Shuangyun Pace.

  When Qin Shuying entered with a frown and her hair slightly disheveled, Qin Yunyun couldn’t suppress the excitement in her heart. She didn’t even notice that Consort Lian hadn’t shown up.

  “Seventh Sister, what happened to you?”

  Qin Shuying hesitated, gncing at Qin Yunyun and then at Madam Xu, before stammering, “It’s nothing… nothing at all.”

  Qin Yunyun was delighted—things seemed to have gone as pnned. Hmph, after today’s offense against a noble dy, Grandmother would surely be furious when she found out, and the Liu family engagement might very well be called off.

  Feigning concern, Qin Yunyun took Qin Shuying’s hand and guided her to sit on an embroidered stool. “Seventh Sister, we’re family. What’s there that you can’t tell me? Let me help you figure it out.”

  You just want to see me humiliated, don’t you? Qin Shuying sat up straight, refusing to answer Qin Yunyun’s probing questions. “Sixth Sister, it’s really nothing.”

  Madam Xu interjected, “Seventh Girl, whatever it is, the Consort will handle it for you. There’s no need to worry.”

  Qin Shuying’s eyes widened slightly, her bright gaze fixed on Madam Xu, as if realizing something. “No matter what it is, the Consort will handle it?”

  Madam Xu raised her chin with pride. “Of course.”

  Qin Shuying appeared thoughtful, as though she had come to an understanding.

  Seeing her reaction, Madam Xu thought to herself that everything was falling into pce. The idea of having control over Qin Shuying’s shops, with an endless flow of silver, brought a smile to her face.

  “Seventh Girl, this is the benefit of having someone powerful to back you up. Think about it—if not for the Consort, would you even be here in the pace? Imagine how many people envy you for earning her favor. In the future, even in the Liu family, if someone dares to offend you, they’ll think twice.”

  Qin Shuying lowered her head slightly, looking shy.

  Is she agreeing with me? Madam Xu’s delight grew, though her expression remained composed. “As a noble young dy, you should prepare for your marriage. Stop wandering around outside—it damages your reputation. Even if the Liu family respects the Consort, they may not be pleased. And if they’re unhappy, your days won’t be easy.”

  Qin Shuying looked up at Madam Xu again, her face calm and unreadable.

  Madam Xu assumed her words had sunk in. Feeling satisfied, she took a sip of tea and dabbed her lips with a handkerchief.

  Qin Yunyun was secretly annoyed but knew now wasn’t the time to act. She trusted her mother had other pns to ensure Qin Shuying would end up with nothing.

  She chimed in, “Seventh Sister, Mistress Long is back. We should focus on refining our embroidery, poetry, and music. Managing the household is what women of schorly families like us should prioritize. Besides, the weather is improving, and Mother pns to take us out to meet noblewomen. It’s a great chance to broaden our horizons and make connections. As for your shops, hand them over to Mother. She’ll manage them fwlessly for you. You don’t realize how much the prestigious families in the capital despise merchants. If you keep going to your shops, they’ll surely criticize you. Seventh Sister, don’t let a small matter ruin something greater.”

  Qin Shuying’s clear eyes locked on Qin Yunyun, listening intently to every word.

  It had been a while since Qin Shuying was this compliant. Qin Yunyun was secretly pleased, and Madam Xu was also quite content.

  “Seventh Girl, your Sixth Sister is speaking from the heart. Only family would be so considerate. Let me take care of your shops. Times have changed. The Liu family already knows you manage so many shops and is starting to disapprove. Think of Young Master Liu—such an outstanding young man. He easily passed the schor exam and is bound to succeed in the imperial exams. If he finds out you’re managing businesses like a merchant, do you think he’d be happy? This is no small matter, Seventh Girl. The Liu family engagement is the best match you can get right now, and they’re only considering it because of the Consort. If it were anyone else, they’d have already called off the engagement knowing about your behavior.”

  After listening, Qin Shuying smiled lightly and said, “What Madam Xu said is very true.”

  Isn’t it? The Liu family was indeed only considering the marriage out of respect for Consort Lian.

  Seeing Qin Shuying so agreeable, Madam Xu was thrilled. “Then it’s settled.”

  Qin Shuying sat there, smiling serenely, revealing no hint of unease.

  Qin Yunyun smirked inwardly. Just wait until I wrest control of the shops away from her and tell Grandmother about how she offended a noble in the pace. Let’s see if she can still smile then!

  Madam Xu had finished her speech. Since the pace maids nearby were not trusted confidants of Consort Lian, she couldn’t speak too openly. Instead, she sipped her tea with satisfaction.

  Growing bored, Madam Xu turned to a nearby pace maid and asked, “Why hasn’t the Consort returned yet?”

  Eunuch Xi had gone out to gather news when he noticed Consort Lian was still absent, so he wasn’t around.

  The maid, not being one of Consort Lian’s trusted attendants, naturally knew nothing about her pns or whereabouts. She replied, “Madam, I don’t know, but I’ll go and check.”

  Madam Xu nodded. The maid was about to leave when Qin Shuying interjected, “There’s no need to check. Just now, Handan made a mistake, and the Consort has taken her to De Lin Pace to apologize.”

  “To… De Lin Pace? What? What did you say?”

  Madam Xu was so shocked that she lost her grip on her teacup, which fell to the floor. Thankfully, the carpet cushioned the fall, and the cup didn’t break.

  Qin Shuying remained composed, her smile unwavering. “Handan offended Princess Fuping, so the Consort went to De Lin Pace to apologize to Consort De. From what I’ve heard, Handan will likely be punished with thirty strikes.”

  “What… you…”

  Qin Yunyun froze momentarily, then suddenly stood up, pointing at Qin Shuying as if to speak. But after a brief hesitation, she swallowed her words and lowered her hand.

  She stared at Qin Shuying in shock, her mind racing. A wave of panic surged through her, leaving her almost breathless.

  Madam Xu quickly put the pieces together. Handan must have failed! When Handan took Qin Shuying out earlier, she returned looking as if the pn had succeeded, and Qin Shuying had fallen into the trap. Madam Xu had assumed that Consort Lian’s involvement ensured success and hadn’t thought much of it.

  But now, it seemed that Qin Shuying had turned the tables and dragged Handan down instead!

  Qin Shuying’s smile lingered as she continued, “It seems Handan was acting under someone’s orders, attempting to sow discord between Consort De and Consort Lian. Thirty strikes might leave her clinging to life by a thread. Madam, don’t you think it’s strange? Handan is Consort Lian’s personal maid, yet she dared to test Consort De’s attitude. Isn’t this bound to make Consort De angry with Consort Lian? Oh dear! I’m so worried for Consort Lian!”

  Madam Xu staggered, nearly losing her bance.