On this day of going to the Xu residence, the weather was still fine—cloudless for miles with an azure sky.

Qin Yunyun, Qin Shuying, and Qin Lulu shared one carriage.

Ziteng, Lu Ye, Caiying, Cai Luan, and Qin Lulu’s maid all sat in the vehicle behind.

After that incident with Cai Yan, she naturally could no longer serve Qin Yunyun, so Qin Yunyun sent her home to recuperate from illness. But how could her legs possibly be saved? They ended up broken.

From then on, Cai Yan could never return to the Qin residence. It was said that when Cai Yan learned her legs could never stand again, she immediately wanted to seek death, but her parents discovered it in time and saved her.

Cai Luan was the first-class maid who was promoted later to fill the position.

“Fifth Sister, Seventh Sister, when Peiwei comes from Shu, she’s brought so many wonderful things. I heard there are wooden birds that can flap their wings and even walk by themselves—truly remarkable.”

Qin Shuying said: “Indeed remarkable.”

Qin Yunyun seemed completely unconcerned about Xu Shi being confined to her quarters, and also appeared to have forgotten about losing her temper at Qin Shuying and Qin Lulu a few days ago.

She continued: “My cousin is most thoughtful—she’s also brought things for you two. I don’t know what strange and wonderful items they are, but I’m already eager to see them.”

Qin Lulu’s curiosity was piqued: “You’re saying there really are wooden birds that can flap wings and walk?”

Qin Yunyun glanced at Qin Shuying, and seeing that she was also looking at her with a smile, said: “How could this be false? I’ve seen it in books too, but didn’t dare believe it. Today we’ll really get to broaden our horizons.”

Qin Shuying said: “Speaking of which, I also seem to have seen it in some book.”

Qin Lulu became even more curious, pestering Qin Yunyun with questions about this and that.

Qin Yunyun was pleased and didn’t hold back, sharing everything she knew. Qin Shuying occasionally interjected a sentence or two, appearing quite interested.

Qin Yunyun became even more pleased—she didn’t believe that even with such ingenious objects, Qin Shuying wouldn’t take the bait.

However, every time she spoke with Qin Shuying, she inevitably had to see the jewelry on her head, ears, and neck, and Qin Yunyun’s heart ached as if being carved out.

This set of jewelry was simply dazzling to Qin Yunyun’s eyes!

The Xu family were genuine natives of the capital. From the previous dynasty to the current one, the clan had always produced great talent, with many civil officials. Although they never produced anyone who ultimately reached the position of Grand Secretary, they couldn’t be stopped from having flourishing branches and leaves with many officials—they were also a family that ranked among the notable ones.

The current head of the Xu family was Xu Shi’s own younger brother, Xu Minyi. Xu Minyi held a position of third rank in the Wenyuan Pavilion.

Xu Minyi had married Mao Shi, the legitimate daughter of the great Mao clan from Shu.

The Xu and Mao families were well-matched in social status.

Mao Shi had given birth to a pair of children: Xu Zhiyang and Xu Peiwei. Xu Zhiyang was twenty-five years old, had long since married and had children, and had also achieved scholarly honors. Xu Peiwei was a few months older than Qin Yunyun and had also had her marriage arranged—her betrothed was the legitimate eldest son of the Chengen Earl’s residence.

Among the founding heroes of the Great Zhou who were enfeoffed as marquises and princes, not many remained today.

The Chengen Earl’s residence was one of them, but in terms of reputation, it was even inferior to the Zhuangmu Earl’s residence. The Zhuangmu Earl’s residence could still inherit a title, but the Chengen Earl’s residence would have its title stripped away within another generation and be reduced to commoner status.

However, the Chengen Earl’s residence hadn’t fallen into debt to the extent of the Zhuangmu Earl’s residence. Although the Chengen Earl’s position wasn’t high, he held an actual post, and several people in the earl’s residence had made progress in their official careers. The young man Xu Peiwei was betrothed to was much better than Sun Qingping. It was said he was ambitious and had long since passed the xiucai examination, and was now studying very diligently.

Therefore, this marriage could also be considered well-matched.

