The next day.

Liang Zhe still went to Ning Garden with Qin Shuying.

Yesterday morning during the greeting and meal, Liang Yunshan had gone to court, and when Qin Shuying brazenly sat down to eat, Old Madam Liang didn’t express any opinion, so no one else dared make a sound.

Today, Liang Yunshan still went to court.

Qin Shuying still sat down to eat, acting as if no one else was there.

Liang Qiong glared at Qin Shuying twice, but was glared back by Old Madam Liang with a cold look.

Liang Qiong immediately ate obediently and didn’t dare make another sound.

Although this grandmother was harsh toward Liang Zhe, she was equally strict with herself, Second Brother, and Third Brother.

Since childhood, Grandmother had hired nannies and instructors to teach her etiquette, rules, and the four arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, intending to mold her into a model among noble daughters. Out of 365 days a year, she barely had any rest.

Second Brother and Third Brother were also sent to the outer courtyard at a young age by Grandmother, who hired respected scholars to teach them the Four Books and Five Classics. The Liang family also had skilled personal guards to teach martial arts.

Grandmother was very strict with all the siblings.

So although Liang Qiong had many grievances against Qin Shuying, she had only been unable to restrain herself from mocking and targeting Qin Shuying on the first day, and was later scolded by Old Madam Liang.

These past few days, she didn’t dare go too far at the dining table and maintained silence.

Grandmother had said that she, Liang Qiong, was heaven’s favored daughter and must always maintain the bearing befitting heaven’s favored daughter.

Therefore, she was to ignore Qin Shuying.

In the past, Liang Qiong had believed this. She would become Fifth Prince’s consort, while Qin Shuying married Liang Zhe—her status could never surpass her own, so naturally she didn’t need to take Qin Shuying seriously.

But now, she was merely Prince Huo Luo’s fiancée. Although she had been granted the title Princess Fuqing, what did that amount to?

What did she have now to look down on Qin Shuying with?

Liang Qiong felt restless and depressed, unable to resist wanting to provoke Qin Shuying.

However, Old Madam Liang’s authority was deeply ingrained in her heart, so Liang Qiong didn’t dare act presumptuously.

After finishing the meal, Liang Zhe and Qin Shuying were about to return to Songtao Residence.

But Liang Qiong blocked Qin Shuying outside Ning Garden: “Big Brother, may I have a word with Sister-in-law?”

Liang Zhe refused outright: “No.”

Liang Qiong smiled sweetly, not embarrassed at all, with a teasing and intimate tone: “Big Brother, I just want to chat with Sister-in-law. You don’t need to be so nervous—I won’t eat her.”

Liang Zhe said coldly: “I’m afraid she’ll eat you. Is that not allowed?”

Liang Qiong’s expression became somewhat unsustainable. Indeed, in several provocations, Qin Shuying had emerged unscathed while she herself had been left in awkward situations.

Liang Zhe paid no attention to Liang Qiong’s expression and took Qin Shuying’s hand to leave.

In the past, although he didn’t like this half-sister, he hadn’t felt any particular aversion either. After all, when he left the capital at age ten, Liang Qiong was just a few-year-old baby.

But since she had targeted Qin Shuying, Liang Zhe no longer intended to show her any courtesy.

Liang Qiong wouldn’t give up: “Sister-in-law…”

Qin Shuying turned back with a smile: “Second Sister, what matter can’t be discussed in Ning Garden?”

Liang Qiong laughed: “It’s just girls’ trivial matters—how could I speak of them in front of so many people?”

Qin Shuying hesitated slightly.

Liang Zhe noticed this and remembered what Qin Shuying had told him last night about clearing Zhao Wanniang’s name—they still needed to find clues from Old Madam Liang and Luo Meixiang. Without daily interaction, they couldn’t observe suspicious details and doubts, so no matter how unpleasant, daily contact had to continue as usual.

Liang Zhe changed his mind: “Shuying, I have nothing to do today, so I’ll stand here and wait for you to finish talking before we go back together.”

Old Madam’s schemes ran deep, Luo Meixiang was no easy opponent, and Liang Qiong loved to cause trouble. Liang Zhe was truly worried about letting Qin Shuying interact with them alone.

Besides Hui Yun, he had also arranged for a girl named Bai Yun to serve as a second-class maid at Songtao Residence. Bai Yun also knew some martial arts. After the wedding leave ended and Liang Zhe returned to duty, Hui Yun and Bai Yun would take turns accompanying Qin Shuying when she went out.

