Yun Jingshu was in high spirits and continued, “Good sister, I heard there’s a banana tree in your residence. Could you take me to see it?”

Qin Shuying replied, “Naturally. Please follow me.”

Qin Shuying and Yun Jingshu had originally been in the south, where banana trees could be seen everywhere.

In the capital, banana trees were difficult to keep alive, and even if they survived, they wouldn’t bear fruit. Years ago, Qin Yongzhou had planted several in the Qin residence—some in the gardens, some in Yilan Garden. Unfortunately, those in Yilan Garden hadn’t survived, but two in the gardens had thrived and were now growing quite luxuriantly.

Since Yun Jingshu was from the south, wanting to see banana trees was perfectly normal.

With a female guest visiting, and since Qin Lulu, Qin Yue, and Qin Shuying all had good relationships, they would naturally come to receive the guest as well. Qin Fangfang had now returned and wasn’t being confined, and since Qin Shuying and Qin Fangfang had ostensibly reconciled, she would also come to receive guests shortly.

Qin Shuying gave a few instructions, and Lu Ye went to invite the various young misses.

The Qin residence in the capital naturally couldn’t be considered a particularly fine mansion, but it had the advantage of being established long ago. Through two generations of gradual expansion and construction, it was now refined and spacious.

Each branch of the family had its own courtyard. Even Qin Kaile, the eldest son who was married, had his own courtyard. Courtyards had also been reserved for Qin Kaiyu and the two young masters of the second branch for when they married, and these were quite spacious.

However, that was the extent of it. Qin Kaile’s wives and concubines had no additional courtyards to live in and could only live together in Rongfu Courtyard. This was unlike some families with deep foundations, where even someone like Qin Kaile would have separate courtyards for each of his favored concubines.

When Qin Yongzhou was alive, although he didn’t live here permanently, he had consistently funded the garden’s construction, incorporating some characteristics of southern architecture. Therefore, the buildings here were mostly grand and spacious, with many rooms of various sizes in each courtyard, each serving different purposes and being very practical.

Pavilions, towers, and gardens had also been built with dense forests and flower gardens. In the current season, flowers bloomed magnificently, green trees provided shade, and the scenery changed with every step—it was extremely beautiful. Such a fine residence, aside from those deeply established aristocratic families or imperially granted official residences, was beyond what ordinary families could match.

Although the Yun family had a residence in the capital, it was naturally far inferior. Yun Jingshu looked around with great delight, praising everything continuously. Qin Shuying responded to her comments with indifference.

Yun Jingshu had also been to Princess Imperial’s residence, whose scenery the Qin residence naturally couldn’t compare to. Even the Mu family was certainly more impressive than the Qin residence. Moreover, they were from the prosperous south where the mountains were high and the emperor far away. Local wealthy merchants were extremely rich, and wealthy families built their houses without restraint, creating unimaginably luxurious, refined, winding, and elegant structures.

Yun Jingshu wasn’t truly someone who hadn’t seen the world—this performance was just a mixture of truth and pretense.

As they walked and were approaching Fangfei Courtyard, Yun Jingshu saw the two banana trees not far from the courtyard and pointed excitedly, “Sister Shuying, that must be it!”

“Exactly.”

Everyone came to the banana trees and admired them for a while. Qin Lulu, Qin Yue, and Qin Fangfang also arrived, meeting each other and exchanging pleasantries. Yun Jingshu then pointed to Fangfei Courtyard, saying, “Sister Shuying, whose courtyard is this? The roses climbing all along the outer wall are so richly fragrant—I wonder if we could go over and look?”

Deep in Qin Shuying’s eyes lurked mockery, though her tone remained flat: “This is my Sixth Sister’s courtyard. Sixth Sister has a serious contagious illness. If Miss Yun were to go over and catch it, the Qin residence couldn’t bear that responsibility.”

Yun Jingshu said disappointedly, “I see!”

Just then, a voice sounded behind them, clearly angry: “Who says Sixth Sister has a contagious disease?!”

Everyone turned to look and saw Qin Kaiyu, Liu Junqing, and a young man approaching one after another.

Qin Kaiyu was walking particularly urgently, his face still showing undiminished anger—he was the one who had just spoken.

When they reached the group, everyone except Yun Jingshu called out to him.

Qin Shuying called, “Second Brother.”

Qin Kaiyu gave a cold laugh, his eyes showing mockery: “Second Brother? You still consider me your second brother?”

Qin Kaiyu was also very handsome with a tall stature, inheriting the handsome appearance of the Qin family men. He was eighteen this year, actually a year older than Liu Junqing. He had achieved the jinshi degree three years ago but hadn’t entered government service, spending these years traveling and studying with his teacher.

His teacher was renowned—the younger brother of the head of Nanshan Academy, Zhang Pingzhi, known as Master Pingzhi. He had once served as a first-rank Chancellor but later had to resign due to an accident that left him lame. After resigning, he devoted himself to Nanshan Academy’s education and over more than ten years had gained considerable fame, being called one of the three great masters under heaven.

Having followed Master Pingzhi for three years, Qin Kaiyu had accumulated considerable ability. Now that he had returned, he would certainly seek an official position, and this starting point would definitely not be too low, with excellent future prospects.

Though reprimanded by Qin Kaiyu, Qin Shuying showed no fear or embarrassment, only smiling lightly and saying, “Second Brother, if Shuying has done something wrong, you have always been magnanimous—please be more tolerant.”

Having said this, regardless of what Qin Kaiyu thought, she turned to Yun Jingshu and said, “Miss Yun, we’ve seen the banana tree. I’ve had people prepare chilled fermented rice wine—shall we go taste it together?”

The fermented rice wine was ready-made from the main kitchen, the ice was Qin Shuying’s private supply—making this was simplicity itself.

However, Yun Jingshu acted as if she hadn’t heard, pointing behind her: “Sister Shuying, isn’t that Young Master Liu? We should at least exchange greetings before leaving, don’t you think?”

Only then did Qin Shuying seem to notice Liu Junqing and the other gentleman, performing a courtesy: “Brother Liu.”

Qin Kaiyu was already furious at being completely ignored by Qin Shuying. He was naturally hot-tempered, and without waiting for Qin Lulu and the others to pay their respects or for Liu Junqing to return the greeting, he gave a cold laugh and said, “Don’t tell me you didn’t see our cousin?”

Only then did Qin Shuying unhurriedly say, “Second Cousin Xu? Second Cousin has changed so much that I didn’t recognize you immediately. Please don’t take offense, Second Cousin.”

Xu Zhijie was about the same age as Liu Junqing and had a gentle, refined appearance. Since seeing the several ladies, he had been continuously observing Qin Shuying. Now he said, “Seventh Cousin speaks amusingly. These three years, I’ve often returned to the capital and we’ve frequently met. How could Seventh Cousin not recognize me? Seventh Cousin is becoming more and more mischievous.”

Xu Zhijie was Xu Peiwei’s second elder brother, who had also been studying away from the capital these years and had only recently returned.

Qin Kaiyu gave another cold laugh: “Seventh Sister is more than just mischievous. The people she recognizes now, I’m afraid aside from those head managers, there’s probably no one else.”

These words were spoken as if he feared Qin Shuying’s reputation couldn’t get any worse.