Within a few days, word came from Xuan Hall that the old madam missed her grandchildren, meaning everyone could now come to pay their respects.

Qin Yunyun dressed herself beautifully and went happily to pay respects to the old madam. She kept Nanny Zhao’s words firmly in mind.

Outside the courtyard, she encountered Qin Shuying. The moment she saw Qin Shuying, the handkerchief in Qin Yunyun’s hand was twisted into a ball.

Qin Shuying took the initiative to greet her: “Sixth Sister.”

Qin Yunyun’s face nearly contorted. Remembering Nanny Zhao’s words, she forced out a smile: “Sister looks truly beautiful today!”

Indeed she did.

With a rosy complexion and elegant attire, Qin Shuying was like a lotus emerging from water. Especially those pitch-black eyes, deep and bright, involuntarily drawing one’s attention. How had she never noticed before that Qin Shuying possessed such an elegantly ethereal temperament?

Qin Shuying said lightly, “Sister is too kind. How could this younger sister compare to sister’s unparalleled talent and beauty, renowned throughout the capital? Great-grandmother has already risen. Shall we go in?”

Entering the room, the others hadn’t arrived yet. The two paid their respects to the old madam, whose expression was as usual, smiling warmly as she had Nanny Gu bring out delicacies. “You girls have something to tide you over first. Breakfast will be a while yet.”

Surrounding the old madam with conversation, everything was pleasant, and the two sisters appeared harmonious.

Soon, everyone who should come had basically arrived. After paying respects, tables were set, and everyone had breakfast there.

Zou Shi attended to the old madam’s meal while the young ladies sat at separate tables. In a moment, only the occasional sound of utensils touching could be heard, along with Qin Shuying’s occasional coughing, though it was just light coughing, much better than before. They quickly finished breakfast, and everyone resumed chatting and laughing. The morning sun was just then shining on the window frames.

Zou Shi had matters to arrange and left first. The young ladies stayed to chat with the old lady. Qin Lulu was charming, Qin Yunyun lively, Qin Shuying composed, and Qin Fangfang straightforward. The entire hall was filled with laughter.

Until Xu Shi’s confinement was lifted, the manor remained peaceful and quiet.

The old madam’s health wasn’t good, so she often excused them from paying respects.

On days when they didn’t need to pay respects, Qin Shuying was very busy. Ziteng and Lu Ye were also exceptionally busy, while Nanny Fu and Mi Luo came and went daily, busier than ever.

Xu Shi was confined and heard about Yilan Garden’s busyness, feeling both angry and resentful. But since she wasn’t managing the household now, wanting to have her people make things difficult for Yilan Garden’s staff might anger the old madam.

Therefore, beneath the surface calm, the sound of cups and plates being smashed could constantly be heard from Yanfei Pavilion.

Yilan Garden

The little maids watched with great envy as Ziteng moved her belongings to a first-class maid’s room. They heard that during those days caring for Lu Ye, she had been extremely attentive and could even read and write. In no time, she had been promoted from third-class to first-class maid.

They all secretly sighed at not having such good fortune—Ziteng just happened to be caring for Lu Ye when she fell ill. However, thinking about it, they let it go. Ziteng could read, write, and use an abacus—could they do these things?

After Ziteng entered the study, she stood properly at one end of the desk, without the joy the little maids imagined. Her face was calm and emotionless, appearing particularly cold in the lamplight’s shadows.

Qin Shuying didn’t look up, still concentrating on practicing calligraphy, though her thoughts were turbulent.

Nanny Fu had said that Ziteng had lost her virtue—she was only fourteen—

Seeing her lifeless expression, Qin Shuying’s heart ached unbearably. Ziteng, what exactly had she endured? Although Ziteng was a merchant’s daughter, her uncle was wealthy and doted on her greatly. From childhood, Ziteng had received the education of an official’s daughter; her skills in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting were no inferior to Qin Shuying’s. One could imagine that if uncle hadn’t met with disaster, Ziteng would surely have had a happy future. If Xu Shi hadn’t harmed uncle, all of this—

“Ziteng, who gave you this name?” Qin Shuying put down her brush and asked casually.

