As they were talking, Lianpin suddenly said: “Mother, it’s Seventh Sister’s first time entering the palace. She must be quite curious and finding everything fresh. Sitting here listening to us talk about these matters must be rather tedious for her. Han Dan, take Seventh Sister to look around the gardens nearby. Whatever Seventh Sister likes, no matter what it is, come back and tell this palace about it. This palace has been rather weary lately and hasn’t prepared anything presentable for Seventh Sister. If Seventh Sister takes a fancy to something, just tell Han Dan directly. This palace will certainly fulfill your wishes, so that your trip here won’t be in vain. Sixth Sister, why don’t you go take a look as well?”

Qin Yunyun pouted and said coquettishly: “I’ve been here many times already. There’s nothing new to see. I’ll just stay here and chat with Mother and Elder Sister.”

Qin Shuying appeared somewhat hesitant, saying: “Your Highness, if I encounter someone I don’t recognize, wouldn’t that risk offending some noble person and cause trouble for Your Highness?”

That’s exactly what I want—for you to offend noble persons.

Lianpin’s beautiful face showed warmth as she said: “That won’t happen. You are this palace’s sister. In this rear palace, as long as you mention this palace’s name, who would dare not give you some face? You can rest assured.”

Qin Yunyun said: “Seventh Sister, whatever you take a fancy to, just ask for it. Last time I took a liking to a green parrot and brought it home. You’ve seen it too.”

Qin Shuying smiled and said: “Elder Sister’s parrot is indeed quite rare.”

Qin Shuying didn’t usually visit Qin Yunyun’s place often. When she occasionally went, she would sit briefly and leave. She had indeed seen that parrot, and it was truly rare.

Xu Shi said: “Seventh Girl, since you’re now in charge of the third branch, you must show some proper bearing. With Your Highness’s regard for you, even when you go to the Liu family, no one will dare look down on you in the slightest.”

Before she finished speaking, Qin Shuying’s face turned red, her head lowered bashfully, appearing extremely shy.

Lianpin and Xu Shi exchanged a glance. No matter how capable Qin Shuying was, she would ultimately have to marry. With Liu Junqing being such a talented young man, how could Qin Shuying not be moved?

As long as her marriage was mentioned, Qin Shuying would naturally become obedient.

Xu Shi struck while the iron was hot: “The Liu family is a prominent clan in Huzhou, a family that could be said to have absolute authority locally. You can imagine their household rules must be quite strict. Seventh Girl, although you are the legitimate daughter of our Qin residence, your parents have both passed away after all, and the master’s position isn’t very high. If you suffer grievances at the Liu family, the master would also have to give the Liu family some face. But with Your Highness’s regard for you, that would be different. The Liu family, if not for the monk’s face then for the Buddha’s face, would naturally treat you well.”

Qin Shuying lowered her head even more, bashful beyond endurance, saying: “First Madam, please don’t tease me…”

Han Dan then said: “Seventh Miss, this is Your Highness’s kind intention. It’s not easy to enter the palace once. If not for Your Highness’s regard, Seventh Miss might never have the chance to enter the palace in her lifetime. For Seventh Miss to enter the palace, Your Highness even pleaded with Her Majesty the Empress, after all, Seventh Miss isn’t Your Highness’s blood sister. This servant wouldn’t dare take Seventh Miss far, just to look around this rear courtyard. In this rear courtyard, you might not know, there are several precious peony plants. Though it’s not yet the season for flowers to bloom, the peonies are actually in full bloom now—truly a rare sight. Your Highness, knowing you love flowers, specifically had this servant take you to see this novelty.”

Not going would be a disappointment to Lianpin’s kind intentions.

Both carrot and stick—if Qin Shuying still didn’t go, she would truly be ungrateful.

Qin Shuying’s face showed some delighted expression. In her daily life of reading, writing, and doing needlework, she hadn’t neglected physical exercise, and had also cultivated a garden in Yilan Garden, growing quite a few precious flowers and plants.

