When Qin Shuying had left that room at the time, she hadn’t thought so much about it, but immediately after leaving, she regretted it.

She had hurriedly fled in panic, leaving Liang Zhe behind. The first person people would suspect of killing that fake palace maid would be Liang Zhe—this was as obvious as a louse on a monk’s head.

He had saved her, yet she had placed him under suspicion—this was simply—

But at that time, it would have been impossible to go back in. She could only worry anxiously from outside, which was why she later spoke those words in front of everyone.

These past few days she had been constantly guilt-ridden and uneasy, wanting to explain things clearly to Liang Zhe, apologize, and thank him.

Yet she also knew it was inconvenient and would be even worse to arouse others’ suspicions. Fortunately, she was able to see him today.

Liang Zhe seemed completely unconcerned: “When debts are many, one stops worrying; when lice are plentiful, one stops itching. You already owe me once—owing me one more time makes no difference.”

Qin Shuying keenly noticed that Liang Zhe’s self-reference had changed from “ye” to “wo,” though she didn’t know why he would do this. Not wanting to speculate further, she said: “Young Master shows such righteousness and eagerness to help others—I dare not fail to keep this in my heart. If you have any need, I am ready to serve at any time.”

Liang Zhe remained completely nonchalant, uttering an “oh,” then turned his gaze to the opera stage.

Suddenly, as if thinking of something, he looked at Qin Shuying with slightly furrowed brows: “Since Seventh Miss Qin has such intentions, I do indeed have a matter here—perhaps Seventh Miss Qin could help me with it.”

Being able to repay a favor would always remove one burden from her mind. Qin Shuying asked: “I will certainly do my utmost.”

Liang Zhe thought for a moment, then shook his head, seeming uncertain.

Liang Yanjun coughed and said: “Young Master, perhaps Seventh Miss Qin truly can help us.”

Liang Zhe glanced at him, and Liang Yanjun lowered his head.

“This matter… since Seventh Miss Qin has such intentions, I might as well speak of it. Currently in the capital I’m completely in the dark with very few people I can use—perhaps Seventh Miss Qin truly can help me.”

Qin Shuying listened attentively with complete seriousness.

“It’s like this—the household is arranging a marriage for me.”

Having said this sentence, Liang Zhe stopped.

Qin Shuying waited quite a while without seeing him continue, and not knowing why he would mention this. Just sitting there was awkward, so she said: “Then congratulations to you, Young Master.”

Liang Zhe’s hand had been gripping the teacup. Just as Qin Shuying finished speaking, she suddenly heard a crisp “crack”—the teacup had actually been crushed by him?

That was fine Jun porcelain!

Had she said something wrong?

Qin Shuying felt somewhat uneasy.

This emotion was one she hadn’t experienced in a long time.

After a long while, Liang Zhe said: “Actually there’s nothing to congratulate—this is merely Luo Meixiang’s method of trying to control me.”

His voice was steady, without any fluctuation.

Qin Shuying breathed a sigh of relief while also being startled: he was not treating her as an outsider, even revealing such family shame? Although knowing about it was one thing, his telling her explicitly was quite another matter.

No wonder he had crushed the cup just now—he naturally didn’t want to be controlled by Luo Meixiang, yet she had congratulated him. How could he be happy? Truly strange—how had she said such a thing?

She hurried to remedy the situation: “Young Master Liang, since you trust me, let me also share my thoughts. If inappropriate, please don’t take offense. According to what you’ve said, Madam Liang is trying to marry a woman who can help her to you. This way, she can both earn a good reputation and control you. However, I imagine you’re unwilling—not only unwilling, but you also want to disrupt this marriage arrangement.”

Liang Zhe’s expression remained calm: “Seventh Miss Qin is a perceptive person. Among clear-sighted people, there’s no need for obscure words. I’m asking Seventh Miss Qin to help make Luo Meixiang’s calculations fail, and moreover…”

Liang Zhe stopped speaking, his eyes like deep pools fixed on Qin Shuying’s face.

Qin Shuying breathed a sigh of relief—this kind of favor she was naturally willing to help with.

“Young Master, please speak freely. I will certainly do everything in my power to help you achieve your wishes!”

“Truly?”

Liang Zhe’s eyes flashed like lightning, looking at her with some teasing.

Qin Shuying didn’t understand where the teasing in his eyes came from and nodded solemnly: “Truly, absolutely no jest.”

Liang Zhe chuckled lightly, and Qin Shuying suddenly felt her heartbeat abruptly stop—how could a man smile so beautifully? So heart-stopping and incomparably magnificent!

A flutter she hadn’t experienced in a long time flashed through her mind—that feeling was just like when she had first seen Lu Changxuan long ago.

Although she hadn’t had such feelings for many years, the sensory memory was still there.

Just as she was in a daze, she heard Liang Zhe say: “I want you to marry me!”

Qin Shuying gaped in shock, her mouth open wide enough to fit an egg.

“Wh-what?”

Liang Zhe smiled again, his smile compelling with heroic spirit. His masculine aura was like a hurricane sweeping over Qin Shuying as he leaned slightly closer to her: “I want you to marry me. What—are you going back on what you just said?”

“I…”

Qin Shuying still gaped with her mouth open, looking at that face drawing near. Her breathing stopped, her mind went blank, her limbs stiffened—her entire body seemed no longer to belong to her.

“Wh-why?”

“You said it yourself! Do everything in your power.”

“I…”

Qin Shuying struggled to process this topic, and Liang Zhe didn’t disturb her, turning to watch the opera.

Liang Yanjun stood like a nail, as if he weren’t there at all.

Marry him?

Marry Liang Zhe?

Qin Shuying’s heartbeat was still accelerating.

After calming down for a moment, she completely accepted this matter and then analyzed it rationally.

He had helped her, then wanted her to help him, then wanted her to marry him?

What had he said just now?

Marrying him would be helping him.

Yes, that was the meaning. So he wanted her to go block that cesspool of filth from the Liang family.

This she could help with.

Her very life had been saved by him—what was helping him block that cesspool of filth?

But what if the Liang family matters were resolved?

It would take at least a year or two to finish, right? What would happen then?

Thinking this, Qin Shuying voiced her question: “Young Master Liang, I understand your meaning and I agree. However, I currently have a marriage engagement. I was already thinking of breaking it off—I’ll handle the engagement matter in a short time. But I have a question and hope you can clarify it for me.”

Liang Zhe continued watching the stage, seeming unsurprised by her intention to break off the engagement. He didn’t mention it at all and said: “Speak freely.”

Could it be that he was certain she would break off the engagement, so he wanted her to marry him?

Or even if she favored Liu Junqing and wholeheartedly wanted to marry him, would he still make such a demand for repayment?

Truly quite domineering—the legends weren’t entirely misunderstandings about him.

Qin Shuying said: “If I help you resolve your worries, can you return my freedom?”