Qin Shuying merely said: “First Madam, you’d better not grieve for my mother just yet. If my mother were still alive and saw me being bullied while visiting as a guest today, she would certainly seek justice—that’s what a real birth mother would do. Besides, the hairpin on Old Madam Lu’s head is indeed my mother’s relic, an item from my mother’s dowry list. Whether it is or isn’t, whether I’m talking nonsense or not—wouldn’t it become crystal clear if we went to the authorities and compared it with my mother’s dowry inventory? First Madam, you’d better worry about my second brother-in-law first—oh no, not second brother-in-law, but third brother-in-law. You should worry about third brother-in-law instead. Today’s matter will definitely reach the censors’ ears, and inevitably he’ll be impeached for lax household management and for appropriating his wife’s cousin’s belongings! Second brother-in-law—oh no, third brother-in-law, my memory is just terrible. Though he used to be second brother-in-law and brought death to his wife and son, now he’s third brother-in-law. If third brother-in-law wants promotion, it’ll be difficult! Could it be that Third Sister plans to enter the palace and beg Lianpin? Lianpin is an imperial consort—surely the current consorts wouldn’t dare violate imperial ancestral laws and interfere in politics? Noble Consort De just reprimanded Lianpin the other day, yet she still doesn’t know to repent?”

This was…

Too far-fetched!

This was… even connected?

Wars between women were usually without gunpowder smoke, yet deadly beneath the surface. This was Zhao Shi’s first time witnessing such a method of combat—simply unheard of, never seen before.

This, this Seventh Miss, with her sharp tongue and ruthless decisiveness—wasn’t she afraid of ruining her own reputation?

This, where did this anomaly come from?

Yet despite her wild tangents, everything she said had a semblance of logic.

Zhao Shi was completely dumbfounded, while Zhong Shi, who had been pretending to be a wooden statue, lowered her head to sip tea, concealing the flash of delight in her eyes.

If she got dragged into Qin Shuying’s web, it wouldn’t be worth it… Zhao Shi tremblingly stood up and said: “Oh my, my head… so dizzy!”

The concubine-born daughter who had been silently standing behind her immediately supported Zhao Shi, calling out anxiously: “Mother! Mother… Old Madam Lu, mother has been feeling dizzy lately. It seems we must take our leave first!”

Without waiting for Old Madam Lu to respond, she and Zhao Shi’s maids and servants began helping Zhao Shi leave.

Xu Shi was stunned, then immediately understood why Zhao Shi had become dizzy.

Xu Shi suddenly shuddered, her back instantly drenched in sweat.

She looked at Qin Shuying, who still maintained that indifferent appearance, with a faint smile and curved eyebrows.

Yet behind that smile, not a trace of concern could be detected.

Why was it that these words no one else dared speak came from Qin Shuying’s mouth with such complete fearlessness and reckless abandon?

Xu Shi felt a wave of retroactive fear, deep retroactive fear.

She regretted it—why had she provoked this ghost-like person just now?

Xu Shi watched Zhao Shi being surrounded by people. While still in a daze, she heard Zhong Shi say: “Oh dear… my head is also so dizzy… Shu’er…”

The young lady called Shu’er immediately said to Old Madam Lu: “Mama, mother has been feeling unwell lately and only felt a bit better today. She forced herself to endure for so long just now, but we should still take our leave first.”

Old Madam Lu had been infuriated by Qin Shuying’s phrase “brought death to his wife and son” and was about to scold her when she heard these two madams wanted to leave. Momentarily confused, she couldn’t attend to reprimanding Qin Shuying.

She ordered Nanny Yuan: “Quickly, quickly, quickly, go fetch a physician to examine the madams!”

These two madams had the highest status in the room, especially Zhao Shi. Lu Changxuan had repeatedly instructed that she must be well entertained. How could they leave without even eating the banquet?

Zhao Shi held her head, softly groaning twice, looking very uncomfortable.

The Zhao family’s concubine-born daughter said: “Old Madam, this is mother’s chronic condition. Only the medicine prescribed by our family’s regular physician is effective. We must return home quickly.” She then directed the maid beside her: “You go quickly, go ahead and invite Physician Liu to our residence. Madam will return shortly! You must quickly bring Physician Liu into the residence!”

That maid was very clever and ran off without a word.

Old Madam Lu was dumbfounded. Zhao Shi was perfectly fine but insisted on going home—how could this work?

Old Madam Lu tried desperately to persuade her to stay: “Madam, the Physician Zhao nearby is also excellent. Let Physician Zhao examine you first! Nanny Yuan, go, quickly go invite Physician Zhao…”

The Zhao family’s concubine-born daughter’s eyes immediately misted over, her voice filled with indescribable urgency: “Old Madam, this won’t do! Father has always valued mother’s health highly. I must quickly inform father! Old Madam, please quickly have someone prepare the carriage!”

“This…” Old Madam Lu was startled by the concubine-born daughter’s expression and in her urgency could only comply: “Nanny Yuan, quickly have someone harness the carriage. You, quickly go to the front courtyard and tell the master that Madam Zhao is leaving.”

In the chaos, she still remembered to send someone to inform Lu Changxuan—not entirely stupid.

Zhong Shi also followed Zhao Shi out, and the other female relatives all took advantage of the confusion to leave as well. Old Madam Lu, facing such a scene for the first time, was dumbfounded: “Madams, wait, don’t leave—the banquet hasn’t even started!”

Lu Changju stared stupidly at the chaotic scene. Lady Lu muttered to herself: “They gave gifts but left without eating? Oh my, Mei Niang, quickly go tell the kitchen—Madam Zhao, Madam Zhong, and several other madams have left. Including their daughters and attendants, that’s… over a dozen people. We can save the cost of two tables!”

Xu Shi watched the female relatives fleeing in droves, so angry she was fuming. Why were they running away as if chased by ghosts? Wasn’t it all because Qin Shuying had spoken treasonous words!

Xu Shi pointed at Qin Shuying with trembling hands: “You, you… seventh daughter, you… when you return, you’re confined to your quarters!”

Qin Shuying’s expression remained calm, as if she hadn’t heard her words, as if confinement wasn’t anything significant. She looked around and chose a chair to sit in.

Xu Shi’s mind was in complete chaos, her heart crying “It’s over!” Old Madam Lu didn’t understand, but she did.

With so many female relatives, maids, and servants present today, the matter would certainly spread.

What Qin Shuying said about censors impeaching Lu Changxuan would most likely come to pass.

Even if Lu Changxuan was impeached, it might not result in severe punishment, but letting others know that the jewelry on Old Madam Lu’s head actually belonged to Qin Shuying’s mother was very intriguing indeed.

How would outsiders talk about Qin Yongtao? How would they talk about Xu Shi? How would they talk about Lianpin? How would they talk about the Sixth Prince?

Though many people wouldn’t believe Qin Shuying’s wild claims just now, especially the part about Lianpin, those skilled at creating waves from nothing were exactly the partisan factions’ specialty.

Thinking of Qin Yongtao’s sinister gaze, Xu Shi couldn’t help but shudder.

Lu Changju and Lady Lu had followed Old Madam Lu to see the guests off. Only the Qin family remained in Cixin Hall.

What Xu Shi could think of, Qin Yunyun could also realize: “Seventh Sister, what’s wrong with you today? Speaking complete nonsense, lying through your teeth—sister, how could you be so confused!”