Entering the palace again, Qin Shuying’s mood remained calm.
This time would be even more dangerous than the last. Although she had made complete preparations, this time she was facing Princess Fu’an, that madwoman, as well as Concubine Kang.
Recalling the urgent message Liang Zhe had someone deliver, Qin Shuying steadied her mind.
Huanyun Hall.
This was the palace where Concubine Kang resided. Princess Fu’an lived in the side hall, while the Seventh Prince had already left the palace to establish his own residence.
The magnificently exquisite palace, with its polite and proper palace attendants—yet Qin Shuying dared not let her guard down.
Concubine Kang, who could give birth to someone with the Seventh Prince’s absolutely beautiful appearance, was naturally also devastatingly gorgeous, her beauty surpassing even Lianpin by a margin.
She maintained herself extremely well, looking only to be in her early twenties, with snow-white skin and flower-like beauty. Her eyes were particularly large, lively and charming. She smiled before speaking, appearing even more approachable and gentle.
However, Qin Shuying dared not treat her as a kind elder. Princess Fu’an’s first impression was also of large eyes, very charming—yet turned out to be that kind of person.
Qin Shuying performed her greeting, appearing very delighted: “This subject’s daughter pays respects to Concubine Kang!”
Concubine Kang did not give her a ceremonial show of authority like Lianpin had. She walked down the steps, grasping Qin Shuying’s hands with both of hers. Her large eyes appeared extremely lively as she said, “Fu’an mentions you constantly in front of me. Let me see what kind of young lady you are that could make Fu’an regard you so highly.”
The words had double meaning. Qin Shuying pretended not to hear the underlying implication, saying with respectful joy: “Thanks to Her Highness the Princess’s favor, this subject’s daughter has dull aptitude and truly does not deserve such attention from Her Highness.”
With no outsiders present, Concubine Kang released her hands after looking her over, saying: “What a good child you are. You naturally deserve it! Fu’an keeps saying she wants to see you. Come with me.”
In the side hall, Qin Shuying saw Princess Fu’an.
Her complexion was pale, leaning against a pillow, her head turned to one side, throwing a tantrum: “I won’t drink it!”
The attending palace maid was trembling with fear, steeling herself to coax: “Your Highness, this is medicine prescribed by the imperial physician. It’s good for your condition. This slave personally brewed it. You must drink it to recover quickly.”
The sound of Concubine Kang and the others entering startled the palace maid. She hurriedly set down the medicine and bowed: “Your Majesty!”
Concubine Kang waved her hand dismissively: “You may withdraw.”
The palace maid felt as if granted amnesty and hastily retreated.
“Fu’an, look who has come.”
Princess Fu’an turned her head for a glance. Her heart leaped with joy, and she snorted: “Seventh Miss Qin!”
Qin Shuying performed a bow and said: “Your Highness, hearing that your noble body has taken ill, this subject’s daughter has been worried. How is Your Highness feeling today?”
Princess Fu’an sat up straight, unable to resist being sarcastic: “What? Is Seventh Miss Qin not busy preparing for marriage, yet has spare time to concern herself with my affairs?”
Qin Shuying smiled slightly, her joyful expression evident as she said: “Your Highness, it’s not just this subject’s daughter who is busy preparing for marriage. The eldest miss of the Luo family and the eldest miss of the Yun family are also busy preparing for marriage. You cannot show favoritism by only caring about this subject’s daughter alone.”
Princess Fu’an had a sudden inspiration and asked in surprise: “Luo Jinniang?”
Concubine Kang also looked somewhat puzzled, gazing at Qin Shuying.
Qin Shuying laughed, both joyful and adding a few traces of worry: “Your Highness truly has divine foresight—it is indeed her.”
Princess Fu’an became excited, her eyes widening as she wanted to ask something, but Concubine Kang spoke up, preventing her from continuing: “Seventh Miss Qin, please go attend to Fu’an taking her medicine. This child, already so grown up, still doesn’t know how to take care of her own body.”
