Delicacies were carefully prepared and placed in gold-plated animal-shaped silver plates or silver-embossed pomegranate-patterned bowls, which were constantly being brought out from the small paths deep in the bamboo forest. The tables in front of everyone were filled with steaming hot dishes. The wine was top-grade Wucheng, accompanied by golden chopsticks with rhinoceros heads, and a pair of beautiful young girls wearing green silk dresses played the pipa on the side, singing to help the atmosphere, their skills were superb, and their voices were clear and melodious. From the variety of food, flavors, utensils to the performance of the song and dance, everything was carefully prepared.

  Pan Xiang was very satisfied, shaking her head and saying: "Cheng Feng, you've put a lot of thought into this. If it weren't for the wrong location, insufficient variety, and overly precious utensils, I would have almost thought it was a banquet in my honor. How do I deserve such lavish hospitality?"

  Jiang Changyang smiled slightly: "You don't think it's worth it yourself?"

  Pan Xiang blinked and burst out laughing: "Of course I'm worth it, who says I'm not?" He cast his gaze to the side, secretly thinking that's how it was, indeed.

  Chiang Changyang said lightly: "I hope you will always be worth treating like this."

  Pan Shuang raised his wine glass, revealing a row of white teeth: "I deserve it, Jiang Dalang."

  Liu Chuan imperceptibly furrowed his brow, but Madame Bai let out a gentle sigh of relief.

  The small banquet didn't end until nearly dusk, and the atmosphere was barely harmonious. Jiang Changyang's words announced the end of all disputes, and everyone tried their best to play their role as guests, but that didn't mean Wu Xilian couldn't seize every opportunity to observe Peony, secretly guessing what Liu Chuan's words meant; nor did it mean Liu Chuan couldn't quietly calculate in his heart. So they were both the ones who ate the least, while Peony was very satisfied with her food, and she also enjoyed the wonderful performance of the geisha, savoring the delicious food while listening with relish.

  After the banquet, Jiang Changyang took a group of men including Pan Liang to see his horses in the stable, while Madame Bai, Wu Xilian and Mudan walked in the garden to digest their food.

  Wu Xilian broke the silence: "Dan Niang, Liu Shu is really annoying, he said that to you... but your dinner was really good."

  "Without eating a full meal, I won't have the energy, and without energy, I won't be able to stand up," said Peony quietly. Wu Xilian's intention was actually saying how could she still eat well, did someone insult her, should she show sadness and lose her appetite? How can one fight with spirit on an empty stomach? Not only must one eat full but also eat well. Liu Chuan loves to talk, that's his business, she can't sew up his mouth or other people's ears, just like when Liu Si spread rumors everywhere before. As for Jiang Changyang, he is this kind of person, if he has a heart, he should understand.

  Wu Xilian looked at Peony in surprise, but she still decided to ask: "He said you and Li Wei..."

  Madam Bai's face fell: "Ah Lian, she is my good friend! What kind of person is Liu Chong, don't you know?"

  Wu Xilian gritted her teeth and said firmly: "No way, this concerns Nineteen Niang, I must get to the bottom of it."

  Peony stopped White Lady and looked at Wu Xilian frankly: "If you want to ask if I have an affair with Li Wei, then I tell you, no!"

  "Wu Xilian frowned and said: 'Do you dare to swear?'"

  "Peony smiled and curved the corner of her mouth: 'Take an oath? What for? If someone slanders me like this every day, do I have to take an oath in front of people every day? Seventeenth girl, whether you believe it or not, my answer is still the same.'"

  "But..."

  "From now on, I won't answer this kind of question again. If you ask once more, I'll splash a whole face of water at you."

  Wu Xilian was somewhat annoyed: "It's obviously Liu Shu, you should be angry with him."

  The peony playfully winked at her: "He's not worthy of you, you're a little better than that."

  Wu Xilian's face suddenly turned bright red, unable to tell whether it was anger or shame. Peony glanced at her and waved his hand at Mrs. Bai, who was frowning with a apologetic expression: "It's getting late, my two nieces are still waiting for me, I have to go back. If you're willing, you can take Ah Ju to my villa to play, Wu Zongguan knows."

  Peony didn't ask herself how many days she would stay here, which means she won't be coming back. After all, facing Liu Chuan's kind of person, it's hard to feel comfortable. Madame Bai sighed and whispered to Wu Xilian: "Ahlian, go wait for me over there, I have something to say to Dan Niang."

  "Whatever." Wu Xilian walked away with her head hung low in dejection.

  Madam Bai walked alongside Peony, saying in a low voice: "I originally wanted to help you, but it seems I've ended up causing more trouble instead. If you don't want to come over, then don't bother. Next time, I'll make a special trip to the Fragrant Garden to find you. There's also something else I need to tell you - before we came, there were rumors circulating in the capital that Madam Wang is going to remarry, and her fiancé is General Fang Bohui of Anxi."

  "Peony furrowed her brow: 'So what? Does he know or not?'"

  Madam Bai smiled slightly: "What do you think? He is Madam Wang's son and Fang Bohui's nephew. Do you think he knows or not?"

