Consort De returned to Delin Palace and summoned Princess Fuping to tell her about what had just happened. Princess Fuping listened quietly throughout, then raised an eyebrow and said, “Mother Consort, Qin Shuying originally wanted to break off the engagement anyway. Today she got her wish.”
Consort De pondered thoughtfully: “In the past when you said such things, I found it incomprehensible. The marriage with the Liu family was already as good as it could possibly be for her—why would she want to break off the engagement? However, now that you mention it this way, I also think you’re right. She was too calm, so calm that it seemed as if the entire matter had nothing to do with her. If she originally wanted to break off the engagement anyway, why make such a big commotion about it? Now, who in the entire capital doesn’t know she was preparing her dowry?”
Princess Fuping smiled: “Mother Consort, you’ve fallen into the trap.”
Consort De looked at her, thought for a moment, then laughed: “My Fuping is still the clever one.”
If there hadn’t been such a big commotion, how would Consort Kang have become anxious? How would she have laid out her scheme against Qin Shuying so quickly?
“That Qin Lianlian is truly stupid!” Consort De sighed. “Such excellent assistance, yet she pushes it away! Qin Shuying is ruthless and cunning, clever and adaptable. Instead of making good use of her, she actually wants to push her out. How utterly foolish!”
Fuping asked: “Mother Consort, what if Qin Shuying really does marry Guard Liang?”
Consort De was stunned.
In that case, if Qin Shuying had a good relationship with Liang Zhe, the couple would become her enemies. For no other reason than that she was close friends with Luo Meixiang, and moreover, Liang Qiong…
The next day, as soon as Qin Shuying returned to the Qin residence, she was immediately stopped by Xiangqin and brought to Xuan Hall.
The Old Madam looked anxious: “Seventh girl, everyone outside is saying you took it upon yourself to break off the engagement with the Liu family. Is this true? Grandmother must hear it from your own mouth.”
Qin Shuying looked at the Old Madam with guilt: “Old Ancestor, yes, it’s true.”
The Old Madam was stunned.
Nanny Gu quickly helped the Old Madam regulate her breathing, while several maids fanned her and brought water.
“Old Ancestor, your granddaughter is unfilial.”
After saying these words, Qin Shuying lowered her eyelids and sighed heavily in her heart.
The Liu family was not a good family, and the Old Madam was so shrewd—how could she not see this? It was just that she had been deceiving herself all along, harboring a trace of hope, hoping that Madam Liu might have a change of heart, hoping that Qin Shuying would be happy after marrying into their family.
After a long while, the Old Madam waved her hand and said: “I’m fine, all of you may withdraw.”
After Nanny Gu and the maids had all withdrawn, the Old Madam sighed and said: “Shuying, Grandmother knows you’ve been wronged. Rest assured, Grandmother will personally select a marriage for you and ensure you marry in glory and splendor! Set your mind at ease. Things have come to this point, and the Liu family is not a good match anyway—don’t be sad. As for Guard Liang, since he did save you, Grandmother will send someone to deliver a thank-you gift. However, regarding this marriage, we cannot take the initiative.”
Qin Shuying’s nose felt somewhat sour.
All this time, the Old Madam must have been caught in conflict.
She felt the Liu family was not a good family, but seeing how joyfully she herself was preparing for marriage, she couldn’t bear to shatter the cruel reality. Moreover, the Old Madam was not unaware of First Uncle’s thoughts.
After all, Qin Yongtao was also her own son—how could she not hope that Qin Yongtao would also receive some assistance?
Speak of the devil and he appears—Qin Yongtao strode in with large steps. After paying respects to the Old Madam, he glared angrily at Qin Shuying: “Seventh girl, with the Old Madam still here, and with me present, how could you take it upon yourself to break off an engagement just like that?”
The Old Madam said: “Enough, I’ve already asked about everything. Her Ladyship Lianpin also nodded in agreement to this matter. Don’t blame Seventh girl anymore.”
