Dong Shi laughed, “Great Ancestor, the environment at the marquis manor nurtures people well. Seventh Sister has only been married for three days, yet she’s grown even more beautiful. You should take a good look…”

Old Madam wiped the corners of her eyes, “Qiuxiang, you always have such keen eyes. Your Seventh Sister has always been this beautiful – how can you say it’s the marquis manor’s environment that’s nurturing her…”

This made everyone laugh.

Qin Lulu and Qin Yue, who had come upon hearing the news, smiled reservedly, while Qin Wei laughed somewhat stupidly.

Because she had seen Liang Zhe – how could Seventh Uncle-in-law be so handsome?

Although she hadn’t left the house in the capital and hadn’t seen many men from outside, she had seen quite a few when she was in the south. None of them could match Seventh Uncle-in-law’s distinguished bearing.

How did Seventh Aunt come to have such good fortune…

No wonder Grandfather valued Seventh Aunt so much…

Amid everyone’s laughter and conversation, Old Madam was no longer sorrowful but beaming with joy. She beckoned with her hand, calling Liang Zhe to come closer, then took his hand, “Ziyu, let grandmother take a look at you.”

Liang Zhe knelt beside the couch as Old Madam touched his head and felt his hands, continuously saying, “Good child, good child…”

Liang Zhe felt as if he were like a little rabbit waiting to be sold at the market…

For so many years now, no one had dared to touch his head.

Liang Zhe took Qin Shuying’s hand and said, “Great Ancestor, please rest assured. Since you have entrusted Shuying to Ziyu, Ziyu will treat her well for the rest of his life. Ziyu will do everything in his power to protect and cherish her.”

Old Madam became emotional again, her eyes reddening as she said, “Good child, good child…”

Seeing that Old Madam was too excited, and remembering the physician’s warning that she shouldn’t experience extreme joy or sorrow, Nanny Gu said, “Old Madam, please let Seventh Young Master and Seventh Miss sit down and talk. The marquis manor is so close – Seventh Miss can come visit you anytime.”

Liang Zhe said, “Great Ancestor, if you miss Shuying, your grandson-in-law will accompany Shuying to come chat with you.”

Old Madam’s excited emotions calmed down, and she let Liang Zhe sit back down, but wouldn’t let Qin Shuying leave, “Shuying, don’t listen to Nanny Gu. You just sit right here. She doesn’t have such a well-behaved and sensible granddaughter as you – she’s just jealous of me.”

Everyone laughed again, creating quite a lively atmosphere.

After the excitement died down, Dong Shi organized everyone to go to the flower hall for tea, while Qin Shuying stayed behind to chat with Old Madam.

The Xuan Hall quieted down, and Nanny Gu had the maids withdraw as well, leaving only Qin Shuying and Old Madam to talk.

Old Madam couldn’t wait to ask, “Shuying, does Ziyu treat you well?”

Qin Shuying felt somewhat shy – Old Madam’s intense gaze made her uncomfortable.

“Great Ancestor, very well.”

“Then you two…”

Old Madam only asked half her question, but Qin Shuying understood.

“Great Ancestor, everything follows your instructions – we dare not transgress in the slightest.”

No consummation before coming of age – Old Madam had personally instructed her about this and had given specific orders to Nanny Fu.

“What do Old Madam Liang and the Marquis’s wife say?”

“Nanny Fu was well-prepared – they didn’t notice anything.”

Old Madam breathed a sigh of relief, and her tense expression showed a hint of a smile, “That’s good then. Shuying, you must remember that your body hasn’t fully developed yet – you absolutely cannot let Ziyu act recklessly. He’s a man with vigorous blood and energy, so he’s bound to have more… thoughts.”

Having lived two lives, Qin Shuying shouldn’t have felt particularly embarrassed hearing these words.

But thinking of Liang Zhe’s behavior in the carriage, her face burned red as blood, and she hummed like a mosquito, “I understand, Great Ancestor.”

