Chapter 136: Lies Aren’t So Easy to Cover Up, Either!

“Come in!” Qin Huaiyong greeted with a face full of delight. He had been somewhat doubtful before, fearing that the Grand Princess of Ruian was merely speaking casually, but now she had truly arrived.

Qin Wanru’s expression remained unchanged, a gentle smile playing on her lips, yet inside she breathed a sigh of relief. Before the arrival of the Grand Princess of Ruian’s notice, she had already used this matter as leverage. If the Grand Princess had truly forgotten, it would have been troublesome.

Fortunately, the Grand Princess of Ruian’s notice arrived as expected, just like in the previous life.

Only this time, it was neither delivered into the hands of Madam Di nor intercepted halfway by Qin Yuru.

“Yes!” Madame Yu respectfully entered and presented the notice to Qin Huaiyong with both hands.

Qin Huaiyong took it, scrutinizing the gold-embossed characters, and recognized it as indeed the Grand Princess of Ruian’s notice, his joy uncontainable.

Composing himself, his smile faded somewhat as he placed the notice on the table. “It is for the day after tomorrow. Since it is the Grand Princess of Ruian’s wish, you and your mother shall attend. But when you go, you must obey your mother in everything—whatever is said or done, you must follow her lead. We must not let anyone think the Qin household is discourteous!”

Qin Huaiyong admonished.

“Yes, Father!” Qin Wanru nodded obediently.

“As for your attire, have your mother buy you several sets of ready-made clothes tomorrow—choose the best. The banquet at the Grand Princess’s residence will be attended by nobles; if your clothing appears shabby, you will be looked down upon.”

Qin Huaiyong continued to instruct. This was a great opportunity for him. Those who had been hesitant would surely think he had gained favor with the Grand Princess of Ruian’s household, and his position would soon be secured. His face was alight with joy.

Having said this, he did not linger but decided to give instructions to Shui Ruolan instead. After all, Qin Wanru was still a child and might not understand many things; it would be more effective to instruct Shui Ruolan.

Qin Huaiyong left in high spirits, accompanied by a servant, heading directly to Shui Ruolan’s Liufeng Courtyard.

Watching Qin Huaiyong depart, the joyful smile on Qin Wanru’s face gradually faded, her expression returning to calm. She reached for the notice left on the table and studied it carefully.

In her previous life, she had only seen this notice after the fact—when Qin Yuru flaunted it before her did she realize it existed. This time, from the moment she received the notice, everything was entirely different from before.

Therefore, this time her fate could change for the better, and not be a mere repetition of the last life.

“Second Miss, the General cares so much?” Madame Yu, an elder in the household, naturally noticed Qin Huaiyong’s earlier delight.

“Yes, very much. Father’s days in the capital have been difficult; the Yongkang Earl’s household must be deliberately making things hard for us!” Qin Wanru’s eyes were calm as she glanced over the notice again.

Madam Di had no choice but to admit Shui Ruolan into the household and even handed over the steward’s affairs to her. It was not only Madam Di who was resentful, but also the Yongkang Earl’s household. They were certainly deliberately creating trouble to delay and harass Qin Huaiyong.

“Madam Di is so malicious to you, yet the General has not dismissed her out of respect for the Yongkang Earl’s household!” Madame Yu said indignantly.

“Father would never dismiss Madam Di!” Qin Wanru shook her head; she had seen this matter clearly all along.

From the previous life to this one, Qin Huaiyong’s forbearance was evident everywhere. But what came next was not something Madam Di or the Yongkang Earl’s household could dictate.

At least, there was one thing she doubted deeply. If that thing were true, Qin Huaiyong would have undoubtedly dismissed Madam Di without hesitation. That was the one fatal point concerning Madam Di.

But until now, Qin Huaiyong would never dismiss her.

“Then Miss must be even more careful!” Madame Yu’s worry was palpable, her expression troubled and hesitant.

“Madame Yu, is there something else?” Qin Wanru smiled knowingly.

“It’s nothing much, but my son just sent word. I don’t know if there has been a change regarding that person; I fear something might have happened!” Madame Yu glanced around to ensure no one was listening before lowering her voice.

“Don’t worry, Madame Yu. That person has already been sent away,” Qin Wanru smiled, understanding that Madame Yu was concerned about Wang Feng.

“You will go out shortly with Qing Yue. I happen to have something to instruct Wang Feng to do,” Qin Wanru said thoughtfully, a frail figure flashing through her mind.

By the timeline, that person should not yet be ill or have been pushed into the river to develop an illness. She had intended to have Wang Feng investigate, but previously, Wang Feng had been unavailable, so the matter had to be set aside for now.

“Yes, I understand!” Madame Yu relaxed upon hearing that Wang Feng was unharmed and smiled happily.

