Liang Zhe didn’t wait for Qin Shuying and was quite disappointed.

“Ziteng only said madam was feeling somewhat unwell, nothing else.”

Liang Yanjun had already repeated this sentence hundreds of times. Liang Zhe still wanted to ask, and he really couldn’t stand it anymore.

“Yanjun, do you think that parrot said something wrong and she got angry?”

Liang Yanjun pouted: “Impossible! Seventh Miss Qin isn’t an ordinary young lady – how could she get angry? In this subordinate’s opinion, she’s embarrassed.”

Liang Zhe’s chest pounded: “Embarrassed?”

“Yes! What could that dead parrot have done? Young Master, surely you know?”

Liang Zhe’s ice-mountain face cracked open.

“It was all your rotten idea!”

What a terrible idea Liang Yanjun had come up with.

Every day taking a painting of Qin Shuying and teaching that dead parrot to call “Madam”!

Even more detestable, he had Liang Zhe pinch his throat to imitate Qin Shuying’s voice – this was Liang Zhe’s unique skill, being able to mimic anyone’s speech with uncanny accuracy.

First they’d starve the dead parrot, then when “Qin Shuying” came or “Qin Shuying” spoke, the dead parrot could eat fragrant food.

Then, every time this parrot saw Qin Shuying’s portrait or heard “Qin Shuying” speak, it would be very happy, spirits greatly lifted, conversing with “Qin Shuying.”

…

Liang Zhe’s face burned with shame. How could he have used such methods?

It was so embarrassing!

“Young Master, with your previous temperament, when would Seventh Miss Qin ever know your feelings? When a woman pursues a man, there’s only a layer of gauze between them; when a man pursues a woman, there’s a mountain between them. Do you want that mountain to stand before you forever?”

“Then what do you suggest now?”

“My lord, if she’s unwell, send her things!”

“Right!” Liang Zhe remembered: “Quickly go get that five-hundred-year ginseng, and some other precious medicinal materials – send them all over!”

Liang Yanjun looked at his teachable appearance and muttered: “Young Master, you’re full of strategies on the battlefield, but when you encounter Seventh Miss Qin, you’re like an idiot?”

Liang Zhe was stunned.

“Use all your battlefield tactics – don’t worry about Seventh Miss Qin not being moved, don’t worry about not winning her over!”

“When the enemy moves, I don’t move?”

Liang Yanjun’s mouth twisted with frustration: “When the enemy doesn’t move, I move!”

“Secretly crossing at Chencang?”

Liang Yanjun stared at his superior: “My lord, lord, you, you… I’ve said before, I’m a person with principles – I won’t help you defile Seventh Miss Qin…”

Liang Zhe laughed heartily: “Go open your storehouse quickly… By the way, when you said she was embarrassed, what exactly did you mean?”

“Young Master, you’re so heroic and brilliant. If I were Seventh Miss Qin, I’d definitely like you…”

“Get lost! Who wants you to like me…”

“I’m just giving an example – I mean Seventh Miss Qin is shy and would be embarrassed to see you.”

“She’s shy?”

“Because, because she also… has feelings for you! Otherwise, she’s so ruthless and vicious – when have you ever seen her embarrassed?”

Liang Zhe felt his brain floating. She had feelings for him?

“You little brat! Who said she was ruthless and vicious? She’s not…”

…

The medicinal materials Liang Zhe sent filled two whole boxes, all good things and rare treasures.

Looking at these medicinal materials, Ziteng’s mouth hung open, unable to close for a long while.

Qin Shuying didn’t refuse. Liang Zhe was an official of some rank on the frontier. Though his position wasn’t high for various reasons (Qin Shuying had always suspected it was because the Marquis Pingxi interfered), he wielded real power.

Moreover, since he was both ruthless and cunning, it wasn’t strange that he had many good things.

“Miss, I only said you felt somewhat unwell so didn’t go inspect the shop. Did Young Master Liang really need to send so many good things? If you take all these tonics, won’t you get nosebleeds…”

Nanny Fu beamed: “Ziteng, what nonsense are you talking about! This shows Young Master Liang values and cares for Miss. If we can’t use them today, it doesn’t matter – just store them properly.”

Qin Shuying smiled: “Take out that old ginseng – I want to honor Old Ancestor with it.”

Lu Ye was reluctant: “Miss, this is five-hundred-year-old ginseng! Young Master Liang said you could dispose of it as you wish, but keeping half for yourself would be fine too!”

Not just the money-loving Lu Ye was reluctant – everyone else was too. Yes, keeping half would be fine!

“Precisely because of this, I must honor Old Ancestor with it. Old Ancestor’s health hasn’t been good these years – she’s been lacking a good ginseng. Wrap it up quickly.”

Lu Ye reluctantly wrapped it up: “Such a big root – Old Madam couldn’t use it all either. If she cuts half a root to give back to you, how wonderful that would be.”

This made everyone laugh.

…

Qin Shuying walked toward Xuantang with Hong Juan.

Old Madam had just finished her prayers and was resting with her eyes closed.

Hearing that Qin Shuying had come, she had Nanny Gu help her up and called to Xiangqin: “Xiangqin, go get some things Seventh Girl likes to eat. That crispy candy you put away the other day tasted very good – bring it over quickly.”

Nanny Gu laughed: “Old Madam, that crispy candy was what Seventh Miss brought to honor you.”

Old Madam paused: “That’s right – look at my memory.”

As they spoke, Qin Shuying entered, with Hong Juan following behind carrying an antique wooden box.

“Shuying, what have you brought this time? Don’t you see grandmother’s room is already piled so full there’s no place to put anything?”

Qin Shuying went forward, took Old Madam’s hand and sat down: “Old Ancestor, this is just granddaughter’s sincere feelings – it’s not worth much.”

After all, the youngest son’s child was most like the youngest son and most suited to her heart.

The more Old Madam looked at Qin Shuying, the more she loved her.

“Old Ancestor, this is an aged old ginseng root. Nanny Gu, please call a physician later and have the physician direct its use.”

Nanny Gu took the wooden box from Hong Juan. Old Madam looked somewhat suspicious as she had Nanny Gu open the box.

Aged old ginseng?

Ever since Old Madam’s health collapsed four years ago, she’d consumed countless aged ginsengs – usually several decades old, with the best being eighty years.

She was somewhat curious and looked into the box. With this look, she was startled: “Seventh Girl, this must be two hundred years old, right? Where did you get it?”

Qin Shuying said: “Old Ancestor, this is five-hundred-year-old ginseng…”

Old Madam and Nanny Gu said in unison: “Five hundred years?!”

“Don’t worry – this was sent by Young Master Liang.”

“You silly child, you should keep it for yourself. How could you give it all to me? I’m just an old woman – headaches and fevers are normal. You should keep it for when you might urgently need it.”

“Old Ancestor, granddaughter only has you to depend on now. Granddaughter only hopes for your good health so you can support granddaughter in the future.”

Old Madam’s eyes suddenly became moist: “You silly child, you’ve truly grown up now. Who could bully you? Young Master Liang is already twenty years old, and you’ll come of age after the New Year – then you should marry. With Young Master Liang, you’ll have a peaceful and joyful life. Grandmother can no longer protect you.”