Arriving at Shuangyun Hall, Lianpin had just awakened from her afternoon nap and was leisurely enjoying refreshing fruits. Her voice remained extremely charming and pleasing, making one forget worldly concerns: “Seventh Sister has arrived. Please sit. Someone come—bring a portion for Seventh Sister as well to cool off from the heat.”

Lianpin’s expression was calm, showing neither great joy nor any displeasure.

Qin Shuying yielded and sat on an embroidered stool, looking at the fruits that had been brought up—washed clean and arranged neatly and refreshingly. She thanked Lianpin and, with a light smile and elegant demeanor, ate some sweet grapes from the frontier.

Lianpin had also just finished eating. A palace maid took away Lianpin’s portion and brought a cloth for her to clean her hands. Qin Shuying then set down what she was holding and said: “Your Majesty, this subject’s daughter is fortunate to enter the palace and see Your Majesty again. I’m very delighted.”

Lianpin gave a faint hum, looking at Qin Shuying’s obedient appearance. Recalling how Qin Shuying had been sharp-tongued and pressing at every step last time, though annoyed, she didn’t let her displeasure show.

“You are my cousin. Since you’ve entered the palace, it’s normal to come visit me. Recently, the entire capital has been spreading news about your marriage preparations, saying you spend money like water—that a single set of jewelry cost over ten thousand taels of silver. Is this all true?”

Qin Shuying smiled bashfully: “Your Majesty, those are all others’ exaggerations. I’ve made you laugh.”

Lianpin recalled what her second brother had told her son—that Qin Shuying hadn’t helped introduce Qin Kaiyu to Princess Yongjia. Lianpin snorted coldly in her heart.

“Since you know others will laugh, why make such a grand display? Isn’t this just providing topics for others to gossip about?”

Qin Shuying looked up at Lianpin in astonishment, stammering slightly, her voice carrying grievance: “Your Majesty, this is this subject’s daughter’s lifelong matter. With both parents deceased, only Grandmother plans for me. I just wanted to marry in a glorious manner, so that Father and Mother under the nine springs need no longer worry. Did this subject’s daughter truly do wrong?”

Lianpin’s tone remained bland: “To put your uncle and aunt at ease, you should be well-behaved and uphold womanly virtues. Don’t do such things in the future. With wealth exposed and Yun Jingshu and Luo Jinniang also entering the Liu family, what if others covet it?”

Only then did Qin Shuying smile: “Your Majesty, this subject’s daughter will remember. Your Majesty, rest assured—I will certainly protect what Father and Mother left behind. Three hundred thousand taels isn’t much but isn’t little either. This subject’s daughter will guard it well.”

Lianpin felt pain in her chest. Three hundred thousand taels!

She’d been in the palace for over ten years, nearly twenty, and had never seen three hundred thousand taels of silver.

The Qin family’s intermittent subsidies to her totaled only about one hundred thousand taels.

Lianpin involuntarily covered her chest. Qin Shuying seemed not to notice, only saying: “Your Majesty, this subject’s daughter has another matter to request. Your Majesty is my legitimate cousin. I’m young and ignorant—Your Majesty must teach me.”

Joy mixed with slight petulance made her impossible to dislike.

Lianpin paused slightly. What exactly was this seventh cousin planning?

Lianpin now wouldn’t think this cousin was easy to get along with, nor would she be deceived by Qin Shuying’s appearance.

Somewhat wary, she said without showing emotion: “You’re just too competitive, wanting to contest everything, making me angry several times because of you. I didn’t want to manage your affairs anymore. But you are Third Uncle’s bloodline and Old Ancestor’s precious one. How could I truly not care for you? I just wanted you to hit some obstacles, to see this world’s dangers, so you’d know who is close and who distant, who is your true support. Whatever the matter is, speak—I absolutely won’t stand by and ignore it.”

These words truly sounded like a stern but caring good sister.

Qin Shuying said somewhat guiltily: “Your Majesty is completely right. I was too competitive. It’s all my fault. Your Majesty, you’re magnanimous—please don’t hold it against me. I know Your Majesty does everything for my good. Before, I was ignorant.”

Looking at her flattering eyes, Lianpin felt a chill. She herself could put on airs, but this Qin Shuying was even more hypocritical and cunning than herself.

However, as a palace consort long experienced in struggle, she smiled serenely: “Speak then.”

Qin Shuying sighed, joy mixed with some worry: “Your Majesty, the Liu family has already come to our residence to propose marriage. Our family and the Liu family have begun the acceptance procedures. I expect that if nothing unexpected happens, after I come of age next year, I’ll marry.”

Qin Shuying seemed to recall Liu Junqing’s handsome bearing, her eyes and brows carrying longing and joy. Lianpin needed only one glance to understand her thoughts.

Someone as talented as Liu Junqing—no wonder even the cunning Qin Shuying would be infatuated. He not only looked like an exiled immortal with a tall figure, handsome features, elegant behavior, and otherworldly temperament, but also had good family background, was personally steady, and his talent needn’t be mentioned.

Sixth Sister had been too obsessed with Liu Junqing, which led to her current fate.

Lianpin showed no expression, her demeanor calm.

“Your Majesty, it’s just that now Yun Jingshu and Luo Jinniang have caused such incidents. They are both legitimate daughters of third-rank officials, while this subject’s daughter lost her parents early and has only Your Majesty as support. I’m truly apprehensive and don’t know how to interact with them in the future.”

Qin Shuying’s worried expression fell into Lianpin’s eyes, making her smile coldly.

Want me as your support? Quite the calculation.

True, she and the Sixth Prince had previously strongly promoted this marriage because it would greatly benefit the Sixth Prince. But recent events made them realize that promoting this marriage would not only bring no benefits to the Sixth Prince, but would actually be harmful.

Very simply, the Liu family didn’t actually like Qin Shuying at all and didn’t want Qin Shuying as Liu Junqing’s legitimate wife!

Especially Madam Liu, who detested Qin Shuying probably more than poison. Otherwise, how could she have arranged that scene at Red Mansion? If she had even half a bit of feeling for Qin Shuying, she couldn’t have said those words about letting Qin Shuying become Liu Junqing’s concubine.

Though those words weren’t spoken by Madam Liu but by Liu Sujiang, even a fool would understand that Liu Sujiang’s meaning was Madam Liu’s meaning.

This marriage wasn’t forming an alliance but creating enmity.

If the Liu family couldn’t become an asset, that would be one thing, but to become enemies was completely unprofitable.

Especially…

Thinking of that matter, Lianpin’s cold expression softened somewhat, revealing a smile: “No wonder you’d worry. They do have higher status, so your concern is understandable. Rest assured, if anything happens in the future, I will stand up for you.”

Qin Shuying breathed a great sigh of relief and smiled, her curved eyes appearing especially clear and pure.

This was the first time Lianpin had seen her smile so unguardedly, and she was momentarily stunned.

Qin Shuying smiled even more joyfully: “Thank you, Big Sister! Shuying knew Big Sister would support Shuying! Big Sister, Shuying will depend entirely on you from now on!”

Lianpin’s expression improved. She stood up and said: “Very well. Since you’ve rarely entered the palace, come walk with me. This weather is hot—I’ve been lazily staying here for several days. It’s good to finally have someone to talk with. As for Fu’an’s side, I’ll have someone speak to her. You can have dinner here before going over.”