This was the first time he had ever seen his cousin look so stern and fierce.
Yuezhi kowtowed repeatedly, begging for mercy.
She had only meant to pretend she hadn't seen the path clearly, so she could stumble into the young master's arms. She never expected to lose her footing and nearly push him down, and to make matters worse, the Madam happened to pass by at that very moment—that was what had brought this disaster upon her.
Qin Liangyu understood well that Madam Fang was seizing on this incident precisely to make things difficult for her.
So she simply brought up Yuezhi's origins instead: "This maid originally came from Mother's courtyard. Liangyu has always treated her with kindness and never been harsh with her in any matter. Yet who would have thought she could be so thoughtless? Since she has caused trouble today, perhaps it would be best for Mother to take her back and discipline her for a while—that should serve as an explanation to Cousin."
Madam Fang was furious. What a clever girl who knew exactly how to deflect with subtle force, and what a sharp tongue she had.
Her meaning was clear: as the matriarch, not only had she failed to properly educate the maids from her own courtyard before assigning them to Qin Liangyu, but she had also taught them to lord over their mistresses.
And Qin Liangyu, meanwhile, was merely a filial daughter—one who had not only treated the maids from her mother's courtyard with generosity, but was now being reasonable and considerate enough to offer her mother a way to save face.
At this point, everything had become the matriarch's fault instead.
But Gu Kezhi was still present, and she could hardly flare up in front of him. Forcing a faint smile and suppressing her displeasure, she agreed: "What you say is right. This is indeed this mother's failure in upbringing. But to take her back for more discipline hardly seems worth the trouble. Better to simply remove her from serving at your side—let her work as a common maid instead."
Qin Liangyu had no desire to bring in some unfamiliar maid whose background she didn't know, only to have another source of vexation. Better to keep Yuezhi. So she followed the opening offered and replied, "Mother speaks wisely."
With that said, she turned her gaze to Gu Kezhi and took the initiative to admit fault: "Cousin, today's fault lies with the maid of my courtyard. I hope you won't take it to heart."
Gu Kezhi had witnessed the entire exchange between the two women. He was surprised by this cousin's keen intelligence, yet at the same time, he vaguely felt that something about her seemed familiar. The little anger he had felt also dissipated somewhat, and he finally said, "It's no matter. I'll go see the Old Madam."
With that, he left.
Only then did Qin Liangyu turn to Madam Fang and ask, "Mother, then I shall take this person back with me."
Madam Fang caught a glimpse of Gu Kezhi's retreating figure, still not quite out of sight, and suppressed her anger to say, "Go on back."
It was only after Qin Liangyu had left with her two maids that Madam Fang slowly uttered a single line: "It seems I underestimated that girl after all."
After Qin Liangyu brought Yuezhi back to her courtyard, she gave her a thorough scolding and issued a strict order that she was never again to approach the main chambers.
Yuezhi knew she was in the wrong and this time did not dare talk back too much. She knelt and accepted every word of the reprimand.
The sun was already slanting toward the west when someone suddenly arrived from the Old Madam's quarters, saying that the Old Madam wished to see Qin Liangyu.
Qin Liangyu reflected that she had, after all, borrowed some of the Old Madam's influence this time, so she dared not show any negligence. She followed the messenger. The path was lined with layered shadows of trees, and after about the time it takes to burn half a stick of incense, they arrived at the Old Madam's residence, Anningtang.
The hall was extremely quiet, laid with plush carpets and filled with numerous porcelain vases and ornaments—clearly a fine place for an elder to nurture her health.
When she entered the inner chamber, besides the Old Madam, there was also a young man with handsome, refined features and an air of scholarly grace. He appeared to be seventeen or eighteen, a year or two older than her current age.
She mused inwardly. Given his age, appearance, and the regard the Old Madam held for him, this should be her fourth brother, also born of a concubine.
He was currently studying at the Guozijian.
It was well known that only the sons of nobles and high officials, or those of genuine scholarly talent, could attend the Guozijian.
Qin Wenyan clearly belonged to the latter category. With this in mind, Qin Liangyu dared not underestimate him and straightened herself to offer both of them a proper salute.
The Old Madam was not as stern as she had been that day; instead, there was a hint of indulgence in her manner as she asked, "I heard that when Kezhi came this afternoon, there was trouble with the maidservants in your courtyard again? Your fourth brother was there at the time and insisted that I go take a look. But before long, I was told you had already resolved the matter, so I didn't interfere."
Her tone toward Qin Wenyan was one of great affection and fondness.
Of course—he too was merely a concubine's son. Though Madam Fang would not dare mistreat him, neither would she truly care for him. His only support within the household could be the Old Madam before him.
Qin Liangyu inclined her body and said, "It was merely a misunderstanding. My cousin was magnanimous and administered a light punishment as a warning, so all is well now."
Then, with genuine sincerity, she thanked Qin Wenyan: "Liangyu is grateful to Fourth Brother. I will surely remember your kindness today."
Qin Wenyan's expression faltered slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before he spoke: "Fifth Sister is too courteous. We are siblings—it is only right. Besides, I didn't really help."
Seeing this scene, the Old Madam smiled amiably as well. "It's getting late. Since Liangyu rarely visits, you should catch up properly with your fourth brother. No need to keep this old woman company."
She paused, then her voice grew heavier: "Madam Fang has grown increasingly excessive. Later, I will speak to your father about it."
They exchanged a few more words before Qin Liangyu followed Qin Wenyan out of Anningtang.
Walking one behind the other, Qin Liangyu observed the tall, upright man ahead of her, exuding an air of scholarly refinement. Unsure of how close the original owner of this body had been with this fourth brother, she did not dare speak rashly.
As she was deliberating, Qin Wenyan turned around and smiled at her. "What's wrong with you today, treating your fourth brother with such formality?"
He sighed and continued, "I've told you before—your fourth brother is often away from the manor. If you're ever bullied, go straight to the Old Madam. She will see justice done for you. But you never listened, always swallowing your grievances in silence. This time, it seems you've finally come around."
Qin Liangyu was taken aback. Not only did she realize that the original owner had likely shared a good relationship with this fourth brother, but she also understood that her inadvertent actions had made sense of everything—the Old Madam helping her leave the manor to buy medicine, reprimanding Madam Fang, and now showing such kindness.
She followed his lead and said, "In the past, Liangyu thought wrongly, believing that endless forbearance would win harmony among the sisters…"
Qin Wenyan looked at her haggard face and understood well his sister's nature of avoiding trouble. He could only console her: "At least nothing serious came of your fall into the water this time. If they had truly harmed you, your fourth brother would certainly have sought justice on your behalf."
Qin Liangyu's mind drifted, and she couldn't help but recall her days in the General's Manor. Her elder brother, though stern and upright, had doted on her the most—always giving her the best food and playthings, and never allowing anyone to bully her.
Back then, he had been just like the Qin Wenyan before her now—when she was young and had been bullied while scuffling with children from other households, he would gently wipe the tears from her face and tell her to simply fight back, assuring her that no matter what, he would stand up for her.
But the sister of the young man before her had long since perished amidst the cruelty of others, and she herself was merely an outsider who had assumed her identity and appearance.
Even as her heart stirred with remembrance, she couldn't help but feel a measure of genuine warmth toward the youth before her. Lifting her gaze with a smile, she said, "Liangyu has taken this to heart. From now on, I will never allow myself to be bullied."