If one were to ask her before today, she truly had no particular preference or aversion toward these two concubine-born daughters. In her eyes, whatever fate befell them was firmly held within her own hands.
But today, Qin Liangyu had dealt her a stunning blow.
This Fifth Miss was somewhat different from before.
As for what exactly was different, she couldn't quite put her finger on it at the moment.
Yet there was an intuition in her heart—if she did not seize the opportunity to drive this person from her sight, she would surely become a source of trouble in the days to come.
She then recalled Qin Yi's diligent attentions over the years, and the taut string in her heart loosened somewhat.
After a long pause, she finally nodded and began to ponder: "Since that is the case, if you don't like it, then as you say, let her have it."
Qin Yi's eyes brightened, knowing she had persuaded Madam Fang, but being a young lady who had seen little of the world, she hesitated: "Mother, then how should we go about it?"
Madam Fang tapped lightly on the table beside her: "In a few days, I'll think of a way to take you both out of the residence."
Upon hearing this, Qin Yi knew that if Madam Fang was willing to help her, the matter should be as good as settled. In an instant, great joy swept over her—the displeasure of seeing Wang Ran in the hall earlier, the reluctance born of being forced—all of it was cast to the back of her mind. She hurriedly kowtowed, her heart filled only with thoughts of how she would proceed when the time came.
Only after Qin Yi had received her promise and left did Madam Fang have the old matron from earlier summoned inside.
Having gone through that ordeal just now, the matron had long lost her previous arrogance. Kneeling on the ground, she said: "Madam, this old servant has wronged you."
Madam Fang furrowed her brow, then sighed: "You were far too careless in your actions."
After all, this woman had served by her side for many years—there was bound to be some measure of loyalty and affection between them.
The matron's eyes brimmed with tears: "This old servant was rash."
"But since things have come to this, you can no longer remain in the residence. I'll give you some silver—go to the countryside."
The matron kowtowed in gratitude before preparing to pack her belongings.
Just as she was about to leave through the door, however, she remembered something and seemed to hesitate, as if wanting to speak but holding back.
Madam Fang noticed and said to her: "We have been mistress and servant for many years—if there's something to say, just say it."
Only then did the matron speak: "It's not that this old servant bears a grudge and says this out of spite, but from what this old servant has observed, this Fifth Miss will not be easy to deal with. Madam should be wary of her."
Madam Fang's hand, resting on the table, faltered for a moment. She raised her eyes to the matron: "You think so too?"
The matron nodded solemnly.
Madam Fang's resolve deepened by another measure.
This Qin Liangyu—she truly could no longer be allowed to remain in the residence.
…
Not long after the matron left the residence, Lu Yi received word and came running inside, saying: "Miss, that matron from earlier has been driven out of the residence."
Qin Liangyu snapped off an extra branch sprouting from the willow tree and responded without any hint of surprise: "I know."
Lu Yi spoke with astonishment: "Miss isn't the least bit curious? That matron was highly trusted by Madam, and now she's being driven out over such a trivial matter."
Qin Liangyu raised an eyebrow: "Trivial? This matter is hardly trivial. That day, Father already brought up the matter of household authority—if she were to hesitate any further, that would be what truly invites curiosity."
Lu Yi suddenly understood: "Miss is truly clever."
Having said this, she was suddenly struck by a realization—in just a few short days, she had already come to think of her young miss, who had always been somewhat timid and fearful, as clever and resourceful?
But then she shook her head, thinking that perhaps she herself had simply been too slow-witted before.
The following days passed peacefully enough, and Qin Liangyu spent them recuperating her health within the residence.
That day, just after she had taken her medicine, she happened to glance through the window and caught sight of Yuezhi—who rarely ever returned to the courtyard—entering her own room. When she emerged again, her face was powdered with cosmetics, making her appear several shades fairer than usual.
Unable to help herself, she asked Lu Yi, "What's gotten into her? She's never done this before."
