With Liang Yunshan present and in good spirits, Luo Meixiang knew it was inappropriate to say more, and the meal passed peacefully.

After the meal, Liang Yunshan enthusiastically called to his son and nephew, “Ziyu, you all come along.”

With that, the male hosts went to the martial training grounds.

Lady Meng said a few words and then took her leave with Third Maiden and Fourth Maiden.

Qin Shuying also took her leave.

Just as they had walked out, Old Madam Liang slammed her hand on the table, her gaze cold as ice, spitting out each word: “Truly arrogant, without rules or propriety, lawless and defiant!”

Luo Meixiang hurriedly said, “Auntie, please don’t be angry. It’s not worth damaging your health over this. We’ve long known what kind of person the eldest daughter-in-law is. The days ahead are long, and flowers don’t bloom for a hundred days. Just wait and see.”

“She’s exactly like her Zhao family and that Zhen girl—none of them take me seriously!”

“Auntie, what is your status? Who would dare not take you seriously? You couldn’t find a second person like that in all of the capital!”

Old Madam Liang’s expression didn’t improve despite Luo Meixiang’s flattery. She said, “She’s nothing but trouble. We should never have let her through the door in the first place!”

Hearing Old Madam Liang’s complaints, Luo Meixiang felt quite wronged. Of course she hadn’t wanted Qin Shuying to enter the family—she had favored Luo Jinniang. But who could have known that Luo Jinniang would cause such a scandal with Liu Junqing?

“Moreover, after His Majesty decreed the marriage, we should have created some incident to prevent her from entering the door!”

Luo Meixiang felt even more wronged. She had schemed so extensively at the imperial lodge, yet Qin Shuying had still managed to escape. After returning to the capital, Qin Shuying had hardly left her residence, leaving no opportunity to act.

Old Madam Liang thought for a moment, her brow furrowing with some irritation: “You need to be more vigilant. His abilities have grown now. Since our previous attempts to obstruct him all failed, it will be even more difficult in the future. And there’s Qiong’er’s marriage—didn’t you say it was definitely his doing? Have you discovered anything?”

At the mention of this, Luo Meixiang’s teeth itched with frustration.

Before Liang Zhe’s wedding, she had employed every conceivable method, both obvious and subtle, all of which Liang Zhe had systematically neutralized.

This was simply the greatest humiliation of Luo Meixiang’s entire life!

And regarding Qiong’er’s marriage, though she had no evidence, she was absolutely certain it was connected to Liang Zhe.

“Auntie, I haven’t discovered anything yet.”

Old Madam Liang said, “To be able to influence His Majesty’s decisions requires considerable insight and cunning that cannot be underestimated. Meixiang, you must be extra careful.”

Old Madam Liang was clearly warning Luo Meixiang not to let Liang Zhe gain the upper hand.

However, Luo Meixiang stubbornly interpreted Old Madam Liang’s words as admiration for Liang Zhe.

Luo Meixiang harbored some petty thoughts—despite all her pleasant words, Auntie was still, deep down, attached to this legitimate eldest grandson, wasn’t she!

She responded appropriately while feeling somewhat resentful inwardly.

Old Madam Liang held the rank of a Super First Rank Lady, with incomparably noble status, yet she rarely went out for social obligations and seldom received outsiders.

If the old madam had entered the palace early to request an imperial favor, her daughter might already be the Fifth Prince’s consort.

But when Luo Meixiang had repeatedly hinted for Old Madam Liang to request such a favor, she had been brushed off each time.

At this moment, Luo Meixiang conveniently forgot that she herself had once planned for Liang Qiong to hold out for the best offer.

When things turned out worse than expected, she instead blamed Old Madam Liang for not making plans for Liang Qiong.

However, she said aloud, “Auntie, rest assured. Learning from this setback, I will certainly be more careful.”

The irritation between Old Madam Liang’s brows did not diminish as she nodded faintly: “That’s as it should be.”

Throughout the entire morning, Qin Shuying had been busy in Songtao Residence.

