When the old lady saw Gu Jiaojiao, she took her hand and said with tears in her eyes, "Jiaojiao, now that you're back, stay at the Earl's mansion. Let's have a chat!"

Gu Jiaojiao did not respond positively to the old lady's overtures, coldly saying, "The Earl's Mansion? Without my father, mother, brother, and sister-in-law, that is not my home. The chieftain and I can stay at the post station."

The old lady choked for a moment.

Both Madam Lu and Xie Zhaozhao remained seated, completely ignoring Gu Jiaojiao.

Gu Jiaojiao looked at Xie Zhaozhao and Madam Lu and smiled sarcastically: "Second Aunt and Third Aunt have such high and mighty attitudes."

Xie Zhaozhao glanced at her indifferently: "Officially, I am the wife of the Grand Secretary, and personally, I am your elder. You should come over and pay your respects to me."

Gu Jiaojiao stared wide-eyed, speechless for a moment.

Madam Lu chuckled as well: "You are the one who should pay respects to your elders. Do you think we should be the ones paying respects to you?"

“I represent the Nanzhao Kingdom,” Gu Jiaojiao said arrogantly.

"Oh, you can represent the Nanzhao Kingdom?" Xie Zhaozhao looked at the Crown Prince and Princess of Nanzhao. "Does Your Highness also mean this?"

The crown prince of Nanzhao looked displeased and said to Jin Shun, "Chief, keep your wife in check."

Jin Shun tugged at Gu Jiaojiao's sleeve, and Gu Jiaojiao sat down in a huff, her face full of resentment.

After several rounds of drinks at the palace banquet, Gu Jiaojiao nudged Jin Shun, who stood up and bowed to His Majesty.

He said, "Before my wife went to the Nanzhao Kingdom, her parents, brothers, and sisters-in-law were all healthy and well. Now, in just over a year, they have all met with accidents. There are no such coincidences in this world. I hope Your Majesty will give my wife an explanation."