After a pause, Princess Fuping sighed and said, “It’s just that for now, this palace hasn’t thought of anything to request of you. When the day comes that I need your assistance, I hope Madam Liang will still remember today’s words.”

Qin Shuying spoke word by word, “Whatever Your Highness requests, Shuying will do everything within my power. If I violate this oath, may my tongue sprout sores and I never be able to speak again.”

Princess Fuping’s nose tingled with emotion, and a light mist gathered in her eyes.

Even a young woman who had only met her a few times could trust her like this, yet her own birth mother, in both her past and present life, never trusted her.

Sensing Princess Fuping’s agitation, Qin Shuying quickly lowered her gaze.

Although she and Princess Fuping had little interaction, Princess Fuping had helped her greatly, and Liang Zhe’s life was also involved in that debt.

Therefore, her promise was indeed made with sincere intent.

She didn’t know why, but she was certain that whatever Princess Fuping asked of her would definitely not be excessive or put her in a difficult position.

This was a very strange kind of trust and feeling.

The two stood shoulder to shoulder for a while before parting.

After Qin Shuying separated from Princess Fuping, she spoke with another lady. While chatting and laughing, she suddenly heard Lu Ruyang’s surprised voice, “Princess Consort, where is the seven-leaf purple jade ornament from your hair?”

Lu Ruyang’s voice was very loud, and everyone in the entire venue heard it clearly. Instantly, everyone’s gaze fell in unison upon Fifth Princess Consort’s head.

Fifth Princess Consort’s personal maid also showed a surprised expression on her face, saying in trepidation, “Princess Consort, your seven-leaf purple jade ornament is truly missing.”

Then they immediately examined her hair carefully, finally reporting with pale faces, “Princess Consort, it’s all this servant’s fault – the seven-leaf purple jade ornament is really gone!”

Hearing that the Princess Consort’s purple jade ornament was missing, everyone simultaneously began looking around on the ground.

Madam Ji saw this and naturally also sent maids to search.

However, no one could find it.

Fifth Princess Consort’s expression was somewhat unpleasant as she sighed, “This was given to me by His Highness. Not only is it valuable, but it also holds extraordinary meaning for me. Never mind, never mind. Since it cannot be found, I can only blame my own bad luck.”

Hearing her say this, everyone searched even more diligently, and Fifth Princess Consort couldn’t stop them even if she tried.

After searching for a long time, they still found nothing.

Lu Ruyang suddenly thought of something and said, “Princess Consort, you haven’t left this garden since entering. The item must definitely be somewhere in this garden. In my opinion, it must have been taken by someone.”

Fifth Princess Consort lightly scolded, “Ruyang, today’s guests are all distinguished ladies and misses from various households. Each family has abundant wealth – who would covet a single jade ornament? You must quickly apologize to everyone!”

Lu Ruyang felt very wronged but had no choice but to apologize to the crowd. However, after apologizing, she glanced at Madam Ji and said, “Madam Ji, though the Princess Consort is benevolent and doesn’t hold grudges, you are the host. What do you say should be done?”

Fifth Princess Consort again lightly rebuked, “Ruyang! This item was carelessly lost by me. What does it have to do with Madam Ji? Stop making trouble!”

But Lu Ruyang seemed completely unafraid of Fifth Princess Consort, this legitimate wife, staring fixedly at Madam Ji as if demanding she provide an explanation.

Madam Ji’s expression changed slightly. Today’s lotus fragrance gathering was hosted by her, and such a mishap occurring not only brought her, as the host, no glory, but Lu Ruyang was also explicitly and implicitly suggesting someone had stolen something. If word of this spread, would she still want her reputation?

Madam Ji smiled and said, “Princess Consort, since the item was lost at my humble residence, I naturally should help the Princess Consort find it. However, I haven’t seen what it looks like, so please draw a diagram for me. That way I can search according to the design. Otherwise, if I find the wrong thing and present a servant’s item as the Princess Consort’s, wouldn’t that be laughable?”

Fifth Princess Consort frowned, disagreeing with Madam Ji’s words. “It’s just a jade ornament – why make such a big fuss? Ruyang, quickly apologize to Madam Ji!”

But Lu Ruyang only looked back at Fifth Princess Consort once and said, “Princess Consort, I know how important that jade ornament is to you. If it’s lost, His Highness will surely blame you. Madam Ji, this isn’t difficult – I’ll have someone draw it for you.”

Lu Ruyang had studied calligraphy and painting since childhood, so drawing a purple jade ornament was naturally no problem. With brush and ink readily available, she picked up the brush and completed the drawing in just a few strokes.

Fifth Princess Consort sighed helplessly, “Ruyang, you really are…”

As if she didn’t know what to say.

Madam Ji took the drawing from Lu Ruyang and looked at it. For some unknown reason, a maid beside Madam Ji was bending to pour tea when her hand shook, spilling tea on the drawing.

The maid immediately knelt down.

Madam Ji frowned lightly, holding the wet paper that could no longer show the drawing clearly, and sighed, “Madam Lu, this won’t do. I’ll have to trouble you to draw another one.”

Lu Ruyang glared at the maid and picked up the brush to draw again.

When this drawing reached Madam Ji’s hands, she squinted slightly and said, “Madam Lu, your drawing isn’t very clear. You just said it was a seven-leaf purple jade ornament, so why does this only have six leaves?”

Lu Ruyang hadn’t expected such a simple question would need explanation. “Madam Ji, this is viewed from the side, with one leaf hidden behind the others, so naturally only six leaves are visible.”

Madam Ji shook her head, “Madam Lu’s artistic skills still need improvement. Seven leaves means seven leaves. If you can only draw six, it only shows your technique is superficial.”

Lu Ruyang was furious enough to explode. Was she drawing this for Madam Ji to critique?

“Madam Ji, the urgent matter now should be finding the purple jade ornament, not quibbling over exactly how many leaves there are.”

Madam Ji continued shaking her head, “You haven’t drawn it accurately. If I find other similar items, and you then claim they belong to the Princess Consort, what should be done then?”

Lu Ruyang frowned, “Madam Ji, it’s just finding an item. Simply go look for it – why nitpick over this drawing?”

Madam Ji disagreed with her words. “Madam Lu, you speak incorrectly. A tiny error can lead to a huge mistake. Look carefully – the teacup I’m holding is blue and white porcelain, and the teacup in your hand is also blue and white porcelain. Does that mean the teacup in my hand is the same as the one in yours? Certainly not, correct? You mention some seven-leaf purple jade ornament – we have plenty in our household. If you don’t draw it clearly, what will you do when the servants bring over their seven-leaf purple jade ornaments?”

Lu Ruyang was dumbfounded. How could this Madam Ji be so long-winded and unable to distinguish right from wrong?

Fifth Princess Consort frowned.

Some of the ladies and misses present secretly broke out in cold sweats.

Qin Shuying lowered her head, the corners of her mouth slightly curving upward.

Madam Ji’s skill at unreasonable nitpicking was truly irrepressible. She hadn’t expected that such a refined and elegant person would also behave this way.

Lu Ruyang could no longer contain her anger, her tone becoming somewhat harsh, “Madam Ji, the Princess Consort’s item is lost. Madam Ji should quickly find it, otherwise this would be a crime of contempt!”