Mo Yiting turned to Liang Zhe and said, “Brother Liang, such filthy business really ruins the mood.”

  Liang Zhe’s expression remained cold and indifferent as he replied lightly, “It’s nothing. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen something like this.”

  Mo Yiting was reminded of Liang Zhe’s elder sister, Liang Zhen. Years ago, she had been caught in a simir scandal, “caught in bed” with someone, and was forced to marry a low-ranking official far away. For a legitimate daughter of a first-rank noble family, it had been a tragic and humiliating fate.

  Not wanting to dwell on the unpleasant topic, Mo Yiting shifted his gaze to Qin Shuying.

  As if sensing his scrutiny, Qin Shuying looked back at him calmly, her expression serene and unwavering. There was even a faint, subtle curve to her lips.

  Let him see clearly—what of it?

  Mo Yiting couldn’t help but smile slightly at her unflinching demeanor. He remarked to Liang Zhe, “That young dy certainly has a fierce streak.”

  Liang Zhe replied noncommittally with a soft “Hmm.”

  Moments earlier, he and Mo Yiting had been in the woods for a private discussion when they witnessed Qin Shuying and Ziteng dragging Caiyan into the forest.

  At first, Mo Yiting had been furious—how could anyone dare commit such audacious acts in Duke Chu’s residence? He was about to intervene when he overheard their conversation.

  Ziteng had said, “Miss, since she wants to ruin your reputation, let her feel what it’s like to have her own name destroyed!”

  Qin Shuying had replied, “Today’s events were carefully pnned by Sixth Sister, Eighth Sister, and Madam Xu. Ziteng, are you afraid?”

  Ziteng had responded firmly, “Miss, they’ve tried to harm you three times already, and you didn’t retaliate. This time, you finally fought back. I’ve been waiting for this moment. I’m not afraid.”

  ...

  Recalling this, Mo Yiting gnced at Sun Qingping, who was being dragged away by his men, and shook his head.

  So Madam Xu had pnned for Sun Qingping to destroy Qin Shuying. Sun Qingping, a man known for his ziness and lust, would have surely defiled her had the pn not been thwarted. Given her fiery temperament, Qin Shuying would likely have taken her own life afterward.

  Liang Zhe, hands csped behind his back, stood silently. He remained quiet even as they departed.

  The carriage Madam Ma had called for finally arrived. Qin Shuying expressed her thanks to Madam Ma and climbed into the soft sedan chair with Ziteng following closely behind. Madam Ma watched Qin Shuying’s departing figure with a thoughtful expression.

  When they reached the banquet hall, the Old Madam’s face was thunderous with barely contained anger. She apologized to Duchess Chu on behalf of the Qin family and quickly led the girls away.

  The Duchess of Chu was already aware of the entire situation. By now, not only the female guests but also the male guests had heard about the scandal. The Qin family left Duke Chu’s residence in disgrace, met with silence rather than sympathy.

  Still, as the incident had occurred at Duke Chu’s residence, the Duchess promised to give the Qin family an expnation. The Old Madam, mindful of this promise, held her tongue despite her fury and left without a word.

  __

  Once they were in the carriage, Qin Shuying knelt before Old Madam, her head bowed. “Grandmother, Shuying is at fault! I should have stopped Eighth Sister from going to call someone.”

  The Old Madam’s face was grim, and she said nothing.

  Qin Shuying remained kneeling, motionless. Her words might have convinced others, but Old Madam would not be so easily deceived.

  Although the Old Madam didn’t favor one granddaughter over another, if given the chance to turn back time, would she have done things differently?

  Why should I have to endure being schemed against?

  If Qin Yunyun encountered trouble, Qin Yongtao and Madam Xu would do everything in their power to secure the best outcome for her. If Qin Fangfang fell into disgrace, she still had Concubine Li to rely on.

  But what if it had been her who fell into the trap today?

