputation rivaling that of Liang Zhe.

Tyrannical and domineering, unlearned and incompetent, cockfighting and dog racing, eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling—he was proficient in everything. In the capital, if he claimed to be the second-ranked wastrel, no one dared claim to be first.

Liang Zhe was known as “Tyrant Liang.” Just hearing the name, people’s minds inevitably conjured words like imperious, unlearned, bullying the weak, and cold-blooded cruelty.

It was said that he was tall and burly, looked fierce and menacing, loved eating beef, and his whole body reeked of cattle—foul-smelling and disgusting. He was extremely discourteous to women, surrounded by crowds of concubines, but if anyone didn’t comply with his wishes, he would raise his blade and strike, letting beautiful heads roll at his feet while he continued drinking and eating meat without changing expression.

It was said that he was extremely unfilial, showing no courtesy to his grandmother Old Madam Luo, even daring to speak wildly in public and contradict his grandmother.

It was said that he was disrespectful to his parents, completely disregarding the words of the Marquis and Madam Liang, never taking them seriously, doing whatever he pleased. Toward his half-siblings, he would beat them at will and berate them constantly.

…

The name “Tyrant Liang” had echoed through the capital for many years, but since he had been at the frontier all these years, many people hadn’t seen him and only knew his name without seeing his person. After the New Year, he finally returned, making his first appearance at Duke Chu’s wife’s birthday banquet.

However, that time everyone only saw him once. No one dared associate with him, and he himself was cold as ice and snow, ignoring everyone except Mo Yiting.

That time, people’s impressions of his allegedly fierce and menacing appearance underwent some revision, because he was extraordinarily handsome. If he claimed to be ugly, no one would dare say they were good-looking.

Especially those boudoir maidens—after seeing him, word spread from mouth to mouth, and in just one month’s time, that series of evil reputations had miraculously been largely overturned.

Just when people wanted to witness his tyrannical behavior, he entered the palace and became an imperial guard. Then… there was no then.

For three months, it was as if he had never come to the capital—completely silent. If court officials hadn’t occasionally seen him before the emperor, people would have thought he had never returned to the capital at all.

As for Luo Huan, with a grandfather who had wielded great power, Old Madam Luo as his paternal aunt, and Madam Liang as his aunt, and a prosperous family—what wouldn’t he dare do?

For some unknown reason, he had been at odds with Liang Zhe since childhood.

After so many years, Luo Huan had long forgotten about Liang Zhe. Who knew that three months ago, Liang Zhe had returned? But since Liang Zhe had entered the Golden Throne Hall and was like a dragon showing its head but not its tail, Luo Huan continued to forget about him.

Unexpectedly, today he had suffered such a great fall here.

Luo Huan no longer wanted to recall how things had unfolded.

In the past, he was always the one picking fights and causing trouble; today it had become someone else.

In the past, others were always the ones slinking away dejectedly; today it had become himself.

In the past, he was always the one sneering from behind; today it had become someone else.

A great man can bend and stretch. Luo Huan never thought there was anything shameful about retreating this way—those who understand the times are the wise ones. If he couldn’t handle Liang Zhe himself, there would always be someone who could.

As long as he could vent his anger, what did it matter what method was used?

The good show was over, and everyone dispersed in groups of two or three, chatting as they went.

Qin Shuying looked at Qin Lulu whose eyes were full of stars, then at the dazed Qin Yue, then at Lin Zilan’s face full of delight, and then at the young ladies around them who were reluctant to leave…

“Ahem, the apricot trees over there have green fruit. Shall we go take a look?”

Qin Shuying spoke up.

Only then did the three suddenly come to their senses, withdrawing their gazes and following Qin Shuying with reluctant backward glances.

Qin Lulu sighed, “I thought Young Master Liu was already a dragon among men, but I didn’t expect Young Master Liang to be even more handsome. If all men look like this, do we women have any chance of survival?”

Lin Zilan said, “When I was in Yunzhou, I had already heard of Young Master Liang’s evil reputation. But seeing how handsome he is, I don’t quite believe those rumors about him. Also, since he’s so good-looking, his sister must be very beautiful too. To think she ended up marrying into such a place—what a tragedy!”

Qin Yue also said, “Yes, truly regrettable!”

Even a woman like herself could return to the capital to choose a husband, yet Liang Zhen could only be married off to a distant place to a minor official.

Qin Shuying nodded silently. That Liang Zhen had truly been bullied severely.

In the past, when she was Qin Yaoyao, she had known about the affairs of the Western Conquest General’s residence. That Madam Liang had obviously schemed to frame Liang Zhen and deliberately spread rumors about Liang Zhe.

What a tragedy!

Such was the way of the world—women had absolutely no power to resist. Even the legitimate daughter of the Western Conquest General’s residence couldn’t resist, let alone those common women?

This Liang Zhe was completely different from what she had seen at Duke Chu’s residence. At that time, his aura was cold, keeping people at a thousand li distance, with extremely few words, calm and steady. Today, what exactly did this mean?

Had he never thought of avenging his sister?

How could he be content to let that woman continue riding over his head, throwing her weight around?

…

Soon, they reached the apricot grove. Qin Shuying set aside the doubts and questions in her mind and earnestly discussed the apricots and forest scenery with them.

Before long, it was time to return.

In the flower hall.

The various ladies and young misses returned one after another. Madam Lin and Dong Shi sat in their original places chatting. That Fourth Miss Lin was not beside Madam Lin.

Seeing them return, Dong Shi instinctively looked at Lin Zilan’s expression. Seeing her face full of happiness, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Today was truly fortunate—she had actually ended up sitting with Madam Lin, who was an honest person. If she had sat with other ladies, she would have found it very difficult to answer their various questions.

It seemed Lin Zilan had gotten along very happily with Yue’er and the others, which was wonderful. No matter what, Yue’er had made the acquaintance of young ladies from official families, and moreover, the other party was a legitimate daughter—this was truly an excellent result.

“Fifth Sister, Seventh Sister, where did you and Miss Lin go just now? Tell us about it so we can broaden our horizons too.”

Dong Shi asked.

Qin Lulu began describing the various beautiful scenery in the garden. Qin Yue added some details, Lin Zilan occasionally interjected, and both Madam Lin and Dong Shi listened with great interest.

Qin Shuying listened with a smile, her expression serene and content.