As they chatted, Consort Lian suddenly said, “Mother, this is Seventh Sister’s first time in the pace. She must be finding everything fresh and curious. Sitting here listening to us talk must be terribly dull. Handan, why don’t you take Seventh Sister to look around the nearby gardens? If there’s anything she likes, no matter what it is, let me know when you return. I’ve been feeling a bit tired tely and haven’t prepared anything appropriate for Seventh Sister. If she fancies something, just let Handan know. I’ll make sure her wishes are met so that her visit isn’t wasted. Sixth Sister, perhaps you’d like to go along as well?”

  Qin Yunyun pouted and said pyfully, “I’ve been here so many times already. There’s nothing new for me to see. I’d rather stay and chat with Mother and Eldest Sister.”

  Qin Shuying hesitated and said, “Your Highness, what if I run into someone I don’t know? Wouldn’t it be improper and cause trouble for you?”

  That’s exactly what Consort Lian was hoping for.

  With a warm smile on her beautiful face, she reassured, “That won’t happen. You’re my sister. In this inner pace, just mention my name, and who would dare not show you respect? You can rest easy.”

  Qin Yunyun added, “Seventh Sister, if you see something you like, don’t hesitate to ask. Last time I saw a green parrot and took it home with me. You’ve seen it yourself.”

  Qin Shuying smiled faintly and said, “That parrot of yours truly is extraordinary.”

  Though Qin Shuying rarely visited Qin Yunyun, when she did, her visits were brief. She had seen the parrot before, and it was indeed remarkable.

  Madam Xu then chimed in, “Seventh girl, now that you’re in charge of the Third Branch, you need to carry yourself with authority. With the Consort favoring you, even when you marry into the Liu family, no one will dare look down on you.”

  Before she had finished speaking, Qin Shuying’s face flushed, and she lowered her head shyly.

  Consort Lian exchanged a gnce with Madam Xu. No matter how capable Qin Shuying was, she still had to marry eventually. With a talented young man like Liu Junqing as a prospect, how could Qin Shuying not be moved?

  Whenever her marriage was brought up, Qin Shuying would inevitably fall in line.

  Madam Xu seized the opportunity and said, “The Liu family is a prestigious cn in Huzhou, practically unrivaled locally. Their household rules must be strict. Although you’re the legitimate daughter of the Qin family, your parents are no longer around, and your father’s position wasn’t high. If you suffer grievances in the Liu family, even your uncle would have to show them some respect. But with the Consort supporting you, it’s a different story. The Liu family would have to treat you well out of deference for her.”

  Qin Shuying lowered her head further, her shyness evident. “First Madam, please don’t tease me…”

  Handan stepped forward and said, “Seventh Miss, the Consort means well. It’s not easy to enter the pace. If not for her, you might never have had the chance. To get you here, the Consort even pleaded with the Empress, since you’re not her full-blooded sister. I’ll only take you to the back garden; we won’t go far. There, you’ll find some rare peonies. While most flowers aren’t blooming this season, the peonies are in full bloom—a truly rare sight. The Consort knows you love flowers and sent me to show you something new.”

  Not going would mean disregarding Consort Lian’s goodwill.

  With both incentive and veiled pressure, refusing would be ungrateful.

  Qin Shuying’s face lit up with delight. She loved reading, writing, and needlework, but she also had a passion for tending to rare pnts. In her own garden at Yin Courtyard, she cultivated several valuable specimens.

  “This sounds wonderful. Thank you, Handan.”

  After bowing to Consort Lian and Madam Xu, Qin Shuying left joyfully with Handan.

  As they watched her leave, Madam Xu exchanged a questioning gnce with Consort Lian. Not wanting her son involved in the underhanded matters, Consort Lian said, “Qin’er, you’ve been busy since returning, and the Emperor holds you in high regard. Focus on your duties.”

  Zhou Qin smiled faintly. He knew his mother wanted to keep him out of certain affairs, and he was happy to comply. It was clear she had pns for Qin Shuying, and he didn’t need to know the details.

  Whatever his mother did, it was always for their mutual benefit.

  Zhou Qin stood and addressed Madam Xu, “Grandmother, I still have tasks assigned by His Majesty. I’ll visit you again after I’ve completed them.”

  Madam Xu beamed and replied, “Your Highness is wise and capable, earning the Emperor’s favor. That’s a blessing. Please, attend to your duties. Don’t worry about me.”

  Qin Yunyun also nodded at Zhou Qin. “Your Highness, this mission from the Emperor has kept you busy for over half a year. You’ve grown taller and carry yourself with even more poise. I hardly dare look at you.”

  Zhou Qin and Qin Yunyun were of simir age, and since his estate was established, he often visited the Qin family, maintaining a close retionship with her.

  “You ftter me, Aunt Yun,” Zhou Qin said with a smile.

  After a few polite exchanges, Zhou Qin took his leave.

  As soon as Zhou Qin left, Consort Lian’s expression turned cold. However, having spent over a decade in the pace, her composure was exceptional. If not for Madam Xu being close, it would have been difficult to notice the change in her demeanor.

  Consort Lian gnced at Fuqiu, who promptly exited with Eunuch Xi.

  Consort Lian remarked indifferently, “Our third uncle’s daughter is still too young to understand the rules.”

  Madam Xu smiled. “Your Highness, your discerning eyes can see right through that girl’s nature.”

  With that, she began recounting the recent events at Duke Chu’s residence. Though Consort Lian had already been informed of these matters, hearing them directly from Madam Xu carried a different weight.

  “She dares to be so bold? Father even cims she no longer trusts you?”

  Madam Xu nodded. “That’s precisely what your father said.”

  Qin Yunyun interjected impatiently, “Eldest Sister, this time, we must make her suffer.”

  Consort Lian’s tone remained composed. “Sixth Sister, for those who disobey, you don’t just make them suffer—you make them obedient. What’s the point of mere suffering?”

  Qin Yunyun’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Eldest Sister, are you serious?”

  Consort Lian replied calmly, “When I say something, I always mean it.”

  Unable to contain her joy, Qin Yunyun excimed, “Eldest Sister, that’s wonderful! Right now, she has Grandmother’s protection and doesn’t listen to Mother at all. Whenever I try to say something, she counters with her sharp tongue. Even Second Sister can’t outtalk her. And her audacity—she personally pushed Eighth Sister into that room! It’s outrageous!”

  Consort Lian said, “Grandmother favors Third Uncle and naturally wishes to protect her. However, if she offends someone important, even Grandmother won’t be able to shield her. If Seventh Sister truly valued Grandmother’s care, she would have handed over Third Uncle’s remaining estate for Father and Mother to manage. That’s what a proper daughter of the Qin family should do.”

  Madam Xu added, “Exactly. That Seventh girl has no sense of decorum and completely wastes your grandmother’s kindness!”

  Consort Lian smiled meaningfully. “It’s not just Grandmother’s efforts that are wasted—it’s also the regard I, as her elder sister, have shown her.”