Qin Yongtao’s anger was still difficult to quell. He angrily flicked his sleeves and sat down: “Seventh girl, you’re truly accustomed to doing whatever you please, acting however you wish. How can this continue? From now on, you should properly study women’s precepts and rules at home. Don’t go out casually, lest you constantly act on your own initiative and bring shame to our residence!”
Qin Shuying didn’t refute his words.
She feared that when Princess Yongjia invited her, the words Qin Yongtao spoke today would immediately become worthless.
The Old Madam slapped the table: “Eldest, you’re a man—why are you interfering in rear courtyard matters?”
Qin Yongtao was startled. His mother hadn’t been this angry in a long time. He instinctively retorted: “Mother, this isn’t just a rear courtyard matter. This also involves the front hall…”
“You might as well tell me which minister it involves? Isn’t it just Princess Fu’an? If she wants that marriage with the Liu family, then let her have it! I’d like to see—with Madam Liu being such a duplicitous person—how well Princess Fu’an will live after marrying into their family!”
Qin Yongtao was defeated: “Mother…”
“Enough, stop talking. Manage fewer rear courtyard affairs, and if you have that idle concern, manage your wife properly! Also, now that Yu’er has obtained a position, you should earnestly worry about him and not let anything go wrong again.”
Qin Yongtao was speechless and didn’t dare to speak.
He wanted to say that if Qin Shuying had said one good word about Qin Kaiyu in front of Princess Yongjia, Qin Kaiyu’s position wouldn’t have been merely that of an eighth-rank minor clerk. However, seeing the Old Madam’s eyes full of anger and disappointment, Qin Yongtao wisely didn’t dare open his mouth.
After Qin Yongtao left, the Old Madam also had no heart to continue talking with Qin Shuying and told her to return and rest well.
Yilan Garden, study room.
Ziteng said to Qin Shuying: “Miss, Young Master Liang sent someone with a message. He told you to rest assured—the alliance that was agreed upon won’t change.”
Qin Shuying nodded.
She was truly somewhat puzzled. Liang Zhe was not a reckless military man. These past days, his speculations and plans had all been excellent, and his grasp of Consort Kang’s and Lianpin’s thoughts was particularly accurate.
If not for Liang Zhe, Qin Shuying wouldn’t have been so certain that Lianpin would join forces with Consort Kang. After all, she had made Consort Kang and Princess Fu’an suffer losses several times, which was indirectly helping Lianpin.
But why did Liang Zhe deliberately give others the impression of being impulsive and cold? Even tonight, he had let everyone witness his… shyness…
After thinking about it, she truly couldn’t figure it out.
Nanny Fu sighed: “Miss, the Liu family matter is finally over.”
The regret and disappointment in her eyes ultimately couldn’t be hidden.
Lu Ye said: “Nanny, Master Liu really isn’t a decent person. In the past, how well did the Master and Madam treat him? Back then, I was just a rough-work maid, but I knew that whenever Master Liu and Madam Liu came to the residence, the Master and Madam would set aside all their affairs to accompany them, bringing out all the best food to entertain them. Even I had to be much busier than usual and could only rest in the evening. But he turned out well—as soon as the Master and Madam passed away, they immediately changed their attitude. For three years they didn’t even meet Miss once. Now, wanting to curry favor with Princess Fu’an, they actually tried to harm Miss several times. Not only did they want to ruin her reputation, but they also wanted her life! They’re truly three times more venomous than snakes and scorpions!”
Nanny Fu’s remaining regret disappeared without a trace: “Miss, the First Young Madam will handle all the matters regarding your broken engagement. Actually, there’s nothing much to handle—only a jade pendant that was exchanged with the Liu family back then, which this servant has been keeping.”
“Nanny can handle it as she sees fit.”
Having been constantly on guard against another move from Consort Kang last night, she hadn’t slept well at all. This morning she had also left the palace early, and was truly exhausted. Qin Shuying went to bed to sleep.