The next day, Qin Shuying and Princess Yongjia went to that interesting place again.

When she returned to the Pingxi Marquis Manor, it was already evening.

The small kitchen had just finished preparing dinner when Liang Zhe returned: “Shuying, my marriage leave has ended early. I must report for duty tomorrow.”

Qin Shuying poured tea for him: “These days haven’t been idle either. Reporting for duty early is the same.”

Liang Zhe took the teacup: “Is my wife displeased?”

Qin Shuying’s face heated up under his gaze: “What nonsense are you talking?”

Her tone carried a hint of coquettish reproach. Hearing this, Liang Zhe’s heart stirred, and his other hand grasped hers.

Ziteng and the others had tactfully withdrawn long ago, leaving only the two of them in the room.

Qin Shuying became even more bashful, struggling: “Ziyu…”

Her voice was soft and drawn out, inexplicably stirring tender feelings.

“My wife…”

Seeing him lean closer and closer, Qin Shuying’s heart pounded like a drum, and she quickly said: “Did His Majesty summon Ziyu today?”

Liang Zhe paused, released her hand, drank the tea in one gulp, and sat down: “His Majesty didn’t summon me, but had Yiting pass along a message.”

“Then you should go. It must be about the Blue Eagle matter—could there be new leads?”

“Mm. We’ve discovered some things on the waterway side. However, it’s too early to say anything definitive. His Majesty summoning me is probably for new arrangements. Oh, by the way, Yiting is getting married on September 28th. We need to prepare a private gift. Shuying should prepare it early.”

Mo Yiting had gotten engaged in March, and after half a year of preparation, it was time for the wedding.

Qin Shuying agreed.

Liang Zhe continued: “Our first meeting was at Duke Chu’s manor. Shuying, do you remember me from that day?”

Qin Shuying nodded: “At that time, Eighth Sister tried to ruin my reputation. I was angry at them and instead pushed Eighth Sister into that room. I never expected Sun Qingping would be arranged inside. Thinking of it now, it seems like something from a past life.”

“Don’t worry. Madam Ma is a clever person who can see the twists and turns in this matter. She won’t hold anything against you.”

Qin Shuying smiled.

“Shuying, at that time, I had just returned to the capital. Luo Meixiang was pressing at every step, Old Madam scolded me daily. Though I was full of resentment, I couldn’t find an outlet. With no one under my command, I couldn’t accomplish anything. I only went to Duke Chu’s Old Madam’s birthday banquet to clear my mind. When you and Ziteng broke that maid’s leg, Yiting and I were watching from the side. You were so decisive—I was both surprised and admiring at the time. Looking at it this way, fate truly is strange.”

Qin Shuying fell silent.

Fate?

If speaking of fate, they had fate in their previous life too.

“Didn’t Ziyu think I was too cruel at the time?”

“If they had succeeded then, Shuying would probably have lost not only her reputation but also her life by now. Shuying, whoever respects me, I respect in return. Whoever tries to harm me, I won’t let them have an easy time either.”

Qin Shuying smiled sweetly: “In that case, we really are birds of a feather.”

Liang Zhe laughed heartily: “Mischievous. How can we be birds of a feather? We’re kindred spirits who appreciate each other.”

The two chatted and laughed, and he didn’t ask about how Qin Shuying and Princess Yongjia had gotten along today.

Qin Shuying brought it up herself, saying they had only burned incense and played at the temple, and couldn’t mention anything else.

As they spoke, Hong Juan had someone bring in dinner and then stood by to serve.

Just as they finished eating, Zhishu came in and said: “Young Master, Young Madam, my lord sent Mingcha over with a message asking Young Master to visit the outer study after dinner.”

Mingcha was the Pingxi Marquis’s page boy.

Liang Zhe looked at Qin Shuying, the corners of his mouth curving up in a somewhat enigmatic smile.

After Zhishu withdrew, Qin Shuying raised an eyebrow and asked: “What did Ziyu do?”

Liang Zhe chuckled: “The Pingxi Marquis toiled at the border and should properly enjoy the capital’s prosperity upon returning. How can a son not be filial?”

Seeing his eyes full of mischief, Qin Shuying said: “Did Ziyu find us some elders?”

Liang Zhe laughed openly: “Shuying knows me well. However, Shuying is wrong—how could they be called elders? Alright, Ziyu is going.”

Qin Shuying sighed leisurely: “Ziyu, you… This way, the Marquis’s wife will be busy, and Old Madam will be busy too.”

Liang Zhe smiled: “Such a large Pingxi Marquis Manor is too quiet. It should be livelier. When it’s lively and there are more affairs, certain people will show their true colors. Back then, he was so suspicious of Mother. Though Grandfather intimidated them, they ultimately couldn’t swallow that humiliation and constantly ordered Elder Sister and me around with scolding. I harbor no resentment and instead repay evil with virtue. Such a junior—only the Pingxi Marquis Manor could have one.”

Qin Shuying smiled without speaking. Liang Yunshan must have already been entangled with Luo Meixiang back then—otherwise, how could Zhao Wanniang have said those puzzling words? To speak of divorce, Zhao Wanniang must have seen or known something.

It’s just that no one knows what happened back then now.

“Shuying, we’ve been married seven days, yet no one has mentioned matters of household management. Such rules exist only in the Pingxi Marquis Manor. Since the Marquis’s wife is so capable, having her do a few more things—what difficulty is there in that?”

Having said this, Liang Zhe walked away with light steps.

So these past few days he hadn’t been idle, secretly creating trouble for Luo Meixiang. No, he should have made arrangements before the wedding—now it was just a matter of things naturally coming to fruition.

In the outer study.

Liang Yunshan was talking with his advisor. Seeing Liang Zhe enter, he gave a look, and the advisor quickly withdrew.

“Father.”

Liang Yunshan sat at his desk, rubbing his temples.

“Father, you called me here—is there some matter?”

Liang Yunshan pointed to a chair beside him: “Sit down and talk.”

Liang Zhe sat down boldly and heard Liang Yunshan say: “As your father, I haven’t lived in the capital for a long time and am not very clear about some matters in the capital. Tell me about them.”

“I wonder which family Father wants to ask about?”

Liang Yunshan looked troubled: “Tell me about Princess Qin’an.”

“Father, Princess Qin’an is a woman—your son doesn’t know much. Why doesn’t Father ask Madam? Madam has extensive social connections and must know these matters very well.”

If I could ask Meixiang, why would I secretly ask you in the outer study?

Liang Yunshan frowned impatiently, veins bulging on his forehead.

Liang Zhe asked: “Does Father have some difficulty? Your son would be willing to help Father resolve his worries.”

Meeting Liang Zhe’s confused eyes, Liang Yunshan’s face alternated between red and white, both ashamed and annoyed.

At his age, to still have to ask his son about such matters!

But could he really go ask Meixiang? Or ask that old advisor who had just looked completely bewildered?

When that old advisor had been shaking his head and praising Princess Qin’an’s second husband Shi Yuan’s talent and romantic nature, he had almost wanted to cough up blood.

Liang Yunshan struggled to control the twitching muscles on his face: “Princess Qin’an is imperial family—do you really know nothing at all?”