Cixin Hall.

The atmosphere remained lively and warm as before.

“…If that’s the case, then Young Master Miao is quite excellent indeed.”

Zhao Shi was speaking to Old Madam Lu, who was smiling very happily, while Lu Changju wore a bashful expression on her face.

Young Master Miao?

Qin Shuying had sent people to keep watch on the Lu residence, so she naturally knew about this Young Master Miao—he was the brother-in-law candidate that Qin Feifei had her heart set on.

A flash of mockery crossed Qin Shuying’s heart. Apart from her approval of protocols that elevated her own status, Old Madam Lu disapproved of many of the capital’s customs.

For instance, in this kind of situation, with unmarried young ladies present, it was inappropriate to discuss marriage matters. Yet Old Madam Lu had no qualms about it—she actually brought up Lu Changju’s marriage affairs to the guests, showing off the Miao family.

Though Zhao Shi knew it was improper to discuss such matters in front of the young ladies, when Old Madam Lu brought it up, she had no choice but to offer a few perfunctory responses. However, she secretly felt it wasn’t worth it for Lu Changxuan.

When Xu Shi entered, Zhao Shi breathed a sigh of relief. She rose to offer Xu Shi the seat of honor and smoothly changed the topic, saying: “Madam, you should also share how you’ve raised your daughters. Your residence’s Sixth Miss has a reputation for talent throughout the capital—learned and well-mannered. This Seventh Miss, though I’m meeting her for the first time, appears gentle and virtuous—one can tell she’s a good young lady at a glance. Madam, please share your experience with us so we can learn from you.”

Xu Shi sat down and smiled: “Madam Zhao is too kind. All the young ladies present are both understanding and well-behaved—each one is better than my two daughters. What experience could I possibly share?”

Zhao Shi laughed: “Madam, now you’re being secretive.”

Xu Shi glanced at Qin Yunyun and Qin Shuying, noticing that Qin Shuying had her head slightly lowered, as if shy.

After all, Qin Shuying was merely a fourteen-year-old boudoir maiden who would eventually marry. When the madams brought up such matters, it was to lay groundwork for discussing marriage—it was only natural for Qin Shuying to feel shy.

Xu Shi was determined to teach Qin Shuying a lesson and make her understand her place in the world.

These past days, Qin Yongtao had forbidden her from causing trouble for Qin Shuying, and Xu Shi had been so stifled she was about to burst into flames. Earlier, she had heard from Qin Feifei about how Old Madam Lu’s attitude toward Qin Feifei had changed dramatically after the brown sugar shop closed—wasn’t it all caused by Qin Shuying?

She had certainly learned to be cunning, refusing to even take out a set of jewelry to give to Qin Feifei! With just a few words, she had completely blocked Qin Feifei’s request. Today, she had deliberately dressed this way again, even having her maid dress like that—wasn’t this deliberately showing off in front of Feifei?

In the palace, without outsiders present, Qin Shuying dared to act that way, completely disregarding face. She probably knew that neither she nor the Sixth Prince would tell the Liu family about these matters.

Now, under everyone’s watchful eyes, there was no need for her to say anything. If Qin Shuying committed any improper acts, naturally someone would carry these stories to the Liu family’s ears.

Let’s see if she still dares to be so arrogant then!

Xu Shi sipped her tea and said: “Speaking truthfully, my sixth daughter is passable, but everyone doesn’t know about my seventh daughter. She is truly a young lady who understands and follows propriety—it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say she’s sought after by a hundred families.”

As soon as Xu Shi finished speaking, all the women’s gazes turned toward Qin Shuying in unison. The young ladies could barely conceal their jealousy and envy. When Qin Shuying had entered earlier, her gleaming clothes and jewelry had already made everyone jealous, but since they weren’t familiar with her and needed to maintain their reserve, they didn’t dare ask or comment.

Now, with a legitimate reason to focus their attention on her, every maiden’s eyes burned so intensely they seemed ready to incinerate Qin Shuying to fragments.

These clothes and jewelry were things they wouldn’t dare dream of in their entire lives!

