Xu Shi and Qin Feifei’s calculations—she was clear about them. They schemed against Second Miss, and Qin Feifei married into the family. Such people, yet they were actually worth their ruining Second Miss’s life!

Regarding today’s incident, Old Madam didn’t need to ask to know what had happened.

It must have been Xu Shi trying to scheme against Qin Shuying, only to be counter-schemed by Qin Shuying once again.

Her gaze held some complexity as she looked at Qin Shuying.

This child was too clever, but didn’t she know that doing this would also implicate the Qin Manor’s reputation?

Xu Shi was filled with urgent anger. Qin Shuying hadn’t said a single word about how she had angered Old Madam Lu at the Lu Manor, or how she had frightened Zhao Shi and the others into hastily departing.

However, Xu Shi discovered that she couldn’t actually tell Old Madam and Qin Yongtao about these matters at this moment.

Should she say that Qin Shuying had dragged Lianpin into this?

A few days ago, Sixth Prince’s neither soft nor hard words still echoed in her ears: “Grandmother, the Seventh Miss in the manor will marry into the Liu family in the future, which will also be an asset to the Qin Manor. She’ll only stay in the Qin Manor for another year or two. Grandmother should just treat her like raising a small cat or dog. Why bother getting into arguments with cats and dogs? I’ve also advised Mother Consort about this, and from now on, Mother Consort will just treat Seventh Miss like a small cat or dog.”

When Sixth Prince said these words, there was no smile whatsoever, and his gaze was cold and indifferent.

It wasn’t that Xu Shi couldn’t understand—she understood all too well. Sixth Prince was blaming her, blaming her for hastily moving against Qin Shuying, even dragging Lianpin into it, and even involving Sixth Prince himself.

But should she just let that detestable girl Qin Shuying go?

No, absolutely not.

Just not at this moment.

Xu Shi pressed the corner of her eye and said, “Seventh Miss, it’s all because I didn’t take proper care of you that you suffered such grievances. Rest assured, someone as ignorant of propriety as Old Madam Lu—from now on we absolutely won’t allow her to step foot in our door.”

Qin Shuying replied, “Thank you, Madam, for standing up for me.”

Qin Yongtao said, “That jade hairpin, Seventh Miss, is it truly your mother’s relic?”

Qin Shuying said, “Yes, Uncle, it truly is. The authorities and I still have the dowry inventory on file.”

Qin Yongtao glanced at Old Madam.

The situation had become somewhat troublesome.

Qin Shuying spoke with such certainty that it was most likely true.

This being the case, did they really have to make Old Madam Lu return the hairpin? Returning it would be easy, but wouldn’t this confirm the rumors that Xu Shi had plotted for Qin Shuying’s property? This wouldn’t be good for him.

But if they didn’t get it back, Seventh Miss clearly wouldn’t let the matter rest.

Sure enough, he heard Qin Shuying say, “Uncle, that mutton-fat white jade hairpin with the character for longevity was personally made by Grandmother’s mother. The craftsmanship is excellent and extremely precious—it was passed down to Mother. Mother later imitated this hairpin and personally carved a pair, but they were somewhat different from this one. Mother originally intended them as birthday gifts to honor Old Ancestor.”

Qin Yongtao pondered thoughtfully.

Long Shi’s maternal grandmother was said to have had ancestors who were jade craftsmen masters. The tradition was passed down to Long Shi’s grandmother’s generation, but later, for unknown reasons, it wasn’t passed down further. Although Long Shi also knew some of the craft, she couldn’t be called a master. Therefore, Long Shi had quite a few extremely precious jade pieces, including some unique items. What Qin Shuying wore today was one such set.

“Xu Shi, what do you say?”

Old Madam asked Xu Shi in a stern voice.

Facing Old Madam’s icy gaze, Xu Shi spoke vaguely and evasively: “Then… then… let the Lu family return it.”

“So you’re admitting that you gave it to Third Miss, and Third Miss presented it to Old Madam Lu as a filial gift?”

“This…” Xu Shi hadn’t expected Old Madam to ask so directly without any regard for her dignity.

Xu Shi was stunned on the spot.

There was no need to ask further—everything was crystal clear.

Old Madam was grief-stricken and slowly closed her eyes.

At her birthday banquet, she had learned how Xu Shi had been treating Qin Shuying these past few years. Filled with rage, she had stripped her of power and confined her, trying to make her reflect properly. Not long after, she had caused the monk exorcism farce, clearly targeting Qin Shuying, though fortunately Qin Shuying had cleverly avoided it. But she hadn’t given up, deceiving Qin Shuying to Duke Chu’s manor and causing a scandal there, losing Qin Fangfang in the process. This still wasn’t enough—she had gotten Qin Shuying into the palace, and Concubine Lian had been implicated too. Today, she probably couldn’t swallow her anger and didn’t know what she had said or done, completely provoking Qin Shuying into making a scene regardless of consequences…

Did Xu Shi think she was dead?

She remembered what Sixth Prince had said when he came to the manor a few days ago to pay his respects: “Great-grandmother, when I used to come to the manor, I always felt it was full of vitality. But these past few years, it doesn’t have that feeling anymore. I suppose it was because you were managing the household before. Great-grandmother, you have exceptional insight—why don’t you continue managing the household?”

At the time, she hadn’t thought deeply about the meaning behind his words, assuming Sixth Prince was just trying to please her. But Old Madam, having experienced family upheavals, would think more carefully about everything, so she had Nanny Gu go gather information.

Upon investigation, she learned that ten days ago, Concubine Lian had actually been reprimanded by Noble Consort De.

In the imperial family, such matters weren’t really that significant, especially in recent years when they had become increasingly common.

The emperor’s consorts vying against each other, competing and fighting—quite lively indeed.

If Empress had reprimanded some consort, it would certainly cause a great uproar. But since it was Noble Consort De, everyone seemed to take it in stride.

Everyone knew that Noble Consort De, relying on having sons and daughters and strong backing from her maternal family, had never regarded anyone as important. Consorts receiving her reprimands seemed quite normal.

But Old Madam didn’t think so, especially considering that this had happened only after Qin Shuying and Xu Shi entered the palace, making it even more intriguing.

Since neither Xu Shi nor Qin Shuying spoke about it, Old Madam had pretended to be deaf and mute, quietly observing the situation.

But now, she could no longer pretend.

She nodded slightly to Qin Shuying, who understood and said to Ziteng, “You go out.”

Ziteng quickly left. Seeing the situation, Nanny Gu was about to follow, but Old Madam stopped her and had her stay. Then Old Madam, with weariness, began to speak: “Xu Shi, tell me, how should you be dealt with?”

Xu Shi looked up at Old Madam and saw exhaustion covering her face, but determination gradually appearing in her eyes. Xu Shi’s heart gave a violent jump.

“Your daughter-in-law… your daughter-in-law was wrong…”

Qin Yongtao naturally also saw Old Madam’s intention and wanted to plead for Xu Shi: “Mother…”

Old Madam waved her hand and said wearily, “A few days ago, Sixth Prince asked me why I don’t continue managing the household?”

Qin Yongtao and Xu Shi were stunned.

“Don’t you understand the meaning behind this?”

The room fell completely silent—so quiet that you could almost hear a pin drop.

After a long while, Old Madam said indifferently, “I’m old and can’t manage so many affairs anymore. Let’s have Kaile’s wife return to take charge. This household should have been managed by her from the beginning. Xu Shi, from now on, you’ll accompany me in Buddhist devotions!”