Nanny Ruan silently clicked her tongue. This Seventh Young Madam was truly extraordinary—speaking so directly without any evasion or the slightest scruple.
Nanny Ruan had been placed beside Xu Shi by Dong Shi, and knew something about the friction between Xu Shi and Qin Shuying. Knowing that Dong Shi now respected this Seventh Young Madam, she agreed and left, carefully closing the door behind her.
Seeing Nanny Ruan leave, Xu Shi felt somewhat wary. What did Qin Shuying want to do?
Qin Shuying smiled: “First Madam, you seem a bit nervous?”
Xu Shi felt awkward, paused for a moment, then said: “Nothing of the sort. You child, you still love to joke as always.”
After just being confined for a few months, had she become this slow?
“First Madam has been confined for half a year—I wonder if you’re happy about it?”
Xu Shi’s expression changed as she stared at Qin Shuying without answering.
“First Madam, from my niece’s observation, First Madam has to watch Nanny Ruan’s expression, and probably can’t command the people in this courtyard anymore. And Nanny Liu—where has she gone?”
Xu Shi gripped the quilt tightly with both hands, somewhat shocked and suspicious, her face turning cold: “These matters are all related to you, aren’t they?”
“First Madam jests—how could they be related to me? Nanny Liu brought it upon herself. First Madam follows Old Ancestor in chanting sutras, so you should understand the four words ‘karmic retribution.'”
Xu Shi stared at her without speaking, but the chill emanating from within grew deeper and deeper.
“And there’s Third Sister—I hear her current life is particularly miserable, ten times worse than when she first married Scholar Liao. Tell me, if Third Sister hadn’t coveted Second Sister’s position and tried to harm Second Sister, how could she have come to this? Because of her, the Lu family is now impoverished and destitute, Lu Changxuan is dead, and Old Madam Lu won’t spare Third Sister, will she?”
Xu Shi stared straight ahead: “What nonsense are you talking? That’s all because the Lu family people themselves aren’t capable!”
“First Madam, even now, can’t you see clearly? Coveting others’ possessions, coveting things that don’t belong to you—this is always the final outcome. Just like First Madam, coveting what my parents left behind, repeatedly trying to harm me. Now, First Madam, what do you think your future fate will be?”
Xu Shi took a deep breath, gathering her spirits. The previous dejected air was reined in as her gaze sharpened: “Seventh Girl, what nonsense are you spouting!”
Qin Shuying looked at Xu Shi meaningfully: “First Madam, now this is the First Madam I know. That earlier state of despair and slow reactions was too different from the First Madam I recognize.”
Xu Shi stared at Qin Shuying, her gaze flickering.
“First Madam, Sixth Prince will marry after the New Year, and the princess consort comes from a high background. Tell me, will Sixth Prince in the future perhaps…”
Qin Shuying pointed upward toward the sky.
Xu Shi was startled, her eyes widening.
Qin Shuying smiled with pursed lips: “When that day comes, First Madam will surely have endless blessings to enjoy! First Madam, don’t you agree?”
As she spoke, Qin Shuying gently touched the large gemstone ring on her finger.
Only then did Xu Shi notice that Qin Shuying wore extremely rare ruby rings on both her right and left hands. The gems were large yet finely carved, not appearing clumsy at all—clearly worth a fortune.
Such luxurious items, she, Xu Shi, had only seen among the relics left by Long Shi in her lifetime.
She had naturally dreamed this dream every day before, but being confined these past months had frightened her. With her son and daughter’s marriages being so disappointing, she had become somewhat disheartened about the future, thinking she should be satisfied with her current status.
But with Qin Shuying’s provocation, seeing Qin Shuying’s noble bearing and imposing manner, looking at her precious sable fur cloak, the exquisite hair ornaments on her head, the large gemstone rings, she couldn’t help but develop some thoughts.
Qin Shuying gently patted her skirt and stood up, saying: “First Madam, you must quickly restore your health. After Second Brother marries, Sixth Prince should also have his grand wedding. At that time, how many noble families will need to maintain relationships.”
Xu Shi didn’t believe Qin Shuying would be so kind-hearted, but she also couldn’t discern what Qin Shuying’s purpose was.
After speaking, Qin Shuying turned and walked out.
She had indeed become soft-hearted.
Based on everything Xu Shi had done to Uncle Zhou, Qin Yaoyao, and the original Qin Shuying, Qin Shuying could completely make her life worse than death. But these past months, Xu Shi had been well-behaved and hadn’t harmed her, so Qin Shuying found it somewhat difficult to raise the butcher’s knife.
If Xu Shi continued this way, even if Qin Shuying still remembered past grievances, she would ultimately have no way to act.
If Xu Shi listened to today’s provocation and again developed greedy thoughts, doing something, then she, Qin Shuying, would not be merciful.
At that time, she couldn’t blame Qin Shuying—she could only blame herself, Xu Shi, for always being so greedy and arrogant.
Speaking of which, Sixth Prince and Lianpin’s ambitions had always existed. Even without her provocation, they wouldn’t give up their plans to compete for the throne.
Just as she reached the entrance of Xuan Hall, she saw Qin Yue, Qu Linglong, and others walking over.
While still some distance away, Qu Linglong called out crisply: “Aunt.”
Qin Shuying could tell that Qu Linglong was in good spirits.
“Linglong, Sister Yue, you’ve finally come. If you hadn’t arrived soon, someone would have been sent to call you for the meal.”
Qin Yue said: “Seventh Aunt, don’t worry—Sister Linglong won’t go hungry. Earlier, we had some pastries at Rongfu Courtyard, fearing today’s meal might be late.”
Qu Linglong praised: “Aunt, the lotus pastries Sister Yue made herself were excellent—I ate two pieces.”
Qin Shuying took her hand: “What a little glutton.”
Her tone was intimate, her manner natural. Qu Linglong was slightly startled.
Qin Yue was also momentarily stunned.
Although Qin Shuying was also good to Qin Yue, Qin Yue could tell that because of Dong Shi’s relationship, Qin Shuying wasn’t particularly intimate with her—not as natural as she was with Qin Lulu.
Qin Shuying didn’t realize there was anything strange about her behavior. She genuinely liked Qu Linglong.
Not merely because of her sensibility and being Liang Zhe’s niece. Simply because Qu Linglong was about the same age as Feng’er, equally adorable as ice and snow, equally intelligent and reasonable.
Arriving at Xuan Hall, Old Madam Qin had also finished resting. Since Dong Shi still had to entertain many female guests today, Xuan Hall was left to Nanny Gu to manage. She had the meal laid out for close family members to dine together.
The banquet tables for female and male guests were set in the guest hall—still over ten tables, separated by a screen in the middle.
Just as they sat down, Qin Wei also arrived.
As soon as Qin Wei entered, Qin Shuying observed that her gaze immediately focused on Qu Linglong. But Qu Linglong only smiled politely, remaining well-behaved in her seat, listening to Old Madam Qin and Qin Shuying chat.
This meal was very peaceful without any disturbances, but Qin Shuying still noticed that Qin Wei would occasionally cast glances full of jealousy and resentment at Qu Linglong.
Only after leaving the Qin mansion’s main gate and boarding Pingxi Earl’s carriage, with Qu Linglong leaning against Qin Shuying’s side, did Qin Shuying ask: “Linglong, at Rongfu Courtyard, did you meet Qin Wei and speak with her?”