Madam Xu didn’t notice the fsh of hatred in Qin Shuying’s eyes, mistaking her reaction as another spell of mencholy. She grasped Qin Shuying’s hand tightly and affectionately said, “You child, thinking of your parents again?”

  Qin Shuying’s body stiffened, and an image of her son Feng’er’s innocent and carefree smile fshed in her mind. That smile seemed to give her the courage to face everything!

  Madam Xu could act; Qin Shuying knew she had to act even better. Otherwise, how could she avenge Feng’er? Feng’er, Mother will avenge you! For you, I am willing to do anything—wear the mask of a human, become a demon, or even a ghost. It doesn’t matter! So what’s the difficulty in feigning civility with Madam Xu?

  Qin Shuying had always been mencholic and weak, and her current frail and miserable state would never arouse suspicion. Even yesterday, when both Nanny Fu and Luyue saw her crying, they didn’t find it strange. Slowly, Qin Shuying rexed her hands. Madam Xu saw only her red and swollen eyes and her pale, grief-stricken face.

  Madam Xu smiled inwardly. Sorrow weakens the body, and how long can a thirteen-year-old orphan st in this state? Sooner or ter, the wealth of the Third Household will all belong to her. But outwardly, her expression was filled with pity. “Good child, lie down and don’t get up.” Her voice was tender and concerned, almost moving.

  She turned to scold Qin Yunyun. “Yun’er, I know you’ve been worried about your Seventh Sister, losing sleep and even skipping meals. You’ve grown thinner—look at your poor face! But staying up te copying scriptures and neglecting your health is too much. What if you catch a cold? That would only make your Seventh Sister feel even guiltier, worsening her condition. Wouldn’t that be your fault?”

  Qin Shuying lowered her gaze, exhaling quietly. As expected, Madam Xu didn’t suspect anything. Her frequent tears and grief could now be attributed to this very sorrow, providing her with a convenient excuse.

  Qin Yunyun pyfully retorted, “Mother, wasn’t it because I was so worried? Now that Seventh Sister is better, isn’t it proof that my sincerity moved the Bodhisattva? How could Seventh Sister possibly think I’ve overstepped?”

  Madam Xu’s trusted servant, Nanny Zhang, chimed in, “Madam, in my opinion, it’s all thanks to Sixth Miss’s earnest prayers that Seventh Miss woke up after a day and night of unconsciousness. Do you remember, Madam? When the Master fell ill, Sixth Miss also stayed up all night, refusing food and water while praying, and the Master recovered quickly. Sixth Miss truly has a kind and filial heart, showing love and care for her siblings. In the capital, there are few young dies as virtuous as her. Seventh Miss, if I may say, having such a sister is truly a blessing earned over three lifetimes.”

  “Yes, yes,” the other maids and servants echoed in agreement. Only Luyue, standing far away, looked visibly angry but dared not speak. Meanwhile, Hongjuan kept her head low, her expression unreadable. Huiqin incessantly chimed in with agreement, ready to follow any orders.

  Their chatter left no room for Qin Shuying to respond. Was this supposed to be a sick visit? Qin Shuying smiled gently, her face full of gratitude as she tightly held Qin Yunyun’s hand. “Sixth Sister, I…”

  A sudden, violent coughing fit interrupted her. Qin Shuying’s face was close to Qin Yunyun’s, and she coughed uncontrolbly, gasping for air. Her small frame leaned heavily against Qin Yunyun, desperately trying to speak, but the coughing wouldn’t stop. Her face flushed bright red, and droplets of saliva spttered onto Qin Yunyun’s face.

  Disgusted, Qin Yunyun quickly turned her face away, attempting to push Qin Shuying back onto the bed and distance herself. However, Qin Shuying’s grip on her hand remained firm, refusing to let go, and her body leaned even closer.

  Nanny Zhang, ever attentive, immediately stepped forward, trying to help Qin Shuying so that Qin Yunyun could stand up and leave.

