The next day.

After Liang Zhe and his wife got up, they went to pay their respects at Ning Garden, where Old Madam Liang lived.

Old Madam Liang was already up. Luo Meixiang, Second Madam Liang, Liang Qiong, Third Miss, Fourth Miss, and brothers Liang Jie and Liang Yuan were all already at Ning Garden.

Liang Yunshan had to attend court in the morning and had left early.

After paying their respects, Old Madam Liang had everyone stay for the morning meal.

The servants set out the food on one side while Old Madam Liang sat in the main seat talking with Luo Meixiang. Liang Qiong chimed in from the side, while the others stood listening to their conversation.

“…Old Madam, speaking of the Long family’s rules, though I’ve lived for over thirty years, this is the first time I’ve seen such things. Young unmarried ladies should stay at home learning women’s precepts and training. How can they run shops and show their faces in public before marriage? When they reach their husband’s family in the future, how could their in-laws possibly approve? Look – their eldest daughter was exactly like this. After five years of marriage, her in-laws disliked her, her husband didn’t love her, and in the end she was divorced. With such a clear lesson before them, they’re still raising their second daughter the same way. If she marries in the future, she’ll surely be divorced and sent back home too. First daughter-in-law, don’t you agree?”

Old Madam Liang’s expression was indifferent, her eyes lightly sweeping over Qin Shuying.

Qin Shuying smiled faintly. “Madam, are you speaking of the Long family where the master is a registrar?”

Madam, madam…

Though Luo Meixiang didn’t like hearing Qin Shuying call her “mother,” her not liking it was one thing, but Qin Shuying not saying it was another matter entirely.

“Oh, so the first daughter-in-law knows about it too? It must be because their way of raising daughters is so improper that even you’ve heard about it.”

Qin Shuying smiled charmingly. “Mm. I heard about it at the Princess Imperial’s residence. She said Registrar Long’s eldest daughter has great moral character.”

Luo Meixiang smiled with pursed lips. “Child, you must not have understood the Princess Imperial’s meaning. Well, you’re still young, so it’s natural you wouldn’t understand her words. In the future when you go out, remember to carefully consider the meaning behind noble people’s words and don’t jump to conclusions casually, or you’ll invite ridicule. Do you understand?”

Qin Shuying turned to Liang Qiong. “Second sister, I’m new here and truly didn’t understand Madam’s words. Could you help explain for me?”

Liang Qiong had been harboring anger toward Qin Shuying over previous incidents – she hadn’t even attended the wedding chamber ceremony. These past few days she’d been waiting for exactly this kind of moment, with her mother and grandmother to back her up, perfect for venting her frustrations.

She smiled sweetly. Already extremely beautiful, this smile made her even more breathtaking, though unfortunately the room was full of her own brothers with no one to appreciate her celestial beauty.

“Sister-in-law, Mother’s meaning is very simple. Women should have proper conduct, otherwise they’ll become a laughingstock. Just like Registrar Long’s eldest daughter – showing her face in public to do business is improper conduct. Such women, looking across all of the capital, no family’s main wife would approve of them. Speaking of it, eldest brother is really broad-minded. Even though sister-in-law used to show her face in public doing business, eldest brother doesn’t mind at all. Sister-in-law, you should really thank eldest brother well.”

After speaking, she looked at Qin Shuying with a beaming smile, then glanced at Liang Zhe.

Liang Zhe’s fists hidden in his sleeves were clenched tightly, but remembering Qin Shuying’s words, he maintained his usual cold demeanor as if he hadn’t heard Liang Qiong’s words at all.

Qin Shuying had repeatedly instructed him not to interfere in inner courtyard matters. Especially in these verbal disputes, as long as they didn’t involve Zhao Wanniang and Liang Zhen, Liang Zhe must absolutely not intervene.

If he didn’t interfere, this was just conflict between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, sister-in-law and sister-in-law – which family didn’t have such things? But if he interfered, the nature of the matter would change entirely.

