Lu Ye didn’t give her a chance at all. She picked up a golden cat’s eye ring and waved it in front of Lu Ruyang, saying, “Do you know what this is? Do you know how much silver this is worth? Even if you sold yourself, Madam Lu, you couldn’t afford such a ring. Madam Lu should heed this servant’s advice and stand further away!”

Lu Ruyang’s face alternated between red and white as she blurted out, “These are all aunt-in-law’s things. Do you think we’ll believe you just because you stole them?”

Qin Shuying smiled without speaking, her superior attitude making Lu Ruyang’s eyes turn red.

Ziteng picked up one of the small boxes and opened it, “Since Madam Lu says this, this servant must clarify things for our madam. Please, all you ladies, look – these are all documented with the authorities. These are relics of our madam’s mother, namely our madam’s mother’s dowry.”

Inside the box were registration documents and dowry records, several of them.

Ziteng took out one or two books for the nearby ladies to see. One lady began reading aloud, “…Long Shi of Jiangcheng, Jin Nian… three ruby eight-tiered necklace hairpins, ruby golden branch and jade leaf hairpins, ruby bright moon earrings, three-leaf earrings… gem-inlaid cloud-shaped golden hairpins… butterfly gem-inlaid golden hairpins…”

As the lady read, observant people compared the items with the gemstones in the boxes. She read for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before barely finishing two boxes.

Some people commented on the side, “This Long Shi Jin Nian of Jiangcheng is Madam Liang’s birth mother.”

“She was just a minor prefect’s daughter – how could she have so many priceless jewels?”

“I remember now – this Long Shi’s mother was surnamed Rong! Yes, surnamed Rong!”

“So what?”

“You’ve forgotten – the Rong family has been master jade carvers for generations!”

“Right, right, right! The Rong family are hereditary carvers. They’ve produced several masters. Items produced by the Rong family not only have unique carving techniques that are ingeniously crafted, but they only carved expensive gemstones. Every piece is quite valuable.”

Since Qin Shuying stepped forward to confront Lu Ruyang and the others, Madam Ji had remained relatively quiet.

At this moment, Madam Ji said, “Rong family jewelry represents the finest quality. Many wealthy noble families take pride in owning complete sets of Rong family hair ornaments. A set of emerald hair ornaments could be worth over ten thousand taels of silver back then. As for these ruby and emerald hair ornament sets, they were worth tens of thousands of taels, or even more expensive. Unfortunately, the Rong family later declined, and this fine craftsmanship wasn’t passed down. Rong family jade became increasingly rare and eventually completely disappeared from the market. I also have two pieces of Rong family jade that have become unique items now. I carefully treasure them and rarely bring them out. I never expected Madam Liang to have inherited so many treasures. The jade in Madam Liang’s jewelry box is worth at least a million taels of silver. Madam Liang truly keeps her talents hidden.”

Several other ladies also said, “Yes, I also have two pieces of Rong family jade – both jade pendants. I gave one to my eldest legitimate grandson, and I still keep one myself. My eldest granddaughter also wanted one, but I couldn’t bear to give it to her. Rong family jade has become extinct – giving away one means having one less.”

If it weren’t extremely precious, why would they give it only to the eldest legitimate grandson?

Lu Ruyang’s face was ashen, unable to say a word.

Lu Ye then called out loudly, “Madam Lu, do you still think these belong to the Old Madam? It’s written here clearly and plainly – these are our madam’s mother’s relics. If Madam Lu is illiterate, people from the Prince’s mansion came today too – we can have them read it to you.”

Lu Ruyang moved her lips, stubbornly standing in place, letting out a cold snort.

Lu Ye then said to Qin Shuying, “Madam, since Madam Lu has nothing to say, this servant will pack these away. We must prevent some people who haven’t seen the world from getting ideas and taking one or two items. These are all unique pieces – where would we find them if they went missing?”

Lu Ruyang knew this was directed at her, but she was truly at a loss for words. She couldn’t say anything and had to endure being mocked by a lowly maid.

Fifth Princess Consort smiled, “Madam Liang, one takes on the color of one’s company – truly what kind of master, what kind of servants. Madam Liang is sharp-tongued, and your maids are also sharp-tongued. Today has truly opened my eyes.”

Qin Shuying smiled, “The Princess Consort speaks truly. Madam Lu, look – your own shallow perspective and lack of worldly experience has also implicated the Princess Consort. Others think that because the Princess Consort has a shallow perspective, that’s why you have a shallow perspective too.”

This clearly stated that the Princess Consort wasn’t a shallow person, but somehow it sounded like she was saying Fifth Princess Consort was indeed shallow.

Fifth Princess Consort’s expression changed, and the ladies and misses present all secretly observed her face.

Fifth Princess Consort’s background wasn’t high, and she hadn’t established any authority among the women’s circles. Today she had been severely humiliated by both Madam Ji and Qin Shuying. Everyone wanted to know how this young Fifth Princess Consort would react.

However, Fifth Princess Consort maintained the same unchanging smile, “Madam Liang, you really know how to joke.”

Qin Shuying immediately seemed to realize she had misspoken and hurriedly explained, “Princess Consort, I spoke wrongly. The Princess Consort naturally has noble character and has never committed treason or sold out the country, nor would she betray our Great Zhou’s people for those petty gains from the Western State. Madam Lu has been led astray by the Lu family, which is why she sees others as being like your Lu family.”

Fifth Princess Consort’s expression changed slightly. When it involved treason and betraying the country, she couldn’t respond.

Ziteng had just finished organizing the jewelry and locking the large chest. She handed the key to Qin Shuying and said, “Madam, these items are so expensive, this servant worries that someone with ill intentions might get ideas.”

Qin Shuying said, “You’re overthinking it. With the Princess Consort here, who would dare have any ideas? Today’s incident, the Princess Consort naturally must take responsibility. If it weren’t for the Princess Consort losing her seven-leaf purple jade ornament, I wouldn’t have had to have you bring these items to prove my innocence. If anything unexpected happens, naturally I’ll seek the Princess Consort’s judgment.”

Lu Ye asked, “What if someone steals them?”

Qin Shuying smiled lightly, “Need you ask? Naturally I’ll seek the Princess Consort’s judgment!”

Fifth Princess Consort’s legs were trembling beneath her skirt. She was truly furious. However, she had to maintain appearances and smiled sweetly, “Madam Liang loves to make people laugh. First you had these three maids’ jewelry boxes make everyone laugh at me once, then you had this large chest of jewelry make them laugh at me again. Now you’re pinning it all on me. These are Madam Liang’s belongings – if something happens to them, I’m not the authorities. How can I be responsible for them?”

Qin Shuying said seriously, “Princess Consort, I’m not joking at all. I’ve already registered with the Ministry of War that if the Western State launches a major invasion, I will donate half the jewels in this chest as military supplies…”

Hearing this, Fifth Princess Consort’s face immediately lost all color.