Qin Shuying paused for a moment, as if she didn’t understand why Princess Fu’an would be so shocked, and replied: “The Liu family, Your Highness. Luo Jinniang is to marry Young Master Liu.”

Princess Fu’an couldn’t believe it: “How could this be? How could this be?”

Concubine Kang also couldn’t care about much else: “Are you saying Luo Jinniang is to become Liu Junqing’s concubine?”

Qin Shuying nodded solemnly: “Yes, Your Majesty.”

Princess Fu’an completely could not accept this news: “Why, why?”

Qin Shuying shook her head: “This subject’s daughter also doesn’t know why. Only yesterday afternoon did I learn of this matter. While offering incense, Luo Jinniang fell into the water pool and was rescued by Young Master Liu, resulting in intimate physical contact.”

Princess Fu’an was dumbfounded.

Concubine Kang was speechless with shock.

They completely ignored the glaring inconsistencies in Qin Shuying’s words, and also overlooked what kind of expression Qin Shuying should have had when discussing this matter.

Qin Shuying lightly furrowed her brows: “It truly troubles this subject’s daughter. Miss Yun is the legitimate daughter of a third-rank official, and Luo Jinniang is the legitimate daughter of the Luo family. Their status is precious, while this subject’s daughter has lost her protection. I fear in the future… Sigh! What can be done? If only this subject’s daughter’s status were more precious…”

As she spoke, Qin Shuying gently shook her head and continued: “This subject’s daughter feels like retreating. Had I known it would be like this, I would have broken the engagement with the Liu family early on, and wouldn’t be in such a difficult position today. Now… forget it, this subject’s daughter will take things one step at a time.”

Concubine Kang’s expression returned to calm. She smiled faintly and said: “You should have lunch here first before leaving. Since you’ve entered the palace and Fu’an misses you so much, you should stay the night.”

Qin Shuying’s face showed surprise and joy, unable to contain her delight as she bowed: “This subject’s daughter thanks Your Majesty for this honor!”

Concubine Kang said: “What honor? You have Sister Lianpin, and I’m merely borrowing Sister Lianpin’s face. Rest assured, I’ll have someone send word to the Qin residence.”

Qin Shuying smiled: “Thank you for Your Majesty’s consideration. I wonder how envious they’ll be of this subject’s daughter. Your Majesty, Princess Imperial invited this subject’s daughter to offer incense. After returning, my sisters competed to invite me. Previously, not many sisters were willing to approach this subject’s daughter. They said I was inauspicious, bringing misfortune to father and mother, and were unwilling to get close.”

The meaning was that if Princess Fu’an kept her overnight, Qin Shuying’s popularity among the noble ladies would increase greatly.

Concubine Kang lifted her eyelids. After all, she hadn’t seen the palace’s splendor before. No matter how ruthless, she hadn’t shed her vanity. Being flattered like this, she became frivolous.

“Then it’s settled. You keep Fu’an company while I arrange lunch.”

Qin Shuying bowed respectfully to see off Concubine Kang, knowing she was going out to arrange important matters, so important that she even set aside supervising her time with Fu’an—she probably originally intended to monitor her.

Once Concubine Kang left, Qin Shuying sat down on a stool, smiling: “Your Highness, you don’t mind if this subject’s daughter sits, do you?”

Princess Fu’an glanced at her: “Do as you please. Nanny, I want to dress my hair.”

Nanny Cao had been standing like a wooden post in the corner of the bed. Hearing Princess Fu’an’s order, she called out, and palace maids entered to attend to Princess Fu’an’s grooming.

Qin Shuying silently stood behind Princess Fu’an.

“Tell me, what exactly happened with Luo Jinniang?”

Princess Fu’an finally couldn’t restrain herself. Looking at Qin Shuying’s respectful appearance in the mirror, she spoke.

