As if hearing the voice in her heart, a lazy voice suddenly echoed from afar, clearly embodying the concept of ’sound is heard before the person appears’.

However, listening to this voice, He Wenyu inexplicably felt that this person had a similar temperament to Luo Qianqian; both were lazy.

"Why didn’t anyone inform me that Cousin was coming? I was still tidying up in my room. Had I known Cousin was coming, I would have come out earlier. Anyway, I’m just here to be Cousin’s backdrop." The woman was dressed in a light green long dress, standing out refreshingly amidst the garden full of red.

It didn’t seem like green leaves complementing red flowers but rather green flowers complementing red leaves.

Moreover, she wore only a silver hairpin and a jade hairpin slanted in her hair, making her stand out amidst others’ elaborate attire.

"Lanlan, you’re here." Cong Ying, referred to as cousin, obviously didn’t show the warmth from earlier and merely nodded slightly with a hint of a smile: "Lanlan, you look very nice today. I assume you are looking forward to tonight’s performance, aren’t you?"

"Cousin always teases me. With my cousin, the number one talented woman of Southern Li here, what place do I have?" Du Yulan pursed her lips and continued with a smile, "What were Cousin and Sister saying just now? So cheerful?"

He Wenyu silently stepped back, sensing the swords and shadows lurking between them, fearing she’d get splattered with blood, she thought it safer to stay further away.

"Hmm, just saying..." Cong Ying noticed He Wenyu had already stepped away and understood her intentions. Looking at the scattered group of young ladies, she smiled slightly: "It’s nothing much, just discussing what gifts to give the old lady. I heard Lanlan specifically looked for the Forget Worries Tea House birthday set tailored for the wealthy?"

"Indeed, it emptied my little treasury, but making the old lady happy is worth it." Du Yulan nodded contentedly. Before the Forget Worries Tea House’s commercial opening, she had already connected with the shopkeeper, though it took some effort and precious items, she obtained a satisfying result.

As long as the old lady is pleased, securing her favor means she doesn’t have to listen to the high and mighty lady who only cares about her children; she will secure a good match!

Now in the Du Residence, only Du Yuwei can watch the Sect Conference’s competition. If she receives the old lady’s favor today, she can be next!

If she also wins the cultivator’s affection, she can successfully turn the tide!

After the schemes of Du Yuwei and Cong Ying caused her to lose her title as Southern Li’s talented woman, she will reclaim it with her abilities!

He Wenyu looked at those ambitious eyes, shook her head speechlessly, and continued to admire the flowers before her, with a faint fragrance reminiscent of something Luo Qianqian would like. Should she snap a picture and find it later?

"Elder sister has truly put effort into this." Du Yuwei smiled calmly: "I can’t bear to touch my little treasury, so my fingers suffer instead, yet I am quite satisfied with myself." She glanced at He Wenyu, seeing her absorbed in admiring the flowers, not paying much attention to their side, felt relieved, and began to engage in the performance.

"Are the two of you showing off in front of an outsider?" Cong Ying also smiled: "Alright, you all go find your friends, the Third Princess said she might come today, I’ll go greet her at the entrance."

"Take your time, Cousin." Du Yuwei smiled calmly as she turned around, knowing Du Yulan wouldn’t follow her.

To prevent receiving cold remarks from her family, before leaving the house, she only informed her mother, and no one else knew she went to welcome guests.

Other informed individuals were unwilling to offend a cultivator for Du Yulan.

"Cousin, may I accompany you? I have long desired to witness the princess’s grace." As expected, Du Yulan intended to follow Cong Ying.

Cong Ying looked troubled: "Well, I am afraid it’s not appropriate with so many guests here..."

"There is a sister here." Du Yulan held onto Cong Ying’s arm excitedly, looking at her expectantly.

Cong Ying had no option but to ’reluctantly’ take Du Yulan to the entrance to greet the Third Princess.

Du Yulan was secretly pleased, unaware that the Third Princess was indeed coming for a distinguished guest in the garden, realizing it too late.

"I must apologize to Miss Shiliu." Du Yuwei approached He Wenyu and said quietly, genuinely apologetic, with a hint of self-mocking: "It’s just if... Sister knew your identity, things would become even more complicated."

He Wenyu merely raised her eyebrows slightly, not saying much, smiled: "I am just an ordinary guest, with no special identity."

Then she pointed at a plant in the courtyard: "What’s the name of this flower?"

"This is a flower grown by my brother, he named it ’Ruyi’, if Miss Shiliu likes..."

"No need, I was just asking casually." He Wenyu looked puzzled, thinking why is the rarest colored flower cultivated rather than naturally grown? If it requires time to nurture, how would Grandma have time to make delicious food?

Du Yuwei nodded, with a thoughtful expression, and did not say much.

Soon, the banquet over there was ready, even though He Wenyu wanted to hide and not eat the food here, she had to go.

Compared to being scrutinized by many as if she were a monkey, she preferred quietly admiring the garden’s flowers.

Looking at the gigantic screen, He Wenyu frowned slightly: "What’s this for?"

Seeing He Wenyu’s gaze on the screen, Du Yuwei hesitated briefly before reverting to normal: "At the age of seven, boys and girls don’t sit together. Though dining in the same place, they cannot see each other; we ladies are on this side."

So, she can’t eat together with Luo Yanhai? It’s even more awkward...

Luo Yanhai also looked at the screen helplessly.

God knows, younger sister brought him here to appreciate the beauties, yet they were blocked???

"Brother Luo, are you concerned about your sister?" I had to admit that Du Lanming was talented, managing to become Brother Luo’s friend in such a short time. But this was Luo Yanhai’s intent; otherwise, he would remain bored at the banquet?

"Yes, wondering if she could adapt..." Adapt to being stared at like a monkey.

"Today our Du Residence’s feast can be considered top-notch, though not as grand as the Royal Family, it ranks among the notable city banquets. Hopefully, we can find dishes suiting your sister’s taste. What cuisine does your sister prefer?" Du Lanming tirelessly inquired about He Wenyu.

But over time, the information gathered was only...

Miss Shiliu, gender female, interest male.