Everyone present was shocked. The people who had been attracted by the commotion and stopped to watch the excitement turned pale with fright and scattered in all directions.

Even the servant and the shopkeeper, who were trying to smooth things over, reluctantly gave up their seats. The shopkeeper chuckled awkwardly, "Please continue, please continue."

The Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, a renowned family with a history spanning over a century.

Even people in Liucheng, far from the capital, knew about it.

Madam Yang's expression changed slightly; this wasn't the first time she had heard the name "Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion."

Five years ago, Lili saved Xia Ning, and Xia Ning's mother mentioned it once when she came to Xinghua Village to express her gratitude.

Madam Xia was the youngest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo, and she married into the Xia family as the matriarch.

The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is large and powerful. If this Miss Bai is indeed a cousin of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, things will probably be very complicated.

Even if this matter was purely caused by the other party coming to cause trouble, they are powerful and influential, and cannot be compared to a mere county magistrate.

Bai Weiwei tugged at Yu Siting's sleeve, stopping her, "Cousin, you can't bully others like this."

That's what they say, but Yu Siting had already finished speaking a long time ago, and it was unclear what kind of excuse Bai Weiwei was trying to make.

"Cousin, why are you bothering with these people?"

Yu Siting was very unhappy, but she didn't dare to really upset Bai Weiwei, since she was able to be so arrogant entirely because of Bai Weiwei.

But she was Bai Weiwei's cousin after all, and she didn't want to appear too dependent on her cousin's favor. So Yu Siting suppressed her displeasure and reluctantly pointed her chin at Chen Ye: "I won't make things difficult for you. It's your honor that such a poor and remote place has produced a guard whom I have taken a liking to. As long as you come with me, I will no longer hold it against you."

Lili stared at Bai Weiwei and, sure enough, saw her put on that helpless expression again. She sighed and said, "Madam, we two have offended you today, but it's rare for my cousin to like a guard so much. He's just a guard, so let's not ruin our relationship over this. What do you think?"

Just a guard?

Lili was displeased. What kind of talk was that? What did he mean by "just a guard"?

Putting aside the fact that Shen Ye is ostensibly a distant relative of the Shen family who came to rely on them for his services, even if he were just a guard, he shouldn't be treated like an object and taken away so casually by others.

“Miss Bai, please be careful with your words. Our Liucheng is a small place, unlike the capital where people can be decided at will. He is not a guard. Even if he were, he wouldn't go with someone for fifty taels of silver. Do you think silver can determine where someone goes at will?”

A fleeting hint of disdain and contempt crossed Bai Weiwei's brows, but it was quickly suppressed.

Yu Siting couldn't hold back any longer: "What are you saying, you arrogant brat? It's just a guard. I can buy it if I want to. You have no choice but to sell it. Fifty taels isn't enough for a guard? I think you just want more money!"

Shen Ye sneered, about to speak out in mockery, but was interrupted by another voice.

"How dare you, Miss Yu! You and I came here with the Lady of the Heir Apparent. Every word and action we take represents the Lady of the Heir Apparent's reputation. You are, after all, a proper daughter of an official family. How can you speak and act so rudely!"

Yu Siting's expression hardened, and even Bai Weiwei's eyes darkened, her lips slightly pursed as she looked to the side.

The newcomer wore a flowing, dark blue dress that billowed in the air. Her long, ink-black hair was partly tied up with a delicate jade hairpin, while the rest of her hair fell smoothly over her shoulders.

Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, with slightly upturned ends revealing a touch of gentleness. Her eyes were as clear as autumn water, bright and deep, radiant with every glance.

Shen Ye was slightly taken aback. For some reason, although the newcomer's clothes and appearance were almost identical to the two people in front of him, he felt that this one was more handsome than the other two.

In the past, the women in Da Jin were mostly wild and flamboyant beauties, but this person, though showing signs of annoyance, could not hide her gentleness with every step and every frown.

Shen Ye's gaze was fixed on her. This was true elegance and grace. What was this "Miss Cousin" anyway?

When Yang saw this, she felt even more heartbroken.

What's going on today? I've met so many important people from the capital.

Lili's eyes lit up. At first glance, she thought she was a beauty, but upon closer inspection, she realized that the one who was frowning slightly and scolding Siting was none other than Xia Ning, Lili's long-lost best friend.

Lili rushed over: "Sister Xia Ning!"

Xia Ning's initial annoyance vanished instantly. Her eyebrows lifted, and her joy was undeniable. She took Li Li's hand and said, "Li Li!"

"Sister Xia Ning, what are you doing here?"

