Qin Shuying composed herself and retreated two steps toward the area behind the rose bushes, then slowly walked along another path. This route also led to Yanfei Pavilion, though it was somewhat farther than the lakeside path.

She deliberately walked slowly, stopping frequently along the way to admire the snowy scenery, only entering just before mealtime.

Old Madam said she felt unwell and wanted to rest, so she wouldn’t attend the lunch banquet. Xu Shi was managing the household affairs and had given word that since it was all family, the lunch banquet would naturally be held at Yanfei Pavilion.

Qin Shuying deliberately arrived late.

As soon as she entered, she saw Qin Yunyun delicately eating a preserved plum with great relish, saying, “Nanny Liu’s preserved plums are still the best!”

Nanny Liu beamed with joy, saying, “Third Miss flatters this old servant! As long as Third Miss enjoys them, any amount can be prepared. They say sour for boys, spicy for girls—in this old servant’s opinion, Third Miss will surely give birth to a plump, fair little boy!”

A plump, fair little boy…

Qin Shuying’s head felt dizzy, and her eyes quickly moistened. Feng’er! Her Feng’er!

Gritting her teeth tightly, Qin Shuying walked in, first paying respects to Xu Shi, then to Zou Shi, and sat down beside Qin Lulu.

With Old Madam absent, Xu Shi naturally took precedence.

The men’s table and women’s table were separated only by a screen. When Qin Yongtao gave the word, both sides began using their chopsticks.

A concubine stood beside Xu Shi to serve her during the meal—it was Concubine Li, the birth mother of Eighth Miss Qin Fangfang. Concubine Li was originally a scholar’s daughter who could read and write. Though she was nearly thirty, she was naturally beautiful and well-maintained, still very much favored by Qin Yongtao. Despite this, she knew that although she enjoyed his favor, the main wife had a son and also had Lianpin, whom she absolutely could not afford to offend. Therefore, she had Qin Fangfang curry favor with Xu Shi daily with small gestures.

Qin Shuying ate in silence, inevitably thinking of Concubine Zhou. The food tasted like wax, and she could constantly feel the hostility that Qin Feifei directed at her.

The men’s table was lively with toasts and drinking, while at the women’s table, everyone commented on today’s dishes. Zou Shi was always quiet, but Qin Lulu was quite lively, saying to Qin Shuying, “These braised lion’s head meatballs are soft and tender—I love them most. Seventh Sister, you should try some too.”

Qin Shuying suppressed the desolation in her heart and smiled slightly, “Thank you, Fifth Sister.” She picked up one and tasted it. “It really is delicious!”

Qin Lulu smiled with satisfaction, looking very content. Qin Shuying watched with somewhat heartbroken envy.

Suddenly, Qin Feifei spoke up: “Mother, Seventh Sister is thirteen years old, isn’t she?”

Qin Shuying continued looking down, seriously eating her lion’s head meatball. She knew that Qin Feifei wouldn’t let her off during this meal.

She was no longer her former self. Whatever Qin Feifei asked, she didn’t want to answer.

Xu Shi understood Qin Feifei’s meaning. Seeing that Qin Shuying didn’t respond, she suppressed her inner annoyance and said, “Yes. Seventh Girl will come of age in just two more years. Time really flies.”

“Mother, I heard that Seventh Sister already has a marriage arrangement. What a blessed family it must be to marry such a fairy-like girl as Seventh Sister! When they bring her home, won’t they treat her like a celestial being!”

As if she were a courtesan—beautiful but lacking virtue, which could only indicate frivolity and licentiousness.

Xu Shi smiled, “Exactly. That family, you probably know them too—a proper scholarly household with many family members serving as officials at court. Master Liu currently holds a fourth-rank position and is the head of the family. Speaking of which, it’s also your Seventh Sister’s good fortune. That Liu Junqing is Liu Gongshan’s only legitimate son—well-mannered and ambitious, truly a good child.”

Xu Shi’s words were dripping with sourness.

The Great Zhou valued scholars, and the Liu family was considered a scholarly clan with a flourishing lineage and many talented members. Though Huzhou wasn’t in the capital, it was only a day or two’s journey away. Huzhou was prosperous with excellent conditions, and the Liu family was the foremost household there. Such a family truly represented an excellent marriage match.

What kind of person was Qin Yongzhou? Talented from youth and valued by the emperor, his judgment was naturally excellent in arranging such a fine marriage for his only daughter.

Qin Shuying continued looking down, calmly eating her lion’s head meatball, as if she hadn’t understood what Xu Shi and her daughter were discussing. If it were anyone else, an unmarried girl being discussed this way would have been too ashamed to remain seated—how could she still have an appetite?

Zou Shi was an honest person, and with her own daughter present, she tried to change the subject: “Sister-in-law, today’s bamboo shoot and chicken soup is both fresh and sweet. I wonder how it’s made?”

How could Xu Shi regard her seriously? She said casually, “I’m not a cook—why ask me? Nanny Liu, send the recipe to Second Madam later. Second Sister-in-law certainly has refined interests!”

Though Zou Shi was displeased, she didn’t dare show it. Only Qin Lulu looked indignant. Qin Shuying pressed Qin Lulu’s hand under the table. Qin Lulu was startled, but she wasn’t foolish and made no further moves, only pressing her lips tightly together.

Qin Feifei smiled contentedly and said, “Seventh Sister, such a wonderful marriage match—Seventh Sister truly has cultivated good fortune!”

Xu Shi also said, “Indeed!”

Only then did Qin Shuying raise her eyelids, pick up her napkin, and calmly wipe her mouth, saying, “Third Sister, I wonder how many months pregnant you are?”

Qin Feifei proudly touched her belly, saying, “Over two months.”

Qin Shuying smiled slightly. Over two months? It should be three months, actually.

Her profound eyes were impossible to read at a glance. “So you became pregnant before Second Sister died?”

Qin Feifei frowned. Died? Why did this Qin Shuying speak so unpleasantly?

However, Qin Shuying had even more unpleasant things to say. She continued, “Third Sister, the child in your belly is the one who truly cultivated good fortune! If Second Sister’s Young Master Feng hadn’t died, the child in your belly couldn’t be considered the legitimate eldest son. In the future, the Lu family’s wealth would belong to Young Master Feng, not the child in your belly. But now that Young Master Feng is dead, hasn’t that conveniently made room for the child in your belly? Third Sister, tell me, isn’t he blessed with good fortune?”

Still speaking rapidly, still expressing herself clearly and unmistakably, leaving no room for anyone to interrupt. Everyone present stared at Qin Shuying in shock.

But Qin Shuying merely smiled slightly, gently sipped her bamboo shoot and chicken soup, and even commented, “Truly fresh!”

Zou Shi was very surprised and frowned at the same time. How could a girl say such things? Though she sympathized with Qin Shuying’s situation and understood Xu Shi’s methods, that didn’t mean she agreed with Qin Shuying’s approach.

Qin Feifei was so angry her lungs nearly exploded, but she just rolled her eyes and covered her mouth with a light laugh: “Seventh Sister, let’s not talk about the child in my belly first—let’s talk about you. Mother just mentioned the Liu family, and I’ve heard of them too. Liu Junqing, your future husband, currently has two personal maids by his side—one called Hongxiu, another called Tianxiang. I hear they’re all beautiful as flowers and can write and paint. In the future, when Seventh Sister marries into the Liu family, you won’t need to worry about Liu Junqing having no one to care for him. How very reassuring.”

Earlier she had acted as if she didn’t know the Liu family, but now she even knew the names of Liu Junqing’s personal maids.