“Isn’t it a fact that younger sister is currently penniless? Isn’t it a fact that Nanny Zhang brazenly embezzled the family fortune that my father worked so hard to accumulate? Sixth Sister, such a wicked slave—you still want to speak for her and shield her? Our Qin Manor is a scholarly family. Though we cannot claim to be a great clan, Uncle and eldest brother both serve in court, and there’s Lianpin in the palace. If today’s incident were to be brought up by someone with ulterior motives, it would damage Uncle’s and eldest brother’s reputations. If it implicated Lianpin and then affected the Sixth Prince… Sixth Sister, she’s merely a wicked slave—why do you repeatedly speak for her? In Sixth Sister’s heart, is a wicked slave more important than Uncle’s and eldest brother’s future prospects? More important than Lianpin and the Sixth Prince?”
Qin Yunyun was nearly driven mad by Qin Shuying’s rapid speech, trying several times to interrupt but unable to get a word in.
Only after Qin Shuying finished did Qin Yunyun tearfully rush to explain: “Great-grandmother, that’s not what I meant, not what I meant…”
“If that’s not it, then what exactly does Sixth Sister mean? Why do you repeatedly shield that wicked slave? Younger sister is extremely curious.”
“I…” Qin Yunyun was struck speechless.
Old Madam looked at Qin Shuying with a complex expression. A young woman who never left the inner quarters could maintain such a clear head?
Qin Yongzhou suddenly turned to look at Qin Shuying, finally remembering—yes, there was still Lianpin! If Lianpin and the Sixth Prince were implicated by family scandals, what future would the Qin Manor have?
How could his dream of establishing himself at the pinnacle of power be realized?
Qin Yongtao couldn’t help but break out in cold sweat, glaring fiercely at Xu Shi.
Xu Shi felt somewhat wronged. So what about Lianpin? Didn’t the Empress’s family also have worthless descendants? Didn’t they also have profligate sons who engaged in petty theft? Didn’t they also have scandals of internal strife?
Combined with Qin Shuying’s pressure on Qin Yunyun, Xu Shi became even more displeased: “Seventh Girl, women should be virtuous and quiet. With such a sharp tongue, if Madam Liu were to know, it wouldn’t be good.”
Qin Shuying looked at her with a half-smile: “First Madam, in all of Qin Manor, only Great-grandmother and you could speak to Madam Liu. Great-grandmother naturally wouldn’t stir up trouble unnecessarily. First Madam, would you tell Madam Liu what your niece said tonight?”
Xu Shi was choked into silence, while the anger, dissatisfaction, and confusion in her heart grew. Which unmarried woman from a proper family would be as sharp-tongued as Qin Shuying? In the past, with just one such remark from her, Qin Shuying would have been frightened into illness. This…
Old Madam’s expression as she looked at Qin Shuying also showed some confusion. In her sixty-plus years, this was the first time she’d seen a woman so sharp, and this person was her own granddaughter.
Qin Shuying naturally knew what they were thinking. For women to be virtuous and quiet was the proper way, and her own talkativeness and sharpness inevitably aroused suspicion. But—
“Great-grandmother, Shuying was confined in Spring Garden for three years. During those three years, Shuying thought of Father and Mother every day, constantly recalling what Father used to say to Shuying when he was in office. At that time, Father raised Shuying as if I were a son, and when discussing matters with Mother, he never avoided me. Shuying often frequented Father’s study. Shuying… Shuying wondered if I was truly as others said—inauspicious, causing both parents’ deaths? For three whole years, Shuying dared not speak, dared not express my feelings, didn’t even dare appear before Great-grandmother. But, Great-grandmother, if Shuying continues this way, the third branch will be extinguished, and Father won’t even have anyone to maintain his ancestral offerings!”
Old Madam’s expression became stern!
Qin Shuying slowed her speech and said slowly: “Great-grandmother, the third branch now has only me! Though your granddaughter is unworthy, no matter what, I cannot let Father’s lifelong reputation be ruined in my hands. Regarding the third branch’s affairs, please watch over your granddaughter.”
