Ordinary madams would indeed be angered by Old Madam Liang’s words, because her words carried another implication – suggesting that Lin Zilan might have learned from Qin Shuying and already had improper relations with the Fourth Prince.

Otherwise, why would the Fourth Prince want to marry a girl of such low status?

After all, the Fourth Prince held military power, and since returning to the capital, he had been courted not only by Consort De, Consort Kang, and Consort Lian, but also by many ministers seeking his favor.

But Old Madam Liang had misjudged Madam Lin’s reaction.

Madam Lin was originally a very honest person without much scheming, which was why Master Lin had been bewitched by a concubine and left his proper wife unattended in a remote place. However, Lin Zilan was very clever, offering strategies and plans that repeatedly succeeded.

Following Lin Zilan’s methods, Madam Lin had not only made Lin Si’s concubine suffer greatly, but had also seized control of the household management. Therefore, Madam Lin listened only to her daughter.

Thus, she smiled and said: “Old Madam Liang is a reasonable person. Since she allowed Madam Liang to enter the family, she must have liked Madam Liang for being proper and intelligent. Otherwise, with the great prestige of the Pingxi Marquis residence, would just any orphaned girl be able to enter? I’d say Old Madam Liang is truly blessed. Look everyone, which old titled lady at Old Madam Liang’s age can maintain herself so well? If Madam Liang weren’t intelligent and managing the Liang household so orderly, how could Old Madam Liang enjoy such good fortune?”

The female relatives who knew Madam Lin well stared in amazement – was this still the provincial bumpkin Madam Lin they knew?

When had she become so eloquent?

Madam Lin, receiving her daughter’s delighted gaze, was very happy.

Old Madam Lin had pushed her beloved daughter into the palace, and she had been kept completely in the dark. Fortunately, her daughter was blessed by heaven – the Fourth Prince fell in love with her and she was narrowly granted the title of Fourth Prince’s consort.

If not for this turn with the Fourth Prince, had she been granted to some other prince as wife or concubine, she would have simply taken her daughter and fled back to Yunzhou to be that country bumpkin. Her precious daughter was not to be mistreated!

After more than half a year of struggles in the Lin family mansion, plus the matter of Lin Zilan’s selection, Madam Lin had completely changed. No matter what, she would do what her daughter liked. Since her daughter was close to Qin Shuying, she would strongly support Qin Shuying.

Old Madam Liang maintained her elegant smile but said nothing more.

This silence itself conveyed her dissatisfaction with Qin Shuying, her confirmation of what Consort Lian had said, and her contempt and rejection of Madam Lin.

Madam Lin, having rarely spoken such words before so many noble people, naturally felt somewhat embarrassed when Old Madam Liang showed no reaction, knowing the other party didn’t regard her at all.

Qin Shuying smiled sweetly and turned to Princess Liang, who maintained a calm expression, asking: “Your Highness, you have an empty seat beside you. May I sit there?”

Princess Liang was stunned – were she and Qin Shuying close?

However, she nodded: “That’s where the Crown Prince’s consort was sitting. She felt unwell and went to rest. If you’re willing, please come sit.”

Honestly, though this was her first time meeting Qin Shuying, she very much disliked Consort Lian’s attitude.

Back then, when her Yongxing had passed twenty without marrying, people throughout the capital had made plenty of snide remarks. Those gossipy women still discussed her Yongxing, calling her stupid and foolish for voluntarily requesting to marry into that distant border city to a blonde barbarian.

Princess Liang most detested gossipy women – those who casually discussed women’s reputations.

Her Yongxing now lived happily and joyfully, a happiness these gossipy women couldn’t imagine. But these female relatives simply didn’t believe her words, even inviting mockery and pity.

Besides this factor, Princess Liang had another reason to help Qin Shuying.

Princess Liang’s goodwill toward Qin Shuying was obvious, immediately causing many female relatives to whisper among themselves, with people asking each other when Princess Liang had developed relations with Qin Shuying.

As they talked, someone brought up Princess Yongjia, reasoning that since Princess Yongjia was close to Princess Yongxing, and Princess Yongjia had a good relationship with Qin Shuying, that’s why Princess Liang spoke up for Qin Shuying.

Princess Liang didn’t argue, though she actually didn’t know Qin Shuying at all before this.

With Princess Liang speaking up, Consort Lian’s eyes flickered, and she swallowed the rebuttal to Madam Lin that had been on her lips.

Though she was an imperial consort, Princess Liang’s status was weightier, and Prince Liang’s heir was deeply valued and trusted by Emperor Delong. Consort Lian didn’t intend to provoke Princess Liang.

Princess Yongjia hadn’t come today – if she had, Qin Shuying would have another backer. Consort Lian knew that Consort De and Consort Kang were also dissatisfied with Qin Shuying, so she’d let them take the lead while she reaped the benefits.

She, Qin Lianlian, had always loved doing this kind of thing – sitting back and collecting the rewards.

After sitting down, Qin Shuying remained silent. These verbal battles, she only fought once, and only when she had absolute certainty of victory.

She could see Consort Lian’s thoughts very clearly.

Once, twice, three times… it seemed Consort Lian hadn’t learned her lesson deeply enough.

Previously, Qin Shuying hadn’t found Consort Lian’s vital weakness and couldn’t strike a decisive blow.

Who knew she would stubbornly cling to the Mu family – it was like receiving a pillow when drowsy.

With Consort Lian and the Mu family joining forces, she could catch them all in one net, leaving not a blade of grass, saving herself from their constant troublemaking.

If not for Consort Lian’s insatiable greed, instructing Xu Shi to repeatedly demand countless silver from Qin Yaoyao, how could Qin Yaoyao have been so busy running around that she couldn’t control household affairs, ultimately being killed by Lu Changxuan and Qin Feifei?

As for how others viewed her after Consort Lian’s words – what did it matter?

Liang Zhen had experienced such things, yet returned to the capital still composed and unchanged. This was the correct way to live – success and failure determined everything. Once she brought these people down, the female relatives present today would naturally change their opinion of her.

People were always driven by profit.

After Qin Shuying sat down, Princess Liang merely nodded politely with a smile, saying nothing more.

From the corner of her eye, Qin Shuying observed Old Madam Liang’s expression, noting how her gaze swept coolly past Princess Liang’s moderately attractive appearance.

Consort Lian thought the matter would end there, but unexpectedly—

“Shuying, you really are something. Every letter you write tells me you’re doing well in the Liang family. I used to believe it, but now I don’t believe it at all.”

Lin Zilan spoke casually, appearing very worried, her words carrying deep implications.

Then Madam Lin scolded her: “You child, what’s wrong with you? Old Madam Liang has been a first-rank titled lady for over thirty years – which woman in the capital could catch her eye? It’s nothing unusual that she looks down on Shuying. A few grindings will teach Shuying, a young daughter-in-law, to know her place and be completely obedient from then on, not daring to go west if told to go east. In Old Madam Liang’s view, this is all perfectly normal. What injustice are you trying to remedy? Stop talking!”