The two cousins walked along the garden path. When Sister Su saw that there was no one around, she squeezed Chu Lian's hand and said in a low voice, "Sixth sister, you have to be careful in the residence today. Don't trust anyone's words!

Even at the banquet, you have to be extra careful. Try to avoid alcohol if possible. "

Chu Lian was startled. She didn't expect Sister Su to say something like that.

"Fifth sister, are you saying that someone is plotting against me?"

Sister Su paused for a moment, then nodded.

Chu Lian's mind spun quickly. In the entire Ying household, there were only a few people who had direct conflicts of interest with her.

Her stepmother, Second Madam, and Eighth Miss, Sister Yuan, who hated her.

Chu Lian sneered, "It can't be the two people I'm thinking of, right?"

Sister Su's expression turned serious. She shook her head and spat out, "More than that."

She didn't know why, but Sister Su felt that the married Chu Lian was much more likable than when she was a lady in the Ying household. Could it be that a person's personality was affected by a change in living environment?

Sister Su hurriedly discarded her wild thoughts and stared at Chu Lian with a serious expression.

Even Chu Lian, who came prepared, widened her eyes when she heard this unexpected answer.

"That's why I told you to be careful." Sister Su patted her hand.

Chu Lian slowly concealed the shock in her eyes. She instantly had a plan in her mind.

She thought of the day she bumped into Chu Qizheng and his invitation … Could it be that she, as his father, was personally involved?

Chu Lian looked up at Sister Su, "Fifth sister, thank you for the reminder."

Sister Su smiled faintly, "It's not a big deal. I just happened to see it by accident. Since you're here today, it's only a matter of a few words to remind you."

Chu Lian didn't argue any further. The two couldn't stay in the garden for long. The ceremony in the reception hall in the front courtyard was about to begin.

Second Master and Second Madam had really put in a lot of effort for Chu Yuan this time. They had indeed invited a few virtuous and respectable madams from the capital to keep up appearances. Sister Yuan 'er's hairpin ceremony was indeed very lively, causing all the married women of the Chu family to be envious to the point that their eyes turned red.

Chu Yuan was very pleased with herself. She couldn't even hide the smugness in her eyes.

When she walked up to the stage, Sister Yuan glanced at Chu Lian again. The arrogance and provocation in her eyes were obvious.

After the hairpin ceremony, it was time for the banquet.

Chu Lian was arranged to sit at a table next to the main table. This area was for women and was separated from the male guests.

During the meal, people around Chu Lian talked to her from time to time. They were all her married cousins, so Chu Lian casually chatted with them.

Because of Sister Su's reminder, she didn't eat much during the banquet. She only picked a few dishes that had been used by others and ate a few with her chopsticks. She even used the excuse that she was taking medicine to nourish her body to decline the wine.

In the adjacent room, the Second Madam sat uneasily. The handkerchief in her hand had already been crumpled by her clenched fists. She looked towards the door from time to time, as if waiting for news from someone.

Finally, the door was pushed open from the outside and a servant girl in a blue dress walked in.

The maidservant hurriedly walked in front of the Second Madam. "Madam, it's bad. Sixth Miss didn't drink."

The Second Madam stood up excitedly at first, but when she heard the maidservant's words, she fell back into her seat in annoyance.

"How could it be? How could she not drink a cup of wine at such a banquet?"

The maidservant also looked embarrassed. "The maidservant beside Sixth Miss said that Sixth Miss is taking medicine and shouldn't drink."

The Second Madam's face twisted and she clenched her fists tightly. It was obvious that she was unwilling.

"Madam, what should we do?"

The Second Madam was anxious. Her eyes swept over the furnishings in the room in a panic. Suddenly, her eyes lit up and the corners of her mouth curled up.

She waved at the maidservant and whispered a few words in her ear.

The maidservant received the order and quickly turned around to leave the room.

Halfway through the meal, Chu Lian turned around and asked Wenqing who was behind her, "Is Third Young Master here?"

Wenqing whispered in Chu Lian's ear, "Third Madam, Uncle Liu, who drove the carriage just now, sent a message. He said that Third Young Master was held up by something and will come later."

Chu Lian nodded and turned her head, not asking any more questions.

Perhaps her whispering with Wenqing had been overheard by her cousin, who had pricked up her ears. The round-faced and slightly plump cousin raised her eyebrows. "Sixth Younger Sister has just returned home and you're already thinking of Anyuan Hou?

We're envious of the love between husband and wife. "

Chu Lian frowned. This unfamiliar cousin's words were clearly filled with jealousy and dissatisfaction.

Wenqing and Wenlan, who were serving behind Chu Lian, also frowned when they heard this.

Just as Chu Lian's attention was attracted by this cousin, her body swayed as someone bumped into her. Immediately after, she felt something warm on her sleeve.

There was a clatter. It was the sound of a teacup falling to the ground. In the next second, Chu Lian heard a short cry.

She frowned and turned around to see a maidservant kneeling on the ground. She was trembling in fear and sobbed as she apologized to her.

Wenlan's face was filled with anger as she looked at the kneeling maidservant in front of her. She almost couldn't help but shout.

Wenqing frowned and pulled on Chu Lian's sleeve, "Third Madam, your clothes."

Chu Lian turned to look at her shoulder and sleeves. Her exquisite bamboo blue dress was covered in stains, making her look particularly wretched.

What had splashed on Chu Lian just now was a cup of fried tea. The Great Wu Dynasty's fried tea was mixed with all kinds of spices. If it got on one's dress, it would be harder to clean than normal stains. It also had a strange smell that was hard to bear.

Chu Lian stared at her dirty sleeves for a few seconds. The young maidservant who had bumped into her with the tea kept kowtowing in apology. Chu Lian waved her hand and had the young maidservant leave. Even though she had tried to minimize her presence, the disturbance at their table had still attracted the attention of others.

Chu Lian's stepmother, Second Madam, had rushed over.

Her expression did not look good. She scolded the maidservant who had caused the trouble and then had two older women drag the maidservant away.

After this, she walked up to Chu Lian and saw the stains on her sleeves. She said apologetically, "Older Sister Lian, you can't wear these clothes anymore. Mother will arrange for you to change in the side room."

Although Chu Lian did not have a good impression of this stepmother, she could not refuse Second Madam's good intentions in public.

She apologized to her cousins at the same table and left the banquet with Second Madam with Wenqing and Wenlan. They went to the side room to change clothes.

On the way, Second Madam smiled gently. "Older Sister Lian, you are about the same size as Older Sister Yuan. I will send you to the side room first and then send someone to get you a set of clothes from Older Sister Yuan. What do you think?"

Chu Lian did not want to stay with Second Madam at this time. She had been warned by Older Sister Su and had long been on guard against the second branch of the British Public House.

Chu Lian nodded lightly. Second Madam smiled when she saw that Chu Lian did not refuse.

It had to be said that Second Madam was really good at pretending. Those who did not know the inside story would really think that she and Chu Lian were biological mother and daughter!

Second Madam sent Chu Lian to a secluded side room and turned around to order the chief maidservant behind her to get clothes. She then said apologetically, "Older Sister Lian, I can't leave the front yard, so I can only leave you here alone."

Chu Lian smiled faintly. "Mother, go do what you need to do. I still have a maid to accompany me. It's fine."

Second Madam gently patted Chu Lian's hand before turning to leave.

After confirming that the Second Madam had really left, Chu Lian immediately stood up.

Wenqing was puzzled. "Third Madam, what's wrong?"

Chu Lian's eyes were resolute. "We'll leave immediately and return to the mansion!"

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