Qin Shuying looked at Old Madam, then at Xu Shi, and finally her expression slowly changed, her posture becoming unsteady. “First Madam, rumors cannot be trusted—you should believe your niece!”

“I naturally believe you, but the people outside don’t believe it!”

Qin Shuying lightly twisted her handkerchief, asking softly: “Since First Madam believes niece, why not help clarify the rumors for niece?”

Xu Shi felt smug inwardly and sighed deeply: “You child, you don’t understand how treacherous people’s hearts can be! Seventh Miss, now that you’ve done such things, even if you currently have good prospects—the Liu family of Huzhou owes Third Brother a life-saving debt and will endure silently, allowing you to marry gloriously—you must also think of Fifth Miss, Sixth Miss, and Eighth Miss! When they go out, how will they face others’ questioning? How will they face others’ mockery? How will they find good marriages in the future? How will others view the Qin household’s family customs? How can you expect me to clarify for you?”

A picture of worried benevolence, yet every sentence sowed discord.

Especially regarding the Qin household’s family customs—it wouldn’t be excessive to say Old Madam valued this most highly.

Old Madam’s expression indeed changed slightly, her gaze falling on Qin Shuying. All this fell into Xu Shi’s eyes, making her feel even more pleased.

The young ladies in the room had various expressions. Because marriage was mentioned, they all bashfully lowered their heads.

Though Qin Yunyun kept her head down, the corners of her mouth slightly turned up, continuously “blessing” Qin Shuying in her heart: It’s time for you to properly enjoy this!

Qin Fangfang trembled with anger. She wasn’t yet betrothed—with Qin Shuying stirring things up like this, wouldn’t she suffer the most? But with Old Madam present, she didn’t dare scold, only crying: “Seventh Sister, how cruel your heart is! We’re sisters—how could you do this?”

Qin Lulu looked puzzledly at Xu Shi, then at Qin Shuying, finally shaking her head: “I don’t believe rumors.”

Qin Shuying tilted her head slightly, showing Qin Lulu a smile more painful than crying, her gratitude evident without words. Zou Shi’s brows furrowed slightly, but she also remained silent.

Zou Shi had long seen through Xu Shi’s character completely. Xu Shi had never regarded her highly because Zou Shi didn’t compete or fight, and was merely a minor official’s daughter with no background.

However, what Zou Shi lacked in other areas, she most understood was keeping to her proper place. So over these years, while Long Shi had displeased Xu Shi, Xu Shi treated Zou Shi tolerably well.

Qin Fangfang was so stimulated by Qin Lulu’s words that her voice rose three notes: “Fifth Sister, she could do such things at Old Ancestor’s birthday banquet—what wouldn’t she dare do?”

Qin Lulu still shook her head: “Eighth Sister, that day it was all Nanny Zhang’s fault. Old Ancestor already ordered Nanny Zhang beaten to death. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten!”

Qin Fangfang’s words got stuck in her throat. Yes, Old Madam had originally ordered that this matter never be mentioned again. Even though everyone knew that Nanny Zhang had merely taken the blame for Xu Shi, no one could say so.

And Nanny Zhang… Qin Fangfang couldn’t help but shiver, hurriedly glancing at Old Madam before not daring to make another sound.

The room immediately fell silent.

Qin Yunyun couldn’t restrain herself and lifted her head, wanting to say something, but Xu Shi stopped her with a look. Though Qin Yunyun was full of unwillingness, she didn’t speak out again.

With no one speaking, Xu Shi threw the matter to Old Madam: “Old Madam, your daughter-in-law is now truly afraid to go out socializing, afraid of being questioned by others, afraid of being mocked.”

Old Madam looked meaningfully at Xu Shi and said: “Eldest daughter-in-law, you are the managing matriarch of the Qin household. In all matters, you must prioritize the Qin household’s overall interests. When outsiders splash dirty water on the Qin household, you should find ways to stop it!”

Xu Shi felt angry inside. After talking for so long, this old woman still hadn’t grasped the key point—it was that wretch Qin Shuying who had ruined the Qin household’s reputation! Why should she have to restore it?

But Old Madam’s words were completely correct. Generally, noble families were like this—if outsiders damaged their family’s reputation, regardless of truth or falsehood, even if the managing matriarch was unwilling, she would find ways to reverse it. This was what a managing matriarch should do.

Xu Shi wore a helpless expression, saying: “Old Madam, it’s not that daughter-in-law is unwilling, but now too many people are talking. Even if daughter-in-law had three heads and six arms, she couldn’t stop all the wagging tongues!”

Old Madam scolded: “Then you’re too useless as a managing matriarch!”

To say such things in front of so many people, Xu Shi was both shocked and angry: “Old Madam…”

“First Madam, please calm your anger!” Qin Shuying finally raised her head, her calm, waveless eyes quietly looking at Xu Shi. “Please have First Madam clarify the rumors outside!”

The moment Xu Shi met Qin Shuying’s unfathomably deep eyes, she felt an indescribable frustration and irritation. Moreover, she had sent people to follow Qin Shuying that day and seen with her own eyes—Qin Shuying was clearly certain she would protect the Qin household’s reputation, so showed no fear whatsoever. Therefore, Qin Shuying’s words naturally sounded even more detestable to her, and she couldn’t help saying angrily: “Seventh Miss, according to Qin household rules, such base behavior would warrant drowning in the pond! Don’t forget your Second Sister’s cautionary example…”

“Crack!”

Old Madam set her teacup down on the table. Xu Shi jumped in fright, turning to see Old Madam’s cold, sharp eyes.

Qin Shuying also tactfully stopped massaging and stood aside.

Nanny Gu glanced at Old Madam and stepped forward to say to Xu Shi: “First Madam, when Seventh Miss usually goes to the shop, she stays in the private room and doesn’t meet or speak with the managers face-to-face. Those who meet and speak with the managers are Nanny Fu or Nanny Mi. This matter has been reported to Old Madam.”

Xu Shi seemed to hear the most incredible thing, then immediately realized—she had fallen into Qin Shuying’s trap again!

Seeing Old Madam’s angry, disappointed eyes, Xu Shi felt unable to recover for a long time. How could she repeatedly be played by Qin Shuying!

At the same time, she was filled with resentment toward Old Madam. Clearly knowing the truth, she had allowed her to embarrass herself in front of so many people without correction. Xu Shi didn’t think about how Qin Shuying had already given her several opportunities to change her story. But the current Xu Shi was blinded by anger and wouldn’t think she had done anything wrong.

Moreover, she had always had smooth sailing, with others always deliberately flattering her. Just once without being flattered would make her angry, and she definitely wouldn’t let it go.

Qin Shuying’s voice sounded as if from far away: “First Madam, don’t you believe even Nanny Gu’s words? First Madam, you’d rather believe others’ words than believe Shuying and Nanny Gu. Niece is truly saddened!”

Nanny Liu coughed lightly from the side. Xu Shi seemed to wake from a fog, remembering Qin Yongtao’s words. She forced a smile onto her face and said to Old Madam: “Old Madam, it’s all because daughter-in-law was misled by outside rumors! The fault lies with daughter-in-law! Actually, daughter-in-law didn’t believe it at first, but couldn’t withstand so many people talking about it. Daughter-in-law was ultimately concerned about the Qin household’s reputation, anxious with no one to consult, which made her lose her temper and be somewhat harsh with Seventh Miss. Seventh Miss, please don’t harbor resentment, considering that your aunt was deceived by others.”

A quote to share: All human suffering is essentially anger at one’s own powerlessness.