If Liang Yanjun had been present, he would definitely have rolled his eyes.

Master, your ability to tell bold-faced lies is truly improving.

Clearly, you saw that man brutally beating these two people and then trying to drown them in the water. You told me not to move, stripped off your clothes and jumped into the water yourself, knocked that man unconscious with a stone, then rescued these two people and dragged that man into the grass.

You were indeed quick – after coming up, you rapidly put your clothes back on.

Then, you and I carried these two away from the scene to this place. You had me hold them upside down to save them while you dried your hair, then sat there playing the lord.

Yes, playing the lord.

…

Qin Shuying considered carefully, then said: “This humble woman has offended Princess Fu’an. She wanted to kill me by throwing me into the water to drown. This humble woman couldn’t just sit and wait for death, so I brought Princess Fu’an into the water with me. Later… Princess Fu’an was rescued by someone, while this humble woman and my maid were pursued and beaten by her people. If not for Young Master’s rescue, we would probably already be dead.”

“How did you come to offend Princess Fu’an?”

Qin Shuying said: “Princess Fu’an has taken a fancy to Liu Junqing, while Liu Junqing is this humble woman’s fiancé.”

“…I heard that before the Peach Blossom Gathering began, you already had a dispute with Princess Fu’an. What were you arguing about? I know something about Fu’an – since she’s taken a fancy to Liu Junqing and desperately wants you dead, how were you able to emerge unharmed at that time and even receive a reward?”

Qin Shuying gave a general account of what had happened then. Confirming that he had saved her twice, she felt an inexplicable trust toward him.

Liang Zhe now served in the palace and had to consider the complex relationships from all sides. Telling him this information, could it also be considered a way of currying favor to repay her debt?

After she finished speaking, Liang Yanjun returned with a comb, having heard her words. He immediately said: “Seventh Miss Qin, you’re really bold!”

Qin Shuying smiled: “At that time, this humble woman couldn’t bear the reputation of being impolite. I had done nothing wrong and couldn’t let others bully me for nothing!”

Liang Zhe glanced at Liang Yanjun, who handed the comb to Ziteng. Ziteng stood beside Qin Shuying, awaiting her signal.

Liang Zhe said: “I still have matters to attend to, so I’ll leave first. From here, you’ll quickly reach the main road. Don’t tell anyone that we rescued you. Understood?”

“Yes… Young Master Liang!”

“Is there anything else?”

Qin Shuying sincerely thanked him: “Young Master Liang, your great kindness will never be forgotten by this humble woman!”

Liang Zhe was indifferent, smiled, and walked away with his hands behind his back.

Ziteng quickly arranged Qin Shuying’s hair, then her own. Ziteng asked nervously: “Miss, will Young Master Liang tell others about what just happened? Will it be detrimental to us?”

Qin Shuying said with certainty: “No.”

“Why?”

Qin Shuying pondered for a moment, then said: “I don’t know why either, I just feel he won’t harm us.”

She didn’t know why, she just trusted him. Moreover, she was now more calculating, and based on various circumstances, he wouldn’t speak of what had just happened.

“Also, his own sister was schemed against and lost her chastity, ultimately forced to marry far away. He has bone-deep pain and bone-deep hatred!”

Ziteng said: “You mean Miss Liang?”

“Yes! She was the capital’s greatest beauty, yet she was calculated against like that! Truly pitiful and hateful!”

At this time, their hair was also arranged. Ziteng and Qin Shuying talked as they walked out.

After they left, Liang Zhe and Liang Yanjun emerged from their previous location.

“Young Master, do you think what Seventh Miss Qin said about Princess Fu’an is true?”

“It should be true.”

“That’s good then, saves me from inquiring. Seventh Miss Qin is so fierce that even if I went to inquire, I wouldn’t hear it so clearly – who would dare speak so directly!”

Liang Zhe said: “This woman is both cunning and clever, quick-witted and ruthless. What did they just report to you about Fu’an’s condition?”

Liang Yanjun made clicking sounds with his tongue: “Seventh Miss Qin is truly ruthless! Fu’an’s face was covered in blood. That face, I’m afraid… tsk tsk! Young Master, for a boudoir lady like Seventh Miss Qin to be so ruthless and heartless, completely disregarding family reputation – although the capital’s madams all sympathize with her situation, saying her aunt is unkind and her in-laws have seized her belongings, they have no good feelings toward her. They all criticize Seventh Miss Qin for not letting outsiders know about family scandals. In my opinion, if her engagement with Liu Junqing falls through, I’m afraid no one will be willing to marry her.”

Liang Zhe gave a cold smile: “So what? How do we know these people aren’t jealous that such an orphaned girl could still get a husband from a family like Liu Junqing’s? Hmph, what’s so special about Liu Junqing? Male prostitute, hypocrite…”

Not knowing what he was thinking of, he finally took a large step and walked out.

Liang Yanjun thought of what Qin Shuying had said about “bone-deep pain, bone-deep hatred,” seeming to understand something. He sighed and quickly followed.

But why did he feel that when Young Master mentioned Liu Junqing, there was a sour feeling?

When Qin Shuying reached the flower hall, Qin Lulu and the other two had already arrived. The three were craning their necks looking around, and when they saw Qin Shuying, they joyfully surrounded her.

“Sister Shuying!”

Lin Zilan was especially delighted, pulling her for a thorough examination. Seeing she was safe and sound, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The four talked as they walked toward the flower hall.

By this time, it was already late afternoon. On the platform sat Princess Yongjia and Princess Fuping, with no sign of Princess Fu’an.

Qin Lulu asked quietly: “Where is Princess Fu’an?”

Qin Shuying said: “I don’t know either.”

Qin Lulu assumed she had later been disliked by Fu’an, given some difficulties and then released, so she didn’t take it to heart. Following the seating arrangement from the Peach Blossom Gathering, she stood before her writing desk.

Lin Si still shared a writing desk with Qin Shuying. She muttered: “Sister Lu is best at calligraphy and painting, why hasn’t she come at this time?”

Qin Shuying seemed not to hear, carefully observing the people on the platform.

Princess Yongjia was talking with Madam Ji, while Princess Fuping continued to drink tea with her ever-present smile, looking radiant.

Princess Yongjia naturally already knew that something had happened to Princess Fu’an, and knew that she was directly related to Fu’an’s incident, yet she could remain so composed that no one called her up for questioning. Princess Fu’an should have just left the residence and would return to the palace shortly.

However, occasionally she could feel Princess Yongjia looking at her with an indescribably complex gaze.

Qin Shuying was not afraid.

Madam Ji was in her early thirties. Though she smiled, she gave off a sense of proud aloofness like ice bones and jade flesh. She had become famous at a young age, was the legitimate daughter of a high official, and married a talented and handsome husband. But unexpectedly, her husband died so young. Fortunately, he left behind a daughter, and she depended on this daughter for companionship.

After Madam Ji’s announcement, the young ladies quieted down to paint.

Painting was different from poetry – some took longer, others shorter. Qin Shuying created a relatively simple painting of flowers, stones, grass and insects – neither particularly good nor bad.

Since everyone else was so earnest, if she appeared too quick, it would be too conspicuous. So although it was a simple painting, she still thoughtfully planned for a long time before putting brush to paper.

Today three updates, thank you for your support. The story has entered a new phase with new conflicts. Currently some setup is needed, please follow the story’s development.