Liang Yuan rolled over and sat up immediately, his eyes wide. “Who?”

“Qin Shuying!”

Liang Yuan almost instinctively denied it. “That’s impossible! That day, we all should know that Qin Shuying doesn’t know any martial arts, and she didn’t have anything on her. We’ve all seen firearms – they’re at least this long, and there’s no way they could have been hidden anywhere on her or that stinking girl’s bodies.”

Liang Yuan gestured with his hands, indicating a length about as long as a person’s arm.

Liang Jie smiled coldly. “What if that thing was much smaller than a firearm?”

This was the reason why the brothers, along with Luo Meixiang and Old Madam Liang, didn’t dare believe it was done by Qin Shuying and her servant – because if it were a firearm, there would be nowhere to hide it.

They had always suspected Qin Shuying and her servant, but the factor of having nowhere to hide such a weapon couldn’t be explained, so they couldn’t confirm the real culprit.

Liang Yuan still didn’t believe Liang Jie’s words. “I’ve heard that the Western countries have particularly advanced firearms, but even those are as long as chopsticks. It’s impossible for the two of them to carry something that long without us noticing. Besides, the manufacturing of Western firearms is extremely secretive, and they’re treasured like precious gems. I heard that although Great Zhou’s soldiers sacrificed many lives to capture a few, they still can’t understand them and are completely unable to manufacture anything like them.”

Liang Jie said, “Don’t rush to deny it, and don’t rush to make assumptions for them. Think about it – how many people are now focusing their attention on firearms? Fourth Prince was summoned to the capital by His Majesty specifically to research these things. If Fifth Prince knew that Qin Shuying possessed such valuable items, wouldn’t Fifth Prince help us?”

Liang Yuan was stunned. “This is the method to persuade Fifth Prince?”

“Yes.”

Liang Yuan pursed his lips, then quickly sneered coldly. “This is indeed a good method! As for whether Qin Shuying actually has such things – what does it matter? As long as Fifth Prince focuses his attention on her, and we add fuel to the fire, I don’t believe Liang Zhe and Qin Shuying can escape from Prince’s grasp!”

Liang Jie nodded. “Exactly.”

Using a borrowed knife to kill – not needing to act personally was truly a good idea. As for whether those firearms actually belonged to Qin Shuying, what did it matter? As long as Fifth Prince believed Qin Shuying had them, then she had them.

After ten or so days, Qin Shuying received an invitation to Madam Ji’s Lotus Fragrance Gathering. Since taking charge of household affairs, she could attend many of the capital’s social gatherings, so such invitations became increasingly frequent.

Qin Shuying didn’t attend every gathering, but Madam Ji had left her with a very good impression. They had often encountered each other at various gatherings afterward and always exchanged friendly greetings.

Therefore, on the twentieth day of the fifth month, Qin Shuying arrived at the Ji residence on time.

When Madam Ji was still unmarried, she had the reputation of being “peerless in calligraphy and painting,” meaning her calligraphy and painting were both exceptional. Some also called her “singular in calligraphy and painting,” meaning that in terms of these arts, her level among noble ladies was the best – she was second to none.

Entering the Ji residence, Qin Shuying walked around several circles and saw the lotus pond spanning over ten acres. Layer upon layer of lotus leaves spread out in verdant green, with tri-colored lotus flowers interspersed among them – some in full bloom, others still budding, crowded together in a truly rare sight.

Only the top-tier nobility like Princess Yongjia’s mansion and places within the imperial city could boast such magnificent lotus scenery.

This was because lotus flowers were southern plants, very difficult to cultivate in the north. Having over ten acres of land in a capital residence was quite remarkable.

When she reached the gathering hall, she saw Princess Fuping, Fifth Prince’s consort, and Lu Ruyang, which surprised her somewhat. After all, Madam Ji was already widowed. Although her reputation in calligraphy and painting was high, such things were ultimately insubstantial – how could they compare to the attention received by wives whose husbands held high positions?

However, besides Princess Fuping and the others, there were also several other ladies of noble status, so Princess Fuping and Fifth Prince’s consort didn’t seem too out of place.

Great Zhou was now prosperous, and pursuing elegance had become fashionable. Madam Ji had a noble character and extraordinary achievements in calligraphy and painting, so many noble ladies were happy to associate with her.

As the name suggested, the Lotus Fragrance Gathering involved appreciating lotus flowers, eating lotus seeds, drinking lotus seed porridge, and so forth. Some young ladies, understanding refined music and intentions, would bring their own paintings and calligraphy for Madam Ji to critique. After the gathering, Madam Ji would let them take these critiques home.

If they could earn Madam Ji’s praise, these young ladies’ reputations among the capital’s noble daughters would improve significantly, and their future marriage prospects would rise accordingly. However, Madam Ji was famously discerning, so ordinary people without real skill didn’t dare present their calligraphy and paintings before her.

Because if they lacked ability, they would only embarrass themselves, and their reputations might suffer instead.

With this group of young ladies adding liveliness, the Lotus Fragrance Gathering was quite animated. Qin Shuying felt pleasant, though she was quite surprised when she occasionally met Princess Fuping’s complex gaze.

While the young ladies composed poetry and the ladies chatted in small groups, Princess Fuping approached Qin Shuying and initiated conversation. “Madam Liang, we meet again.”

Qin Shuying curtsied. “This subject’s wife greets Your Highness.”

Princess Fuping looked at Qin Shuying with profound eyes. “You and I could be considered fated – there’s no need for such formality.”

“Thank you for Your Highness’s gracious regard.”

Princess Fuping’s elegantly beautiful face turned toward the fragrant lotus pond not far away as she asked, “Madam Liang, these lotus flowers are truly beautiful, don’t you think?”

What did this mean?

Qin Shuying responded respectfully yet courteously, “Yes. ‘The lotus leaves stretch endlessly green to the sky, the lotus flowers reflect the sun in a different shade of red.’ Madam Ji is truly an exquisite person, able to live such a beautifully varied life.”

Princess Fuping’s eyes darkened slightly.

Madam Ji was widowed but had a pair of very intelligent children, so naturally she could live a fulfilling and flavorful life. As for herself, with her daughter’s condition in her previous life, how could she possibly have been happy?

Princess Fuping thought for a moment, then said, “Madam Liang, this princess has a favor to ask of you. Can you agree to it?”

Qin Shuying’s heart pounded like drums, but she said without showing emotion, “Your Highness is of golden branch and jade leaf – what matter could Your Highness not accomplish that this subject’s wife could? Please speak, Your Highness. If this subject’s wife can truly manage it, I will spare no effort.”

Princess Fuping had now fully matured, inheriting Consort De’s stunning beauty, naturally possessing beauty that could topple kingdoms and matchless loveliness. Her consistently calm expression added several degrees of elegant flavor, making her appear even more pure as ice and jade, inviolable.

Looking at her moon-shaming, flower-embarrassing face, Qin Shuying became even more uncertain about what Princess Fuping intended to do and why she had quietly agreed to marry Chen Zhiyan.

Princess Fuping’s expression remained calm as she said, “Ever since this princess saw you in the garden, I’ve greatly admired your decisiveness. Therefore, this princess has since intended to befriend you.”

Qin Shuying nodded. “Your Highness has a benevolent heart. This subject’s wife has always felt drawn to you, but due to status differences, could only observe from afar and didn’t dare approach. I hope Your Highness won’t take offense.”

Princess Fuping nodded lightly. “With these words from you, this princess understands. This princess believes you won’t go back on your word.”