The meaning was clear: the third branch’s affairs had her, Qin Shuying—no one else needed to interfere.
Xu Shi couldn’t help but cry out: “The third branch doesn’t even have a single male heir. You’re a girl who will marry out eventually—what business is it of yours?”
Qin Yongtao’s eyes swept over Qin Shuying, carrying a trace of complex emotion.
Qin Shuying sneered inwardly. Now they wanted to talk about reputation with her? The corner of Qin Shuying’s mouth twitched slightly, and her mocking smile immediately made Xu Shi’s anger flare even more, her voice rising: “Seventh Girl, if these words get out, what about the reputation of the Qin Manor’s young ladies…”
“Silence!” Old Madam finally exploded in anger, flinging a teacup that shattered near Xu Shi’s leg, saying word by word: “I’m not dead yet!”
Xu Shi jumped in fright and instinctively let out a sharp scream.
Qin Yongtao was secretly annoyed at Xu Shi’s poor judgment today and glared at her. Though Xu Shi was still defiant, since Qin Yongtao wouldn’t let her speak, she could only resentfully shut her mouth.
A flash of darkness crossed Qin Shuying’s heart. Previously, she had always thought Xu Shi was extremely capable and shrewd. Now it seemed that wasn’t entirely true. Xu Shi’s greatest flaw was her arrogance, yet she had somehow been completely dominated by her. It was all her own stupidity and incompetence that had harmed Feng’er… Qin Shuying’s fingernails dug deep into her palms, the pain making it hard to breathe.
Old Madam sat high on the main seat and said: “Seventh Girl, whatever matters there are, speak clearly today.”
She was going to stand up for her. Qin Shuying respectfully said: “Yes, Great-grandmother. First Madam, please return to your niece the possessions, shops, and estates that Father left behind, and return in full the indenture contracts of the servants I brought from the south. Also, Yilan Garden was where my parents lived—I want to move back there.”
Qin Yunyun was the first to step forward: “Seventh Sister, you…”
Seeing Qin Yongtao’s look, Qin Yunyun swallowed her words.
Qin Fangfang, receiving Xu Shi’s hint, quickly said: “Seventh Sister, Yilan Garden is currently where Sixth Sister lives. If you move in, where will Sixth Sister live?”
Qin Shuying paid no attention to her, looking only at Old Madam: “Great-grandmother, your granddaughter is merely returning the third branch’s possessions to their proper place.”
Old Madam’s expression was complex. They were all her granddaughters—she wouldn’t favor anyone, but Qin Shuying was right. She was only taking back the third branch’s belongings; she wasn’t actively harming anyone’s interests.
Yilan Garden was a fine courtyard, close to Xuan Hall. But since Qin Yongzhou was the third son, the best location was naturally Xuan Hall, followed by the courtyard of the head of household, Qin Yongtao and his wife. As for the young ladies’ courtyards, they were all decent, except for Spring Garden. Originally, Qin Shuying should have lived there, but after her return, she had given it to Qin Yunyun, who had lived there ever since.
Old Madam surveyed everyone and finally made her decision: “Very well, it’s settled. Second daughter-in-law, tomorrow have someone take the inventory lists and inspect the storehouse. After inspection, seal everything up. Once Yilan Garden’s storehouse is cleared, move everything there—Seventh Girl needn’t count again. Eldest son, tomorrow accompany Seventh Girl to the yamen to complete all the property transfer procedures. Those that can’t be completed immediately must be finished before year’s end. Eldest daughter-in-law, go back and return to Seventh Girl all the indenture contracts of the maids and servants by her side. Sixth Girl, you have three days to move out of Yilan Garden. Nanny Gu, have someone immediately beat Nanny Zhang to death with rods, and have all the servants drop their work to watch—they must see what becomes of slaves who deceive their masters! Seventh Girl, copy ‘Women’s Precepts’ and ‘Women’s Instructions’ one hundred times! Eldest son, eldest daughter-in-law, do you have any other questions?”
Everyone on the ground was shocked!
Qin Yongtao and Xu Shi knew that Old Madam was truly enraged!