Qin Shuying apologized for her previous rudeness in correspondence: “Princess, I am deeply sorry. This subject’s research into calligraphy and painting is shallow. Your letters—this subject is obtuse and cannot fully comprehend their subtle brilliance.”
Princess Yongjia was obviously in good spirits, beaming with smiles: “Everyone has their own aspirations—how can they all be identical? What I like, you may not necessarily like or excel at. There’s nothing wrong with that. I heard you do business well, which quite surprised me. I couldn’t tell you had such formidable skills.”
“Doesn’t the Princess find this subject reeking of copper stench?”
Princess Yongjia laughed heartily, very cheerfully: “That’s just jealous people talking nonsense. Look at this—isn’t my Princess residence magnificent? Without money, how could such a magnificent Princess residence be built? Let me tell you honestly, when Imperial Brother originally bestowed this residence upon me, it only had the layout but no content. Do you know how I built it up brick by brick over these twenty years? Without heaps of silver, how could it be possible?”
This clearly told her that Yongjia had her own methods of making money.
“Princess, may this subject ask how you earn silver?”
Princess Yongjia stared at her and laughed even more happily: “You’re the first to be so bold! I’m increasingly curious about Qin Yongzhou. He used to be a precociously mature old fossil—how did he produce a daughter like you? Utterly fearless, heedless of consequences! If I hadn’t met a child like Yongxing before, when you defied my wishes like that initially, do you think you could have walked out of the Princess residence alive?”
Qin Shuying smiled gracefully: “Thank you for the Princess’s mercy in not killing me. Princess, have you met my father?”
“Mm. Your father’s talent was well-known, Imperial Brother valued him greatly, and he died so early, so I know something about him. I also saw him several times in Imperial Brother’s study. He’s different from you—he was smooth and cunning. Though not old, he was already a seasoned bureaucrat. He wasn’t as interesting as you. You refuse to suffer any loss, like a reckless sharp blade that just charges forward without considering consequences. However, you did learn his cunning. Haha.”
Being described this way by Princess Yongjia, Qin Shuying felt no embarrassment and instead appeared relaxed: “Princess, your words make this subject very proud. Am I really as good as you say?”
Princess Yongjia laughed even more happily: “Good, good, quite good!”
Ziyuan, following behind, felt even more admiration and curiosity toward Qin Shuying. Over all these years, aside from Princess Yongxing, Qin Shuying was the second person to make Princess Yongjia so happy.
It seemed the Princess’s desire to win over Qin Shuying was indeed the right thing to do.
Princess Yongjia said: “Although I love calligraphy and painting while you love books of curiosities, we do have one common hobby—making money.”
Qin Shuying smiled with pursed lips: “Princess, this subject has another hobby that cannot be presented in refined company—counting banknotes.”
“You!” Princess Yongjia’s eyes widened: “You little miser!”
Qin Shuying laughed again: “Princess, though this subject isn’t skilled in calligraphy and painting, I’m not without aesthetic sense. This subject has also participated in appraising and selling calligraphy and paintings. I enjoy watching them sell and earn back gleaming white silver.”
“You can’t speak three sentences without mentioning your trade—you’ve even led me astray.”
The two chatted and laughed, walking for a quarter-hour before reaching Princess Yongjia’s dining area. Despite the blazing summer heat, this place was exceptionally cool due to shade and proximity to water.
After lunch, Qin Shuying was led to a guest room to rest. The maid told her this was a guest room the Princess residence had specially reserved for her.
After resting, Qin Shuying went to the library to read on her own. Princess Yongjia arrived within half a quarter-hour.
The afternoon was quiet reading time.
Princess Yongjia didn’t keep her for dinner. After letting her select a few books, Qin Shuying returned home.
At the Qin residence.
Seeing Qin Shuying return with some gifts from Princess Yongjia, the gatekeepers’ eyes widened in amazement.
Soon, news that Qin Shuying had returned from the residence with gifts from the Princess spread instantly throughout the front and back courtyards.
The next morning, just after breakfast, Ziteng came in saying that the First Master had sent word for her to visit his study.
When Qin Shuying reached the study, both Qin Yongtao and Qin Kaiyu were there, and even Qin Yunyun was present.
After some insincere pleasantries, Qin Yongtao asked: “Seventh girl, when you visited the Princess residence yesterday, you didn’t cause the Princess any trouble, did you?”
This was a tactful way of asking if she had made the Princess dislike her.
They couldn’t gather information from the Princess residence, so they approached her to judge Princess Yongjia’s preferences.
“This niece remembered Uncle’s previous instructions and carefully conducted herself according to proper sovereign-subject etiquette throughout. Her Highness treated me very well and I caused her no trouble.”
Qin Yongtao was delighted. What did “very well” mean? He had now figured out some patterns with this niece—she spoke very cautiously. When she said “very well,” it must mean extremely well.
“That’s good! I knew that with your magnanimous and prudent conduct, you would always put the family first.”
A flash of disgust passed through Qin Shuying’s lowered eyes. This was how Qin Yongtao always spoke—saying three parts while hiding three parts, evasive and indirect, never straightforward.
What did “always put the family first” mean? Wasn’t he hinting that she should recommend Qin Kaiyu more to Princess Yongjia?
Qin Shuying: “Uncle flatters me.”
She appeared to be embarrassed by Qin Yongtao’s praise.
Qin Yongtao: Couldn’t you boast a little and explain how you put the family first? Who wants to see you being shy?
Qin Kaiyu was also somewhat pleased. He had pulled many strings to obtain his current position. Though many people thought this was already quite good, he still felt unsatisfied.
“Seventh sister, didn’t you mention anything about our residence when talking with the Princess?”
Qin Shuying: “After all, proper sovereign-subject etiquette must be observed. If Her Highness doesn’t ask, I shouldn’t take the initiative to speak, lest I breach propriety and have people say that Qin residence daughters lack proper upbringing. This is like Uncle’s movements in court—if His Majesty doesn’t ask, Uncle cannot bring up family matters on his own. Second brother, this younger sister is obtuse and hasn’t seen much of the world. I don’t know if this understanding is correct?”
Qin Kaiyu couldn’t find words to refute this.
Qin Yunyun interjected: “How can this be compared to Father’s court matters? His Majesty is sovereign, Father is subject—court interactions should only involve official business. Now that you can enter the Princess residence, you are the Princess’s friend. Between friends, why can’t such matters be mentioned? In my opinion, when you visited, you could only provide companionship. Ultimately, the Princess doesn’t value you enough, which is why you don’t dare speak up.”
Qin Yongtao and Qin Kaiyu thought it was right to have Qin Yunyun come to the study. Some things that they, concerned with face, couldn’t say directly, Qin Yunyun could.
Qin Shuying smiled good-naturedly: “Sixth sister is right. There are so many noble ladies in the capital, and countless noble ladies hoping to catch the Princess’s eye. I’m merely an orphaned girl—being able to enter the Princess residence is already an immense honor. How could I dare hope for the Princess’s regard? Not daring to mention residence matters is perfectly normal. Sixth sister’s reminder is apt, saving me from blind arrogance and speaking carelessly before the Princess without regard for propriety. If I displease the Princess then, even visiting would become impossible.”