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“Is everything alright with your mother?” Although the expression on the Duchess Qi’s face was not pleasant, she managed to calm herself down. It was impossible for her granddaughter to be involved in this matter. Considering Liu Jingyu’s identity, how could she have encountered someone like Young Master Yongning? The Duchess’s heart gradually eased.

“My mother is fine. She asked me to inquire about your health. The weather has been unfavorable lately, and she wants you to take care and avoid falling ill. She mentioned visiting you in a few days.” Liu Jingyu spoke softly, taking a seat beside the Duchess Qi. Her gaze instinctively fell on Qu Moying, even though Qu Moying was sitting in the corner. Their eyes met, piercing through the crowd.

Liu Jingyu smiled lightly, displaying a composed and graceful demeanor.

She deliberately chose this time to come, in order to avoid suspicion.

Considering the timing, it was just right. Not only could she enjoy the performance, but it also wouldn’t raise any suspicions. Liu Jingyu had calculated the timing of her arrival.

However, she couldn’t shake off the strange atmosphere in the room. Every now and then, she noticed a few peculiar glances from the young ladies, as if something had happened that she was unaware of, and somehow, it seemed to be related to her.

Of course, that couldn’t be possible. If there was something going on, it must involve Qu Moying. However, Qu Moying appeared as if nothing had occurred. Could it be that the situation hadn’t yet unfolded, and she had arrived a bit too early?

“I’m fine. It’s good as long as she’s okay!” Duchess Qi forced a smile. Just by observing the expressions of the ladies and young women around her, she could tell that they were paying close attention to her conversation with her granddaughter.

A sense of frustration began to well up inside her.

How could someone like the Young Master Yongning be someone her granddaughter would be interested in? These people’s thoughts were truly inexplicable.

She coughed softly, about to speak, when suddenly she saw a young lady not far away gasp in a low voice. She then noticed the young lady hastily covering her mouth, but her hand pointed towards Liu Jingyu. As the lady looked at the direction indicated by the young lady, the Duchess Qi’s face turned pale with anger.

Liu Jingyu also wore a sachet, and from the perspective of the Duchess Qi, she could see that it was embroidered with the character “Jing.”

More people noticed the sachet, and their expressions became peculiar, but no one dared to speak openly.

“Jingyu, where did you get this sachet?” the Duchess Qi had no choice but to ask.

“I embroidered it myself. If Grandma likes it, I can make a few for her next time.” Liu Jingyu said softly, reaching for the sachet hanging from her waist. After she had imitated Qu Moying’s fan pendant, Liu Jingyu realized it was better to blend in with everyone else and avoid being compared to Qu Moying.

As she took it off, more eyes turned towards her, allowing them to see the “Jing” character.

“Jingyu, is this your favorite embroidery pattern?” Duchess Qi took the sachet, pointing to the embroidered orchids. She breathed a sigh of relief and asked anxiously.

“Yes, Grandma knows that orchids are my favorite. They possess a delicate elegance. Although they may not be the most beautiful, they have the highest character. I have always enjoyed embroidering orchids.” Liu Jingyu replied gently.

Duchess Qi’s heart relaxed upon hearing this. “I naturally knows that. However, I was worried that people might misinterpret and assume you had embroidered the butterfly and flowers pattern.”

“Me? How could that be? My favorite is orchids. Butterflies are too glamorous and short-lived. I don’t like them.” Liu Jingyu felt uneasy inside, her heart pounding, but she maintained a composed expression on her face.

Qu Moying glanced at her, sneering inwardly. Liu Jingyu was indeed not easy to deal with; she should have become alert by now.

But it didn’t matter.

Qu Moying knew that it was impossible to accuse Liu Jingyu solely based on this sachet. After all, Liu Jingyu’s status was much higher than Xu Lipeng’s, and it was unimaginable for Liu Jingyu to be interested in Xu Lipeng.

However, the problem was that the character “Jing” on the sachet was not exclusive to Liu Jingyu. Even if she wanted to argue, she couldn’t make it clear.

Sometimes, rumors were more effective than direct accusations.

If the characters on the bag clearly spelled out “Jingyu”, Liu Jingyu would have found a way to defend herself. However, the suspicion was not directly pointed at her, yet everyone doubted her, and that was enough.

No defense was possible, which was exactly what Qu Moying needed right now.

When Qu Moying had received the sachet, she had removed the threads on top and used other needle holes to divide her own character “Ying” into two parts.

On the sachet Qu Qiuyan had provided, there was an embroidered “Ying” character. When the “Ying” character was pulled apart, it revealed a “Jing” character, and behind it, three additional strokes. These three strokes were elongated and straightened, appearing slightly skewed but forming two distinct characters. As for the dot in the corner, it looked like a trace left after removing a flower thread.

It wasn’t obvious.

You could believe it, or not, depending on how you perceived it. After all, it was subjective.

In this particular situation, rumors were more discomforting than direct accusations.

Furthermore, there was something that others were unaware of. Qu Xuexin’s previous sachet had fallen into Pei Luo’an’s hands, as did Qu Moying’s previous one. And now, Liu Jingyu had embroidered a similar one. Did this imply that Liu Jingyu was aware of this fact, leading her to change her preferred orchid embroidery into a pattern of butterflies and flowers?

Taking it a step further, did Liu Jingyu arrange someone to be around Pei Luo’an?

People like Pei Luo’an detested being observed, even if it was just a tiny bit!

