In just a few days, it was time for Qin Feifei’s son’s full moon celebration.

The Lu residence was hosting a banquet for guests, so Xu Shi naturally had to bring people to attend the full moon feast.

The Old Madam had spoken, telling Xu Shi to also bring Qin Shuying along, so she could meet more people. These past few days, Xu Shi had received Qin Yongtao’s words and dared not disobey, so she could only bring Qin Shuying along.

That day, the weather was clear and spring flowers were blooming everywhere—it was a good day.

Qin Shuying sat in the carriage, not sharing the same carriage as Xu Shi and Qin Yunyun.

It had been over ten days since entering the palace, and during these ten-plus days, no word had come from within the palace. Even if there were any words, they would probably be conveyed to Xu Shi and Qin Yongtao to hear—she herself wouldn’t be able to hear them.

The Sixth Prince had indeed paid a visit, but Qin Shuying had only stood behind the Old Madam, keeping her head lowered in silence throughout. In front of the Old Madam, the Sixth Prince hadn’t said anything particular.

This was all within Qin Shuying’s expectations. Imperial Consort De hadn’t yet reached the point of completely falling out with Lianpin. That day, she had probably just given Lianpin a warning. But this was enough to make Lianpin tuck her tail between her legs for some time.

Having experienced two lifetimes and witnessed the coldness of human nature, Qin Shuying absolutely didn’t believe that the relationship between Imperial Consort De and Lianpin was unbreakable. Seeking profit and avoiding harm was human nature, and in the imperial family, this was even more pronounced.

When palace consorts fought, they would plant their people in each other’s palaces. There weren’t many people Lianpin could trust. Not only that, but even in Shuangyun Palace, she had to be constantly on guard against palace maids and eunuchs with ulterior motives who might report her affairs to other palace consorts. Now, having lost Han Dan was enough to give her a headache.

After Master Long returned, the young ladies resumed their lessons. Qin Yunyun appeared extremely low-key in class, studying with great dedication and always treating Qin Shuying with courtesy.

Xu Shi was still the same Xu Shi as before, every word seemingly filled with concern.

Qin Shuying didn’t think this was because Xu Shi feared her. Xu Shi had probably been warned by Qin Yongtao and was temporarily restraining herself. As for Qin Yongtao…

Qin Shuying smiled faintly. He still had to consider his reputation and face, so this niece couldn’t be touched. Not only couldn’t she be touched, but moreover…

Every time Qin Shuying saw him, her demeanor was very respectful. Not only that, but she also proactively proposed to contribute five hundred taels monthly from the red sugar profits to the public funds, donating to Beijing’s charity hall, just as a way of fulfilling responsibility on behalf of her father.

The charity hall had been established under the Empress’s guidance and had been running for over twenty years now. Every year, the Empress would lead by example in donating money and goods, and naturally the noble ladies would follow suit, donating money and grain that would ultimately be used for the widowed and orphaned. During wartime, it was also used to support military supplies, which deeply pleased the Emperor’s heart.

Five hundred taels monthly would amount to a considerable sum over a year, naturally very beneficial to the Qin residence’s reputation, and also a good deed for Qin Yongtao.

Qin Yongtao was extremely satisfied, and his scrutiny and evaluation of her couldn’t help but intensify.

Qin Shuying secretly sneered to herself. She was like a commodity waiting to be sold—the more benefits Qin Yongtao could gain from her, the more severely he would warn Xu Shi.

However, it was fortunate that Qin Yongtao had such a personality. Otherwise, if he had decided to move against her, she would definitely have lost her life.

Yesterday, the account books for the red sugar were delivered. In three months’ time, the red sugar’s pure profit had already reached twenty thousand taels. What she had told Princess Fuping was not an exaggeration at all.

The Mi Luo couple had gathered a large workforce to mass-produce red sugar and had created a brand—”Haoji Red Sugar.” Red sugar had swept through all the brown sugar businesses in the capital and was being sold throughout the country.

Mi Luo worked tirelessly, opening red sugar shops in affluent cities, both retailing and wholesaling.

