Xu Peiwei looked toward Qin Shuying, her jealous gaze filled with anger. These past days, she had learned that Qin Shuying had gained the favor of Princess Yongjia and Princess Fu’an, which made her so furious she wanted to strangle Qin Shuying.

Although Qin Shuying had broken off her engagement with Liu Junqing, she had been granted an imperial marriage to Liang Zhe. While many people in the capital were unwilling to marry their daughters to Liang Zhe—reportedly because he had many concubines when he was in the northwest and would kill anyone who served him poorly—nonetheless, Liang Zhe was a fourth-rank guard. Fourth rank was a height that many people could never reach in their entire lives.

But what about herself? She had lost such a marriage prospect—one she had been extremely satisfied with, especially her former fiancé, the legitimate son of Earl Chengen, whom she had actually liked…

Qin Shuying stepped forward from the crowd, and the palace maid led her upstairs to the second floor.

The noble ladies then began discussing quietly among themselves.

“So this is Seventh Miss Qin? I’ve only heard about her, but this is my first time seeing her. She has a graceful figure and is quite beautiful.”

“Speaking of it, she’s also quite unfortunate. Such a good marriage prospect with the Liu family fell through. With someone like Liang Zhe, will she have good days after marrying him?”

“Madam hasn’t seen Liang Zhe, has she?”

The tall, thin lady said: “That’s right, I haven’t. But everyone in the capital knows about his affairs. I heard his eyes bulge like copper bells, and his build is as coarse and ugly as an iron tower. He loves eating meat—five jin of meat per meal. Such a crude man is truly frightening. Moreover, he has many concubines, and if anyone serves him poorly, he kills them with one stroke. Even with a beauty’s head still rolling on the ground, he shows no fear and can immediately drink wine and eat meat without blinking an eye. As for his love of hitting people, one punch can kill a bull—that goes without saying. This isn’t a person at all—this is the Bull Demon King!”

A young lady in red interjected: “Madam, didn’t you attend this year’s Hairpin Flower Banquet?”

The tall, thin lady replied: “I did attend.”

“Since you attended, didn’t you see Liang Zhe?”

The tall, thin lady said: “You mean when he fought with Luo Huan? I didn’t see it, but I heard about it from others. Truly crude and vulgar!”

The young lady in red shook her head. After all, she was just a young lady from the inner chambers and couldn’t say much more.

However, another plump noble lady said: “Madam, many people saw Liang Zhe with their own eyes that day. He’s hardly an ugly person. He, that, that…”

The plump lady couldn’t find words to describe him for a moment. The tall, thin lady and several other ladies who hadn’t seen him stared eagerly at the plump lady, waiting for her to continue.

Only after several ladies who hadn’t seen Liang Zhe became anxiously impatient did the plump lady finally think of words: “He’s like a heavenly general! Oh, an immortal! Oh, Emperor Donghua!”

Immediately, the ladies who hadn’t seen him that day gathered around, chattering with endless questions.

There were quite a few ladies who had seen him that day as well. Everyone spoke at once, and only then did the ladies understand that while Liang Zhe did fight and was indeed fierce, to say he looked crude and ugly was completely wrong.

According to what the plump lady later racked her brains to express: “Young Master Liang is like Emperor Donghua—both beautiful and noble, yet also heroic.”

Therefore, the ladies all developed the desire to see Liang Zhe themselves, to discover what someone who was both beautiful, noble, and heroic actually looked like.

The young ladies listened with even more stirring hearts and fluttering emotions.

Another lady said: “If he looks so good, why would he do such despicable things? Really…”

“Sister, if he were truly irredeemably evil, how could His Majesty possibly arrange his marriage?”

Everyone immediately fell silent. Yes, if he were truly that vicious, how could Emperor Delong grant him an imperial marriage?

Then everyone’s gazes took on a more inquiring quality. After all, the ladies better understood the dark secrets of inner courtyard struggles, and they developed many more doubts about Luo Meixiang’s actions.

