Two days later.

Duke Chu’s wife’s sixtieth birthday—invitations had been sent to the Qin residence some time ago.

All four young misses were brought along by Xu Shi. When departing, Qin Yunyun and Qin Fangfang shared one carriage, while Qin Shuying and Qin Lulu shared another. Qin Lulu was rather lively, talking about interesting stories from the capital. Qin Shuying listened with a smile, occasionally adding a word or two. Before long, they arrived outside the gates of Duke Chu’s residence.

Duke Chu was a military general stationed away from the capital year-round. His two other sons and one grandson were also stationed away. Currently, the household was managed by his eldest daughter-in-law, Ma Shi. Among the grandchildren, the most outstanding was the eldest legitimate grandson Mo Yiting, now serving as an Imperial Guard with excellent prospects, still unmarried.

Duke Chu’s wife held the rank of First-Class Lady by imperial decree, a noble status, and Duke Chu’s residence naturally held high power and position. Those who could attend today were all from aristocratic families. The ladies had mostly brought young women of marriageable age, needless to say, all hoping to find suitable marriage connections at the banquet.

The women’s banquet hall was extremely elegant, with walls half brick and half glass, outside of which were brilliant red plum blossoms in full bloom. In the depths of winter, one could sit inside drinking tea and chatting while admiring the beautiful scenery outside through the glass—truly achieving two purposes at once.

Duke Chu’s wife and several elderly ladies were conversing, while others mostly listened or chatted in small groups. Just as things were getting lively, imperial rewards arrived from the palace. Duke Chu’s wife led the Mo family women to receive the edict, and the guests also dispersed. Some remained in the banquet hall talking, some went to the garden to admire plum blossoms, and others leisurely strolled through the grounds.

Duke Chu’s residence was vast with elegant arrangements. Even in winter, the scenery wasn’t monotonous. Especially outside the banquet hall, the plum blossoms were in perfect bloom. People had already gathered around pavilions equipped with braziers and surrounded by thick curtains. Sitting inside to admire plums and compose poetry was ideal. The red plums were vivid against the white snow—truly a magnificent sight.

Most young ladies went to admire the plums and snow. Though Qin Shuying didn’t want to go, she also didn’t want to appear different from others, so she followed the crowd into the plum grove, pretending to admire the blossoms while wandering near the pavilion.

Qin Yunyun had often participated in such social events before and had established her own network among these unmarried young ladies, as had Qin Lulu.

Qin Lulu was invited by several young women to admire plums deeper in the grove and asked Qin Shuying to join them. Qin Shuying politely declined. Qin Lulu was somewhat disappointed but couldn’t resist the others’ urging. After giving Qin Shuying a few instructions, she followed them away.

Qin Yunyun sat in the pavilion with several young women. The Second Miss from Councilor Liu’s family pointed at Qin Shuying and asked Qin Yunyun: “Is that your seventh sister? I heard she offends her elders and is quite rude. How could your grandmother still bring her out? Isn’t she afraid of losing face for your residence?”

Qin Shuying vaguely heard this and sneered inwardly. Offending elders and being rude? Such a reputation had been pinned on her by Qin Yunyun so quickly.

Qin Yunyun frowned delicately and sighed, looking worried: “This sister of mine lost her parents early and won’t accept grandmother’s and mother’s guidance, which has fostered her arrogant and willful nature. Grandmother brought her out hoping she’d gain experience, learn proper conduct befitting a noble lady, and restrain her temperament. I hope she won’t disappoint grandmother’s good intentions.”

Another young lady, the eldest daughter of Physician Miao’s family, said: “I think your grandmother’s intentions are wasted. Look at her, standing alone looking at plum blossoms—where’s the proper conduct of a noble lady? Truly absurd.”

“Sister Miao, please don’t say such things. Seventh sister has an eccentric and stubborn personality. If she hears this later, she’ll surely say I was speaking ill of her behind her back.”

Second Miss Liu’s pretty face darkened: “How can she be so unreasonable?!”

