Regarding Qin Shuying’s marriage, some worried, some rejoiced, and some were puzzled.

Sure enough, Lin Zilan rushed over upon hearing the news.

This was her first time visiting, so Qin Shuying personally went to the entrance to receive her.

As soon as they sat down in Yilan Garden, Lin Zilan saw that Qin Shuying had dismissed everyone else, leaving only Ziteng. She immediately spoke urgently: “Shuying, the Liu family’s people are so despicable and not easy to get along with. I worry about your future days. Do you have any plans?”

Qin Shuying smiled: “Thank you for your concern, sister. You know me – if others respect me one foot, I’ll respect them three feet. But if others dare to bully me, I won’t endure humiliation.”

Only then did Lin Zilan feel relieved. She took a sip of the tea Ziteng poured and said: “When I was in the south, mother often said my temperament was wild and worried I wouldn’t live well after marrying. Mother worried about me, but I worried even more about her. Confined at home, only able to see that square patch of sky – even men would become narrow-minded. If I were to marry, I wouldn’t marry someone who was hypocritically righteous, I wouldn’t marry someone narrow-minded, I wouldn’t marry someone who looked down on me – Shuying, you know I love weapons and martial arts. If I married someone who would never let me touch or see these things again, I wouldn’t marry him either!”

Speaking so urgently and hurriedly in one breath, she got herself excited and picked up her tea for another sip.

Qin Shuying’s smile deepened. Such ideals were also her own ideals. But such a man – in this world, probably couldn’t be found.

Lin Zilan knew what she was thinking and said: “Good sister, don’t laugh at me. Today I’ve laid all my cards on the table with you, so you must support me in the future! If there’s no such man, so what!”

Qin Shuying laughed even more: “Sister, you have such an elegant mind and refined nature. Even someone as arrogant as Fourth Lin can’t gain any advantage in front of you. How would you need me to support you?”

Lin Zilan’s willow eyebrows shot up: “Are you saying I’m difficult?”

Qin Shuying laughed out loud: “I truly envy sister – so clever and spirited.”

In inner residence struggles, Lin Zilan wasn’t afraid and often gained the upper hand. With broad vision, she wasn’t confined to inner residence intrigues but had far grander ideals.

Qin Shuying truly envied such a woman from her heart.

Lin Zilan and Qin Shuying looked at each other and smiled, both seeing mutual appreciation in the other’s eyes.

Suddenly, a trace of melancholy touched Lin Zilan’s beautiful face. She said: “Good sister, don’t mind that I spoke so directly just now. In my observation, Liu Junqing is not a good match. Though he’s talented and of excellent character, Lady Liu is no easy lamp to deal with, and Liu Sujiang is even more arrogant and rude – truly detestable. With such a mother-in-law pressing down on you, life won’t be easy. Over time, even the best you would become completely changed, and even the best you would become invisible to Liu Junqing. If you plan to simply maintain respectful distance with Liu Junqing and can face all of Lady Liu’s difficulties, things might be somewhat manageable. But if you want true affection, though I haven’t married, I can see this would be futile.”

Qin Shuying hadn’t planned to let anyone other than Ziteng know about Liang Zhe’s matter. That Lin Zilan could state things so objectively also slightly surprised her, showing that Lin Zilan was not only extremely intelligent but also thoroughly considerate of her. Such words, except for Lin Zilan, probably no second person would say.

Qin Shuying was somewhat moved, nodding repeatedly, and said: “Good sister, I’ll keep all these heartfelt words in mind. Rest assured, I’m not someone easily bullied. Though I don’t have sister’s carefree temperament, I’ve also seen through human nature and worldly affairs. Rest assured, I’ll definitely live comfortably.”

Lin Zilan smiled charmingly: “That’s good! People can’t be stifled to death by circumstances. Being able to see through things is the best possible outcome.”

At the征西大将军府 (Western Expedition General’s Residence).

Liang Yanjun watched Liang Zhe’s figure holding a brush and sighed wistfully.

Young Master, have you fallen into lovesickness?

You think I don’t know what you were painting just because you burned those paintings?

Seventh Miss Qin hasn’t even broken off her engagement yet, and you’re here every day muttering and painting her portrait. What kind of behavior is this? Would it be proper to speak of this publicly?

Just as Liang Yanjun expected, after Liang Zhe finished a painting, he admired it alone for quite a while before reluctantly burning it.

Liang Yanjun covered his face, feeling he had no face to see people.

He felt he was now no different from Luo Huan’s servant – both were little followers helping young masters court girls, truly disgracing his military identity.

“Yanjun, come here a moment.”

Liang Zhe’s voice carried a weak tone.

Liang Yanjun walked over, not wanting to look at Liang Zhe’s face – it was too embarrassing. Without looking, he knew Liang Zhe’s face must be red.

“This paint, why is the color wrong?”

Liang Yanjun leaned over to look. What was wrong? It looked very right!

Purple.

If purple isn’t this color, what color should it be?

“It looks quite right to me!” Liang Yanjun fearlessly spoke the truth.

Liang Zhe glanced at him: “You’re sure?”

Liang Yanjun continued: “Sure.”

He had been oppressed by Liang Zhe enough before, especially regarding the bet about whether Qin Shuying would marry Liu Junqing – he lost so badly he didn’t even have underwear left.

Now, he just wanted to make Liang Zhe frustrated. So what.

Liang Zhe snorted: “Tell me, when will you give me the fifty taels you lost to me?”

Liang Yanjun straightened his back: “Master, Seventh Miss Qin hasn’t broken off her engagement with Liu Junqing yet! Seventh Miss Qin is happily preparing for marriage – what are you rushing for!”

These words, originally just about a bet, sounded different to Liang Zhe’s ears.

Rushing?

Rushing for what?

The blush that had just faded immediately returned: “What are you thinking nonsense about! I’m helping her, and also helping myself. Where did your thoughts go?”

Liang Yanjun said seriously: “Master, is that really what you think? Aren’t you afraid of delaying Seventh Miss Qin’s marriage? If she marries you and then divorces, can she still live well?”

Liang Zhe blurted out: “How could I let her divorce?”

Liang Yanjun suddenly understood, saying “Oh oh” several times. His “oh oh”s made Liang Zhe want to die, and only after that did Liang Yanjun put on a serious expression: “So that’s how it is!”

Liang Zhe glared at him: “Go work!”

As Liang Yanjun walked out, he shouted: “Master, that purple color on Seventh Miss Qin – it’s not that I bought the wrong paint, it’s that you mixed the colors wrong!”

Liang Zhe kicked his foot, sending a shoe flying. Liang Yanjun had already disappeared behind the door with laughter.

Liang Zhe touched his somewhat fevered face, but the corners of his lips curved up slightly: Liang Yanjun, you dare to understand my feelings so clearly – are you tired of living? Just wait, you won’t be able to keep your underwear!