At first, Qiu Rong didn't recognize the name, but when she heard "Yihong Courtyard," her face turned red with anger.

She said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "My young lady is the fiancée of the Su family, so please, ladies, be careful with your words!"

The group looked a little uncomfortable. They genuinely believed that Liu Huan was just a woman Su Yi had temporarily found, never expecting that she was brought from the capital.

It's clear they have a deep affection for each other, and they even harbor some resentment towards Madam Han for not telling the truth.

A lady immediately stepped forward and grabbed her hand, exclaiming in exaggerated surprise, "So you're Lord Su's fiancée! Look at my brain, I misunderstood without listening to any of this nonsense."

"Please forgive us, Madam Liu. We are just uncouth men and don't know how to speak properly. We apologize to you on this occasion."

Everyone smiled apologetically, and Liu Huan forced a smile, saying, "It's inevitable that the ladies might misunderstand. Now that we've talked it out, it's all good. But a woman's reputation is a big deal. If it were someone else, and this matter affected them, wouldn't it ruin a girl's life?"

"Hehehe, yes, yes, next time we will definitely understand properly and not misunderstand."

Madam Han's face darkened at the sight, while Miss Han said from the side, "Mother, weren't we supposed to be admiring the plum blossoms? I reckon the servants have already prepared everything."

"Let's go then. The main reason I invited you all here today is because the bougainvillea in the yard is in bloom, so I thought I'd invite you all over for some tea."

A lady looked at the plum blossom and said, "If I remember correctly, this plum tree was planted by the prefect for my late wife. I wonder how old it is now."

An older lady made a casual remark, and everyone began to look embarrassed.

That lady was the late lady's close friend. She had never gotten along with Madam Han, feeling that Madam Han was scheming and coveted her brother-in-law. After her sister's death, she couldn't wait to marry into the family as a second wife. She wondered what Madam Han's intentions were.

Madam Han's face stiffened for a moment before she said, "These flowers were indeed planted by my sister. One generation plants the trees so that another can enjoy the shade. They've grown so big in the blink of an eye. Madam Yu has such a good eye."

"It's not that I have a good eye, it's just that I have one at home, and I take good care of it. I can't bear to cut off even a single dead branch, for fear of ruining the whole tree. It's only when it's not my own that I can be so ruthless."

After hearing her make a veiled criticism, Madam Han retorted bluntly, "These withered branches and fallen leaves should be pruned more often to prevent them from damaging the root. Don't you all agree?"

Yes, yes, yes.

The ladies who came were divided into two groups: one group was on good terms with Madam Han, and the other group was on good terms with Madam Yu.

Those who were on Madam Han's side naturally chimed in. Madam Han looked at Liu Huan and asked, "Does Madam Liu think what I said is right?"

Liu Huan glanced at everyone present and said calmly, "Ladies, you all have your own opinions. I have never liked planting flowers and plants, so naturally I don't know whether or not to prune these side branches."

Liu Huan pretended not to understand the implied meaning and answered the question about pruning branches and leaves in a serious manner.

He stepped forward and looked at the bougainvillea, saying, "These bougainvillea flowers are indeed beautiful, showing that the owner has put a lot of effort into them."

As for which owner is being referred to, that's left for everyone to interpret.

The lady from Madam Han's faction had come with a mission. She walked up to Liu Huan, took her hand, and asked kindly, "May I ask what your family does, Madam Liu?"

"My family is in business."

Everyone understood immediately; that's how it is.

Although the status of merchants has improved, they will always be the lowest class in the eyes of these officials.

Then someone asked, "So how did you and Lord Su meet?"

"We've known each other since we were little."

Miss Han had a smug look on her face, thinking that it was just as she thought, and that she might have been the one who shamelessly followed her to the border town.

After this part, all the ladies left one after another, except for Liu Huan, who was left behind because she had not yet completed the task given to her by Han Shuo.

“I heard you live alone. Why don’t you move into the mansion? My daughter is about your age, so you can chat with her.”

Liu Huan smiled and thanked her, "Thank you for your kindness, Madam. I'm living quite well now."

As they were exchanging questions, Han Shuo came in from outside. "Mother, do you have a guest?"

Madam Han introduced, "This is Lord Su's fiancée. The bougainvillea outside is in full bloom today, so I invited them to come and enjoy the plum blossoms and have tea. Since we feel a connection, I couldn't bear to let her leave."

Han Shuo smiled and clasped his hands in greeting: "So it's Lady Liu. Recently, everyone in the city has been saying that the women of Lord Su's household are making clothes for the military camp. I suppose it must be Lady Liu."

Liu Huan said modestly, "It's just that the General has honored me by asking me to help make winter clothes; it's nothing much."

Han Shuo: "It's said to be made of goose feathers. I do have a batch of geese here. If you need them, Lady Liu, just let me know."

"If Young Master Han can be so kind as to part with it, I would be extremely grateful. Don't worry, I will buy it at the normal price."

Han Shuo shook his head, "Saying I'll give you money is too formal."

Liu Huan said seriously, "Then wouldn't I be taking it for free? That wouldn't be good."

She wanted to see what Han Shuo was really up to.

"If Madam Liu is really embarrassed, then I'll just take 30%. I have connections in other prefectures, so it will be convenient to cooperate."

Liu Huan didn't expect this person to actually speak up, and to ask for 30% right off the bat. Let alone the fact that these clothes don't make money, even if they did, only a fool would share a piece of the pie with a stranger.

She asked again, "I wonder how many you have?"

Seeing that there was a chance, Han Shuo offered a price, but Liu Huan shook his head regretfully, "The market price is sixty or seventy coins per animal. If you only want 30%, wouldn't you be losing money?"

"How could I let you suffer a loss?" After saying that, she stood up. "It's getting late, so I'll head back now. Goodbye, Madam Han."

Han Shuo sensed her refusal and was about to say something when a maid came to report that Lord Su had arrived.

Liu Huan hadn't even left yet when Miss Han rushed out first.

As Liu Huan went out, she saw Miss Han standing next to Su Yi, blushing and asking him with concern, "Lord Su, have you eaten yet? Why don't I ask the kitchen to prepare something for us to eat together?"

Su Yi casually distanced himself, "No need, I'll leave after picking up my people."

Seeing Liu Huan come out, he strode forward and said, "Let's go home."

The two bid farewell to Madam Han and left, leaving Miss Han stomping her feet in anger.

Madam Han's expression also turned sour. "Shuo'er, what does Madam Liu mean?"

Han Shuo's face was grim and unpleasant. "She refused."

"Well... I didn't hear her say she refused..."

"It's alright, I have other ways. If they're unwilling, let's see what they can do."

Seeing her son like this, Madam Han was a little worried. "You...son, you mustn't offend Lord Su, your father..."

"Mother, I understand. I have something to attend to, so I'll be leaving now."

Mrs. Han was worried about her son's attitude, but Miss Han didn't care. "Mother, my brother has his reasons, so don't worry about it."

What she was thinking was that if the clothes couldn't be made and Liu Huan became a sinner, she could naturally replace Liu Huan and stand by Su Yi's side.