"What wouldn't she dare?" Qin Yunyun sneered bitterly. "Even Mother has now been forced to 'recover from illness.' If she can do that to you, why would she spare me? I think her next move is to convince Sister-in-w to find some random family to marry me off to!"

  "She wouldn't dare!" Madam Xu smmed her hand on the table angrily, but quickly reconsidered and slowly sat back down. "Your sister-in-w isn't that kind of person. She wouldn't let herself be easily swayed."

  Qin Yunyun ughed coldly. "Money can move mountains. Sister-in-w’s family isn't wealthy. When has she ever seen so much gleaming silver?"

  Dong Shi's father had a modest official sary before retiring early due to illness, and the family had no other significant source of income. Dong Shi had never lived extravagantly.

  When Dong Shi married Qin Kaile, Qin Yongtao was only a fifth-rank official. Although Consort Lian had given birth to the Sixth Prince, she was still just a Meiren at the time, several ranks below a consort. Therefore, the Qin family’s status wasn't particurly high, making Dong Shi a suitable match.

  But now, since Dong Shi’s family had fallen, Madam Xu held her in less esteem. Yet, Dong Shi was still her son's wife, so Madam Xu maintained a degree of courtesy.

  Madam Xu sighed, "Alright, I know you're worried. But your sister-in-w has been accompanying your brother for years, handling all sorts of situations. She's no longer the sheltered young dy she used to be. Besides, she's your family—she’ll naturally be inclined to favor you."

  In truth, Qin Yunyun was merely venting her frustration; she didn't genuinely distrust Dong Shi, who had not even returned yet. Hearing her mother’s reassuring words, she realized she'd been too harsh. But, having always had things go her way, her recent setbacks left her agitated. Thus, she remained silent, stubbornly sipping her tea.

  Madam Xu herself had been restless and irritated tely. Every time Qin Yunyun visited, she came with endless compints, quickly exhausting Madam Xu’s patience, and often ending their interactions unhappily.

  After sitting quietly for a while, Qin Yunyun broke the silence. "Cousin is back. She'll surely visit soon—Mother, do you want to see her?"

  She meant that Xu Peiwei would likely pay a visit to inquire about Madam Xu’s health. Madam Xu needed to decide whether Xu Peiwei would merely offer brief greetings from afar, or if they'd sit and talk face-to-face.

  The Old Madam had relieved Madam Xu of household management under the pretense of illness, but Madam Xu hadn't fully decided how "ill" she should appear. Once Dong Shi returns, it seems reasonable enough for Madam Xu to retire from household duties. But should she cim illness or take refuge in religious devotion?

  After careful consideration, Madam Xu replied, "When your sister-in-w returns, I'll devote myself to chanting sutras. For now, I'm merely feeling unwell. Meeting Peiwei should be acceptable."

  Qin Yunyun knew Madam Xu had made up her mind to embrace religious devotion. The Qin household, having been newly established, didn't yet have a proper Buddhist hall, just a meditation chamber.

  The Old Madam’s idea of religious devotion meant chanting and copying scriptures every morning without fail. On the 1st and 15th days of each month, plus the days before and after (totaling six days), Madam Xu would have to bathe, observe vegetarianism, remain secluded in the Qin estate, and minimize interaction with others—unless she visited a temple.

  It sounded simple but was actually quite burdensome. Daily, she had to rise early at dawn, cleanse herself, and chant scriptures for an hour. The same practice had to be repeated in the evening for another full hour.

  To Madam Xu, accustomed to comfort, this was no easy feat. Yet, it was preferable to be confined indefinitely under the pretense of illness.

  In the past, Madam Xu had deceived Qin Shuying into believing she was cursed, forcing her into exactly such a lifestyle. Qin Shuying had spent her days copying scriptures, fervently praying for her parents' souls, believing herself responsible for their deaths. Immersed in religion, she'd become easily maniputed by Madam Xu, eventually losing her own life.

  Qin Yunyun nodded in understanding. She shifted the conversation: "It's been many years since we've seen Sister-in-w. Yue'er is also nearing marriageable age now."

  Madam Xu smiled faintly, her mood easing slightly. "I wonder how Yue'er and Shuo'er have grown. It's good that your sister-in-w is returning. Yangzhou may be pleasant, but nothing compares to the capital. Yue'er's marriage should definitely be arranged here."

  Qin Yue and Qin Shuo were Dong Shi and Qin Kaile’s children. Besides Dong Shi, Qin Kaile also had two concubines and a bed-servant, who had borne him additional children. They too would likely be returning this time.

  Concubine Miao had a daughter the same age as Qin Yue, and Concubine Luo had a son younger than Qin Shuo by one year.

  Qin Yunyun remembered something else important. "It's been half a month since the Imperial Exams ended. The results will soon be announced. Mother, this is a good opportunity."

  Madam Xu was momentarily confused. Yue'er was only eleven—far too young to select a husband from the newly graduated schors, who were generally at least sixteen or seventeen, possibly already betrothed.

  Then it struck her: Yue'er was indeed too young, but wasn't Yunyun the perfect age?

  A bright smile spread across Madam Xu's face. "You're absolutely right. I’ll discuss it properly with your sister-in-w once she's back."

  Seeing Madam Xu’s expression, Qin Yunyun realized her mother had misunderstood her intent and felt a sudden surge of anxiety. She’d intended to subtly prompt Madam Xu to intervene immediately and snatch Liu Junqing's marriage arrangement away from Qin Shuying—not to find herself a match among newly minted schors!

  Each year, the Imperial Examination selected only three hundred schors. Most successful candidates were already in their mid-to-te twenties or even older—her cousin Xu Zhiyang was considered quite young at twenty-five. How could Qin Yunyun accept such an arrangement?

  Unable to restrain herself any longer, Qin Yunyun blurted out, "Mother, are you truly willing to let that wretched girl keep suppressing us?"

  "Of course not!" Madam Xu hastily denied it.

  Despite herself, Madam Xu had begun to fear Qin Shuying. But admitting defeat, acknowledging being controlled by Qin Shuying, was impossible. She was an esteemed Madam—how could a mere girl control her?

  It was utterly humiliating.

  Qin Yunyun’s expression turned ruthless. "Mother, you always taught me to fight fiercely for what I desire. That camity isn't worthy of Young Master Liu!"

  Madam Xu was stunned for a moment before suddenly understanding Qin Yunyun’s true intentions.

  "Yun'er, you…"

  Qin Yunyun’s beautiful face took on a hardness inappropriate for her age. "Mother, Young Master Liu is certain to pass this exam brilliantly. Are you really going to let Qin Shuying benefit from such a marriage? What makes us inferior to her? Her parents are dead; all she relies on is the Old Madam. By rights, all good things should belong to us. If she won't obediently step aside, we'll seize it ourselves! Who knows—perhaps Young Master Liu might even prefer me!"

  Madam Xu stared at her daughter, momentarily speechless.

  Looking into Qin Yunyun’s fiercely determined eyes, Madam Xu felt both pride and a deep sense of unease.