Chuchu’s eyes flashed as she sidestepped the question. "After the Princely Heir took me in, he brought me to Pan Yun Mountain Villa for a short stay. But later, I don’t know what Miss Zhi said to him. When the Princely Heir left, he didn’t take me along. Instead, he told Elder Tian to send me away. But I am already... Where can I possibly go now? And who would still want me?"

Her specious words left both Lu Jinglan and Lu Lan stunned.

This was especially true for Lu Jinglan. Her sharp nails dug so forcefully into her palms that she didn’t even feel the pain, but her eyes, fixed intently on Chuchu, looked as if they could devour someone whole.

Chuchu felt a chill run down her spine under that gaze.

But having come this far, she would not back down.

These two were her only hope of getting into the Lu Family.

With that thought, she knelt decisively. With a miserable expression, she pleaded, "I dare not ask for anything grand. I only beg you two young ladies to show some kindness and grant me a way to live. I am willing to serve as your maid, to wait on you both." As she finished, she took out a handkerchief to cover her face and began to weep, looking utterly pitiful.

Lu Lan, who had been silent until now, felt her heart stir. ’This woman has a murky relationship with Big Brother, and Zhi Wan even went out of her way to stop her from staying,’ she thought. ’That must mean Chuchu is special to him, different from the others. If we take her back with us, it’s bound to upset Zhi Wan.’

With this in mind, she immediately shook Lu Jinglan’s arm and pleaded on Chuchu’s behalf. "Little Aunt, Chuchu is so pitiful! How could Sister Zhi Wan do that? Chuchu has already been with Big Brother. If she’s cast out, how will she ever survive? Why don’t we just take her back to the Capital City with us?"

SLAP!

Lu Jinglan, unable to contain her fury, slapped her right across the face.

Lu Lan clutched her face, staring in disbelief. "Little Aunt, you... why did you hit me?"

Lu Jinglan hid the jealousy in her eyes and scolded her righteously, "Think about the nonsense you just spouted! Your big brother has always been morally upright. How could he possibly be involved with this kind of woman? You believed her story based on just a few sentences. If your grandmother were here, she would surely discipline you for this!"

A dark look flashed in Lu Lan’s eyes.

’I call her Little Aunt, and she really starts thinking she’s my elder?’

’She’s just a beggar Grandmother took pity on and let stay in the Lu Family. Has she forgotten where she comes from?’

But Lu Jinglan’s fierce anger was proof that Chuchu’s words had struck a raw nerve.

She glanced mockingly at Lu Jinglan’s tightly clenched fists, sneering inwardly. ’All those pretty words, but who knows how jealous she is on the inside.’

’Big Brother would rather have a courtesan than Lu Jinglan!’

After composing herself, Lu Lan reached for Lu Jinglan’s hand again and said in a low voice, "Little Aunt, you’ve misunderstood me. Of course I believe Big Brother has nothing to do with this woman. But the relationship between Sister Zhi Wan and Big Brother... don’t you think it’s a bit unusual? Besides, Zhi Wan pays you no mind at all. Don’t you want to teach her a lesson?

This Chuchu might be useful to us. What do you think, Little Aunt?"

Lu Jinglan was indeed jealous and resentful of Chuchu.

She didn’t want to believe Chuchu’s story.

But Chuchu had spoken with such conviction; she didn’t seem to be lying.

’Besides,’ she thought, ’with Jinzhi’s cold and distant nature, if there was truly nothing between him and this Chuchu, why would he have let her stay at the villa?’

’This Chuchu is attractive, and with her background as a courtesan, she’s an expert at pleasing men. No matter how aloof and ascetic Jinzhi usually is, at the end of the day, he’s still a man. It wouldn’t be surprising if he was confused for a moment and let her seduce him.’

In her heart, she wished she could chop Chuchu into pieces and feed her to the wild dogs, but upon hearing Lu Lan’s words, she felt a shift within her.

’That’s right. Chuchu is certainly hateful, but Zhi Wan... she’s just as detestable!’

’She’s an orphan, just like me, yet she has the doting affection of Lady Wei and the Duke. Even Jinzhi, who is so cold and distant to everyone, obviously treats her differently.’

’And the way Jinzhi walked into Zhi Wan’s courtyard that day was so familiar, it was clear their private relationship was far more intimate.’

’What right does Zhi Wan have to be treated so specially by Jinzhi?’

’Jinzhi treats Zhi Wan so well. Does that mean Zhi Wan is starting to have improper feelings for him, too?’

The thought of Zhi Wan’s unusually beautiful face made her heart twist. She couldn’t help but wonder, ’Has Jinzhi developed feelings for Zhi Wan, too?’

’No! I won’t allow it!’

Looking at the meekly kneeling Chuchu at her feet, Lu Jinglan suppressed her revulsion and finally nodded. "Fine. We’ll take her back."

Chuchu, overjoyed, kowtowed to them. "Thank you, my ladies!"

...

「Capital City, Duke Dingguo Mansion.」

Zhi Wan had a dreamless night.

Early in the morning, after freshening up, she went to Lan Courtyard as usual to visit Lady Wei.

Lady Wei’s complexion was much better than it had been the past two days.

When Zhi Wan arrived, she found her aunt holding a pair of shears, trimming the flowering branches in the courtyard.

"Wan’er, you’re here," Lady Wei said, her face full of affection.

"Yes, Aunt," Zhi Wan replied, walking over to her.

"Your timing is perfect. I was just about to send Nanny Fang to fetch you," Lady Wei said with a smile.

Zhi Wan was delighted to see a smile finally back on her aunt’s face. She linked her arm through Lady Wei’s and asked, "Did you need me for something, Aunt?"

"It’s good news." Lady Wei gently tapped her on the nose, her expression beaming.

Zhi Wan’s heart skipped a beat. ’Could it be about finding a husband to marry into the family?’

She couldn’t help but feel a surge of anticipation, but she feigned confusion. "What kind of good news?"

"You’ll find out soon enough," Lady Wei said with a mysterious smile, keeping her in suspense.

Seeing her aunt back to her usual spirited self, Zhi Wan was overjoyed.

After breakfast, Lady Wei turned to Nanny Fang, who was standing nearby. "Has he arrived?"

"He has. I’ve settled him in the side hall of the front courtyard," Nanny Fang replied, nodding with a smile. She even gave Zhi Wan a knowing look, which made Zhi Wan all the more certain of her suspicion.

"Then let’s go." Lady Wei rose with a smile and said to Zhi Wan, "Wan’er, come with me to meet someone."

Zhi Wan obediently followed her to the front courtyard.

Upon reaching the side hall, Zhi Wan sat behind a screen as Lady Wei had instructed.

A moment later, a young man walked in, following Nanny Fang.

"This humble one, Bai Yi, pays his respects to Madam Lu."

The young man entered, dropped to one knee, and bowed to Lady Wei.

"Please, rise," Lady Wei said with a warm smile.

Bai Yi did as he was told, standing up straight and proper, not daring to let his eyes wander.

Seeing this, Lady Wei glanced toward the screen.

Zhi Wan was peering through the screen, sizing up the young man named Bai Yi.

She couldn’t see him clearly through the screen, but he had a tall, sturdy frame. ’I wonder about his character, though,’ she thought.

Just as Zhi Wan was wondering about this, she heard Lady Wei ask, "Bai Yi, do you have any family left?"

"This humble one has no family left," Bai Yi replied, his voice tinged with sadness.

Lady Wei nodded, asked a few more questions, and then dismissed him for the time being.

"Wan’er, did you get a clear look? What do you think of this Bai Yi?" Lady Wei asked, moving behind the screen.