Qin Shuying left the mansion, accompanied by her trusted attendants: Nanny Fu, Mi Luo, Ziteng, Luye, Hongjuan, and Lanchou.

  Her entourage moved in an impressive procession.

  Along the way, she stopped at two boutiques that catered exclusively to female customers, browsing through the stores before donning her veiled hat and returning to the main road to board her carriage. After half a morning, they finally arrived at the shop at the southern end of the street, where Manager Jin greeted her. Veiled, Qin Shuying bypassed the front of the store and headed to the rear courtyard, entering an office where several individuals were already waiting.

  This had become Qin Shuying’s usual routine during her outings.

  At first, Madam Xu assumed that Qin Shuying, being so young, wouldn’t be able to manage the shops effectively. However, to her dismay, everything was running smoothly, and the shops were bustling with activity.

  The Qin shops mirrored those of the Lu family, but ter, two additional stores were added.

  Over the course of more than a month, Mi Luo had no reason to suspect anything unusual. After all, the types of shops Qin Shuying managed were profitable ventures that most merchants would consider.

  Recently, Qin Shuying had provided pricing lists for the four main shops, and one item, bck sugar, had caught Mi Luo off guard. Its price was set lower than that of most competitors.

  Qin Shuying’s gaze lingered on the pricing list, her eyes fshing with mockery.

  The Lu family’s business catered primarily to middle-css customers, a market that Qin Yaoyao had painstakingly cultivated. Breaking into the upper-css market was far from easy. Bck sugar, however, was a product that appealed to both middle- and upper-css households.

  Given that, buyers naturally paid close attention to price. If a product of comparable quality was avaible at a lower price, consumers would undoubtedly flock to the alternative. It was only a matter of time before the Lu family’s business faltered.

  However, this strategy required a solid financial foundation. If the Lu family also lowered their prices, sustaining the competition would be difficult. Fortunately, Qin Shuying was well-funded, and supporting this venture posed no challenge for her. Moreover, she had additional strategies in reserve.

  The grand opening was scheduled for the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, giving them ample time to finalize preparations. After Qin Shuying left, Mi Luo and the others continued their work with urgency and precision.

  A few days ter.

  After breakfast, Qin Shuying followed her usual routine of massaging the Old Madam’s legs. Once the Old Madam fell asleep, she stayed behind in Xuantang to copy scriptures.

  She said to Nanny Gu, “Nanny, I noticed yesterday that the Old Madam’s scripture book is damaged. Let me recopy it for her so she can use it when she wakes up.”

  Scriptures with damage could invite divine displeasure, and Nanny Gu was more than happy to oblige. She prepared the necessary paper and ink for Qin Shuying, who washed her hands and began her meticulous transcription.

  Qin Shuying instructed Nanny Gu, “Copying scriptures requires sincerity and must not be disturbed. Otherwise, they lose their efficacy in warding off disasters and bringing blessings. Nanny, no matter what happens, wait until I’ve finished copying before telling me. Is that all right?”

  Nanny Gu readily agreed. Qin Shuying’s calm demeanor and unwavering focus during worship and scripture copying had always impressed her. She was precise, reverent, and utterly dedicated.

  Such dedication was rare, and Nanny Gu couldn't help but feel a twinge of respect for Qin Shuying.

  Inside the study behind the gauze screen, Qin Shuying quietly copied the scriptures.

  Luye, Hongjuan, and a few other maids had already returned to the courtyard. Earlier, Luye had slipped on the road and soaked her dress, so Qin Shuying lent her own cloak and instructed them to send another one back ter.

  Behind a cluster of pine trees, a maidservant spotted the Seventh Miss still wearing the same fiery red mink cloak she had donned when entering the study. Surrounded by Hongjuan and the others, she headed toward Yin Garden. Only after they were out of sight did the maid dust off the snow on her clothes and hurriedly report to Yanfei Pavilion.

  Meanwhile, outside the Qin family’s gates, a frail old monk was passing by. He paused abruptly, gazing at the sky above the mansion and then the grand entrance for a long while.

  The doorkeepers paid him no mind until the monk stepped forward, solemnly introducing himself as Master Yuan Zhen from Fayuan Temple. He cimed to have returned to the capital after wandering far and wide and, upon passing the Qin residence, noticed an ominous evil spirit lingering above. He warned, "A great camity looms unless it is swiftly expelled!"

  His grave tone caught the doorkeepers' attention. Fayuan Temple was one of the capital's most esteemed Buddhist sanctuaries, and Yuan Zhen was said to be the junior brother of the temple’s abbot. Coupled with the fact that this was the residence of a third-ranking official with ties to a concubine in the pace, it seemed unlikely for someone to attempt deception here. Hesitant but concerned, they reported the matter to Madam Xu.

  Madam Xu, unable to make a decision on her own, informed the Old Madam, which naturally brought Second Madam Zhou into the matter as well.

  When the Old Madam woke and heard the news, she immediately called for the monk to be invited inside. A devout Buddhist, she held Fayuan Temple in high regard, knowing the renown of Yuan Zhen’s spiritual cultivation.

  As soon as Master Yuan Zhen entered, he decred, "A female benefactor here is entangled with an evil spirit!"

  The maids and servants exchanged uneasy gnces, fear written across their faces.

  Madam Xu frowned and said, "Master, we respect you as an accomplished monk, but your words seem reckless. Why do you speak so?"

  "Forgive me, benefactor," Yuan Zhen replied solemnly, "but monks do not speak frivolously. The Old Madam suffered misfortunes from a young age—losing her family in a tragedy as an infant, living a solitary life after losing her husband in her prime, and enduring the heartbreak of losing her son in her old age. Yet her suffering does not end there. It all began long ago, with the loss of a beloved, leaving her with lifelong regret."

  The Old Madam’s hand tightened on the table, her eyes widening slightly in surprise as she stared at Yuan Zhen. "Master, what do you mean by this?"

  "My words may seem presumptuous, and I beg your forgiveness," Yuan Zhen replied humbly.

  The Old Madam was silent for a long moment before speaking again. "Master, are you implying that camity has befallen my household?"

  Yuan Zhen calcuted on his fingers, his expression growing heavier. "Old Madam, your household is afflicted by a southeastern malevolent star. This star arrived years ago and preys upon those with great fortune, already causing the loss of esteemed family members. Now, it has begun draining the Old Madam’s own fortune, growing stronger in the process. If not addressed promptly, the Old Madam’s life may be in jeopardy!"

  Madam Xu frowned, unconvinced. "Master, my mother-in-w may have minor ailments from time to time, but who doesn’t? How can you connect this to her life being at risk?"

  Yuan Zhen expined, "Do not underestimate this star. It is no ordinary curse but one that specifically brings harm to those around it. To those nearby, it causes harm to fathers, mothers, siblings, and extended retives alike. It attaches itself to someone in your household, making it nearly impossible to detect."

  Behind the gauze screen, Qin Shuying chuckled silently. Wasn’t this star none other than herself? Close retives—Qin Yongzhou and his wife—had died. Distant kin—her cousin Qin Yaoyao—had also met her end.

  Madam Xu gnced at the Old Madam, who was still lost in thought. Seizing the moment, she said, "Master, without evidence, we cannot simply believe such cims."

  Yuan Zhen replied, "Benefactor, reflect carefully: Has anyone in your household recently behaved completely differently from their usual self?"

  Without thinking, Qin Fangfang blurted out, "Master, my Seventh Sister is nothing like before! She used to be gentle and obedient, but now she’s so unrecognizable that I feel scared every time I see her!"