Qin Shuying sneered coldly. Without saying a word, these people had already condemned her. However, she really had no interest in competing with these young girls.

Xu Shi must have arrangements today—she couldn’t let her guard down.

Qin Yunyun said: “No matter what, she’s still my sister. Grandmother instructed me to help her meet more people today. I’ll call her over—I hope you sisters will give me some face?”

Qin Fangfang exclaimed: “Sister, you’re too kind! She damages our reputation and implicates us sisters, yet you still want to call her over?”

Qin Yunyun forced a smile: “She may be unkind, but I cannot be unjust. I hope she’ll understand my good intentions.”

Qin Fangfang stamped her foot: “Sister…”

Though the officials’ daughters all looked disdainful, they reluctantly agreed to Qin Yunyun’s request. Qin Shuying was thus half-pushed, half-pulled into being “invited” among them.

“This is my third uncle’s daughter Qin Shuying, my seventh sister.” Qin Yunyun smiled as she introduced Qin Shuying to everyone, then introduced the other girls to Qin Shuying. There were five young ladies in total, all legitimate daughters about Qin Yunyun’s age, their fathers all capital officials ranging from Fifth Rank to Second Rank. They clearly didn’t much like Qin Shuying.

After introductions, Qin Yunyun continued chatting and laughing with everyone while Qin Shuying sat silently to one side, smiling as she listened to their conversation. No one actively acknowledged her. Qin Fangfang worked hard to please those legitimate daughters.

After sitting for a while, a maid came to serve tea. When it was Qin Shuying’s turn, she “accidentally” spilled tea water on Qin Shuying’s dress. The hot water instantly soaked through the fabric. Fortunately, it was winter and she wore thick clothing, so she wasn’t burned, but the tea stain formed a large dark yellow patch. Wearing such a dress to the noon banquet would be too improper.

“It’s all this servant’s fault! I’m sorry!” The maid panicked, apologizing profusely.

Qin Shuying stood up, lowering her head to carefully dust off her dress without speaking, though she sneered inwardly. Here it comes! Originally, this was how Qin Yaoyao had been tricked into a corner, given a sleeping drug, and finally placed on a bed with the steward.

Qin Yunyun looked at the tea stain on Qin Shuying’s dress with some concern: “Seventh sister, your dress is wet and cold against your body. Why don’t you go change? Ziteng, go outside the courtyard to find a servant and have them bring a clean dress for your young miss.”

Qin Shuying raised her head, looking at Qin Yunyun with clear eyes. Could it be that ruining an unmarried girl’s reputation and destroying her entire life made Qin Yunyun feel so at peace? Previously, she hadn’t included Qin Yunyun in her revenge list because Qin Yaoyao and Qin Yunyun had no connection.

So now…

Seeing Qin Shuying look calmly at Qin Yunyun without speaking, Second Miss Liu snorted: “Yunyun, this sister of yours is so rude, not understanding gratitude at all.”

Qin Fangfang said with apparent casualness: “Seventh sister has always been like this—we’re all used to it.”

Qin Shuying acted as if she hadn’t heard, looked at Ziteng for a moment, and said: “You go. Sixth Miss said to bring a clean dress.”

Ziteng stared at Qin Shuying for a moment, her gaze somewhat cold, then nodded and walked away without a word.

“Yunyun, your sister is strange, and her maid is strange too,” someone else commented.

Qin Shuying lowered her head, ignoring them. With so many people today, each master only brought one maid, and Qin Shuying had chosen Ziteng. She had long ago explained to Ziteng about the underhanded tricks of great households. For today’s situation, she had been prepared and had discussed countermeasures with Ziteng.

Hong Juan was honest and steady but, being a house-born servant, had too many concerns. Lu Ye, though adaptable, was somewhat too honest and couldn’t pull off certain things. Only Ziteng, single-mindedly focused on revenge with no worries, had a heart that had long grown cold. Moreover, her intelligence and wit surpassed the others—only people didn’t know it.