However, compared to the Liu family, this Chengen Earl’s residence only sounded impressive but had no one wielding real power. How could it compare to the Liu family having second-rank officials at court, plus several third-rank officials?

Thus, Xu Peiwei had often been jealous of Qin Shuying, making many sour remarks.

If she were to see such a romantic figure as Liu Junqing, who knows what she might say.

Before long, they arrived at the Xu residence.

At the side gate, Xu Peiwei’s personal nanny was already waiting there. Upon seeing the carriage, she immediately came forward with a smile. Qin Lulu, Qin Yunyun, and Qin Shuying emerged one after another.

“Fifth Miss, Sixth Miss, Seventh Miss! This servant greets the three young ladies.”

This Nanny Yang was very polite, her ruddy face smiling like a bodhisattva. However, Qin Shuying noticed that when Nanny Yang saw her, her smile clearly paused for a moment.

Fifth Miss Xu had probably already learned of her “masterpiece” while in Shu! She had always been close friends with Qin Yunyun, so naturally they would exchange letters.

Qin Shuying calmly alighted from the carriage and heard Qin Yunyun say to Nanny Yang: “We’re all family, so you needn’t be so formal, Nanny.”

Nanny Yang hurriedly agreed: “Yes! Sixth Miss, our young lady has been talking about this for so long. Please, quickly come in!”

Qin Yunyun led the way, with the others following in succession.

The Xu family’s courtyard was spacious, with many pavilions and towers built throughout, lush flowers and plants, and the fragrance of flowers wafting as they walked, intoxicating to the senses.

Since they had come, they naturally had to first go see Mao Shi, the mistress of the household. The courtyard where Mao Shi lived had tall buildings constructed, trees artfully arranged, and was fragrant with flowers.

Upon entering the room, Mao Shi sat in the center, with Xu Peiwei and a young married woman sitting to her left and right respectively. Additionally, several steward nannies and personal maids were standing nearby.

“Maternal Aunt!” Qin Yunyun called out sweetly and performed a courtesy.

Mao Shi was all smiles, saying: “Yun girl, it’s been so long since you came.”

Qin Shuying and Qin Lulu also performed courtesies, saying: “We greet Madam and Elder Sister-in-law Xu.”

Mao Shi said: “Coming here, just be like Yun girl and call me Maternal Aunt—being so formal would create distance between us.”

These were merely polite words, which Qin Shuying and Qin Lulu naturally wouldn’t take seriously.

Maids brought stools for them, and the three sat according to their closeness to the family.

Xu Peiwei’s sister-in-law, Xu Zhiyang’s wife, also smiled and said: “These three girls standing together are similar in height, each more delicate and pretty than the last. The Qin residence truly knows how to raise people.”

Qin Shuying lowered her head with a somewhat shy appearance. When Qin Yunyun caught sight of this, she felt a surge of anger—Qin Shuying was quite good at pretending to be shy! Later, she would make her truly feel shy!

Qin Lulu had an cheerful personality and said: “Elder Sister-in-law Xu, please don’t praise us anymore—you’re making me embarrassed.”

Xu Peiwei looked at Qin Lulu with disdain. She was merely the legitimate daughter of a concubine-born son. Her sending an invitation was just for show—yet Qin Lulu had the audacity not to decline and actually came.

She really didn’t know her place!

Xu Peiwei snorted inwardly and turned her gaze to Qin Shuying. When she discovered the purple jade butterfly dance hairpin on her head and the complete matching set of purple jade butterfly dance jewelry on her ears and neck, a flash of madness appeared in her eyes.

Jewelry made from purple jade, such a rare jade stone—she also had a set, but usually couldn’t bear to wear it, only donning it for the most solemn occasions. Yet here was Qin Shuying, casually wearing it on her head, ears, and neck.

Didn’t she know how much silver this cost?

This entire set would cost at least twenty thousand taels!

Although her maternal grandmother’s family was wealthy in their region, they never dared to be ostentatious, always prioritizing restraint and dignity. Such jewelry existed as treasures kept at the bottom of trunks.

Especially now that such an incident had occurred…