Lady Liu was dumbfounded.

She truly hadn’t expected that Qin Shuying would remain unmoved, and the Yun family would also stay calm and steady.

After waiting three days, neither the Qin residence nor the Yun family had leaked half a word about the matter of principal wife and concubine.

Lady Liu couldn’t sit still any longer and hurriedly called Liu Sujiang to discuss.

Before they could come up with a plan, news came that Qin Shuying was lavishly preparing her dowry.

It was said that Qin Shuying had hired the finest carpenter masters, using the best materials to make beds and other furniture for herself. She was also seeking out the best dowry needlework masters to prepare a magnificent set of wedding garments.

She had also summoned people from several major jewelry shops to bring items to the Qin residence for her selection. Everything she chose was fashionable and precious. One complete set of headpieces was actually inlaid with a full twelve pearls the size of longans.

She had both the vast wealth left by her parents and the continuous stream of gold and silver she had earned herself. Some said she had at least three hundred thousand taels of silver in her hands.

When Lady Liu heard this news, her nostrils flared and she nearly cried out!

Although the Liu family was a prominent clan in Huzhou, the family was after all large with many branches and abundant offspring. With so many dividends distributed, what reached their hands became thin. Liu Gongshan’s branch earned only about ten thousand taels per year.

Even so, this was still a considerable sum.

An ordinary family of five would spend only about twenty taels of silver per year on food and necessities.

Precisely because of this, Lady Liu had money and power, and her son was so outstanding, which was why she completely looked down on Qin Shuying.

However, since that incident occurred, the family had immediately invested most of their savings. If Qin Shuying’s money came to the Liu family, one could imagine how wonderful that would be.

Liu Sujiang was very puzzled: “How does she have so much money? I’m afraid it’s all rumors and can’t be taken seriously.”

Lady Liu excitedly flared her nostrils: “I’m afraid it’s all true. Qin Yongzhou was extremely clever, succeeding in whatever he did, so leaving her so much real gold and silver is not surprising at all. Long Shi was originally the only daughter in her family. The Long family was originally a prominent clan, and all the Long family’s possessions went to Qin Shuying. I estimate that even three hundred thousand taels might not be the limit. Just the jade ornaments passed down from Long Shi’s ancestors are worth ten thousand gold, and some are priceless.”

Liu Sujiang said: “So that’s how it is. No wonder mother, although you don’t want her to be brother’s wife, you also won’t give up on her and are determined to have her enter our family.”

Lady Liu said: “You finally understand. Now you know why I wanted you to get close to her?”

Liu Sujiang snorted: “If there weren’t such benefits, I wouldn’t talk to her at all!”

After the mother and daughter talked for a while, Lady Liu became worried again: “Qin Shuying is making such a big commotion. Does she really not care about Yun Jingshu at all?”

Liu Sujiang was also very strange: “Could it be that she’s afraid of the Yun family? Probably not. No matter what, she still has Lianpin as her support.”

After thinking some more, she said: “I don’t know how many people want to be my sister-in-law. She should burn incense that she can be the principal wife. How would she dare to care about how many concubines brother has?”

Lady Liu also couldn’t figure it out, but Qin Shuying was indeed happily preparing for marriage. Especially the wooden furniture – she had already hired craftsmen at the fastest speed and extremely high prices to purchase timber.

Moreover, some of the precious headpieces had already entered the Qin residence, some were already being made by major shops, and others were being transferred, with the finest jade being transported from the south to be carved.

How could such things be faked?

The real gold and silver being spent was simply dazzling!

Not only was Lady Liu envious, but many people in the Qin residence were also envious.

Xu Shi knew about the outside news and her eyes nearly shot fire. While chanting scriptures, she made several mistakes. After barely enduring until the time was up, she hurriedly stood up, wanting to go out and verify the truth of the matter again.

“Wait!”

The Old Madam’s authoritative voice made her footsteps pause. Only then did Xu Shi realize she had been too improper.

“Old Madam, this daughter-in-law… this daughter-in-law ate something too cold this morning and needs to relieve herself urgently.”

The Old Madam fingered her prayer beads with closed eyes, saying slowly: “First daughter-in-law, do not indulge in cold things. All forms of greed are unacceptable. At best they cause physical discomfort, at worst they can take one’s life, take one’s life!”

Xu Shi was startled and stared at the Old Madam uncertainly for quite a while before saying: “Yes, this daughter-in-law will remember.”

When stepping out the door, Xu Shi’s footsteps were indeed much steadier.

Only after Xu Shi’s footsteps faded away did the Old Madam let out a long, quiet sigh. She gazed at the Buddhist shrine before her, not knowing what she was thinking.

After a long while, Nanny Gu walked in.

The Old Madam stood up, and Nanny Gu said: “Old Madam, I had the family inquire, and indeed there are reports of Seventh Miss lavishly preparing her dowry. After all, Young Master Liu is the top scholar, and with what happened the other day, Seventh Miss’s marriage has attracted particular attention.”

The Old Madam turned her gaze again to the smiling Buddha statue in the shrine, clasped her hands together, and murmured to herself: “Amitabha Buddha, may Buddha protect Seventh Girl’s safety and peace!”

After the Old Madam turned and walked outside, Nanny Gu said: “Seventh Miss is clever. She knows that First Miss Yun will eventually go to the Liu family – that can’t be stopped. Why not appear more magnanimous? Young Master Liu will surely appreciate it too.”

The Old Madam shook her head: “If it were before, I would think the same way. Now, I don’t dare speculate like that anymore. You’ve seen the current Seventh Girl – her nature is strong-willed. How could she possibly endure humiliation? First Miss Yun humiliated her like that, and the Liu family also bullied people so. It’s already good enough that Seventh Girl doesn’t make them unable to bear the consequences of their actions. How could she possibly let them continue bullying her?”

Nanny Gu said: “The Old Madam sees most clearly. Seventh Miss must have follow-up moves. Lady Liu plotted against her like that, yet she was able to resolve it safely. Old Madam, you don’t know – when that girl Xiangqin was telling about it, I was startled and shocked, nearly scared out of my wits. It wasn’t until I heard that Seventh Miss appeared safely and steadily before everyone that I wiped my forehead and found I had sweated two taels’ worth.”

The Old Madam smiled: “This girl is exactly like Yongzhou – sharp-minded with plenty of clever tricks.”

Nanny Gu continued: “Exactly so. How did she see through Lady Liu’s scheme? Speaking of it, Lady Liu is too sinister and cunning. If she had truly succeeded, not only Seventh Miss, but First Miss would also have suffered.”

Sharp-minded with plenty of clever tricks?

Indeed so. Two months ago, Seventh Miss had secretly arranged for someone to help her own grandson find a good job, without letting anyone speak of it openly.

It was only because she discovered some traces that she asked clearly, searching bit by bit to learn it was Seventh Miss’s arrangement.

Seventh Miss knew that the residence’s finances weren’t good now. Although Nanny Gu had dignity being beside the Old Madam, with many children and grandchildren, and the Qin residence’s assets not being that large, there was inevitably some neglect of one thing while attending to another.

Just like this – the third son had given birth to two more boys, and the eldest boy was already twelve but still didn’t have proper work. Fortunately, Seventh Miss helped arrange for him to enter a decent-sized grain and rice shop to follow the purchasing, giving him income and broadening his horizons.

Throughout the entire residence, only Seventh Miss was this sharp-minded and clever.