“How wonderful, then I’ll trouble you, Auntie.”

Qin Shuying bowed to Lianpin and Zhou Qin, then happily followed Han Dan away.

Watching Qin Shuying’s retreating figure as she left with Han Dan, Xu Shi cast an inquiring glance at Lianpin. Not wanting her son to know about these sordid affairs, Lianpin said: “Qin’er, you’ve been extremely busy these past few days since returning. His Majesty also regards you highly, so go attend to your duties.”

Zhou Qin simply smiled. Since his mother didn’t want him to know certain things, he would comply with her wishes. Regarding this Qin Shuying, his mother clearly had some plan—it wasn’t difficult to see through.

However, his mother naturally had her own reasons for doing things, and ultimately it would benefit them both.

Zhou Qin stood up and said to Xu Shi: “Grandmother, I haven’t finished the duties His Majesty assigned me, so I won’t accompany you. After I return to my residence, I’ll personally come to see you.”

Xu Shi was beaming with joy, naturally saying repeatedly: “Your Highness is exceptionally intelligent and has His Majesty’s regard, which is naturally excellent. Your Highness’s duties are important—you needn’t worry about this subject’s wife.”

Qin Yunyun also nodded to Zhou Qin: “Your Highness, this time carrying out imperial orders, though it’s been only half a year since we last met, you’ve not only grown much taller but your bearing has also become increasingly distinguished. I dare not even look directly at you now.”

Zhou Qin and Qin Yunyun were of similar age, and after establishing his own residence, he often visited the Qin residence, so naturally their relationship was excellent.

“Aunt Yun, you speak too highly of me.”

After exchanging pleasantries for a few sentences, Zhou Qin left.

Once Zhou Qin departed, Lianpin’s expression turned cold, but having been in the palace for over ten years, her composure was naturally excellent. Unless one was as close as Xu Shi, it would be difficult to notice Lianpin’s change.

Lianpin glanced at Fu Qu, and Fu Qu withdrew with Eunuch Xi.

Lianpin said coolly: “Third Uncle’s daughter is still too young after all, and doesn’t quite understand proper etiquette.”

Xu Shi smiled: “Your Highness has keen insight, seeing through this girl’s nature at a glance.”

She then briefly recounted the matters at Duke Chu’s residence. Lianpin already knew these things, but hearing Xu Shi speak of them personally felt different.

“She was actually so bold? And Father said she no longer trusts you?”

Xu Shi said: “That’s exactly what your father said.”

Qin Yunyun couldn’t wait to say: “Elder Sister, this time we must make her suffer thoroughly.”

Lianpin said coolly: “Sixth Sister, for those who don’t obey, we must make them obedient. What does suffering matter?”

Qin Yunyun’s eyes flashed with delight: “Elder Sister, do you really mean it?”

Lianpin said deliberately: “When this palace speaks, naturally every word carries weight!”

Qin Yunyun was overjoyed: “Elder Sister, that would be wonderful! She currently has Grandmother’s protection, so she completely ignores Mother’s words. Whatever I say, she’s sharp-tongued and I… even Second Sister can’t out-argue her. Not only that, her boldness is excessive! Eighth Sister was pushed into that room by her own hands—it’s simply outrageous!”

Lianpin said: “Grandmother cherishes Third Uncle’s memory, so naturally she protects her. But if she offends noble persons, Grandmother has no way to protect her. If Seventh Sister could truly treasure Grandmother’s loving heart, she should hand over the family wealth Third Uncle left to Father and Mother to manage—that’s what a daughter of the Qin family should do.”

Xu Shi said: “Exactly this reasoning. Seventh Girl truly doesn’t understand proper etiquette! She’s wasting your grandmother’s loving care!”

Lianpin said meaningfully: “Not only wasting Grandmother’s efforts, but also squandering the regard I, as her elder sister, have shown her!”