Lady Meng, Third Miss, and Fourth Miss, hearing this battle of words between the sisters-in-law, couldn’t control their eyes and curiosity, all turning to watch Qin Shuying’s reaction.

Qin Shuying smiled. “I understand what second sister means now – you’re saying our Marquis of Pingxi’s residence has no proper rules. Second sister, you’re now Princess Fuqing, His Majesty has decreed your marriage, so outsiders saying our Marquis of Pingxi’s residence lacks rules won’t affect you. But second brother and third brother haven’t married yet, and if this spreads, it won’t look good. In the future, you should be more careful with such words. Second brother, third brother, don’t you agree?”

Though Liang Qiong was furious, she smiled even more serenely than Qin Shuying, though her tone became increasingly venomous. “Sister-in-law, your ears don’t work well, and it seems your brain doesn’t either. I said you lack proper conduct, not that the Marquis of Pingxi’s residence lacks rules. You, you – it’s fortunate we’re all family here, otherwise others hearing this would think sister-in-law is foolish, unable to even understand simple words.”

Qin Shuying remained unhurried and untroubled, only sighing. “Second sister, have you forgotten that I received an imperial marriage decree? Speaking this way, aren’t you saying His Majesty has no discernment? Though Father holds high position and great power, we should be even more careful with our words and actions. It’s fine to say such things in this room, but once you step outside this door, second sister must remember your identity as Princess Fuqing. Don’t bring shame to the imperial family’s reputation, or I fear the first one who won’t forgive you will be Princess Fuping.”

Liang Qiong could no longer maintain her composure – she actually dared mention Princess Fuping!

Seeing her daughter gain no advantage and instead being led further astray by Qin Shuying, Luo Meixiang rose with a beaming smile and said to Qin Shuying: “Shuying, everyone says you have a sharp tongue, and today I’ve truly opened my eyes. Well then, if anyone claims to be eloquent in the future, I won’t allow it. With your sister-in-law here, who would dare boast? After talking so much, you must be hungry. Good child, come here – it’s time to serve Old Madam her morning meal.”

Old Madam Liang had been listening to their verbal sparring with an expressionless face, and now her expression remained indifferent, showing no joy or anger.

Ever since learning that Old Madam Liang wasn’t Liang Zhe’s blood grandmother, Qin Shuying had been unwilling in her heart to serve her. Though according to propriety, even if Old Madam Liang wasn’t Liang Zhe’s blood grandmother, she was still his legitimate grandmother, making it natural for Qin Shuying to serve her.

Thinking of how Liang Zhe had nearly died at their hands repeatedly, Qin Shuying couldn’t control her disgust.

However, thinking of Old Madam Liang’s strange behavior and her own suspicions, Qin Shuying wanted to test her.

“Madam, according to the Great Zhou’s protocols, with you present, it would be improper for me to serve Old Madam. If word got out, it would be certain proof that the Marquis of Pingxi’s residence has no rules or order. Second brother and third brother’s marriage prospects can’t be ruined by my actions.”

Luo Meixiang secretly resented Qin Shuying’s cunning, saying only: “You child, you always have so many reasons, no matter what you say you’re always right. Speaking of it, this could also be considered as replacing your father in filial service to Old Madam – how could that violate proper conduct? Since you’re unwilling to serve Old Madam in place of the Marquis, then I’ll do it instead.”

Another high hat fell down, and the gloom in Liang Zhe’s eyes was already thick enough to take physical form.

Luo Meixiang caught sight of his expression and felt extremely pleased.

Unexpectedly, Qin Shuying covered her lips and laughed. “Madam makes a good point. Just now second sister said I’m slow-witted, but since I’m a bit slow, I should learn well. Madam, you and second sister have always been filial, so please teach me more, lest I make mistakes. How does that sound?”

“What difficulty is there in that? Just follow along and learn.”