His parents had arranged a marriage for him, and he had no objections, because he knew that whoever was to become his wife would inevitably need to go through the inner struggles of the Qin household. If she could fight her way through, she would obviously be a clever person, and he could accept her.

His mother favored Princess Fu’an, and he had no objections, as long as Princess Fu’an could defeat Qin Shuying in their battle.

As for whether marrying a princess would affect his future prospects, he hadn’t considered this question. Where there’s a will, there’s a way – he believed he could resolve all obstacles.

Luo Jinniang and Yun Jingshu were interested in him, and he wouldn’t deliberately distance himself from them, as long as they could use their own methods to reach his side. If they couldn’t be wives, they could be concubines – why would he care about having one more or one fewer concubine?

He just needed to focus on his own affairs, just needed to let everyone under heaven know that Liu Junqing’s talent was sufficient to govern the world.

The Dongyin Temple incident was orchestrated by Madam Liu, and his father was also involved.

Although he knew about it, he didn’t care about Qin Shuying’s fate.

If she were framed, that would mean she was too stupid. Why would he waste time and energy caring about such a foolish woman?

Later, when he learned that Qin Shuying had not been successfully entrapped, he was somewhat surprised, because he knew how much money his mother had spent on the scheme. How had Qin Shuying escaped?

He began to grow curious about Qin Shuying.

This curiosity led to his shocked discovery that within just half a year, Qin Shuying had already done many surprising things.

So, in the rose garden of Princess Yongjia’s residence, Liu Junqing felt inexplicably more curious when Qin Shuying appeared.

But he never expected that Qin Shuying would be as cold as ice toward him.

Why was this?

Liu Junqing had always been very confident in himself. Few young ladies who had met him failed to be smitten.

Yet his fiancée Qin Shuying showed not the slightest trace of joy. Even when he took the initiative to approach their dining table to strike up conversation, she appeared perfectly polite while actually keeping him at arm’s length.

Could this be her strategy of playing hard to get?

Just like earlier – knowing he was here, she deliberately spoke of how heroic Liang Zhe was. Wasn’t this drawing his attention?

And before, she had deliberately ignored him, hadn’t she? At the flower-pinning banquet, hadn’t he been unable to resist seeking her out? And when he saw how calm and composed she was, hadn’t he been unable to help revealing his feelings?

Although afterward, he had been quite annoyed with his own behavior.

Regarding today’s incident, he had some vague knowledge. His own sister had probably participated, though he didn’t know exactly what role Liu Sujiang had played.

Madam Liu believed that men shouldn’t participate in or know about the dark secrets of the inner quarters. Neither his mother nor sister had told him exactly how Liu Sujiang would act.

Qin Shuying’s strategy of playing hard to get had indeed achieved her purpose – he was indeed paying more and more attention to her.

It must be said, she was a clever woman. However, her character still wasn’t good enough.

Very well, he would just watch how she would escape his mother’s schemes. If she could truly handle it with composure, he would… marry her.

…

While Liu Junqing was lost in thought, Liang Zhe emerged from the building.

No one knew what exactly he had said to Lü Qing, but soon officials were bustling about, some carrying documents, others retrieving files, all moving hastily with urgent expressions, making those waiting speculate even more wildly.

Princess Fu’an was still afraid that the fake palace maid incident would be discovered, and also worried that Qin Shuying might say something unfavorable about her to Lü Qing. Waiting anxiously, she drank several cups of water, her stomach became distended, and she had to go relieve herself.

After Qin Shuying returned, she stood in her original spot with a calm expression. Liu Sujiang watched her with tremendous shock.

She too had been questioned, but dared say nothing and said nothing.

However, she kept pondering: How could Qin Shuying remain so composed? Who exactly had poisoned that fake palace maid to death? Could it have been Qin Shuying?

If it was her, how could she have such audacity? If it wasn’t Qin Shuying, then who could it be?

Regardless, that murderer must be connected to Qin Shuying.

But she couldn’t say anything.

Once she started talking, she wouldn’t be able to control the consequences.

She was also the daughter of an official family and knew how formidable these officials were. She didn’t have the ability to deceive them.

Could she tell these people that the fake palace maid was arranged by Princess Fu’an? That she had cooperated with Princess Fu’an to trick Qin Shuying into the trap?

This was certainly impossible.

She wasn’t clear about Liang Zhe’s situation. She had previously thought Princess Fu’an was only sending someone to ruin Qin Shuying’s reputation, never imagining there would also be Liang Zhe as a scapegoat.

To be honest, she still felt somewhat sympathetic toward Liang Zhe – he was really too handsome! If she hadn’t known that Liang Zhe was destined to have no chance at the heir’s position, she would actually be quite willing to marry him.

…

“Sister Liu, what are you thinking about? You seem so lost in thought?”

While lost in wild thoughts, Liu Sujiang heard Qin Shuying speak.

Liu Sujiang collected herself, resumed her calm demeanor, and instinctively replied: “Nothing much, Sister Shuying.”

“Earlier when you splashed water on my dress, I went back to change clothes and got lost in this courtyard. I hadn’t even had time to eat before hearing about the incident, and now I’m feeling hungry. What do you think, Sister Liu?”

Liu Sujiang’s earlier shock gradually faded, and she recovered her usual cleverness and composure, saying: “If Sister Shuying hadn’t mentioned it, I wouldn’t have noticed, but now that you say so, I’m feeling somewhat hungry too.”

“I wonder if there’s anything to eat here?”

As Qin Shuying spoke, she stood up and asked a nearby Guangbin Tower maid, who brought over several plates of pastries.

After asking the two princesses and learning they didn’t want any, Qin Shuying took a piece of pastry for Liu Sujiang: “Sister Liu, quickly eat a piece to fill your stomach.”

Liu Sujiang initially didn’t want to accept what she offered – she was still traumatized.

But meeting Qin Shuying’s enthusiastic gaze and thinking of how Qin Shuying had been particularly attentive to her just now, she suddenly remembered that she and Qin Shuying should naturally be very close.

She was her future sister-in-law!

Now that the plan had failed, Qin Shuying didn’t seem to suspect her either.

Right, she didn’t suspect her.

So she needed to continue playing the role of deep sisterly affection with her.

Liu Sujiang’s hand, frozen in mid-air, hurriedly accepted the pastry and said “touchingly”: “Sister Shuying, you’re hungry too, please eat first.”

Qin Shuying said: “I ate a lot when I came this morning, so you eat first. You’re young, and we can’t let you go hungry.”

Luo Jinniang got goosebumps listening to this. Liu Sujiang was young? How much younger could she be than Qin Shuying? Was she so eager to curry favor with her future sister-in-law?

Qin Shuying seemed to notice Luo Jinniang’s glare and looked over with a smile. Luo Jinniang immediately felt her blood boiling with anger.

What was that threatening look for?

Was marrying Liu Junqing something so remarkable?

She even dared to speak up for Liang Zhe!

How shameless!

Already engaged to Liu Junqing, yet still shamelessly speaking up for Liang Zhe!

I hope everyone won’t beat up the second male lead. This author thanks everyone for sparing his life! (flees) The second male lead has many more scenes to come. If you beat him to death, there won’t be any show to watch, hahaha.