Qianxi Garden occupied an enormous area, roughly the same size as Songtao Residence, with intricate and elaborate designs that left one in awe.

Maids and older servants had long been waiting at the entrance. Liang Zhe held Qin Shuying’s hand as they walked in amid everyone’s amazement and surprise.

Old Madam Liang sat in the center, with Liang Yunshan and Luo Meixiang seated on either side of her.

The others, either sitting or standing, included Liang Qiong, Liang Jie, Liang Yuan, Second Madam Liang, and several of her children.

The household was relatively simple in composition.

Since Old Madam Liang was still alive, Second Master Liang’s family had not separated from the main household, and everyone lived together.

As soon as Liang Zhe and Qin Shuying entered, they drew everyone’s attention.

Old Madam Liang’s pupils contracted slightly. How shameless—to pull and tug at each other in front of so many people!

However, she didn’t scold Liang Zhe coldly as she usually did, maintaining only a bland expression that revealed neither pleasure nor displeasure.

Liang Yunshan didn’t think much of it. Ever since he could remember, his mother had always been cold by nature.

His mother’s cold temperament had become ingrained in Liang Yunshan’s subconscious.

Someone brought two cushions and placed them in front of Old Madam Liang.

Qin Shuying had noticed Old Madam Liang early on.

She must be in her sixties now, but showed no signs of aging whatsoever. She was quite tall with a straight spine, hair black as clouds, a fair complexion, tight skin, and features like a painting.

In her youth, Old Madam Liang must have been an absolutely stunning beauty.

Sitting together with Liang Yunshan and Luo Meixiang, though Liang Yunshan was also tall with large eyes, at first glance one more easily noticed how Luo Meixiang resembled her more—both tall with fair skin, large eyes, and hair black as clouds.

The Luo family’s good looks were truly concentrated in these two women.

Qin Shuying had also met Luo Huan and Luo Jinniang, and they didn’t possess such distinctive features as Old Madam Liang and Luo Meixiang.

Liang Zhe and Qin Shuying knelt down and kowtowed to Old Madam Liang. She didn’t make things difficult for the couple, readily drinking the tea Qin Shuying offered and giving her a pair of fine-quality bracelets.

Next was Liang Yunshan. Though he still resented his son’s behavior, he was ultimately pleased. This was his son, after all, and much more accomplished than his second and third sons.

Any man would want his son to succeed, and Liang Zhe resembled him—skilled in warfare and a true man.

Looking at his daughter-in-law, he had no complaints. She was attractive and appeared very steady. Moreover, she was highly regarded by Princess Yongjia. The day before yesterday, what had Princess Yongjia said to him before Emperor Delong?

The brat certainly knew how to choose a wife.

Liang Yunshan also readily drank the tea and gave very valuable gifts as meeting presents.

Luo Meixiang’s lips curved upward as she waited for Qin Shuying and Liang Zhe to serve her tea.

Who would have expected Liang Zhe to say, “Grandmother, Father, now Shuying should serve tea to Mother. Please wait, Grandmother and Father, while we husband and wife go to the ancestral hall to serve tea to Mother.”

Luo Meixiang was so angry her eyes blazed with fire. Old Madam Liang maintained her bland expression, as if it had nothing to do with her.

Liang Yunshan thought for a moment and said, “Then go ahead.”

Liang Zhe took Qin Shuying’s hand and went to the ancestral hall.

The ancestral hall was in the northwest corner.

This round trip would take nearly half an hour.

The ancestral hall was cleaned and tended daily, so it was quite clean.

Liang Zhe and Qin Shuying served tea to Zhao Wanniang’s memorial tablet. Liang Zhe stared blankly for a while, then knelt alone on the ground and spoke a few words to Zhao Wanniang’s tablet.

Afterward, they returned to Qianxi Hall.

Luo Meixiang had long grown extremely impatient, complaining indirectly to Liang Yunshan several times.

Liang Yunshan smiled awkwardly and offered a few consoling words to Luo Meixiang.

Old Madam Liang maintained a cold expression throughout, clearly displeased.

With both his mother and wife in such states, Liang Yunshan couldn’t bear it and hoped the brat would return quickly.

