Steward Miao stood there like a wooden post—how could he know about such matters? Moreover, even if he knew, he wouldn’t say anything, as he still wanted to live a few more years. He wasn’t like Steward Qin, who was the master’s trusted confidant.

Qin Yongtao had him describe the scene in detail once more, especially the matter of Liang Zhe heading straight for Chang Daocheng, then instructed him to fetch Qin Kaiyu and Steward Qin.

After they arrived, Qin Yongtao had horses prepared—he wanted to visit Chang Daocheng’s home to see him. He also had someone send word to the Sixth Prince.

Before he could leave the residence, another steward hurried in to report that the palace ladies had learned of the Emperor’s marriage decree and had sent many gifts to Qin Shuying.

Qin Yongtao then led people to receive the gifts again.

Leading these gift processions were eunuchs and palace ladies who served closely under the imperial consorts—some from Empress and Noble Consort Shu and Gentle Consort Rou, some from Noble Consort De, some from Imperial Consort Kang, and of course from Imperial Consort Lianpin.

These people came and went in succession, with rare treasures piling up and being continuously sent to Yilan Garden.

Princess Yongjia even sent a glazed screen, whose preciousness need not be mentioned. Glazed items were extremely rare treasures nowadays—even Imperial Consort Lianpin in the palace only had one pair of glazed bowls and cups, which she carefully treasured and wouldn’t let anyone carelessly touch.

Qin Yongtao felt both fortunate and vexed.

He was fortunate that the matter between Chang Daocheng and Qin Shuying ultimately didn’t succeed. If it had, and Qin Shuying went to cry to Princess Yongjia, who then applied pressure, Qin Yongtao would really have to weigh his options carefully.

He was vexed because he didn’t know how Chang Daocheng would scold him now—he had thoroughly offended Chang Daocheng.

Though a fourth-rank prefect wasn’t usually worth such consideration, but…

Sigh!

Qin Yongtao had gifts prepared and personally went to visit Chang Daocheng.

The maids and servants in Yilan Garden all wore joyful expressions, walking with spring in their steps, speaking much more loudly than usual.

Other maids and servants felt both jealous and envious.

Especially those who hadn’t wanted to serve Qin Shuying and had hastily found ways to leave Yilan Garden—they regretted it so much their intestines turned green.

This time, those serving in Yilan Garden received rewards—first-class maids got dozens of taels of silver, and even the rough-work servants got two taels each!

Calculating the accounts, in eight or nine months, even the servants who swept the courtyards in Yilan Garden had received four or five taels in rewards. How could this not make people envious? Therefore, the maids and servants of the Qin residence had all secretly started making moves recently.

When Seventh Miss married into the Conquering Western General’s residence, she would certainly take a magnificent dowry and a large retinue of personal servants. Currently, Yilan Garden only had a dozen or so people. If one could become part of the personal servant retinue, that would be wonderful.

For a time, while the Qin residence servants went about their work, undercurrents surged beneath the surface.

Such commotion couldn’t be hidden from Dong Shi, nor from Xu Shi and Qin Yunyun.

Qin Yunyun knew about the Chang Daocheng matter. Xu Shi didn’t know, but now in her anger, Qin Yunyun told Xu Shi everything, causing Xu Shi to spit up another mouthful of blood.

When Xu Shi spat blood, Qin Yunyun didn’t care. She said with disgust: “Mother, wipe your mouth.”

Xu Shi paid no attention to this either, as she was currently focused on venting her anger: “That wretched slut! How did you all let her succeed! Where is your second brother? How could he let this wretched slut climb above you all!”

“Second Brother? Second Brother would be too busy flattering her now! Ever since learning she had connections with Princess Yongjia, Second Brother could crawl on the ground and call Qin Shuying ‘Young Mistress’!”

“How can you speak of your second brother that way? Everything he does is for the good of the entire Qin family!”

Qin Yunyun pursed her lips and snorted.

Father could abandon his daughter for his future prospects, and Second Brother had learned from father perfectly—he had no genuine sibling affection for his legitimate sister.

Previously, she thought only Mother truly loved her, but now it seemed Mother loved her brothers more than herself, and loved Imperial Consort Lianpin more than herself. If she couldn’t bring benefits to the family, she would be discarded like worn shoes.

Just like Second Sister Qin Yaoyao.

Another person throwing a tantrum was Princess Fu’an, who paced back and forth until Imperial Consort Kang’s eyes grew dizzy watching her.

“Mother Consort, I said so many things before Father Emperor—were they all said in vain? How could Father Emperor decree this marriage? How could he?”

Imperial Consort Kang’s expression was unpleasant, somewhat ashamed and annoyed: “I was trying to bring them together before your Father Emperor, while you ran to break them apart. How do you think your Father Emperor sees you?”

“I don’t care! I just don’t want Qin Shuying to have a good life!”

“Do you think she’ll have a good life marrying Liang Zhe? Use your brain! Is Liang Qiong easy to get along with? Is Luo Meixiang easy to get along with? Using others’ hands to torment her while we watch the show from the sidelines—isn’t that the best?”

Imperial Consort Kang had said these words to Princess Fu’an many times, but she still couldn’t control the emotions she had worked so hard to build up.

“Her never being able to marry would also be a good show!”

“How could she possibly not marry? I don’t know what to say about you!”

Princess Fu’an remained unconvinced: “Let her marry poor people, lazy men, dirty men, sick men—that would be satisfying!”

“You really are… With such an uncle, how could she possibly be married off like that? Does her uncle still want to be an official or not!”

Imperial Consort Kang spoke angrily for a long while, finally saying: “Fine, now that things are this way, think about how you’ll explain yourself to your Father Emperor if he remembers this matter!”

Princess Fu’an sat fuming—Father Emperor didn’t dote on her as much as before!

At the Sixth Prince’s residence.

Qin Kaiyu sat in the Sixth Prince’s study, listening to him speak.

“Kaiyu, we were wrong. We misjudged Qin Shuying. Can’t you see it now? In this matter, Qin Shuying knew everything from beginning to end. When Chang Daocheng came calling, she probably already perceived our intentions and sent Chang Daocheng’s portrait to Liang Zhe. This explains why Liang Zhe, upon reaching the mountainside, did nothing else but first gave Chang Daocheng a severe beating. You don’t know Liang Zhe well, and my understanding of him is only fragmentary. According to my intelligence, this person is very dangerous—extremely cunning and brutal on the battlefield, vindictive, and extremely difficult to deal with.”

Qin Kaiyu said: “He’s been back for three or four months and has only fought with Luo Huan twice. The rest of the time, we haven’t heard of anything unusual about him. Sixth Prince, could he be pretending?”

“Most likely so. You should know the complicated situation at the Conquering Western Marquis residence. I think Liang Zhe is probably lying low. How could such a brave general be easily manipulated by Luo Meixiang? Look, his marriage wasn’t manipulated by Luo Meixiang! Just now they reported that the edict announcement party arrived at the Conquering Western General’s residence, Luo Meixiang feigned illness and wouldn’t come out, Old Madam Liang leaned on her walking stick looking half-dead—do you know what Liang Zhe did?”