The Old Madam did not immediately call for anyone but fell into silence for a while before she finally spoke, “Second daughter-in-w, go outside and have someone brought in to tend to them.”

  She did not even mention calling for a physician.

  Madam Zou quickly went to arrange things, sending Qin Yunyun back to her courtyard. Soon, only the Old Madam, Qin Shuying, and Qin Lulu remained.

  Qin Shuying and Qin Lulu were still kneeling on the floor, not daring to speak.

  After a long while, the Old Madam sighed and said, “You may rise.”

  Her voice was weary and aged.

  Enduring their pain, Qin Shuying and Qin Lulu stood up but did not dare to rub their aching knees.

  The Old Madam gnced at them again and said, “Go on and rub your knees. You’re girls—too delicate. If you ruin your knees, you’ll suffer for a lifetime.”

  The two of them sat on the embroidered stools and slowly began to massage their sore knees.

  The Old Madam fell silent again. Qin Shuying and Qin Lulu exchanged gnces and saw worry in each other’s eyes.

  “Old Madam, this granddaughter truly had no prior knowledge of what happened today. Had I known it would lead to such trouble, I would never have accompanied Cousin Wei.”

  Qin Shuying spoke sincerely. If she had known Qin Yunyun’s pn beforehand, she would never have gone with her; instead, she would have used another method to deal with Qin Yunyun.

  First it was Qin Fangfang, and now Qin Yunyun. The reputation of the Qin family’s daughters was being dragged through the mud, and to the Old Madam, this was an unbearable blow.

  Looking at the Old Madam’s exhausted appearance, the once clear and wise eyes now dull and powerless, Qin Shuying felt a wave of sadness. Yet, she did not regret what she had done. If given the chance to do it all over again, the moment she stepped onto that carriage, she would still choose to deal with Qin Yunyun the same way.

  This was the retribution Qin Yunyun had brought upon herself.

  To see the Old Madam so distraught, Qin Shuying felt that Qin Yunyun’s punishment was far from enough.

  The Old Madam gazed at Qin Shuying, her heart filled with countless thoughts.

  This child… she’s too clever, too much like Yongzhou— Her most beloved youngest son. Her most intelligent son.

  After a long pause, the Old Madam finally said, “Fifth girl, seventh girl, this grandmother is old now. There are many things I wish to do but can’t. You two… you must learn to protect yourselves.”

  She wanted to say more but, in the end, simply waved her hand helplessly.

  Neither Qin Shuying nor Qin Lulu had eaten lunch. After all the commotion, it was already well past noon.

  The Old Madam had servants bring them a meal, which the two girls ate in a hurry. Just as they finished, Qin Yongtao strode into the courtyard.

  “Mother, I’ve worried you!”

  Qin Yongtao’s face was a mixture of anger and shock.

  The Old Madam said in a low voice, “I am fine. Go check on Sixth Girl. Make sure she does nothing foolish.”

  Qin Yongtao immediately turned and headed toward Fangfei Courtyard.

  As soon as he entered, the older maidservants and younger maids in the courtyard trembled in fear. The Master’s expression looked murderous.

  No one dared to step forward and serve him.

  He kicked open the half-closed door. Inside, Madam Xu let out a shriek. She knew immediately—it was Qin Yongtao!

  (Okay, this is Madam Xu, Qin Yunyun's mother now)

  In that brief moment, she deeply regretted everything. She regretted agreeing to Qin Yunyun’s scheme, regretted her moment of foolishness. Now, not only had Qin Yunyun fallen, but she had completely offended Qin Yongtao.

  As Qin Yongtao entered, the doorway curtain brushed against him. Normally, a maid would have lifted it for him.

  But today, no one dared to come forward. Qin Yongtao yanked it down with force. The fabric tore with a harsh sound, and he absentmindedly carried half the curtain in his hand.

  When he saw Madam Xu, something in him snapped. Without thinking, he looped the curtain cloth around her neck.

  Caught off guard, Madam Xu struggled desperately. Qin Yongtao was trying to strangle her!

  “You’re a curse! A disaster!”

  Qin Yongtao’s grip tightened. In mere moments, Madam Xu could only emit strangled gasps.

  Everything happened in the blink of an eye. Qin Yunyun was frozen in shock, staring wide-eyed at the scene as if carved from stone.

  It was Liu Mama who reacted quickly. After a moment of terror, she threw herself forward, clutching at Qin Yongtao’s arm. “Master, Master, you mustn’t! You mustn’t!”

  Qin Yongtao knew full well he mustn’t, but his fury had overridden his reason.

  “Get out of my way!”

  He shoved at Liu Mama, but she clung to his arm with all her strength. For a moment, he couldn’t shake her off. That slight distraction brought him back to his senses, and he released his grip. The curtain cloth fell from Madam Xu’s neck.

  She gasped violently, coughing uncontrolbly as she colpsed to the floor like a pile of mud.

  Qin Yunyun finally snapped out of her trance. She wanted to run to Madam Xu but was too frightened of her father’s blood-red eyes.

  She opened her mouth, trying to plead for mercy, but in the end, all she could stammer was, “Father… Mother… Please… Please don’t…”

  Qin Yongtao’s chest heaved as he pointed at Madam Xu. “A disaster! A curse! I will divorce you!”

  Madam Xu couldn’t speak, her eyes wide with lingering terror.

  Liu Mama knelt on the floor, trying to defend her mistress, “Master, this matter has nothing to do with Madam. She didn’t know. Master, you’ve misunderstood her! She has given you a son…”

  Liu Mama thought mentioning their son and Consort Lian might soften Qin Yongtao’s heart, but he wouldn’t let her finish.

  With a roar, he kicked her mercilessly. Liu Mama dared not dodge and took the blow squarely. Thankfully, Qin Yongtao’s attention wasn’t fully on her, and the kick only grazed her arm.

  “She didn’t know? Do you think I am stupider than this foolish woman?!”

  His voice was like ice. Liu Mama shivered uncontrolbly. “No… No, that’s not what I meant…”

  Thinking of the looks and gossip they would face after this incident, Qin Yongtao’s eyes bzed with fury. He no longer spared Liu Mama a gnce, his gaze fixed viciously on Madam Xu.

  “Xu Shi, this matter has already reached the authorities. I will find out exactly who caused this.”

  “Ah!”Qin Yunyun suddenly let out a sharp cry. Though she had thought she had handled things well, the fact that officials were now involved made her panic.

  Her reaction caught Qin Yongtao’s attention. He shifted his gaze toward her.

  “It was… you?”

  Qin Yunyun backed away in panic. “No… no… it wasn’t me…”

  Qin Yongtao stepped forward, each step heavier than the st. “It really was you?”

  He wasn’t just any official—he was the Dali Temple Minister. Once he unleashed his authority and anger, what delicate girl like Qin Yunyun could withstand it?

  With a thud, Qin Yunyun’s knees buckled, and she colpsed to the ground, drenched in cold sweat.

  “Father… No… No… I just… I just…”