The women sitting in the room looked at each other, completely caught off guard by the actions of Gongye Shi and Gongye Changqing.

Some of the more assertive individuals have already lost face and are ready to walk away.

Yun Jinglan teased Qiuqiu, looking down on Gongye Shi's haughty manner. She called herself the Lady of Perfect Fortune, but in reality, she was just a muddle-headed old woman!

Does she really think that Gongye Wencheng is still alive?

On one hand, she wanted the reputation of a refined, reclusive family; on the other hand, she wanted to curry favor with the powerful. Wanting both without lowering herself, she was truly brainless. Incidentally, Yun Jinglan mentally crossed out Gongye Changqing as well. She looked innocent, naive, and pretty, but asking her to shoulder the responsibilities of an official's wife and navigate social situations for her husband was absolutely out of the question. Not only could she not, she would likely only hinder him.

The people sitting there were still discussing how Gongye had left them standing there, chattering away, and the ladies were all furious.

"The Gongye family is really looking down on us!"

The speaker was the wife of Minister Song of the Court of State Ceremonial. Minister Song had made a great contribution in the investigation of the remnants of the previous dynasty, and was now a favorite of His Majesty. Wherever he went as a guest, he treated her with great courtesy. The events of the past few days seemed to have slapped her hard in the face.

"Mrs. Su, are you unhappy with us, or with your daughter?"

Yun Jinglan rolled her eyes at her, "My Qiuqiu is the most lovable. What do you mean by saying that, Madam Song?"

Madam Song choked. The ladies who had been fawning over her just moments before dared not utter a word. She looked rather ridiculous, all alone and helpless.

"Stingy." She didn't dare to confront Yun Jinglan directly, and could only mutter under her breath, "How petty and unladylike."

Yun Jinglan's face immediately turned cold, and she slammed her hand on the table, startling Qiuqiu. She had never seen her mother so fierce before; this seemingly stern lady was quite capable!

"Madam Song, I don't know what my little chick has done to offend you today, that an adult like you should speak to a baby who is only a few months old. If you can't explain it today, I will have my lord go to Lord Song to reason with him. If that doesn't work, we will go to the palace to ask Her Majesty the Empress for justice. I'm sure Her Majesty wouldn't want to see my little chick suffer such an injustice!"

Madam Song was jolted awake as if struck by a thunderbolt. Her face was grim as she prepared to ease the tension between herself and Yun Jinglan, but Yun Jinglan had already stood up before her: "My daughter was frightened today, so I won't keep you company any longer."

"Qiuyue has sent someone to find the Marquis; we should head back first."

Mrs. Song panicked: "Mrs. Su, that's not what I meant, I, I..."

Yun Jinglan left without even glancing at her.

She was confident that she didn't have to care about these people's opinions. If anyone dared to give Qiuqiu a hard time today, who would be able to protect her in the future?

In addition, the old lady of the Gongye family was indeed acting strangely, which made her uneasy, so she decided to make an excuse to go home quickly.

Chiu Chiu was puzzled. Why did they have to go back so soon after leaving home?

She kept looking back, feeling as if someone had been secretly watching her all day.

Qiuyue hugged Qiuqiu with heartache. Although Dongxiao usually took care of her, she had watched her grow up. It was rare for her to go out, and she was bullied by others one after another.

Poor innocent and naive young lady, she's still too naive to leave!

"Miss Chuchu, let's not play with those bad guys anymore."

Chiu Chiu tilted her head. Aunt Qiu Yue is angry!

"bu!"

[I'm not playing, someone's watching!]

Yun Jinglan quickly turned around, but there was no one behind her, not even a maid who had chased after her.

Qiuyue also glanced back and curled her lip in disdain: "The Wenyun Marquis's mansion really has no manners. The host gave a cold shoulder and left all the guests standing there. A seventy-year-old lady is throwing a tantrum at our little Miss Qiuqiu who is only a few months old."

"And that Madam Song, what a petty person who has gotten her way!"

"Miss Chiu Chiu shouldn't have gone out and suffered this injustice today!"

Qiuyue is usually all smiles, but she actually has the sharpest tongue and the most fiery temper. Even she couldn't help but defend Qiuqiu now; if it weren't for the sake of the Marquis's reputation, she probably would have already fought with Madam Song.

Chirp: [Huh? I've been wronged?]

Yun Jinglan: "..."

"You little fool!"

Chiu Chiu pressed down on her mother's finger that was pointing at her nose and repeated earnestly, "There really is someone spying on Chiu Chiu!"

She pointed randomly around with her little hand, and Xiao Wu, who was hiding in the tree, quietly hid herself even deeper.

She was convinced she hadn't been discovered, but this little brat was definitely too perceptive!

Yun Jinglan saw nothing in the direction Qiuqiu was pointing. "Qiuyue, do you see anyone over there?"

The layout of Gongye's residence was somewhat different from the outside. It looked like it hadn't been pruned in a long time, with lush foliage that was rather eerie at first glance.

In broad daylight, Qiu Yue was startled and broke out in a cold sweat. "What is Madam saying? I didn't see anything."

[A master! There must be a master here!]

For Qiuqiu's safety, Yun Jinglan felt that they couldn't stay here any longer and urged them to leave quickly.

The news of what happened among the women had already reached the male guests. Gongye Changfeng was greatly shocked when he heard from his servants that Lady Wenyang and Qiuqiu had left the banquet on the spot. He was even more shocked when he heard that Lady Gongye and Lady Song had taken turns making things difficult for the mother and daughter. He didn't want to say anything more.

The old, wicked woman wanted to take a risky approach to curry favor with the Second Prince, while Madam Song's half-sister had recently become a concubine to the Second Prince's uncle. Song Tao's involvement in this case, which caught the Emperor's attention, was also due to the Second Prince's uncle's recommendation.

She wanted to follow suit and fawn over the ungrateful Madam Song, but she didn't expect to offend the Marquis of Wenyang's mansion.

How ridiculous!

Lord Song, his face stiff, approached Su Junyao, about to apologize. Unfortunately, Su Junyao didn't give him the chance, instead helping him up with one hand: "Lord Song, I don't concern myself with matters between women. My daughter was frightened today, so I'll take my leave now. Lord Wenyun, Lord Song, let's talk another day."

Lord Song's legs went weak, and he almost knelt before him. He had risen to the position of Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial thanks to his family's influence, and for years he had lived cautiously and prudently, terrified of being dismissed at any moment. He had finally achieved some success; he couldn't let this spendthrift woman ruin it all!

Everyone in the capital knows that Su Junyao is a doting husband, and now a doting father. His claim that women are meddling is utter nonsense!

Let's talk another day?

They'll definitely settle scores later!

"My Lord! My Lord!"

"Wait for me, my lord!"

Gongye Changfeng watched Song Tao run away, stood still and shouted twice in a fake manner, then slowly straightened his sleeves. If he didn't have strong self-control, he would have burst out laughing by now.

What was that old vile woman planning to do today?

He tried to curry favor with Song Tao and get close to the Second Prince.

Approaching Chiu Chiu, she uses some kind of sorcery she somehow acquired to steal a child's luck.

Oh dear, all my efforts have been in vain!

Happy New Year! A new year, a new beginning! The next chapter will start with something happier! Wishing all readers a prosperous and lucky Year of the Dragon!