The two held hands, and Xia Ning carefully looked at the little dumpling who had grown up, and chuckled: "I've been writing letters all these years, I miss you so much, so I came as soon as I had the chance, I wanted to give you a surprise."

Five years have passed, and their communication can only be briefly exchanged in those letters, but the affection they had for each other has never faded in the slightest.

The two exchanged a smile, saying little, yet they understood each other's meaning.

Xia Ning bowed slightly to Madam Yang: "Third Madam Shen."

Only then did Madam Yang realize that this was actually Xia Ning from back then. Despite her surprise, she did not forget their current status and hurriedly went to help her up, saying, "Miss Xia, there's no need for such formalities."

Xia Ning pretended to be sad: "My aunt used to always call me Ningning, but now she's become estranged from me?"

Madam Yang chuckled: "How could that be? Five years have passed, and Ningning is almost a grown woman."

Xia Ning then smiled.

Bai Weiwei's eyes were filled with complex emotions. No matter how well she concealed it, she was still just a ten-year-old child. The surprise and inexplicable anger in her eyes betrayed her true feelings.

How could this be? How could Xia Ning know such a poor and shabby person, and they even seem to have a particularly good relationship?

Bai Weiwei then looked at Lili and Xia Ning's hands clasped together. Before she could even react, her expression momentarily lost control, revealing an unconcealable jealousy.

Yes, jealousy.

She tried to get closer to Xia Ning more than ten times, both openly and secretly, but Xia Ning always ignored her.

Xia Ning was the eldest daughter of the Minister of Rites. A higher official rank meant more power over others. In the past, she was always overshadowed by Xia Ning. Later, she gradually gained the favor of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, but she still couldn't outshine Xia Ning.

Because Xia Ning's mother was the youngest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo, Xia Ning was a proper young lady of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, unlike her, who was only the daughter of the half-brother of the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo's heir.

She was angry that Xia Ning always outshone her, but at the same time, she had no choice but to silently try to please and flatter Xia Ning.

That's how this circle is. No matter how powerful she becomes, it can't change the fact that Xia Ning is the one with closer ties to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

Even the one in the palace only started hanging out with her because she gradually gained power in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

But Xia Ning is a master of playing both sides. She smiles and befriends everyone, but it's all just a facade. She has very few people who are truly close to her.

Why would someone choose to befriend a lowly, unsophisticated girl when there are plenty of elegant ladies in the capital?

Lili noticed Bai Weiwei's slightly hostile gaze, glanced at her sideways, and caught her resentment and coldness.

Lili:......

Lili glanced silently at her hands clasped together with Xia Ning's.

...Could it be that she has a crush on Xia Ning?

How strange, this is the first time she has met Miss Bai, but she can always sense a faint hostility from her.

It can't be because of the fallen leaves, can it?

Bai Weiwei scoffed lightly and casually looked away.

Suddenly, Bai Weiwei smiled, seemingly lost in thought.

So what? At least she has a good relationship with that princess in the palace.

Bai Weiwei lowered her eyes, stood silently to the side, head bowed, as if everything was irrelevant to her.

Yu Siting couldn't help but feel that although Xia Ning's father was three ranks higher than her father in terms of official rank, Xia Ning was several years younger than her. Why was she being so disrespectful to her?

Yu Siting: "Xia Ning, what are you doing? Are you going to side with these country bumpkins?"

Xia Ning frowned, her seriousness returning: "Miss Yu, watch your words. We came to Nanlin County with the Crown Prince's wife and promised her not to cause trouble. Are you trying to bully us by relying on your power? The Crown Prince's wife is currently visiting her grandparents at home. She only allowed us to travel around the area alone for two days because she trusts us. What will she think if she finds out what you've done?"

Yu Siting gritted her teeth: "You!"

Xia Ning, as expected of someone from a prominent family, already possesses the demeanor of an eldest daughter at such a young age.

Just like Madam Xia I met back then, she was dignified and elegant, yet gentle, and subtly revealed the sharpness unique to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

In comparison, the so-called cousin of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion standing next to him...

That does seem a bit petty.

Lili's eyes lit up instantly, and she hugged Xia Ning's arm: "Sister Xia Ning is so cool! I admire you so much!" ~\\(≧​​▽≦)\/~

Xia Ning chuckled and gave her a reproachful look.

Bai Weiwei's hands, which were neatly folded in front of her abdomen, suddenly tightened.

She hated Xia Ning's condescending and lecturing manner.

Lili was just thinking that these two were daughters of powerful families in the capital, and she should just suffer a little verbally and then secretly curse them. But now that Xia Ning is here, she is no longer afraid.

