Jiang Fuyue raised her eyes and saw that the young master, who was fearless and daring outside, was now crouching in a sneaky and somewhat comical pose, looking quite amusing.

  Standing next to Xie Ziqi was a tall and handsome man, dressed in a loose green robe that gave off a cold and ethereal aura. He looked like a fairy straight out of a painting.

  "Madam," Jingzhe took a few steps forward and whispered, "This is the person who was with the young master outside the inn that day."

  Hearing Jingzhe's words, Sun Jingke raised an eyebrow and said, "You know him?"

  Jiang Fuyue shook her head. "I only saw him from a distance that one time. I don't know him."

  "Oh..." Sun Jingke turned and waved at Xie Ziqi. "Come here!"

  Xie Ziqi sighed deeply, resigned to his fate, and walked over to Sun Jingke.

  Shen Chuan shook his head, a little speechless at Xie Ziqi’s behavior.

  He could have escaped when his wife was talking to Madam Gu, but he stood there like a fool, clearly waiting to be called over. Now he was putting on a reluctant expression...

  Really, it was hard to know how to comment on him.

  Xie Ziqi arrived, forcing a smile and saying, "Oh, Madam Gu is here too. My Jingke often mentions you. In the future, if you have time, please come over and keep her company. She gets bored easily!"

  Sun Jingke rolled her eyes without mercy. "What do you mean 'your Jingke'? You have no shame!"

  Shen Chuan and Jiang Fuyue both nodded, acknowledging the greeting.

  "My own wife, what do I have to be ashamed of..." Xie Ziqi muttered under his breath.

  Sun Jingke gred at him. "Say that again!"

  Xie Ziqi quickly cleared his throat and said earnestly, "Alright, alright, no more teasing. Madam, since there aren’t many guests right now, I need to leave. Otherwise, my father will drag me off to socialize. You enjoy yourself with Madam Gu, and I’ll bring you some treats when I return!"

  After saying that, Xie Ziqi dragged Shen Chuan away.

  Sun Jingke didn’t stop them, and when they were far enough, she snorted. "Whenever there's a banquet at home, he runs faster than anyone. Doesn’t even try to help me out!"

  Jiang Fuyue's gaze lingered on Shen Chuan, and she didn't speak until they were completely out of sight. "Who is that gentleman? I've never seen him around the capital before."

  "You're talking about Shen Chuan?" Sun Jingke said. "He just entered the capital st year. Although he's now a favored person in front of the emperor, he hasn't settled down yet. Even when attending banquets, he stays in the outer courtyard—you wouldn't know."

  Jiang Fuyue’s eyes narrowed slightly.

  So, that man is Shen Chuan—the most powerful official in the previous life.

  It was said that he was cold-hearted, ruthless, and everyone both respected and feared him when his name was mentioned...

  Seeing Jiang Fuyue lost in thought, Sun Jingke waved her hand in front of her face. "You’ve admired the lotus flowers long enough. Why not come rest in my courtyard? Soon, more guests will arrive, and I’m afraid I won’t have time to look after you."

  "There's no need to go to such trouble," Jiang Fuyue said. "They're all familiar faces, and I know them all. You don’t have to worry about me. Go ahead and handle your business."

  Sun Jingke still looked a little concerned. "It’s fine for others, but the Jiang family..."

  Mentioning the Jiang family made her blood boil.

  After her stepmother took the position, she visited their house several times, but they didn’t even let her in! They cimed Jiang Fuyue was unwell and didn’t want to see anyone, and eventually, whenever they saw her, they shut the door right in her face!

  Her stepmother had been acting arrogantly, and Jiang Bosheng must have known about it, but he said nothing, even allowing his new wife to block her outside!

  If they treated her like this, she couldn't even imagine how Jiang Fuyue was living.

  "It’s fine. Don't worry about me," Jiang Fuyue said, squeezing her hand. "Go ahead and take care of things."

  Sun Jingke bit her lip, then turned to Gu Yu. "Gu Yu, you're quick on your feet. If anything happens to my young dy, send a maid or servant to find me immediately. If I'm not around, go to my mother-in-w—don’t let anyone bully her!"

  Gu Yu bowed respectfully and said with determination, "Miss Sun, don’t worry. I understand."

  Still not reassured, Sun Jingke left a maid behind to stay close to Jiang Fuyue before she turned and left.

  Jiang Fuyue went to rest in a pavilion by the Lotus Lake, with Jingzhe and Gu Yu standing beside her. The maid Sun Jingke had left stood outside the pavilion, keeping a proper distance.

  The pavilion had tea and snacks, and the gentle breeze brought the fragrance of the lotus flowers. The view of the lotus-filled ke was beautiful, making it a perfect spot to rex.

  Gradually, more people came to admire the lotus flowers.

  Most of them were families, admiring the blooming flowers and commenting on their beauty before they scattered. The men gathered in one area, and the women in another, creating a lively atmosphere.

  The pavilion was also filled with familiar faces. When Jiang Fuyue sat with them, the pressure and exhaustion from before disappeared, repced by smiles and ease.

  "Isn't that our eldest sister?"

  As everyone chatted and ughed, a sharp voice suddenly cut through the air, standing out in the quiet pavilion.

  Everyone turned to see Jiang Fuyao and Jiang Fuyu approaching, both wearing mocking expressions on their faces.

  Jiang Fuyao walked into the pavilion and sat down, fanning herself. "Why didn’t I see my brother-in-w on the way here? Did he really not come with you?"

  "Third Sister, we've already said, our big brother-in-w is busy all the time. Why would he come to such a gathering with our eldest sister?" Jiang Fuyu giggled, covering her mouth.

  The two sisters, both born to the same mother, had the same peach blossom eyes. Their gaze was full of mockery and sarcasm.

  "Two little sisters, are you really trying to show everyone here how poor your upbringing is?" Jiang Fuyue spoke with a hint of helplessness in her voice, as if she were a sister who truly cared for her younger siblings.

  Her words made someone in the pavilion ugh first, and soon the whole pce was filled with ughter.

  There were no secrets in the capital, and everyone knew the story of the Jiang family.

  The first wife had just passed away, and Jiang Bosheng wasted no time in elevating a concubine to the status of his wife. It was no surprise that the daughters of such a family had such manners.

  The two sisters flushed red as they heard the ughter. Jiang Fuyu couldn't hold back anymore and shouted, "Eldest sister, what do you mean by that? What’s wrong with our upbringing?!"

  Jiang Fuyue took a sip of tea and casually replied, "Nothing wrong at all. Now, go back to your mother."

  If they kept this up, she would start feeling embarrassed for them.

  "Eldest sister, you dare criticize our upbringing in front of so many people? Are you implying that our mother didn’t teach us properly?" Jiang Fuyao, the older sister, understood how to take advantage of the situation. "You disrespect the elders of the Hou family, and now you even disrespect your own legitimate mother. Is there still any pce for the Jiang family in your eyes?"

  As soon as she finished speaking, the pavilion fell silent, and the tension was palpable.