Qin Wanru gave Qing Yue a few more instructions to accompany Madame Yu to see Wang Feng, then sent Yu Jie to summon the second steward. This steward had been sent to the capital early and had overseen the Qin household’s arrangements and furniture configurations.

Her own strength was limited; the best protector for Shui Ruolan was Qin Huaiyong. After news of Shui Ruolan’s pregnancy became known, Madam Di would surely be furious. At the right moment, Qin Wanru would subtly guide Qin Huaiyong, who would know how best to protect Shui Ruolan.

Soon after Madame Yu and Qing Yue left, the entire household was abuzz with the joyous news of Madam Shui’s pregnancy. Qin Huaiyong and the matriarch were overjoyed, and everyone in the household received an extra month’s wage, filling the atmosphere with happiness.

Qin Huaiyong was no longer young; previously, he had only two daughters. Not only Madam Di but also two concubines had borne no children. Shui Ruolan had been with the household only a short time before becoming pregnant—a truly wonderful event. Qin Huaiyong even gave extra wages for two months to those working in Shui Ruolan’s quarters.

The whole Qin household was filled with festive cheer—except for Madam Di’s Yulan Pavilion.

Madam Di was so furious she smashed the porcelain in her room. Her plan had yet to come to fruition, but Shui Ruolan’s pregnancy was already confirmed—how could she not hate it?

“Madam, please don’t be too angry. We still have plans, and backup plans!” Madame Zhou, fearing Madam Di would rush to Shui Ruolan’s quarters, hurriedly restrained her.

Madam Di’s face turned pale with rage, her eyes flashing with ferocity. Her silver teeth bit hard into her lip, whitening the corners.

“Madame Zhou, I will not let that wretched woman succeed!”

“Madam, I understand. You must not act rashly now. If Madam Shui has any misfortune, the General will think of you first. What you should do now is to congratulate her politely,” Madame Zhou coaxed, guiding Madam Di to sit and pouring tea. “Madam, please rest and act as if nothing is amiss.”

“I am not content!” Madam Di clenched her fists, her eyes filled with ruthless determination. Sitting amidst shattered porcelain, she gripped her fists tightly.

“Madam, you should not be like this now. Remember, this is only a momentary joy. Didn’t you just hint that the eldest young lady could take them to the banquet? If something happens there, it won’t be your fault. If you endure this now, you can clear any suspicion!” Madame Zhou urged earnestly.

Finally, these words calmed Madam Di down. The plan she had discussed with Madame Zhou was to be carried out at the Marquis of Fengyang’s residence, not the Yongkang Earl’s. She herself would not attend. As long as she communicated with her sister-in-law, any mishap would not implicate her.

“Fine, I will endure,” Madam Di said darkly. “In a few days, I can hold on. Take a set of jewelry from my box—something of moderate value—and say I am congratulating her.”

“Yes, Madam, that is the right thing to do,” Madame Zhou smiled upon seeing Madam Di regain composure.

“Has that coachman been found?” Madam Di suddenly recalled a matter she had asked Madame Zhou to handle.

“I suspect it involves Madame Yu’s son. We noticed he was guarding a courtyard and didn’t leave. We don’t know if he was just passing by or if something was wrong there. I’m thinking of finding the right time to send someone in to investigate,” Madame Zhou explained. She had searched every corner of the household but found no abnormalities. The most likely was Madame Yu’s son, Wang Feng, who had come to the capital with Madame Yu but was rarely seen and mostly stayed outside for unknown reasons.

After being watched, it was noticed he entered a courtyard and did not come out.

However, the people Madame Zhou sent did not know if the courtyard had only one exit or if Wang Feng entered from one side and exited another. So they had not acted yet, awaiting further orders.

Madame Zhou was uncertain and dared not act rashly, so she had them keep watch for now, waiting for the right opportunity.

“Have my mother gather some people to find a reason to storm in and see for herself!” Madam Di commanded.

“An excellent idea, Madam!” Madame Zhou nodded eagerly, applauding. This way, even if it was a mistake, it wouldn’t implicate Madam Di.

“Replace the porcelain with a new set!” Madam Di glanced at the shattered fragments on the floor.

“How shall we explain it?” Madame Zhou hesitated. Everyone in the household was joyfully celebrating Madam Shui’s pregnancy, hoping for a new young mistress. Madam Di smashing things was completely at odds with her usual gentle demeanor.

She should now appear even more gracious and caring than Madam Shui to win favor.

“Just say I was so excited upon hearing the good news that I came to congratulate her and accidentally knocked over the antique shelf, breaking the porcelain,” Madam Di said dismissively.

This vague explanation would let the matter pass. Madame Zhou hesitated but nodded. It was not a big deal; a simple excuse would suffice. Who would dwell on such a minor issue?

Madame Zhou was a longtime confidante of Madam Di and a cunning woman, but this time, she had clearly misjudged the situation.

And just as she went to deliver the jewelry to Madam Di, an incident occurred...