Qin Shuying suddenly remembered that Qin Yongzhou’s notes had mentioned this, with detailed descriptions even.

However, although Qin Shuying trusted Qin Yongzhou, she had many doubts about the functions he described. So after only briefly studying it, she had set it aside.

Now, with the actual object before her eyes, Qin Shuying still found it somewhat incredible.

“Be careful, don’t touch it carelessly.”

Seeing her about to reach for it, Old Madam quickly stopped her.

“Do you see this small mechanism? Never touch it carelessly. I regularly clean the bullets inside – they’re still loaded in there. If you accidentally trigger the mechanism and the muzzle points at you, your little life would be over.”

There was a somewhat teasing tone in Old Madam’s voice, as if this was exactly how Qin Yongzhou had explained it to her originally.

Qin Shuying examined it from all angles for a long while. Old Madam explained it to her in detail, then had Qin Shuying bring out a box, pointing to the round, pointed copper pieces inside and saying: “These are its bullets – fifty rounds in total. Your father said they’re very powerful. Unfortunately, I’ve never used it, so I haven’t witnessed its power. I imagine it works on the same principle as a fire gun.”

At this time in the Great Zhou, fire guns already existed and were widely used in the military, but they were difficult to produce, so quantities were limited.

“Grandmother, Father’s notes contain descriptions. I’ll go back and study them further.”

“Good. Take all these things with you, and be sure to keep them safely. Your father said this was given to him by a foreigner on his deathbed. That foreigner held a noble position in his country, comparable to a prince, so this item is absolutely a rare and precious treasure. Your father said this thing must never be known to outsiders, or it would bring fatal disaster. Your father kept it well hidden – others never discovered it, yet he still lost his life in the end. When you go to the Liang family, surrounded by wolves, tigers, and leopards, you’ll need this for protection. Everything depends on fate, but first secure your life in your own hands.”

Qin Shuying agreed and put the items back in the sphere.

Old Madam found a food box, placed both the sphere and the box of bullets inside, then covered them with some pastries before letting Qin Shuying leave.

Returning to Yilan Garden, Qin Shuying immediately buried herself in the study with Ziteng, researching this “gun” through the night.

The following period passed relatively peacefully.

The Liang family naturally had plenty of conflicts with the Zhao family, but Madam Mu was not easily bullied. Her tone was firm and resolute, and Luo Meixiang gained no advantage.

No matter how much she badmouthed them before Imperial Consort De, after Princess Fuping’s reminder, Imperial Consort De had reconsidered many matters. Moreover, Emperor Delong valued Liang Zhe, which was obvious to anyone with eyes.

So Imperial Consort De brushed the matter aside with just a few words.

When one scheme failed, Luo Meixiang devised another. Within three days, rumors spread throughout the capital’s streets and alleys that the eldest young master of the Marquis of Pingxi’s residence, Liang Zhe, was served nightly by two courtesans and lived like a blissful immortal.

Even Dong Shi didn’t believe such rumors, and Qin Shuying naturally didn’t care at all.

Having been married in her previous life and spending these days with Liang Zhe, she understood that he had never touched a woman.

Liang Qiong sent an invitation asking Qin Shuying to attend a banquet, but Qin Shuying declined, claiming illness, and paid no attention to it.

This infuriated Liang Qiong, who said she would personally visit the Qin residence the next day.

Liang Yanjun had his people pay special attention to Liang Qiong, so Qin Shuying quickly learned of her intended visit.

The next day, Qin Shuying rose early and went to visit the Lin residence – why should she listen to Liang Qiong’s sarcastic mockery of Liang Zhe?

Liang Qiong came up empty-handed and was so angry she nearly vomited blood.

Qin Shuying’s visit to the Lin residence wasn’t a sudden whim. Avoiding Liang Qiong was one reason, and her appointment with Lin Zilan was another.

Accompanying her were Qin Yue and Qin Lulu.

The three had lunch at the Lin residence, played happily all day, and only returned home before dinner.

