"Those who are ignorant: The news I've heard these days only says that he once stood up for this woman... As for the rest, it's not good to say."

  Jiang Ergong snatched the dagger from his hand and said impatiently, "What's the point of caring whether she is or not? Anyway, it won't end well. Why didn't he go help someone else instead of specifically coming to help her?"

  Zheng De said: "Sir, in fact, if he and she were really like that, it would only be beneficial to you, not harmful."

  "Ah, yes, yes, my mother said the same thing. If we really listened to the old man's arrangements and let him remarry a woman from a high-ranking family, where would our place be here?"

  Zheng De's eyes lit up and he said, "So, for now, the most important thing is not to scare her or bother her. In my humble opinion, we should win her over with kindness and make her listen obediently, then matchmake them."

  Jiang Er Gong hummed and said, "Do I need you to remind me? Of course, I know. Otherwise, do you think the surprise earlier was just a casual touch on her shoulder? Would I have someone send tangerines as an apology gift? Earlier, I was just testing her courage, seeing what kind of person she is. Her nerve is quite impressive, not even flinching like that."

  Zheng De Dao said, "Just now I saw that Duan Fu Ren and Li Fu Ren had someone carry half a basket of tangerines and led the two young ladies to Xing Kang Gong Zhu's side. Do you want to follow them over and take a look?" Originally, Zhu Guo Gong did not allow Er Gong to come out, ordering him to stay at home and reflect on his mistakes. If it weren't for Fu Ren thinking of a way and pleading on his behalf, he wouldn't have had the chance to participate in this hunting gathering. This hunting gathering seemed ordinary on the surface, but actually many military personnel's families were present, including a woman who had been eyeing someone for a long time. If Er Gong left a bad impression in front of these people, it would be a waste of Fu Ren's careful planning.

  Jiang Er Gong stood up and said, "Of course I'll go. I want to apologize and make amends. The more he suppresses me, the more I want him to know my kindness. Can't even a savage be with me?"

  Zhengde flatteringly said: "That's right, Gong is talented and has military strategy, warm as jade, few people can match."

  Jiang Er Gong looked at him sideways and said, "Zheng De, spare me the flattery. My mother might enjoy listening to such things, but I don't. Instead of speaking such flattering words to me, it would be better if you put your mind to it and protected me thoroughly, that's the right thing to do."

  Zhengde knew his temper, couldn't listen to harsh words, and pretended not to like good words. But he didn't expose him either, and quietly led the way forward.

  But on another side, Xing Kang County Master was looking at her with a face full of interest: "Dan Niang, long time no see, are you doing well?"

  "Thank you for your concern, Miss Xie," Peony smiled and said, "I'm fine."

  Xing Kang Jun Zhu looked her up and down, smiled and said: "Indeed, it's not bad. I heard that you built a garden, invited Fu Yuan Da Shi to design it, bought stone from Yuan Shi Jiu, and planted many famous peonies. Is this true?"

  How could she be so clear? Peony was somewhat surprised, but still replied: "Indeed."

  "This garden, not yet open for business, has already gained a reputation. Many people are looking forward to it." Xing Kang County Master chuckled: "You're getting better and better, but someone's not doing well, huh? The wound has almost healed, but they don't dare go out, afraid of losing face. It's clear that justice is self-evident, good and evil will be rewarded, it's just that the time hasn't come yet." Although she didn't mention Qing Hua's name directly, everyone present knew who she was referring to. Most of the people who came with her today were friends, and they all smiled knowingly at her words.

  The peony did not take her words and also lowered his head with a smile but said nothing.

  Xingkang Junzhu didn't expect her to respond, so she smiled and handed a tangerine to a woman wearing an orange-red hu garment, with light eyebrows and lips, and a small cherry mouth. "Axi, have a tangerine," she said, then turned back to the others and said, "I've seen the hunting leopard that Jiang Erlang raised, it's not bad, but actually it can't compare to the one my fourth brother raised. This hunting leopard was originally raised for hunting, what's important is that it listens to commands, but it doesn't listen to the trainer's words, and its temper is also quite irritable, I'm afraid it's not even as good as a well-trained hunting dog."

  That woman gently pushed her, and Xing Kang County Master raised her eyes to look over, but saw Jiang Er Gong leading several brocade-clad big men with a smile that was not quite a smile standing outside the crowd looking at her. She waved her hand indifferently: "Jiang Er Lang, you're just in time. I said your snow leopard hasn't been trained well, it's far inferior to the one my fourth brother raised. It should be properly disciplined."

  Nowadays, many people in the capital know about the Zhu Guo Gong Fu incident, but Jiang Er Gong Mu still insists on being the eldest son. What Jiang Er Gong hates and fears most is being called Jiang Er Lang by others in public. None of the servants in his household dare to call him Er Gong, or they will be kicked out immediately. But this Xing Kang princess first said that his leopard was not good, and then she even called him Jiang Er Lang, which really makes one angry to death.

