Three days later, Minister Mu requested to resign from his position as Prime Minister, citing his advanced age.

Immediately, the entire court was in an uproar.

However, after just a few days of commotion and observation, Minister Mu’s legitimate eldest son was promoted one level from his original position to the third rank.

That night, the lights in Qin Yongtao’s study burned through the entire night.

But none of this had anything to do with Qin Shuying anymore.

In Yilan Garden.

She held a calling card in her hand, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned, her expression full of mockery.

“Miss, this Miss Yun really has thick skin. You didn’t invite her, yet she actually wants to call on you herself!”

Having learned what Miss Yun had done, Nanny Fu naturally had no good feelings toward Yun Jingshu.

“No matter, I rather want to see what exactly she intends to do.”

Nanny Fu said with some concern, “Miss, tomorrow is also the day Young Master Liu is supposed to call. This Miss Yun isn’t planning to pull some trick, is she?”

Qin Kaiyu had returned a few days ago, and Liu Junqing had sent over a calling card saying he would visit the residence tomorrow.

Nanny Fu’s concern was not without reason, because after ten or so days of rest, Qin Fangfang’s health had recovered, and she was now often walking about the gardens. Originally, she had gone after Liu Junqing, and now that Liu Junqing was coming, plus with Yun Jingshu whose intentions were unclear, something was bound to happen.

Although male guests stayed in the outer courtyards and female guests in the inner courtyards, they were all guests and would naturally need to meet. The Great Zhou’s segregation between men and women wasn’t extremely strict, so everyone would inevitably spend time together.

Qin Shuying’s eyes, like a cold pond, were calm as still water. “Nanny, no need to worry. Ziteng, come tell us your analysis.”

Ziteng walked over, with Lu Ye and Hong Juan following.

Ziteng outlined four possible scenarios in succession, leaving Nanny Fu and the other two both shocked and indignant. The reason was simple—in several previous incidents, they had later heard Ziteng mention her prior analyses, and she had accurately predicted one or two outcomes each time.

For instance, when Yun Jingshu had been pulling and tugging at Qin Shuying, Ziteng had reacted so quickly, turning the tables to make Yun Jingshu have to let go of Qin Shuying while also damaging Yun Jingshu’s reputation.

Hong Juan, while surprised, couldn’t help but deeply admire both Qin Shuying and Ziteng. Through all these incidents, Seventh Miss had been able to emerge unscathed precisely because she never underestimated her enemies and always made comprehensive preparations.

Even conducting such analyses required so much time and energy.

For example, Ziteng had prepared contingency plans for every possible incident, fully considering a fake mountain, an old tree, a thorny rose bush. Through her explanations, every object had its use, and even the number of steps to take was fully considered.

After Ziteng finished, Qin Shuying asked Lu Ye and Hong Juan if they could think of any additional contingencies. Both shook their heads—they really couldn’t think of so many possibilities. Ziteng had thought of everything they might have considered.

Nanny Fu looked at them, feeling both gratified and saddened.

If the Master and Madam were still alive, why would Miss need to rack her brains so thoroughly?

The next day.

When Yun Jingshu came to visit, Qin Shuying didn’t personally go to the entrance to greet her, but sent Ziteng instead.

Upon seeing Ziteng, Yun Jingshu was startled. This maid had caused her to lose tremendous face—she wouldn’t let her off!

“Miss Yun, Miss is copying Buddhist scriptures in the study. She needs a calm heart to show sincerity, so she cannot come. Please don’t take offense, Miss Yun.”

Yun Jingshu smiled warmly, “Sister is showing such filial devotion—how could I take offense? I should learn much from sister.”

Ziteng led Yun Jingshu and her two maids to Yilan Garden. After sitting for just a short while, Qin Shuying emerged.

Yun Jingshu enthusiastically approached and took hold of Qin Shuying’s arm, “Sister, I finally get to see you.”

However, Qin Shuying looked at her arm. Though her face still bore a smile, her tone was extremely indifferent: “Miss Yun, are you still obsessing over my bracelet?”

As she spoke, she shook the bracelet on her arm. Only then did Yun Jingshu notice that Qin Shuying was wearing that pair of bracelets again.

Her smile faltered momentarily, but then she beamed again, saying, “Good sister, please don’t tease me anymore! You weren’t like this before. In these four years apart, not only have you become fond of joking, you even dare to joke with princesses. Honestly, at first I thought I had mistaken you for someone else—you surely can’t be my Shuying sister!”

Upon hearing this, Ziteng, who had been standing quietly with her hands at her sides, suddenly turned her head toward Qin Shuying. Nanny Fu and Lu Ye also looked at Qin Shuying.

It wasn’t strange that Nanny Fu and Lu Ye reacted this way. Although Miss’s changes made them happy, and there was also the story of the Master appearing in dreams which they believed without doubt, it was impossible to say they had never harbored doubts in their hearts. After all, Qin Shuying’s transformation at that time had been too rapid for anyone to adapt to.

However, as time passed and many things changed, Nanny Fu and Lu Ye preferred to see the current Qin Shuying.

Qin Shuying gave a light “oh,” her eyes containing a smile, “Actually, it’s not just you who has such doubts—I do too. Miss Yun is probably not the Sister Yun I knew before at all. The former Sister Yun often came to our residence, and Mother treated her extremely well. Madam Yun frequently brought her to dine at our home, always arranging Sister Yun’s favorite foods. After Mother passed away, Madam Yun never appeared again, and Sister Yun also disappeared without a trace. I even thought they had all died! Therefore, when Miss Yun says you are Sister Yun, I dare not acknowledge it either.”

Nanny Fu’s anger surged up. Having served by Miss’s side, she naturally knew these matters better than anyone.

“Miss, this servant must be muddle-headed today, and my eyes are somewhat dim. Are you saying the young lady before you is Madam Yun’s daughter?”

Qin Shuying nodded, “Exactly. That’s what Miss Yun claims.”

Nanny Fu said, “No wonder Miss has such doubts—this servant is also very puzzled. The Miss Yun of those days treated Miss extremely well. Miss Yun personally said that the two should be better than real sisters and stay close for life. After Miss came to the capital, she sent three letters to Miss Yun, but sadly they sank like stones in the sea with no response. This servant could only assume Miss Yun had passed away—otherwise, how could she be so heartless and unfeeling? Now this young lady claims to be Miss Yun, but this servant still dares not believe it.”

If it had been anyone else being squeezed by this master-servant pair, they would have been too embarrassed to stay. However, Yun Jingshu’s expression remained unchanged as she lightly waved her handkerchief and stamped her foot, saying, “Oh my, oh my, good sister, now your little mouth shows no mercy, and even Nanny Fu is teasing me! Sister really deserves punishment—I’ll punish you by having you treat me to chilled fermented rice wine at noon!”

Lu Ye and Hong Juan exchanged glances, both amazed at how utterly shameless Yun Jingshu truly was.

Upon hearing this, Qin Shuying smiled and said, “Guests are guests. Hong Juan, go down and arrange for chilled fermented rice wine.”

This was only because she was a guest that she would be served this—not because she had said something wrong that merited this treat.

Hong Juan acknowledged and left, walking away while barely concealing her anger and disdain.