Chapter 98 Chapter 98 The Duke's wife is the center of attention.

Yan Ke stood in the courtyard waiting for her. He took one look at the lady and felt it was too grand. But then he thought it wasn't impossible, so he let her go.

Mainly because he had waited long enough.

The Duke of Guo shocked the whole place. Many nobles came to the Zuo Mansion today, and even His Majesty sent gifts.

There were only a handful of princes and dukes in Daqi, and the eldest and second princes were still young, so Jasmine looked around and realized that she had the highest status among the female relatives present.

Combined with her outfit today, Jasmine felt like she was the bright moon in the sky, and everyone else was just a small star surrounded by stars.

Facing the envious gazes of the ladies, Jasmine was extremely proud.

Many of them were old acquaintances. Some she had met while following the old lady out into the world, and some she had made friends with at Concubine Liang's clothing store.

In the past, she was the one who took the initiative to greet them and smile, but now it's the other way around.

Madam Lu brought the other two ladies to greet the Duke's wife: "My concubine greets the Duke's wife."

"You're too polite, Madam. How are you these days?" Jasmine gave Madam Lu a light support.

"I'm fine. It's just that I haven't seen the Duke's wife for a long time, and I miss her very much."

Jasmine smiled: "I miss Madam Lu too."

Madam Lu turned around and winked at her old sisters. "See? I didn't lie to you. This lady and the Duke's wife are really good sisters!"

The two ladies behind him were so envious.

Mrs. Lu's smile widened.

Jasmine saw another familiar face. It was a young wife who was hiding behind people, but Jasmine recognized her at the first sight.

It's strange to say, but she finds it difficult to forget anyone who has offended her.

It was a pity that she was now a respectable Duke's wife and couldn't bring shame to her master. Jasmine decided to let it go.

But just when she wanted to give up, Xu Youyou jumped out again.

During the feast, an argument suddenly broke out at the last table, and the noise grew louder. Jasmine, sitting at the first table, was talking to Old Madam Zuo. When she heard the noise, she looked up but couldn't see who was who.

Then I heard a shrill voice say, "...Why am I sitting here? It must be her, it must be her, relying on her status as the Duke's wife to take revenge on me!"

Everyone heard the words "Duke's Wife", and of course Jasmine heard it too.

When the ladies cast their gazes at her, Jasmine had a look of sorrow on her face. She sighed and said helplessly, "I met that lady once, three years ago, at the Luo Mansion. She was a good sister of the Luo family's wife. At that time, I was invited to visit the Luo family's wife, and she disliked me as a concubine. And I..."

Jasmine smiled sheepishly, "I was also very angry at the time, so I argued for a while. Afterwards, the Duke broke off the engagement. I'm sure everyone has heard about this."

The ladies nodded repeatedly, "I know, I know. I heard that Madam suffered a lot in the Luo family. The Luo family lady was narrow-minded, but fortunately, the Duke saw through her and didn't let her succeed."

"Madam is the most suitable match for the Duke..."

"That's right. Madam, you have finally come to a happy ending after all the hardships you've endured. You will surely have a good life ahead of you..."

"Who is that girl from the Luo family..."

Jasmine sighed and brought the conversation back to the topic, "But I really didn't take revenge on... that lady. I don't even remember her name. Besides, I haven't spoken a word to her since I walked in today. Madam Lu has been by my side the whole time, so she can definitely vouch for me, right?"

Madam Lu had been eager to serve the Duke's wife. When her name was called, she immediately perked up and spoke in a high voice, "Yes, I testify! The Duke's wife has never spoken a word to Xu, not even to anyone else."

Madam Lu turned around and ordered Xu Youyou even louder, "Xu, come here! You said the Duke's wife took revenge on you? How did she do it? Explain clearly."

Jasmine tugged at Madam Lu's sleeve in embarrassment, "Madam, let's forget it. We can't have an unpleasant experience today..."

Madam Zuo looked at Jasmine and smiled, "There's no need to stop Madam Guo. Just let her come over and explain everything."

Jasmine turned around and looked at Old Madam Zuo in embarrassment.

...

"Master, something happened to the female relatives." Yan Pu learned about what happened to the female relatives and quickly reported it to his master.

"But ma'am?"

Yan Pu nodded.

Yan Ke pulled Zuo He, who was toasting, over and the two of them quickly went to the backyard living room where the female relatives were.

When the two arrived, the only sound was the laughter of the female guests.

Zuo He strode forward and asked his mother.

When the female relatives saw the Duke, they all stood up and bowed.

After returning the gift, the Duke did not come forward, but stood at the threshold, facing the inside of the house.

Jasmine also saw him and went over immediately.

"Master is looking for me?"

Yan Ke frowned and asked, "What are you doing?"

Jasmine dragged the person to the side of the corridor, making sure no one could hear them, then raised her hand and swore, "It's unfair. I really didn't do anything."

Yan Ke was half-believing and half-doubting, and waited for Zuo He to come out. Zuo He explained, "It's not the Madam." Only then did the Duke give up.

Before leaving, Yan Ke warned: "Don't make trouble."

Jasmine nodded in agreement.

When they returned home, Jasmine couldn't help but ask, "Am I really so unworthy of your trust?"

If a man had been deceived by her many times, he would definitely ask excitedly: "How can you be trusted by me? Tell me, tell me."

But the Duke just looked at her helplessly.

The two of them were in a stalemate for a while. After a while, Jasmine put her arms around him and said, "I swear, one day, I will make you believe me."