  Jiang Er Gong's eyebrows twitched, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes before he suppressed it and smiled: "The young mistress is right, my hunting dog was not well-trained. Otherwise, it wouldn't have disturbed the two ladies." He walked forward with a smile plastered on his face to apologize to Peony and Snow Maiden, bowing deeply from the waist: "It's all my fault. Please don't hold it against me, ladies. Tomorrow, after I hunt down a deer, I'll send it over as an apology gift."

  Peony and Snow Daughter exchanged a glance, although they didn't understand what he was getting at, but still stood up to return the courtesy: "Your words are too serious. It's just a small misunderstanding."

  Jiang Er Gong still looked sincere and distressed: "Are you two not willing to accept my apology and gift? I originally wanted to immediately send something good to show my sincerity, but unfortunately, I was away from home and didn't have anything else good with me. This basket of tangerines is the only thing that's presentable... He deliberately paused for a moment, "No matter what, today is all my fault. If you two are not satisfied, just say what you want. Whatever I can do, I will definitely do it..."

  He pretended to be very much like, others advised: "It's not something that's going to happen, your leopard isn't wearing a muzzle? The two young ladies are not those petty people, you big man also don't always hang on the edge of your mouth."

  If Peony didn't know his temperament, he would have thought that he was really very unhappy. Everything is abnormal and must be a monster, she has raised her vigilance to the highest level. She also smiled and said: "Director Jiang, don't mind, I really didn't put it in my heart." Xue Niang also responded with the same words.

  Xing Kang Jun Zhu raised an eyebrow and said, "Jiang Er Lang, your temper has improved a lot now. In the past, we didn't play with you much because Zhu Guo Gong was strict with you, and your temper was also a bit...". She smiled slightly and continued, "But it seems that's not the case now. When going out to have fun, one should just look for happiness, and some people shouldn't always be causing trouble for no reason. It's good that misunderstandings are cleared up."

  "County Master, my father is very strict. You don't know the real situation, I'm actually not someone who likes to cause trouble." Jiang Er Gong smiled and sat down, listening to everyone's conversation, occasionally interjecting a sentence or two, and constantly sneaking glances at the girl in orange-red clothing next to Xing Kang County Master, named A Xi. The girl noticed but didn't show any displeasure, instead slightly raising her chin. Not only did Jiang Er Gong keep looking at her, but also praised her with his words, as did several other members of the clan, who were all very polite to her, and she seemed to be enjoying it.

  "Who is the woman in the orange-red Mongolian dress?" Peony quietly asked Li Man Niang, "Do you know her?"

  Li Maniang said in a low voice, "I heard that she is the eldest daughter of the head of the Xiao family from Zhao Prefecture, named Xiao Xuexi. Her father has just been promoted to be the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and she has just reached adulthood, making her currently the most sought-after marriage candidate in the capital."

  Before long, the sky turned dark and bonfires were lit everywhere. People gathered around the bonfires to eat dinner and chat with familiar faces over wine. Peony had been feeling a bit tired since daytime, so she took Xiao'er and got up to rest in the felt tent. As they walked halfway, someone suddenly laughed and said, "Hey, isn't that Mrs. He? What a coincidence!"

  However, it was Jiang Er Gong leading the one with missing ears standing under a tree, smiling warmly at her. Peony was startled, looked around, and saw that everyone nearby was busy playing and no one noticed here, so she thought for a moment, thinking he wouldn't dare do anything to her, smiled and bowed: "So it's Mr. Jiang."

  Jiang Er Gong listened to her calling himself like that, raised an eyebrow with interest, and walked around her and Xu'er in a circle, laughing: "Actually, I'm the second in line, Jiang Changyang is my older brother."

  "What does he want to do?" Peony furrowed his brow, somewhat puzzled, and said: "Is that so? Please forgive me for my ignorance, I didn't recognize the younger brother of my benefactor. Your older brother has saved my life before, and I went to thank him in person, but I never saw you there. Luckily you reminded me, or else I would have been neglectful."

  Jiang Er Gong chuckled: "I don't live with my brother, so it's normal that He Niang doesn't recognize me. Not to mention you, many people in the capital don't even know about this matter." He furrowed his brow and sighed softly, "It's really a pity when I think about it. My brother and I were once the closest people in the world, but he never mentioned me in front of outsiders and even treated me as an enemy. It's truly heart-wrenching to recall."

  Peony cautiously did not respond.

  Jiang Er Gong, however, did not intend to let her off so easily. His eyes gleaming with intensity, he said, "He Niang, didn't my brother ever mention me and my father's affairs to you?"

  "Peony smiled and said: 'I only know he came from the Anxi Protectorate, I don't know anything else.' She said with some embarrassment: 'General Jiang, such things, your brother is probably only willing to tell his closest friends.' The implication being that she and General Jiang were not close friends, and Second Master Jiang had found the wrong person."

  Jiang Ergong burst out laughing and suddenly lowered his voice, leaning in to say: "Don't be afraid, I won't harm you, I'll only help you. In a certain way, our goals are the same."

  Peony raised her eyes and looked at him: "I don't understand what Mr. Jiang means."

  Jiang Er Gong smiled with confidence: "Have you seen the girl beside Princess An Kang? That's my future sister-in-law."