Finally, Liang Zhe and Qin Shuying returned. The room, which had grown restless, quieted again, but within that quiet lurked an eerie atmosphere.

All the maids and servants in the room knew that Luo Meixiang disliked Liang Zhe. Would she drink Qin Shuying’s tea?

A cushion was placed in front of Luo Meixiang.

Qin Shuying knelt down, then accepted the teacup handed over by Luo Meixiang’s maid, Ai Ye.

The moment she touched the teacup, Qin Shuying’s expression changed slightly. Luo Meixiang saw this and was delighted—let’s see if this doesn’t scald you to death, you cheap slut!

Qin Shuying held the teacup with both hands at chest level, “Madam, please drink tea.”

Luo Meixiang frowned and looked toward Liang Yunshan, “My lord, Shuying calls me Madam—is this appropriate?”

Liang Yunshan coughed, his eyes somewhat uncomfortable. The pressure Princess Yongjia had applied to him really couldn’t be ignored. Besides, such an address didn’t seem inappropriate, so he said, “Shuying appears to be a child who understands propriety.”

Luo Meixiang was somewhat puzzled. Liang Yunshan was clearly supporting Qin Shuying—why?

Qin Shuying said again, “Madam, please drink tea.”

Liang Zhe stood to one side, his eyes filled with dense clouds and gathering ice shards. However, he lowered his head slightly and said nothing.

Luo Meixiang deliberately wanted to torment Qin Shuying.

She smiled and said carelessly, “Ai Ye, the gift I prepared for the First Madam…”

Qin Shuying interrupted her, “Madam, please drink tea.”

Luo Meixiang glanced at her but still didn’t take the tea, raising an eyebrow with a smile, “To interrupt an elder while she’s speaking—child, you really need proper instruction…”

Qin Shuying seemed not to hear at all, calmly standing up and placing the teacup beside Liang Yunshan. She spread her hands open, her tone unperturbed, “Father, the teacup was so hot it blistered your daughter-in-law’s hands. I couldn’t hold it.”

Liang Yunshan was shocked to see blisters on both of Qin Shuying’s palms. He immediately reached to test the teacup, and indeed it was so hot that even he couldn’t hold it.

With a “crash,” the teacup fell to the ground and shattered into pieces.

Liang Yunshan’s face immediately turned livid as he looked toward Luo Meixiang.

Luo Meixiang hadn’t expected Qin Shuying to be so bold, but she reacted quickly, immediately widening her eyes to appear very innocent, her voice trembling, “My lord, this…”

Liang Qiong, who had been watching coldly from the sidelines, immediately said, “Father, this must be some careless servant’s doing. Mother will surely punish them afterward. Ai Ye, hurry and bring another cup of tea.”

Qin Shuying and Liang Zhe watched Liang Yunshan impassively.

Liang Yunshan looked at Luo Meixiang, whose beautiful eyes held expectation, remembering her tender care over the past two nights. His heart immediately softened, and he said, “Qiong’er is right. Shuying, please take another cup of tea to serve Madam.”

A mocking smile played at the corners of Qin Shuying’s lips, but she still looked toward Ai Ye as instructed.

Qin Shuying crossed her hands inside her sleeves, quickly applying some powder to both palms.

Ai Ye was flustered by the earlier incident. She never could have imagined that not only would Qin Shuying not serve this tea, but she would actually present it to Liang Yunshan.

But no matter how hot the tea was, it couldn’t possibly cause blisters in such a short time!

With no time to think further, this time she didn’t dare play tricks, immediately pouring a cup of warm tea and handing it to Qin Shuying.

She didn’t notice that Qin Shuying accepted the tea while standing.

Qin Shuying held the teacup and knelt down, then raised the cup to chest level, “Madam, please drink tea.”

Luo Meixiang knew she had no choice but to drink. Besides, the tea was only warm—no matter how long Qin Shuying held it, she wouldn’t be hurt. So she reached out to take the teacup.

But just as her hand touched the teacup, Luo Meixiang couldn’t help but scream, and the teacup fell to the ground with a “crack.”