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Actually, she had long since found out that Lin Yuan was living in the mansion across from Yao Mansion, which previously belonged to the Third Prince.

After Lin Yuan’s family came to the Capital city, the prince gifted it to the Lin family.

Just this residence alone made everyone realize how significant Lin Yuan’s backing was.

However, Yan Ruchun, who prided herself on her status, would never stoop to visit Lin Yuan’s mansion.

Although Yao Hanai was the hostess, her haughty nature made it impossible for her to attend to the guests, and that’s when her foolish sister became useful.

Now she was fetching tea for one, finding a seat for another; those with discerning eyes secretly laughed at her, yet Yao Zhilan still fancied herself very successful, quite pleased with herself.

Yan Ruchun glanced at Yao Hanai, who sat at the head of the table smiling, and sneered disdainfully, "Miss Yao, this is my first visit to your mansion. I’ve heard much about your strict house rules.

Today I see it’s true, that the task of attending to guests requires the master’s personal attention.

Could it be that all your mansion’s silver has been spent on buying you brushes, ink, paper and inkstone, and you’ve forgotten to hire maids and servants? "

Yao Hanai’s mouth twitched. She had felt quite honored to have Yao Zhilan help her attend to the guests, but Yan Ruchun’s remark suddenly made her lose face.

Wasn’t it true? Even if she was a daughter born to a concubine, she still wouldn’t be working so hard, doing a maid’s job.

"Zhilan, your enthusiasm is almost embarrassing for us. Please sit down and rest," Yao Hanai didn’t reply to Yan Ruchun, instead, she asked Yao Zhilan to sit down.

Yao Zhilan had not yet understood her sister’s intention and would have continued to serve the guests with tea and water if Mo Zhu had not personally stepped forward and "escorted" her to the side!

After being thus belittled by Yan Ruchun, Yao Hanai no longer felt like sitting high and silent.

She looked at Yan Ruchun with a smile, "I am truly happy that Miss Yan could come today."

Yan Ruchun raised her eyebrows dismissively, finding Yao Hanai’s scholarly airs and strong sense of pride unbearable. She sat in her chair at a slant, with a lack of enthusiasm, and smiled faintly, "Miss Yao, you don’t need to be happy. After all, I did not come to see you today."

Pfft.

Although it was the truth, it was far too blunt.

Many present almost choked with laughter at Yan Ruchun’s directness, and Yao Hanai nearly spat out a mouthful of blood in anger.

If there was one person in the Capital city she despised, it was Yan Ruchun.

Her family was once a family of officials and had even produced an Imperial Concubine, yet in this generation, they had apparently forsaken the pursuit of power in favor of commerce.

And this Yan Ruchun was quite formidable.

She couldn’t even bother to learn the etiquettes expected of her family, and it was said that when Consort Liu had hired Sister Chang to instruct her in manners, Yan Ruchun had unceremoniously turned her away.

She was the first young lady in the Capital city to do so, shocking the entire circle of noble daughters.

Seeing her older sister embarrassed, Yao Zhilan furrowed her brow, ready to defend her, but she was quickly stopped by the ever-watchful Mo Zhu. Knowing it was her sister’s wish, Yao Zhilan finally kept her mouth shut.

Despite despising Yan Ruchun, she had still been invited today simply because Yan Ruchun not only disagreed with Yao Hanai but also harbored mutual disdain with Su Qiuyu.

After taking a dig at Yao Hanai, Yan Ruchun gave a cursory glance towards Su Qiuyu across from her and said with a faint smile, "I hope Miss Yao won’t be upset, but today, I came to see the village girl rumored to have stolen a man from Miss Su, curious about what makes her so divine.

I wonder if she has three heads and six arms, or perhaps she is the reincarnation of a vixen, heh, truly admirable. "

Successfully shifting Yan Ruchun’s target of attack onto Su Qiuyu, Yao Hanai lowered her gaze with a smile, continuing to maintain her superior demeanor. However, no one noticed that she was the true victor.

Directly facing Yan Ruchun’s merciless mockery, Su Qiuyu stared back, expressionless. Yet the faint trembling at the corner of her eyes betrayed her inner turmoil.

Cheng Yuexiu, who sat next to Su Qiuyu, turned her eyes, pondered for a moment, then spoke up, "Miss Yan, you can’t say that. Who says Young Master Xia was taken away? Just yesterday, I saw Young Master Xia visit Miss Su at the Su Mansion!"

Cheng Yuexiu was clearly telling a bald-faced lie, but how many people present really knew the truth? Those not very close to Su Qiuyu wouldn’t know, and it seemed the only person who was close to her was Cheng Yuexiu herself.

A Miss Guo from the Guo family, sitting a little farther away, caught the opportunity to ingratiate herself with Su Qiuyu and chimed in without hesitation, "Isn’t that the truth?

I also saw Young Master Xia go to the Su Mansion yesterday.

Young Master Xia treats Miss Su differently for sure.

For us women from lesser households, getting a visit from Young Master Xia, let alone seeing him, is indeed a rarity! "

As soon as she finished speaking, another young lady suddenly laughed, "There you go, Miss Guo speaks as if it were true. When have you ever seen Young Master Xia? It’s said that he doesn’t leave home much, and even if he does, it’s not necessarily when you’d run into him, right?"

Another person scoffed, "Exactly, trying to curry favor without considering the occasion, nosing into everything! Shameless!"

The murmurs of these two were not loud, and not many heard them, but those sitting nearby did.

Especially Guo Mei herself.

Her face immediately turned red, and she glared at the two of them.

Seeing Guo Mei’s reaction, everyone understood she was probably lying again and turned their heads away in disdain.

Cheng Yuexiu, who had been worried about Guo Mei stealing her thunder, couldn’t help but purse her lips and smile. This Guo Mei really got what she deserved!

But even after Cheng Yuexiu’s interjection, Su Qiuyu felt far from pleased; her complexion grew even paler. Whether Xia Zheng had visited the Su Mansion or not was unknown to others, but she knew the truth very well. Fortunately, no one exposed it, which allowed her to save some face.

However, there always seemed to be someone who enjoyed twisting the knife in her heart.

Sitting on the side and busily snacking on melon seeds, Yao Zhilan suddenly looked up with a hint of surprise, "What? Young Master Xia went to the Su Mansion yesterday? That can’t be right, I remember I saw Young Master Xia go to the Lin family across the way, and it seemed he didn’t leave until after dinner. Father ran into him when he came home!"

Worried that no one would believe her, she cocked her head toward Yao Hanai, "Sister, you heard Father mention it too, didn’t you? Right?"

Yao Hanai appeared slightly embarrassed, chuckled awkwardly, and looked at Su Qiuyu not knowing whether to nod or to shake her head.

But in her heart, she was already overjoyed, wanting to give her foolish younger sister a pat on the back for her contribution.