Ziteng was slightly startled, emerged from the shadows, organized the desk, and replied, “It was given by this servant’s father.”

Could it be that after being sold repeatedly over these years, it had never been changed? When Nanny Luo brought her initially, she was already called Ziteng. To insist on keeping this name, she must have suffered considerably!

“Hong Juan, Lu Ye, Ziteng… quite coincidental. Then the name won’t be changed. From now on, you’ll serve in the study.”

Ziteng was stunned, then curtsied: “Thank you, Miss!” She showed none of the joy others would typically display.

Qin Shuying sighed inwardly, wondering how long Ziteng had possessed this temperament. Perhaps precisely because of this, she hadn’t been favored by her previous masters. If she hadn’t bought her, who knew how much longer she could have lived.

“Ziteng, you should have heard that this miss doesn’t get along with the main house, right?”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Then you should know that between this miss and the main house, it’s either their death or mine. The third branch has only me, while the main house has many people and great influence. If I fail, you’ll only have death awaiting you. Are you afraid?”

Qin Shuying stared into Ziteng’s eyes. Yes, there—a flash of hatred passed through them, undisguised hatred.

Immediately, Ziteng knelt down: “Miss, Ziteng is not afraid! Ziteng… also has a grudge against the main house!”

Qin Shuying breathed a sigh of relief. She had feared Ziteng had lost the will to live.

Ziteng’s eyes filled with tears, but she never let them fall: “Miss, this servant’s parents and aunt all died at the main house’s hands! Please let Ziteng stay by your side!”

Speaking vaguely without mentioning her relationship with Concubine Zhou, Ziteng ultimately still harbored wariness toward her. However, this was expected. After enduring so much pain, Ziteng was no longer the innocent little girl of the past, just as she was no longer the little woman who always strived to be a virtuous wife.

Qin Shuying was still somewhat puzzled. Back then, Ziteng was only nine years old—how could she know? She asked, “Why are you so certain?”

“This servant… witnessed it personally!”

Qin Shuying fell silent. For a nine-year-old child to witness all this personally—how cruel that must have been! No wonder Ziteng had become so cold. Her hatred increased another degree, though her expression remained calm: “Aren’t you afraid I might betray you?”

Ziteng looked directly at Qin Shuying: “The resentment in Miss’s heart is no less than mine!”

Ziteng had originally been a clever girl. Qin Shuying nodded and said unhurriedly, “Then you should now understand why I bought you.”

“We have common enemies.”

“Correct, our goals are the same. Also, you should know that besides me, no one else will help you. Therefore, don’t betray, don’t give up.”

Ziteng’s face finally showed a trace of emotion: “Miss, regardless of why you’re doing this, this servant knows you have a kind heart. This servant’s life was bought by you—otherwise, I would have been beaten to death!”

The reason for being frank with Ziteng was that Qin Shuying feared Ziteng might eventually come to hate her too, since Qin Shuying was ultimately a member of the Qin manor. In outsiders’ eyes, Qin Yongtao and Qin Yongzhou were blood brothers, and for the current Qin Shuying, Qin Yongtao was her closest relative. Her path of revenge was long; Qin Shuying didn’t want unstable factors planted around her that might cause unexpected incidents—wouldn’t that delight her enemies?

Moreover, after reviewing some materials and notes left by Third Uncle during this time, she became increasingly certain that Qin Yongzhou’s death was not simple.

Since she had taken over her cousin’s body, she also had the obligation to clarify this matter.

Qin Shuying sighed softly, her tone becoming gentler: “Ziteng, we can only succeed, not fail. However, you can see the disparity in power between the main house and third branch. Therefore, from now on, you must listen to Nanny Fu, learn the rules well first, and hide the emotions on your face. Do you understand?”

“This servant respectfully follows Miss’s instructions!”

“Once you leave this door, do you know what to do?”

Ziteng wiped her eyes, took a deep breath, softened her tone, and forced a smile onto her face: “Miss, this servant takes her leave!”