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  Qin Shuying simply said, "Madam, you should stop grieving for my mother for now. If she were still alive and saw me being humiliated as a guest today, she would undoubtedly demand justice—that is what a true mother would do. Moreover, the hairpin on Old Madam Lu’s head is my mother's heirloom, recorded in her dowry list. Whether my words are nonsense or not, we need only verify it with the official records to know the truth.

  Madam, you should be more concerned about my second brother-in-w—oh no, I mean my third brother-in-w. Today's events will inevitably reach the ears of the Censorate, and he is bound to be impeached—for failing to discipline his household properly, for seizing his wife’s cousin’s belongings! My memory truly isn’t great—he used to be my second brother-in-w, but after he caused the death of his wife and son, he became my third brother-in-w. Now, if he still wishes to advance his career, that might prove difficult!

  Unless… could it be that my third sister intends to enter the pace and plead with Consort Lian? But Consort Lian is a consort—would a consort dare to defy imperial tradition and interfere in politics? Just the other day, Consort De reprimanded her, and yet she still refuses to repent?"

  This…

  What kind of reasoning was this?!Could this really be connected?

  Conflicts among women were usually silent battles, bloodless yet ruthless. Madam Zhao had never witnessed such a method of verbal warfare before—this was entirely unheard of!

  This Seventh Miss—so sharp-tongued, so decisive and ruthless—was she not afraid of ruining her own reputation?

  Where had this anomaly come from?

  Yet, for all her wild connections, her words still carried a logical thread.

  Madam Zhao was utterly dumbfounded, while Madam Zhong, who had remained quiet like a wooden statue, lowered her head and took a sip of tea, hiding the fleeting gleam of amusement in her eyes.

  If Qin Shuying had dragged her into this mess, it wouldn’t have been worth it… Madam Zhao, trembling slightly, stood up and excimed, "Oh dear, my head… it's spinning!"

  The illegitimate daughter standing quietly behind her immediately rushed forward to support her. "Mother! Mother… Old Madam Lu, my mother has been feeling dizzy tely—it seems we must take our leave!"

  Without waiting for Old Madam Lu’s response, she and the servants quickly helped Madam Zhao up to leave.

  Madam Xu was momentarily stunned but quickly grasped what was happening.

  A chill ran down her spine, and cold sweat dampened her back.

  She turned to Qin Shuying, only to see the girl still wearing the same indifferent smile, her brows slightly arched, completely unbothered.

  Yet beneath that smile, there was no trace of fear or hesitation.

  Why was it that the words no one dared to utter came so easily from Qin Shuying’s lips?

  Madam Xu felt a deep, creeping fear.

  She regretted it. Why had she provoked this hellion of a girl?

  As she watched the crowd surrounding Madam Zhao, she suddenly heard Madam Zhong sigh, "Oh dear… my head is spinning too… Shu'er…"

  The young girl named Shu'er immediately turned to Old Madam Lu and said, "Mother, my dy has been unwell recently, and she only just started feeling better today. She has held on for as long as she could—it would be best if we take our leave as well."

  Old Madam Lu, still fuming from Qin Shuying’s comment about "causing the death of his wife and son," was about to sh out when she heard the two noble dies decring their intent to leave. She was so stunned that she momentarily forgot to scold Qin Shuying.

  She hastily ordered Granny Yuan, "Quick! Go summon the physician for the madams!"

  Among the guests, these two women held the highest status, especially Madam Zhao. Lu Changxuan had specifically instructed that she be treated with the utmost respect. If she left without even touching the banquet, that would be a disaster!

  Madam Zhao clutched her head, letting out a soft groan as if truly unwell.

  Her illegitimate daughter, eyes brimming with anxious tears, spoke urgently, "Old Madam, this won’t do! My father always prioritizes my mother’s health—I must inform him immediately! Old Madam, please have someone prepare the carriage at once!"

  "This…" Old Madam Lu was taken aback by the girl’s distress. Panicked, she had no choice but to comply. "Granny Yuan, go! Arrange for a carriage immediately. And you—go inform my son that Madam Zhao is leaving!"

  Even in her flustered state, she still had the sense to notify Lu Changxuan—not entirely foolish.

  Madam Zhong followed suit, and soon, other female guests also used the chaos as an excuse to make their escape.

  For the first time, Old Madam Lu found herself utterly helpless in the face of such an exodus. "Madams, wait! Don’t leave yet—the banquet hasn't even begun!"

  Lu Changju stood there in shock, while an older female cousin muttered, "They gave their gifts and left without eating? Oh dear, Meiniang, go tell the kitchen—since Madam Zhao and Madam Zhong have left, along with their daughters and attendants, that’s… over ten fewer people. We can save two full tables’ worth of food!"

  Madam Xu watched the noblewomen fleeing like they were being chased by ghosts, and her anger nearly boiled over. Why were they in such a hurry to leave? It was all because Qin Shuying had spoken such outrageous words!

  Hand trembling, she pointed at Qin Shuying and hissed, "You… you… Seventh Miss, you are to be confined to your quarters upon returning home!"

  Qin Shuying remained calm, as if she hadn’t even heard. She leisurely looked around before choosing a chair and taking a seat.

  Madam Xu’s mind was in complete turmoil. She could only think one thing—"It’s over!"

  Old Madam Lu might not understand the gravity of the situation, but Madam Xu did.

  With so many noblewomen, servants, and maids present, news of today's events would inevitably spread.

  As for the matter of the Censorate impeaching Lu Changxuan? It was practically guaranteed now.

  Would he face severe consequences? Perhaps not.

  But the fact that Old Madam Lu was wearing jewelry that had once belonged to Qin Shuying’s te mother—this was an entirely different issue.

  How would outsiders speak of Qin Yongtao? Of Madam Xu? Of Consort Lian? Of the Sixth Prince?

  Even if many doubted Qin Shuying’s wilder cims—especially the part about Consort Lian—it wouldn’t stop political factions from using the rumors to their advantage.

  Thinking of the cold, calcuting gaze of Qin Yongtao, Madam Xu couldn’t suppress a shudder.

  Meanwhile, Lu Changju and the older female cousin had gone off to see the guests out, leaving only the Qin family members in the hall.

  Madam Xu wasn’t the only one to grasp the gravity of the situation—Qin Yunyun understood as well.

  "Seventh Sister, what has gotten into you today? You’ve been speaking utter nonsense! Fabricating lies left and right—how could you be so foolish?"