Qin Shuying gave Madam Xu no chance to rebut, immediately kneeling and gazing tearfully at the Old Madam. “Grandmother, how can such a shameless and insolent servant dare to steal from the family storeroom and wear my te mother’s jewelry? How can we be sure the items my father and mother cherished and intended as birthday gifts for you are still intact? Such actions utterly desecrate my parents’ filial devotion to you!”

  Suddenly, she pointed at the screen Qin Yunyun had just presented and said sharply, “What’s even more despicable is that Nanny Zhang secretly took my father’s sandalwood screen and used it as the frame for my Sixth Sister’s screen, framing her as unfilial and dishonorable! Worse yet, it casts you, Grandmother, as unkind and indulgent!”

  Qin Shuying’s words came out swiftly, as though she had rehearsed them a thousand times. Her quick and smooth delivery was completely unlike her usual reticent and timid demeanor. Madam Xu, caught off guard by this unexpected boldness, couldn’t find an opportunity to interrupt or counter.

  The room fell into utter silence. It was impossible for an old servant to act so brazenly without orders from above—it was clear to everyone that Madam Xu was behind this.

  Having lost the initiative, Madam Xu could do nothing to salvage the situation.

  Qin Yunyun’s face turned bright red, and she immediately tried to defend herself. “Seventh Sister, this screen was clearly a gift from Mother. How could it…” She trailed off as she realized her mistake, catching Madam Xu’s furious gre.

  Qin Shuying, her voice soft but steady, said, “Sixth Sister, Madam must have been deceived by this servant. The sandalwood screen frame used to sit in my mother’s room—I would never mistake it. The base of the screen even has the words ‘Eternal Peace and Harmony’ engraved on it. Xiangqin, Xiangchun, would you please flip it over to confirm?”

  The two maids exchanged hesitant gnces and looked toward the Old Madam, unsure what to do.

  The Old Madam remained silent for a long moment before finally speaking. “It seems we’ve put on quite a show for our guests. Nanny Gu, this matter needs to be addressed. Inform the eldest master that the Seventh Miss will accompany him to the magistrate’s office to catalog the items left behind by the third master. Without rules, there can be no order. While the Qin family may not be a centuries-old noble house, we maintain our integrity and will not allow anyone to tarnish our reputation! Have someone bind Nanny Zhang at once!”

  Qin Shuying exhaled quietly—this battle, for now, was a success.

  The Old Madam, once the daughter of an official family, had experienced a harrowing fall from grace when her cousins, emboldened by their connection to a pace beauty, committed heinous acts, including abductions and extortion, leading to their family’s downfall. Though the young Old Madam had been spared due to her age, her parents and brothers had met tragic ends.

  In truth, the cousins’ misdeeds were minor compared to the real crime: their sister’s involvement in pace intrigues and witchcraft, which enraged the Emperor. The witchcraft scandal, compounded by the cousins’ behavior, led to their family’s destruction.

  Because of this history, the Old Madam despised those who overstepped their bounds due to connections. Qin Shuying had gambled on this, knowing the Old Madam’s sentiments.

  Madam Xu, emboldened by her daughter Consort Lian’s status, had grown increasingly arrogant, even disregarding the Old Madam’s authority in recent years. By creating this public humiliation, Qin Shuying intended to curb Madam Xu’s behavior.

  The Old Madam’s sigh reflected her understanding of Qin Shuying’s intent. While she was pleased by Qin Shuying’s cleverness and boldness, she also worried that such sharpness might harm her in the future.

  For now, allowing Madam Xu to suffer humiliation served as a reminder that the Qin family remained under the Old Madam’s control. However, the Old Madam also resolved not to let Qin Shuying go unpunished.

  Even if she faced repercussions ter, Qin Shuying was content. Compared to a life of silent suffering and a forgotten death, a confrontation—even with consequences—was preferable.

  Nanny Zhang, terrified, struggled as she was bound, but the strong maids overpowered her with ease. The gathered women continued drinking tea as though nothing was happening, their composure unshaken. The young dies, though visibly startled, kept themselves in check.

  Madam Luo, unperturbed, smiled and said, “Old Madam, the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra written by Master Xuanzeng must be a treasure. Might I borrow it to study for a time?”

  The Old Madam, seeing the opportunity to ease the tension, replied, “Of course, of course.”

  In an instant, the room returned to a lively atmosphere. The Old Madam turned to Madam Zou and said, “Second daughter-in-w, the red maples in the garden are in full bloom. Take everyone out to enjoy the view.”

  Madam Zou agreed and led the female guests to the backyard to admire the autumn scenery, leaving only Madam Xu and Qin Shuying behind. Both knelt on the floor simultaneously, neither offering a word in their own defense.

  Surprisingly, the Old Madam didn’t reprimand either of them. She remained silent for a long time before finally saying, “You may leave.”

  This was clearly a temporary reprieve, with the promise of reckoning to come ter.

  The two women exited Xuantang, finding the courtyard filled with maids and servants standing in uneasy silence. As Qin Shuying passed Huiqin, she paused and gnced at her. Huiqin instinctively stepped back.

  Having already heard about the events inside Xuantang, Huiqin now looked at Qin Shuying as if she were a terrifying anomaly. How had the Seventh Miss mustered such boldness, daring to humiliate Madam Xu in front of so many outsiders? Madam Xu was not only Consort Lian’s mother but also the Qin family’s matriarch, with two sons to solidify her status.

  At the crossroad where they would part ways, Madam Xu stopped and turned to look at Qin Shuying. She had truly underestimated this girl. To think she was capable of being so ruthless!

  Even now, Madam Xu found it hard to believe.

  She watched as Qin Shuying approached, her gaze deep, her faint smile barely discernible. Despite her radiant face, there was an unmistakable chill to her expression.

  Madam Xu seethed inwardly, but outwardly, she maintained her composure, smiling warmly. “Seventh Miss, I must have been too trusting of others, allowing that servant Nanny Zhang to take advantage. Don’t worry—once the Old Madam’s birthday banquet is over, I’ll see to it that the old servant is properly punished.”

  Qin Shuying smiled in return, her smile deeper and more meaningful. I’m still too inexperienced. Look at Madam Xu—this is what a true master looks like.

  “Madam, you’re too kind. We’re all family—I naturally trust you.”

  Madam Xu’s smile remained gentle. “Good, as long as that’s the case. By the way, you haven’t left Spring Garden in so long. Today, with so many young guests and such fine weather, why not go and enjoy their company?”

  Qin Shuying’s innocent smile didn’t falter. “Then I’ll take my leave first.”

  Madam Xu watched Qin Shuying’s figure fade into the distance before retracting her gaze and slowly walking toward the banquet hall, step by deliberate step.