To say she was completely unaware of this matter would be impossible.

After all, a year ago, Qin Feifei had been constantly going back and forth between her natal home and the Lu family. Qin Yunyun also often stayed by Xu Shi’s side, so it was inevitable she’d overhear bits and pieces.

But what did it mean for the Lu family to spread these rumors?

“The Lu family – why would the Lu family people spread rumors?”

Nanny Zhao said: “Miss, you’re still young and don’t understand the subtle, indescribable relationship between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law. This old servant estimates that Third Young Madam did something that displeased Old Madam Lu, so she spread the rumors in anger. Miss, if Third Young Madam stays at the Lu family and Third Young Master dies, she could at least gain a reputation as a chaste and virtuous widow, and she’d have her child to depend on in the future. Even if someone pursues the matter, it would be the Lu family’s business. But if she returns, Miss, people outside are all saying Third Young Madam burned Second Miss to death. What would that do to the Qin residence’s reputation…”

Nanny Zhao only said half, but Qin Yunyun understood.

If the Qin residence’s reputation were implicated, she probably wouldn’t even be able to marry into the Li family, and Second Brother certainly couldn’t marry that young lady either.

Qin Yunyun quickly said: “Then let her stay at the Lu family. That’s better for everyone.”

Nanny Zhao’s expression was complex. Sigh, they were all cold-hearted people!

“Miss, you must live well after we go to the Li family. Miss, don’t you agree?”

Looking at Nanny Zhao’s hopeful face and hearing her meaningful words, Qin Yunyun nodded involuntarily.

Nanny Zhao finally breathed a sigh of relief. She would definitely accompany the dowry, and she only hoped Qin Yunyun could live peacefully without causing trouble, especially not seeking trouble with Seventh Miss.

Couldn’t she see by now that Seventh Miss simply couldn’t be manipulated by her!

Every time she sought trouble with Seventh Miss, Sixth Miss only sank deeper into the mire. Nanny Zhao could see this clearly and plainly.

She had a whole family to think about – she didn’t want to be dragged down by Qin Yunyun.

Nanny Zhang’s fate was still before their eyes, though she was relatively fortunate in not implicating her descendants.

Look at Nanny Liu – she helped Madam harm Seventh Miss, and ever since Madam entered the quiet room, Nanny Liu’s family members had suffered mishaps one after another.

Nanny Liu’s husband had originally been a steward on an estate. He fell into a ditch after drinking and broke his leg – it still hadn’t healed properly!

Nanny Liu had a son and daughter, both married. As a result, both households suffered incidents.

Nanny Liu’s son worked as an accountant in a shop but was found to have sticky fingers and got involved in a criminal case, eventually ending up in prison. Though he was later ransomed out with money, he could never work in that profession again – his livelihood and future were ruined.

The family Nanny Liu’s daughter married into discovered she was having an affair, and her mother-in-law divorced her with a letter of repudiation.

Nanny Liu had secretly sought out Nanny Zhao: “Old sister, this must all be Seventh Miss’s doing! Other than her, no one would be so ruthless!”

Nanny Zhao had spoken vaguely at the time, saying she was overthinking, but Nanny Zhao’s heart was clear – Nanny Liu had repeatedly helped Grand Madam harm Seventh Miss, and Seventh Miss wasn’t someone to be easily bullied.

Anyone who harmed her – who had ever gained anything good from it?

No matter how much Nanny Liu hated, there was nothing she could do to Seventh Miss.

Nanny Zhao’s assessment was correct – Nanny Liu indeed despised Qin Shuying to the bone.

At this very moment, Nanny Liu was combing Xu Shi’s hair while talking: “Madam, Seventh Miss is truly too ruthless. Look, what kind of family did Second Young Master find? And what kind of family did Sixth Miss find? But Seventh Miss is marrying into the hereditary super first-rank General Zhengxi’s residence! Liang Zhe is so young yet already fifth rank. Though Liang Yunshan doesn’t favor him, he’s still the legitimate eldest son. Madam, the families Sixth Miss and Seventh Miss are marrying into – it’s truly like heaven and earth!”

