Lian Hao gazed at Jiang Wanru, who was calm and composed, and suddenly felt relieved. He chuckled and said: "It's also good that they don't concern you anymore. Such aimless gossip will only make people feel annoyed." (Please remember) Jiang Wanru had already heard from the whispers and glances of others that Lian Zimo had recently met a virtuous woman, was delighted by her gentle and clever nature, and under his mother's arrangement, had taken her as a concubine.

  Jiang Wanru listened to Lian Hao's words, looked up at the sympathetic expression in his eyes towards Lian Zimo. She secretly sighed in her heart, in men's eyes, Lian Zimo was just an extra concubine, a harmless and interesting affair. Jiang Wanru gazed at the women chatting and laughing amidst the luxurious decorations, they all had their own worries hidden deep within, living in a world where having multiple wives and concubines was considered normal.

  Under Jiang Lian's repeated hints, Jiang Wanru raised her eyes to look at the couple. The man was still handsome and the woman was still beautiful. However, the two people who were smiling and facing everyone's gaze might be extremely resentful of each other in their hearts. The Jiang family had always been too protective of Jiang Wanyu, making her overconfident, only thinking of her own good, and forgetting the difference in social status between the two families.

  Lian Zimo, as the eldest son of a concubine, would never be the favored one in the Lian family. Beneath his gentle and obedient surface, he must have had dark thoughts that no one knew about. Jiang Wanyi's sunny disposition could only make those hidden darknesses even more obscure. With her beautiful and warm appearance matching her personality, this marriage wouldn't be as precarious as it is now if she were like him. Jiang Wanru was an onlooker who saw clearly; with a cool eye, she watched the two people drift further apart.

  A deeply loved eldest daughter, a step-by-step eldest son. They collided with each other due to their vastly different natures, and in an instant, they sparked a brilliant spark. If this relationship had ended prematurely due to family reasons, it would have left an indelible mark on each other's memories, becoming a beautiful legend in the capital city. Unfortunately, under the efforts of both families, they eventually formed a good marriage. And as time went by, the qualities that once attracted each other became sharp angles in their hearts.

  Jiang Wanruo showed no interest in sympathizing with unrelated people, and when Lian Hao approached her again to talk, she glanced up at the many eyes watching her in the hall, slightly moved her body away, and smiled faintly at Lian Hao: "Third Master is almost here for dinner, I'll go take a look at the kitchen first." After finishing speaking, under everyone's gaze, she stood up, turned her head to glance at the surrounded Crown Prince's wife, nodded towards the large maid behind her, then led two maids directly out of the hall door.

  Jiang Wanru didn't see the gaze behind her, so she didn't notice the complex eyes that Lian Zimo and his wife cast at her after she turned around. Lian Zimo sent her out of the hall with his eyes, while Jiang Wanyi stared at him, smiling warmly in Madam Lian's laughing eyes as she leaned close to Lian Zimo, but her voice was sharp and low as she said: "She's not a fool, now it's too late for you to regret. I've seen the way she looks at you, as indifferent as if she'd never met you before."

  Jiang Wan-yi finished speaking and sat up straight, looking at Lian's wife with a smile on her face. She said: "Mother, unfortunately Father is busy and can't stay to accompany Mother for long. I heard that Father will only arrive at dinner time, so I'll let Zi-mo go welcome him later." Lian's wife listened to her words, her expression slightly paused and she nodded reluctantly, saying: "You two have a good heart." Lian's wife pretended to be shy and lowered her head, but in reality she was secretly gritting her teeth. Her own husband didn't trust the seriously ill old concubine, insisting on staying at home to accompany her and talk to her more.

  Mrs. Lian recalled Mr. Lian's deep affection for his concubine, and she secretly resented it in her heart. She was younger and more beautiful than that old woman, the only difference being that she hadn't spent as much time with Mr. Lian, and didn't have the same ability to understand his thoughts. She naturally understood the underlying meaning of Jiang Wan's words, and her anger towards Lian Zimo and Jiang Wan secretly rose to a new level. At the same time, she also grew resentful of Jiang Wanyu's uselessness - back then, she had worked so hard for her sake, yet that woman had let her own sister snatch away Lian Zimo.

  Mrs. Lian had by now forgotten the small abacus she used to play with when she was young, and how she had gone back on her promise to a deceased friend, which made Mr. Lian wary of her in his heart. After all, apart from the children he had with her, Mr. Lian also had children with other women. On that day, Mr. Lian tacitly agreed to let her arrange for Lian Zimu to marry Jiang Yanzhu, knowing that this marriage was not suitable, but fortunately it was only a verbal agreement made in secret and not formally sealed.

  Lian Lao Ye was very fond of his young and beautiful second wife, who was like a flower that understands words. Although she was young, she was extremely nostalgic about old times. Lian Lao Ye was considerate of her deep feelings for the deceased, so he didn't express any opposition at the time. Lian Zi Mo understood his father's thoughts, which is why he agreed to the marriage.

  At that time, even the old master had heard about Yu Xi's serious illness. He thought deeply and calculated that once this person was gone, his own son's engagement would naturally find a good excuse to be called off.

