Xu Shi and Qin Yunyun were dumbstruck, while Zhou Qin’s eyes were cold as ice.

Xu Shi couldn’t help but recall Qin Yongtao’s words about how the Sixth Prince faced countless difficulties in the palace, far from the glamorous appearance he presented on the surface.

She hadn’t paid much attention before—no matter how difficult, he was still a son of heaven. How hard could it be? Now, seeing the Sixth Prince’s iron-blue expression, it was clear that Qin Shuying had hit the mark.

This…

Qin Shuying turned to Xu Shi and said: “First Madam, we should leave. It seems that neither Your Ladyship nor His Highness has time to attend to us. Your Highness, wouldn’t you agree?”

“You…”

Xu Shi was speechless. She truly couldn’t imagine where Qin Shuying found the courage to speak to the Sixth Prince like this, or where she gained such insight to see problems so clearly—even her own household management skills couldn’t match hers. Was she getting old?

Qin Shuying grabbed Qin Yunyun’s hand: “Sixth Sister, aren’t you dizzy from hunger? If we don’t leave now, it will be even more difficult to leave by noon.”

Qin Yunyun hastily pulled her hand back. She had developed a fearful emotion toward Qin Shuying—how dare she say anything? Others regarded their natal families as support, but Qin Shuying gave her the feeling that she didn’t care about the Qin residence at all, as if its immediate collapse would have nothing to do with her.

“Qin Shuying, don’t you know that the Qin residence is your support? That Mother Consort is your support?”

Zhou Qin slowly stood up, his voice bone-chillingly cold.

This mother and son pair were truly alike—one asked this way, the other asked the same.

“Your Highness, Your Ladyship asked this subject’s daughter this question just now, and this subject’s daughter already answered. Perhaps Your Highness could ask Your Ladyship about it later? Your Highness should handle urgent matters first, otherwise this subject’s daughter’s future support might be gone.”

Zhou Qin walked a few steps, turned back to glance at Qin Shuying, raised his thick eyebrows, and said: “What a sharp tongue!”

Having said this, he strode away and disappeared from sight in an instant.

He was a prince after all—he knew about trade-offs.

Qin Shuying’s lips curved slightly as she turned to Xu Shi: “First Madam, if we don’t return now, when will we?”

Xu Shi involuntarily stepped back two paces, then realized this was improper. No matter what Qin Shuying was like, she was still Lianpin’s birth mother and had the Sixth Prince as her nephew.

After the initial terror and surprise, fighting spirit suddenly arose in Xu Shi’s heart. She straightened her clothes and said: “Consort De has always been close to Lianpin Your Ladyship. Even if Han Dan offended Her Highness the Princess, it’s of no consequence. Today is Your Ladyship’s birthday—Consort De will probably keep Your Ladyship for a while longer to have intimate conversation. Since Eunuch Xi said so, and His Highness has urgent matters to attend to, we three should return first.”

Qin Yunyun’s face was pale. This scheme had been her idea—she had fully expected Elder Sister to easily bring down Qin Shuying with a small stratagem. Now it seemed that Elder Sister and the Sixth Prince were indeed constrained at every turn…

She gritted her teeth and followed Xu Shi out. Qin Shuying smiled gracefully, said nothing, and followed behind.

Naturally, palace maids led the way.

Throughout the journey, no one spoke a word until they reached the palace gates. The sun was already high—it was time for the noon meal.

“Miss!”

Ziteng had been looking around anxiously. Seeing Qin Shuying’s figure, she immediately rushed forward and examined her thoroughly. Noticing that Qin Shuying’s hair was somewhat disheveled, she couldn’t help but glance at Xu Shi, though she said nothing.

Upon seeing Xu Shi, Nanny Liu immediately understood somewhat. No matter how Xu Shi tried to pretend, she couldn’t appear composed, and Qin Yunyun’s face was so pale her body was trembling.

Nanny Liu involuntarily glanced at Qin Shuying and saw her smiling brightly, clearly unharmed!

Nanny Liu’s heart went cold. Not daring to say more, she immediately helped Xu Shi into the carriage.

“Seventh Girl will ride in the carriage behind. Nanny, you get up here!”

Xu Shi spoke, looking at Qin Shuying with an extremely complex gaze—both cold and fearful.

Qin Shuying refused. What if some accident happened on the road? While she was sharp-tongued and unforgiving, she had no physical advantage whatsoever.

If Xu Shi had already arranged backup plans, having the driver take her to some remote corner where she couldn’t call for help from heaven or earth, why let her succeed?

“First Madam, this would be improper. So many people witnessed this niece getting off your carriage, yet on the return trip you won’t let this niece ride in the carriage. With so many eyes watching, wouldn’t this spread unfavorable rumors?”

Xu Shi felt a wave of frustration. She didn’t want to share a carriage with Qin Shuying now—it was too suffocating.

But what Qin Shuying said made sense. There were people coming and going around them, plus the gatekeepers—these people had the loosest tongues. If any rumors spread to the harem, even having mouths all over her body wouldn’t be enough to explain.

But naturally she wouldn’t submit verbally: “What could they say? Isn’t it all for your own good, letting you ride in the back carriage more comfortably? Since you don’t appreciate it, hurry up and get in.”

Qin Yunyun had already lifted her skirts and gotten into the carriage. Taking a deep breath, she resolved not to acknowledge Qin Shuying for the entire journey.

The journey passed in silence.

Returning to the Qin residence, each went to their own courtyard.

Yilan Garden

Ziteng called Nanny Fu, Lu Ye, and Hong Juan all into the inner room.

Qin Shuying briefly recounted the day’s events, naturally omitting the parts about persuading Princess Fuping and confronting Lianpin and her son.

“Lianpin intended to deal with me today. Fortunately, Princess Fuping understood righteousness deeply and saw through the scheme. Otherwise, I might have received thirty strokes of the rod today and probably wouldn’t have survived the journey home.”

Ziteng’s face was grim, saying nothing.

Lu Ye was both terrified and indignant. She opened her mouth to say something but found that anything she might say would seem pale and powerless.

Nanny Fu said angrily: “Miss, how could Lianpin use such despicable methods! What does she take you for? You’re the only daughter of her own uncle!”

“So what? As long as power and wealth can be obtained, so what? Father and Lianpin are of similar age—they essentially grew up together, yet she shows no consideration for old affection! Nanny, can’t you see clearly now? First Madam simply cannot tolerate me being alive!”

Though the words were directed at Nanny Fu, they were meant for Hong Juan to hear.

Ziteng, Lu Ye, and Nanny Fu were all her people. Although Hong Juan had shown loyalty, she still needed to be won over.

Hong Juan was clever and understood the implication: “Miss, First Madam’s actions truly break Old Madam’s heart. Miss, we cannot sit and wait for death. Whatever you command, this servant will brave fire and water, never declining even unto death.”

This was good—what she needed now was manpower, both inside and outside the residence.

Qin Shuying nodded: “As long as you serve me well and don’t let First Madam find fault, that’s enough. As for other matters, we’ll meet soldiers with generals and water with earth—there’s no need to fear.”

Nanny Fu was still indignant: “Miss, this is too easy on her! This servant will find some people to spread word of First Madam’s actions. Her virtuous and gentle reputation is all an act.”

Qin Shuying took a sip of tea, her gaze cool: “That’s good, but we need a proper plan.”

She had no strength to truss a chicken, much less external support. Besides this approach, she had no other way to make First Madam wary.