The next day, Liang Qiong came again, but Qin Shuying had gone early to Princess Yongjia’s residence, where she spent the entire day reading.

On the third day, unwilling to give up, Liang Qiong came again, and Qin Shuying continued to Princess Yongjia’s residence.

On the fourth day, Liang Qiong simply blocked the entrance to Princess Yongjia’s residence.

Qin Shuying encountered Liang Qiong at the gate, alighted from her carriage, and curtsied: “Princess Fuqing.”

Having been thwarted four times, Liang Qiong was already so angry her mouth was twisted and neck thick: “Qin Shuying, what guilty deed have you done that you keep avoiding me?”

“This subject daughter doesn’t understand what Princess Fuqing means. This subject daughter is merely visiting the Princess Imperial’s residence – how does it become a guilty deed in Princess Fuqing’s mouth?”

“Don’t talk nonsense…”

“Since Princess Fuqing also doesn’t consider visiting the Princess Imperial’s residence a guilty deed, this subject daughter will enter now.”

As Qin Shuying spoke, she stepped onto the stairs.

Liang Qiong hurriedly reached out to stop her: “Stop! Who gave you permission to leave?”

Qin Shuying smiled ambiguously: “What, does Princess Fuqing want to enter together with this subject daughter?”

Liang Qiong’s face instantly flushed red. In her heart, she complained bitterly about Princess Yongjia – why was she so kind to Qin Shuying? Now Qin Shuying was brazenly using the princess’s residence as the best place to avoid her.

“Since this princess has come, naturally I should also visit the Princess Imperial.”

Qin Shuying smiled slightly and stepped up the stairs.

Qin Shuying entered without obstruction, but Liang Qiong was stopped.

The gatekeeper said: “Princess Fuqing, please halt.”

“Qin Shuying can enter, so although I didn’t send advance notice, can’t I pay an impromptu visit to the Princess Imperial? Go announce me quickly!”

The guard remained expressionless: “The Princess Imperial is not at the residence. Princess Fuqing, please return.”

“If the Princess Imperial isn’t here, how can Qin Shuying enter? What is she going in to do? Blind fool, you dare to lie!”

The guard remained unmoved, his outstretched hand still blocking the way: “The Princess Imperial has given special permission for Seventh Miss Qin to come to the residence to read when the Princess is not present.”

“What?! You’re lying! What kind of person is she that the Princess Imperial would treat her so well?”

“We don’t know about that. We only know that Seventh Miss Qin may come to the princess’s residence at any time. Others must have the Princess’s approval.”

Liang Qiong’s entire body trembled, especially seeing Qin Shuying’s slight smile. Liang Qiong’s vision darkened – Qin Shuying, you did this deliberately, deliberately waiting here for me to be humiliated again!

Fine, just fine, how very fine of you!

Liang Qiong turned and left in resentment.

After this, Liang Qiong didn’t seek out Qin Shuying again. Madam Liu was busy with matters regarding the imperial marriage and had no time to visit the Qin residence to adopt a goddaughter. Qin Shuying’s days passed peacefully.

In a flash, it was mid-July.

Qin Shuying looked at the invitation – Princess Fu’an was getting married, and the Liu family had invited her.

The wedding was in five days.

Taking her gaze from the invitation, Qin Shuying carefully cleaned the gun, then stood up, aimed at a target drawn on the wall, squinted her eyes, and pretended to fire a shot.

Qin Shuying put down the gun and shook her head: “Ziteng, I need a spacious, suitable place to truly master this. Unfortunately, I’m being watched now and don’t dare leave the capital. Otherwise, if I lived at the manor for some time, given enough practice, I could certainly master it.”

“Miss, if you marry into the Liang family early, with Master Liang’s assistance, finding a place to practice shouldn’t be difficult.”

Ziteng’s way of addressing Liang Zhe had changed – now it was always “Master Liang.”

Qin Shuying regretfully put away the gun.