Li Wenjuan, the eldest sister-in-law, grabbed Xu Ruyun's hand and said, "I heard that my sister has now become a first-rank lady, how glorious!"

Xu Ruyun couldn't help but let go of her sister-in-law's hand and then took a step back.

Li Wenjuan paused for a moment, then sat down as if nothing had happened.

Xu Ruyun: "That's all because I was lucky. But my brother and sister-in-law have been guarding the border for so many years, it must have been really tough for them!"

Xu Ruyun's elder brother, Xu Enci, said, "It's alright! I just missed Father and Mother when I was away. Fortunately, the five-year term is up, so we came back."

Chirp skipped over to Xu Enci's side and called out in her childish voice, "Hello, Uncle!"

Xu Enci happily hugged Qiuqiu in her arms.

Xu Enci: "This must be Qiuqiu, right? I often heard your maternal grandparents mention you in their letters. This is my first time meeting you, and this is a gift from your uncle to my precious baby!"

Xu Enci placed a gold doll into Qiuqiu's hand.

Chiu Chiu couldn't stop smiling.

Wow! Uncle is so kind! This golden doll looks worth a lot of money! May Uncle be blessed!

Li Wenjuan watched as a large golden doll was handed over, her lips trembling with heartache.

Xu Ruyun: "Thank you, Big Brother! You're so kind! This golden doll does look a bit like Qiuqiu. Could it be that you made this golden doll for her based on Qiuqiu's appearance?"

Xu Enci laughed heartily: "Isn't that right? I asked my parents to send over Qiuqiu's portrait, and immediately ordered someone to make a golden doll that looked almost exactly like the portrait."

Li Wenjuan muttered, "Our Tingting never received this kind of treatment when she was little!"

Xu Ruyun looked around: "Where's Tingting? I can't find Tingting."

Li Wenjuan: "She went to pick out the gifts she had chosen for you herself."

Xu Ruyun: "Tingting is still so considerate."

A moment later, a graceful young woman walked over.

The girl carried a tray with all sorts of gifts on it.

The girl greeted Xu Ruyun with a clear, cheerful voice, "Auntie—"

Xu Ruyun stood up happily, looking at the girl in front of her: "Girls really do change a lot as they grow up. It's been a few years since I last saw Tingting, and she's grown into a beautiful young lady!"

Tingting lowered her head shyly and then handed the gift to Xu Ruyun.

Xu Tingting: "Auntie, these are the gifts Tingting chose for you. These are for my cousins, and this is for my younger cousin."

Xu Ruyun: "Thank you! Tingting, you're so kind!"

Chiu Chiu looked at Xu Tingting and kept sighing.

This is my unfortunate cousin. Although she is gentle, kind, and well-educated, the worst thing about her is that she has a bad mother.

For his own wealth and status, he betrothed his cousin to a spoiled brat.

That man not only indulged in a life of debauchery all day long, but also frequently beat and verbally abused his cousin.

Such a wonderful cousin, he tormented her to death.

Qi Junlin was so frightened when he heard this that he choked a few times while drinking water.

Xu Ruyun shuddered: she hadn't expected Tingting's fate to be so tragic. What to do? Surely Qiuqiu would save her? Perhaps her destiny could be changed?

Xu Tingting quickly handed Qi Junlin a handkerchief.

Xu Tingting: "Is my cousin alright?"

Qi Junlin: "It's nothing, it's nothing. Thank you!"

Li Wenjuan looked at Qi Junlin with satisfaction and said with a smile, "Junlin has grown so much. I heard he's now the Crown Prince's Junior Tutor, a very high position!"

Qi Junlin: "Auntie, you flatter me. I'm just doing a job to make a living."

Li Wenjuan: "That's too modest. Even if you searched the entire capital, there probably wouldn't be many young talents like you! I think you and Tingting are quite a good match, why don't you two go to the back garden for a private chat?"

"No, please don't! Brother, don't forget, you still have a girl waiting for you."

[Mom, you absolutely can't agree to that! Although my cousin is pitiful and very sensible, she absolutely cannot become a tool for her mother to use against our family!]

Qi Junlin smiled awkwardly and said, "I'm sorry, Aunt, I suddenly remembered that His Highness the Crown Prince has something to discuss with me. I'll take my leave now!"

Qi Junlin fled as if he were escaping.

Li Wenjuan pouted unhappily.

Grand Tutor Xu came in and said, "How's your conversation going? The banquet is about to start, let's go eat!"

Xu Ruyun quickly replied, "Yes, Father!"

Outside the bustling Grand Tutor's mansion, a man with gifts was shamelessly trying to sneak in.

This person is Qi Jiating.

But the servants still stopped him.

Qi Jiating: "Why can't I go in? Don't you recognize me? I'm your son-in-law!"

The servant spat and said, "Pah! Who was it that kicked our young lady out in the first place? How dare they show their face here now? Disgusting!"

"Yes, it seems we should put up a sign at the entrance of our Grand Tutor's mansion that dogs and former sons-in-law are not allowed to enter!"

"No, we should put up signs saying 'No Cockroaches and Ex-Son-in-Law Allowed'! Dogs are so cute! They're definitely better than an ex-son-in-law!"

Qi Jia really wanted to punch the two servants in front of him, but he held back.

On someone else's turf, if he initiates a fight, he won't gain anything, and might even be used against him and beaten up.

Now, Qi Jiating is like a drowned rat, slinking away with his gifts in his arms.

Originally, in the court, people respected him somewhat because he was the son-in-law of Grand Tutor Xu. Now that he has divorced Xu Ruyun and has no powerful background, his colleagues in the court no longer take him seriously.

The decision to divorce was ultimately a mistake!

Grand Tutor Chen was dressed like a peacock, followed by servants carrying gifts into the Grand Tutor's mansion.

Today, Xu Enci's old friends all came.

Xu Enci was on good terms with Grand Tutor Chen before he left the capital, so Grand Tutor Chen was naturally among those invited.

When Qi Jiating saw Chen Taifu, jealousy arose within him. He grabbed Chen Taifu's clothes and said, "You can't come in!"

Grand Tutor Chen: "Why can't I go in?"

Qi Jiating: "Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. Don't even think about making a move on Yun'er!"

Grand Tutor Chen: "Qi Jiating, wake up! You didn't cherish her and divorced her! Now you have a family of your own. You can't have your cake and eat it too. Let go!"

Qi Jia grabbed Chen Taifu's clothes tightly and said, "I won't let go! I won't let go! I can't let Yun'er be with you!"

Grand Tutor Chen: "I truly love Ru Yun and I truly treat her well! I am determined to marry Yun'er, care for her, cherish her, and spend the rest of my life with her! Since you cannot do it, I will do it! I will make up for all the grievances Yun'er has suffered before!"

"good!"

A pair of hands clapped.