Qin Shuying sneered inwardly but appeared shy and timid on the surface: “Third Sister, your little sister is ignorant, yet Sister doesn’t guide or teach me, and even teases me like this, making Second Brother-in-law—oh no, Third Brother-in-law—laugh at me. By the way, Sister and Brother-in-law came from that direction—did you go to Mist Garden where Second Sister used to live to pay respects to her? Come to think of it, if not for Second Sister, how could Third Sister become the principal wife? It’s proper for Third Sister to go remember her. Knowing gratitude and not forgetting one’s roots—Third Sister is truly a model among women. Isn’t that right, Second Brother-in-law?”

Qin Feifei’s complexion turned ugly, while Lu Changxuan maintained his unchanging elegant, smiling demeanor—refined and courteous, neither annoyed nor angry, only smiling faintly without saying a word. Through eight years of interaction, the Lu Changxuan that Qin Shuying saw was always refined and gentle. He rarely got angry, never showed his emotions on his face. He was deeply scheming, vicious and cunning, knew how to wait for opportunities, and understood how to strike with certainty.

“Second Brother-in-law—oh no, Third Brother-in-law—since you’re not speaking, that means you agree. Third Brother-in-law is truly a model among men—deeply devoted to Second Sister and lovingly protective of Third Sister. Seeing Third Sister taking such good care of Second Sister’s husband for her, Second Sister must be very happy and will visit Third Sister’s unborn child in dreams tonight!”

They had merely come from that direction and hadn’t actually gone to Mist Garden. But that path wasn’t far from Mist Garden. Could Lu Changxuan truly still be unable to forget Qin Yaoyao, deliberately walking from that direction just now?

Qin Feifei was already unhappy when she heard “deeply devoted,” and her expression changed drastically at the latter part. She said displeasedly: “What are you saying? Dream visits?”

Qin Shuying said with a beaming smile: “Third Sister doesn’t know? This is a southern custom—Third Sister not knowing is understandable. In southern customs, if someone dies with eyes that won’t close in peace, or dies in their rightful place, they’ll visit the person they can’t forget most in dreams. The person Second Sister can’t forget most must be Third Sister. Now that Third Sister is pregnant, the child in her belly will consume the dream. This way, the child will grow to resemble the person who visited in dreams. Third Sister, do you think my little nephew will grow to look like Second Sister? Whether boy or girl, they’ll surely be very beautiful! This would be good too—Second Brother-in-law must miss Second Sister very much. This way, when he sees the child, he’ll be reminded of Second Sister.”

Qin Feifei never imagined that this weak, indecisive cousin would speak so quickly and clearly today—not at all like a proper young lady, but rather like those street rogues with slippery tongues who could talk circles around anyone. Her mouth moved like lightning, finishing everything in the blink of an eye, leaving no room for interruption.

By the time Qin Shuying finished speaking, Qin Feifei was so nauseated she could barely breathe—her unborn child would look like Qin Yaoyao?! Lu Changxuan would be reminded of Qin Yaoyao whenever he saw the child?!

Lu Changxuan’s eyes narrowed slightly. How was this cousin completely different from what Qin Feifei had described before? Though her methods of sowing discord were crude, they were undeniably effective at creating rifts!

Qin Shuying continued: “I only saw Second Sister when I was small and can’t remember what she looked like now. When Third Sister’s child is born, I’ll be able to see what Second Sister looked like in the past—how wonderful! Third Sister, you should go properly worship Second Sister. I think Second Sister will be very happy! Second Brother-in-law will surely be very happy too!”

With that, she smiled, stepped back a few paces, turned, and left. In this life, apart from her quick tongue, she had no other advantages.

Back then, begging for food on busy streets, she had shouted loudly selling cloth, fish, embroidery, and brown sugar, haggling with people and arguing until her mouth was dry over a single copper coin—where was there room to care about grace and etiquette?

Today, she had deliberately confused “Second Brother-in-law” and “Third Brother-in-law.” Though Qin Feifei appeared dignified and generous, she was actually the most petty-minded. She hoped Qin Feifei would enjoy this thoroughly.

Everything happened in an instant. Qin Feifei had a breath stuck in her throat that she couldn’t expel—both nauseated and frustrated, she could only watch helplessly as Qin Shuying departed leisurely.

Lu Changxuan said: “Feifei, you needn’t take Seventh Sister’s words to heart.”

Qin Feifei swallowed repeatedly, finally managing to calm her emotions with great effort. She forced out a smile, restoring her elegant composure before Lu Changxuan: “Of course not. Seventh Sister’s words are still somewhat childish—just unguarded talk.”

Since Qin Yaoyao’s death, she had been having nightmares frequently. Though Lu Changxuan still treated her as before, Qin Feifei ultimately had guilt in her heart and hadn’t been happy during this period.

Returning to Yilan Garden, Qin Shuying locked herself in the study, allowing no one to enter. She picked up a medical text and read it seriously. Gradually, that heart full of hatred and pain slowly found peace.

Today’s victory could only happen once. Gaining the upper hand with words had no practical effect whatsoever. Her cultivation was still too shallow—seeing them made her unable to control herself. But Feng’er had died such a short time ago, her heart hadn’t become numb yet and was still bleeding. How could she control herself?

Qin Shuying covered her face, struggling to suppress her sorrow and rage. Only when Lu Changxuan met misfortune could she truly trip them up! But how easy was Lu Changxuan to deal with? Her only expertise was in business—she couldn’t interfere in court matters…

When Qin Shuying passed through the garden, she heard maids whispering that Third Miss Qin Feifei truly had good fortune—a widowed woman who could marry such a perfect husband was truly one of a kind in the world. Others said Third Son-in-law was so handsome, even more beautiful than someone stepping out of a painting.

Qin Shuying stopped by a cluster of wild roses. Yes, Third Miss truly had good fortune, and Third Son-in-law was truly talented!

Looking down, she glimpsed the wild roses under the snow cover. Even buried under accumulated snow, they remained lush with branches and leaves. The roses of this season should have withered and yellowed long ago, yet their thorns remained all over.

Wasn’t that just like herself?

Her lips curved in a smile. The most terrifying thing in the world wasn’t not getting something, but getting it and then losing it. If Qin Feifei lost what she valued most, she wondered…

Hong Juan looked at her young lady’s smile and couldn’t help feeling alarmed. Miss, she…

Hong Juan quickly lowered her head, not daring to think deeper. Now, only if Miss was well could she be well—they were people on the same boat. Even if Miss asked her to die, she would have to go. Miss had been too pitiful before. Only by becoming strong and clever now was there a way out for her as a maid.

Ziteng’s expression was grim. From Qin Shuying’s earlier mockery of Qin Feifei, she could see that Qin Shuying’s hatred for Qin Feifei exceeded even that for Xu Shi.

Qin Feifei had been married for eight years. Eight years ago, Qin Shuying was only a five-year-old child—what deep hatred could she have with Qin Feifei? Though puzzled, as long as Miss was on the same side as her, she didn’t care about the reasons.