Madam Lin was angered by Old Madam Liang’s earlier expression when looking at her as if she were a clown.

That look was truly comparable to her own mother-in-law’s!

With her words, the other female relatives also noticed the sense of superiority and detachment in Old Madam Liang’s expression, and immediately felt somewhat uncomfortable.

“Madam Lin, you’re quite wrong there. Old Madam Liang herself is only of concubine birth – whom can she look down upon? Speaking of birth and status, who among everyone here isn’t higher than her?”

The owner of this voice was—

Princess Liang!

Qin Shuying was stunned – from this stance, it seemed Princess Liang knew about those sordid affairs between Prince Liang and Old Madam Liang?

Even Consort Lian was startled. If they were helping Qin Shuying, shouldn’t they be attacking her instead? Why were they all going after Old Madam Liang?

Of course, Qin Lianlian enjoyed watching drama unfold.

Old Madam Liang’s hands hidden in her sleeves clenched tightly, revealing her anger – a bunch of jumping clowns!

She looked toward Princess Liang. When their gazes met, Princess Liang made no effort to hide her mockery, while Old Madam Liang appeared calm and indifferent, showing no joy or anger.

Subsequently, Old Madam Liang calmly withdrew her gaze and silently drank tea, completely ignoring Princess Liang’s mockery.

She was several years older than Princess Liang, yet appeared much younger. Combined with Princess Liang’s merely average appearance while Old Madam Liang remained devastatingly beautiful with a tall, graceful figure, her every gesture carrying indescribable nobility, Princess Liang was actually outshone by Old Madam Liang.

However, Princess Liang had been a princess for many years, accustomed to luxury and privilege, possessing the dignity and bearing of those in high positions.

Old Madam Liang’s behavior clearly showed disdain for Princess Liang. Princess Liang’s face was quickly masked by composure, but her slightly trembling fingers revealed to Qin Shuying that Princess Liang was furious.

Returning the favor, Qin Shuying smiled: “Your Highness, Old Madam has recently caught a cold. I apologize to you on her behalf here.”

This meant that Old Madam Liang was ill and mentally unclear, thus offending Princess Liang and carelessly agreeing with Consort Lian’s words.

Princess Liang looked Old Madam Liang up and down again and said: “This shows you juniors are unfilial. Since she’s ill, she should stay home and recuperate properly.”

Princess Liang’s words were quite harsh. When her glance swept over Liang Qiong, she felt her back stiffen. In the past, Liang Qiong would certainly have spoken up for Old Madam Liang, but now things were different – she remained silent.

Qin Shuying readily agreed: “Your Highness is right. Second Sister, today we were all inconsiderate, don’t you think?”

Liang Qiong suppressed her inner unease and said: “Yes.”

Old Madam Liang’s expression finally showed a ripple of emotion – had Qiong’er lost her mind?!

How could she be so useless? At this moment, only Liang Qiong speaking up for her would be most appropriate, but look – this fool not only didn’t defend her but actually obeyed Qin Shuying in everything!

Truly disgraceful!

She was furious!

Qin Shuying continued speaking to Liang Qiong: “Second Sister, Old Madam went to the side hall for half an hour earlier, and you didn’t tell me, causing me to search anxiously.”

As soon as Qin Shuying finished speaking, the expressions of Consort De, Consort Kang, and Consort Lian all changed simultaneously.

Liang Qiong was completely astonished. She naturally knew that Old Madam Liang had been gone for a long time before returning, but Old Madam Liang’s face had been icy cold and displeased, leaving no room for her to ask questions.

Consort Kang, who had been enjoying the show with great interest, couldn’t help but raise her voice: “What did you say?”

Qin Shuying’s beautiful eyes widened slightly: “Your Majesty, our family’s old madam went to the side hall for more than half an hour. When I saw her enter and felt it was inappropriate, I wanted to stop her, but upon reaching the side hall, I was told I couldn’t enter, so I could only wait anxiously outside for a full half hour.”

She sneered inwardly.

By deliberately speaking that way at the side hall, at least four people had heard her. The palace had many spies, and someone must have already informed the consorts. Otherwise, why would Consort De summon Old Madam Liang for a talk out of nowhere? And after summoning Old Madam Liang, why summon herself as well?

They were waiting to see how she would reveal this matter, then make Old Madam Liang a target of everyone’s criticism.

Consort Kang actually hadn’t received the news? How strange!

Old Madam Liang’s consistently calm and leisurely expression couldn’t hold up anymore, showing a crack, though she still remained silent.

Qin Shuying – she had to be eliminated!

Fortunately, she had already presented that matter to Zhou Huaiyuan. Let her live a little longer – once they left the palace, this wretched Qin Shuying would probably die in an accident!

Qin Shuying looked troubled and said to Old Madam Liang: “Old Madam, as the current mistress of the Liang household, since I brought Old Madam into the palace, I naturally must bring you out safely. If anything happened to Old Madam, I would be unforgivably guilty, so I took it upon myself to act. I hope Old Madam won’t blame me.”

Old Madam Liang replied faintly: “I won’t.”

Qin Shuying smiled: “I knew Old Madam would be most understanding of your granddaughter-in-law. Your Majesty, when I went to the side hall, the sisters there didn’t believe at all that Old Madam was already over sixty, thinking she was some family’s lady!”

At this point, even Consort De’s theatrical expression couldn’t hold up.

The female relatives in the gathering all turned their eyes to look at Old Madam Liang.

At such an advanced age, though her clothing was in dark colors, wearing them didn’t make her appear gloomy but instead gave her an air of dignified nobility.

Fair skin, eyes like autumn water, hair like clouds, slender and tall.

Only the gorgeous Consort De could compare with her, being evenly matched. Even extremely beautiful young women like Princess Fuping and Liang Qiong were inferior, lacking the indescribable charm and elegance that Old Madam Liang possessed.

Qin Shuying marveled inwardly – no wonder Old Madam Liang had always been so arrogant, looking down on herself and most other women. She indeed had enviable assets.

With such bearing, she could even serve as empress.

For such a beauty to secretly meet with Emperor Delong, who was of similar age, no wonder the expressions of Consort De, Consort Kang, and Consort Lian were now so colorful.

Qin Shuying continued speaking to Consort Kang: “The side hall was where the late imperial consort resided. It was truly inappropriate for Old Madam to enter. Your Majesty, I accept responsibility here.”

Side hall this, side hall that… Old Madam Liang could no longer maintain her leisurely expression, her cold gaze sweeping over.

In broad daylight, Old Madam Liang had naturally considered whether her movements would be exposed.

Very few people knew that Emperor Delong would be at the side hall. Her appearance there hadn’t been noticed by many.

Moreover, she had only gone over after seeing Emperor Delong appear. Even those palace maids and eunuchs had probably only gotten a general look at her, not seeing her appearance clearly, and didn’t know who she was.

By the time Consort De and the others learned that Emperor Delong had met with a woman, she would have long left the palace. Even if they wanted to investigate, it wouldn’t be discovered quickly.