“Is it not a fact that I currently have no money to my name? Is it not a fact that Nanny Zhang btantly embezzled the hard-earned wealth my father left behind? Sixth Sister, why would you defend and shield such a vile servant? Our Qin family is a household of schorly heritage. While not a noble cn, we have Uncle and Brother serving in court, and Consort Lian in the pace. If today’s events were to be exposed by someone with ill intentions, it would harm Uncle’s and Brother’s reputations. Worse, it could implicate Consort Lian and Sixth Prince. Sixth Sister, why are you so determined to defend a mere servant? Do you believe that servant’s worth is greater than Uncle’s and Brother’s futures? Greater than Consort Lian and Sixth Prince’s standing?”
Qin Yunyun was nearly driven mad by Qin Shuying’s rapid and pointed argument. She tried several times to interject but couldn’t get a word in.
Only after Qin Shuying finished did Qin Yunyun, tearful and flustered, hurriedly expin, “Grandmother, I didn’t mean that, I didn’t mean it…”
“If you didn’t mean it, then what did you mean, Sixth Sister? Why are you repeatedly protecting that servant? I’m genuinely curious.”
“I…” Qin Yunyun faltered, utterly at a loss.
The Old Madam looked at Qin Shuying with a complicated expression. How could a girl who had been isoted in Spring Garden for three years maintain such crity of thought?
Qin Yongtao suddenly turned to Qin Shuying, realizing with a jolt—She’s right! Consort Lian and Sixth Prince could be implicated by this scandal. If that happens, what future would the Qin family have? What chance would I have to reach the pinnacle of power?
Cold sweat broke out on his back as he shot Madam Xu a fierce gre.
Madam Xu, feeling wronged, thought to herself, So what if we have Consort Lian? Doesn’t the Empress’s family also have incompetent members? Don’t they have scandals of their own? But Qin Shuying’s relentless attack on Qin Yunyun had left Madam Xu increasingly irritated.
“Seventh Miss,” Madam Xu said sharply, “a woman should be virtuous and composed. Such sharp words wouldn’t sit well with Madam Liu if she were to hear them.”
Qin Shuying’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Madam Xu, in the entire Qin family, the only people who can speak to Madam Liu are Grandmother and you. Grandmother, of course, wouldn’t cause unnecessary trouble. So, Madam Xu, are you suggesting you’d take it upon yourself to share your niece’s words with Madam Liu?”
Madam Xu was momentarily stunned, her anger and dissatisfaction swelling even further. What kind of unmarried girl speaks this boldly? If this were the past, one stern remark from me would’ve frightened Qin Shuying into falling ill. But now…
The Old Madam, too, looked at Qin Shuying with puzzlement. She had lived over sixty years and had never seen a young woman so sharp-tongued, and from her own family no less.
Qin Shuying, aware of their thoughts, knew her words and demeanor ran counter to the traditional virtues of women—reserved, virtuous, and composed. But—
“Grandmother,” Qin Shuying began, her voice soft yet resolute, “I’ve been confined to Spring Garden for three years. During those three years, I spent every day mourning my father and mother and recalling the words my father used to say to me when he was in office. At that time, my father treated me as if I were a son, never avoiding discussions about important matters, even in my presence. I often accompanied him to his study.
“For three years, I have reflected on whether the rumors are true—that I am cursed, that my parents passed away because of me. For three years, I dared not speak, dared not express myself, and dared not even appear before you, Grandmother.
“But, Grandmother, if I continue like this, the third branch of the family will perish, and my father will have no one to offer incense and honor his memory!”
The Old Madam’s expression hardened instantly.
Qin Shuying slowed her speech and said calmly, “Grandmother, the third branch of the family now has only me. Though I am unworthy, I cannot allow my father’s legacy to be tarnished in my hands. I ask Grandmother to keep a closer eye on matters reted to the third branch.”
Her meaning was clear: the affairs of the third branch were her responsibility and no one else’s.
Madam Xu couldn’t hold back and blurted, “The third branch has no male heirs. You’re just a girl who will eventually marry out—what does this have to do with you?”
Qin Yongtao gnced at Qin Shuying, his gaze tinged with complexity.
Qin Shuying smirked coldly. Talking about reputation now? How ironic. Her slight smile carried a trace of mockery, further stoking Madam Xu’s anger. Madam Xu raised her voice. “Seventh Miss, if word of this spreads, do you realize what will happen to the reputations of the Qin family’s daughters?”
“Silence!” The Old Madam finally erupted, hurling a teacup to the floor beside Madam Xu. “I’m not dead yet!”
Madam Xu instinctively shrieked in fright.
Qin Yongtao, furious at Madam Xu’s inability to read the room, shot her a gre. Though Madam Xu felt wronged, she dared not defy him and begrudgingly fell silent.
Qin Shuying felt a pang of sadness. She had once thought Madam Xu to be clever and formidable, but now she saw that her greatest fw was her arrogance. And yet, this woman had completely dominated me in my past life. My own stupidity and weakness were what doomed Feng’er…
Her nails dug into her palms, the sharp pain grounding her resolve.
The Old Madam, seated high on the main dais, spoke firmly, “Seventh girl, if you have something to say, speak clearly now.”
This was the Old Madam’s way of signaling her support.
Qin Shuying bowed deeply and said respectfully, “Yes, Grandmother. Madam Xu, I ask that my father’s properties, shops, and farmnds be returned to me. I also request the return of the indentures for the servants I brought from the south. Furthermore, I would like to move into Yin Courtyard, where my parents lived.”
Qin Yunyun was the first to react, exciming, “Seventh Sister, you—” But under Qin Yongtao’s warning gaze, she swallowed the rest of her words.
Qin Fangfang, prompted by a look from Madam Xu, quickly said, “Seventh Sister, Yin Courtyard is currently where Sixth Sister resides. If you move in, where will she go?”
Qin Shuying ignored her entirely and looked straight at the Old Madam. “Grandmother, I am merely reciming what belongs to the third branch.”
The Old Madam’s expression was complicated. She didn’t want to show favoritism, but Qin Shuying’s request was reasonable—she was only asking for what was rightfully hers.
Yin Courtyard was indeed a prime residence, located close to Xuantang. While the main courtyard was reserved for the head of the family, Qin Yongtao, and his wife, the other courtyards for the young dies were all well-appointed, except for Spring Garden, which was remote and dipidated. Originally, Yin Courtyard should have been Qin Shuying’s residence, but after her return, it had been given to Qin Yunyun.
The Old Madam surveyed the room before finally making her decision.
“Very well, the matter is settled. Second daughter-in-w, tomorrow, have someone inventory the warehouse thoroughly, seal everything, and clear out Yin Courtyard’s storeroom. Once it’s ready, Seventh Miss will move in without needing to do another count.
“Eldest son, accompany Seventh Miss to the yamen tomorrow and formalize the transfer of all properties. Anything that cannot be resolved immediately must be completed before the end of the year.
“Eldest daughter-in-w, return the indentures of Seventh Miss’s servants to her immediately.
“Sixth girl, you have three days to vacate Yin Courtyard.
“Nanny Gu, have Nanny Zhang flogged to death tonight and ensure that every servant witnesses the punishment so they understand the consequences of betraying their masters!
“Seventh girl, you will copy Admonitions for Women and Instructions for Women one hundred times. Eldest son, eldest daughter-in-w, do you have any objections?”
The entire room was stunned into silence.
Qin Yongtao and Madam Xu realized with sinking hearts that the Old Madam was truly enraged this time.
