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An Yuer laughed while slightly apologizing, "Last time it was my fault for not understanding the situation properly; I hope you won’t mind.

However, later it was all thanks to my brother and sister-in-law that we could resolve the misunderstanding and restore affection like before. I should really thank you!"

Lin Yuan was taken aback and turned to look at Luomeiyan, seeing her nod slightly and understood.

It turned out that Luomeiyan had known about what An Jie had done, and from her attitude towards Luomeiyan, her brother’s wife, it was clear that she bore no grudge against her.

In fact, she even helped the couple teach Grandma Yuan a lesson, showing that An Yuer either had a good understanding of the situation or simply followed her brother An Jie’s advice closely.

Luomeiyan poured another cup of tea for An Yuer and casually asked, "Why did you come back so early today? Didn’t the Prince say he was taking you out of the city for fun?"

As soon as this was mentioned, An Yuer’s mouth pouted, displaying a mix of disappointment, grievance, and anger, "It was all because of Tang Ruyan! Relying on her intelligence, she drew the Prince away to deal with some matters concerning the Imperial Merchant! Humph, it’s just because he sees her as smarter than me.

If I were as clever as she, the Prince definitely wouldn’t care about her that much! "

Lin Yuan chuckled and pursed her lips. Her perception of An Yuer really had greatly changed. Initially, she thought An Yuer was just a brainless spoiled young lady; but today, besides that, she realized that An Yuer had a fair amount of self-awareness.

Luomeiyan reassured her, "Miss Tang’s cleverness is well-known in Yecheng. Why compare yourself to her? Besides, if the Prince really values her just for her intelligence, then you shouldn’t be upset. You should be happy instead."

An Yuer frowned, looking puzzled at Luomeiyan, "Sister-in-law, did that Grandma Yuan make you so mad you’ve gone silly? The Prince values her and not me, why should I be happy about that?"

Luomeiyan smiled and patted her hand, saying, "You just said it yourself, the Prince values her but doesn’t favor her.

You also mentioned you’re not as smart as Miss Tang, yet the Prince still likes spending time with you and is willing to take you out for fun.

This shows that the Prince truly likes you.

Now tell me, between being valued and being liked, which do you prefer? "

"Of course being liked!" An Yuer’s knot in her heart unraveled, brightening her face again with happiness.

Lin Yuan lifted her teacup and sipped gently, finally understanding why An Yuer liked Luomeiyan and no longer blamed her. It seemed that besides her brother An Jie, Luomeiyan indeed held a special place in her heart.

An Yuer was now happy; however, Lin Yuan clearly noticed a hint of worry between the brows of An Jie and Luomeiyan.

Maybe Luomeiyan’s words could be believed only by someone as naively optimistic as An Yuer. Everyone present could see that the Prince in An Yuer’s words, Second Prince Zhao Hongsheng in their eyes, was actually interested primarily in the An Family Winehouse’s wealth.

There’s a saying that women in love are foolish, and it isn’t without truth.

As if casually, Xia Zheng adjusted his sleeves and asked, "Miss An, I heard that Lovers Lake in the east of the city has beautiful scenery, perfect for lovers to visit. I wonder if your Prince was planning to take you there?"

Lovers Lake? Lin Yuan blinked her eyes, suddenly feeling a yearning.

Sitting opposite her, An Yuer first got excited, then immediately felt disappointed, "Yes, he did plan to take me there, but who knew that right upon leaving, we ran into Tang Ruyan returning with Young Master Wu saying they needed to discuss some matter, and then the Prince changed his mind, ordering the coachmen to take me back first."

Clearly, An Yuer wasn’t truly angry as she quickly added, "But the Prince said that once he is less busy, he will personally come to pick me up from home and take me to Lovers Lake for a boat ride."

Although she praised Zhao Hongsheng’s virtues profusely, Xia Zheng and Lin Yuan had no more will to listen.

Young Master Wu, aren’t they the two from the Wu family of Jiangnan?

They had just encountered the pair outside the city yesterday, and today, they sought Zhao Hongsheng. Could there be some connection?

Lin Yuan frowned in annoyance. Although Xia Zheng did not want her involved in such dark affairs, these troubles always seemed to find her! Was she a magnet stone?

With a soft huff, Lin Yuan rolled her eyes and, pursing her lips, bowed her head, no longer wanting to speak.

Xia Zheng also realized this. A trace of scorn flickered across his lips as he leaned back in his chair, lazily stirring the tea leaves with the lid.

Meanwhile, something An Yueyue said caused Luomeiyan to frown and shift forward anxiously, "Was that Young Master Wu really that rude? Does the prince know about this, what did he say?"

An Yueyue bit her lip, her voice somber, "The prince was there at the moment, he must have seen it, right? But he said nothing. I guess he might not have seen it... Ah, I really don’t know."

"Yuer, no, you can never go out alone again," Luomeiyan said, eyebrows tightly knit as she firmly gripped An Yueyue’s hand, "I’m sure that Young Master Wu is not a good character. You are not allowed to go out alone anymore."

An Jie nodded in agreement, "That Young Master Wu you mentioned, I seem to have heard about him before. Ever since Young Master Wu of Jiangnan came to the Capital, if he’s not dining at the Drunken Immortal Tower, he’s drinking in the brothels. Overall, his character really isn’t commendable."

He paused, glanced at Xia Zheng, then sternly looked at An Yueyue and said, "Listen to your sister-in-law. From now on, you are not allowed to go out alone, even to the Second Prince’s Mansion. This time in the Capital, your parents entrusted you to my care, so you must listen to me."

"Big brother!" An Yueyue pouted, her brows knitting together tightly.

An Jie, however, glared back with an unusual sternness, "When I say no, I mean no! Even if our parents were here, they wouldn’t indulge you today."

Ordinarily, An Jie treated An Yueyue with absolute indulgence, sometimes even more than An Yixiang did. However, today, no matter how An Yueyue coaxed, An Jie was unyielding about her not going out alone anymore. It was evident that he was genuinely worried.

Luomeiyan also coaxed softly, "Yuer, there are things we might indulge you in, but not today."

After a moment’s thought, she added, "We have not brought many servants with us to the Capital, nor do we have anyone shrewd and strong-willed to arrange for your personal protection, which is a problem."

Since the issue with An Jie’s poisoning was resolved satisfactorily, An Yixiang had slowly begun letting go of the business matters, giving An Jie the responsibility.

Indeed, this time, they had left the task of expanding the business in the Capital to the couple, while she stayed back home, cozy with her husband.