"Exactly, it should be her!"

"Big sister, is that, is that not..." Xiao Linshuang pointed at Wu Hanyu reappearing on the stage with a face full of shock, even stuttering a bit.

Not only Xiao Linshuang and Xiao He, but even Lin Yuan and Xia Zheng were greatly surprised.

Although they had already guessed that Wu Hanyu, who wore the Curtain Lattice, was problematic, they hadn’t expected that the person herself had just been right beside them, and they had just had a big argument with her.

Besides Lin Yuan and the others, a few others nearby also furrowed their brows in confusion at the person on stage. However, eventually, under the pressure that the Wu Family are the Imperial Merchants of the year, they prudently shut their mouths.

Even though they shut up, everyone was clear about it in their hearts.

When Wu Hanyu, dressed in Light Gauze, reappeared on the stage, everyone’s eyes were drawn to her.

It wasn’t that this woman had a strikingly beautiful face, but the gauze as thin as Cicada Wing on her body was truly like water, as illusory as a dream, lightweight and translucent.

Occasionally, the breeze fluttered by, and the Curtain Lattice on her body fluttered slightly with the wind, revealing the flowing light of water, while the dress inside the Curtain Lattice didn’t move at all, as if it hadn’t been affected by the wind at all.

"As expected, thin yet not transparent. The Chen family’s Light Gauze is going to sell well again!" Even Xia Zheng couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration, seeing how rare the Chen family’s Light Gauze was.

Wu Hanyu gracefully sat down at her own embroidery frame. When she passed by Lin Wei, unsurprisingly, it left Lin Wei utterly shocked.

"You, you!" Lin Wei stared wide-eyed at the resplendent Wu Hanyu, stuttering, unable to speak.

"What do you mean by ’you’? Haven’t seen a beauty before? Hmph!" Wu Hanyu rolled her eyes and glared at Lin Wei, not showing any sign of illness.

Lin Wei opened her mouth, then wisely shut it again. Tian Xuan behind her clearly also recognized Wu Hanyu, and a barely uttered "So it’s you" was stopped by Lin Wei signaling with her eyes vigorously.

Having closed her mouth, Tian Xuan also realized, regardless of Wu Hanyu’s status as an Imperial Merchant. Even if she wasn’t afraid to talk about what had just happened, how many people would testify for her?

Anyway, the person competing now was indeed the real Wu Hanyu, which was enough; as long as they suffered no losses.

"Wow, with such a firm tone in your voice, are you sure you aren’t sick?"

Wu Hanyu had just sat down when she heard several mocking laughs coming from behind her left.

Humphing, Wu Hanyu turned her head and sarcastically said to Chen Leyao, "What are you so proud of? Being used by your own parents and you seem quite happy about it!"

Chen Leyao pouted her little mouth. As Wu Hanyu said, she did not know all of today’s events. She thought she was just here to compete today, even proud that Chen Haigang had also come to watch her compete.

She looked up and glanced at a window in the tea house opposite, where her father and that illegitimate brother were sitting. They must be happy about the success of Cicada Wing right now!

Just as Lady Jiang and Lady Du couldn’t see eye to eye, Chen Leyao and Wu Hanyu seemed to be natural enemies as well.

Seeing Chen Leyao’s complexion change slightly, Wu Hanyu slightly alleviated her resentment and pompously continued to mock, "I heard your mother saying that you named the Cicada Wing, but with that brain of yours, hmm, isn’t it likely your illegitimate brother named it?

Oh dear, that’s actually true! Wow, you’ve always looked down on your illegitimate brother, but it seems he’s much smarter than you!

Oh, now I know why you wanted to enter this competition, surely to prove yourself, right? Wow, how pitiful!"

"Wu Hanyu, shut your mouth!" Irritated and embarrassed, Chen Leyao wanted to go up and tear that ceaselessly blabbering mouth of hers.

"Why should I shut up? Did I hit a nerve? Hmph, serves you right!"

"Then you are still better off than a daughter born of a concubine!" Chen Leyao’s eyes swiveled as she recalled something, "Just wait for your two older brothers to sell you for glory and wealth!"

Wu Hanyu’s body shivered, "That won’t happen! Once my mother gives birth to a younger brother, no one will dare to look down on us!"

Chen Leyao hooked her lips and gave her a look that said, "I wish it were so."

The two of them argued back and forth, leaving the ladies participating in the competition utterly stunned. Aren’t the women of Jiangnan known to be gentle and compliant? Yet the two pairs of mother and daughters they saw today were so fierce!

"Enough, enough! Have you argued enough? Are we having the competition or not!"

A furious and harsh voice erupted from the back, successfully drawing everyone’s attention.

Chen Leyao and Wu Hanyu, unaccustomed to being scolded, simultaneously turned to glare at the source of the voice, Luo Sangu, and shouted, "What’s it to you!"

Perhaps the harmony of their simultaneous outcry made them appear too in sync; right after speaking, they exchanged glances and, with a snort, turned their heads away.

Lin Wei and Tian Xuan looked at each other, curled their lips, and turned away.

Luo Sangu snorted and continued to gaze at the embroidery pieces hanging beside the platform, which had been submitted by the twenty participants. Her eyes lingered carefully on the top three pieces, sparkling with interest.

As Wu Hanyu returned to the competition platform, Lady Jiang smiled and curled her lips.

Lady Du silently glared at Lady Jiang, a bit choked up, and sat back down in her seat.

Knowing her mood must be disturbed, Madam Cheng, though she had a myriad of things to say to Lady Jiang, chose instead to seal her lips and gave Cheng Haoxuan a meaningful glance.

Cheng Haoxuan pursed his lips, waved to attract the attention of the hosting young lady, and then murmured a few words to her.

The young lady nodded, returned to the platform, and by pressing down her hand signalled everyone to quiet down, then spoke in a clear voice, "Ladies, today’s competition will follow the usual rules; according to the given topic, embroider a piece that corresponds with the topic within two hours.

Additionally, today’s judging criteria have changed somewhat.

This year, we are fortunate to have Madam Chen and Madam Wu of the Chen family of Jiangnan here to watch the competition. .."

Hearing the young lady introducing Madam Chen and Madam Wu, Lin Wei, who was exchanging winks with Lin Yuan and Xiao Linshuang, suddenly changed her expression and turned to look at Madam Chen, Lady Jiang, in the middle. Her eyes flickered.

Was that his mother? Looking so cheerful, she must be a kind person, right?

Turning back, Lin Wei suddenly felt a sensation and looked up to see, through a widely opened window in the teahouse opposite, someone she had not seen in almost half a year suddenly appeared before her.

Lin Wei’s body trembled slightly, her lips involuntarily quivered, and her eyes started to warm up.

The man opposite also saw Lin Wei; returning to the Chen family, he rarely lifted his thin lips but now couldn’t help but curl them up. His hand clutching the window frame tightened, his knuckles whitening.

Weiwei, don’t be afraid, I’m here with you...

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