Old Madam chuckled happily and continued, “Don’t try to be some virtuous wife and good mother by proactively arranging people to serve him. Even if he wants it, you can’t indulge him.”

This was strange – which of the male masters in the Qin manor didn’t have concubines? Didn’t Grandfather also have concubines, which was how Second Uncle Qin Yongluo came to be?

Not to mention others – even Qin Yongzhou and Long Shi, despite their good relationship, still had chamber maids.

Qin Shuying asked, “Great Ancestor, why is that?”

Old Madam looked at her granddaughter with tender affection, “Men shouldn’t be indulged. The more you indulge them, the more energetic they become about being indulged. Shuying, you’re such a clever child – you deserve the best and deserve to be treasured. If Ziyu acts recklessly, you tell grandmother, and grandmother will deal with him.”

Qin Shuying nodded again.

She understood now – Old Madam had double standards.

Whoever she liked, she couldn’t bear to see them being bullied.

Old Madam rambled on for a while longer until Nanny Gu came in and said, “Old Madam, you should rest now. Don’t worry – Seventh Miss will dine with you later.”

Qin Shuying also knew that Old Madam’s health needed more care, “Great Ancestor, please rest. I’ll stay here with you.”

Old Madam waved her hand, “Fifth Girl and Miss Yue are still waiting for you. If you don’t go soon, they’ll blame this old woman. Go on, go on.”

Qin Shuying stopped insisting. Watching as Nanny Gu, Xiangqin, and others helped Old Madam rest, she walked out.

Sure enough, outside Xuan Hall, the three girls – Qin Lulu and the others – were chatting under the shade of trees.

Seeing her come out, Qin Lulu waved her handkerchief and called, “Seventh Sister, if you hadn’t come out soon, I would have gone in to drag you out.”

“Well, here I am.”

Qin Lulu came over with a smile, blinking her eyes, “Actually, Elder Sister-in-law was right – Seventh Sister really has become even more beautiful.”

Qin Yue also chimed in, “Yes, once Seventh Aunt put up her hair, she really transformed.”

Qin Wei’s gaze was glued to Qin Shuying’s face, also wanting to investigate the mystery.

Seventh Aunt was beautiful, certainly, but she definitely couldn’t be called devastatingly gorgeous. Everyone in the capital knew that Liang Qiong was truly stunning. There were also Princess Fuping and Princess Fu’an – both were great beauties. How could Seventh Aunt possibly compare to the princesses?

What exactly did Seventh Uncle-in-law see in Seventh Aunt that made him request an imperial marriage edict before the emperor?

Everyone said it was because of Seventh Aunt’s words at Guangbin Tower that Seventh Uncle-in-law regarded her as a kindred spirit, which led to his request for the marriage edict.

But those words were quite simple – nothing particularly remarkable about them.

If it were her, Qin Wei, she could have said the same…

Qin Lulu took the lead, pulling her along and asking about everything – whether the food at the marquis manor was good, whether Qin Shuying had trouble sleeping in a new place, whether the maids were adapting well to their work there…

Qin Shuying answered each question seriously. She could tell that Qin Lulu was both concerned about her and trying to boost her own confidence.

Qin Lulu would be getting married in just one month.

Just as the two were having an engaging conversation, Qin Wei interrupted, “Seventh Aunt, does Seventh Uncle-in-law have two thin horses by his side?”

Qin Shuying turned to look at her, “Yes.”

Qin Wei raised her shoulders, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes, “Those thin horses must be extremely beautiful, right?”

Qin Shuying said leisurely, “Of course – otherwise, why would they be called thin horses?”

“Doesn’t Seventh Aunt feel upset seeing them?”

“…No.”

Qin Lulu gave Qin Wei meaningful looks, signaling her not to ask such dampening questions, but Qin Wei acted as if she couldn’t understand Qin Lulu’s meaning at all and continued pressing, “So when does Seventh Aunt plan to let them serve Seventh Uncle-in-law?”