Qin Shuying gnced at Nanny Fu, whose eyes glinted coldly. Nodding, Nanny Fu said, “Miss, this old servant will go and give them all a good warning!”

  Qin Shuying nodded in acknowledgment. “Thank you, Nanny.”

  “Miss, it’s for their own good,” Nanny Fu added.

  In the courtyard, the maids and servants stood neatly in line, braving the cold wind. Nanny Fu gave them a thorough scolding, both verbally and physically, and sternly warned, “Without Miss’s permission, no one is allowed to speak of what happens in Yin Garden! Anyone who dares to betray us will end up like Huijin!”

  The chilling wind amplified the fear in their trembling forms. Whether it was from the cold or from terror, no one could tell.

  Listening to Nanny Fu’s reprimands, Qin Shuying let out a cold ugh inwardly, her gaze frosty. “Bring me fresh clothes and shoes. I’m going to Yanfei Pavilion to beg for forgiveness.”

  On the way from Yin Garden to Yanfei Pavilion, Qin Shuying cried pitifully, her mournful sobs echoing throughout the Qin residence. The commotion caused a stir, and soon, everyone in the manor knew she was on her way to Yanfei Pavilion to seek forgiveness.

  People from different quarters gathered at their gates to watch. Today, Jinhuan had gone to Duke Chu’s residence, leaving Yinhuan in charge. Despite Yinhuan’s repeated attempts to disperse the gathering, the maids and servants lingered nearby, keeping an eye on the situation at Yanfei Pavilion.

  When Madam Xu heard the news, she left her courtyard, only to see Qin Shuying kneeling upright on the ground. The sight made her so furious that she trembled with anger. “Seventh Girl, what are you doing?!”

  On the carriage ride back earlier, Qin Fangfang had recounted everything to Madam Xu. Although Qin Shuying was clearly lying, Madam Xu couldn’t expose her deceit. The little maid who had been involved certainly wouldn’t testify either. Madam Xu had suffered a crushing defeat in this round.

  Already filled with pent-up frustration from the earlier events, Madam Xu’s anger now boiled over.

  But Qin Shuying, still kneeling, moved forward a few steps and clung tightly to Madam Xu’s legs. “First Madam, the urgent matter isn’t to punish me but to ensure Eighth Sister doesn’t do anything rash!”

  Nanny Liu looked at Qin Shuying with fear. When did Seventh Miss become so bold? She had heard everything when Qin Fangfang reported to Madam Xu earlier.

  She had the nerve to push Eighth Miss into that room herself!

  At that moment, Qin Fangfang’s personal maid, Caiyue, rushed in. Qin Shuying called out, “Caiyue, take care of your mistress and make sure she doesn’t do anything drastic!”

  Caiyue hesitated for a moment but wisely remained silent. She lifted the curtain and entered the room without a word.

  “Luye! Hurry and help your mistress back!” Nanny Liu, both frustrated and anxious, called to Luye and tried to pry Qin Shuying’s arms off Madam Xu. “Seventh Miss, let go of the First Madam.”

  Madam Xu’s eyes bzed with fury. The moment Qin Shuying loosened her grip, Madam Xu clutched her chest and quickly retreated.

  Luye, calm and collected, said, “Our Miss feels deeply guilty. She shouldn’t have listened to Sixth Miss about changing clothes today, nor should she have twisted her ankle. When Eighth Miss went to find help, Miss didn’t stop her, and that was her gravest mistake. She insists on kneeling here to seek the forgiveness of the Master of the household. Nanny Liu, as a servant, I wouldn’t dare interfere in such matters.”

  Madam Xu was so enraged she nearly fainted. Seek forgiveness from the Master? Why make such a spectacle, arming everyone in the Qin residence?!

  Seeing that Madam Xu was losing face, Nanny Liu quickly interjected, “Madam, you’re Eighth Miss’s pilr of support. Leave the Seventh Miss to me; you should go inside and comfort Eighth Miss first.”

