Qin Su patted the little boy's head and said, "Call me 'Big Sister'."

The boy's name is Qin Zhi. He has been nominally adopted, but he hasn't been added to the family genealogy yet.

"Why is Mother worried? Although Jiangzhou is in chaos due to floods, Father is highly skilled in martial arts and has brought so many people with him, so he will be fine."

Qin's mother shook her head. "I don't know why, but I always feel uneasy. Jiangzhou is a wealthy place, but it suffers from floods every year. How can anyone believe there's nothing fishy going on?"

“If something happens in the area, there will inevitably be a lot of displaced people. I can’t help but worry about that.”

"Moreover..." His Majesty does not trust them. Giving them the title of "Loyal Marquis" is merely to appease people. The Qin family will always be there, and will always be a thorn in Emperor Mingyang's side.

If this thorn isn't removed, it will keep people up at night.

Only by truly eliminating the Qin family can Emperor Mingyang feel at ease using the Imperial Guard.

The Imperial Guards were the elite troops of the White Tiger Stronghold.

"Don't worry, Mother, Father will be fine." She smiled to reassure her mother, and also to reassure herself.

With her there, the outcome will definitely be changed.

"Xiao Zhi, don't worry. Just focus on your studies. These are things for adults to worry about." She pinched the little boy's cheek. This was the only time she could pinch him like this. In two or three years, when the boy was going to meet potential partners, she wouldn't be able to touch him like this anymore.

Qin Zhi did not stop Qin Su's actions. He said vaguely, "I am already an adult."

Qin Su didn't say anything; instead, she called Lian Tao and they went out.

Old Hu rushed in from outside. Seeing that Qin Su was about to leave, he immediately stopped her, saying, "Miss, don't go. People from the palace have come."

"Hasn't the imperial edict already been issued? What are people from the palace doing here?" This was unexpected for Qin Su.

Old Hu hurriedly said, "It is said that it is an eunuch from the Empress's side who has come to invite the young lady to the palace."

"Why hasn't anyone come in?" Qin's mother wiped her eyes and composed herself.

"In the main hall, young lady, hurry up and wash up."

Qin Su nodded. The imperial decree could not be disobeyed, and her matter had to be put aside for the time being.

Moreover, it would be good to meet Emperor Mingyang and tell him what happened.

I just don't know if he'll believe it.

She originally planned to go to Prince Chen, as she trusted Prince Chen more than Emperor Mingyang.

Main hall.

Qin Su approached the eunuch with a smile, handed him a gold ingot, and asked, "Eunuch Xi, may I ask what important matter Her Majesty the Empress has summoned me to the palace for?"

"Miss Qin actually knows me?" Eunuch Xi accepted the silver ingot, pleased with Qin Su's understanding, and was happy to offer some guidance. "His Majesty heard about Miss Qin's affair with the eldest son of the Duke of Cheng's family. Now that Jiangzhou is suffering from floods, he has sent Marquis Zhongyi to provide disaster relief. His Majesty was worried that you might be feeling down, so he asked the Empress to invite you to the palace to cheer you up."

Qin Su praised, "His Majesty is benevolent, and the Empress is kind-hearted. Qin Su thanks Eunuch for the advice."

"Then please, Miss Qin."

Qin's mother hadn't been able to get a word in edgewise, and she increasingly felt that her daughter had changed a lot. She used to despise these kinds of things, but now her daughter was doing them so well.

She doesn't need to worry about it at all.

For a moment, she didn't know whether to be happy or sad.

She grew up amidst tears, unwilling to see her only precious daughter suffer, while her daughter silently grew up in places she didn't know.

It seems that it has already been able to provide shelter for the Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness.

...

Qin Su had been trying to figure out what Emperor Mingyang was thinking the whole way, and his claim that he was worried about her being upset was completely false. What he was most concerned about was probably her marriage.

The reason why her marriage to Xue Huai'an was ignored was entirely because the Duke of Cheng's mansion had fallen into disrepair and was no longer of any use.

Emperor Mingyang need not worry about the Marquis of Zhongyi's family climbing any higher.

But if she had chosen another scion of a prominent family, the implications would have been entirely different.

Will Emperor Mingyang interfere in her marriage?

It's not surprising at all.

The Empress came from a prestigious family, and even though she looked down on Qin Su, she still managed to maintain a respectable facade and didn't embarrass Qin Su.

Qin Su surprised the Empress, who thought she was ill-mannered, vulgar, and barbaric. This was a common opinion among noble ladies, and Qin Su had indeed been arrogant, unruly, and lawless in the past.

This time when I met her, her words and actions were in line with the standards of a legitimate daughter raised in a prestigious family, which was quite rare.

The Empress's opinion of her changed slightly, and even her smile became more genuine.

"May I call Miss Qin Su Su?" the Empress asked Qin Su gently.

She was actually close to thirty, in the prime of her life, and she was exceptionally well-preserved, possessing both the delicate beauty of a young girl and the mature charm of a woman.

"It is my honor."

The Empress then said, "Come here and sit next to me."

Qin Su obeyed and sat down next to the Empress, but kept a certain distance from her.

"I heard that you broke off your engagement with the eldest son of the Duke of Cheng, whose name seems to be Xue Huai'an." There seemed to be doubt in her beautiful eyes, but her face still had a peaceful smile. "People have a very good opinion of him. Even Prince Chen said that he has a bright future."

"Why did Su Su want to break off the engagement with him? I remember seeing him before, and he was quite handsome. A rare and good husband."

Qin Su maintained her fake smile, "This humble woman is not suitable for him. Young Master Xue already has someone he loves; a forced relationship will not be sweet."

She knew what the Empress was worried about, or rather, what Emperor Mingyang was worried about: "This humble woman has no intention of getting married; she only wants to stay with her parents."

The Empress feigned surprise, "How can this be? A woman who doesn't marry will always suffer. Here's what I'll do: I'll look for someone for you; it can't be too bad."

Qin Su: I still want to control her marriage.

She rose, lifted her skirt, and knelt directly before the Empress, saying firmly, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your kindness, but I truly do not wish to marry. If Your Majesty insists on finding me a husband, then I can only cut my hair and become a nun."

Qin Su's attitude was very clear and very firm.

People who sit in high positions for a long time don't like others to contradict them, but the empress couldn't show her displeasure, so she could only scold, "What are you saying? I only meant well. If you really don't want to, then forget it."

At this moment, Eunuch Xi hurried in, his back hunched, and said, "Your Majesty, His Majesty has arrived."

"Didn't I say there was no need to announce it?"

No sooner had Eunuch Xi entered than Emperor Mingyang, dressed in a crimson robe, strode in. He looked at Qin Su kneeling on the ground with surprise and confusion, asking, "Why is Qin family girl kneeling on the ground?"

He then looked at the Empress and sat in Qin Su's original seat.

The Empress scolded, "It's nothing serious. I just said I wanted to find a husband for Su Su, but she wasn't happy and said she'd rather be a nun than get married."

Qin Su bowed to Emperor Mingyang.

"Get up," said Emperor Mingyang.

After Qin Su stood up, Emperor Mingyang finally looked her over.

It had been many years since he had seen Qin Su. The last time he saw her was when her parents were recruited into the government, and she was still a young girl at that time.

However, she had already grown into a very beautiful woman by then.