Qin Shuying was reading in her study when she heard Zhishu’s urgent voice: “Sixth Miss, Sixth Miss…”

Qin Shuying put down her book, walked out of the study to the front hall, and had just turned around the curio cabinet when Qin Yunyun rushed in angrily, pointing at Qin Shuying’s nose and cursing: “Wretch! You dare to toy with me!”

Qin Shuying gave a look, and Zhishu, Zhihua, and the others all withdrew, leaving only Ziteng standing in a corner.

Seeing Qin Shuying’s expression of complete indifference as if Mount Tai were collapsing before her, Qin Yunyun nearly went mad with frustration. Why did she always have that expression! Did she know or not that this expression could drive people insane?

Qin Yunyun stamped her feet, pointing at her nose: “Qin Shuying, say something! Say something!”

Qin Shuying smiled faintly, sat down, poured herself a cup of tea, and took a sip: “Sixth Sister, you’re always so impulsive—it’s really not like the Sixth Sister I used to know. The former Sixth Sister was well-educated and reasonable, generous and dignified, close to her sisters, and caring toward her maids. Clever and generous, beautiful and gentle. Ai, Sixth Sister, when did you become like this?”

Yes, that kind of Qin Yunyun had driven the real Qin Shuying to death, which led to her rebirth. It hadn’t been long, yet she had already been forced by her to reveal her true nature.

Qin Yunyun was stunned for a moment.

“Sixth Sister, did you come to find me about something?”

Qin Yunyun lowered her hands and sat dejectedly on an embroidered stool, panting: “You enticed me, you enticed me!”

Qin Shuying asked: “What did I entice you to do? Could it be that Sixth Sister is a three-year-old child who will do whatever she’s told for a piece of candy?”

Qin Yunyun said angrily: “You…”

Suddenly, from outside the room came Zhishu’s voice: “First Young Madam!”

Dong Shi hurried in with a smile: “I have something to discuss with Sixth Sister and heard she came to Seventh Sister’s place. Sixth Sister, have you finished talking?”

Qin Yunyun steadied her mind and, unable to continue confronting Qin Shuying, left with Dong Shi.

After they left, Ziteng came over and said in a low voice: “First Young Madam was actually afraid that Sixth Miss would suffer losses at Yilan Garden and hurriedly rescued her—it’s not as if we’re man-eating tigers, hmph! Miss, can the matter with the Chang family be postponed now?”

Qin Shuying nodded and said: “After this incident, Uncle will need to deal with the aftermath at least, so it can be delayed for two or three days. Chang Daocheng still needs to circle around the capital for seven or eight days. Before he leaves, Uncle will definitely settle the matter. Although Chang Daocheng has a lower position than him, Uncle has always been reluctant to easily offend people.”

If the matter failed, he would have offended Chang Daocheng.

Although Chang Daocheng was fourth rank while Qin Yongtao was third rank, Chang Daocheng was also a regional administrator with power that was no less than Qin Yongtao’s. If he could avoid offending him, it was naturally best not to.

Ziteng’s face showed anxiety again, and Qin Shuying said: “Alright, don’t worry anymore. I think since Young Master Liang could move Magistrate Cao, he must have follow-up moves as well.”

Ziteng nodded: “Miss, today I discovered that Miss can’t accomplish everything either. Young Master Liang has been missing for several days now. I hope he won’t disappoint me.”

Qin Shuying smiled: “Of course I can’t accomplish everything.”

However, if there hadn’t been this episode with Liang Zhe, she would have adopted other methods to deal with Qin Yongtao and Chang Daocheng, though that would have required paying a greater price.

At the same time, Qin Shuying was also very worried. Just the day before yesterday, Liang Zhe had sent someone with a message telling her he would go out on business—at most ten days, at least six or seven days.

As long as this matter was handled well, their affair would be set in stone.

Today was already the third day.

She didn’t know why, but Qin Shuying very much hoped he could handle things quickly and return safely.

