Princess Fu’an appeared somewhat shy: “We’ll all be one family in the future. Junqing… you needn’t be so distant. Just call me Fu’an.”

Liu Junqing bowed: “This humble minister dare not!”

Princess Fu’an assumed he was merely being reserved in her presence, ignoring the courtesy and distance in his voice. She smiled charmingly, her beautiful eyes sparkling.

Princess Fu’an was naturally very beautiful, tall with good development, especially her large eyes that were particularly expressive. When she acted submissive, gentle and elegant like this, it was truly captivating.

However, Liu Junqing lowered his eyelids and said: “Since Your Highness is enjoying leisure with my sister, and there are proper distinctions between men and women, this humble minister has other matters to attend to and will take his leave first.”

“Junqing…”

Watching Liu Junqing’s retreating figure, Princess Fu’an was stunned.

He, how could he just leave?

Then she shifted her gaze to Liu Sujiang, who was watching her cautiously, immediately putting on a smile as if the vicious person from moments ago wasn’t her at all.

“Jiang’er, just now Qin Shuying made me so angry I lost my composure. Don’t take it to heart.”

Liu Sujiang’s anxious heart immediately relaxed. Though still somewhat aggrieved, she smiled eagerly: “Your Highness, I understand. It was all Qin Shuying who made you unhappy.”

Princess Fu’an smiled: “Exactly.”

Then the two of them acted as if nothing had happened and left the teahouse one after the other.

Meanwhile.

Qin Shuying hadn’t managed to drink her tea, but Ziteng and Lu Ye were full of pent-up anger.

“Miss, Liu Sujiang and her group went too far!” Lu Ye was so angry she spoke several sentences before stopping.

Qin Shuying smiled faintly. What was this compared to daring to drown her in the palace? This debt would be repaid no matter what.

Since it was lunchtime, Qin Shuying took her two maids to Tongruixiang Restaurant. Though Tongruixiang couldn’t compare to the grandeur of Guangbin Tower, it was also bustling with guests, widely renowned, and very expensive.

They requested a private room and ordered dishes, then heard someone knocking at the door.

Ziteng opened the door to see Liang Yanjun.

Liang Yanjun whispered something to her. Ziteng looked back at Qin Shuying, who, seeing her expression, nodded slightly. Ziteng then stepped aside, and Qin Shuying rose and walked out.

Qin Shuying followed Liang Yanjun to another private room. Pushing open the door, she saw Liang Zhe sitting there.

This private room was much larger than Qin Shuying’s, with a screen erected in the middle. If a waiter came to deliver food and was only allowed to the outer area, they wouldn’t be able to see what was happening inside.

Food and drink were already set before him, including an opened wine bottle and a cup half-full of wine. Clearly, Liang Zhe had been drinking.

Qin Shuying performed a courtesy: “Young Master Liang.”

Liang Zhe looked up at her. He was already extremely handsome, and when his expression was as calm as still water, he carried an air of dignity and imposing presence. At this moment, with his serene expression, he appeared overwhelmingly noble and radiant.

“From now on, just call me Ziyou.”

Qin Shuying was startled. Ziyou was his courtesy name—she had learned this when Mo Yiting mentioned it before. But no matter how she looked at it, she couldn’t be considered close to him. Wouldn’t such a form of address be too… familiar?

But she didn’t think too much about it and complied readily: “Ziyou.”

“Mm. Shu… ying… Shuying, please sit.”

Liang Zhe’s expression remained calm, even somewhat cold, but his tone trembled slightly.

Qin Shuying, being a sensitive person, noticed immediately.

What made her heart skip wasn’t that Liang Zhe was calling her Shuying so familiarly. Given their current alliance and his being five or six years older, such address didn’t seem frivolous—it even felt somewhat brotherly.

It was just—why was he trembling?

She could understand his acting like a wastrel, a tyrant, or playing dumb in front of others—these were his protective techniques.

In reality, Liang Zhe was sharp and intelligent. That he could decisively cut ties and escape from Luo Meixiang’s control, endure ten years in the harsh northwest with his pampered body, earn military merit, and return to the capital with a fifth-rank position—all this showed he was very decisive and quick to act.

Returning to the capital with no roots or foundation, he could still establish himself so quickly, remain safe under Luo Meixiang’s nose, arrange a good show in the palace, and still have energy left to help her escape—this proved he was capable.

Moreover, she’d heard he had killed countless people on the battlefield. Such a person would definitely be cold-hearted. Every time they achieved victory, soldiers would receive some female captives, and it wasn’t unusual for military men to visit brothels. Leading tens of thousands of troops on the battlefield, how could Liang Zhe not have tasted women?

So his trembling voice was very abnormal.

Out of concern for her lifesaver, Qin Shuying asked: “Ziyou, is your throat uncomfortable?”

Standing outside the screen, Liang Yanjun wanted to cover his ears and pretend he hadn’t heard.

Liang Zhe gripped his wine cup tightly. What should he say?

“Mm… it’s fine.”

Qin Shuying was confused. What did that mean? Was it uncomfortable or not?

She didn’t dare ask too much. After all, if Liang Zhe shed his disguises, he was indeed someone difficult to approach. His words were simple yet piercing—Qin Shuying didn’t dare be careless.

“I called you here because there are some matters to discuss.” Liang Zhe drained his wine cup before speaking.

Of course there were matters—surely they weren’t here to drink and become sworn siblings?

Qin Shuying adopted a businesslike manner: “Ziyou, please speak.”

“You remember that fake palace maid from Guangbin Tower, right?”

Of course she remembered. It hadn’t been that long, and she was the first person she’d killed with her own hands—she’d never forget it in this lifetime.

“At that time, I stayed in the room not to help clear you of suspicion, but because I happened to see a tattoo on his body that reminded me of something.”

Liang Yanjun closed his eyes in despair: Master, your ability to make things up is getting stronger. You clearly stayed to help Seventh Miss Qin… Madam… escape. As for that tattoo, I was the one who saw it, remember? The subsequent events happened because I reminded you, and then you improvised. Master, how can you be so shameless?

Cough cough, speaking of which, he had military merit and currently held a seventh-rank position, yet every day he helped Master court women. Was this really appropriate?

Unexpectedly, Qin Shuying wasn’t surprised at all and said: “After such a big incident occurred and they questioned you, the matter just ended with no one suspecting me. I knew you must have discovered something significant that shocked Magistrate Lü. This matter must be of great importance.”

Liang Zhe coughed. Could she not be so clever?

“Indeed. He had a blue eagle tattoo on his abdomen. The blue eagle tattoo is the emblem of a secret organization from Xibang, an extremely formidable organization under the Xibang Emperor—well-trained and strictly disciplined. Three years ago, when I was at the border city, I was pursued by them and nearly lost my life.”