“I heard that you bought a house in Zhaohua Lane before you came to Yujing, so you should understand my intentions. I am your aunt and your father’s sister, so naturally I sincerely hope that you are doing well.”

Looking at Zhu Jiayu's beautiful face, she thought to herself, "With such a appearance and such a temperament, if she doesn't have the means to protect herself, or the support of a powerful figure to shelter her, she'll probably not have a good end in this Jade Capital."

However, she was the girl's aunt, so how could she stand by and watch her drift along with the tide in such a world?

“Your father is a kind-hearted man who is content with a simple life, but when you first arrived in Yujing, you bought a luxurious house before buying fine clothes. Ayu, you understand the principle of respecting clothes before respecting people, and you should also understand that associating with the Xiao family will be very beneficial to your social interactions.”

She sighed, squeezed Zhu Jiayu's hand, and said softly, "I know what you're worried about. I also know about the matter between Old Madam Qiu and the Marquis of Kaiping's mansion. Don't worry, your aunt won't let those people from the Marquis's mansion off easily."

"But your aunt also wants you to know that she would never use your marriage to seek anything. It's too early to talk about these things now. If you don't want to associate with the Xiao family, that's fine with you, but your aunt doesn't want you to misunderstand her feelings."

Zhu Jiayu lowered her eyes, and after a long while, she said, "Ayu understands."

She didn't know why Xiao Wan was so eager to persuade her to associate with the Xiao family—she certainly understood that being close to Grand Tutor Xiao and his wife would be of great benefit to her, but such a reason was simply untenable. If we're talking about benefits, wouldn't the wife of a third-rank official like Tongzhengshi bring her fewer benefits?

But at this moment, she could clearly feel that this woman who claimed to be her aunt was genuinely thinking of her.

She wasn't exactly gentle, but she always found it hard to refuse other people's kindness.

From her previous life to this one, her temperament has changed a lot, and her methods have become much more ruthless. But there is one thing: if others criticize her, plot against her, or frame her, she will not be defeated or overwhelmed even if she cannot retaliate. However, if someone shows her kindness and extends a helping hand, she will not be able to help but let down her guard and vigilance.

She wasn't soft-hearted; it's just that those who have long traversed the dark river will inevitably yearn for a lantern to light their way home through wind and snow.

Seeing that her attitude had softened somewhat, Xiao Wan was immediately pleased. She took off the jade pendant from her waist and handed it to her along with the blood jade and gold bracelet from her wrist. She held her niece's hand tightly and choked out, "My Ayu has suffered. But with your aunt here, no one will dare to bully you anymore."

She remembered what her brother had told her, pursed her lips, raised her hand to straighten her clothes, and said:

"Historical records and folk tales love to write that women who are born with beautiful faces are considered 'femme fatales,' causing the destruction of families and clans at best, and the ruin of countries at worst. As a result, even today, those self-righteous and morally corrupt men admire beautiful young girls while despising the beauty of women. Ayu, I'm afraid your path in the capital will not be easy from now on."

She reached out, removed the gold hairpin from her temple, and placed it in Zhu Jiayu's hair bun, saying in a deep voice, "But remember, your aunt will always be there for you."