Ziteng escorted Liang Yanjun out, and Qin Shuying gazed absently at the azure blue sky above.

She wondered what the Empress—no, she was the Empress Dowager now—what was the Empress Dowager thinking?

Would she be sad? Would she grieve?

After a day passed, Qin Shuying saw the Empress Dowager.

As a titled lady, Qin Shuying had to enter the palace to mourn at the imperial coffin. The Empress Dowager led a group of consorts at the front, while the titled ladies followed behind.

Because she was pregnant, the Empress Dowager granted Qin Shuying special dispensation to stand rather than kneel. Several other pregnant titled ladies received the same special treatment, and unlike the other titled ladies who had to cry continuously, they could retire to the back to rest afterwards.

Separated by so many people, Qin Shuying only caught a fleeting glimpse of the Empress Dowager’s profile, then could only see the back of her head.

She wept with great sorrow, though she was quickly drowned out among the mournful cries of all the women.

After Emperor Delong was buried, the new emperor ascended the throne, becoming Emperor Yuanjia.

Emperor Yuanjia declared a general amnesty and rewarded his ministers.

Zhou Li’s three-year confinement was reduced to two years. The Seventh Prince was granted a fief and, without imperial summons, was never to return to the capital.

Liang Zhe was appointed to the third rank as Deputy Commander of the Regional Military Commission. His wife, née Qin, was enfeoffed as Lady Zhongguo. Though Liang Zhe remained a deputy commander, this deputy position was far more valuable than his previous one.

The Fourth Prince was made General of Cavalry and enfeoffed as Prince Su, while the Fourth Prince’s consort became Princess Su.

In an instant, the mourning garments were removed, and people came to the Liang household to offer congratulations in an endless stream.

As Qin Shuying’s pregnancy advanced, both Liang Zhe and Nanny Fu feared she would tire herself, so they firmly refused to let her manage these social obligations. But since the Liang household’s inner quarters currently had no one in charge, Qin Shuying requested that Liang Zhen oversee the inner quarters for a period of time.

This was the first time Liang Zhen had appeared before the capital’s noble ladies since she had departed for the south nine years ago.

For a moment, the noble ladies were amazed by Liang Zhen’s beauty, then further amazed by her proper etiquette and refined manners in receiving guests. When they saw that although Qu Linglong was only eight years old, her every gesture radiated nobility and intelligence, how could people not understand what had happened years ago?

Understanding was one thing; pity was another.

No matter what, Liang Zhen had already married Qu Yi and borne him a child.

No matter how much grievance, unwillingness, or anger Liang Zhen might have, it was all useless now.

Liang Zhen paid no attention to this. Her life was what it was—as long as Linglong had a good future, what did it matter?

As for hatred, her younger brother and his wife had already avenged her. Old Madam Liang died with eyes wide open, Luo Meixiang was imprisoned—let these things be enough.

Though she didn’t need to manage affairs, Qin Shuying still had to receive many female guests.

On this day, Princess Fuping actually came to the Liang household, saying she had come to visit Qin Shuying.

Qin Shuying was quite surprised, but thinking of their previous conversations, she had some understanding.

After the two exchanged greetings, Princess Fuping said, “Lady Liang, this princess has come to visit you—that is one matter. The second matter is that there is something I must ask for your help with.”

“Your Highness, please speak freely.”

“The Chen family, who originally agreed to form a marriage alliance with this princess, has been trying to distance themselves from this princess ever since my imperial brother’s incident. When my imperial brother asked for this princess’s opinion, my opinion was that since we have already exchanged betrothal tokens, we should naturally proceed with the marriage.”

After the new emperor ascended the throne, Princess Fuping continued to live in her original residence and remained Princess Fuping, suffering no implication from Zhou Li and Consort De’s affairs.

“Lady Liang, do you know why this princess insists on marrying Chen Zhiyan?”

“This subject’s wife does not know.”

Princess Fuping seemed not quite to understand, “You truly don’t know?”

Qin Shuying shook her head, “This subject’s wife truly does not know.”

Princess Fuping’s face showed some confusion and bewilderment, and also perplexity, “You—don’t you and this princess—aren’t you the same?”