Nanny Liu didn’t mention at all that the Li family was simple – after Qin Yunyun married in, her mother-in-law had died early, so she’d only need to serve her father-in-law. Li Youwang’s sister had long since married and was doing well financially, not needing Li Youwang’s support. Living their own quiet life behind closed doors would be quite pleasant.

But when Qin Shuying married into the Liang family, she’d have to live amid swords and daggers. Even before entering the household, it had already caused citywide turmoil, with Luo Meixiang even providing Liang Zhe with concubines.

If Qin Shuying weren’t formidable, she probably wouldn’t even have bones left at the Liang family. This point was known to every noble lady in the capital, yet Nanny Liu didn’t mention it at all. Xu Shi couldn’t possibly not think of it, but chose to ignore it.

Xu Shi’s face looked extremely ugly, and she didn’t even notice when the comb in her hand fell to the ground.

“Even Fifth Miss is marrying better than Sixth Miss – what kind of world is this!”

This sentence finally broke through Xu Shi’s psychological defenses. She ground her teeth: “That heartless Dong Shi! And Zou Shi – I’ve oppressed her for a lifetime, and now she’s finally going to hold her head high. Slut!”

I was talking about Seventh Miss – didn’t you understand, Madam?

Nanny Liu finished combing Xu Shi’s hair: “Madam, Grand Madam has no choice either. If she doesn’t follow Seventh Miss’s wishes, when Seventh Miss assumes the position of Grand Madam of the Liang family in the future, I’m afraid Grand Madam won’t be able to handle it either.”

“She’s actually helping that slut Qin Shuying! No, I cannot watch Kaiyu and Yunyun be ruined by Dong Shi. Go ask Grand Master to come!”

Nanny Liu looked troubled: “Madam, have you forgotten what Grand Master said? He won’t come.”

Speaking of this, Nanny Liu also felt apprehensive – Grand Master had kicked her twice, and she still trembled thinking about it.

Xu Shi was stunned – Qin Yongtao hadn’t come to see her for a long time.

Qin Yongtao was truly ruthless!

She had long known he was ruthless, but thought he wouldn’t be ruthless toward her. She hadn’t expected that in his eyes, everyone was actually the same.

He could remain unmoved by Qin Yongzhou’s death, could turn a blind eye to her plotting against Qin Shuying, so naturally he could also be indifferent toward her.

“Then what do you think we should do? Should we just watch helplessly as Kaiyu and Sixth girl are sold off by Dong Shi?”

Why is it Grand Madam again? This is Qin Shuying’s doing, my Madam.

Nanny Liu’s eyes rolled as she said: “Madam, have you forgotten? These days, you’ve been dutifully chanting sutras and worshipping Buddha, and Old Madam has seen it all. A few days ago when Old Madam fell ill, you sincerely copied scriptures to pray for her blessing and have finally finished. This old servant will take these scriptures to see the master and sound out his attitude.”

Though afraid, thinking that if she couldn’t get Xu Shi out, she couldn’t take revenge on Qin Shuying, Nanny Liu decided to risk it all.

Learning of her family’s troubles, Nanny Liu had long wanted revenge on Qin Shuying.

But Qin Shuying was too cunning.

She wouldn’t wander around the residence casually. Whenever she left Yilan Garden, she’d definitely have at least one person with her, and she never went to secluded places.

When leaving the residence, she was surrounded by a crowd with several guards following – it would be impossible to attack her outside.

Nanny Liu had also thought of following suit by targeting people around Qin Shuying, but all the people she relied on were slippery, and everyone traveled in pairs at minimum.

Even when Nanny Fu traveled between the Qin residence and her own home, Qin Shuying assigned two guards to escort her.