  That's definitely known, but Peony didn't see any signs of Jiang Changyang being unhappy, so he probably wouldn't be very happy, but also wouldn't be very unhappy. Peony understood Bai Furen's meaning, remarriage wasn't a big deal, and since Jiang Changyang allowed his mother to remarry, maybe he wouldn't mind if his wife was a remarried woman either.

  "Alright, I won't see you off. If you want to go back, just go back early. I'll make arrangements for you at Jiang Chengfeng's place."

  Peony nodded, bid farewell to Madame Bai, and led the way with her mother-in-law and Xiao'er along the cobblestone path beside the river. As they walked halfway, a head suddenly popped out from behind an evergreen tree, staring at her stuttering: "Autumn truth gives He, He Niang please peace."

  Peony furrowed her brow, unable to recall ever seeing this young man before. It was still Xiao Er who had sharp eyes and whispered, "This is Liu's Autumn, he must have come with someone from the Liu family."

  "Is he Liu Chuan's personal attendant?" Peony asked faintly.

  Qiu Shi saw that she recognized him and his tone was no longer harsh, so he excitedly blinked: "Yes, it's me."

  "Where did Xià go?" Peony asked, looking back at him.

  Qiu Shi was taken aback and said in a low voice: "His whole family has been sold."

  Peony nodded and was about to leave, when Autumn Reality saw her leaving, she hastily said: "Mother, my father-in-law asked me to tell you that Duke Zhu has expressed his intention to ask the Emperor to grant a respectable marriage for Eldest, allowing him to inherit the title."

  Peony couldn't help but turn around and glance at Autumn, who looked like a frightened bird. He didn't dare look at her, his head half-lowered, his hands clenched together in anxiety, as he secretly glanced at the furious Madame Feng beside him. Lately, he had been following Liu Chuan, and was extremely sensitive to danger and people's anger. Now he instinctively felt that Madame Feng's anger was burning fiercely, making him very uneasy. Before he could even bid farewell to Peony, he took off running, but had only taken a couple of steps when Madame Feng grabbed his collar and violently lifted him up by the waistband, throwing him into the river.

  The river water isn't deep, it's crystal clear to the bottom, but it's already quite cool. Autumn really stirred up the inside with her hands and feet, then stood up, raised her head and shouted: "Save me! Murder! Save me!"

  The old lady puffed out her chest, full of energy, and scolded: "You dog's spawn, you blind dog, what are you doing coming to my house and causing trouble in front of my daughter? What business do you have with my daughter? I'll drown you!" She had been holding back her anger for a whole day, and finally found someone to vent it on.

  The child clapped his hands and shouted: "What a beast! How dare you offend my mother? You deserve it!"

  The peony sees autumn, its life is without worry, then it pulled the big wife and Xiao Er to continue on their way: "Forget it, he's just listening to his master's words, what can be done about him?"

  "The old slave went to prepare the horse." Mrs. Feng was angry, pursed her lips tightly and walked forward in big strides, almost colliding with Wu who came running from the opposite direction. Wu smiled and bowed: "Where is the mistress going?" Mrs. Feng didn't speak, glared at him fiercely, pushed him hard and turned to walk away.

  He exaggeratedly swung his arms, thinking he would make Xiao'er laugh, but instead got a cold face from the little girl. He sulkily rubbed his head and looked at Peony with a smile: "He Niang, are we leaving?"

  "Look, it's getting late, we should go," Peony said with a faint smile. She pointed to Autumn, who was standing in the river, splashing and shouting: "He accidentally fell into the river, would you please ask someone to pull him out?"

  Wu only came over to take a look after hearing the noise, and had already seen that it was Liu Chang's personal servant with sharp eyes, so he said: "It's okay, the child is just playing, let him play for a while longer." He carefully observed Peony's expression, hoping to see some clues from her face. "He Niang, the time is actually still early. We invite you to stay and play for a while, and he will send you back later."

  "Thank you for your good intentions, sir. Since there are guests at the mansion, I won't bother him further. I just asked Madame Bai to convey my gratitude, and since it's reached you, that's even better. Please, Mr. Wu, help me express my thanks to your master for his generous hospitality." Peony finished speaking, took Xiao'er's hand, and quickly walked ahead, soon disappearing behind the wintergreen trees.

  Wu Li stood still, frowning in confusion. Was it possible that He Niang was annoyed because the Liu guest had also arrived today? But that wasn't Jiang Changyang's fault, and she hadn't seemed particularly angry earlier. Now, however, she didn't want to stay a moment longer. What was going on? He turned around and instructed the gray-clad servant beside him: "Go find Gong Ye and tell him that He Niang just left."

  "Help! Help!" Qiushi clutched the moss-covered slippery riverbank, trying to climb up but kept stumbling and had to beg Ou for help. Ou walked forward in surprise and said: "Ah, kid, how did you fall in? This riverbank is so wide. The ditch isn't deep, look, not even your head is submerged, can't you get out yourself?"

  Qiu Shi cried with a sad face: "It's slippery, can't get up."

  He looked down and sighed: "I've never seen a kid dumber than you, did you jump down to play by yourself?"

  Qiu Shi instinctively felt that the heart of this dark and thin man was also black, almost crying out loud: "No."

  Wu was still smiling, but he just didn't stretch out his hand: "What is that?"