Princess Fuping smiled slightly and said: “It’s not as serious as you make it out to be, Fuqing. In the future, Seventh Miss Qin will marry into the Marquis of Pingxi’s mansion, and you’ll be sisters-in-law. Fuqing, you don’t need to make such a big fuss over a small matter. If word gets out, others will think you’re being unforgiving and lacking in noble demeanor.”

Liang Qiong’s eyes widened. What did Fuping mean by this?

She didn’t know what had happened, but ever since Princess Fuping had fallen ill six months ago, Fuping’s attitude toward her had completely changed.

Previously, she and Fuping had been as close as could be, practically inseparable.

But over these past six months, Fuping had gradually distanced herself and would no longer stand up for her.

In fact, she had suffered several losses at Fuping’s hands.

After suffering those losses several times, Liang Qiong no longer dared to underestimate Fuping despite being a year and a half older, developing a sense of awe instead.

Just like now, no matter how unwilling Liang Qiong was, she wouldn’t argue a second time. Instead, she forced a smile and said: “Fuping thinks of everything so thoroughly. Since that’s the case, Qin Shuying, you should learn well from Princess Fuping. Remember, if I see you failing to learn proper etiquette again in the future, I won’t forgive you!”

Given that Princess Fuping had spoken for her, Qin Shuying didn’t retaliate but curtsied to Princess Fuping: “Your Highness, thank you, Your Highness.”

Princess Fuping’s expression was indifferent. “Very well, go wait for me outside. I have something to discuss with Mother Consort.”

Qin Shuying bowed and withdrew.

Hearing Princess Fuping speak this way, Luo Meixiang shot Liang Qiong a meaningful glance. “Your Ladyship, I still have some matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave first.”

Consort De granted permission, and Luo Meixiang and her daughter also withdrew.

Outside, Qin Shuying stood under a tree, her expression leisurely and composed.

Liang Qiong walked over. “Qin Shuying, don’t think you’re something special just because Princess Fuping helped you. Princess Fuping is magnanimous—she doesn’t know how despicable you are. If she knew, she wouldn’t let you off.”

Qin Shuying neither dodged nor avoided. “This subject understands. Thank you for the reminder, Princess Fuqing.”

Hearing the words “Fuqing,” Liang Qiong felt immensely frustrated, but she couldn’t lose her temper. She snorted coldly: “Qin Shuying, you’d better remember this clearly!”

Luo Meixiang, who was extremely tall and devastatingly beautiful, stood before Qin Shuying, raised her chin, and looked down at her disdainfully: “Seventh Miss Qin, conduct yourself properly!”

Qin Shuying watched them leave, then lowered her eyelids.

Inside the palace.

Consort De dismissed everyone and asked Princess Fuping: “Fuping, why did you speak up for Qin Shuying?”

Fuping sat beside her, her voice very calm: “Mother Consort, you used to be close with Madam Liang in the past. What was the reason? Could you tell your daughter?”

Consort De thought it was nothing important and said casually: “One reason was our childhood friendship growing up together. Another reason was that she is, after all, the wife of the Marquis of Pingxi. The Marquis of Pingxi holds a first-rank hereditary title with high position and great power. My friendship with her benefits both your brother and your future.”

Fuping shook her head: “Mother Consort, do you still think this way now?”

Consort De was startled. Wasn’t that the case?

Fuping said: “Mother Consort, I never quite approved of you being too close with the Marquis of Pingxi’s wife, but since the marriage match wasn’t bad, it didn’t matter. However, Mother Consort, look at Father Emperor’s current thoughts—haven’t you understood yet?”

Better not to mention this topic—once brought up, Consort De’s anger flared: “What your father emperor thinks, I naturally knew long ago, have always known!”

“Mother Consort, your daughter advises you—this path won’t work. We should take a different route.”

Consort De suddenly stood up: “Fuping, whose daughter are you exactly? You’ve been saying this for six months, I’ve been listening for six months, and I don’t want to hear it anymore!”

Fuping, having been shouted at like this, didn’t dare say more.

Her mother was good in every way except for her explosive temper. Outsiders didn’t know, but she was very clear about it. Once her mother decided on something, ten oxen couldn’t pull her back.

Especially regarding the succession struggle, Consort De had a fanatical obsession that gave Princess Fuping an almost pathological feeling.

Fuping looked at the furious Consort De, her eyes flickering.

No, this time she wouldn’t repeat the same mistakes.

She couldn’t be like in her previous life, where just after marrying, because of incidents involving Mother Consort and her brother, she became a poison her in-laws desperately avoided, confining her to a remote courtyard.

She had to persuade Mother Consort back—they couldn’t compete for the throne, truly couldn’t compete.

Those people weren’t as weak and incompetent as they appeared, weren’t as foolish as they seemed.

On the contrary, they were very clever, very formidable.

Therefore, in the six months since her rebirth, she had been gradually and persistently advising Mother Consort not to compete anymore, not to…

“Mother Consort, I won’t mention that matter anymore. Then let me discuss the matter between Luo Meixiang and Qin Shuying. Would that be acceptable?”

Consort De’s anger was still difficult to quell, but she wasn’t a child either. Since her daughter was so calm and composed, how could she continue losing her temper? “Speak then.”

“Mother Consort, now that Liang Qiong will marry Prince Huo Luo, there’s no question about that. As for the Liang family’s second and third young masters, do you think they can be relied upon in the future?”

Consort De shook her head without hesitation. These two children appeared polite and refined but actually had little real ability.

“Since that’s the case, Mother Consort, is it still necessary to consider everything for them as before? On the contrary, Mother Consort, look—Qin Shuying is valued by Aunt Yongjia, and Liang Zhe is valued by Father Emperor. Who do you think has better prospects for the future?”

Consort De blurted out: “I absolutely refuse to join forces again with that wretch Consort Lian!”

“Mother Consort, Qin Shuying won’t necessarily help Consort Lian.”

Consort De naturally knew this, but she was still uneasy: “Fuping, they’re still blood relatives after all.”

“That’s not necessarily true, Mother Consort. Have you forgotten what I told you after New Year?”

Consort De still remembered: “The incident in the flower garden?”

“Yes, Mother Consort. You’ve seen what kind of person Qin Shuying is—she’s not simple, and she’s someone who must have revenge. With Consort Lian indulging the Qin mansion people like that, Qin Shuying definitely won’t be close to them.”

Consort De thought for a moment: “Hmm, there’s indeed no need to offend Qin Shuying for the sake of Meixiang and the others.”

“Exactly, Mother Consort. You are Great Zhou’s most noble consort—how can your magnanimity compare to Madam Liang’s? Your daughter feels that your urgent priority now is to choose a good sister-in-law for brother. As for the matter between Madam Liang and Qin Shuying, that’s their business. Mother Consort has numerous affairs to attend to—why trouble yourself with such concerns?”

Consort De rubbed her temples: “I was just too angry!”

Fuping sighed. As a daughter, she really couldn’t say much about the matter between Mother Consort and Father Emperor.

Why was Mother Consort so angry? Wasn’t it because Father Emperor, disregarding Mother Consort’s wishes, had bestowed Liang Qiong upon Prince Huo Luo?

Fuping had originally wanted to use today’s opportunity to remind Consort De that path truly wouldn’t work. But it seemed impossible now. After speaking briefly, she could only take her leave.