Two days ter.

  The Qin family received an invitation days prior to celebrate the sixtieth birthday of Duchess Chu.

  All four young dies were brought along by Madam Xu. On the way, Qin Yunyun and Qin Fangfang shared one carriage, while Qin Shuying and Qin Lulu shared another. Qin Lulu, being lively and talkative, chattered about the test gossip in the capital. Qin Shuying listened with a smile, occasionally chiming in, and before long, they arrived outside the gates of Duke Chu’s residence.

  Duke Chu was a military man who spent most of his years stationed at the frontier. His two sons and a grandson were also stationed away from the capital. Currently, the household was managed by the eldest son’s wife, Madam Ma. Among the younger generation, the most outstanding was Mo Yiting, the eldest legitimate grandson, now serving as an Imperial Guard with a promising future ahead. He was still unmarried.

  Duchess Chu held the rank of a first-css titled dy, a position of high honor. Naturally, Duke Chu’s family enjoyed great power and prestige. Those attending the banquet were all from noble families, and many women brought along their daughters of marriageable age, hoping to find suitable matches during the gathering.

  The banquet hall for female guests was particurly elegant. Half of the walls were brick, while the other half was gss, providing a stunning view of the blooming red plum blossoms outside. Even in the depths of winter, the hall offered the best of both worlds: guests could enjoy tea and conversation indoors while admiring the beauty of the blossoms through the gss.

  Duchess Chu sat with a few older dies, conversing, while the other guests mingled in smaller groups. The lively atmosphere was interrupted by the arrival of imperial gifts, prompting the Duchess to lead the dies of the Mo family to receive the decree. Guests dispersed—some stayed in the hall to chat, others wandered into the garden to admire the plum blossoms, and some strolled leisurely through the grounds.

  Duke Chu’s estate was vast and tastefully arranged. Even in winter, the scenery was anything but dull. The area outside the banquet hall was especially picturesque, with vibrant red plum blossoms standing out against the snowy white ndscape. A pavilion nearby was already surrounded by admirers. Inside, a brazier provided warmth, and thick curtains blocked the wind, making it an ideal spot for poetry and plum blossom appreciation.

  Most of the young dies flocked to the plum grove to admire the blossoms and the snow. Though Qin Shuying had no interest in joining them, she didn’t want to appear out of pce. She followed the crowd to the plum grove and wandered near the pavilion, feigning interest in the blossoms.

  Qin Yunyun, accustomed to such social gatherings, had already established her own network among the unmarried young dies. Qin Lulu, too, was mingling effortlessly.

  Qin Lulu invited Qin Shuying to join her and a group heading deeper into the grove. Qin Shuying politely declined. Slightly disappointed but unable to resist the others’ urging, Qin Lulu gave Qin Shuying a few reminders before leaving with the group.

  Meanwhile, Qin Yunyun was seated in the pavilion with a few others. The second daughter of the Liu family, officials under the Ministry of Personnel, pointed toward Qin Shuying and asked, “Is that your seventh sister? I heard she disrespects her elders and is extremely rude. Why would your grandmother bring her here? Isn’t she afraid of disgracing your family?”

  Qin Shuying vaguely caught the remark, a cold smile forming in her heart. Disrespectful to elders? Extremely rude? Such a reputation had been pinned on her so quickly by none other than Qin Yunyun.

  Furrowing her brows, Qin Yunyun sighed with a concerned look. “My younger sister lost her parents at a young age and refuses to heed Grandmother’s or Mother’s guidance. That’s why she’s grown so arrogant and unruly. Grandmother brought her today, hoping she’d gain some insight and learn the proper demeanor of a noble dy. I only hope she doesn’t disappoint Grandmother’s kind intentions.”

  The eldest daughter of the Miao family, a physician’s household, added, “I think your grandmother’s efforts will be wasted. Look at her, standing there alone by the plum blossoms. She has no idea how a proper noble dy should behave. Truly clueless.”

  “Miss Miao, please don’t say that,” Qin Yunyun replied. “Seventh Sister has a reclusive and eccentric personality. If she hears this, she’ll surely cim I’ve been gossiping about her behind her back.”

  Miss Miao pouted. “How unreasonable can she be?!”

