Several days ago, an imperial edict came from the palace that Princess Fu’an would soon marry into the Liu family.

This matter didn’t cause much of a stir, because news of Princess Fu’an and Liu Junqing’s private meeting at the traveling palace had already spread like wildfire.

Princess Fu’an’s reputation suffered greatly, but she herself didn’t mind at all – in fact, she was delighted.

What the people of the capital talked about with even greater relish was the marriage between Princess Fuqing and Prince Huo Luo.

Huo Luo had already been granted official rank of the fourth grade and would reside in the capital.

Liang Qiong and Huo Luo would marry after the New Year.

Given Liang Qiong’s noble status, there were many things to prepare for the wedding, so all the high-end shops in the capital were sharpening their heads to compete for the business of Liang Qiong’s dowry.

At this time, the marriage between Qin Fangfang and Chang Daocheng was also settled. Qin Fangfang would depart tomorrow morning for Guangnan Prefecture.

Qin Shuying had just finished breakfast and dismissed the puzzled Ziteng to deliver a message to Liang Yanjun when Qin Fangfang arrived at Yilan Garden.

Qin Shuying was quite surprised by her visit.

Since returning from the Sun family, Qin Fangfang rarely spoke. Though her attitude toward Qin Shuying had changed greatly, it couldn’t be called friendly either. However, the scene from her last visit to Yilan Garden was still fresh in memory – that time, she could probably be considered friendly, right?

“Seventh Sister, please have them all leave.”

Qin Shuying said calmly, “What does Eighth Sister have to say that’s inconvenient? If it’s truly inconvenient, then there’s no need to say it at all.”

“It’s not that. It’s just that when we sisters talk, I don’t want irrelevant people to overhear.”

Qin Shuying looked at her steadily, then had Lu Ye, Hong Juan, and the others leave before saying, “Eighth Sister has become much more forceful now.”

Qin Fangfang suddenly smiled. “Compared to Seventh Sister, what does this amount to?”

Qin Shuying remained silent.

“One can scheme against one’s own relatives, use one’s own grandmother – Seventh Sister, how could I ever match half of what you do?”

“If Eighth Sister only came here to mock me, then please go back.”

Qin Fangfang’s smile was eerie as she shook her head. “Do you know why I’m marrying Chang Daocheng?”

“That’s Eighth Sister’s business. I have no interest in knowing.”

“No, you do know.”

Qin Shuying had no interest in asking her and leisurely continued drinking her tea.

“Seventh Sister, you truly have such patience. Or should I say, Second Sister, you truly have such patience!”

Qin Shuying’s hand paused, and she looked up at her.

Qin Fangfang’s lips curved in a strange smile. “Very surprised that I know who you are, aren’t you? When I first discovered it, I couldn’t believe it at all, so I carefully studied your every movement. The way you hold chopsticks, your tea-drinking habits, the order in which you speak… Also, Third Sister saw ghosts several times – actually, that was just you frightening her. Second Sister, since you’ve returned, how could you spare us? So I need to marry out quickly, otherwise when you take revenge, I’m afraid you’ll make me fall into another trap.”

Qin Shuying shook her head. “Eighth Sister, what exactly are you trying to tell me by saying all this? What’s your purpose?”

“My dear sister, I don’t know exactly how this happened, but no matter what, a person’s changes couldn’t possibly be this extensive. I’ve also been through death once, but no matter how I think about it, I can’t bring you down or make Sixth Sister and Mother fall into a quagmire they can never escape. On the contrary, I myself might be devoured by you all until not even bone fragments remain. So, Second Sister, you are you, aren’t you?”

Qin Shuying’s eyes were clear as she sighed. “Eighth Sister, if you only came to tell stories, I’ve already heard this story. Tomorrow you’ll depart for the south, and I’m afraid we’ll never see each other again in this lifetime. What’s your intent in saying these irrelevant things?”

Qin Fangfang slowly drew a breath. “Since you won’t admit it, I have no choice. My purpose in coming wasn’t to force you to admit it. What kind of person you are now, we both know in our hearts. I didn’t expect to make you admit it. I only ask one thing of you – if you hate the Qin family, if you want to send the Qin mansion to hell, I only beg you to spare my concubine mother. She’s innocent.”

Qin Shuying shook her head. “Eighth Sister, there are no innocent people in this world.”

“You won’t agree? Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell others?”

“Eighth Sister, if you fall ill, Sister-in-law will call a physician to treat you, and then I’m afraid you won’t be able to go to Guangnan Prefecture.”

Qin Fangfang pointed at Qin Shuying. “You, you, you… How can you be so ruthless and cruel!”

“Eighth Sister, go back and ask Concubine Li, and she’ll tell you how she helped Xu Shi harm Concubine Zhou to death back then.”

“That’s all ancient history, and it wasn’t something my concubine mother did willingly. Can’t you spare her?”

“So I say, there are no innocent people.”

Qin Fangfang trembled all over, both from anger and fear.

“My dear sister, the weather in Guangnan Prefecture is hot, so you should pay more attention to your health. As for Concubine Li, Uncle is looking after her, so you really needn’t worry. As for your wild ravings just now, I’ll pretend I didn’t hear them.”

Qin Fangfang suddenly knelt down. “Second Sister, I beg you, won’t you? Please!”

“Go back. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear today’s words.”

“I beg you, I truly beg you!”

Qin Shuying was silent for a moment, then said: “Eighth Sister, you’re talking nonsense here, but since you’re leaving tomorrow, I can choose not to pursue it. However, if others hear such words, I’m afraid they might overthink things – whether you’re trying to use them to do something. Eighth Sister, you’ve always harbored resentment about the Duke Chu’s mansion affair. You hate me, I know. After returning from the Sun family, you changed a lot, and I thought you had repented. Now it seems that before leaving, you still want to set a trap for me. Eighth Sister, you truly are still the same Eighth Sister as before!”

Qin Fangfang’s expression changed, and then she stood up. “Qin Yaoyao, no matter how you argue, you can’t change the fact that you’ve returned from the dead! Though I have no evidence, I know you are Qin Yaoyao – you’re not Qin Shuying!”

Qin Shuying sighed. “Eighth Sister, it seems I really must have someone go to Sister-in-law’s place and call a physician to examine you properly.”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

“Why wouldn’t I dare? I conduct myself uprightly and walk straight – why wouldn’t I dare?”

“You…”

“Zhishu, come in and throw Eighth Sister out!”

Zhishu immediately walked in, grabbed Qin Fangfang’s arm with one hand, and pushed her toward the exit.

“Qin Yaoyao, you’re shameless! Let go of me…”

Zhishu pulled out a handkerchief and stuffed it in her mouth.

Qin Fangfang was driven away while whimpering.

Lu Ye and an unfamiliar maid came in. The maid said: “Miss, someone was hiding on the roof. This servant hit him down with a stone. He fell behind the building – don’t know if he’s dead or alive.”

Lu Ye couldn’t help but let out a “puchi” laugh.

This unfamiliar maid was sent by Liang Zhe not long ago, said to have sharp ears and eyes and some martial arts skills. She was the one who was… somewhat dense.

Qin Shuying looked at Lu Ye helplessly and said: “Go call the First Madam.”

“Yes!”

Lu Ye answered crisply and hurried off.

The unfamiliar maid called Hui Yun also followed Lu Ye.

Even after they’d walked far away, Lu Ye’s chattering voice could still be heard.