Qin Shuying smiled, her eyes bright as stars. “Ziyu, in the inner quarters, I have my own sense of proportion. Rest assured, no one can harm me. If anyone dares touch my bottom line, don’t worry—without you lifting a finger, I’ll make them taste my methods.”

Liang Yanjun: …Well, two ruthless and vicious people together—there will truly be a good show to watch. Old Madam Liang, Madam Liang, that… wait a moment, please allow me to recite sutras for you first…

Liang Zhe was soothed by her smile, his anger much calmed, and a blush rose to his face again. “Shuying, you… you won’t think I’m too improper, too heartless? Even… burning her storehouse.”

Qin Shuying shook her head. By worldly standards, wasn’t she, Qin Shuying, also improper and heartless?

But these proprieties and human feelings were built on the foundation that Feng’er’s death could be ignored and Uncle Zhou’s family’s tragic death could be treated as if it never happened.

Now, after forming an alliance with Liang Zhe, she had also drawn attention to how exactly Liang Zhe’s birth mother had died.

She couldn’t be blamed for being suspicious. Liang Zhe’s birth mother, Lady Zhao, had been born into the Mighty General’s mansion—a daughter of a military family with powerful paternal relatives. Lady Zhao even knew some martial arts. How could she have died when Liang Zhe was only two years old?

If there wasn’t some handiwork by Old Madam Liang and Luo Meixiang involved, Qin Shuying wouldn’t believe it—though she currently had no evidence at all. However, she had already deeply experienced the complexity and horror of human nature.

Luo Meixiang was one thing—she was a stepmother. What was more terrifying was that Old Madam Liang actually allowed Luo Meixiang to mistreat Liang Zhen, and Liang Zhe had nearly lost his life.

“As I know it, Old Madam Liang was very displeased with your mother back then, and later extremely detested your elder sister. Such a grandmother is indeed too rare. Have you ever thought about why this is? In my opinion, not liking your mother because your father was a daughter-in-law chosen by your grandfather, and Old Madam Liang had initially favored someone else—this point is understandable. But your sister and you, Ziyu, are her own legitimate granddaughter and grandson. Why would she still detest you so much?”

Liang Zhe was stunned and remained silent for a long while, lost in thought.

The table was ruined, but the food remained, and the tea cups were unharmed. She could see that neither of these two knew how to take care of people, so she no longer treated herself as an outsider and poured herself a cup of tea.

She had originally been tired from walking and thirsty. After talking with him for so long and being startled, she drank two cups of tea in succession before her mouth felt much more comfortable.

Liang Zhe also sat down, poured himself a cup of wine, and took a sip.

“Shuying, it’s ultimately me who has implicated you. The Liang family is a place that devours people without spitting out the bones. I will tell you everything I know to guard against others’ schemes.”

“…Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. Thank you for trusting me, Ziyu.”

Liang Yanjun watched those two people eating food—one drinking tea, one drinking wine—discussing old affairs.

These matters, Liang Yanjun had long been clear about, but hearing them again now, he still sighed with emotion.

No wonder Qin Shuying was puzzled—even he was puzzled. Old Madam Liang was the legitimate grandmother of the eldest miss and eldest young master. How could she detest her own granddaughter and grandson so much?

What was the reason?

Back then, if not for Master’s maternal grandfather, the old Mighty General, protecting him with all his might, the eldest young master would probably have lost his life long ago!

For a real grandmother to turn a blind eye to her own grandson’s life—this was too strange.

However, even after Liang Zhe and Qin Shuying finished eating and bid each other farewell, Liang Yanjun still couldn’t figure out the reason.

Yilan Garden

Qin Shuying had just rested for a while when she heard Zhishu’s voice outside: “Sixth Miss, our miss is resting. Could you please come back later?”

Without Qin Shuying needing to signal, Lu Ye walked out, but before she could step through the door, Qin Yunyun had already walked in. “Is that so? Could it be that Seventh Sister is in great pain from the broken engagement? In that case, I must comfort her properly!”

Though Zhishu was unwilling to let Qin Yunyun enter, she couldn’t stop her and had no choice but to follow behind. “Sixth Miss…”

Seeing Lu Ye, Zhishu knew that Qin Shuying was already aware of what was happening outside. Since she couldn’t stop Qin Yunyun, she withdrew.

“Oh my! Seventh Sister, didn’t your maid say you were resting? How are you sitting here so properly?”

Qin Shuying’s expression was calm. “I just sat down when Sixth Sister arrived.”

Qin Yunyun sat down on her own, flicking her handkerchief. “I thought so. How capable is Seventh Sister—why would you seek death over a broken engagement? Look, seeing you safe and sound with my own eyes puts my mind at ease. It wasn’t in vain that I was confined for several months, copying sutras daily and praying for your blessing.”

Qin Shuying fanned herself leisurely, saying lightly, “Then I thank Sixth Sister for your concern.”

Even though Qin Shuying’s expression was calm, without the expected pain and sorrow, Qin Yunyun was very satisfied and in high spirits, while also feeling quite disdainful—Qin Shuying was just pretending all this!

Qin Yunyun could see that Qin Shuying was now particularly good at pretending—she was the best pretender in the Qin mansion.

“Concern isn’t quite the word, but since we’re sisters, naturally when there’s good news, I should tell you so we can all be happy together.”

Qin Shuying remained indifferent. “I wonder what good news Sixth Sister has?”

“Although we all regret that Seventh Sister lost such a good marriage prospect, after all, you still need to marry. So Father will choose a good marriage for you—just wait patiently. From what I know, there’s already some prospect recently. Having lost your purity and been rejected, becoming someone’s second wife would be the best marriage for you, sister.”

“Why is Sister so anxious? Sister hasn’t even settled on a marriage yet, so mine is even less urgent.”

Qin Yunyun giggled sweetly. “How can we not be anxious? After all, it was personally chosen by Sister!”

Qin Shuying looked at her. “Imperial Concubine Lian? From what I see, it should be Sixth Prince, shouldn’t it? I wonder how much help this person can provide to Sixth Prince? Is he thirty years old, or already forty?”

Qin Yunyun couldn’t help but be surprised. How did she know?

Qin Shuying smiled. “Why is Sister looking at me like that? I was just guessing, and it wasn’t hard to guess. Not only me, but Sixth Sister and Eighth Sister probably aren’t much different from me in this regard.”

Qin Yunyun’s joyful expression gradually cooled, forcing a smile. “How can you compare yourself to me? I’m the legitimate daughter of the main branch who has never been rejected! How can you, someone who’s been rejected, compare yourself to me?”

Qin Shuying didn’t expose her forced composure, sighing leisurely. “Sister, Young Master Liu has now become a prince consort, and he also has two high-born concubines, Luo Jinniang and Yun Jingshu. Even if Sister wanted to marry into the Liu family, you could only line up with Luo Jinniang and Yun Jingshu as a noble concubine. Sister, tell me, where is the difference between you and me?”

The difference was that if Qin Shuying hadn’t broken the engagement, she would have married as the legitimate wife.