Liu Junqing asked, “Who is your young miss?”

“Seventh Miss Qin.”

The young maid didn’t care whether Liu Junqing was willing or not, turned around and started leading the way, saying, “Miss said she has something to make clear with you, Young Master.”

Liu Junqing normally wouldn’t follow a strange young maid, but her words aroused his curiosity—what exactly did she have to say?

After just a moment’s hesitation, he followed the young maid to the second private room of the Di section.

Qin Shuying was dressed in simple elegance, refined and noble, sitting upright in her seat.

Seeing him arrive, Qin Shuying stood up, curtsied, and said unhurriedly, “Elder Brother Liu.”

Without a trace of a young lady’s shyness, Liu Junqing couldn’t help but say, “You are a young lady. Although we have a marriage contract, this is still improper. Please don’t do this again in the future.”

If she didn’t know about the Liu family’s schemes, Qin Shuying would only think Liu Junqing was very considerate of her, a thoughtful person.

But now…

Qin Shuying had the young maid withdraw and personally poured him a cup of tea, “Elder Brother is right. I asked Elder Brother to come because I have something to discuss with you. Please bear with me.”

Liu Junqing had always been as gentle as jade. His earlier behavior was already his limit, and he didn’t know why he had acted that way. He felt somewhat inexplicably irritated, but quickly recovered his usual calm demeanor, saying lightly, “Please speak.”

Qin Shuying sat across from him and said directly, “Elder Brother, I assume you know that Madam Liu and Sister Liu don’t like me, which makes me very anxious.”

Was this because his sister had invited her to the opera today, making her uneasy?

Liu Junqing firmly denied it, “You’re overthinking this. There’s absolutely no such thing.”

Qin Shuying smiled and didn’t argue, saying, “When Father was alive, he arranged the marriage contract with Uncle Liu, hoping it would be a beautiful union. I believe marriage should unite two families in harmony, not create enmity. If my presence in the Liu family would make Madam Liu and Sister Liu uncomfortable, then that would be my fault. I consider myself lacking in talent and propose to break the engagement. If Elder Brother has no objections, I will ask Uncle to dissolve the marriage contract after returning, without damaging the Liu family’s reputation.”

Wasn’t this just another attempt to deliberately attract his attention?

What kind of young lady would do such a thing?

Break the engagement?

Was this something a young lady should even mention?

Barely maintaining his immortal-like composure in public, his words carried a warning, “Sister Qin, you speak wrongly! Father and Mother both like you, and my sister respects you too. How can you make such wild guesses and describe Mother and my sister as such people?”

Qin Shuying still just smiled without defending herself, only asking, “So Elder Brother is unwilling to break the engagement?”

“A gentleman’s word is his bond. How could our Liu family be such ungrateful people? Sister Qin, marriage is not child’s play. Please don’t speak this way again.”

Qin Shuying put away her smile, took out a list from her sleeve, and placed it in front of Liu Junqing, “I have a list here. Please take a look, Elder Brother. Do you know what this is about?”

Liu Junqing glanced at the names and payments on the list, remembering the list he had seen in his father’s room afterward. His back immediately went cold—wasn’t this the list of people his mother had bribed to go to Dongyin Temple?

Liu Junqing’s tone inevitably carried some guilt, “This, what is this?”

Qin Shuying smiled again, “Someone gave this to me, saying that at Dongyin Temple back then, these people were bribed by the Liu family, intending to ruin the reputation of me, Sixth Sister, and Sister Xu.”

Liu Junqing steadied himself and said, “Sister Qin, this must be malicious nonsense from someone with ulterior motives! You mustn’t believe it lightly.”

Qin Shuying put away the list, and Liu Junqing continued, “This must be from someone with ulterior motives, deliberately trying to ruin Father’s reputation and destroy our Liu family’s years of good name. You must not be deceived.”

Qin Shuying smiled slightly, “Elder Brother’s words make sense.”

Just as Liu Junqing was about to say more, suddenly Qin Shuying let out a low “ah,” then covered her abdomen as if in considerable pain.

“Sister Qin, what’s wrong with you…”

A blush appeared on Qin Shuying’s face as she said embarrassedly, “I’m sorry, Elder Brother, I’ll be right back.”

With that, she curtsied, turned around, and left.

Liu Junqing watched the swaying curtain, not paying much attention to Qin Shuying’s behavior.

He had two chambermaid concubines, so he naturally knew about women’s bodily matters—every month there were a few inconvenient days, and some young ladies experienced pain.

It seemed his explanation had convinced her.

She was an orphaned girl, and this marriage with the Liu family was the best match she could get. Of course she would believe him—besides, wasn’t he so outstanding?

When she returned, he would have a good talk with her, and after going back, he would persuade his mother and sister. He was willing to marry Qin Shuying and would advise them not to cause trouble anymore.

—He didn’t know why, but now he sincerely and willingly wanted to marry her.

Just as he was thinking, the curtain moved and someone entered. Liu Junqing recognized her—it was Yun Jingshu. He had often seen her in the south, and after coming to the capital, the two families had some occasional contact.

Seeing Liu Junqing, Yun Jingshu said in surprise, “Young Master Liu, isn’t Sister Shuying here? Where is she?”

Liu Junqing knew she had dealings with Qin Shuying and might have made an appointment today as well. But he had never paid her much attention, so with a calm expression and steady voice, he said, “She’ll be back shortly.”

Hearing this, Yun Jingshu’s expression showed some anxiety.

She sat down, poured herself a cup of tea, rolled her eyes, and said to Liu Junqing, “Young Master Liu, Sister Shuying is really quite rude. How could she leave Young Master Liu alone here? Let me apologize on her behalf.”

Liu Junqing didn’t want to say much to her. Yun Jingshu poured him a fresh cup of tea and then apologized to him. Liu Junqing couldn’t refuse—they were people who saw each other regularly, and she was just having tea. Even if it was improper, since Yun Jingshu already knew he and Qin Shuying were meeting here, it wouldn’t be good to make an issue of it now.

He said nothing more and drank the tea in one gulp.

How could he not know Yun Jingshu’s feelings toward him? But he didn’t take it to heart.

Yun Jingshu smiled charmingly and continued, “Young Master Liu, Sister Shuying has always been somewhat willful. I’ve advised her many times, but she treats it as passing wind. Just think about it—she’s reached the age to marry you, yet she still doesn’t know how to follow proper rules, showing her face in public to do business. If she marries in the future, it won’t be good for the Liu family’s reputation either.”

Liu Junqing glanced at her. Even if Qin Shuying wasn’t good, what right did Yun Jingshu have to criticize her?

“Miss Yun, if you have nothing else to do, please leave first. You can come back in when Sister Qin returns.”

Yun Jingshu was stunned, clearly unable to believe Liu Junqing would treat her this way. It seemed Qin Shuying had already won Liu Junqing’s heart. How could this be? If she didn’t make things concrete today, wouldn’t she have to endure Qin Shuying’s dominance everywhere in the future?