Princess Fu’an, reminded by Concubine Kang, recalled the repeated instructions Concubine Kang had given her earlier: she must not let Qin Shuying seize the initiative, must not follow Qin Shuying’s rhythm.
Princess Fu’an no longer asked this question that made her heart itch unbearably. Instead, she lifted her chin, looking at Qin Shuying provocatively. Hadn’t she deliberately led others to misunderstand her, causing Yun Jingshu’s situation? Now, let her serve herself and see if her pride remained!
Who would have thought that Qin Shuying acted as if nothing had happened. She picked up the medicine bowl the palace maid had set down earlier and moved to the bedside, seeming not to care at all about their previous conflicts, smiling very happily: “Your Highness, Her Majesty is right. If you don’t take medicine, you won’t recover. Your Highness should take medicine on time.”
Princess Fu’an watched her. Qin Shuying’s smile was gentle, her expression truly no different from that of a close friend.
But in Princess Fu’an’s eyes, it sent a chill through her—she wouldn’t secretly poison her medicine without anyone knowing, would she?
Princess Fu’an couldn’t help but lean her neck back slightly. She didn’t want Qin Shuying attending to her!
Qin Shuying seemed not to understand her hesitation and resistance. Her right hand gently fanned above the bowl, smiling charmingly: “In the south, there’s a saying that fanning away before drinking medicine will sweep away bad luck. Your Highness, after drinking the medicine, you’ll recover quickly.”
Concubine Kang observed coldly. When this Qin Shuying was with Fu’an, she actually appeared to be the one with imperial dignity, while Fu’an was constrained by her at every turn.
She had indeed underestimated her before.
If not for Fu’an insisting that she enter the palace so she could personally see what kind of person she was, it would be difficult to believe this young lady actually had such audacity.
To dare kill that fake palace maid in broad daylight!
“Fu’an!”
Concubine Kang was somewhat angry at her failure to measure up. She was the princess—how could she be pushed to this extent by an orphaned girl? How disgraceful!
Princess Fu’an, scolded by Concubine Kang, finally came to her senses. No matter how formidable Qin Shuying was, she wouldn’t dare poison her medicine bowl in front of so many people. How could she be so afraid of her?
A cold glint flashed in Princess Fu’an’s eyes. She took the bowl from Qin Shuying’s hands and tilted her neck back, drinking the medicine in one gulp.
Qin Shuying smiled radiantly as she received the bowl Princess Fu’an handed back, her smile growing even brighter. She turned around and said to Concubine Kang: “Your Majesty, this subject’s daughter has completed her mission. Her Highness has drunk all the medicine.”
Concubine Kang was simply furious.
However, having fought in the palace for so many years, she naturally wasn’t afraid of Qin Shuying’s small tactics. She said gently: “Seventh Miss Qin indeed has methods. No wonder even Fifth Prince speaks highly of you.”
Qin Shuying’s eyes sparkled, but she didn’t pursue what exactly the Fifth Prince had said. Instead, she said: “The Fifth Prince and Sixth Prince are as close as blood brothers. The Sixth Prince could also be considered this subject’s daughter’s nephew. The Sixth Prince treats this subject’s daughter extremely well, so the Fifth Prince naturally shows me some tolerance as well.”
She spoke as if she had excellent relationships with these two princes, treating them like juniors.
Concubine Kang sat on an embroidered stool and smiled lightly: “Look at my memory. Since you’ve entered the palace, you should also visit Shuangyun Hall to see Sister Lianpin.”
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s consideration. Speaking of which, this subject’s daughter is extremely worried. The eldest miss of the Luo family is going to the Liu family. Her status is precious, and this subject’s daughter doesn’t know how to interact with her in the future.”
Princess Fu’an could no longer restrain herself. She threw off the covers, her large eyes staring intently at Qin Shuying: “What did you say? Say it again—exactly whom is Luo Jinniang marrying?”