In front of the Bo Mansion, He Shi looked at He Lean, who was covering more than half of her face with a pinkish-white veil, and a hint of pride flashed in her eyes as she said with a mixture of teasing and sarcasm: "Hey, Sixth Sister, why are you covering up your pretty face today? The Jin Ning Marquiss household is not like any ordinary noble family; its the imperial relatives household. If one of the young masters takes a liking to you, youll surely fly high and become a phoenix."

  He Lean didnt say a word, but Shao Yingxiu disdainfully said: "Mother, do you think the branches of the Jin Ning Hou Fu are those illegitimate children who can fly wherever they want? Even if they look good, their birth is still there." She measured He Lean with ridicule, "Isnt it that her face resembles your mothers, and she also wants to follow in your mothers footsteps?"

  "Ill take care of my own path in the future, and Grandmother will make arrangements for me, so theres no need for Auntie and Xiuer to worry." He Lian felt too lazy to argue with them about these meaningless words, so he got into the carriage first. After Shao Yingxiu and He Shi finished talking and got on, they set off towards the Jia Ning Hou Fus detached palace to pick up Old Lady He, and then headed to the Jin Ning Hou Fu together.

  "Whats wrong with your face, Anan? Youre wearing a veil. Havent you been bullied at the Eldest Uncles residence?"

  "It was just a few bites from mosquitoes last night, nothing serious, Grandma doesnt have to worry." He Lian said with a smile and a soft voice.

  As soon as her words fell, Shao Yingxiu showed a concerned expression and said with a hint of reproach: "An An, youre also to blame. Since you were bitten by an insect, you should have told me and your mother when you went out. There are many good medicines in the mansion that can drive away insects and heal wounds. You shouldnt have gone out wearing a veil to attend the banquet, covering up that extremely pretty face of yours."

  He Lean almost didnt get nauseated by this fake display, but she also didnt expose her, only smiling and saying: "Its just a normal drinking party, it doesnt matter." She pulled over He Lao TaiTais hand to comfort her, saying: "Grandma, dont worry, itll be fine in a day or two."

  As she walked into the garden of the Hou Mansion in Jin Ning, He Lean couldnt help but feel her heart beating faster for no reason. The person she had been dreaming about every night was still serving in the south, and it was unlikely that they would ever meet again. Lost in thought, she heard Old Lady He say to Shao Yingxiu: "The task entrusted to me by your mother depends on your own performance, so dont lose your manners or composure later."

  "Yes." Shao Yingxiu replied cleverly.

  The maidservants of the Hou Mansion led them to a garden with a luxurious courtyard filled with blooming flowers. In the southeast corner, there was an artificial lotus pond with a large sixteen-sided double-layered pavilion standing on it. The winding path was marked by large wooden pillars covered in annual rings, and occasionally, colorful carp jumped out of the water.

  At this time, from a arched gate in the shape of a lotus flower, came several soft and crisp laughter. He Lean raised his eyes to see several finely dressed young girls supporting an old woman who was about the same age as Old Lady He, but looked even more noble and extraordinary, followed by a large group of maidservants.

  The two old ladies met with tears in their eyes, both revealing long-awaited smiles. After the younger ones paid their respects to each others elders, the old woman grasped He Lao Tai Tais hand and sighed: "Lets count, its been over ten or twenty years since we last saw each other."

  "Alas, I was afraid youd blame me, so I didnt dare come see you." Old Lady He also let out a long sigh.

  He Lean knew that Old Lady He and the old lady of the Jin Ning Marquiss household, Xue, had some old feelings, but it was her late grandmother who had a deeper relationship with her. She and Old Lady Xue were like close friends.

  "Whats the point of bringing up old matters? Let bygones be bygones, and besides, its not your fault anyway." Madam Xue pulled Madam He down to sit in the pavilion, gazing at Shao Yingxiu with a warm smile: "So this is indeed the eldest daughter of the Zhuo family, Yingxiu - shes truly lovely and charming."