The weather in June changes at a moment’s notice.

Just moments ago the sky was clear and boundless, but in an instant, a torrential downpour came pelting down.

Qin Shuying sat beneath the eaves of Shuangyun Hall, and amidst the misty vapor, she personally poured tea with a gentle, warm smile.

Many days had passed since the Lotus Fragrance Gathering incident. Lianpin didn’t know how long she had been suppressing herself—only after the blisters at the corners of her mouth disappeared, and after waiting several more days, did she finally summon Qin Shuying with a pretense of nonchalance.

It was quite difficult for Lianpin to endure such patience.

“Your Ladyship, this rain comes at just the right time. We were just saying how swelteringly hot it was, and now it’s become so much cooler. This subject’s wife loves listening to the patter of this rain—it always reminds me of the days when I followed Father and Mother in the south, the feeling of rain beating against banana leaves.”

After Lianpin summoned Qin Shuying, she spoke much idle chatter, saying she missed her grandmother and wanted to have a conversation with Qin Shuying. Qin Shuying accordingly engaged in idle talk as well, truly giving the appearance of casual family conversation.

Lianpin had drunk tea until her stomach was bloated, yet Qin Shuying continued rambling about this and that, picking especially matters from when Third Uncle and Third Aunt were still alive to discuss. Lianpin couldn’t be more impatient.

Lianpin’s impatience fell upon Qin Shuying’s eyes, and she concealed her sleeve while drinking tea, her eyes filled entirely with mockery.

No wonder Emperor Delong had never promoted Lianpin’s rank—someone who couldn’t even manage surface propriety, how could Emperor Delong look favorably upon her? When she herself mentioned her father and mother, did Lianpin show even half a trace of consideration? She should think about it—during those difficult years she spent in the palace, how much effort did the Qin Yongzhou couple put in on her behalf?

“Shuying, I’ve said many times that in front of me, you shouldn’t keep saying ‘this subject’s wife’ anymore. We are sisters—such address is too distant.”

Qin Shuying smiled without speaking.

Today she actually changed to saying “I” instead of “this palace consort”?

After more idle chatter, Lianpin finally could no longer bear it and said in a low voice: “Shuying, now His Majesty has only four adult princes, and only my rank is the lowest. Tell me, when might I be promoted to consort rank? If I were promoted in rank, wouldn’t you also have more prestige when you go out?”

“Your Ladyship, how could this subject’s wife know about such matters? However, this subject’s wife believes that as long as Your Ladyship serves His Majesty with dedication and conducts herself with propriety, a rank promotion is only a matter of time.”

Lianpin shot her a reproachful glance. “You don’t understand this. His Majesty is busy with state affairs and probably has difficulty remembering my situation. If someone could mention it before His Majesty, then things would naturally fall into place.”

Qin Shuying smiled without speaking.

Lianpin was rendered helpless by her manner and had no choice but to speak plainly, lowering her voice: “If the Minister of Rites were willing to submit a memorial, this matter would be eighty percent accomplished.”

“Then congratulations to Your Ladyship.”

“But do you know? The Minister of Rites loves jade artifacts the most. If one could present him with superior jade worth two hundred thousand taels of silver, this matter would be accomplished.”

Qin Shuying appeared startled. “This, this seems improper.”

“What’s improper about it? Do you know Talented Lady Zhao? She did exactly this, and now she’s fourth rank.”

“…Oh.”

Lianpin said: “Shuying, elder sister knows you have jade artifacts from the Rong family. Lend some to elder sister. After elder sister finishes her business, she’ll return them to you—no, elder sister can give you thirty percent interest. Look, your jade artifacts are just sitting there anyway. If you lend them to elder sister, you can still earn tens of thousands of taels in interest.”

“Your Ladyship, Your Ladyship is truly joking.”

“Now everyone in the capital knows you’re the sole heir of the Rong family, and the jewelry in your possession is worth a million taels of silver. Who has your wealth and magnanimity? You need only lend elder sister a little, and elder sister will surely repay you generously.”

