Princess Fu’an had called Qin Shuying over with a purpose. When they reached a place with fewer people, Princess Fu’an had Lin Zilan and the two maids stand aside and called Qin Shuying alone under a tree.

“Qin Shuying, what exactly are you trying to do?”

Qin Shuying didn’t beat around the bush with her and said, “Your Highness, this subject senses that you’re very afraid. Isn’t that right? Your Highness need not be afraid. As long as you marry into the Liu family early, the Huerhan chief won’t be able to do anything to you!”

Thinking of that person, Princess Fu’an’s face reddened somewhat, and she was also annoyed that Qin Shuying always guessed her thoughts correctly. “What nonsense are you spouting! I’m only thirteen years old. At the very least, I won’t marry until I’ve had my coming-of-age ceremony!”

“Your Highness, in the Great Zhou Dynasty, there are quite a few noble ladies who marry first and consummate later.”

Princess Fu’an’s face grew even redder.

“Your Highness, the scars on your face haven’t completely faded yet. With such hot weather, staying outside too long probably isn’t good.”

Looking at this composed young woman before her, Princess Fu’an wanted nothing more than to gouge out her eyes! It was all because of her that she had ended up like this.

She hadn’t expected that Qin Shuying would repeatedly escape from the traps set by her mother consort and Madam Liu.

Now, she would do everything to promote Madam Liu’s adoption of Qin Shuying as her daughter. Then she would constantly summon Qin Shuying to the Liu residence and torture her until she could neither live nor die!

But Qin Shuying looked at Liu Sujiang and Yun Jingshu, who had also been driven aside by Princess Fu’an. “Your Highness, speaking of which, you and I have no grievances. It’s only because of the Liu family that we’ve had these conflicts. Your Highness, don’t you agree?”

Princess Fu’an snorted coldly, “Sophistry!”

“Your Highness, the weather is too hot. This subject advises you to return indoors to rest. If the scars on your face haven’t healed and Secretary Liu sees them on your wedding night…”

Qin Shuying smiled, her words carrying infinite implications.

Princess Fu’an was stunned, thinking of that person’s outstanding bearing. The words she wanted to use to scold Qin Shuying were involuntarily swallowed back down.

Seeing Princess Fu’an in a daze, Qin Shuying curtsied slightly: “This subject takes her leave.”

After Qin Shuying and Lin Zilan left Princess Fu’an, they had only walked a short distance when they encountered Liang Qiong and Luo Jinniang again.

Liang Qiong was still as gentle and kind as before, smiling as she greeted them. Qin Shuying responded coolly and prepared to leave.

But Luo Jinniang almost blocked Qin Shuying’s path, standing in front of her. “Seventh Miss Qin, what did you just say to Her Highness?”

Qin Shuying smiled, “Is Miss Luo very concerned?”

Luo Jinniang took Qin Shuying’s hand, “Of course I’m concerned. From now on, you’ll be Cousin Zhe’s wife, and we’ll be family. Can you tell me?”

Qin Shuying let her hold her hand and said, “Miss Luo speaks truly—of course I can. I suggested Her Highness marry into the Liu family as soon as possible. That way, the Huerhan chief couldn’t possibly demand her for a marriage alliance.”

Liang Qiong and Luo Jinniang exchanged glances. If Princess Fu’an didn’t marry over, Princess Fuping would have to, which certainly wasn’t what Liang Qiong wanted to see.

Qin Shuying continued with a smile, “Only if Her Highness marries over quickly can Miss Luo also go over. Miss Luo, don’t you think so? If Her Highness doesn’t marry over soon, Miss Luo would have to wait another two years or more. By then, you’d be almost seventeen, wouldn’t you? I wonder if I’m right?”

Luo Jinniang’s expression alternated between joy and worry, and she glanced at Liang Qiong.

“Ah, speaking of which, if Her Highness goes to the Huerhan, Secretary Liu’s legitimate wife… Miss Luo, with your noble status, when you enter the Liu family, you should at least be an equal wife…”

Qin Shuying seemed to think of something, paused, dropped the topic, then said again, “Yun Jingshu has Madam Yun making decisions for her, so she certainly won’t have to wait until then. Miss Luo, you… it seems Madam Luo rarely comes out for social events.”

What “rarely comes out for social events”—this was Qin Shuying being polite. The truth was that old witch wasn’t her birth mother and had never really cared about her.

Seeing Luo Jinniang’s dazed expression, Liang Qiong said, “Shuying, even if Madam Luo doesn’t manage things, there’s still my mother as her aunt to care. Jinniang, Mother has always been best to you—don’t worry.”

Qin Shuying smiled, withdrew her arm from Luo Jinniang’s dazed grasp, exchanged pleasantries, then pulled Lin Zilan away.

Luo Jinniang remained in a daze while Liang Qiong secretly pursed her lips. Luo Jinniang really was a fool!

Liang Qiong took Luo Jinniang’s hand and quietly asked, “Did you put the thing in?”

Luo Jinniang came to her senses, “I put it in.”

Liang Qiong laughed melodiously several times, “Cousin, you’re so clever.”

Only after receiving Liang Qiong’s praise did Luo Jinniang’s mood improve again. She had a skill unknown to others—she could silently take other people’s belongings or silently put things back.

“Cousin, what exactly was that thing?”

Liang Qiong continued her melodious laughter, “It wouldn’t be interesting if I told you now. You’ll know when the time comes.”

Luo Jinniang smiled, but she didn’t know why she felt troubled now.

If Princess Fu’an immediately married into the Liu family, she could also openly enter the Liu residence afterward.

But if Princess Fu’an married over, Princess Fuping would have to go to the Huerhan tribe. How could Imperial Consort De possibly agree? How could Aunt not help Imperial Consort De?

But if Princess Fuping married the Huerhan chief, would she herself become Liu Junqing’s legitimate wife?

Yun Jingshu, who had been following Princess Fu’an all along, had the same thought. If Princess Fu’an married the Huerhan chief, would she become the legitimate wife?

That afternoon.

Imperial Consort De hosted a flower appreciation gathering.

The gathering was held in the garden.

This garden had particularly many varieties of flowers, including many precious ones that most people were seeing for the first time. Therefore, after entering, everyone marveled continuously.

Imperial Consort De led the way at the front, with the others following in small groups.

Not long after entering the garden, Liang Qiong came to Qin Shuying’s side, very warmly saying, “Shuying, let’s appreciate the flowers together.”

As she spoke, Liang Qiong began introducing various flowers and plants, speaking knowledgeably with precise wording. Her command of historical poetry and prose about flowers was effortless, making it impossible to refuse her.

Qin Shuying didn’t resist her too much and followed Liang Qiong along, admiring the precious flowers.

Suddenly, a small swarm of bees entered the ladies’ field of vision, circling in mid-air. Initially, not many people paid much attention—with so many fragrant flowers, bees were natural.

But after a while, two, three, four, five…

“Buzz buzz buzz…”

The bees in mid-air grew more numerous, and the sound grew louder.

These bees seemed to be under someone’s direction, gathering in mid-air, forming a cluster, as if discussing something or searching for something.

Amid the ladies’ pointing and chattering, the bees continued “buzzing” in mid-air, giving the impression of headless flies.