Even if Pei Luo’an believed that there was nothing between Liu Jingyu and Xu Lipeng, he would undoubtedly pay attention to this matter. Pei Luo’an was highly suspicious, and when he grew suspicious, he wouldn’t ask but rather keep it in mind, bit by bit.

Some things might not exist, but they could still give rise to ideas in his mind!

Pei Luo’an had previously mentioned this mindset to Ji Hanyue, explaining that when he was young, he was framed in the palace, making it difficult for him to trust people. Ji Hanyue felt sorry for him and now realized that Pei Luo’an was testing her when he spoke about these matters.

Pei Luo’an was the kind of person who wouldn’t trust anyone and hold anyone close to his heart. He always believed in himself, considering his own thoughts and observations superior to what others say.

Of course, deceased people could be trusted since they could no longer speak.

“It’s better not to like it. I recall you have never embroidered the butterfly and flower pattern. In the past, you never liked embroidered patterns and are absolutely not someone who embroiders.” Duchess Qi showed a faint smile, as if casually commenting.

“Grandmother, is there something wrong?” Liu Jingyu couldn’t help but notice the abnormality and anxiously asked, fearing that her plans had gone awry.

“It’s nothing. Well! This matter has nothing to do with you. I don’t know which lady disregarded her own family traditions.” Duchess Qi couldn’t say that the sachet belonged to her granddaughter. She smiled and patted Liu Jingyu’s hand, changing the subject.

That’s enough for now. She ordered the banquet to begin.

The tables have been set, and the flower hall was spacious enough. There weren’t many tables, and everyone took their seats.

Qu Moying and Qu Qiuyan enter the seating area together. Their seats were not in the front, but in a corner. After all, their status is lower compared to many of the other ladies and Qu Moying preferred to keep a low profile. She gracefully took a seat in the corner.

Qu Qiuyan wanted to move forward, but seeing that Qu Moying remained seated, she also refrained from moving forward. She sat next to Qu Moying, nervously clutching her handkerchief, her face turning pale.

The situation has taken a drastic turn, something she never expected.

It was she who had instructed Qing Ju to drop the sachet. Why had it become unrecognizable, even to herself?

Where did the note inside the sachet come from? And why did the embroidered character “Ying” on the outside of the sachet change to “Jing”?

Could it be that what was found inside was not the sachet she had dropped? Then, where did her discarded sachet go?

Qu Qiuyan felt restless, frequently glancing at Qu Moying. She noticed that Qu Moying remained composed, with a calm expression. This only increased her anxiety, as she had a growing sense that something was not right.

With the appearance of the character “Jing”, coinciding with the arrival of Liu Jingyu, does this “Jing” refer to County Lady Jingyu? Qu Qiuyan was now too preoccupied to engage in conversation, constantly observing the movements in the flower hall across from her, afraid of getting caught up in an unexpected topic and putting herself at risk. She remained unsettled.

“Are you the Third Lady from the Qu Minister’s Mansion?” A maid approached with a smiling face and greeted Qu Qiuyan.

“This is indeed the Third Lady from the Qu Minister’s Mansion.” Qing Ju replied with a distracted mind.

“Lady Qu, please come with me. I have something to ask you.” the maid said with a smile.

“Who sent you here?” Qu Qiuyan’s face turned pale and she couldn’t help but ask.

“Lady Qu will know who my master is once you see her. I have an important matter to ask you. Lady Qu, please follow me!” The maid’s smile becomes even gentler, catching Qu Qiuyan’s attention, making her even more uneasy.

Biting her lip, she glanced behind Duchess Qi and confirmed that County Lady Jingyu was no longer there.

She didn’t want to meet County Lady Jingyu, but she had no choice. Gritting her teeth, she stood up, ready to leave.

“Who sent you here and why do you want to see my third sister at this time?” Qu Moying turned around, her voice cold as she looked at the maid, suddenly speaking up loudly.

The commotion caught the attention of several young ladies who were engaged in conversation, causing them to turn their heads to see what was happening.

Caught off guard by Qu Moying’s question, the maid stammered, unable to find words to respond.

If it were Qu Qiuyan, she would certainly speak in a plausible manner. However, this Fourth Lady Qu, County Lady Jingyu had warned her to be cautious and not draw the attention of her. It was a message that County Lady Jingyu had repeatedly emphasized, and the maid dared not disobey. She certainly wouldn’t reveal that she was sent by County Lady Jingyu.

“Fourth sister, I know who it is, you don’t have to worry. I will handle it carefully.” Qu Qiuyan said anxiously, standing up and taking the initiative to resolve the situation for the maid.

“I don’t worry about you. It’s just that when we go out, Grandma tells us to be together as much as possible.” Qu Moying said in a disinterested tone.

Their relationship was like this, known to everyone, so there was no need to pretend to care.

“There won’t be any issues。” Qu Qiuyan said impatiently, lifting her skirt and standing up, following the maid to leave. She didn’t want to go, but she knew she had no choice. She could only face it head-on, hoping that this County Lady Jingyu wouldn’t suspect her.

At this moment, Qu Qiuyan still had no idea that the matter was related to Liu Jingyu. She only felt immense regret. She wished she didn’t do it…

Was the sachet that Xu Lipeng found earlier the same one? If it wasn’t, where was it now? She felt uncertain and uneasy.

What could County Lady Jingyu want with her? Did she discover the connection between her and the sachet? Was she going to interrogate her?

It was impossible. Liu Jingyu couldn’t possibly know that it was related to her…