She withdrew her gaze from the peach blossoms, her tone still calm: “This Lu Changxuan is a person of deep scheming who only seeks profit. His career prospects are his lifeline—if he loses his future, he’ll be worse than a dog. To destroy someone’s future, there are only two methods: first, criminal wrongdoing; second, physical disability. If both conditions are met, Lu Changxuan will be finished. Nanny, Ziteng, remember well: Lu Changxuan must not die. What I want is for him to suffer both fates.”

Nanny Fu and Ziteng, seeing Qin Shuying speak so specifically, memorized her words and replied: “Yes.”

The criminal aspect—Qin Shuying had already given them the hint, using the Zhou family matter to convict Lu Changxuan. As for physical disability… that meant crippling Lu Changxuan.

The Great Zhou had regulations: all disabled persons were forbidden from serving as court officials.

After Nanny Fu and Ziteng withdrew, Qin Shuying sat quietly for a moment, then rose and pulled a book from the bookshelf. After examining the title page briefly, she opened the book, took up her brush in her right hand, and began carefully reading and copying.

At the Conquering West General’s Manor, Songtao Residence.

Liang Yanjun gave Liang Zhe a complete account of everything he had witnessed during the day and the information he had gathered afterward.

Liang Zhe’s brow relaxed as he listened: “This Qin Shuying is not only ruthless but capable of following through with her plans.”

Liang Yanjun asked: “Young Master, how do you know her?”

Liang Zhe stood up and paced several steps around the study, recounting the events at Duke Chu’s manor, then continued: “Speaking of coincidences, some days ago I was seeking peace and quiet in the palace. I was sleeping soundly when I heard Fifth Princess’s palace maid making a tremendous fuss. I originally wanted to avoid the situation—the daily chatter is insufferably annoying. But just as I sat up and stretched, I heard this Seventh Miss Qin speak. It was truly… astounding words, absolutely extraordinary.”

Liang Yanjun’s expression darkened. A valiant general like his young master was now confined to the rear palace—the frustration he must feel inside. So these past two months, his young master merely went through the motions in the palace daily, muddling through his days. Sleeping during broad daylight was something that had never happened since his young master’s birth.

Liang Yanjun felt pained in his heart but teased Liang Zhe with words: “So Young Master listened to everything she said and even remembered her name?”

Liang Zhe laughed heartily: “Having seen her today, have you ever encountered such a young lady before?”

Liang Yanjun replied: “Never have I seen one.”

“Then let’s properly watch this drama unfold. With nothing to occupy ourselves these days, finding some amusement isn’t bad.”

Nothing to occupy ourselves…

Liang Yanjun’s heart was seized tightly again, but he steered the conversation away from his young master: “Neither the Lu family nor the Qin Manor’s Madam Xu are good people. Young Master, should your subordinate lend assistance?”

Liang Zhe said: “Wait and observe first. I noticed that young lady seemed confident in her plans—she probably doesn’t need our help. You just need to listen daily and report back to me. Oh yes, if anything happens, you can inform me as well—I’ll go see for myself.”

Liang Yanjun agreed with a heavy heart.

At Lu Manor.

After Lu Changxuan had seen off his daytime guests, his expression immediately turned dark.

Qin Feifei had already heard about the day’s events. Her heart was in complete chaos, filled with panic. She hadn’t expected those people to discuss Qin Yaoyao’s death in such terms.

Therefore, after all guests had departed and the main gate was closed, Qin Feifei went to the study to wait for Lu Changxuan.

However, Lu Changxuan first had to go to Compassionate Heart Hall to comfort Old Madam Lu. Only after the old madam had retired for the night did he return to the study with a severe headache.

The moment he stepped into the study, Qin Feifei anxiously rushed forward and said urgently: “Husband, Seventh Sister was truly too outrageous!”

Lu Changxuan’s originally somber expression softened when he saw Qin Feifei: “She’s young and ignorant. People won’t believe Seventh Miss—you needn’t worry, my lady. I have my own methods to handle this matter properly.”

Qin Feifei’s anxious heart settled slightly, and she asked: “What method? Could you tell your concubine?”

But Lu Changxuan said: “The timing isn’t yet ripe. When the time comes, I’ll naturally tell you, my lady.”

Qin Feifei’s anxious expression remained, and while Lu Changxuan’s smile didn’t fade, irritation grew in his heart.

For some reason, he found himself thinking of the former Qin Yaoyao. Whenever there were household difficulties, Qin Yaoyao never pestered him with questions but immediately took action to seek solutions.

“Husband, please tell your concubine! Perhaps your concubine can also contribute some effort.”

Contribute effort?

She had returned to her natal home several times but couldn’t persuade Qin Shuying to share a portion of the shops with them. Now Lu Manor’s expenses exceeded income, and if no solution could be found… dismissing servants and reducing expenditures had already been implemented for some time.

Still talking about contributing effort?

Lu Changxuan impassively walked around her toward the inner study, saying as he went: “You’ve just completed your confinement period and shouldn’t worry excessively. Once you’ve recovered your health properly, I’ll tell you everything in detail.”

Qin Feifei was still unwilling to give up and continued asking: “Husband…”

But Lu Changxuan had already walked to the bookcase and picked up paper and brush, saying: “My lady, I still have some matters to attend to.”

A trace of unease appeared on Qin Feifei’s beautiful face. Lu Changxuan rarely treated her this way. What was wrong with him? His worry was natural, but why treat her like this?

Though Lu Changxuan didn’t look at Qin Feifei, he could sense her sadness, yet he didn’t raise his eyes. Instead, he sat down, lifted his wrist, and began writing with his brush.

Originally, his intention had been simply to divorce Qin Yaoyao. But Qin Feifei had disagreed.

He understood her reasoning—if Qin Yaoyao were divorced, when Qin Feifei returned to her natal home, she would still see this Second Sister, constantly reminding Qin Feifei that Qin Yaoyao was Lu Changxuan’s legitimate wife. Moreover, this wouldn’t fit with Xu Shi’s reputation for treating concubine-born daughters kindly.

Later, when they confined Qin Yaoyao to that wretched room, Lu Changxuan had wanted Qin Yaoyao to “die of illness.” Who could have known that Qin Yaoyao was so healthy she didn’t fall sick. Instead, Feng’er became ill and died. Even so, Qin Yaoyao stubbornly held on and refused to die. For two full months there was no sign she would die of illness.

Qin Feifei, anxious and unable to wait, set a fire and burned Qin Yaoyao to death.

If Qin Feifei hadn’t been so hasty, he wouldn’t have had to endure so much criticism today.

Lu Changxuan didn’t realize he harbored some resentment toward Qin Feifei, thinking her too foolish.

Moreover, Qin Feifei was a legitimate daughter of the Qin Manor yet was extremely stingy. She was reluctant to bring out her own fine things but took some good items from her cousin Qin Shuying to present to Old Madam Lu, winning the old madam’s favor.

If not for this, Qin Shuying wouldn’t have been so aggressive today, refusing to let the matter rest.

Qin Feifei walked around the study twice, agitated and at a loss, and fearing Lu Changxuan’s annoyance, finally said: “The child hasn’t seen me for a while and probably misses me. I’ll go check on him.”

She waited hopefully for Lu Changxuan to speak—perhaps he would accompany her to see their child.

But Lu Changxuan didn’t even lift his head, merely giving an indifferent “Mm” and continuing to write with concentrated effort.

Qin Feifei departed in extreme disappointment.