Yan Ke felt even more helpless. He thought to himself that he would have to be careful with his words and actions in the future so as not to make his wife think too much.

Jasmine leaned back in □□'s thick embrace, thinking about what had happened today in the Zuo Mansion. Xu Youyou had been causing trouble for her, but now she didn't have to do it herself, as there were people willing to serve as her swordsmen.

It’s so good to be the wife of a duke!

Jasmine was so happy when she thought of Xu Youyou's humiliated look.

Yan Ke felt his palms trembling slightly, and when he heard the giggles, he became even more confused.

You're not angry? Why are you so happy all of a sudden?

But women are so difficult to understand, and the Duke felt relieved.

Jasmine saw another person at the last table.

She had to suspect that she was the one who instigated Xu Youyou. Unfortunately, there was no evidence.

Jasmine looked up and asked, "Master, do you know that Madam Duan is married?"

Yan Ke nodded: "The old Shangshu passed away last year. It happened to be the anniversary of his death two days ago. I went to the Shangshu Mansion."

"I heard that she married the eldest son of the Marquis of Zhongxin?"

Yan Ke's face darkened. "That's right. It was revised after the old minister passed away."

"Did her brother change it? How could she still be so capable even though her fame and reputation were all revoked?"

"No, she changed it herself. Originally, the old minister had recommended the Sun family to her. The Sun family was considered a new noble family, but for some reason, after the old minister passed away, Madam Duan personally went to cancel the engagement and immediately entered the mansion of the Marquis of Zhongxin. The Marquis of Zhongxin is loyal, benevolent, and righteous, but unfortunately, his eldest son is a ruthless man. He will do anything to achieve the title. His two half-brothers, one is paralyzed, the other has a broken leg. No one needs to tell you, you know it was his doing."

Jasmine stared at him closely and saw that her grandfather became more indignant as he spoke.

Jasmine's heart sank, and she asked bitterly, "Do you feel sorry for Madam Duan?"

Yan Ke didn't say yes or no, she just said, "She shouldn't marry that kind of person."

"It's a pity that Master went to guard the border for me. Otherwise, Master could still be here and give Madam Duan some advice. I'm sure Madam Duan would listen."

Yan Ke finally realized something was wrong: "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Jasmine: "I have something to ask you. I must tell you the truth."

"Just ask."

"I know that Madam Duan came to me and asked His Majesty not to grant Madam Wan another marriage. Would I have agreed to Madam Duan's request? Do I regret it now?"

It must be very painful to watch the woman you love jump into the fire pit, right?

Yan Ke frowned deeply: "I don't regret not agreeing to it." The Duke answered very quickly and loudly.

Seeing her looking at him without saying anything, Yan Ke continued, "Since I broke off the engagement, there's no turning back. It's no use for her to beg once, twice, or even more times."

Sighing, Yan Ke added, "Besides, I promised you. I will never do that."

Jasmine was startled, and suddenly remembered what he meant by "promised".

Yes, she was angry with Duan Zhi at that time. She said she hated Duan Zhi and asked him to marry anyone else but Duan Zhi.

He actually remembered!

Jasmine stood on tiptoe and cupped his face. She was so excited she didn't know what to say, so she hugged his neck again, leaned against his shoulder, and sobbed.

Yan Ke didn't understand why she suddenly started crying again. He could only hug her to comfort her and show that he really didn't regret it.

"What about Miss Wan?"

After a while, Jasmine sobbed and looked up and asked.

Yan Ke replied with a dull face, "I don't even remember what the Wan family's daughter looked like."

When his wife fell back into his arms, Yan Ke finally felt relieved. Fortunately, he hadn't said the wrong thing.

Jasmine knew why Duan Zhi wanted to marry the eldest son of Marquis Zhongxin. Marquis Zhongxin was old, and if she became the second wife of the eldest son who was in his thirties, she would become the wife of Marquis Zhongxin within two years.

Even if she became a marquis' wife, she would not be as good as me, the wife of a duke. Besides, the loyal and faithful marquis was only old and would not die for a while.

Duan Zhi's days in the Marquis' Mansion must be difficult.

Seeing how pitiful she was, Jasmine decided not to bother with her.

Having said that, she turned around and ran into Madam Duan at another banquet. Jasmine took the initiative to approach and whispered in Duan Zhi's ear, "It is true that I was overreacting at first. I apologize to you. If you need any help in the future, please ask directly. As for what happened in the Zuo Mansion that day, I will pretend that I don't know anything about it."

Jasmine said, and without waiting for her to react, she turned around and left.

Duan Zhi was as calm and gentle as ever. Only her personal maid noticed her tightly clasped and trembling fingers.

"lady!"

"I'm fine."

...

Xu Youyou is Xu Zhizhou's younger sister, and Xu Zhizhou's wife is the eldest sister of the Imperial Concubine. She has a good relationship with the Imperial Concubine.

When Jasmine went to pick up Manxi, she mentioned Xu Youyou to the imperial concubine. The imperial concubine asked her curiously how she treated Xu Youyou.

Jasmine's heart immediately returned to her stomach.

The case of the Zuo Mansion alone was not enough. The Duke sent people to investigate several other families and decided to target the Wu family as the second one.

At the residence of Wu Xun, the second son of Wu Ziyong, the former Minister of Personnel.

"Wu Xun is now working as a director in the Ministry of Personnel. Although his position is low, he is a very successful person. Not only is he eloquent, but he is also willing to spend money on others. Not only his colleagues but also women can be used by him." Zuo He said.

Jasmine interrupted, "Master, do you know that Wu Xun is the fourth young master's wife's brother?"