Qin Shuying was a bit surprised. Liu Junqing, standing before her, was only sixteen years old, yet his striking appearance and composed demeanor were far beyond his peers. Few could match him in steadiness and elegance at such a young age.

  Still, Qin Shuying had no interest in Liu Junqing, nor any intention of marrying him. Naturally, she harbored no other thoughts about him.

  The meeting was brief. After exchanging a few pleasantries, the Old Madam let Liu Junqing leave. He bowed politely and took his leave, leaving behind a room full of women with their own thoughts. The happiest among them was Nanny Fu.

  As soon as Liu Junqing left, Qin Yunyun and the others came out. Their expressions varied. Qin Fangfang kept sneaking gnces at Qin Shuying, her eyes filled with envy and jealousy, though Qin Shuying pretended not to notice, responding with a slight smile.

  Once Madam Liu had also departed and Madam Xu and Madam Zou went to see her off, Qin Fangfang couldn’t hold back her sour tone any longer. “Seventh Sister, you’re truly blessed!”

  Blushing slightly, Qin Shuying stomped her foot. “Eighth Sister, if you keep spouting nonsense, I won’t talk to you anymore!”

  The Old Madam chuckled cheerfully. “Eighth Girl, what’s wrong with that? Seventh Girl is lucky, and as a daughter of the Qin family, you’ll naturally have good fortune too!”

  Qin Fangfang, always eager to please the Old Madam, was overjoyed at these words, which felt like a promise. She quickly responded, “Grandmother, thank you!”

  Still, her heart couldn’t help but sour. A young man like Liu Junqing, so handsome, accomplished, and gentlemanly, wasn’t easy to find. Why did Qin Shuying, that bane of her life, get so lucky?

  If only Liu Junqing were her fiancé—how wonderful that would be! But as, as a concubine’s daughter, there was no way Liu Junqing, the sole heir of his family, could ever be promised to her.

  Qin Yunyun, on the other hand, was unusually quiet. She didn’t try to amuse the Old Madam as she usually did. Each gnce she cast at Qin Shuying carried a chill, her expression cold and distant.

  Qin Lulu looked from one to the other, saying nothing. After all, such a matter as marriage was not something a young girl like her could comment on.

  Qin Shuying lowered her gaze. Every word and action of Qin Yunyun and Qin Fangfang had been observed and noted. Earlier, her movement behind the screen was deliberate. And now, it seemed her bait had already been taken.

  The Old Madam dismissed the group, and the four sisters left the Xuantang Hall together before parting ways.

  Qin Shuying walked slowly, seemingly absorbed by the withered leaves and branches around her.

  Nanny Fu, filled with joy, failed to notice Qin Shuying’s leisurely pace. As soon as they were out of sight of the others, she excimed, “Amitabha! My dy, today is truly a day of joy! The master has a keen eye—Young Master Liu is such an outstanding gentleman!”

  Qin Shuying smiled faintly but said nothing.

  If she were to marry Liu Junqing, she would have to leave for Huzhou within two years. How could her pns for revenge be carried out then? Thus, marrying Liu Junqing was absolutely out of the question.

  Ziteng remained silent, her usual gloominess gone, though she didn’t seem particurly joyful either. Her expression stayed indifferent.

  Nanny Fu, still excited, remarked, “Ziteng, isn’t this a good thing? You should be happy for our dy too!”

  Ziteng gnced at Nanny Fu, then at Qin Shuying, and said, “Nanny Fu, it’s a bit early to celebrate this.”

  Nanny Fu, as if doused with cold water, immediately spat thrice to ward off bad luck. “What nonsense are you talking about, girl?”

  Seeing Qin Shuying unmoved, Ziteng added, “Nanny Fu, Madam Liu was overly polite to our dy.”

  Nanny Fu froze, her expression shifting several times. She wanted to say something but seemed unsure of how to phrase it.

  Qin Shuying gently brushed a strand of hair from her face and smiled. “Nanny, there’s no need for you to worry about such things.”

  Nanny Fu quickly interjected, “How could I not worry? My dy, the First Madam’s intentions are obvious—she’s after your wealth. Now that the Old Madam is getting on in years, your only protection is the Liu family. With their support, you wouldn’t have to fear the First Madam in the coming years…”

  Ziteng suddenly coughed softly. “Nanny, someone’s coming!”

