This day was the time for Qin Shuying to review the accounts.

Although under normal circumstances, Nanny Mi would bring the account books to Yilan Garden, Qin Shuying would also frequently visit the shops for inspections and arrange various matters for Nanny Mi.

Incidentally, she would buy some things to bring back, such as delicious pastries, rouge, and face powder.

Today, after inspecting the shops, she came to a clothing store. This was a shop she frequently visited, where the clothing styles were very novel and unique, with garments mainly made of cotton and hemp.

Qin Shuying wasn’t like many noble ladies who loved wearing silk and satin, but rather preferred wearing cotton and hemp clothes, finding them comfortable. Whether silk or cotton hemp, both wrinkled easily and were difficult to maintain. However, this particular shop had unique skills in treating cotton and hemp very well, so Qin Shuying was a regular customer.

Having selected several garments and still carefully choosing among them, she heard a voice say: “Oh my, isn’t this Seventh Miss Qin? Aren’t you wealthy and powerful? How would you condescend to come to such a shop to select things?”

Nowadays, wealthy families took pride in wearing fine silk and satin clothes, which were considerably more expensive than cotton and hemp garments.

Qin Shuying turned to look and saw it was Qin Feifei and Lu Changju. The speaker was Lu Changju, her face full of mockery and ridicule, eyebrows raised high as she looked at Qin Shuying.

Qin Shuying acted as if she hadn’t seen her at all, only saying to Qin Feifei: “Third Sister.”

Qin Feifei had already seen her earlier, and turbid qi had risen in her chest. Now seeing her serene as the clear wind and bright moon, that turbid qi became even denser, her voice strange as she said: “Seventh Sister? How are you here?”

Qin Shuying glanced at Hong Juan behind her, who understood and went to the counter to settle the bill.

Qin Shuying smiled faintly and said: “Third Sister, I’ve already selected my clothes and have other matters to attend to, so I won’t accompany Third Sister any longer.”

Qin Feifei had been holding back a belly full of anger during this period. The day of her son’s full-month celebration had caused a city-wide commotion, and the next day the Qin manor had sent word forbidding her from casually returning to her natal home. Within a few days, Lu Changxuan had been suspended for reflection and still hadn’t returned to the Ministry of Personnel. Then there was Qin Yaoyao’s ghost causing havoc at the Lu residence, making Old Madam Lu increasingly displeased with her, and Lu Changju making endless demands of her…

Her life had never been so bleak, not even when her first husband died.

All of this was thanks to Qin Shuying!

“What? Having done something guilty, you want to run when you see me?”

Qin Feifei could no longer maintain her virtuous magnanimity and gentle generosity. Her voice sharp and grating, she walked forward several steps and stared fixedly at Qin Shuying.

Qin Shuying stood her ground, neither avoiding nor dodging, smiling charmingly as she said: “What are you saying, Third Sister? After buying things, I would return home sooner or later.”

“Not leaving early, not leaving late, but you want to leave as soon as I arrive?”

Qin Shuying replied: “Exactly so.”

“You…”

Seeing Qin Feifei struck speechless, her eyes wide with anger and vexation.

Lu Changju stepped forward, still harping on the earlier topic: “I thought you were some kind of noble lady—how are you also buying clothes in this sort of place?”

Qin Shuying met her mocking and ridiculing gaze and said: “The shop doesn’t have a sign saying ‘Qin Shuying forbidden entry,’ so why shouldn’t I be able to come here?”

Lu Changju snorted. Was she truly stupid or pretending to be stupid? Couldn’t she hear the implied meaning in her words?

Lu Changju said: “You’re a wealthy merchant—you should go to silk shops to buy clothes to match your status. This kind of shop has cheap clothes and coarse fabric, probably not worthy of such a wealthy and powerful merchant as Seventh Miss Qin!”

Qin Shuying turned to ask the shop assistant who was handing clothes to Hong Juan: “Young man, I originally thought your shop’s fabric was soft and reasonably priced, but the legitimate sister of Ministry of Personnel’s Lu Changxuan says your shop’s clothes are cheap with coarse fabric. Having heard this, I’m somewhat hesitant. What do you think should be done?”

This shop had a considerable storefront with four or five assistants working busily. The one handling checkout was naturally the head assistant. He had heard Lu Changju’s words earlier but had been busy calculating Hong Juan’s bill and packaging, so hadn’t had time to respond.

At this moment, his face darkened as he said to Lu Changju: “Miss, our small shop cannot accommodate such a great Buddha as yourself. Please take your business elsewhere!” Then he smiled at Qin Shuying: “You’re a regular customer who surely appreciates our shop’s fine workmanship. We hope for your continued patronage.”

Saying this, he personally took the clothes and walked over, separating the aunt and sister-in-law pair and escorting Qin Shuying out.

Lu Changju most hated Qin Shuying’s attitude of treating her as if she were invisible. What was she that she dared treat her this way?

She walked forward several steps and shouted hatefully at Qin Shuying’s retreating figure: “Your parents died early—you’re truly an ill-bred thing!”

Qin Shuying’s steps halted. She turned around, raised her arm, and quickly slapped Lu Changju twice across the face. The speed was so fast that Lu Changju, having never expected she would do this, was caught completely off guard.

Qin Shuying snorted coldly: “My father was a third-rank official, and my mother also held an imperial title. Though they have passed away, they were recognized by the court during their lifetimes. What are you that you dare insult court officials?”

Turning again to Qin Feifei, she said: “Third Sister, when Second Sister was at the Lu residence, she never caused such disgraceful incidents! Third Sister, you’re far inferior to Second Sister!”

Before Qin Feifei could respond, Lu Changju finally reacted, shrieking and waving both hands to claw at Qin Shuying’s face. However, Zhihua and Zhishu behind Qin Shuying were already prepared, quickly extending their hands to push her back.

Though the two weren’t old, they originally had some foundation in physical training, and over the past six months had been trained by Qin Shuying according to some body-strengthening books left by Qin Yongzhou. Their strength and technique had greatly improved, making it effortless to deal with a pampered young lady like Lu Changju.

Lu Changju was pushed back seven or eight steps before barely stopping, leaning against the counter. Her chest hurt as if it would burst, and she couldn’t hold back her tears—it was simply too painful.

Because their hands had unfortunately struck her chest with force, right where she was still developing.

However, Qin Feifei paid no attention to her sister-in-law at all. Her complexion changed repeatedly as she gritted her teeth and said: “Seventh Sister, what did you just say? I’m inferior to Qin Yao… Second Sister?”

“Don’t you think my words were correct? When Second Sister was there, the Lu residence may not have been wealthy beyond measure, but at least they didn’t withhold servants’ monthly allowances or let Lu Changju bite people everywhere like a mad dog. Managing the household leads to governing the country and bringing peace to the world—with Third Sister managing the inner quarters this way, how could Lu Changxuan focus all his attention on the front courtyard? If it weren’t for Third Sister’s incompetence, Lu Changxuan probably wouldn’t have been suspended for reflection! Lu Changxuan was entirely dragged down by you. Can’t Third Sister see the situation clearly herself? Third Sister, I’m only advising you a few words for the sake of our sisterly bond—learn more from Second Sister’s abilities, give Lu Changxuan more assistance, and stop always holding him back! Little sister still has matters to attend to, so I won’t keep you company any longer.”