Two months ago, Lu Changxuan had elevated Qin Feifei to be his principal wife.

At Yilan Garden.

Qin Shuying looked at herself in the mirror, the corners of her lips curving upward. His former wife had been dead for barely two months, and Lu Changxuan couldn’t wait to elevate his concubine to principal wife—what a deeply devoted good man indeed!

However, everyone in the capital said that Qin Feifei held deep affection for her deceased sister Qin Yaoyao. Qin Feifei copied scriptures and prayed for Qin Yaoyao at the temple every day until she fell ill from exhaustion.

Two years ago, after witnessing that unseemly scene in the study, Qin Feifei began frequently visiting the Lu residence. A year later, Lu Changxuan took Qin Feifei as his concubine.

To the outside world, people only knew that this concubine had been personally chosen by her sister Qin Yaoyao for her husband. This was praised by the men of the capital for quite some time, extolling how Qin Yaoyao was truly virtuous and magnanimous, relieving her husband’s worries.

In reality, Qin Yaoyao had no choice but to do so because Lu Changxuan used Feng’er as leverage. And Xu Shi had also guided her persuasively, ultimately making her believe that sisters serving one husband together was acceptable. Despite all kinds of humiliation, she finally accepted fate’s arrangement.

Only, she never expected this would ultimately become the root cause of Feng’er’s tragic death.

Qin Shuying turned her hands over and over, carefully examining these jade hands—ten fingers that had never touched spring water, delicate and smooth. Anyone who saw them would feel they should be treasured. She wondered how swift these hands would be when killing people.

When elevating a concubine to principal wife, it’s generally not done with great fanfare. But since Qin Yaoyao had died and both Old Madam Lu and Qin Feifei were in poor health from excessive grief, elevating Qin Feifei was also meant to bring good fortune to the residence, so they set a few extra tables.

However, since Qin Feifei was Imperial Consort Lian’s younger sister and Lu Changxuan was a rising elite star, many people came uninvited. Those few tables weren’t enough, and soon the courtyard was bustling with distinguished guests.

Amid the clinking of cups and cheerful laughter, who still remembered that Qin Yaoyao? Who still remembered that powder-and-jade Young Master Feng of the Lu family?

Though she had been elevated, elevating a concubine to principal wife wasn’t considered particularly prestigious. Especially since Old Madam didn’t approve. So when Qin Feifei returned to her natal home after being elevated, Old Madam actually took Qin Shuying to the temple to burn incense.

Today was Qin Feifei’s second visit to her natal home since being elevated.

Old Madam had avoided the first time to make Qin Feifei understand her meaning. Since she was returning a second time, avoiding her again would be unnecessary. Therefore, today Qin Feifei would certainly come to Xuan Hall.

Qin Shuying was doing needlework in the gauze cabinet of Xuan Hall—work she had volunteered for.

Xiang Qin entered and said: “Third Son-in-law and Third Miss are already waiting in the courtyard to pay respects to Old Madam.”

Qin Shuying’s heart suddenly lifted, beating wildly with “thump thump thump,” her entire body in an indescribable state.

Old Madam sighed softly and said: “Let them come in.”

Qin Shuying sat in place, wooden and dazed, as if she hadn’t heard Old Madam’s words, not knowing when Old Madam had gone out.

Soon, steady footsteps sounded, accompanied by lighter steps. Lu Changxuan in blue brocade robes and Qin Feifei in pale red dress knelt on the ground, respectfully performing grand salutations to Old Madam.

“(Grandson-in-law) Granddaughter pays respects to Grandmother!”

Qin Shuying’s hands gripped her dress tightly, her face turning pale. For dozens of nights, she had imagined over and over what expression she should use when reuniting with Lu Changxuan. She hadn’t expected this day to come so quickly—so quickly that she still couldn’t control her expression or actions. Bone-deep hatred instantly twisted her features. She quickly closed her eyes, clenched her fists, and calmed her emotions.

