“What wouldn’t she dare do? Even Mother has to feign illness now, doesn’t she? If Mother is in such a state, what scruples would she have toward me? I think she’s planning to instigate sister-in-law to casually find me any family to marry into!”

“She wouldn’t dare!” Xu Shi slammed the table, then seemed to think of something and sat back down. “Your sister-in-law isn’t that kind of person. She couldn’t possibly be casually swayed by her.”

Qin Yunyun sneered, “Money makes the devil work. Sister-in-law’s family isn’t wealthy – where would they have seen so much gleaming silver?”

Dong Shi’s father naturally had a low salary, and later resigned from office due to illness to return home. The family had no other substantial income, so Dong Shi had never lived a luxurious life.

When Qin Kaile’s engagement was arranged, Qin Yongtao was only a fifth-rank official, and although Consort Lian had given birth to the Sixth Prince, she was still only a Beauty, several ranks away from concubine status. Therefore, the Qin family’s standing wasn’t high, and arranging the match with Dong Shi was considered well-matched.

Now that the Dong family had lost power, Xu Shi didn’t think much of Dong Shi. But since Dong Shi was her son’s legitimate wife, she maintained some propriety.

Xu Shi said, “Alright, I know what you’re worried about. Your sister-in-law has been following your elder brother in his official posts and has seen everything. She’s no longer the sheltered young lady she once was, so don’t worry. Besides, she’s your own sister-in-law and will naturally side with you.”

Qin Yunyun was actually just venting her anger, not truly suspecting Dong Shi, especially since Dong Shi hadn’t even returned yet. After Xu Shi’s words, she also felt she had gone too far, but she was accustomed to smooth sailing and had become restless after repeated setbacks. She had been somewhat resentful toward Xu Shi these days, so she didn’t respond to Xu Shi’s words, just stiffened her neck and picked up her tea to drink.

Xu Shi had been unhappy these past few days, and Qin Yunyun came each time with various complaints that she found extremely tiresome. The two often parted unhappily.

After sitting in silence for a while, Qin Yunyun said, “Cousin has returned and will come to visit the family. Does Mother want to see her?”

She meant whether, when Xu Peiwei came to visit the sick, Xu Shi would have her sit outside briefly to “visit the patient,” or speak with Xu Peiwei face to face.

Old Madam had Xu Shi step down from managing the household due to illness, but Xu Shi hadn’t determined how serious this illness should be. After all, if Dong Shi returned and Xu Shi no longer managed the household, that would be reasonable. Should she continue feigning illness or turn to Buddhist devotion?

After much consideration, Xu Shi said, “After your sister-in-law returns, I’ll abstain from meat and chant Buddhist scriptures. These days, I’m just feeling unwell, so seeing Peiwei is acceptable.”

Qin Yunyun knew Xu Shi had made up her mind to turn to Buddhist devotion. This didn’t mean going to a small Buddhist hall – the Qin residence was newly built and didn’t have a small Buddhist hall, but there was a quiet room.

Old Madam’s Buddhist devotion meant rising each morning to chant and copy scriptures daily without interruption. On the first and fifteenth of each month, she would bathe and eat vegetarian food for three days without leaving the Qin residence.

It sounded easy but wasn’t really. Rising and washing before dawn, cleaning hands, then chanting and reciting scriptures until early morning – a full hour each time. In the evening, from seven to eight o’clock, another full hour of the same.

Using the first and fifteenth as the middle day, plus one day before and after each, meant six days each month of bathing, eating vegetarian food, chanting Buddhist scriptures, and maintaining mental quietude for the entire day without leaving the Qin residence or easily seeing people. Of course, visiting temples was permitted.

This wasn’t easy for Xu Shi, but since Old Madam had done this long-term, Xu Shi had to follow suit. It was still better than feigning illness and being confined to her courtyard.

Previously, Xu Shi had deceived Qin Shuying into believing she was a jinx, and Qin Shuying had lived like this every day. Qin Shuying copied scriptures daily, sincerely praying for her parents and washing away the sins on her body – believing she had cursed her parents to death.

Over time, Qin Shuying became immersed in the Buddhist world, hearing nothing of outside affairs, obeying Xu Shi’s manipulations completely, until her life finally ended.

Qin Yunyun agreed, then said, “Sister-in-law hasn’t been seen for several years. Yue’er is now of marriageable age.”

The corners of Xu Shi’s mouth lifted slightly, “I wonder what Yue’er and Shuo’er look like now. It’s good that your sister-in-law is returning. No matter how good Yangzhou is, it can’t compare to the capital. Yue’er’s marriage should be arranged in the capital.”

Qin Yue and Qin Shuo were the children of Qin Kaile and Dong Shi.

Besides Dong Shi as the legitimate wife, Qin Kaile also had two concubines and one chamber maid. They also had children who would probably be brought back this time.

Concubine Miao’s daughter was born the same year as Qin Yue, and Concubine Luo’s son was one year younger than Qin Shuo.

Qin Yunyun remembered another matter and said, “It’s been half a month since the examinations ended, and results will be announced soon. Mother, this is a good opportunity.”

Xu Shi was puzzled. Yue’er was only eleven years old. This business of catching husbands at the examination results, especially for the metropolitan examinations, involved men at least sixteen or seventeen years old, and many might already be engaged. What husband was there to catch?

On second thought, she realized – Yue’er was young, but wasn’t Yun girl just the right age?

Her face brightened as Xu Shi said, “Exactly so. I’ll speak well to your sister-in-law about this.”

Seeing her expression, Qin Yunyun knew what Xu Shi was thinking and couldn’t help feeling secretly anxious. Her intention was to hint that Xu Shi should immediately find a way to steal Liu Junqing’s marriage arrangement, not to catch some husband for herself at the examination results.

The metropolitan examinations selected three hundred people each time. These men had progressed from child students to now, and were at least in their twenties. Cousin Xu Zhiyang was twenty-five, and he was considered young and promising.

Most were in their twenties or thirties, or even older. How could she, Qin Yunyun, find them acceptable?

Thinking of this, Qin Yunyun could no longer hold back and said, “Mother, are you willing to be completely dominated by that jinx?”

“Of course not.” Xu Shi quickly denied.

After these events, she had inexplicably developed a fearful feeling toward Qin Shuying. But to admit that she was inferior to Qin Shuying and was being controlled by her was absolutely impossible.

Who was she, and who was Qin Shuying? How could she possibly be controlled by a young girl?

Where would that leave her face?

Qin Yunyun’s expression turned vicious, “Mother, you once taught me that when facing something I want, I should strive for it with all my might. How does that jinx deserve Young Master Liu?”

Xu Shi was stunned, then immediately understood Qin Yunyun’s intentions.

“Yun’er, you…”

Qin Yunyun’s face carried a ruthlessness inappropriate for her age as she said, “Mother, Young Master Liu will certainly achieve great success this time. Such a family – are you willing to let that jinx take advantage? Mother, in what way are we inferior to her? She has now lost both father and mother, relying only on eldest sister and father. She should give us the best things! Since she won’t hand them over, I’ll snatch them away. Who knows whether Young Master Liu might not fancy me instead?”

Xu Shi looked at Qin Yunyun, unable to speak for a long while.

Looking at her daughter’s beautiful face, Xu Shi felt both gratified and worried.