Discovering that she had worried needlessly about Lin Zilan, Qin Shuying felt both amused and relieved, but also very happy.
Some things could be changed, others could not.
Since they couldn’t be changed, one needed sufficient wisdom to cope with them.
Lin Zilan’s mentality was quite good, and she was smart and capable enough that there was no need to worry about what those women might do.
Returning to the Liang residence, Qin Shuying summoned the three concubines: Miao Zhilan, Shui’er, and Liu’er.
Looking at the three beautiful, delicate women before her, Qin Shuying recalled Lin Zilan’s words about gathering them around a table to play leaf cards… cough cough, no, that wouldn’t work. Lin Zilan had a lively personality, but Qin Shuying could never be like her.
The three women all paid their respects to Qin Shuying in unison, then their eyes glanced toward the inner room, checking whether Liang Zhe was there.
“Stop looking. The Crown Prince isn’t home. I suddenly thought of you all, which is why I called you here.”
There had never been established rules for morning greetings. They had been married for seven months now and had always lived this way.
Shui’er’s face lit up with joy, and she couldn’t help but ask, “Is Madam restoring the rules for morning greetings?”
Ziteng scolded, “Madam hasn’t spoken yet—what are you asking about randomly? How improper!”
Shui’er immediately lowered her head. To be honest, they weren’t children who understood nothing. Although they didn’t know everything that had happened in the manor over the past half year, they could see the final outcomes.
This Crown Prince’s wife had ruthless methods indeed.
With Ziteng’s reprimand, all three immediately became alert. Was Madam about to punish them?
Even Old Madam Liang had been killed by her, and Luo Meixiang was still lying sickly in bed. The Crown Prince’s wife’s methods were clear to see. If she used even half her tactics against them, would they have any way to survive?
Miao Zhilan had been brought in by Luo Meixiang and was a distant relative of hers. Knowing some of the situation, she was the first to be frightened to tears.
Looking at the three women, Qin Shuying thought for a moment and said, “You may all withdraw.”
The three came in confusion and left in bewilderment.
Ziteng asked Qin Shuying, “Madam, are you planning to have them serve the Crown Prince?”
Qin Shuying rubbed her forehead, “That matter is for the Crown Prince to decide himself.”
Ziteng’s expression dimmed somewhat.
“Silly child, why are you sad? That’s how things are in this world. All women live their lives this way—what’s there to be sad about?”
Ziteng remained silent, keeping her mouth shut.
Qin Shuying smiled and brought up another matter, “Ziteng, Xu Shi’s debt hasn’t been fully repaid yet. I’ve been too busy lately to attend to her. But the Crown Prince has actually found someone…”
She then told her about what Liang Zhe hadn’t finished saying last night but had explained this morning.
Ziteng listened with her mouth agape, “Crown Prince, that move is ruthless enough! But Crown Prince, this move is brilliant!”
“This is what Xu Shi deserves. If not for her, how would the Zhou family have… And there’s Lianpin too. For the sake of her position, she’s been insatiably greedy, which is why Xu Shi keeps extorting money. I never planned to spare them. Now it’s Xu Shi’s turn, and in a few days, Lianpin won’t escape either.”
The next day, at the Qin residence.
Xu Shi sat in a round-backed chair and said to Ye Shi, “…You’ve been married for several months now, and you still have no child. I’ve selected two people for Kaiyu, also to ease your burden.”
As she spoke, she had Nanny Ruan bring out two young girls.
Ye Shi was immediately stunned—she had only been married a few days!
Dong Shi looked at Ye Shi sympathetically from the side. Their mother-in-law was exactly this type of person—otherwise, how would Qin Yue have had a half-sister the same age as herself?
Ye Shi’s hesitation angered Xu Shi, who snorted coldly, “What, are you so intolerant of others? Isn’t it all because your belly is disappointing? Otherwise, why would I need to be this kind of evil mother-in-law?”
Putting on airs and not knowing how to please Kaiyu—Kaiyu’s nature was to love beautiful women. Ye Shi should have personally arranged for the maids by her side to serve Kaiyu after having their faces “opened.”
Instead, she as the mother-in-law had to personally stuff people into her son’s room.
Ye Shi felt wronged in her heart but spoke diplomatically, “Old Madam, daughter-in-law doesn’t mean that. Daughter-in-law is thinking that since husband is currently at a crucial time for promotion, it wouldn’t look good if word got out. Why not wait another month or two until things are settled before making arrangements? Daughter-in-law has absolutely no intention of being jealous—it’s all for husband’s consideration.”
After Old Madam Qin passed away, Xu Shi had been promoted a level to become the Old Madam.
Dong Shi was the First Madam, and Ye Shi was the Second Madam.
Unexpectedly, hearing Ye Shi’s words made Xu Shi even angrier. Previously, Qin Shuying had been exactly like this—sweet words hiding bitter intentions, causing her countless losses without knowing it.
“Which man’s room doesn’t have several people to serve him? Even if others knew about this, so what? You’re just being troublesome, and you still say you’re not being jealous. You two, quickly come over and serve tea to your madam!”
They hadn’t even begun serving yet, but were already required to serve tea.
Ye Shi didn’t dare say more. She now knew Qin Kaiyu’s character well. If she refused here, it would only displease him. Ye Shi had no choice but to swallow her grievances and accept their tea.
Just as she finished drinking, a maid from the courtyard came in and said, “Old Madam, Master has arrived.”
Xu Shi was delighted. She had said that as long as she did things beneficial to Qin Yongtao, he would value her again.
A few days ago, she had entered the palace and told Lianpin everything she knew, even painting a portrait for Lianpin on the spot. Xu Shi had originally been a daughter of a distinguished family, so painting a portrait was no difficulty for her, and she painted quite well.
After Lianpin saw that painting, she was immediately stunned—that was Empress Wen!
But Xu Shi said it was Lin Yuan.
Although Xu Shi was from Shu, Old Master Xu knew people from the Lin family. Therefore, when young Xu Shi was later brought to the capital by Old Master Xu, she happened to meet Lin Yuan’s niece.
Reportedly, Lin Yuan’s niece looked exactly like Lin Yuan.
Xu Shi had played with Lin Yuan’s niece for some time, later even corresponded with her, and they had even painted portraits of each other as keepsakes. However, Lin Yuan’s niece had a thin fate and passed away after just a few years.
Xu Shi had forgotten about this matter and had forgotten about Lin Yuan’s niece.
Some time ago, the old home in Shu had sent over the portrait she had once painted of Lin Yuan’s niece, and the appearance of that young girl immediately came alive in Xu Shi’s mind.
Xu Shi immediately requested an audience at the palace.
Then she painted that portrait. Lianpin had originally given up hope, but seeing that painting, her heart immediately came alive again.
Subsequently, there was a round of scheming.
This matter couldn’t be kept from Qin Yongtao. With Qin Yongtao idle at home with nothing to do, how could he sit still after learning of this?
Wealth was sought in danger. If the Crown Prince’s birth was illegitimate, the Sixth Prince’s chances of ruling the world would increase by thirty percent!
If they could also draw the Western Earl’s Manor into the game…
This matter was worth scheming for.
Additionally, now that Old Madam Qin had passed away, no one restrained Xu Shi, and her position in Qin Yongtao’s heart was changing day by day. Qin Yongtao not only let her go out and socialize, but occasionally even stayed overnight in her room.
Therefore, when Xu Shi heard the maid say that Qin Yongtao had come, she assumed he was here to see her and was very happy.