Xu Peiwei didn’t want to think about her maternal family’s affairs, and instead recalled what Qin Yunyun had mentioned about Qin Shuying in her letters… How dare she!

Just as she was thinking this, she heard Mao Shi say: “Yun girl, your sister has been thinking of you every day. It wasn’t easy for her to return and finally see you.”

Xu Peiwei collected herself, raised her eyebrows, and said: “Sister Yun, come quickly with me. I have wonderful things to show you.”

Having said this, she stood up and, ignoring Qin Shuying and Qin Lulu entirely, pulled Qin Yunyun’s hand and led the way out of the courtyard.

Such behavior was quite rude, but Mao Shi just smiled and covered for her daughter: “Seeing you all come, this girl can’t wait to show off those novel items. Go on then—Peiwei has brought good things for all of you, everyone has something.”

Qin Shuying didn’t mind Xu Peiwei’s rudeness and blatant disdain, merely smiling faintly.

Qin Yunyun took leave from Mao Shi, with Qin Shuying and Qin Lulu following closely behind, heading successively toward Xu Peiwei’s courtyard.

After leaving the courtyard and turning a corner, Xu Peiwei gave her personal maid a meaningful look. The maid stopped walking and said to Ziteng and the others with a smile: “The young ladies have things to discuss. We shouldn’t follow too closely and disturb them—just serve from the side.”

Cai Luan and Caiying had received instructions, so naturally they slowed their pace. Ziteng and Lu Ye exchanged glances and also slowed down. The maid Qin Lulu had brought was naturally inconsequential.

Qin Shuying pretended not to notice.

Xu Peiwei had often done this before—dismissing the maids and old women, especially dismissing Nanny Fu, so that when the girls were together talking, she could use words to squeeze out and mock Qin Shuying.

The Qin Shuying of that time had lost her parents and was in a state of helpless panic, originally harboring feelings of closeness toward Xu Peiwei. Who would have expected that Xu Peiwei would strike her heart with wounds upon wounds.

Xu Peiwei pulled Qin Yunyun along talking, paying no attention to Qin Shuying and Qin Lulu behind them.

“Sister Yun, you must take a good look at the wonderful things I brought you. Isn’t it strange? A wooden bird can actually walk! I didn’t believe it at first either, but when my cousin took me to buy it, I couldn’t move a step once I saw it…”

Xu Peiwei’s voice was neither too loud nor too soft—just right for Qin Shuying and Qin Lulu walking behind them to hear clearly.

Qin Lulu was naturally lively and quite curious about these things, but she wasn’t a fool. Knowing that Xu Peiwei didn’t regard her highly, the novelty she’d felt in the carriage faded considerably.

Qin Shuying walked slowly, admiring the Xu family’s garden, which was indeed quite pleasant.

Seeing that Qin Shuying and Qin Lulu followed behind unhurriedly, neither asking questions nor showing curiosity, Xu Peiwei became displeased.

“Sister Yun, these two sisters of yours are truly rude! Coming to my home as guests, they don’t even speak. Could it be they’ve never associated with noble ladies of the capital? How petty—going out like this truly brings shame to your Qin residence!”

This tone was comparable to Lu Changju’s.

Qin Shuying still remained silent.

Xu Peiwei snorted. Previously she had thought her cousin was exaggerating. What kind of person was Qin Shuying? How could she possibly have become so formidable?

Looking now, it did seem rather strange. Hearing such mocking words, she didn’t even blink an eye.

She didn’t believe Qin Shuying could be that formidable. Raising her eyebrows, she said: “Hey, Qin Shuying, what are you looking at? Why aren’t you speaking? I thought you’d gone mute! Speaking of which, it’s quite laughable—someone like you actually dares to come out after receiving an invitation? If I were you, I’d lock myself in my courtyard and never come out to embarrass myself again!”

Previously, Xu Peiwei had always been this cutting in her speech. The Qin Shuying of that time had never suffered such bullying, and was repeatedly trampled underfoot by Xu Peiwei, unable to rise.

But now, facing Xu Peiwei’s naked provocation, Qin Shuying’s face, beautiful as a delicate flower, showed no particular expression.

Xu Peiwei assumed Qin Shuying still had her former temperament and became even more unrestrained: “Only Aunt is so good-natured, letting you come out to show off. It’s just a pity that apart from coming to my house, no one else is willing to invite you anywhere.”

Then she raised her eyebrows, waiting to see Qin Shuying’s embarrassment and bewilderment.

Who would have expected that Qin Shuying would instead show a big smile and ask unhurriedly: “Cousin Peiwei, does your residence keep a dog?”

“A dog?”

Xu Peiwei was stunned—what dog was there?

Qin Yunyun immediately realized that Qin Shuying definitely had nothing good to say next. She was about to divert the topic when Qin Shuying, not waiting for her to speak, quickly continued: “If you don’t keep a dog, how did I just hear a dog barking wildly?”

“Pfft!”

Qin Lulu couldn’t help but laugh out loud. She understood that Qin Shuying was mocking Xu Peiwei. Serves her right! Who told Xu Peiwei to be so arrogant!

Qin Lulu wasn’t one to be bullied either, so she said: “I also heard a dog barking.”

Seeing Qin Lulu laugh and say such things, Xu Peiwei also understood that Qin Shuying was making fun of her!

Without thinking, Xu Peiwei raised her arm and struck toward Qin Shuying: “Insolent! You ill-bred wretch…”

But Qin Shuying lightly dodged, avoiding Xu Peiwei’s slap, then fanned her nose as if smelling something particularly foul, showing a disgusted expression, and said: “Not only is there a dog, but also dog farts and dog shit!”

“Hahaha…”

Qin Lulu burst out laughing, without any awareness that she should restrain herself while being a guest in someone else’s home.

Xu Peiwei trembled with anger. When had she ever suffered such insult? Pointing at Qin Shuying, she blurted out: “Get out!”

Qin Shuying’s pretty face darkened, and with a flick of her hand, she threw Xu Peiwei’s invitation to the ground: “I thought you went to great trouble inviting me here for something good.”

Having said this, she turned and walked away.

Xu Peiwei was stunned. Those were angry words—she didn’t really want Qin Shuying to leave. If she left, how would the later affairs be handled?

The most anxious person was Qin Yunyun. With no time to think more, she hurriedly went to pull Qin Shuying’s arm: “Seventh Sister, Cousin Peiwei speaks without thinking—please be more understanding. Since she sent an invitation and so solemnly invited you over, and even brought you a gift, isn’t that enough to prove her sincerity?”

Qin Shuying stopped, with a half-smile, and looked back at Xu Peiwei.

Xu Peiwei had a stifling anger in her chest, but thinking of what Qin Yunyun had asked Nanny Zhao to convey earlier, no matter how much resentment she felt, she had to swallow it back.

She hadn’t expected that Qin Shuying would really leave when she said she would. In the past, Qin Shuying could only meekly endure mistreatment.

Xu Peiwei bit her teeth and said: “Seventh Cousin, please… please forgive my thoughtless words! I didn’t mean it…”

Qin Shuying’s expression was indifferent as she asked in return: “Really?”

She actually dared to question her in return?

Xu Peiwei was furious but had to swallow her anger: “…Really.”