Qin Shuying felt somewhat surprised in her heart. The Liu Junqing before her was only sixteen years old, and setting aside his outstanding appearance, just this composure and bearing alone was something few peers could match.
But she had no interest in Liu Junqing whatsoever, and had no intention of marrying him at all, so naturally she wouldn’t have other thoughts.
Having met the person, Old Madam exchanged a few pleasantries and then let Liu Junqing leave.
Liu Junqing politely withdrew, leaving behind a room full of women with their own worries. The happiest was naturally Nanny Fu.
Once Liu Junqing left, the three sisters Qin Yunyun came out, each with different expressions. Qin Fangfang glanced at Qin Shuying multiple times, the envy and jealousy in her eyes not escaping Qin Shuying’s notice, though she pretended not to see and smiled faintly.
After Madam Liu left and Xu Shi and Zou Shi went to see the guests off, Qin Fangfang couldn’t wait to say sourly: “Seventh Sister, you truly are blessed!”
Qin Shuying showed some bashfulness, stamping her foot: “Eighth Sister, if you keep talking nonsense, I won’t pay attention to you anymore!”
Old Madam laughed cheerfully, saying: “Eighth girl, what’s the matter? Seventh girl has good fortune, but you’re also a daughter of our Qin family, so naturally you’ll have good fortune too!”
Qin Fangfang knew how to please Old Madam, and with these words that seemed like a promise to herself, she was overjoyed: “Great-grandmother, thank you, great-grandmother!”
But her heart was still sour. Someone like Liu Junqing, such a talented and graceful young gentleman with scholarly achievements—where could such a person be easily found? How could Qin Shuying, that jinx, have such good fortune?
If that Liu Junqing were her own betrothed, how wonderful that would be! Unfortunately, she was a concubine’s daughter, and the Liu family’s only son could never fall to her.
Qin Yunyun was rather silent, not coaxing Old Madam to happiness as she usually did. Every time she glanced at Qin Shuying, her gaze carried some coldness and chill.
Qin Lulu looked at one then the other, saying nothing. After all, such matters of marriage were not something a young lady should bring up.
Qin Shuying lowered her eyes. Every word and action of Qin Yunyun and Qin Fangfang fell within her sight. Her earlier bumping of the screen had been deliberate. So quickly, someone had taken the bait.
Old Madam dismissed everyone, and after the four sisters walked out of Xuan Hall together, they each went their separate ways.
Qin Shuying walked very slowly, as if even these withered leaves and bare branches held infinite interest.
Nanny Fu was happy in her heart and didn’t pay attention to Qin Shuying’s pace. As soon as they were out of everyone’s sight, she said joyfully: “Amitabha! Miss, this servant is truly happy today! The master had a keen eye—Young Master Liu is truly a good young man!”
Qin Shuying smiled faintly, saying nothing.
If she really married Liu Junqing, in just two years she would have to leave for Huzhou. How could she carry out her revenge plans? Therefore, she absolutely would not marry Liu Junqing.
Ziteng said nothing, no longer as gloomy as before, but not particularly joyful either, her expression consistently calm.
Nanny Fu was happy and said: “Ziteng, with such good news, why don’t you feel happy for the young miss too?”
Ziteng looked at Nanny Fu, then at Qin Shuying, saying: “Nanny Fu, this matter—it’s a bit early to be happy.”
Nanny Fu felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head, and immediately said “Pah, pah, pah” three times: “You girl, what nonsense are you speaking?”
Seeing Qin Shuying remain noncommittal, Ziteng said: “Nanny Fu, Madam Liu was too polite to the young miss.”
Nanny Fu was stunned, then her face changed several colors as she wanted to say something but seemed not to know how to express it properly.
Qin Shuying brushed her fingers through her black hair, tilting her head with a smile: “Nanny, you don’t need to worry about these matters.”
Nanny Fu said urgently: “How can I not worry? Miss, First Madam’s intentions are clear—she wants the young miss’s wealth. Now that Old Madam is advanced in years, the Liu family is the young miss’s only protection. If you gain the Liu family’s protection, the young miss won’t need to fear First Madam these next few years…”
Ziteng suddenly coughed lightly: “Nanny, someone’s coming!”
