Qin Kaiyu asked: “What did he do?”

“He brought out his grandfather’s and birth mother’s memorial tablets, then had the tablets and himself receive the edict.”

Qin Kaiyu was dumbfounded—he even cast aside his own grandmother?

Zhou Qin smiled: “Since he dared to do this, Old Madam Liang had no choice but to kneel down and receive the edict. As for Luo Meixiang, heh, how did the Conquering Western General take a fancy to such a foolish woman? How could Noble Consort De become friends with her? It’s truly incomprehensible!”

After both men pondered for a moment, Zhou Qin said: “Kaiyu, we made a wrong move. A real man knows when to yield and when to stand firm. Since we made a mistake, let’s correct it and renew our friendship with Qin Shuying to gain her assistance.”

Qin Kaiyu still felt somewhat unconvinced and voiced his question: “Your Highness, what exactly is so exceptional about Seventh Sister? Forgive my dullness, but I truly don’t see it. If I may say, she’s just a bit clever and can do business to earn a lot of money. But her reputation isn’t very good—if Liang Zhe hadn’t requested this marriage decree this time, she probably would have had no suitors.”

Zhou Qin understood Qin Kaiyu’s meaning—if she weren’t marrying Liang Zhe, Qin Shuying wouldn’t be able to marry into any good family.

“You’re wrong. Your cousin possesses extraordinary courage. Moreover, she’s meticulous in thought and ruthless in action. Such young women are extremely rare. Kaiyu, have you ever seen one?”

Qin Kaiyu shook his head, recalling various incidents at home—both mother and Sixth Sister had fallen to her hands, and even his female cousin’s marriage prospects had been ruined by her.

Zhou Qin didn’t mention that Imperial Consort Lianpin had also fallen to her hands, while feeling somewhat worried. With Qin Shuying being so ruthless, she would probably investigate the matter of being plotted against in the palace last time. Could she still be used by him then?

However, Zhou Qin wouldn’t tell Qin Kaiyu certain things. He had discovered that Qin Kaiyu wasn’t very bright, and he was afraid Qin Kaiyu couldn’t control his tongue.

On the day Qin Shuying received the marriage decree, Qin Yongtao sent someone up the mountain to inform Old Madam. Old Madam sent word back that she would return in a few days to personally handle everything for Qin Shuying.

Nanny Fu clasped her hands together and recited a Buddhist prayer. She could see that Dong Shi was ultimately unreliable.

“Miss, fortunately Young Master Liang rescued you. If someone else had rescued you that day, Miss, your reputation would still have been compromised.” Nanny Fu had brought up this topic two or three times in recent days. “Dong Shi knew perfectly well that the master had plans, yet she personally sent you onto the carriage. Miss, you must guard against her in the future.”

Qin Shuying watched Ziteng joyfully opening jewelry boxes and categorizing the contents for storage, while Lu Ye munched on snacks, smiling as she helped Ziteng. She nodded in agreement.

Everyone had their own position. Qin Shuying didn’t resent her, but from now on, she would certainly guard against her.

At this moment, Zhihua entered: “Miss, Lan Chou is here.”

“Let her in.”

After a while, Lan Chou entered. She had grown much taller now, looking youthful and lively, smiling before speaking—very sharp-witted.

She performed a courtesy and said: “Miss, Nanny Mi asked me to tell you that everyone has been dispersed and the money is all spent.”

Qin Shuying also breathed a sigh of relief: “Good, I understand. Lan Chou, today you’re benefiting from Lu Ye’s good fortune—we can all taste Nanny Fu’s personally made crystal pig knuckles. Stay for the meal before returning.”

Lan Chou’s eyes lit up: “That’s truly better to arrive at the right time than early!”

Everyone laughed. Lan Chou then drew a letter from her sleeve for Qin Shuying. Ziteng had already gone to the study to fetch a book. Qin Shuying used the book to decode the letter and quickly understood Miluo’s meaning.

After Qin Shuying finished reading, Ziteng took the letter away.

Lu Ye teased Lan Chou: “Lan Chou, you’ve been out for over half a year. Tell us, besides being good with the abacus, what else have you learned? Let us broaden our knowledge too.”

Lan Chou smiled: “With Miss here, how dare I claim to know anything? Sister Lu Ye, please don’t tease me.”

Qin Shuying also smiled: “If you can earn Nanny Mi’s regard, you must have special skills. Tell us, it doesn’t matter.”

Lan Chou said bashfully: “Miss, this servant still has the same old skill—I remember things firmly and quickly. Last time when you had me deliver a message to the Liu family, I only saw Young Master Liu once, but I remembered his schedule clearly and his posture very clearly too.”

She didn’t mention Liu Junqing’s appearance, because Liu Junqing was truly too outstanding-looking to be easily forgotten.

“That time, it was thanks to Lan Chou. If you hadn’t been so sharp and timed everything just right, the whole performance would have lost its wonderful flavor. And yesterday, Lan Chou also worked hard.”

Nanny Fu sensed a conspiratorial atmosphere and asked: “Miss, what did Lan Chou do yesterday?”

Yesterday was when the Emperor decreed the marriage. Wasn’t Lan Chou helping in the shop? What could she have done?

Ziteng returned and explained: “Nanny, yesterday on the mountainside, Chang Daocheng came to help us, Zhishu and Zhihua protected Miss, while Lu Ye and I coordinated with the people Lan Chou had summoned.”

Nanny Fu was stunned: “What, what do you mean?”

Ziteng said: “Nanny, this Chang Daocheng didn’t appear there by chance—he was deliberately waiting there. He and that gang of bandits were in cahoots, one playing the villain, one playing the hero.”

Nanny Fu immediately understood, her first reaction being: “Miss, you, you knew it was so dangerous yet didn’t tell this servant! This old servant was also foolish, not detecting their wolfish hearts at all!”

Qin Shuying comforted her: “Nanny, look, isn’t everything fine? How could I knowingly walk into their trap when I knew it was dangerous? I had already arranged for Nanny Mi to prepare everything. If Chang Daocheng and the residence guards had subdued that gang of bandits, Nanny Mi’s people would have immediately rushed up and beaten them all as bandits, beaten them so badly their own parents wouldn’t recognize them. That’s why I said Lan Chou contributed yesterday! Lan Chou was with them, quietly following behind and ahead of us the whole time. As soon as Ziteng and Lu Ye gave the order, they would have charged out.”

Lu Ye said: “Young Master Liang came too quickly! Before we could beat them, he started beating them instead! Nanny, you didn’t see Chang Daocheng’s pig-head appearance—I guarantee no one who saw him could recognize him.”

Indeed, when Qin Yongtao went yesterday afternoon, he didn’t recognize him.

Upon hearing he had arrived, Chang Daocheng ignored the physician’s repeated warnings not to move carelessly and to rest properly, or his arm would be ruined—and how important was an arm to a civil official!

He spat at Qin Yongtao: “Scoundrel, you’ve ruined me!”

Qin Yongtao awkwardly dodged the disgusting spittle: “Sir, please calm your anger and let me explain.”

“Qin Yongtao, what else do you have to argue? Playing tricks on me for your amusement, isn’t that right? Get out!”

Qin Yongtao humbled himself and tried to explain repeatedly, but Chang Daocheng wouldn’t listen and drove him out.