Lu Yi thought for a moment, then her voice suddenly rose. "I know!"
Qin Liangyu asked, "What?"
"It must be that the young master from the marquis's family has arrived."
"Young master from the marquis's family? Who is this person? I'm afraid I don't quite remember."
Lu Yi was accustomed to this—ever since the young lady had woken up after falling into the water, she would often forget certain things—so she patiently explained.
"This servant once caught a glimpse of him from afar. The young master has a gentle, jade-like bearing, like an immortal descended from heaven. His background is quite impressive too—he's said to be the heir apparent of some marquis's household. Even the master treats him with great courtesy whenever they meet. The matriarch of that marquis's household is the master's cousin by birth; in her day, she was famous for marrying above her station. Yet she is extremely mindful of old ties, and after rising to prominence, she often sends the young master to visit our household."
The heir apparent of a marquis's household?
That was indeed a considerable background. But when she pressed further, Lu Yi didn't know much more. Qin Liangyu thought long and hard about who in the capital could be called an heir apparent, yet she couldn't find anyone who matched the description. She could only silently note this person in her mind.
"Then what about Yuezhi's behavior?"
Lu Yi let out a scoff. "She's dreaming of turning into a phoenix by perching on a high branch. Every time she hears the young master is coming, she puts on quite a show. But it's been so long, and the young master has never once given her a second glance."
Qin Liangyu understood. "Does the madam know about this?"
Lu Yi lowered her voice. "The young master holds an honored status. If anyone in the household truly could climb that high branch, the madam would actually be pleased to see it. Even the second young miss…"
Qin Liangyu caught on. "So they've all been turning a blind eye all along?"
Lu Yi nodded.
But no sooner had the words left her mouth than a commotion arose from outside—apparently, a maidservant from the Fifth Miss's courtyard had offended the young master, and the madam was summoning her to come at once.
Qin Liangyu paused slightly. She had just been thinking that this girl was troublesome and would likely invite disaster, but she hadn't expected it to come true so quickly.
She followed the maidservant along the garden path, and only then did she see a figure standing not far off, poised as straight as a pine. Kneeling before him was a maidservant sobbing softly—it was Yuezhi.
Qin Liangyu walked over, and when she got a clear look at the man standing there, she was momentarily taken aback.
This man… was Gu Kezhi?
Gu Kezhi, heir apparent of the Marquis of Loyal Valor's household.
So that was it.
So it was the Gu family. No wonder, no wonder it was said that Qin Cun treated the young master with such deference—the heir of the Marquis of Loyal Valor's household naturally deserved such treatment.
What she hadn't expected was that her body's aunt had truly married well—she had married the Marquis of Loyal Valor himself. In her previous life, she had never looked into it and hadn't known that the gentle and kind-looking marchioness of the Loyal Valor household actually came from a merchant family.
And now, having been reborn into this life, she had, by some twist of fate, become Gu Kezhi's cousin?
In truth, they had once shared a certain connection.
Back then, her elder brother had been close with Gu Kezhi and would often bring him to the Song residence. Over time, they had come to know each other by sight.
He was a man of considerable refinement, with an air of scholarly elegance, appearing as pure and clear as the wind and the moon.
They had played chess together and exchanged verses over poetry. Now, thinking back on it, those truly all seemed to be matters from a previous life.
With this thought in mind, Qin Liangyu stepped over to Gu Kezhi and said softly, "Cousin."
Gu Kezhi snapped back to attention, his expression still carrying a hint of displeasure.
Madam Fang, standing nearby, then pointed at Yuezhi and said, "Look at the maidservant in your courtyard—she nearly pushed Kezhi into the pond just now."
Qin Liangyu turned to Yuezhi. "It's one thing that you don't heed my words on ordinary days, but now you've come out here to stir up trouble as well?"
Gu Kezhi was taken aback, his gaze shifting to Qin Liangyu.