Qin Shuying’s eyes were like a cold pond, without the slightest trace of warmth.

She couldn’t fathom what Yun Luoyuan truly sought, that his legitimate daughter would need to humble herself so low as to be ordered around by Princess Fu’an.

Although Princess Fu’an was sovereign and Yun Jingshu was subject, there was absolutely no need for such groveling.

No matter how noble Princess Fu’an was, she would eventually marry, and the range of men she could marry was narrower than that of noble ladies. Generally speaking, their husbands might not compare to those of many noble ladies.

Take Princess Yongjia, for instance – despite her exalted status, the man she married was merely the son of a wealthy merchant.

Among other already-married princesses, their prince consorts included wealthy merchants and officials, most of whom held positions that weren’t particularly high.

This was a habit accumulated over two dynasties.

A princess’s nobility was only noble before she left the palace. Once she married, she didn’t necessarily live better than noble ladies. Of course, although their prince consorts might not compare to noble ladies’ husbands, the princesses’ nobility remained, and few people dared offend a princess, unless she lacked the ability to command respect.

Therefore, even if Princess Fu’an had taken a fancy to Liu Junqing, the Liu family might not necessarily be willing to have Liu Junqing marry into the imperial family. Although this dynasty didn’t have the rule that prince consorts couldn’t enter government service, old habits died hard. Following the customs left by the previous dynasty, most prince consorts in this dynasty were also rather unremarkable.

Therefore, if Liu Junqing married a princess, the Liu family’s reputation would be greatly damaged, and Liu Junqing’s own future prospects might well become fodder for gossip.

It would be a losing proposition that Liu Gongshan would likely not undertake.

So, the relationship between Madam Liu and Kangpin… was quite intriguing.

And what Yun Luoyuan sought was also quite worth pondering.

…

With two princesses presiding, the atmosphere between them was very delicate. Since they weren’t speaking, no one else dared open their mouths, fearing they might get entangled in the struggle between princesses.

Everyone sat in silence. Lin Zilan and Qin Yue successively came to sit near Qin Shuying, and the three exchanged greetings with their eyes.

Before long, female guards came to relay a message, saying that several people needed to be questioned and have statements recorded one by one.

These people were naturally those who had gone to that changing room at the time, such as Liu Sujiang, Qin Shuying, and the noble lady who later discovered the corpse.

When it was Qin Shuying’s turn, she simply described the situation after she entered the room.

She was certain that Liu Sujiang couldn’t possibly point out that the fake palace maid was indeed fake – Liu Sujiang would definitely conceal the secrets she knew.

So Qin Shuying’s statement was very simple, saying only that she had changed clothes with the palace maid’s help and then left.

Following procedure, she was searched, but nothing was found on her.

It was perfectly reasonable that her own dress in the changing room had been knocked to the ground and contaminated with the medicinal powder. Not only her dress, but Liu Sujiang’s clothes and those previously placed there had all been more or less contaminated with the poisonous powder.

And the clothes she was wearing now were from Guangbin Tower, completely clean. As for the hairpin on her head, she had already had Ziteng handle it.

The officials couldn’t get anything out of questioning Qin Shuying, so they let her go.

Walking in the corridor, looking at the officials coming and going in the courtyard and the men whispering among themselves, she thought for a moment, then walked over to Mo Yiting, who had been standing in the corner with a deeply furrowed brow.

After performing a courtesy, Qin Shuying asked: “Guard Mo, may I ask where Young Master Liang is?”

Mo Yiting came back to his senses and looked at her, stunned for a moment.

He recognized this young lady.

The first time was at his own home, when he had personally witnessed her unhesitatingly pick up a stone to smash that maid’s leg – ruthless and decisive, no less than a man.

Later, Madam Ma had told him the whole story. At the time, he had been both surprised by Qin Shuying’s ruthlessness and impressed by her clever decisiveness.

The second time was just now, when she had spoken with conviction, pointing her spear directly at Marquis Pingxi’s wife Luo Meixiang, fearless and forceful.

Mo Yiting composed his expression and said: “Seventh Miss Qin, what do you seek Ziyu for?”

Qin Shuying shook her head and said: “I’m not seeking Young Master Liang, I’m just inquiring about his current situation. I’ve heard that Young Master Liang fought bravely against enemies on the battlefield, displaying countless strategies, shedding his blood for the peace of our Great Zhou’s borders. He was even wounded and barely escaped death to save his life. We boudoir daughters were born in the capital and raised in the capital. We can live peacefully and happily, we can spend leisure time appreciating flowers and composing poetry, without worrying about our homes being destroyed or our lives and clothing, all thanks to heroes like Young Master Liang defending our country at the borders, all thanks to them fighting bravely against enemies on the battlefield to bring us peace. Who would have thought that heroes cannot gallop across battlefields or satisfy their grudges as they wish, but must be trapped by the demons and monsters of inner chambers – how truly lamentable! How truly disheartening for all ambitious men under heaven!”

Where Mo Yiting stood, there were many other people. Except for several princes who sat inside the building, basically all the other men were here, including Liu Junqing.

Hearing her soft, charming voice speak such forceful words, many men who had been whispering looked over.

Some were even stirred to excitement, secretly applauding Qin Shuying’s words.

Mo Yiting hadn’t expected her to speak this way. His expression softened considerably, but since this concerned Ziyu’s affairs, and as expected it was still a family matter, he couldn’t comment too much. He said: “Seventh Miss Qin shows that women need not yield to men. If Ziyu heard you praise him as a hero like this, affirming his passion, he would definitely be very happy. Minister Lü is still talking with Ziyu. It probably won’t be much longer before he comes out. Seventh Miss Qin need not worry – I also… believe in Ziyu.”

Qin Shuying nodded, performed a courtesy, and withdrew.

After she left, someone near Liu Junqing asked: “Seventh Miss Qin? That’s your fiancée, isn’t it?”

Liu Junqing had to nod.

Someone said: “Since she saw you here but showed concern for Liang Zhe instead, what’s the reasoning behind that?”

Others said: “This Seventh Miss Qin has quite impressive bearing – who would have guessed!”

Still others asked: “Liu Junqing, have you two met face to face before?”

…

There were those who praised, those who teased, and those who asked this and that. Finding it all tiresome, Liu Junqing simply walked away.

Walking to beneath a large tree, he stopped. On his handsome, refined features appeared a trace of gravity.

He knew all about his father and mother’s plans.

Although he hadn’t participated, he also hadn’t tried to stop them. Or rather, he had no intention of stopping them.

If Qin Shuying were harmed, that would be her fate. Since she was so foolish, if she were harmed by others, she wouldn’t have the qualifications to be Liu Junqing’s wife.

He was full of talent and ambition, with his sights set on the cabinet and the great affairs of the world.

Regarding matters between men and women, he had no objections to parental arrangements and matchmakers’ words.

However, the person who was to be his wife must be able to withstand storms and stand up to tests. He didn’t like delicate white lotuses, nor did he like willful thorny roses.

He had always been waiting – waiting for that woman worthy of standing shoulder to shoulder with him.

That woman must be exceptionally intelligent and must be able to withstand storms.