Nanny Fu stopped talking, and saw that Qin Fangfang was already approaching gracefully, her bright dress particularly conspicuous in this early spring world where all things had yet to revive. Combined with her exquisite jewelry and bright countenance, she was a delicate and beautiful lady.
“Seventh Sister, what a coincidence! You haven’t returned yet?”
“Yes. I saw the sunlight was good today, so I walked more slowly.”
“Sister, this must be because your mood is cheerful that you find today’s sunlight good. In this younger sister’s opinion, today’s sun is no different from yesterday’s.”
Qin Shuying’s eyes sparkled with bright light as she said quietly: “Younger sister, you…”
What more needed to be proven? This was Qin Shuying being in such a pleasant mood that she found even the drab winter season beautiful.
Qin Fangfang’s words became sour: “Seventh Sister, in this younger sister’s view, sister is quite taken with that Young Master Liu.”
A bashful blush appeared on Qin Shuying’s face, and she stamped her foot, though her smile couldn’t be concealed: “Marriage is decided by parents and matchmakers—what kind of words are you speaking, younger sister?”
Qin Fangfang became even more certain of her thoughts: Qin Shuying was naturally very taken with Liu Junqing. Speaking of it, who wouldn’t be taken with someone like Liu Junqing, with such family background and talent?
“Sister, you truly are blessed!”
Qin Shuying lowered her head slightly, seeming unable to control her bashfulness, her voice showing particular shyness: “Younger sister, this was all arranged by Father before his death—where is there any talk of fortune or lack thereof? I, I won’t talk with you anymore!”
Having said this, she turned and lowered her head, hurrying away with disordered steps, clearly the appearance of a girl in spring awakening whose heart had been exposed.
Qin Fangfang clutched her handkerchief, biting her teeth in hatred.
Only after Qin Shuying disappeared from sight did she curl her lips, saying in barely audible tones: “That depends on whether you have the fate for it!”
Her eyes moved, and she lifted her skirt hem, hurrying toward Concubine Li’s courtyard.
Yanfei Pavilion.
Jin Huan and Yin Huan dared not breathe loudly or go inside, because Sixth Miss was throwing another tantrum, and Xu Shi was probably angry too, her voice low and rapid as she scolded Sixth Miss.
After a quarter hour, they saw Sixth Miss come out with a dark expression, her fragrance trailing away.
After a long while, Nanny Liu called them in, and Jin Huan and Yin Huan entered to serve.
Xu Shi’s expression appeared listless, and when she saw them, a flash of irritation crossed her eyes, though she quickly concealed it.
Nanny Liu spoke with Xu Shi: “Madam, the young misses’ clothing and jewelry have arrived. I’ll have them sent over now.”
Nanny Liu was referring to Duke Chu’s banquet in two days, for which the Qin residence had made clothing and jewelry for the young misses.
Xu Shi said: “Be careful, don’t make any mistakes. Jin Huan, you go with Nanny Liu.”
“Yes.”
Jin Huan agreed and followed Nanny Liu to the storeroom, calling several maids and servants to carefully carry the items and deliver them to each young miss in the residence. The items had been custom-made long ago, with patterns and styles chosen by the young misses themselves, making it a simple and pleasing task that all the young misses happily accepted.
When it came to Qin Shuying’s turn, Jin Huan couldn’t help but study Qin Shuying a few more times.
Jin Huan served in Xu Shi’s quarters, so she naturally knew very well what Qin Shuying’s situation had been recently.
To be able to anger Xu Shi to fury multiple times—Seventh Miss was truly formidable. Today’s anger from Sixth Miss was probably also because of Qin Shuying.
Seeming to sense Jin Huan’s gaze, Qin Shuying looked over coldly. On her face like ice and snow were embedded large eyes with distinct black and white, the eyes like deep pools without a trace of warmth. Jin Huan shivered and quickly lowered her head.