Qin Shuying remained calm as she asked: “Sixth Sister, how do you know I’m lying?”

“The hairpin on Old Madam Lu’s head is naturally her own—how could it be Third Aunt’s relic? Sister, from such a distance, could you really tell at a glance? If this gets out, who would believe it? If this isn’t lying, what is!”

Qin Shuying looked directly at Qin Yunyun: “Sister speaks very reasonably. How about this—let’s go to the authorities and examine my mother’s dowry inventory. Wouldn’t that make everything crystal clear?”

“You…”

Qin Yunyun was both angry and hateful. She had been swallowing her pride and showing concern for Qin Shuying in every matter these past days, trying to make her trust her again.

Going to the authorities would make the matter known to everyone. Even if they could prove that Old Madam Lu’s hairpin didn’t belong to Qin Shuying, rumors were fiercer than tigers—few people would believe it, and Xu Shi’s image as a good aunt would be completely shattered.

Zhao Shi, Zhong Shi, and the others had already heard everything. Qin Yunyun wouldn’t believe there would be no gossip spreading.

Qin Yunyun’s mind worked quickly too. She sneered: “Seventh Sister is from the Qin residence, yet in front of so many elders she contradicted them, completely disregarding the Qin residence’s honor and disgrace. These madams witnessed Seventh Sister’s behavior and naturally understand—how could they believe your words? Seventh Sister, don’t you think so?”

Qin Shuying’s clear black and white eyes looked at Qin Yunyun, then she suddenly smiled: “Sixth Sister is right. They’ll only think I’m not a good child and won’t believe my words.”

What did it matter whether they believed or not?

As long as Zhong Shi heard it, that was enough.

Zhong Shi’s husband was at the same level as Lu Changxuan. Lu Changxuan was nearly ten years younger than Zhong Shi’s husband. Lu Changxuan had been preparing for promotion these four years and was very likely to be elevated now, while her husband showed no movement.

The upcoming drama would be quite entertaining to watch.

Qin Shuying didn’t mind adding fuel to the fire later.

Qin Yunyun had expected her to be terrified, but instead she showed no fear whatsoever.

“Aren’t you afraid that when the Liu family finds out, they won’t let you through their doors?”

Qin Shuying replied indifferently: “Sixth Sister, you worry too much! My father saved Master Liu. If Master Liu refused to let me in, wouldn’t he gain a reputation as a heartless villain? How could Master Liu possibly do such a thing?”

Qin Yunyun’s face flushed red. Thinking of Liu Junqing’s face, she couldn’t stop the hatred welling up.

“Aren’t you afraid Young Master Liu will have a poor opinion of you?”

Qin Shuying still replied indifferently: “So what? I’m still his legitimate wife! I have money, the status of legitimate wife, and Master Liu’s support—what is there to fear?”

Listening to their conversation, Xu Shi was dumbfounded and speechless. Did she really not know that when a woman married, if her husband didn’t hold her dear, how miserable life would be?

Did she truly not understand, or did she really think this way?

Facing such a person, Xu Shi didn’t know what could possibly threaten her.

The three sat with their own thoughts. The maids were silent as cicadas, Xu Shi’s face was dark as water, and Qin Yunyun’s eyes were red with anger.

Nanny Liu couldn’t help but speak up: “Seventh Miss, this servant presumes to speak some unpleasant words. Seventh Miss, you are a miss of the Qin residence. When you step out of the Qin family’s doors, you represent the Qin residence’s dignity and face. Today you contradicted Old Madam Lu here—regardless of whether what Seventh Miss said was true or false, you cannot escape the reputation of disrespecting elders. Madam Zhao and the others all witnessed it and will inevitably spread the word. When outsiders gossip and these words reach Old Madam’s ears, making her worry and fear, that would all be Seventh Miss’s fault.”

Qin Shuying leisurely sipped her tea with a calm demeanor: “Nanny Liu speaks correctly. If the Old Ancestor worries and fears because of these rumors, it would indeed be my fault.”

Thinking she had hit the mark, Nanny Liu was about to say more when suddenly there was a “bang”—Qin Shuying had set her teacup down on the table.

“Then, wouldn’t it be fine to simply not let the Old Ancestor know? Nanny Liu just said that Madam Zhao would spread today’s events. Nanny Liu, did Madam Zhao personally tell you this?”

Nanny Liu was stunned and immediately denied: “Of course not. This was merely this servant’s speculation.”

Qin Shuying’s eyes widened, her tone stern: “Nanny Liu, you are the First Madam’s right hand. Your every word and action represents the First Madam. With such casual speculation, you’ve pinned the label of a gossip on Madam Zhao—this is not good! Master Zhao is Physician Lu’s superior. If Madam Zhao learned of your words, how would Master Zhao view third brother-in-law? Are you unwilling to see third brother-in-law’s bright career prospects? Moreover, even if there are rumors outside, Nanny Liu, you manage the inner courtyard—surely you’re not dead? Would you actually let these rumors reach the Old Ancestor’s ears? Or are you deliberately wanting the Old Ancestor to hear the rumors to anger her? First Madam, how can such a wicked servant remain by your side!”

By the end, her words were forceful and resounding. Nanny Liu actually felt a chill and involuntarily stepped back two paces. She just couldn’t understand how the previously submissive Qin Shuying had become so formidable, and so reckless—whether elegant or vulgar, pleasant or harsh, presentable or unpresentable, she dared say anything. It truly wasn’t an exaggeration to say she had eaten a bear’s heart and leopard’s gall!

This, this, this… where was the behavior befitting a boudoir maiden!

The First Madam was quite angry. Qin Shuying’s skill at turning accusations around was increasingly sophisticated, and she left no face for her at all. This dead girl could not be kept! Even if Qin Yongtao blamed her, she could not be kept!

Having reached this understanding, Xu Shi became much calmer and sneered continuously.

“What a sharp tongue!”

Suddenly, a man’s voice came from outside, and everyone in the room froze.

In a moment, the man outside entered, cupping his hands in salute: “Mother-in-law!”

Qin Shuying coldly glanced at Lu Changxuan and remained seated, not moving at all.

When a man entered, unmarried women should naturally avoid him. Qin Yunyun was about to retreat but couldn’t find a door for a moment. After hesitating briefly and seeing no one paying attention to her, she stood behind Xu Shi and stopped moving.

“Two younger sisters!” Lu Changxuan cupped his hands in salute again.

Qin Shuying acted as if she hadn’t seen him and didn’t return the salute, maintaining her calm demeanor.

Old Madam Lu entered afterward and saw this scene, flying into a rage: “What kind of manners are these? Truly a motherless thing!”

This wasn’t the first time Qin Shuying had heard Old Madam Lu cursing. In her previous life, she had heard enough. Old Madam Lu cursed Qin Yaoyao, cursed Lady Lu, cursed neighbors—whenever she was unhappy, she could curse a few lines, and any words could come out of her mouth. This was the mild version—there were even more unpleasant words that were simply unbearable to hear.

Having heard so much, she had become indifferent to it.

However, this was Xu Shi and Qin Yunyun’s first time hearing such crude cursing, and they felt somewhat strange. But since it was directed at Qin Shuying, they chose to play deaf and dumb.