  Mr. Lian thought it was perfectly reasonable, but later events were beyond his control. After Lian Zimo and Jiang Wanyi's inexplicable affectionate behavior, Mrs. Lian not only didn't stop them but also seemed to condone it on the surface. Behind closed doors, she met with Mrs. Jiang like a close sister. Mr. Lian saw all this and thought his son was worthy of the Jiang family's eldest daughter, so he tacitly approved of Mrs. Lian's actions. However, in his heart, he had some thoughts about Mrs. Lian - Yu Xiuxiu was still alive, and she had already forgotten her past love.

  Jiang Wanru was once again used as a shield without her knowledge, and there was someone who secretly resented her. She and the two maids went to the large kitchen, where they toured the Wang Fu's kitchen without being intercepted by anyone. The people preparing dinner looked up and saw Jiang Wanru enter, just as they were about to stand up to greet her, but she said: "Everyone do your own thing, don't mind me." The people in the kitchen naturally continued to work with their heads down, occasionally glancing at Jiang Wanru.

  The large kitchen was near the door, with a neat and tidy array of various vegetables on the shelves. At the farthest end from the stove, several large jars were placed. The kitchen was spacious but not as cluttered as one would imagine, only the air still wafting with the strong smell of various seasonings, and the faint smell of oil smoke that couldn't be covered up. Jiang Wanru turned her head to see the young steward hurrying over, accompanied by two maids.

  The young housekeeper looked at Jiang Wanru with a calm expression and smiled: "Third Madame, I'm late."

  The kitchen is too messy, I'll go in and talk to them properly. It's cold outside, I'll send the lady to the other house to warm up by the fire first." Jiang Wanmu understood the implication behind her words, she stared at her steadily, and the housekeeper's eyes dodged away. Jiang Wanmu then spoke lightly: "The kitchen under the management of the young master's wife is tidy and orderly, leaving nothing to be said. I just went in out of curiosity." The young housekeeper could only smile awkwardly.

  After the last dish of dinner was served, Jiang Wanru firmly refused to let the young housekeeper who had sent them out see them off. She took the two maids and walked out of the large kitchen by herself. The three of them walked silently through the night-colored Wang Fu, walking until they reached the turning corner of the courtyard, where the eldest maid of the Crown Prince's wife hurried over to her. Seeing Jiang Wanru, she smiled happily and said: "Third Madame is working hard, our master has called me to hurry out and welcome Third Madame to the Grand Hall, rest for a while, and then watch the fireworks."

  The fireworks of the Wangfu are famous in Beijing. Every time this day arrives, countless people in Beijing look up at the sky above the Wangfu, hoping for a spectacular display in the night sky. Tens of millions of colorful fireworks burst into bloom in an instant, each one exquisite and radiant. The dazzling display that instantly disappears in the night sky above the Wangfu becomes the topic of conversation for countless people in Beijing on the second day and many days to come.

  Jiang Wanru walked into the grand hall, where the candles shone brightly like daylight. People were still seated on either side, chatting, leaving a large empty space in between, filled with an atmosphere of joy. Jiang Wanru spotted the empty seat next to Lian Hao and saw his gaze upon her. She took a deep breath and had no choice but to walk towards him once again under everyone's watchful eyes.

  Jiang Wanru sat down beside Lian Hao, and found that his eyes had an inexplicable emotion. Under the gaze of everyone, Jiang Wanru could only pretend to be deaf and dumb, as if she hadn't seen his abnormality. Jiang Wanru sat properly in her seat, calmly facing all the gazes. Unfortunately, amidst the noisy and lively atmosphere, Jiang Wanru still deeply felt that she was an outsider.

  The four people on the main seat stood up, and the people in the hall followed suit. The crowd surged forward, and as Jiang Wanru was about to squeeze through, she heard Lian Hao's low voice whispering in her ear: "Wanru, I'm sorry, I..." In the midst of the bustling crowd, Lian Hao's low voice was quickly drowned out, leaving only Jiang Wanru's puzzled expression. Lian Hao could only sigh silently and shake his head slightly to indicate that it was nothing.

  Out of the hall, Jiang Wanru gradually moved away from Lian Hua's side. She and her two maidservants followed far behind the crowd. By the time they arrived at the largest open space in the Wang Manor, various items wrapped in red paper had already been placed there. The most spacious and frontmost area was already packed with people from the Wang Manor. Even Da Yinger, who had always stayed by Jiang Wanru's side, couldn't help but look like she wanted to rush forward but didn't dare to.

  Jiang Wanmu glanced sideways at her expression, turned her head and smiled at her and Jiyuan, saying: "The firework sounds too loud, I won't squeeze forward. If you two are willing, go ahead and take a look, I'll stand here." Da Lao Tou happily rushed forward, Jiyuan stayed behind and looked at Jiang Wanmu with a smile, saying: "Miss, I'm also afraid of the noise." At this time, Jiang Wanmu heard Lian Hua's voice: "Light it up, release." 'Boom', a five-colored flower bloomed in the sky, followed by continuous 'boom' sounds, one after another rose into the air. If you like this work, welcome to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets, thank you: mnuka voted 1 pink ticket, rabbthu voted 2 pink tickets, hnnee gave a gift of 100 starting points coins, Zhu Xiao Cao gave a gift of 58 starting points coins, Ye Xingzou voted 1 pink ticket, Jin Guoguo voted 1 pink ticket, thank you for the support of book friends.