Xu Shi immediately went limp.

Buddhist devotions?

Without any power, what meaning would life have?

Under the title of Buddhist devotions, who in the Qin Manor wouldn’t know that she had been stripped of authority because she had committed wrongdoing?

Buddhist devotions?

Sitting in meditation every day—how could she endure such days?

Xu Shi opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but couldn’t say anything at all.

Qin Yongtao, however, didn’t have so many concerns. Old Madam was right—Qin Kaile had already established his own family, and having his wife manage the household was what ordinary wealthy families did.

Qin Kaile’s wife, Dong Shi, had a father who was originally a sixth-rank Reader at the Hanlin Academy. Seven or eight years ago, Master Dong had fallen ill and couldn’t recover, so he resigned from office and returned to his hometown. The entire Dong family had moved away.

Dong Shi was twenty-seven years old, well-educated and reasonable, gentle and virtuous. In their twelve years of marriage, she had borne one son and one daughter. The daughter was eleven years old, the son eight, and both were currently with her.

“Your son will immediately write a letter summoning Dong Shi to return to the capital quickly.”

Old Madam nodded and said, “In the future, except for holidays and festivals, Third Miss need not return to her natal home.”

Xu Shi was stunned again.

Qin Yongtao was slightly taken aback but agreed: “Your son will send someone to inform her later.”

Xu Shi wanted to defend herself with a few words, but seeing Old Madam’s expression, her heart went cold and she didn’t dare say more.

Old Madam was silent for a moment, then continued: “Regarding the palace, unless there’s an edict from Empress, the womenfolk should not enter the palace again. When Sixth Prince comes to the manor, treat him with proper courtesy. After Dong Shi returns, whether in the capital or surrounding areas, find a family and settle Sixth Miss’s marriage.”

Xu Shi could no longer bear it: “Old Ancestor, how can this be done? I’m still her mother—when Sixth Miss marries, if I don’t oversee the match, what reason is there for a sister-in-law to do so?”

The palace, Sixth Prince…

Qin Yongtao seemed awakened by Old Madam’s series of arrangements. With a start, he immediately scolded: “Mother has her own plans—what are you getting anxious about!”

Xu Shi couldn’t care about much else and argued reasonably: “Old Ancestor, if others learn that Sixth Miss’s marriage was arranged by Dong Shi, they’ll inevitably suspect something has happened in the Qin Manor. This would damage the manor’s reputation.”

Old Madam glanced at her indifferently and said, “Then we’ll tell outsiders that you’re ill.”

Being unable to oversee even her daughter’s marriage—such an illness would certainly be serious.

Xu Shi felt dizzy and lightheaded. Fortunately, she had been sitting in a chair all along; otherwise, she would certainly have collapsed to the floor at this moment.

At Yilan Garden.

Seeing Qin Shuying sitting silently by the window without any sign of joy, Nanny Fu said, “Miss, Xu Shi has finally angered Old Madam, and she’s forbidden from interfering in manor affairs anymore. This is a good thing. Miss, what are you still worried about?”

Ziteng stood silently to one side.

Qin Shuying sighed: “Nanny, Old Ancestor’s health isn’t good. This will only add to her worries—I’m concerned about her well-being.”

Nanny Fu said, “We can only hope that the eldest young master’s wife can shoulder the burden of managing the household, so Old Madam can finally let go.”

Qin Shuying nodded slightly: “Let’s hope so.”

“This servant has heard that the eldest young master’s wife is well-educated and reasonable, and has been a virtuous helpmate by the eldest young master’s side. Miss, rest assured—she will certainly live up to expectations.”

Qin Shuying remained silent. She really didn’t know much about this elder sister-in-law.

Seeing Qin Shuying’s silence, Nanny Fu assumed she agreed and changed the topic: “But the Lu family got off too easily! I’ve always seen that Lu Changxuan isn’t a good person—capable of having an affair with his own sister-in-law, slandering Second Miss, and watching his own biological son die of illness. What kind of good person could he be! Who would have thought he’d be so shameless as to try to extend his reach into the Qin family, attempting to confine Miss! And daring to ruin Miss’s reputation in front of so many people! Such scum deserves to die a hundred times over!”

Ziteng raised her head, her gaze burning as she looked at Qin Shuying.

Qin Shuying continued looking out the window, where a tree of peach blossoms stood ready to bloom, delicate and bright.

“No rush—this was just the first step. Nanny, rest assured, however others treat me, I’ll treat them the same way. I won’t let Lu Changxuan off. Ziteng, how are things progressing with what I asked you to handle?”

Ziteng suppressed the cold hatred in her eyes and said quietly, “Miss, regarding that family, this servant has given them some silver and has been secretly following your instructions all along.”

“Very good. Ziteng, tell Nanny the details about this family. Nanny, I’ll need your help with this matter.”

Hearing the master and servant’s conversation, Nanny Fu roughly understood it was about dealing with Lu Changxuan. She was somewhat surprised—had Miss arranged this early on?

“Miss, just give your orders. If you need my shopkeeper husband to step forward, this servant will have him handle the matter perfectly.”

A smile appeared at the corner of Qin Shuying’s lips. Nanny Fu truly lived up to being someone from the palace—intelligent and perceptive, understanding immediately. Over the past half year, she hadn’t hidden any of her affairs from Nanny Fu, except for this matter, which she hadn’t told her about yet. It wasn’t that she couldn’t tell her, but that Nanny Fu would have been powerless to help. Now that she needed her assistance, naturally Shopkeeper Jin would need to step forward.

Since this was Qin Yaoyao’s revenge, the Zhou family’s revenge, having Ziteng personally carry it out would be best.

“It’s like this. I discovered that the Lu family has a feud with one family—they actually killed that entire family. But Lu Changxuan doesn’t know that before dying, that family actually left behind traces. Lu Changxuan is extremely vicious. My actions today have already provoked his murderous intent. If I don’t strike first, I fear he’ll take my life someday.”

Nanny Fu was stunned and found it somewhat hard to believe: “This… Lu Changxuan isn’t that capable, is he? If Miss doesn’t go out, no matter how long his reach, there’s still Old Madam in the manor.”

Qin Shuying gave a cold laugh: “No, he not only has this audacity but will quickly put it into practice. Does Nanny know who that massacred family was?”

Nanny Fu thought and thought but couldn’t figure it out. Qin Shuying said coldly, “It was Second Miss’s concubine mother’s natal family—the Zhou family!”

“What!” Nanny Fu broke out in cold sweat. “How dare he? When Second Miss married him, he had nothing. It was thanks to Second Miss that the Lu family could live a respectable life. He… he… he’s worse than a beast!”

“What’s surprising about that? He could watch his own biological son die, and let Feng… that child bear the stigma of being illegitimate. What wouldn’t he do?”

Ziteng had been listening silently to Qin Shuying and Nanny Fu’s conversation. At this moment, something in her mind seemed to be touched, recalling Seventh Miss’s strange tear at the Lu Manor…

Qin Shuying seemed not to notice the strangeness in her gaze and continued: “Nanny, Lu Changxuan must be eliminated! No, I won’t let him die—I want to make his life worse than death.”

Qin Shuying’s tone was light, without any grinding of teeth, but hearing it, both women couldn’t help but feel chills down their backs.