  But just as abruptly as it started, Qin Shuying’s coughing subsided. Tightening her grip on Qin Yunyun’s hand, she said, “Sixth Sister, your great kindness is something I will never forget… cough, cough…”

  Madam Xu had only come today to funt her "charitable and virtuous" image and to check on Qin Shuying's condition. Seeing her still pale and weak, Madam Xu felt reassured. Doctor Liu had mentioned that Qin Shuying’s illness wouldn’t take her quickly but would drag on, with the "outcome" expected by the end of the year.

  Ecstatic at the thought, Madam Xu had already begun using some of the treasures left behind by Qin Yongzhou and his wife, as Consort Lian required rge sums of money in the pace. Thinking of this, Madam Xu’s mood lifted even further, and her smile became warmer and more amicable. “Look at you, speaking so formally. Ever since you came back, I’ve treated you like my own child. Your food, clothes, and expenses are even better than Yun’er’s. I’ve spent money like water on you without a second thought. If there’s anything you need, just say the word—even if I have to dip into my own savings, I wouldn’t hesitate.”

  Nanny Fu had just returned and entered the room to hear these words. Her face flushed with anger. Miss had come back to the Qin family with a fortune, but under Madam Xu’s deceit, that wealth had been siphoned away. Yet now Madam Xu had the audacity to make it seem like Miss was entirely dependent on her generosity! Nanny Fu, furious, quickly stepped to Qin Shuying’s side and said indignantly, “Madam Xu, our Master and Madam left behind 18 shops, thousands of acres of fertile nd, and countless treasures and paintings for Miss! Each shop is in a prime location, thriving with business, bringing in endless wealth. Miss could never spend it all in her lifetime!”

  Madam Xu merely smiled, her expression one of tolerant magnanimity, as though she wouldn’t stoop to argue with ignorant servants.

  Nanny Zhang, Madam Xu’s confidante, interjected, “Nanny Fu, that’s not quite right. It’s true that the Third Master and Madam left many shops for Seventh Miss, but Miss only knows how to read and embroider. She doesn’t know how to manage those shops, and the managers’ minds had long strayed. If not for Madam Xu stepping in to oversee them, those shops would’ve been swindled away by now! Madam Xu, out of her affection for her niece, has taken on this burden without compint, even at the cost of being misunderstood. And Nanny Fu, as a freed servant, why are you still clinging to the Qin family? Eating Qin family food, drinking Qin family tea—do you even have a shred of shame?”

  Qin Shuying masked the cold smile in her heart. This Nanny Zhang dared to speak such btant lies and distort the truth right in front of her, the supposed master of the household. How audacious! And where did her audacity come from? From Madam Xu, of course!

  Lowering her gaze, a glint of ruthlessness fshed in Qin Shuying’s eyes.

  Nanny Fu trembled with rage, but Qin Shuying seemingly brushed her hand away unintentionally. With a furrowed brow and a hint of displeasure, she said, “Nanny, everyone in the Qin household knows how good Madam Xu has been to me. You shouldn’t overthink things. Go fetch me some water; my throat is dry.”

  This simple sentence dismissed the earlier conversation. Naturally, everyone attributed Qin Shuying’s displeasure to Nanny Fu, given the growing estrangement between them in recent days.

  Nanny Fu froze momentarily before lowering her head in disappointment and leaving to fetch water. Madam Xu’s smile widened triumphantly. This Third Household girl was truly foolish.

  Qin Shuying then turned to Qin Yunyun, her delicate brows and features tinged with endless sorrow and longing. “Sixth Sister, you know how frail I am. Whenever the weather changes, I’m bedridden for days, unable to go out. Living in isotion is lonely and bitter. Even the servants in Spring Garden avoid me, afraid I’ll pass my illness onto them. They won’t even speak to me face-to-face. If you could visit me once a day so we sisters can talk, I would be content…”

  She made no mention of Nanny Zhang’s earlier remarks.

  As she spoke, another violent coughing fit overtook her, as if she would cough up her lungs. Her entire body leaned heavily against Qin Yunyun, her mouth aimed toward her sister as if to speak, but the coughing prevented her. The bitter medicine on her breath wafted toward Qin Yunyun’s face.

  The unpleasant smell made Qin Yunyun recoil. Struggling to free herself, she pulled her hand away, covered her mouth, and took several steps back, her face full of disgust.