However, since this was other people’s business, everyone just discussed it among themselves.

The conversation gradually turned to Qin Shuying. Some found her sharp and harsh, others thought her intelligent and clever, some felt she was opportunistic, while others said she was unfortunate and pitiable…

At this moment, Qin Shuying was already standing before the imperial consorts, as well as Princess Yongjia. Princess Yongjia sat alongside Imperial Consort De, with Lianpin and Kangpin seated respectively at their lower positions.

As for the central seat, which belonged to the Empress, it remained empty.

Luo Meixiang, Madam Ma, Madam Rong, and other ladies sat according to their ranks, while many others had no seats and stood below.

“Qin Qi, you stand over there.”

Princess Yongjia pointed to a spot beside the Eleventh Princess.

The Eleventh Princess was only seven years old, led by her wet nurse, standing behind Princess Fuping and Princess Fu’an.

Qin Shuying curtsied slightly and stood beside the Eleventh Princess.

Luo Meixiang glanced sideways. Princess Yongjia truly valued Qin Shuying, actually calling her up by name and having her stand beside the princesses—that is, beside her own daughter.

Liang Qiong stood almost shoulder to shoulder with Qin Shuying. She smiled at Qin Shuying, who smiled back.

Princess Yongjia and Imperial Consort De discussed the arrangements at the palace, not speaking further with Qin Shuying. However, Madam Rong cast her gaze toward Qin Shuying several times with an inquiring look, which Qin Shuying noticed.

After Princess Yongjia and Imperial Consort De finished their discussion and sat for a while, they both stood up one after the other. Imperial Consort De walked behind Princess Yongjia, subtly giving precedence to Princess Yongjia.

Princess Yongjia didn’t demur and walked out taking the lead.

When passing by Qin Shuying, Princess Yongjia beckoned to her: “Qin Qi, come here.”

Qin Shuying complied readily, standing at Princess Yongjia’s side. Princess Yongjia spoke with her as they walked out together at the very front.

The noble ladies following behind exchanged glances, but no one said anything.

Upon reaching the first floor, Princess Yongjia said to Qin Shuying: “You sit beside me.”

Qin Shuying sat behind and to her side, not in a serving capacity.

The noble ladies couldn’t hide their astonishment, each glancing over intentionally or unintentionally. Qin Shuying paid no attention, answering Princess Yongjia’s various questions one by one.

“What do you think of this marriage your imperial brother granted you?”

“Your Highness, this subject admires Young Master Liang.”

Princess Yongjia’s elegantly cool countenance showed a trace of amusement: “Civil officials and military generals both serve to govern the country and bring peace under heaven. Why are you willing to marry Liang Zhe but unwilling to marry Liu Junqing? Speaking of it, both are outstanding among men—neither is better than the other. At present, both their families are in complete chaos—neither is worse than the other.”

Qin Shuying spoke honestly: “Young Master Liang can control his own destiny, while Secretary Liu cannot.”

Princess Yongjia smiled meaningfully: “Qin Qi, aren’t you afraid that in the future, when Liang Zhe becomes too able to control his own destiny and you lose your attraction to him, that time won’t be pleasant.”

Qin Shuying understood Princess Yongjia’s meaning. Today’s Liang Zhe was grateful for Qin Shuying’s words at Guangbin Tower, considering her his kindred spirit, thus developing some affection. As time passed, such novelty and beauty would inevitably slowly lose their charm. At that time, how would Qin Shuying differ from any other woman?

“Your Highness, it doesn’t matter. In this lifetime, one shouldn’t dwell on yesterday’s matters but should pursue tomorrow’s affairs. If such a day truly comes, everyone can part amicably—there’s nothing to fear.”

“After all, you still don’t trust men.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Trusting others is not as good as trusting oneself.”

Princess Yongjia laughed delightedly: “How excellent!”

That Qin Shuying could make Princess Yongjia so cheerful was truly remarkable skill!

The noble ladies all turned to look.