They heard Qin Shuying clearly articulate four words: “Of course not.”

Lu Ruyang was stunned – so direct?

She was truly just like Liang Zhe – a stone in the latrine, smelly and hard.

Thinking of Princess Fu’an’s words, Lu Ruyang suppressed her impatience and continued persuading: “Young mistress, I know you’ve suffered grievances at Pingxi Marquis’s mansion and feel troubled inside, so you’re somewhat angry – we can all understand. Tell me about it, and I’ll give you some advice. I guarantee you’ll have smooth sailing. Speaking of Pingxi Marquis’s mansion, I’ve been going there since childhood – I know the mansion’s affairs better than you do.”

Qin Shuying looked at her leisurely: “Really?”

Seeing her interest, Lu Ruyang pulled her closer and continued: “Of course, young mistress. Great-grandmother and aunt-in-law are both people who value rules. As long as you’re willing to live according to the rules, you’ll definitely live well. I heard that because you lack propriety, both great-grandmother and aunt-in-law are very angry. This isn’t good for the young mistress – outsiders will say you lack manners and it will even implicate Noble Consort Lian in the palace…”

The great-grandmother and aunt-in-law mentioned here referred to Old Madam Liang and Luo Meixiang.

Lu Ruyang’s grandmother, Great Aunt Liang, was born to the old Marquis’s concubine and was of the same generation as Liang Yunshan. By this calculation, Lu Ruyang was actually Qin Shuying’s junior.

The titles were somewhat cumbersome, and Lu Ruyang didn’t want to be put at a disadvantage, so she simply called Qin Shuying “young mistress.”

Qin Shuying’s gaze was deep as she looked at Lu Ruyang.

On the day of the Flower Pinning Banquet, Lu Ruyang had been pushed into the water by herself and Ziteng. After returning, she fell ill and couldn’t get out of bed for over half a month.

Afterward, she recuperated for several more months before she could appear in public.

Even such a good opportunity as going to the imperial villa, she couldn’t attend. One could imagine how much Lu Ruyang hated her.

On the day of her marriage to Liang Zhe, Great Aunt Liang had come prepared to disrupt the wedding ceremony, but unexpectedly was restrained by Hui Yun and couldn’t move at all.

The feud between Great Aunt Liang, Lu Ruyang, and herself had been established and could never be resolved.

Seeing Qin Shuying’s gaze made Lu Ruyang’s heart burn with resentment, and sarcastic words poured out like they cost nothing. Qin Shuying’s sharp tongue had been spread to legendary proportions – Lu Ruyang refused to believe she couldn’t out-talk her.

“…Young mistress, when aunt-in-law sends you maids, that’s the mansion’s rule and also a matter of dignity. It’s not good for the young mistress to refuse. I have a suggestion – if the young mistress accepts them, great-grandmother and aunt-in-law will surely be pleased, and the young mistress can also relax a bit. It’s a win-win situation. Don’t you think so, young mistress?”

Qin Shuying still only smiled without speaking.

Dong Shi and Qin Yue looked at Lu Ruyang with pity. Miss Lu, they hoped she could still laugh later.

Yun Jingshu silently watched Lu Ruyang, trying to minimize her presence as much as possible.

Qin Shuying’s silence encouraged Lu Ruyang, and even Liu Sujiang was eager to try.

It seemed that women were different after marriage. Previously, Qin Shuying feared nothing, but now that she was married and controlled by Old Madam Liang and Luo Meixiang, she had no choice but to bow her head.

Liu Sujiang chimed in: “Young Mistress Liang, Miss Lu speaks very reasonably. You never understood propriety before, and now that you’re married – Pingxi Marquis’s mansion is what kind of place? If you don’t think of yourself, you should at least think of the unmarried young ladies and masters of Pingxi Marquis’s mansion. Right, Sister Lu?”

Lu Ruyang nodded in agreement.

The two took turns speaking for quite a while, but Qin Shuying only smiled without saying a word.

Lu Ruyang spoke until her mouth was dry, yet Qin Shuying still stood gracefully, saying nothing, smiling warmly, as if their words had absolutely nothing to do with her.

Lu Ruyang finally sensed something was wrong: “Young mistress, after all we’ve said, did you listen?”

Qin Shuying smiled gently: “I listened – you spoke quite well.”

“Then you’ll do as we said later, won’t you?”

Qin Shuying casually brushed her temple hair, appearing very relaxed, with an elegant smile: “Why should I do as you say?”

Lu Ruyang choked.

Liu Sujiang seized the conversation: “Didn’t you just say you listened?”

Qin Shuying smiled at Liu Sujiang, lowering her voice so only the few of them could hear: “Yes, I listened. It’s clearly a wonderful day, yet two magpies keep chattering endlessly. Not only I, but everyone around has listened. Later, when people talk about lacking propriety, it will be you two. Now that you’ve finished speaking, may we go freshen up?”

Magpies don’t chatter – she was clearly calling them crows. Only because today was Mo Yiting’s good day did Qin Shuying call the crows magpies.

Liu Sujiang and Lu Ruyang looked around and indeed saw many wives and young ladies staring in their direction with various expressions, some whispering and discussing among themselves.

Judging by their expressions, they must be discussing Lu Ruyang and Liu Sujiang’s earlier exchange of words.

Unmarried young ladies pointing fingers at someone else’s wedding banquet…

Only then did Lu Ruyang realize that Qin Shuying had deliberately led her to speak – she was being played with.

Qin Shuying added: “Oh, by the way, Miss Lu, speaking of propriety, you should address me as cousin-aunt to be proper. Remember, don’t be so improper next time. Your Highness Princess, these two lack rules and propriety – Your Highness must be quite worried. This subject’s wife truly feels anxious for you. Your Highness, this subject’s wife takes her leave first.”

Having said this, she took Dong Shi and Qin Yue’s hands and headed toward the powder room without looking back.

“You…”

Princess Fu’an was furious, but with so many people watching, she couldn’t lose her temper, nearly suffocating from frustration!

She turned and scolded in a low voice: “Idiots! How are you so useless!”

Lu Ruyang and Liu Sujiang were both angry and frustrated, and didn’t eat well for the rest of the meal.

Qin Shuying, Dong Shi, and Qin Yue only returned after Princess Fu’an left their seats, and no one disturbed them during the meal.

However, Qin Shuying repeatedly felt a scrutinizing gaze falling on her.

She looked over – it was Mu Tianxiang.

Seeing Qin Shuying look over, Mu Tianxiang calmly responded with a smile, elegant and composed, polite and courteous.

Qin Shuying also smiled and nodded in return.

Then she picked up a green pea and slowly ate it.

In this season, fresh peas were absolutely a rare delicacy.

The nobles, tired of various delicacies, didn’t care much for meat but preferred those rare vegetables and fruits. This dish of braised peas was definitely one of the dishes favored by nobles after winter began.

Fresh, powdery, and chewy – it tasted quite good.

Qin Shuying chewed slowly, taking in these peas that were only available in spring and summer.

No matter what it was, no matter how rare, as long as it was edible and could fill her stomach, she, Qin Shuying, would eat it bite by bite.

Then slowly savor the wonderful qualities within.