  Qin Shuying chuckled coldly to herself. She hadn’t uttered a word, yet these girls had already condemned her. However, she had no intention of stooping to their level.

  Madam Xu must have made pns for today. I can’t afford to let my guard down.

  Qin Yunyun continued, “No matter what, she is still my sister. Grandmother asked me to help her meet new people today. Ladies, please give me a little face and treat her kindly, won’t you?”

  Qin Fangfang interjected angrily, “Sister, you’re far too kind! She’s ruining our family’s reputation, and now we’re all implicated. Yet you still want to bring her here?”

  With a forced smile, Qin Yunyun replied, “Even if she’s unkind, I cannot respond in kind. I only hope she understands my good intentions.”

  “Big Sister!” Qin Fangfang stomped her foot in frustration.

  Although the noble young dies showed their disdain, they reluctantly agreed to Qin Yunyun’s request. Thus, Qin Shuying was half-pushed and half-dragged into their circle.

  “This is my third uncle’s daughter, Qin Shuying—my seventh sister,” Qin Yunyun introduced her with a smile. She then introduced the other girls to Qin Shuying: five young women, all legitimate daughters of noble families, around the same age as Qin Yunyun. Their fathers were officials in the capital, holding ranks from fifth to second grade. It was evident they didn’t think much of Qin Shuying.

  After the introductions, Qin Yunyun continued chatting and ughing with the group. Meanwhile, Qin Shuying sat silently to the side, smiling faintly as she listened. No one took the initiative to engage with her. Qin Fangfang, on the other hand, was busy ingratiating herself with the other legitimate daughters.

  After a while, a maid came to serve tea. When it was Qin Shuying’s turn, the maid accidentally spilled the tea on her skirt. The hot water quickly soaked through, leaving a rge, dark yellow stain. Fortunately, it was winter, and the yers of clothing prevented her from being scalded. However, attending the midday banquet in a stained skirt would be far too improper.

  “It’s all my fault! I’m so sorry!” The maid panicked, repeatedly apologizing.

  Qin Shuying stood up and carefully brushed off her skirt without a word. Internally, however, she was sneering. Here it comes! This is exactly how Qin Yaoyao was lured into a corner, drugged, and ultimately found lying in bed with the steward.

  Qin Yunyun gnced at the tea stain on Qin Shuying’s skirt, feigning concern. “Seventh Sister, your skirt is soaked. It must be terribly cold. Why don’t you go change? Ziteng, go find Nanny outside the courtyard and fetch a clean skirt for your dy.”

  Qin Shuying lifted her head, her gaze clear as she looked directly at Qin Yunyun. Does Qin Yunyun feel no guilt at all about ruining an unmarried girl’s reputation and condemning her to a ruined life?

  In the past, Qin Shuying had not included Qin Yunyun on her list for revenge, as Qin Yaoyao and Qin Yunyun had no direct connection.

  But now…

  Miss Liu, the second daughter of the Liu family, noticed Qin Shuying’s calm gaze fixed on Qin Yunyun and snorted. “Yunyun, your sister is so rude. She doesn’t even know how to show gratitude.”

  Qin Fangfang chimed in, seemingly unintentionally. “Seventh Sister has always been like this. We’ve all gotten used to it.”

  Qin Shuying acted as if she hadn’t heard a thing. She looked at Ziteng for a moment and said, “Go on. Sixth Miss has asked for a clean skirt.”

  Ziteng stared at Qin Shuying for a moment, her expression slightly cold. After a brief pause, she nodded silently and walked away without a word.

  “Yunyun, your sister is odd, and her maid is even stranger,” another girl commented.

  Qin Shuying lowered her head and ignored the remark. Since there were many guests today, each young dy had only brought one maid. Qin Shuying had chosen Ziteng, and she had long instructed her on how to handle the insidious tricks of the inner courtyard. She and Ziteng had even discussed countermeasures for situations like this.

  Hongjuan was honest and steady but overly cautious as a household-born servant. Luye, though adaptable, was too straightforward and cked the capacity for certain tasks. Ziteng, however, was different. She was single-minded in her quest for revenge, with no concerns holding her back. Her heart had long been hardened, and her cleverness and resourcefulness surpassed the others—qualities that no one else had yet realized.