Cixin Hall.

  The atmosphere remained lively and warm.

  “…So, that Young Master Miao is quite an excellent match.”

  Madam Zhao was speaking to Old Madam Lu, who was beaming with delight, while Lu Changju sat shyly beside her.

  Young Master Miao?

  Qin Shuying had arranged for people to keep an eye on the Lu Residence, so she naturally knew of this Young Master Miao—he was the prospective brother-in-w that Qin Feifei favored.

  A trace of mockery fshed across Qin Shuying’s heart. Old Madam Lu, despite her fixation on proper etiquette that elevated her status, cared little for many of the capital’s unspoken rules.

  For instance, in such a gathering, with many unmarried young dies present, it was highly inappropriate to discuss marriage matters. Yet Old Madam Lu openly brought up Lu Changju’s potential match, unabashedly funting her ties to the Miao family.

  Although Madam Zhao was well aware that such discussions were improper in front of young maidens, she had no choice but to humor Old Madam Lu when asked. However, in her heart, she felt a pang of injustice for Lu Changxuan.

  Just then, Madam Xu entered, and Madam Zhao let out a subtle breath of relief. She rose to offer Madam Xu a seat and seized the opportunity to shift the conversation. “Madam, tell us, how do you raise such fine daughters? Your Sixth Miss is well-known for her intellect and virtue, and this is my first time meeting your Seventh Miss, but she already appears gentle and refined—truly a good young dy. You must share your insights so we can all learn from you.”

  Madam Xu took her seat with a polite smile. “Madam Zhao is too kind. The young dies here today are all well-mannered and graceful, each excelling beyond my daughters. There is hardly anything I could teach.”

  Madam Zhao chuckled. “You are being modest, Madam.”

  Madam Xu gnced at Qin Yunyun and Qin Shuying. Qin Shuying, in particur, sat with her head slightly lowered, seemingly shy.

  After all, Qin Shuying was just a fourteen-year-old girl, and as an unmarried maiden, it was natural for her to feel bashful when marriage was brought up. Such conversations were always preludes to matchmaking.

  However, Madam Xu had another intention today—to put Qin Shuying in her pce.

  These past days, Qin Yongtao had forbidden her from troubling Qin Shuying, and she had been stifling her resentment. Just earlier, Qin Feifei had compined about how, ever since the brown sugar shop had closed, Old Madam Lu’s attitude toward her had soured drastically. And wasn’t it all because of Qin Shuying?

  That wretched girl had become craftier—even refusing to part with a single piece of jewelry for Qin Feifei. With just a few words, she had left Qin Feifei speechless.

  And today, she deliberately dressed herself like this—even her maidservants were dressed vishly. If this wasn’t an intentional dispy in front of Feifei, what was?

  In the pace, where there were no outsiders, Qin Shuying dared to be so brazen, not caring about appearances. She must have known that neither Madam Xu nor the Sixth Prince would inform the Liu family about her conduct.

  But now, in front of so many witnesses, if Qin Shuying committed even the slightest misstep, someone would certainly rey it to the Liu family.

  Let’s see if she would still dare to act so smug then!

  Madam Xu took a sip of tea and said, “If we’re talking about accomplished young dies, my Sixth Girl is passable, but my Seventh Girl is the real gem. No one knows much about her, but she is truly well-mannered and proper—so much so that even a hundred families could seek her hand in marriage, and it would not be too much.”

  The moment Madam Xu finished speaking, all the dies turned their gazes toward Qin Shuying.

  The young dies in particur could barely contain their envy and admiration. From the moment Qin Shuying had entered, her dazzling attire and exquisite jewelry had already made them jealous. But since they were not familiar with her, they had forced themselves to maintain an air of composure, neither bringing it up nor asking questions.

  Now, with Madam Xu’s words, they finally had an excuse to openly stare.

  Their eyes burned with intensity, as if they wanted to burn Qin Shuying to ashes.

