At this moment, Madam Ji spoke unhurriedly, “Princess Consort, since you say this purple jade ornament is yours, and Madam Liang says it’s hers, with each of you holding to your own version, as the host, I naturally cannot listen to only one side. Princess Consort, you say this jade pendant is yours – do you have any evidence? Madam Liang, you say this jade pendant is yours – what evidence do you have?”

Fifth Princess Consort waved her hand, “Madam Ji, things have come to this point. I’ll give Madam Liang some face and let this matter pass.”

This wasn’t giving Qin Shuying any face at all – it was repeatedly confirming that Qin Shuying was definitely a thief.

Madam Ji remained unhurried and asked Qin Shuying again, “Madam Liang, what are your thoughts?”

Qin Shuying looked at Fifth Princess Consort and suddenly smiled, “Since I said this item is mine, I naturally have evidence to prove it belongs to me. My late mother left behind several sets of purple jade accessories, plus various scattered small pieces. Among them were three seven-leaf purple jade ornaments. I rewarded one each to my maids Ziteng, Lu Ye, and Hong Juan. Today, the one who came in with me was Ziteng. Earlier, Ziteng accidentally dropped this purple jade ornament on the ground, so I placed it in my sleeve.”

Immediately, everyone began discussing among themselves, with no one believing her.

Purple jade was such a rare gemstone, yet Qin Shuying boldly claimed she had many, and even rewarded them to her maids – three at once no less. This was bragging without even preparing a draft.

Moreover, how could there be such a coincidence? Such a precious purple jade ornament accidentally dropped by a little maid, and so conveniently picked up by Qin Shuying.

Lu Ruyang naturally began mocking coldly, “A single purple jade ornament costs at least a thousand taels of silver, yet Madam Liang so easily rewarded them to your maids – truly the height of arrogance! Just look at what good things you have on your head?”

At this moment, everyone looked toward Qin Shuying’s head. Indeed, there were only two pieces of jewelry – though exquisite, they were quite simple and didn’t look particularly expensive.

Qin Shuying raised an eyebrow and said with a smile, “It’s understandable that you don’t believe me. This is simple – Fifth Princess Consort can send people to the Liang household to summon my other two maids.”

Lu Ruyang sneered, “Madam Liang, I didn’t expect that besides arguing, you would also buy time.”

Qin Shuying ignored her cold mockery and said to Madam Ji, “Madam, please allow me to borrow your household servants to go to the Liang residence and summon my two maids, having them bring their seven-leaf purple jade ornaments.”

Before Madam Ji could respond, Lu Ruyang said again, “How cunning of you – secretly rushing to carve one piece, how much time could that take?”

Although Lu Ruyang’s words were too far-fetched, quite a few people believed them. Carving a jade piece certainly wouldn’t be that quick, but once people become suspicious, they always find various reasons to justify their doubts.

Qin Shuying then said to Fifth Princess Consort, “Princess Consort, please also send two people to accompany Madam Ji’s household servants.”

Fifth Princess Consort had been carefully observing Qin Shuying’s facial expressions, not missing any subtle movement. At this moment, she said with a smile, “Enough, enough. Since you’ve said this much, I’ll believe you. Why create such a big fuss? I said earlier that this matter ends here, let it pass. Ruyang, quickly apologize to Madam Liang. It’s all because your eyes don’t work properly that you caused such a misunderstanding. You’ve made me lose face in front of Madam Liang too – this truly compounds your crimes. When you return, you’ll be confined for two months.”

She spoke affectionately and harmoniously, with a somewhat teasing tone – truly virtuous and magnanimous, kind and generous.

Qin Shuying also smiled good-naturedly, “The Princess Consort shows great wisdom and righteousness. I thank the Princess Consort. However, once I’ve spoken, I absolutely must follow through. Since the Princess Consort won’t go, I must ask everyone present to serve as witnesses. This round trip will take half an hour – I must have those two maids bring the items here for everyone to witness one by one. Ziteng!”

Hearing her name called, Ziteng hurried over, “Madam.”

“Since the Princess Consort’s people won’t go, you accompany the Ji family’s people on this trip. Have Hong Juan and Lu Ye bring all the jewelry I rewarded them!”

“Yes.”

Madam Ji said, “Princess Consort, since Madam Liang has a way to prove her innocence, then I should naturally have people accompany them on this trip. Someone come – call two people to go with this young lady from the Liang family.”

“Yes.”

Fifth Princess Consort’s expression remained smiling, but gradually became unpleasant, “Madam Ji, Madam Liang, I’ve already said this was a misunderstanding. Why must you make such a grand spectacle? Do my words carry no weight at all?”

Qin Shuying replied with a smile, “Princess Consort, it’s not that I won’t listen to you, but this matter concerns my reputation. I naturally must clarify things to prevent people from misunderstanding me. The Princess Consort is virtuous and surely understands this principle. Besides what I mentioned earlier, I have another piece of evidence to prove that the jade ornament in Madam Lu’s hand is mine, not the Princess Consort’s.”

Fifth Princess Consort’s fingernails hidden in her sleeves had already dug into her palms until they almost lost feeling. This Qin Shuying was truly difficult to deal with!

Lu Ruyang’s previous firm confidence was now somewhat shaken, but she had to grit her teeth and say, “Madam Liang, what evidence do you have?”

Qin Shuying smiled faintly and said, “On this purple jade ornament, there’s a small character carved – ‘Rong’.”

Lu Ruyang’s face immediately turned pale. This was like seeing a ghost – how could Qin Shuying possibly know this?

Fifth Princess Consort stared unblinkingly at Qin Shuying’s face, her heart also surging with shock. That character “Rong” was wrapped inside one of the leaves – without close examination, it couldn’t be seen at all.

“Madam Lu, if you let everyone examine this purple jade ornament, won’t everything become clear?”

Lu Ruyang glared fiercely at Qin Shuying, as if trying to bore a hole through her face, “You stole the item and naturally examined it long ago, so of course you know there are characters on it!”

Qin Shuying ignored her and only looked toward Fifth Princess Consort, smiling very kindly, “Princess Consort, when Madam Lu was still unmarried, she was already quite rude – not only rash and careless, but also doing things without considering consequences. It’s fortunate that the Princess Consort can tolerate her temperament. Ruyang, why don’t you thank the Princess Consort for her usual tolerance and guidance?”

Lu Ruyang was so angry her vision darkened, yet she had less and less courage to confront Qin Shuying. However, when she turned to see Fifth Princess Consort’s kind face, an even greater fear occupied her entire body. Steeling herself, she said to Qin Shuying, “The Princess Consort treats me extremely well. The Princess Consort will naturally guide me – there’s no need for your false concern.”

Fifth Princess Consort nodded with a smile, “Ruyang, see how unruly you are even in front of close relatives. Madam Liang, you two are aunt and niece. Madam Liang naturally knows Ruyang’s temperament – straightforward and sincere. I very much like her frank nature.”