  Madam Xu knew this was no time to reason with Qin Shuying—this girl was like a devil!

  Sure enough, Qin Shuying spoke up, “First Madam, you’d better go check on Eighth Sister. I’m worried she might take her anger out on Sixth Sister since it was Sixth Sister who suggested she go…”

  Madam Xu pointed angrily at Qin Shuying, ready to scold her, but Nanny Liu quickly tugged at her sleeve. Madam Xu’s chest heaved with rage before she gritted her teeth and turned to leave, supported by Jinhuan.

  Nanny Liu stayed at the door, keeping a close eye on Qin Shuying, wary of what shocking words or actions this unpredictable Seventh Miss might unleash next.

  In the courtyard, Caiyan y on a stretcher, her broken leg rendering her immobile. She had been left in the middle of the yard, ignored by everyone. Trembling, she stared at Qin Shuying with indescribable fear and dread.

  She had never imagined that a young dy from a noble household would have the audacity to commit violence herself, even going so far as to break her leg. What terrified her even more was that every word the Seventh Miss uttered seemed to provoke the First Madam further.

  Just then, Qin Yongtao was rushed back from the yamen, not having been fully informed of the situation. As soon as he stepped into Yanfei Pavilion, he was met with the sight of his niece kneeling on the ground, Caiyan lying shivering on a stretcher, and a group of maids and servants standing around, all looking terrified.

  Qin Yongtao stopped beside Qin Shuying, his expression puzzled. “Seventh Girl, why are you kneeling here?”

  “Uncle!” Qin Shuying’s eyes brimmed with tears as she sobbed, “Shuying seeks Uncle’s forgiveness!”

  “What happened?”

  Nanny Liu, anxious to interject, started to speak, “Master…”

  But Qin Shuying snapped her head around and barked, “How dare a servant interrupt while the master is speaking! What kind of rules are these?”

  Qin Yongtao frowned. No matter what had happened, Qin Shuying was his niece. Seeing her kneeling while a servant stood by and dared to interrupt was indeed improper.

  Sensing the strangeness of the situation, Qin Yongtao chose to focus on Qin Shuying and asked, “Go on, what happened?”

  Nanny Liu grew even more flustered, but with Qin Yongtao silent, she didn’t dare speak.

  Qin Shuying, quick with her words, unched into her expnation: “Uncle, at today’s banquet, a maid spilled tea on my dress. Sixth Sister sent Ziteng to fetch a new outfit for me. I thought it was unnecessary, but Sixth Sister insisted and even asked Eighth Sister to accompany me to change. The path we took was remote and difficult to walk, and I twisted my ankle. Eighth Sister, worried about my injury, took Caiyan to find someone from Duke Chu’s residence while I waited at the spot.

  “I waited for a long time, and Ziteng eventually found me, but there was still no sign of Eighth Sister. Worried, Ziteng helped me look for her. We found her… in that resting room, where she had been vioted! Uncle, it’s all my fault! I dare not seek your forgiveness!”

  Her expnation was long-winded and seemingly chaotic from nervousness, yet she hit all the key points.

  Qin Yongtao processed her words, his mind running through countless possibilities. His face betrayed no emotion as he finally said, “I see.”

  “Uncle! Uncle! Please listen to me…”

  Qin Shuying’s cries and protests fell on deaf ears as Qin Yongtao waved her off and stepped up onto the pavilion, entering the room.

  Nanny Liu, hesitant to follow but worried about Madam Xu, instructed two maids to keep watch on Qin Shuying before she hurried inside.

  Lowering her gaze, Qin Shuying reflected coldly. Qin Fangfang was merely a concubine-born daughter to Qin Yongtao. How much pity would he truly have for her upon learning of her disgrace?

  To him, concubine-born daughters were nothing more than tools.

  If it had been Qin Yunyun in that room instead, how would Qin Yongtao have reacted?

  A strange glimmer flickered in Qin Shuying’s eyes, mysterious and eerie under the dim light.