Liang Zhe didn’t return until nearly lunchtime. He first went to bathe, then came over wearing a fresh set of casual robes, telling Qin Shuying: “The Marquis is in good spirits. The family will still dine together at Ning Garden for lunch.”

Qin Shuying was reviewing accounts with Ziteng and Lan Chou. Her dowry had only finished being catalogued that morning, and the inventory lists had just been delivered.

Seeing Liang Zhe arrive, Ziteng and Lan Chou withdrew.

Qin Shuying looked up at him, seeing him dressed in a blue robe, handsome and upright, radiating noble bearing.

She quickly lowered her head again, not daring to look at him further, and asked with feigned nonchalance: “Ziyu, what time is it?”

Liang Zhe sat down across from her. “Just a few more tea intervals to wait.”

Qin Shuying set down the account book, stood up to pour him a cup of tea, and said: “Ziyu, is the Marquis pleased because your martial skills are excellent?”

Liang Zhe nodded and drank the tea. Qin Shuying poured him another cup.

Liang Zhe accepted the teacup. “The Marquis sparred with me and couldn’t win a single match.”

Qin Shuying smiled. “Ziyu, the Marquis has been able to manage military affairs for decades consistently and still retain His Majesty’s trust—he’s not someone without calculation. His not allowing you to gain too much merit on the battlefield may have his own considerations. What do you think, Ziyu?”

Liang Zhe fell silent for a moment. The reasoning was sound, but whenever he thought of his mother’s death and how his sister had been so mistreated by Luo Meixiang, he couldn’t help but hate Liang Yunshan and transfer that anger to him.

Moreover, Liang Zhe truly couldn’t see what considerations his father might have.

“Ziyu, did you beat up the Marquis just now?”

Liang Zhe paused, then suddenly smiled. “Shuying understands me best.”

Qin Shuying also smiled. “With your vengeful nature, given such an opportunity, how could you not take full advantage? Look, you beat him, yet he’s still very happy. Isn’t this method much better than brooding in resentment and father-son enmity?”

Liang Zhe set down his teacup. Though he said nothing, it was clear he had taken Qin Shuying’s words to heart.

“Ziyu, your situation now is different from mine back at the Qin family. Even at the Qin family, I didn’t dare offend Uncle too severely and had to find ways to appease him. The heir apparent position is something we must obtain. The person who submits the memorial must be the Marquis.”

Therefore, they couldn’t stand in opposition to Liang Yunshan.

How could Liang Zhe not understand this principle?

He had understood it long ago.

But understanding was one thing; asking him to reconcile with Liang Yunshan was quite another.

Liang Zhe took Qin Shuying’s hand. “Shuying, thank you for staying by my side. If you hadn’t reasoned with me time and again, I probably would have been unable to resist beating him the day he returned home.”

Qin Shuying let him hold her hand.

“Regarding sister’s matter—this issue will forever remain an insurmountable hurdle in my heart.”

This was Liang Zhe’s most painful and powerless situation, and Qin Shuying had no way to comfort him.

“Ziyu, rest assured. Big Sister’s justice must be reclaimed in the future. Whatever Luo Meixiang did, we must certainly retaliate in kind—not one bit less, not one bit different.”

Liang Zhe grasped her hand and nodded.

Then he suddenly smiled, a smile so radiant it made even the flowers on the table lose their color.

Qin Shuying was momentarily stunned, then quickly averted her gaze and, using the excuse of visiting the washroom, freed her hand and walked away.

After emerging from the washroom, Qin Shuying changed into a different outfit, and Hong Juan came in to tidy her hair arrangement.

Soon it was lunchtime. Qin Shuying and Liang Zhe left their quarters to find a small sedan chair with blue curtains waiting outside their door.

This was sent by Luo Meixiang to transport Qin Shuying, following the household’s established protocol.

Qin Shuying had taken this same sedan chair to Ning Garden that morning.

Getting into the sedan chair, two servants lifted it toward Ning Garden while Liang Zhe walked beside her.

Since conversation was inconvenient at this time, Liang Zhe began introducing the flowers, grass, trees, and other features of the garden to Qin Shuying.

Lu Ye followed behind them.