Qin Shuying spoke words that made Fifth Prince Consort even more terrified, “…Just now, Madam Ji’s appraisal was indeed accurate. When these items were registered with the Ministry of War, they were appraised at one million six hundred thousand taels of silver. If the Western barbarian thieves refuse to give up their evil intentions and dare to invade, I will donate half of these to the Ministry of War. Today, for the sake of Your Consort’s piece of seven-leaf purple jade pendant, I had no choice but to make all my family wealth public. If even one or two items are missing, I can only report to the Ministry of War and let them seek an explanation from Your Consort.”

Fifth Prince Consort’s vision went dark. She remembered Fifth Prince’s words, and her legs trembled even more violently. Fortunately, she was sitting; otherwise, she couldn’t guarantee she wouldn’t collapse.

Only then did Madam Ji let out a gentle sigh of relief.

Earlier, when Lu Ruyang claimed something was lost, she had been very angry.

She hosted the Lotus Fragrance Gathering to find some pleasure in this dreary life, not to let these lofty prince consorts and madams use this opportunity to frame people.

How wonderful for them—coming in without considering the host’s feelings, causing trouble in someone else’s home. Did they ever think that if their framing had succeeded today, could this Lotus Fragrance Gathering still be held in the future?

Yes, framing. Fifth Prince Consort and Lu Ruyang had come prepared, intending to frame Qin Shuying.

Although Madam Ji didn’t know at first who exactly they were targeting, having met countless people and being ice-smart, she saw through Lu Ruyang’s scheme at a glance.

She deliberately wouldn’t let them succeed, which was why she repeatedly obstructed them. Who would have thought they were determined to cause trouble, and in the end, lifted a rock only to drop it on their own feet?

They deserved it!

Princess Fuping had been coldly observing from the side throughout, not saying a word. But now, seeing her own sister-in-law suffer both humiliation and loss, she actually smiled and said to Fifth Prince Consort, “Imperial Sister-in-law, we came to attend the Lotus Fragrance Gathering today. Why do I feel like we’ve watched a performance of ‘Catching Adulterers’?”

“Pfft…”

Some young lady couldn’t hold back and laughed out loud.

Fifth Prince Consort’s face turned red and blue alternately—what a colorful display.

Unfortunately, this was Fifth Prince’s blood sister. She could only try to please her and didn’t dare say anything. She thought Princess Fuping was blaming her for bungling the matter, hence the sarcasm.

Princess Fuping stood up, “Madam Ji, it should be time for the noon meal, shouldn’t it?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Then please make arrangements.”

This meant she should proceed normally according to the previous schedule. Madam Ji hurriedly agreed and had people arrange the banquet.

What they had eaten earlier—lotus seed porridge and such—were only light refreshments. This was the proper meal.

Until they finished eating and left the Ji residence, nothing else unusual happened.

However, during the meal, everyone’s expressions were quite remarkable.

After boarding the carriage and heading back to the residence, many men and guards from the Liang family came to protect Qin Shuying and that chest of treasures, returning to the Liang residence in a grand procession.

Not long after returning, Liang Zhe came back. As soon as he entered the room, he urgently asked, “Shuying, are you alright?”

Qin Shuying smiled, “You should ask whether Fifth Prince Consort is alright.”

Liang Zhe patted her head, thought for a moment, and said seriously, “In a while, I should also ask whether Concubine Lian is alright.”

Qin Shuying burst into laughter, “You mischievous rogue!”

Indeed! If Concubine Lian knew she actually possessed so many rare treasures, she’d be strange if she didn’t vomit blood in anger!

Years ago, before Long Shi died, she handed this chest to Nanny Fu, instructing her to keep it in her own home and personally guard it. Therefore, this chest of items never entered the Qin residence, and Xu Shi and others didn’t know about this chest of rare treasures.

Even so, the things Qin Yongzhou and his wife let Qin Shuying bring into the Qin residence were quite numerous—items worth one or two hundred thousand taels of silver that made Xu Shi covet them greedily.

However, Xu Shi and others never imagined that Long Shi, though only a prefectural official’s daughter, actually possessed family heirloom treasures worth over a million taels.

Indeed, when the news reached Concubine Lian’s ears, she was eating grapes. Due to excessive shock, a grape “gurgled” and slipped into her throat.

It choked her so badly she rolled her eyes, taking quite a while to recover.

“One million six hundred thousand taels of silver?! This Qin Shuying, this, this…” Concubine Lian couldn’t find words to describe Qin Shuying’s treachery and cunning. After stuttering for a long time, she viciously spat and made her conclusion: “This little slut!”

Concubine Lian was so angry her heart ached, and she got heat syndrome too, with a ring of blisters around her mouth that didn’t subside for three or four days.

If she had known earlier that Qin Shuying was hiding so many things, why would she and her mother care about reputation? They could have quietly smothered Qin Shuying under a quilt, and all those million taels worth of items would have become theirs!

With so many good things, wouldn’t she be able to do whatever she wanted in the palace? Wouldn’t Qin’s efforts to win people’s hearts proceed smoothly, far beyond her current connections?!

Instead of bringing them to pave the way for her own cousin, she donated them to the Ministry of War without seeking any return. Could those soldiers possibly be grateful to her? What an ungrateful fool, an incompetent fool who would never amount to anything!

She, Qin Lianlian, wished she could flay that little slut alive!

Fifth Prince Consort’s heart also ached, but besides that, she had an additional layer of worry and fear.

Fifth Prince had asked her to accomplish something at the Lotus Fragrance Gathering—to investigate whether Qin Shuying possessed that particular firearm. Fifth Prince Consort had an ability that surpassed ordinary people: she could judge a person’s true psychology through their subtle expressions.

When Lu Ruyang repeatedly mentioned that firearm, Fifth Prince Consort closely observed Qin Shuying, capturing those subtle emotions. Fifth Prince Consort could confirm that Qin Shuying indeed possessed that particularly powerful firearm.

However, while she had investigated the firearm matter clearly, she had sacrificed her reputation and gotten into trouble. This trouble wasn’t major but wasn’t minor either—like flies buzzing around one’s eyes, endlessly annoying.

Fifth Prince was not satisfied with this.

Although Fifth Prince didn’t say much, Fifth Prince Consort clearly saw his disappointment in her, as well as his coldness and… ruthlessness.

Cold sweat continuously flowed from Fifth Prince Consort’s forehead as she immediately lowered her head.

Fifth Prince smiled, “What? You read something from my face?”

Fifth Prince Consort’s spine stiffened. Not daring to hide anything, she truthfully said, “Your Highness is somewhat disappointed in me.”

Fifth Prince continued smiling, “I am indeed somewhat disappointed. So, the next time I assign you a task, remember to learn from this lesson and don’t disappoint me again.”

“Yes.”

After speaking, Fifth Prince walked away with his hands behind his back.

Zhou Li was naturally extremely handsome, not inferior to Liang Zhe in the slightest. Combined with his tall, upright stature, even his back view was pleasing to the eye. He was also shrewd and capable, making him a man many young ladies admired.

When Dong Zhiruo was still unmarried, she had seen Fifth Prince once and fell deeply in love.

Later, through several chance encounters, the two deepened their understanding. Zhou Li’s various behaviors made Dong Zhiruo ecstatic, so she planned everything for him.

Until later, she became Fifth Prince Consort.

This consort position was truly difficult to maintain.

Sigh…