Qin Shuying stepped forward, standing beside the palace maid, and began: “This subject’s daughter only learned of it yesterday afternoon. Yesterday was the first day of the month, and Young Master Liu accepted a friend’s invitation to visit Fayuan Temple for sightseeing. Your Highness, you know that Fayuan Temple has a wall inscribed with works by many calligraphy and painting masters, which scholars and literati love to study.”

Princess Fu’an naturally knew this. It was perfectly normal for Liu Junqing to go there.

“After Young Master Liu and his friends finished studying, he went alone to enjoy the scenery. There’s a liberation pool in Fayuan Temple—Your Highness surely knows of it?”

Princess Fu’an certainly knew. That liberation pool’s water source came from deep mountains, with clear water quality and a broad surface. Ladies loved to linger there enjoying the scenery.

“It’s said that when Young Master Liu reached the liberation pool, Luo Jinniang passed by him. Unexpectedly, she stumbled and couldn’t steady herself, falling into the liberation pool. Young Master Liu, being righteous, jumped in to save Luo Jinniang. With so many eyes watching, Your Highness, you can imagine…”

Princess Fu’an snorted.

What shameless people, one and all!

Qin Shuying smiled with pursed lips. How could there be such coincidences in the world?

Luo Jinniang had learned that the Liu family was hiring official matchmakers to visit the Qin residence and was already furious beyond endurance. Egged on by her own maid, she couldn’t resist going to Fayuan Temple.

Liu Junqing often went out to meet friends and study. His whereabouts weren’t secret, making it not difficult at all to track him.

The difficulty was—Luo Jinniang was, after all, a noble young lady. How could she risk everything to dare do such a thing? And how could she grasp the timing of events so well?

Naturally, this was thanks to her good maid beside her—Caiyun.

This Caiyun, like Caixia beside Yun Jingshu, had been bought off by Qin Shuying with money. Five hundred taels of silver were enough to move her heart and betray her master.

As for why she chose Luo Jinniang—her interest in Liu Junqing was one reason, her repeated provocations toward Qin Shuying was another, but the most important reason was that she was the person Luo Meixiang had chosen to be Liang Zhe’s wife.

Luo Jinniang was the daughter of Master Luo and the daughter of Elder Luo’s legitimate eldest son—a proper legitimate eldest daughter with precious status. Luo Meixiang and Second Master Luo were actually born of the same mother, both born to a concubine.

Both Master Luo and Second Master Luo currently held official positions of the third rank.

Because of their aunt Luo Meixiang, Master Luo also yielded to Second Master Luo somewhat. Even Luo Jinniang, the legitimate eldest daughter, had to follow behind Liang Qiong.

If Luo Jinniang could marry Liang Zhe, given her stupidity, Luo Meixiang was completely confident she could control her.

Seeing Qin Shuying’s unhurried expression, Princess Fu’an said angrily: “Aren’t you anxious?”

Qin Shuying paused, then showed undisguised joy: “Your Highness jests. What does this subject’s daughter have to be anxious about? The Liu family has good standing, and Young Master Liu is exceptionally talented. No matter how many sordid affairs there are, they cannot overshadow Young Master Liu’s elegance. This subject’s daughter accepts it gladly. I am the principal wife—I fear no one. I’m not anxious. My only concern is that this subject’s daughter has shallow experience and fears not getting along well with them in the future, which would reflect poorly on Your Highness.”

Princess Fu’an became annoyed: “What would reflect poorly on me?”

Qin Shuying said with difficulty: “The noble ladies all know that Miss Yun has always followed Your Highness’s lead. If she does something wrong and this subject’s daughter punishes her, wouldn’t that be slapping Your Highness’s face?”

Princess Fu’an became even more irritated: “You just punish as you see fit—what does it have to do with me!”

Qin Shuying said “oh” and felt relieved: “With Your Highness’s words, this subject’s daughter can rest easy.”

Princess Fu’an’s belly full of anger nearly burst forth. Nanny Cao coughed lightly and said to the palace maid: “Very well, you may withdraw.”