On the day of the autumn hunt, Qu Jingyun only took Shen Yue with her.

Shen Cong was busy with the imperial examinations, and Yin Xue disliked the scrutinizing gazes of others, so she only wanted to stay at home. Qu Jingyun did not force them to stay.

When the mother and daughter appeared at the autumn hunting grounds, they attracted everyone's attention as soon as they got off the carriage.

However, there was not much disdain or ridicule.

After all, Qu Jingyun had already made a name for herself as the owner of Tingzhixuan, and people no longer mocked her about her divorce as they had before.

They even gathered in twos and threes in front of them, telling them about the interesting things that had happened in the capital recently, trying to ingratiate themselves with them.

Qu Jingyun casually echoed her, then lowered her head to talk to Shen Yue, taking the opportunity to teach her how to handle such a situation.

Shen Yue nodded, keeping Qu Jingyun's words in mind.

Looking up at everyone present, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions.

Just six months ago, everyone looked at her with mockery, as if she were something dirty.

Whenever she attended such banquets, she wished she could disappear into a hole in the ground.

But things are different now.

No one dared to look at her with such disdain anymore, and she finally straightened her back.

And all of this was given to her by Qu Jingyun.

Shen Yue simply couldn't imagine what kind of life she would have lived if Qu Jingyun hadn't appeared.

"Miss Shen is truly a beautiful and graceful young woman, and she is of marriageable age. I wonder which young man Miss Qu has chosen for her? Does she have any requirements for Miss Shen's future husband?"

A woman in the crowd suddenly spoke up, immediately attracting everyone's attention.

They couldn't help but feel annoyed that this person had gotten there first.

Nowadays, Shen Yue is highly sought after by noblewomen in the capital.

As for her past with the Fifth Prince, anyone with a brain knows now that it's just gossip.

Shen Yunting has returned and holds great power. Although his only daughter's status in the capital is not as high as that of the princess, it is not much different.

Not to mention that Qu Jingyun is now the owner of Tingzhixuan, owning many thriving shops and counting money until her hands are sore.

Such a family background inevitably attracts the covetous eyes of many.

Seeing the way everyone was looking at her, as if they were starving and eyeing a bone, Shen Yue couldn't help but shudder.

Instead of cowardly hiding behind Qu Jingyun, he stood tall and met her scrutinizing gaze with neither arrogance nor servility.

Her words made everyone nod in satisfaction.

She truly has the demeanor of a great lady and is worthy of being the matriarch of a household.

"Sister Moon, I just hunted a rabbit and thought you would like it, so I wanted to give it to you."

The Fifth Prince rode over at some point, holding the rabbit by its ears in one hand, and handed it to Shen Yue.

Blood kept dripping down, and a flash of disgust quickly crossed Shen Yue's eyes.

“I don’t like rabbits,” Shen Yue said, refusing.

"How could Yue'er not like such a cute little animal? Look how much this little rabbit's bright eyes resemble yours, Yue'er. Why don't we take it home and raise it properly, so that Yue'er won't be bored on weekdays?"

The Fifth Prince casually pushed the rabbit toward Shen Yue, a smile spreading across his face.

I thought Shen Yue wouldn't refuse in front of everyone, but unexpectedly a teasing voice suddenly came from behind me.

"Is the Fifth Prince being too stingy? He only gave my sister a rabbit?"

Chen Song gave a soft hum and rode slowly towards them.

Upon reaching Qu Jingyun, he quickly dismounted, a smile spreading across his face.

He couldn't wait to show his spoils to Qu Jingyun and Shen Yue.

"Mother, sister, look, this is the prey I just hunted. The fox fur is so soft. Winter is coming soon, so I can make you scarves. They'll be very warm."

"It's a pity there's only one, but don't worry, I'll definitely prepare one for each of you later."

A smug look spread across Shen Song's face, and his gaze involuntarily searched behind Qu Jingyun again and again.

In the end, all that remained in his eyes was disappointment.

He leaned closer to Qu Jingyun and asked in a low voice, "Where's Xue'er?"

“She wasn’t interested in the autumn hunt, so she didn’t come,” Qu Jingyun replied with a half-smile.

His gaze fell on Shen Song, intentionally or unintentionally, and a smile appeared on his lips.

She's dressed like a butterfly today, I wonder what she's trying to do.

Disappointment was all that remained in Chen Song's eyes.

He had originally wanted to make a good impression on Yin Xue, but now that wouldn't work.

But he quickly regained his morale.

He can hunt more game and bring it back to her; it will be the same.

Compared to the prey that Shen Song hunted, the rabbit that the Fifth Prince hunted seemed rather meager.

He watched helplessly as the brother and sister appeared harmonious, and felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him.

Especially when he felt the gazes of everyone around him scrutinizing him, he couldn't help but feel resentment towards Shen Yue.

He's already taken the initiative to please her, but Shen Yue still doesn't know when to stop. What else does she want to do?

He is, after all, the fifth prince; how could he tolerate Shen Yue acting so arrogantly?

However, when his gaze fell on Shen Yunting not far away, the Fifth Prince clearly felt the threat emanating from the other party's gaze and suppressed his displeasure.

After leaping off his horse, he took out a silver hairpin from his bosom and handed it over.

She smiled and said, "I was strolling around the streets yesterday and happened to see this hairpin. You've always liked silver hairpins, and I thought this one would suit you perfectly, so I bought it for you."

Without waiting for Shen Yue to accept it, he took the hairpin and stuck it into Shen Yue's head.

Shen Yue unconsciously took a few steps back, her gaze towards the other person becoming more wary.

She declined in a low voice, saying, "I don't like silver hairpins."

The Fifth Prince could no longer maintain his smile.

He stared blankly at Shen Yue, and it took him a long time to find his voice.

"Moon, now is not the time for you to fool around with me. This is something I picked out for you myself. Wear it obediently."

“But…” Shen Yue’s face was full of rejection.

She really didn't want to, especially not in front of everyone.

Those who didn't know better might have thought there was something going on between her and the Fifth Prince.

But since the other party was a prince, Shen Yue didn't know how to refuse for a moment, so she could only look to Qu Jingyun for help.

Then everyone heard Qu Jingyun sneer and say rudely, "Is the Fifth Prince humiliating my daughter?"

The fifth prince looked puzzled and stared blankly at him.

"Miss Qu, what do you mean? I genuinely want to give something to Yue'er."

Qu Jingyun stepped forward, took off the silver hairpin, and casually weighed it in her hand, looking quite disgusted.

She said directly to the Fifth Prince, "Do you think my daughter only deserves this kind of trash?"

She didn't give the Fifth Prince a chance to speak, but simply held the silver hairpin up Shen Yue's head.

He scoffed and said, "You all can see for yourselves how my daughter is pampered. Doesn't this silver hairpin seem out of place on her head?"