Yet Qin Shuying merely kept her head lowered, appearing extremely shy and uneasy.

Zhao Shi was stunned upon hearing Xu Shi’s words. While Old Madam Lu didn’t understand proper etiquette and spoke without restraint, Xu Shi certainly understood the rules—what was happening here?

To bring up that Qin Shuying was sought after by a hundred families like this…

Xu Shi acted as if she hadn’t noticed Zhao Shi’s bewilderment and continued: “Madam, are you familiar with the Liu family of Huzhou?”

Zhao Shi hadn’t wanted to engage, but since Xu Shi had asked directly, it would be awkward not to respond. Moreover, from this question, she realized that Qin Shuying’s marriage had actually fallen to the Liu family, which genuinely piqued her curiosity.

She replied: “The Liu family of Huzhou? Naturally I know of them! A century-old prestigious family, scholarly and refined, with many officials in the court—truly a first-rate clan.”

Xu Shi said: “Precisely that family. Madam has an excellent memory. However, what Madam doesn’t know is that my seventh daughter has a marriage contract with the Liu family—with the only legitimate son of Liu family head, Master Liu. I’ve met this Young Master Liu myself—he’s truly handsome, more beautiful than Pan An, graceful and elegant. Moreover, he’s accomplished at a young age. At only sixteen, he took the imperial examination yesterday—truly a talent chosen from ten thousand!”

Old Madam Lu couldn’t bear to hear of any young man who could compete with Lu Changxuan, so she spoke with some disdain: “We don’t yet know how he performed in this examination. It’s premature to speak so confidently, in-law madam.”

Lady Lu was eager to flatter Old Madam Lu and chimed in: “Exactly, exactly, in-law madam. After all, the imperial proclamation hasn’t been posted yet—how can we know the results?”

Xu Shi naturally wasn’t angered and smiled slightly: “Even if Young Master Liu’s name doesn’t appear on the examination results this time, it matters little. The Liu family has deep foundations, and Young Master Liu will become the family head in the future—what difficulty would there be in obtaining an official position?”

Old Madam Lu glanced at Qin Shuying with a sour expression: “Seventh Miss is truly blessed.” After saying this, she asked: “Seventh Miss is the daughter of your residence’s third branch, isn’t she?”

“In-law madam, that’s correct. My third uncle and his wife passed away early, and my seventh daughter has spent these years wholeheartedly reciting sutras and praying for her parents. She rarely comes out, so the madams are probably all meeting my niece for the first time. In-law madam, what you don’t know is that my niece is not only blessed but also intelligent and capable. Do you know who established those brown sugar shops that became popular in the capital last year? It was my niece’s shop. Earning thousands of gold daily, and with such a fine husband from the Liu family in the future—don’t you all agree that this must be the protection of my third uncle and his wife? You can see how sincere my seventh daughter’s three years of filial mourning for her parents has been. I say that filial piety is the most important virtue. Madam Zhao, this is what I wanted to share—something the young ladies should learn.”

Everyone’s gazes became even more intense, while Qin Shuying kept her head lowered, remaining silent.

Qin Yunyun also lowered her head slightly, feeling as if a fire burned in her heart. Liu Junqing… Ever since meeting him, Qin Yunyun’s heart could no longer hold any other man.

When Xu Shi was looking for marriage prospects for her, every time she heard even a hint of news, she couldn’t help but lose her temper, or would sit in a daze for long periods, her mind filled entirely with Liu Junqing’s handsome features and upright bearing.

Such a wonderful marriage was going to fall to Qin Shuying…

Lu Changju was the first who couldn’t contain herself. Raising her eyebrows, she said sharply: “Seventh Miss? I frequently attend poetry gatherings and tea parties with the capital’s young ladies, yet I’ve never heard of Seventh Miss’s reputation. How could she have such a good marriage prospect?”

Xu Shi replied leisurely: “Miss in-law, this is simply each person’s karmic destiny. Seventh daughter, don’t you think what I said is correct?”

Qin Shuying raised her head, her eyes sparkling brightly, and said: “What the First Madam says is right.”