A few days ago, Lan Chou came to relay a message: some merchants, envious of the red sugar business, had bought red sugar, mixed poison into it, then sold it, ultimately placing the blame on “Haoji Red Sugar.”

Mi Luo had received Qin Shuying’s prior instructions and was completely unafraid. He had them bring out the poisoned “Haoji Red Sugar” and compare it with authentic “Haoji Red Sugar.” Only then did they discover that authentic “Haoji Red Sugar” had its own special texture that counterfeit goods simply couldn’t replicate. Thus, the false accusations crumbled on their own.

With this layer of protection, “Haoji Red Sugar” sold even more enthusiastically. Mi Luo had been unable to enter the Qin residence to see Qin Shuying for a full month now, so Lan Chou served as the messenger between Mi Luo and Qin Shuying.

As for the Lu residence’s brown sugar business, it had naturally closed its doors long ago.

Having lost half of the Lu residence’s economic support, she wondered how well today’s full moon banquet at the Lu residence would be managed.

Qin Shuying brushed off her moon-shadow silk gauze shirt and smiled with pursed lips.

Ziteng said, “Miss, with today’s outfit, you’ll probably dazzle their eyes. When you got into the carriage earlier, Sixth Miss’s eyes were practically shooting fire.”

“Have you learned to be glib with words too?” Qin Shuying smiled. “What will dazzle their eyes isn’t this miss, but you, this maid.”

Ziteng rarely smiled.

Seeing Xu Shi repeatedly suffer setbacks, Ziteng’s usually gloomy expression now occasionally revealed some innocent and lively smiles.

Ziteng touched the yellow jade hairpin on her head, the yellow jade water-drop earrings on her ears, and the yellow jade bracelet on her wrist, saying, “Miss, you’re really good at humiliating people.”

For a maid to dress so expensively—what was this but humiliating the people of the Lu residence?

She understood her miss’s intentions, so after her miss bestowed this set of jewelry upon her, she thanked her and put it on. She paraded around the Qin residence daily, making countless people envious.

Qin Shuying extended her pale wrist, which bore a lustrous green bracelet. The jewelry on her head, ears, and neck was uniformly green jade, forming a complete set with Ziteng’s. One set was green, one set was yellow.

As the master, Qin Shuying’s hair ornaments were more numerous and of better water quality. Especially that jade bird hairpin, entirely emerald green, which would emit rainbow colors under light—it was also carved by a famous craftsman from the previous dynasty and was a priceless treasure.

This set of Bright Moon jade jewelry wasn’t easy to obtain. Made from a single piece of jadeite, with naturally integrated texture and naturally formed shapes, it was naturally extremely precious.

Originally, they had all been stored in the storeroom. When Xu Shi was in charge, although she extremely liked them, she didn’t dare take them out to use, as they were too eye-catching, and the Old Madam was still watching.

Xu Shi had originally planned to give this set of Bright Moon jade jewelry to Qin Yunyun in a few years, without anyone knowing. Even if the Old Madam found out, it would be too late.

Who would have thought…

Qin Shuying’s eyes narrowed and her chin lifted slightly. Her smile faded, and her entire being seemed like an unsheathed sword that people dared not look directly at.

Ziteng seemed not to pay much attention to her master’s expression. After her smile disappeared, her face became increasingly gloomy—so gloomy it seemed it could devour all the spring scenery.

Both harboring their own thoughts, they spoke no more.

In just over an hour, they arrived at the Lu residence.

Qin Feifei had just emerged from her month of confinement and naturally wasn’t at the door to greet guests.

Lu Changxuan was greeting guests at the entrance.

“Mother-in-law! Two younger sisters!”

Lu Changxuan stood tall and elegant with a refined smile, cupping his hands as he welcomed Xu Shi.

Qin Shuying squinted slightly as she looked at the grand entrance of the Lu residence that she had personally helped establish. The imposing and substantial gate had once carried so many of her hopes.

Supporting herself on Ziteng’s hand, Qin Shuying slowly stepped forward.

Feng’er!

Here, there was Feng’er’s presence, Feng’er’s shadow!

Even though she had told herself thousands of times beforehand not to think of Feng’er, or she would lose composure today.