To Qin Shuying’s surprise, Lin Zilan had also become one of the selected maidens. They regularly exchanged letters and had even met recently, yet there hadn’t been the slightest indication beforehand.

By the time Qin Shuying learned of this matter, Lin Zilan had already entered the palace.

Qin Shuying sent people to inquire at the Lin family, but they learned nothing. Not only did they discover nothing, but they vaguely sensed that Lady Lin seemed to have lost her freedom of movement as well.

Lin Zilan had a lively and adaptable nature. If she were selected as a prince’s consort, could she endure so many constraints? Although Lin Zilan was originally very clever and didn’t fear those struggles, Qin Shuying still broke out in a cold sweat for her.

Liang Zhe quickly gathered information for her, saying that Old Madam Lin had secretly submitted Lin Zilan’s birth date and portrait to the Ministry of Rites, then on the night before entering the palace, she had lured Lin Zilan away and locked up Lady Lin.

Lin Zilan had no choice but to enter the palace.

Qin Shuying was shocked by this old lady’s audacity, but now it was too late to say anything. She could only ask Liang Zhe to help Lin Zilan as much as possible within the palace.

Additionally, Mu Tianxiang and Liu Sujiang had also entered the palace as selected maidens.

The selection process would likely take more than ten days.

Liang Qiong fell ill from anxiety.

After the Fifth Prince returned, she had managed to arrange a meeting with him at Guangbin Tower. Unfortunately, they had only spoken for a short while – before Liang Qiong could do anything, Princess Fuping appeared before them.

At that time, Princess Fuping had only glanced at her indifferently, left the words “Imperial Brother, I’ll wait for you next door,” and departed. The Fifth Prince didn’t have time to say more to her before following after the princess.

Liang Qiong stared at the pot of drugged tea on the table, her eyes blazing with fury – she had originally planned to create a fait accompli.

It had been ruined by Princess Fuping!

On Liang Qiong’s coming-of-age day, Consort De didn’t come, nor did Aunt Yang from her retinue, though they sent extremely valuable gifts.

Luo Meixiang ultimately managed to invite the Princess Consort of Jinnan to serve as the main guest.

The Princess Consort of Jinnan was highly respected within the imperial clan.

Being able to invite the Princess Consort of Jinnan, plus receiving valuable gifts personally bestowed by Consort De, made Liang Qiong’s coming-of-age ceremony quite excellent even by the capital’s standards.

Unfortunately, even so, Liang Qiong remained extremely troubled.

On the eighth day of the tenth month, when Huo Luo came to the Pingxi Marquis mansion to discuss wedding arrangements with the Pingxi Marquis, Liang Qiong, as always, hid in the inner quarters and didn’t come out to see Huo Luo.

Over these past months, Huo Luo had visited several times to discuss various wedding matters with Liang Yunshan – having no relatives in the capital and with none of his attendants being of sufficiently high status, he personally handled many such affairs, though more were managed by the Ministry of Rites.

Every time Huo Luo came, he never saw Liang Qiong.

Previously, Liang Qiong had deliberately avoided seeing him. Today, Liang Qiong truly lacked the energy, being listlessly ill without any spirit.

As the eldest sister-in-law, Qin Shuying naturally had to visit the sick.

Liang Qiong didn’t want to see her, and Qin Shuying was merely going through the motions. The two women found each other mutually disagreeable. After sitting briefly, Qin Shuying emerged and walked slowly back.

Just as she reached a small path thick with pine and cypress trees, someone suddenly flashed out from beside the road: “Sister-in-law, walking alone is too lonely. Why don’t you let your brothers accompany you!”

Qin Shuying quickly retreated several steps, calmly sizing up Liang Jie and Liang Yuan, who wore ritual masks before her.

One wore an Kaishan mask, the other a Zhong Kui mask, with horns on their heads, fangs protruding from their mouths, and bulging vertical eyebrows, appearing fierce and brutal.

Though she couldn’t see their faces, she could see their eyes, both pairs filled with ill intent.

Qin Shuying quickly surveyed her surroundings and said unhurriedly: “Second Brother, Third Brother, since you’re here, are you planning to visit Second Sister?”

Liang Jie laughed heartily: “Sister-in-law, didn’t I just say? We’re here waiting for sister-in-law!”

“So you want to accompany me to Songtao Residence? Then let’s go together. Ziyu’s duties today are only handling affairs in the city – he should be returning soon.”

Liang Yuan said sinisterly: “Sister-in-law, do you take us for three-year-old children? Using such a lame excuse to fool us!”

Qin Shuying remained calm: “Then I’m curious – what business do you have waiting for me here?”

Liang Jie grinned wickedly: “Since elder brother found Princess Qin’an for father, we should also find a nice hat for elder brother to wear, wouldn’t that be good?”

“What do you intend to do?”

Liang Yuan’s eyes showed contempt: “Stop pretending, sister-in-law! The Fifth Prince has investigated everything clearly. This Princess Qin’an only wanted to marry father after reading the play script elder brother wrote. Now, the imperial edict should already be on its way. Since elder brother is so considerate of mother and considerate of us, we should also be properly considerate of elder brother. Sister-in-law, don’t you agree?”

As he spoke, he stepped forward, his evil smile hideously ugly.

Regarding Princess Qin’an’s matter, though there had been no progress for so many days, and though Liang Yunshan had only told Old Madam Liang and Luo Meixiang, it wasn’t surprising that Luo Meixiang had told the Liang Jie brothers.

Liang Jie laughed loudly: “Sister-in-law, today let you also experience whether elder brother’s taste is better, or whether we brothers working together taste better!”

Qin Shuying’s face darkened. She quickly retreated behind Hui Yun, then turned and ran.

Liang Jie and Liang Yuan completely ignored Hui Yun. They naturally knew this maid had some martial skills. But since they planned to accomplish their deed today, they had come prepared.

Liang Jie and Liang Yuan each drew a long whip from their lower backs, cracked them twice, pressed forward, and entangled Hui Yun.

Though the Liang Jie brothers’ martial skills weren’t as good as Liang Zhe’s, they regularly trained at the martial arts ground. No matter how capable Hui Yun was, she was still just a woman. With the Liang Jie brothers wielding weapons while Hui Yun had nothing, fighting one against two, she was quickly overwhelmed.

After Qin Shuying and Ziteng turned back, they began running frantically.

After only a dozen steps, Liang Yuan abandoned Hui Yun and gave chase. He grabbed Qin Shuying’s robe with one hand and pulled hard, but Qin Shuying stretched her arms back, slipping out of the robe.

Liang Yuan threw the clothing aside, cursed, and continued pursuing Qin Shuying.

Though Qin Shuying usually paid attention to physical exercise, it was only for fitness – how could she match Liang Yuan’s brute strength?

Soon, Qin Shuying’s arm was caught by Liang Yuan, and she was thrown to the ground.

Ziteng was terrified beyond measure. She quickly pulled a “sky rocket” from her sleeve, pulled the cap, and colorful fireworks flashed in the sky accompanied by a loud “bang.”

This was something Liang Zhe had given her.

Liang Yuan had just thrown Qin Shuying down when he heard the loud noise and froze. Looking up, he saw Ziteng pulling a second “sky rocket.”

Liang Yuan sneered: “Set off as many as you like! By the time your people arrive, I will have already accomplished the deed with sister-in-law! Then let elder brother’s people watch closely how sister-in-law receives pleasure!”

With that, ignoring Ziteng, he reached out to tear at the undergarments beneath Qin Shuying’s skirt.

Liang Jie had already dealt with Hui Yun by this time – Hui Yun lay unconscious on the ground.