“But those are registered with the Ministry of War—I cannot move them now.”

“You’re such a foolish child. Wasn’t it said that you would donate them when the Western Kingdom invaded? Now the Western Kingdom is behaving obediently and doesn’t dare make a move. When they actually take action, who knows what year or month that will be? If you take some out now, and when I have money I’ll buy better ones to return to you, it would all be done quietly—who could know?”

“…But, but… those were left by Mother…”

“Or we could do it this way. Don’t you still have many shops? I know you’ve made the brown sugar business quite large—three or four hundred thousand taels of silver shouldn’t be a problem, right? You lend the silver to elder sister, and I’ll go buy superior jade myself.”

Qin Shuying fell silent for a moment.

She had seen greedy people before, but never anyone this greedy. What scheme was Lianpin plotting—did she think Qin Shuying didn’t know?

Jade worth two hundred thousand taels or silver given to Lianpin would be like meat buns thrown at dogs—gone without return. As for Lianpin saying she would give it to the Minister of Rites, who knew what she would actually do with it?

Lianpin thought she had persuaded Qin Shuying and was somewhat pleased.

Qin Shuying took a sip of tea and said: “Your Ladyship, this subject’s wife actually has a method that could allow Your Ladyship to gain great merit without spending a single coin, and the consort position would be absolutely certain.”

Lianpin hurriedly asked: “What?”

“His Majesty’s intentions, Your Ladyship must already understand perfectly well.”

Lianpin’s expression became somewhat unpleasant, but she still nodded.

What were His Majesty’s intentions?

His Majesty wanted the Crown Prince to succeed to the throne.

He only knew to protect that vixen Empress, even bringing out such high-sounding reasons to whitewash the Empress. Now, who didn’t say the Empress voluntarily confined herself to the rear palace for the sake of the world’s common people? Who didn’t know the Empress was benevolent?

But was the Empress really like that?

The more Emperor Delong acted this way, the more Lianpin’s hatred toward the Empress grew.

And there was also Noble Consort De—she must surely feel the same way!

The Empress could obtain things others couldn’t get in a lifetime without doing anything. Noble Consort De would be strange if she weren’t furious to death, and strange if she didn’t fight to the bitter end!

Qin Shuying continued: “Your Ladyship, the Fifth Prince is full of ambition—he certainly won’t be resigned to this. Don’t you agree?”

Lianpin nodded again.

“Why doesn’t Your Ladyship sit back and reap the fisherman’s benefits?”

Lianpin continued nodding. This matter, Qin’er had already explained very clearly. Qin’er said Zhou Li definitely wouldn’t give up, so they should let Zhou Li fight with the Crown Prince while they reaped the fisherman’s benefits.

“But, Your Ladyship, have you considered whether the Fifth Prince will let you have your way?”

Lianpin immediately said: “As long as we guard our own doors and don’t make mistakes, what can Zhou Li do to us?”

“Your Ladyship, then why did you seek silver from this subject’s wife today?”

Lianpin immediately felt somewhat embarrassed.

Qin Shuying didn’t press the attack relentlessly, instead saying: “Your Ladyship, the tree wishes to be still, but the wind will not cease. Does Your Ladyship know what Zhou Li has done?”

“What?”

“Zhou Li sent people to conduct a night raid on the Liang family and stole that chest of jade artifacts.”

“What?!” Lianpin immediately stood up. “What did you say?!”

“Your Ladyship, it truly wasn’t that this subject’s wife was refusing earlier, but rather that the items have already been stolen by Zhou Li. This subject’s wife is in a difficult position—this subject’s wife has no way to help Your Ladyship.”

Lianpin stared at Qin Shuying with suspicion.

“Your Ladyship, this matter would be very clear if the Sixth Prince investigated. Your Ladyship, you wish to advance in rank, but doesn’t Noble Consort De feel the same way? If Noble Consort De could be promoted to Imperial Noble Consort, tell me, with her natal family’s support as well, if she wanted to compete with the Empress, who could stop her?”