The cousin of the Duke of Zhenguo's family should not have any direct relationship with the Duke of Zhenguo's family. In any case, their relationship should not be as close as Xia Ning's.

Judging from their reactions, they are definitely not as high-ranking as Xia Ning.

Another reason is the Crown Prince's wife, whom Xia Ning mentioned was visiting her grandparents.

If she wasn't mistaken, this heir apparent's wife shouldn't be the heir apparent's wife from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, but rather the heir apparent's wife from the Marquis of Chongbo's mansion—Madam Bai, whom she had met before.

When the eldest prince lost power, the Marquis Chongbo's mansion in the capital provided him with secret assistance.

The Chongbo Marquis's mansion can be considered half of the Crown Prince's faction. As for the relationship between Lili and Gu Ziyi, there's no need to elaborate. In other words, Madam Bai is practically in Lili's group.

Speaking of which, Lili once gave Madam Bai a sachet. Although she didn't know if Madam Bai remembered the sachet, Lili felt that she couldn't possibly have no recollection of it.

Yu Siting was embarrassed by what she said, yet she had no way to refute it.

Indeed, the Crown Prince's wife was taking her child to visit her parents' home. The journey was long and inevitably boring, which is why she thought of bringing Bai Weiwei along to relieve the boredom.

Yu Siting was able to come along because of Bai Weiwei.

Although it's unclear why the Crown Prince's wife later specifically requested that Xia Ning be brought along, it's true that he promised her to behave himself.

The Crown Prince's wife detests bullying behavior the most. If she finds out, she will definitely give her a "reprimand." How will she explain this to her parents when she returns to the capital?

Yu Siting had nothing to say, but she didn't want to swallow her anger, so she looked to Bai Weiwei, who was silent beside her, for help, signaling her to say something.

Bai Weiwei loosened her grip on her sleeve and gave a slight smile: "Sister Xia Ning, don't be angry. My cousin didn't mean it. She had no bad intentions and didn't mean to cause such a commotion. But who would have thought that this young lady would argue with my cousin over a guard?"

Lili seemed to be deep in thought. She wondered if it was just her imagination, but she always felt that Miss Bai was avoiding the main issues and shirking responsibility, clearing herself of all blame while downplaying the conflict.

Do you take me for a fool?

Xia Ning picked up the money pouch beside her and said coldly, "How is Miss Yu's behavior any different from those who forcibly abduct women? Relying on her power, she acts recklessly and tramples on the dignity and rights of ordinary people. Her actions are outrageous. Even if this young master were a guard, or even if he were the lowest servant, you still cannot be so unreasonable!"

Yu Siting's face flushed red: "You! Xia Ning, are you crazy? How can you say such things about me for the sake of an ordinary county magistrate's daughter? She's just a lowly girl!"

"What do you mean, 'you'? In terms of official rank, my father is the Minister of Rites, a third-rank official. In terms of family background, my mother is the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, the so-called 'cousin of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion' standing next to you... Ha, she still has to address me respectfully as Miss Xia." Xia Ning's face was completely dark at this moment. "And you, you are merely the daughter of a sixth-rank city gatekeeper, what right do you have to yell at me like that!"

Lili: Wowowowow!

Xia Ning is sooooo cool!

Yu Siting was stunned, staring blankly at her speechless, and even Bai Weiwei couldn't hide her surprise.

Although Xia Ning had always been indifferent to people, she had never spoken so harshly as she did now, or even used her family background to put others at a disadvantage.

Bai Weiwei bit her lip tightly. Although Xia Ning didn't say anything to her, she still felt like she was being subtly mocked.

Everyone knows that she is just the daughter of the third branch of the Bai family. Her father is the illegitimate son of the Bai family patriarch. Although Bai Weiwei is the legitimate daughter of the third branch, she is still a illegitimate branch of the Bai family.

Even though she gained power in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion by chance, and her father used this opportunity to climb to the position of Vice Minister of the Chancellery, it still couldn't change the fact that her status was inferior to Xia Ning's.

If that girl hadn't died, she wouldn't even have this much power!

Bai Weiwei carefully maintained this stolen status and hated it when others talked about it.

Now, Xia Ning spoke out without any hesitation.

Bai Weiwei suppressed her anger and tried to change the subject with a smile as usual, but because she was so resentful, her smile looked worse than a cry.

"Miss Xia..."

She couldn't even bring herself to call out "Sister Xia Ning" anymore. "I think there might be some misunderstanding between us..."

Xia Ning sneered: "What, you've tasted the bitterness of being bullied by others?"