Liang Zhe’s expression grew serious, “Not my real grandmother?”

He pondered for a moment, then said: “Shuying, I’ve never thought about it this way before, but I recall something – perhaps your speculation makes great sense.”

Liang Zhe briefly recounted what Liang Yanjun had overheard on Old Madam Liang’s rooftop some days ago.

When he finished, he said: “Shuying, I’ll investigate thoroughly to find out what she meant by those words.”

“Ziyou, it’s a pity I can’t help you more right now. That Nanny Luo has secrets. Ziyou, you might as well frighten her – such people are afraid of death and greedy for money, so it’s easy to get them to talk. It’s just that you wouldn’t have noticed her before, nor would you have suspected her.”

Liang Zhe looked steadily at Qin Shuying with appreciation.

Qin Shuying also looked steadily at him, then suddenly burst out laughing, “Ziyou, with that handkerchief stuffed in your nose, how can you go out and meet people?”

Liang Zhe reached out to grasp her small fist, “I have to go. I’m leaving five people for you – two girls who, like Huiyun, have some martial skills. And three others, all young men. One will replace your coachman, and you can arrange the other two as you see fit.”

Qin Shuying didn’t act coy, but instead took out a blueprint from her bosom, “Ziyou, this is something I’ve spent half a year developing based on notes my father left behind. Although I don’t understand mechanisms, I know the power of this thing. Have someone make several according to this design as quickly as possible, and keep them on your person for protection.”

Liang Zhe took it and looked. First he was puzzled, then his brow cleared, and he excitedly embraced Qin Shuying again: “Shuying, you truly are my blessing.”

He looked at the blueprint again and said: “Fourth Prince is skilled in this area – I’ll ask him for help.”

Qin Shuying nodded: “From what I can see, this thing requires materials that are both rare and precise. Unless it’s for military use, no one would dare spend such a large sum. Without Fourth Prince’s help, Ziyou really couldn’t get it made.”

“Has Miss Lin assisted you?”

“She likes this sort of thing, but I completed it myself. Having her know about it wouldn’t feel quite right to me.”

Liang Zhe affectionately patted her head, “What a little sprite!”

“After it’s completed, you mustn’t mention me. Just say you obtained it by chance. Promise me?”

“Of course. Shuying is so clever, I must protect you and not let others discover your brilliance. Otherwise, they’ll all come to steal you away, and I’d be frantic with worry!”

Qin Shuying smiled, “Alright, Ziyou, go quickly.”

Liang Zhe tucked the item away and reluctantly escorted Qin Shuying out of the teahouse with excitement. He then quietly jumped down from the back window of the teahouse, took something from his bosom, applied it to his face several times, changed his clothes, and transformed into an ordinary-looking middle-aged man.

He secretly followed Qin Shuying’s carriage, watching with his own eyes as the carriage entered the Qin residence, before leaving through another alley.

Three days later, Liang Zhe’s aunt came to propose marriage.

It had been over a month since Emperor Delong issued the imperial decree for the marriage. As the head mistress of the Liang household, Luo Meixiang should have started making arrangements long ago.

But she deliberately remained passive, taking no action whatsoever.

Not only that, but she had also arranged two courtesans for Liang Zhe.

Liang Zhe’s aunt was the legitimate wife of the Mighty General.

The old Mighty General, who was Liang Zhe’s maternal grandfather, had passed away several years ago. When he was alive, his reputation was formidable, and the Zhao family was very prestigious. Otherwise, Zhao Wanniang could never have married the Marquis of Pingxi.

The current Mighty General, who was Liang Zhe’s maternal uncle, was Zhao Wanniang’s brother from the same mother.

Mighty General Zhao Zhenyuan had been injured in battle several years ago, leaving him with a lame leg, and he had also been implicated in charges of embezzling military provisions.

Therefore, Zhao Zhenyuan was stripped of his military authority, and an imperial decree ordered him to return to the capital to recuperate.