  Those clothes, those accessories… they were luxuries they could never even dream of owning!

  Yet Qin Shuying merely kept her head down, appearing utterly demure and bashful.

  Madam Zhao was momentarily stunned by Madam Xu’s words.

  Old Madam Lu’s ck of regard for etiquette made sense, but Madam Xu, who was well-versed in propriety—why would she suddenly procim that Qin Shuying was “sought after by a hundred families”?

  Madam Xu, however, acted as if she hadn’t noticed Madam Zhao’s surprise and continued, “Madam, are you familiar with the Liu family of Huzhou?”

  Madam Zhao had initially intended to avoid the topic, but since Madam Xu had asked, it would be impolite not to answer. Besides, from the way she phrased it, it was clear that Qin Shuying’s marriage was tied to the Liu family. That piqued Madam Zhao’s curiosity.

  She replied, “The Liu family of Huzhou? Of course, I know them! A hundred-year-old schorly family, filled with officials in court—one of the most distinguished families.”

  Madam Xu smiled. “Precisely. Madam has an excellent memory. But there is something you may not know—Seventh Girl is engaged to the Liu family. She is betrothed to Master Liu’s only legitimate son. I have met Young Master Liu before—his appearance is nothing short of divine, akin to Pan An, with an elegant bearing. Despite his youth, he is already accomplished. He is only sixteen, and just yesterday, he sat for the imperial examination. Truly, he is a rare gem among men.”

  Old Madam Lu, who could never tolerate hearing praise about any young man who could rival Lu Changxuan, scoffed in disdain. “We don’t even know the results of the exam yet, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves, dear in-w.”

  Eldest Madam Lu immediately chimed in, eager to ftter Old Madam Lu. “That’s right, that’s right! The imperial rankings haven’t been released yet—who knows what will happen?”

  Madam Xu, however, remained composed, offering a gentle smile. “Even if Young Master Liu does not pce this time, it hardly matters. The Liu family has deep foundations, and as the future master of the household, securing an official position will be of no difficulty.”

  Old Madam Lu gnced at Qin Shuying, her voice dripping with bitterness. “Seventh Miss is quite fortunate.” Then, as if suddenly recalling something, she asked, “Seventh Miss is from the third branch of the Qin family, is she not?”

  Madam Xu smiled. “That’s correct. My third brother-in-w and his wife passed away early, and Seventh Girl has spent years devoted to praying for them. That is why she rarely attends social gatherings—this must be the first time many of you have met my niece. But you may not know, my niece is not only fortunate, she is also exceptionally capable.

  “The red sugar trade that took the capital by storm st year—do you know who started it? It was none other than my niece’s shop. She earns a thousand taels a day! And with such a husband from the Liu family in her future, dies, tell me—hasn’t her te father and mother been watching over her from above?

  “It only goes to show that true filial piety brings blessings. That is the most important lesson for young dies to learn.”

  The dies’ gazes grew even more intense, while Qin Shuying remained silent, keeping her head lowered.

  Even Qin Yunyun’s head dipped slightly, a fire burning in her chest.

  Liu Junqing…

  From the moment she had met him, there had been no room in her heart for any other man.

  Madam Xu had been searching for a match for her, and each time she caught wind of a potential candidate, she either threw a fit or sat in a daze, unable to stop thinking about Liu Junqing’s handsome face and tall, noble bearing.

  And now, such a perfect marriage was about to fall into Qin Shuying’s p…

  Lu Changju was the first to lose control. She raised an eyebrow and snapped, “Seventh Miss? I frequently attend poetry gatherings and tea parties among the capital’s noble dies, yet I have never heard of you. How could you have secured such a prestigious marriage?”

  Madam Xu smiled faintly. “Dear niece, such is fate. Seventh Girl, wouldn’t you agree?”

  Qin Shuying lifted her head, her bright eyes shimmering.

  “First Madam speaks the truth.”