  The only fate awaiting her would have been being drowned in the pond! Not just her—Hongjuan, Luye, Ziteng, Lanchou, Zhishu, Zhihua… everyone in Yin Garden, over twenty people, wouldn’t have been spared!

  Qin Shuying knelt like this all the way until the carriage stopped at the Qin family’s gates.

  The events at the Duke of Chu’s residence would naturally be spread by the dies once they returned. Madam Xu’s actions would surely reach the Old Madam’s ears, who would then understand exactly who was behind this scheme.

  What would the Old Madam do?

  “Seventh Girl,” the Old Madam finally said, “Duke Chu’s residence is no ordinary household. You shouldn’t have let your Eighth Sister take such a risk. Think carefully about how you’ll expin this to your uncle.”

  With that, the Old Madam stepped down from the carriage.

  A flicker of sadness crossed Qin Shuying’s heart. Once again, she had put the Old Madam in a difficult position. Yet when Qin Yaoyao died, all the Old Madam could do was scold Lu Changxuan—she hadn’t been able to do anything else.

  There had been no evidence, and Madam Xu had been too brazen. Today, once again, the Old Madam had no evidence and could only resort to the same tactics of punishment.

  A faint, bitter smile tugged at the corners of Qin Shuying’s lips. The extent of the Old Madam’s protection for her could only go so far. Age and kindness had softened the Old Madam’s resolve, but wasn’t that also a form of cruelty to Qin Yaoyao and herself?

  I’ve broken my promise too, haven’t I? she thought. She had sworn to protect the Qin family’s reputation at all costs, but now…

  Qin Shuying’s lips curled ever so slightly. There’s no retreat for me anymore, nor do I wish to retreat. The Qin family’s reputation was ruined by Madam Xu, not me.

  The “virtue” and “grace” of the past didn’t build the Qin family’s reputation; they only served to elevate Qin Yongtao and Madam Xu.

  Lowering her head, Qin Shuying sat on the ground, waiting for the pain in her knees to subside. After rubbing them for a while, she finally stood up and stepped outside.

  And so what if retreating to advance was the best way to save the Qin family? Who can say what the future holds?

  Be fearless. Be true to your heart.

  With Ziteng supporting her, Qin Shuying returned to Yin Garden. As soon as they entered, Ziteng ordered the gates closed and called for Hongjuan. “Summon everyone in the courtyard.”

  Hongjuan, though unsure of what had happened, was quick to read the mood and efficiently gathered everyone. Luye hurried forward to attend to Qin Shuying, while Nanny Fu and Mi Luo arrived shortly after. Ziteng reyed the events of the day to them, as well as to Hongjuan and Luye, using the version of the story Qin Shuying had told earlier in front of the women.

  Hearing this, Mi Luo turned pale, her body swaying as tears welled up in her eyes. Qin Shuying watched her coldly. Mi Luo must be thinking of Qin Yaoyao’s fate, isn’t she? How simir they are!

  Hongjuan frowned deeply, lost in thought, while Luye’s face grew dark and cold.

  Nanny Fu was seething with rage. “Madam Xu is truly vicious!”

  Ziteng paused for a moment before adding in a calm tone, “The room where Eighth Miss was found is the very same one she had pnned to take Miss to for rest.”

  At this, everyone understood.

  Yet they didn’t dare imagine the worst-case scenario, believing only that Madam Xu and Qin Yunyun had schemed against Qin Shuying, who narrowly escaped by sheer luck. None of them realized that Qin Shuying had long been prepared for such an attack.

  Only Nanny Fu, with her brows furrowed and her eyes filled with venom, muttered, “They were trying to destroy Miss’s marriage prospects!”

  Ziteng concluded, “If Miss hadn’t been under the protection of the Duke and Duchess today and had entered that room, what would her fate have been? And what would ours have been, as her servants?”

  A chill swept over everyone, and they shivered involuntarily. Indeed, if something had happened to Qin Shuying, they would either have been beaten to death or sold to the most degrading pces imaginable…