Unable to achieve merit on the battlefield anymore, and tainted with such charges, plus having no adult sons to represent the Zhao family on the battlefield, the Zhao family immediately fell into decline.

Although Zhao Zhenyuan still held the title of a third-rank military officer, he had long been marginalized, staying at home with nothing to do, essentially becoming a useless person.

Zhao Zhenyuan’s wife, Madam Mu, though not yet forty years old, appeared quite aged from years of overwork and worry.

When Dong Shi heard it was her coming, she was somewhat puzzled. However, Dong Shi was well aware of the Liang family’s affairs and knew Madam Mu could only be coming to the Qin residence for one matter, so she immediately received Madam Mu with proper solemnity.

Madam Mu was dressed very formally and appropriately. Though she wasn’t adorned with pearls and jade, she appeared dignified and imposing. Madam Mu was also from a military family, tall in stature, and though she appeared aged, she carried herself with natural bearing.

Though she dressed simply, she brought an enormous number of items – a full ten chests.

The Zhao family servants and Qin residence servants carried them in together. Everyone could see clearly that each chest was heavy, certainly packed full of items.

Dong Shi gave Madam Mu only a brief glance before focusing on her face.

It was the several maids who secretly observed Madam Mu. What they were thinking, Dong Shi could guess without asking.

Madam Mu’s appearance was dignified and elegant, but she wore no precious jewelry, causing these maids to somewhat look down on her. As for the chests, they could be stuffed with anything – without opening them to look, who knew what was inside?

Dong Shi gave Lanxiang a meaningful look. Understanding, Lanxiang dismissed everyone else, leaving only Madam Mu and Dong Shi in the room, with Lanxiang attending nearby.

Madam Mu first exchanged a few polite words, then got straight to the point: “Madam, I’ve come today for only one matter – on behalf of the eldest young master of the Marquis of Pingxi’s residence, Liang Zhe, to request the hand of your residence’s Seventh Miss Shuying in marriage.”

Dong Shi was somewhat unaccustomed to Madam Mu’s direct manner of speaking – truly straightforward enough, without a single wasted word.

She made no mention of Old Madam Liang or Luo Meixiang, nor of the Marquis of Pingxi, Liang Yunshan.

According to Great Zhou etiquette, since Liang Zhe had a father, plus a stepmother and grandmother, it should never be the Zhao family’s turn to propose marriage.

But the Zhao family had indeed come, and they came openly and righteously, without any embarrassment about overstepping their bounds.

Dong Shi didn’t dare express her position, “Madam, I’ve already sent someone to invite Old Madam and Shuying. Please sit for a moment – they’ll be here shortly.”

Madam Mu remained very calm and smiled: “Good.”

This left Dong Shi somewhat stunned.

Soon, Old Madam arrived in the main hall, supported by Qin Shuying.

After the greetings, they sat according to host and guest positions, and Madam Mu brought up the matter again to Old Madam.

Old Madam pondered for a moment, then said: “I wonder when Madam intends to set the wedding date?”

“The eighth day of the ninth month.”

Qin Shuying was startled – the date had been moved up again?

While Old Madam was still pondering, Madam Mu said: “Shuying, good child, life in the Liang family will probably be difficult, which is why Ziyou asked me to come propose marriage. Old Madam, you know the Liang family’s situation, and I won’t hide anything. What I can guarantee is that as long as my husband and I still have breath in our bodies, we’ll spare no effort to fight for justice for Shuying. This was true before, and will be true in the future. Ziyou is someone we watched grow up with our own eyes. He’s a one-in-a-thousand good child – loyal, righteous, and clear in his loves and hates. I often think how wonderful it would be if Ziyou were my child – I would certainly treasure him like a precious jewel in my palm. Such a good child, yet he’s been so mistreated. My ability to help is limited, but whatever he values, I will certainly value; whatever he cherishes, I will certainly cherish.”