After Liang Zhe’s severe injuries, it took him a full month to recover completely.

Once his health improved somewhat, although Liang Zhe didn’t return to the garrison, he began going out frequently.

Qin Shuying had been quite drowsy lately, sleeping very soundly with few dreams.

Often when she woke up, the sky was already bright, and upon opening her eyes, she surprisingly felt disoriented about where she was.

“Madam, you’re finally awake.”

Ziteng smiled as she gathered up the bed curtains, and sunlight flooded the room, spilling across the floor.

“I’ve overslept again today, and you didn’t wake me.”

Qin Shuying lazily scolded her.

Ziteng just smiled: “The master said that if madam sleeps soundly, that’s our achievement. If madam doesn’t sleep well, he’ll hold us accountable. Madam, early this morning, the master had someone send fresh melons – they look crisp and sweet just from their appearance.”

Qin Shuying lazily sat up: “Yesterday it was grapes, the day before was honey peaches, today it’s melons…”

Nanny Fu walked into the room beaming with joy: “My dear madam, these are all good things. I heard those grapes are only eaten by the imperial consorts in the palace. Our master specifically ordered that we must find the best for madam to eat, so she can give birth to a plump, healthy child.”

Qin Shuying’s face reddened slightly, and she lowered her head a bit.

Nanny Fu was so happy she couldn’t stop smiling, chattering endlessly about things pregnant women needed to pay attention to. Only after Qin Shuying had washed and changed clothes did she stop her nagging.

Just after breakfast, as Qin Shuying was taking a walk in the courtyard, Hong Juan came in and said: “Madam, Second Young Mistress has come to see you.”

Ever since Liang Jie had become mentally impaired, Liang Yuan basically never appeared before others. It was said that on the day Fifth Prince was confined, Liang Yuan had sat in the courtyard staring blankly for half the day.

Luo Meixiang knew about Liang Jie’s condition – Concubine Yue had deliberately had someone tell her. Luo Meixiang first refused to believe it, crying every day that she wanted to go out and see Liang Jie.

Later, after Liang Qiong visited Luo Meixiang once, Luo Meixiang became so angry she fell ill and was still bedridden.

When Liang Qiong had wanted to see Qin Shuying those few days, both Qin Shuying and Liang Zhe were unconscious, and Liang Zhen was managing the household.

Liang Zhen wouldn’t let Liang Qiong see Qin Shuying. Liang Qiong cursed with all sorts of vicious words, but Liang Zhen remained calm and composed, as if Liang Qiong’s words were just passing wind that she paid no attention to.

Today, Liang Qiong had returned again, still wanting to see her. This didn’t surprise Qin Shuying at all.

“Please invite Second Young Mistress in to sit.”

Soon, Liang Qiong entered.

Seeing Qin Shuying sitting gracefully and elegantly in the main chair in the center of the hall, Liang Qiong’s nose involuntarily became sour. That wretched woman was sitting in the position that should belong to her mother!

But circumstances were stronger than people, and Liang Qiong had learned to be tactful: “Sister-in-law, I heard you’re with child. I came to see how you’re doing.”

“Thank you for second sister’s concern. Please sit. This is melon your elder brother had sent – it tastes very good. You should try some too.”

Liang Qiong sat down and glanced at the melon. It wasn’t anything special – she used to eat such things often and could still eat them whenever she wanted.

“Sister-in-law, I heard the old master of the Qin family died in scandal. Ah, the Qin family really has poor family discipline. Now who would marry their daughters? Before, at the flower banquet, I saw you treated your niece very well. Now that she’s of marriageable age, I suppose no good families would consider her?”

Liang Qiong really knew how to strike where it hurt.

Qin Shuying was indeed troubled by this matter.

Who would have thought that Qin Yongtao would do such a thing on the very day Fifth Prince was confined?

Well, if the other party truly looked down on Yue’er because of this incident, then it was simply fate – no one could be blamed.

Her own reputation in this life wasn’t good either. The noble ladies of the capital all avoided her, saying she was sharp-tongued and caustic, that she had caused a scene at Qin Feifei’s house while still unmarried, and after marriage had forced Liang Yunshan’s legitimate wife to retreat in defeat. Anyway, people said all sorts of things. But as long as she felt satisfied, that was enough.

Yue’er wasn’t petty-minded. She hoped the girl could be more magnanimous, walk her own path well, and live her own life properly – why should she care about others’ idle gossip?

“Second sister, a married daughter is like spilled water. Since we’re married out, family matters are no longer our concern, don’t you think?”

Seeing that Qin Shuying showed no sign of distress and was even implying that since Liang Qiong had married out, she shouldn’t meddle in the Liang family’s affairs, Liang Qiong secretly resented this but still smiled: “Sister-in-law, you can’t say that. After all, we’re connected by blood – we must consider human relationships and feelings. Just because we’ve married out, does that mean we no longer have feelings for our natal family?”

Knowing that the madam was pregnant and shouldn’t be overly troubled, yet Liang Qiong still spoke in riddles, Ziteng and Lu Ye standing nearby were both displeased. If she had something to say, she should say it quickly – with all this beating around the bush, who didn’t know what she was thinking?

Unfortunately, they were servants and couldn’t interrupt at will.

Seeing Liang Qiong like this, Qin Shuying also grew impatient with her dawdling and asked: “Second sister speaks truly. Having been married out for so long, as elder sister-in-law, I’ve rarely inquired about second sister’s affairs. Since second sister puts it this way, let me ask – how are you getting along in your husband’s family?”

Liang Qiong’s mouth immediately felt bitter.

Before Liang Qiong could answer, Qin Shuying continued: “Second sister is so clever, Prince Huo Luo must treasure you like a precious jewel. Otherwise, second sister wouldn’t be able to run back to her natal home so frequently, right?”

Liang Qiong’s face immediately darkened like the bottom of a pot, but she had learned to be tactful now. With her mother and brother having lost power in the Liang family, what could she do? She never imagined there would come a day when she’d have to live according to Qin Shuying’s mood!

“Second sister, you must be very curious about why His Majesty arranged your marriage to Prince Huo Luo, aren’t you?”

Liang Qiong’s heart immediately leaped high. She and Luo Meixiang had speculated about this – they had been speculating all along. When Old Madam Liang was alive, she had said one thing about this: “He’s taking revenge on me!”

Luo Meixiang and Liang Qiong had once guessed that the “he” Old Madam Liang referred to was Emperor Delong. But why would Emperor Delong want revenge on Old Madam Liang? They couldn’t figure it out no matter how they thought.

Liang Qiong blurted out: “Sister-in-law knows?”

Qin Shuying shook her head: “His Majesty’s golden words are final – how could I know such things? I’m just reminding second sister that you are Princess Fuqing. Although you’re not of royal blood, you were personally granted the title of princess by His Majesty. Since you’re a princess, you should conduct yourself like one and help ease the imperial family’s burdens. I have a matter here I’d like to discuss with the princess.”

Only then did Liang Qiong realize she had been played by Qin Shuying again.

She gritted her teeth and spat out one word: “Speak!”

“Old Madam’s mind is currently unclear. I believe Old Madam should rest quietly. The residence has a small Buddhist hall – Old Madam could go there to chant sutras for the wrongfully deceased Grand Madam and perform salvation rituals for her. This would be an immeasurably meritorious deed. Perhaps, through the Buddha’s enlightenment, Old Madam might recover her sanity. Second sister, what do you think?”