Taking a deep breath, Qin Shuying opened her eyes and forced herself to smile. At any time, she must not let her true emotions leak out! Even in corners where no one could see!

“Rise.” Old Madam took the prepared gifts from Nanny Gu’s hands and gave them to Lu Changxuan and Qin Feifei respectively, her tone quite flat: “Since you’re married, live your lives well.”

The couple answered in unison: “We humbly follow Grandmother’s teachings!”

“Third girl, you go out first. I have something to say to Third Son-in-law.”

Though puzzled, Qin Feifei still answered very obediently: “Yes.”

With that, she withdrew, but anger secretly grew in her heart. Knowing she was pregnant, Old Madam still made her kneel—this show of authority was truly enlightening!

The room fell into silence. Old Madam slowly sipped her tea without speaking for a long while. Lu Changxuan stood respectfully to one side, quietly waiting. Nanny Gu silently lowered her eyes to look at her own feet.

Qin Shuying’s heart instantly turned through thousands of thoughts. Did Old Madam know something?

“Should I call you Second Son-in-law or Third Son-in-law?” Old Madam sighed.

Lu Changxuan’s heart tightened. He swept his robes and knelt with a “thud”: “Grandmother, forgive me! Yaoyao had a thin fate and shallow fortune. Changxuan didn’t take good care of her. Changxuan’s heart aches unbearably—Changxuan deserves ten thousand deaths! Fortunately, Heaven gave Changxuan a chance to compensate. Since Yaoyao entrusted Feifei to Changxuan, Changxuan will certainly treasure Feifei! Please be assured, Grandmother!”

It seemed Old Madam truly knew some things. Lu Changxuan was still being evasive at this moment—wasn’t he just relying on the fact that Old Madam couldn’t do anything to him? Outwardly respectful, he was actually stating his intentions without any compromise. Indeed, Old Madam could no longer do anything to this family!

Realizing this, Qin Shuying suddenly shivered, her brow furrowing tightly.

Indeed, Old Madam sighed deeply and said: “Second girl was unfortunate. This old woman can only remember her in the quiet of deep night, hoping she finds peace and smooth fortune in her next life!”

Qin Shuying’s eyes involuntarily moistened. Qin Yaoyao had passed like a wild goose leaving no trace, as if she had never come to this world. Though Old Madam had nearly a dozen grandchildren, she still remembered this concubine’s daughter. Just for this sentiment alone, showing her filial respect was proper.

Old Madam’s tone then became one of disappointment: “Second girl was too foolish—poor at judging people, muddled and confused, making wedding clothes for others. This old woman has nothing more to say!”

Qin Shuying was startled, not expecting Great-grandmother to speak so pointedly. This tone clearly showed suspicion of Qin Feifei’s schemes and disappointment in Qin Yaoyao!

When Qin Yaoyao had her accident, Old Madam was at Fuyuan Temple worshipping Buddha. Xu Shi had kept it from Old Madam and hadn’t sent word. By the time Old Madam came down from the mountain and learned of events days later, Qin Yaoyao was already dead.

Qin Shuying’s eyes moistened.

Lu Changxuan also dared not raise his head, thinking to himself that indeed, as Qin Feifei had said, Old Madam was not easily fooled.

After a pause, Old Madam said sternly: “You must always remember that Second girl was your first wife. Third girl must perform concubine rites before Second girl’s memorial tablet—never forget this! The current Emperor governs the realm with filial piety and ritual law. Disregarding ritual law and moral principles is absolutely impermissible! Do you remember this!”

Lu Changxuan restrained much of his previous dismissive attitude and bowed again: “I humbly follow Grandmother’s teachings!”

Qin Shuying closed her eyes, her emotions complex. Old Madam had keen insight and clear eyes—but so what? To Old Madam, they were both granddaughters. Even if she knew Qin Yaoyao’s death was suspicious, at most she could only express dissatisfaction with Lu Changxuan and Qin Feifei. When someone dies, the lamp goes out—Old Madam couldn’t possibly seek justice for Qin Yaoyao.

This revenge could only be taken by herself!