Liang Zhe said to Liang Qiong: “If you have something to say, say it quickly. We still have matters to attend to when we return.”

His tone was so cold that the maids beside Liang Qiong could barely stand steady.

Tears of grievance gathered in Liang Qiong’s eyes: “Big Brother, I just want to chat with Sister-in-law. Why are you acting like this?”

Liang Qiong was beautiful as a celestial being. If it were anyone else, who wouldn’t soften their heart seeing her tearful appearance?

But Liang Zhe felt disgusted and said indifferently: “If Second Sister feels so wronged, should I go find Prince Huo Luo to support you?”

Liang Qiong’s tears immediately stopped flowing, her expression becoming somewhat fierce, but thinking of something, she endured it: “Big Brother, I’m not married yet…”

Liang Zhe turned away, showing he didn’t want to hear more.

Liang Qiong gritted her teeth hard but was helpless.

In Grandmother’s and Mother’s eyes, Liang Zhe was like a stone in a latrine—stinking and hard, impossible to handle. They couldn’t think of better methods, and Liang Qiong was no exception.

Qin Shuying smiled: “Second Sister, speaking of marriage, your coming-of-age ceremony is approaching. I wonder who Madam has invited as the honored guest?”

Liang Qiong felt irritated thinking about this: “Grandmother and Mother are still discussing this matter.”

Previously, the honored guest would definitely have been Consort De. Even if Consort De couldn’t leave the palace, she could send a capable aunt from her entourage to act on her behalf.

How glorious that would have been.

But since the incident at the traveling palace, she had noticed that Consort De seemed to be intentionally distancing herself.

She didn’t know whether Princess Fuping had said something, or if Consort De had other purposes.

Originally, the princes were supposed to select consorts in the latter half of the year. But due to the great earthquake, it was now mid-September, and there was still no movement regarding consort selection.

Fifth Prince had not yet returned to the capital, making Liang Qiong increasingly anxious.

Qin Shuying smiled gracefully. She had long predicted that Luo Meixiang and her daughter would invite Consort De as the honored guest, but now it seemed her speculation at the traveling palace had been somewhat accurate.

Although Liang Qiong was beautiful as a celestial being, Fifth Prince might not necessarily like her.

It wasn’t that Fifth Prince disliked Liang Qiong as a person, but rather disliked the Liang family’s position.

On this point, Fifth Prince differed from Consort De.

Consort De desperately courted Luo Meixiang and the Marquis Pingxi’s residence, but Fifth Prince rarely visited the Marquis Pingxi’s residence, and even when he came, he would bring others along.

Fifth Prince was more clear-headed than Consort De.

Emperor Delong was wary of princes getting too close to ministers. Liang Yunshan wielded military power—he was both someone the princes wanted to court and someone they didn’t quite dare to court.

Although Consort De was intelligent, shrewd, and formidable, she ultimately never left the palace. Having pushed Empress Wen aside to control the inner palace, over time she inevitably developed a sense that she was supreme in the palace.

Furthermore, Qin Shuying speculated that between Emperor Delong, Empress Wen, and Consort De, there were probably some secret matters unknown to outsiders, which had ultimately made Consort De restless and impetuous.

With all these complex situations intertwined, while Consort De favored Liang Qiong as a daughter-in-law, Fifth Prince was indifferent.

Precisely because Fifth Prince was clear-headed and capable, always performing excellently in whatever important tasks Emperor Delong assigned him, so many people followed him.

Fifth Prince’s every condition was perfect, so it was no wonder Liang Qiong was deeply infatuated with him.

What a pity about the unexpected factor of Princess Fuping.

She didn’t know what had happened in the previous life that made Princess Fuping help her at the traveling palace.

…

With Qin Shuying’s question, the words Liang Qiong had originally planned to use to provoke Qin Shuying remained at the tip of her tongue and were ultimately swallowed back.

Liang Qiong feared that if Qin Shuying asked more questions about the coming-of-age ceremony, it would become completely humiliating for herself.

After some idle chatter, Liang Qiong left unwillingly.

Returning to Songtao Residence, they changed clothes, and Liang Zhe and Qin Shuying took many gifts to visit the Mighty General’s mansion.

Visiting one’s uncle on the fifth day after marriage was perfectly proper.