After Dong Shi took Qin Yunyun away, Qin Yunyun was once again confined to her quarters, though this confinement was kept quiet with few people knowing. They only said that Qin Yunyun was bedridden with excessive grief over Cai Luan’s death.

Caiying was sent to the estate, and the newly assigned personal attendants were all personally selected by Qin Kaiyu and Dong Shi.

Bribed maids brought news to Yilan Garden that Qin Kaiyu and Qin Yunyun had had a huge argument, with Qin Kaiyu even slapping Qin Yunyun.

Although they had settled Cai Luan’s matter, for some unknown reason, rumors spread like wildfire outside, saying that because Cai Luan was pregnant with Qin Kaiyu’s child, Qin Kaiyu had pushed her into the water and killed her.

Although Qin Yongtao had been mentally prepared, he was still quite angered. He personally gave all the household stewards a stern talking-to, using both kindness and authority, threatening to expel anyone who dared spread rumors.

The stewards also gathered their subordinates and gave them similar warnings.

After two days of this, the gossip finally subsided somewhat.

Qin Shuying told Qin Yongtao that because of all the commotion over the bracelet incident, she didn’t dare take it to visit Princess Yongjia anymore. Qin Yongtao’s face darkened, and he waved her away dismissively.

On the third day, Chang Daocheng visited again.

Qin Yongtao and Chang Daocheng had a long private discussion in the study, driving everyone far away so no one knew what they talked about.

For several consecutive days, the atmosphere in the Qin residence was very strange. Qin Yongtao’s face was gloomy, Qin Kaiyu’s gaze was ice-cold, Qin Yunyun was nowhere to be seen, and Dong Shi was preoccupied.

The maids and women walked on tiptoe and worked with extreme caution.

Even on the third day at noon, the Sixth Prince personally visited the Qin residence—he rarely came to the Qin household, and each visit was to see the Old Madam. Now, with the Old Madam absent, what was he doing at the Qin residence?

However, the servants had no such speculation or worry. In their view, having a prince personally visit their household made them proud as servants, and they walked with added swagger.

Even after the Sixth Prince left, the servants still talked enthusiastically about the prince’s demeanor.

On the afternoon of the fifth day after Cai Luan’s incident.

Qin Shuying had just awakened from her afternoon nap when a young servant came to the door with a message that Qin Yongtao was waiting for Qin Shuying in his study.

Ziteng looked extremely nervous, looking at Qin Shuying with words on the tip of her tongue.

Qin Shuying smiled at her reassuringly: “Silly sister, Chang Daocheng isn’t there.”

Ziteng’s worried expression lessened slightly, though she still followed behind with a heavy heart.

Upon reaching the outside of Qin Yongtao’s study, Ziteng remained while Qin Shuying went inside.

Qin Yongtao sat alone at his desk: “Seventh Girl, your grandmother suffers from summer heat and finds it cooler living in the mountains. Although she said not to have you serve her, that’s because the old lady considers and cares for you all. But if outsiders knew that you granddaughters were filial to your grandmother, it would also be good for your reputation. I’ve thought it over—you sisters should take turns going up the mountain to accompany the Old Madam, half a month each. Fifth Girl is preparing for marriage, and Yunyun has been mentally distracted these past few days, so you go first. When you return, then Yunyun can go.”

Such a matter naturally couldn’t be refused. Qin Shuying respectfully said: “Uncle speaks correctly. Then I’ll start first.”

Qin Yongtao wasn’t as kind and pleasant as the previous two times. He just waved his hand somewhat impatiently, and with some reluctance to face Qin Shuying, said: “I know you’re a good child. Go pack your things and set out tomorrow morning. The weather is hot—leave early so the journey will be cooler. The mountain weather is cool, so prepare more things.”

Qin Shuying agreed, then after thinking, she said: “Uncle, in some time, the fourth anniversary of Father’s death will arrive. I originally wanted to copy scriptures for Father and Mother, and copying scriptures on the mountain would be perfect. How about I just keep the Old Ancestor company, and there’s no need for Sixth Sister and the others to come up the mountain.”