  Nanny Fu immediately stopped talking. They turned to see Qin Fangfang approaching, her brightly colored dress standing out against the still-barren early spring ndscape. Her exquisite jewelry and radiant complexion made her a true beauty.

  “Seventh Sister, what a coincidence! You haven’t gone back yet?”

  "Yes. I found today's sunlight pleasant, so I walked a little slower," Qin Shuying replied calmly.

  "Perhaps it's because you’re in such a good mood, Sister, that the sunlight seems lovely to you today. To me, today’s sun is no different from yesterday’s," Qin Fangfang remarked.

  A bright glint fshed in Qin Shuying’s eyes, and she murmured softly, “Sister, you…”

  What further proof was needed? It was clear that Qin Shuying’s joyous mood made even the bleak winter ndscape seem beautiful to her.

  Qin Fangfang’s tone turned sour. “Seventh Sister, in my view, you must be quite fond of Young Master Liu.”

  A faint blush spread across Qin Shuying’s cheeks as she stomped her foot, though the shy smile on her face was unmistakable. “Father’s will and the matchmaker’s arrangements—what nonsense are you spouting, Sister?”

  Qin Fangfang became even more convinced of her assumption: Qin Shuying must surely be fond of Liu Junqing. After all, who wouldn’t admire such a talented young man from such a distinguished family?

  “Sister, you truly are blessed!”

  Qin Shuying lowered her head slightly, as if overwhelmed by shyness, and her voice took on an extra yer of timidity. “Sister, this was all arranged by Father before his passing. How can you speak of luck or blessings? I... I won’t talk to you anymore!”

  With that, she turned abruptly and walked away, head lowered, her hurried and unsteady steps betraying the demeanor of a young girl caught in the throes of youthful longing.

  Qin Fangfang clutched her handkerchief tightly, biting her lip in frustration.

  Not until Qin Shuying disappeared from view did she curl her lips into a sneer and mutter under her breath, “Let’s see if you’re truly destined for such fortune!”

  Her eyes flickered with determination as she lifted her skirt and made her way briskly to Concubine Li’s courtyard.

  At Yanfei Pavilion, Jinhuan and Yinhuan dared not make a sound or enter the room. The Sixth Miss was throwing a tantrum again, and Madam Xu seemed irritated as well, her low, sharp scolding directed at the young dy.

  After a quarter of an hour, the Sixth Miss stormed out with a dark expression, her perfumed scent lingering in the air as she left.

  It was a while longer before Nanny Liu called Jinhuan and Yinhuan inside. They entered to attend to Madam Xu, who appeared weary. A trace of displeasure fshed in her eyes upon seeing them but was quickly masked.

  Nanny Liu addressed her. “Madam, the dresses and accessories for the young dies have arrived. I’ll deliver them right away.”

  Nanny Liu was referring to the upcoming banquet at Duke Chu’s residence in two days. New dresses and accessories had been prepared for the young dies of the Qin family.

  “Be meticulous and ensure nothing goes wrong,” Madam Xu instructed. “Jinhuan, accompany Nanny Liu.”

  “Yes,” Jinhuan replied, promptly following Nanny Liu to the storeroom. They gathered several maids and elderly servants to carry the items, which were then delivered to the young dies one by one. The dresses and accessories had been custom-made according to each young dy’s preferences, so the task was straightforward and well-received, with all of them gdly accepting their gifts.

  When it was Qin Shuying’s turn, Jinhuan couldn’t help but steal a few extra gnces at her.

  As someone who served in Madam Xu’s quarters, Jinhuan was well aware of the recent tension surrounding Qin Shuying. To be able to infuriate Madam Xu multiple times—it was no small feat. Today’s outburst from the Sixth Miss likely had something to do with Qin Shuying as well.

  Sensing Jinhuan’s gaze, Qin Shuying turned her cold eyes toward her. Her face, pale as snow and ice, framed a pair of rge, dark eyes that were like unfathomable pools, devoid of any warmth. Jinhuan shivered and quickly lowered her head.