“Your Highness, this subject’s wife does not understand your meaning.”

Princess Fuping took a deep breath before saying, “This princess believes you would not deceive me. But if this princess does not marry Chen Zhiyan, then she will not exist—my Ke’er… In my previous life, I owed Ke’er too much. In this life, I want to make it up to her properly…”

Speaking to this point, Princess Fuping suddenly closed her eyes, tears dropping to the ground like water droplets, making heavy “tap tap” sounds.

Qin Shuying quickly understood Princess Fuping’s meaning and was greatly shocked, “Your Highness…”

At this point, she could not say another word. The feelings of a mother could only be understood by someone who had been a mother.

Knowing full well that a fiery pit lay ahead, Princess Fuping still leaped in without hesitation. Only because she felt she owed her child from her previous life. Could it be that Princess Fuping thought that by marrying Chen Zhiyan, she could still give birth to that same child from her previous life?

Princess Fuping could not control her emotions, tears falling like rain, the “drip drop” sounds on the ground never ceasing.

“Your Highness, this subject’s wife understands you.”

Princess Fuping covered her lips and slowly shook her head, “You… it’s good that you understand. This princess hopes that when I encounter troubles in the future, you can offer assistance. This is the reason I came to seek you today.”

“This subject’s wife agrees.”

Princess Fuping sat for a while longer, calming her emotions before leaving.

After Princess Fuping left, Ziteng said with complex emotions, “Madam, aren’t you afraid of how great Princess Fuping’s future troubles might be?”

Qin Shuying slowly shook her head, “Princess Fuping chose to support the Crown Prince, don’t you think so?”

Ziteng shook her head, “This servant cannot see it.”

“Princess Fuping should have lived many years in her previous life—she knows many things. If that’s the case, why didn’t she help Consort De and Zhou Li achieve great things? Perhaps she knows that the current emperor will be a sage ruler. Perhaps she believes that no matter what, one cannot escape fate, just as she cannot escape marrying Chen Zhiyan.”

Ziteng said, “Madam, fate may not be in one’s control, but one can always struggle against it.”

Qin Shuying smiled slightly at her, “Since you understand this, I can be at ease.”

Ziteng immediately understood what Qin Shuying meant, her face slightly reddening as she lowered her head.

“Perhaps today it seems Princess Fuping chose a path of submission, but someday it may appear she chose a path of resistance instead. Don’t you think so?”

Ziteng was lost in thought for a moment, then nodded.

“So Princess Fuping is very clever—she won’t bring me too much trouble. Even if the trouble she brings is great, since I promised her, I will help her to the end.”

In this life, though she had cast aside her kind heart and used any means necessary for revenge, it was rare to encounter someone like Princess Fuping with such character. Qin Shuying treasured this bond of affection.

Liang Zhe walked in, “Shuying, whom are you planning to help to the end?”

Ziteng quickly withdrew, and Qin Shuying stepped forward to pour tea for him, “Princess Fuping.”

Liang Zhe sat down and pondered, “Oh? Princess Fuping is a very clever person. Actually, in the future perhaps Shuying won’t need to help her with anything—she still has backing.”

“Why do you say that?”

“His Majesty reduced Zhou Li’s confinement from three years to two. This meaning is quite clear—he will still employ him in the future.”

“His Majesty truly has a broad heart and cherishes talent.”

Liang Zhe smiled, “His Majesty has always been this way—magnanimous in character and kind to others. The late emperor, thinking his character was too soft, removed the thorns from his path one by one. Confining Zhou Li was to let Zhou Li properly temper his character. When His Majesty pardons him in the future, he will remember His Majesty’s grace and serve His Majesty well.”

Qin Shuying smiled. Speaking of His Majesty having a soft character—where was the softness in this? How could someone from the imperial family who was truly soft have survived until now?

“However, you can be assured that His Majesty employing him in the future is one thing, but how he employs him is another matter entirely.”

Since the new emperor possessed such cunning, and with the Empress Dowager present, if Zhou Li truly harbored treacherous intentions, naturally someone would deal with him.