It has been raining frequently in Yandu lately. Outside, pear blossoms are falling in profusion, and inside, the smell of medicine permeates the air.

"Princess, the medicine has arrived."

Hearing Tao Zhi's voice, Chu Changning sat up.

She leaned against the bedside, took the bowl of medicine mixed with water, and whispered.

"Has the matter been investigated thoroughly?"

Taozhi hurriedly replied, "Understood. There will be a shift change at night. I just need to return by Chenshi (7-9 AM) the next day and I won't be discovered."

"Be careful and watch out for secret guards."

Taozhi nodded and tucked the blanket around her.

After taking the medicine, Chu Changning lay down.

I was naked in the rain that day, and I fell ill as soon as I got back; my body was chilled.

Fortunately, perhaps that scoundrel had a change of heart and stopped deliberately tormenting her; the medicinal herbs he sent were of excellent quality.

She had a few peaceful days.

"Greetings, Your Excellency."

Familiar footsteps could be heard outside.

The beaded curtain was lifted, and the person approached against the light.

A gentleman of noble character, as pure as stone, dressed in white with black hair, gentle and refined like jade.

Looking at him, Chu Changning suddenly had an idea: to go up and scratch his face until it was covered in bruises. What kind of evil spirit is he pretending to be a good person for?

A cool hand was placed on her forehead, and her burning body suddenly felt a little more comfortable.

"You get sick just from getting caught in the rain, you're so delicate."

Chu Changning said sarcastically, "Your Excellency has deliberately made me get soaked in the rain time and time again, even naked. I'm already lucky that my body isn't damaged to death."

Yan Beimo raised an eyebrow and pinched her nose.

Chu Changning was out of breath and instinctively reached for his hand.

He grasped it with his other hand and sat down sideways.

"In a couple of days, the Xie family will be holding a flower-viewing banquet."

Upon hearing this, a glint flashed in Chu Changning's eyes, and he spoke calmly.

"I've caught a cold, so I won't go."

Yan Beimo suddenly squeezed her hand hard, making her hiss in pain.

"If you dare to secretly switch your medication again, I'll make you a walking pharmacy."

His voice was gentle, but the words he uttered were colder than those of a demon.

Chu Changning's heart skipped a beat. How did he know?

"Someone come here."

A maidservant came in carrying medicine.

Chu Changning sniffed, smelling the bitterness, and felt nauseous.

Yan Beimo's expression was indifferent, showing no pity whatsoever. He grabbed the back of her neck and forced the medicine down her throat.

Chu Changning had no ability to resist and was choked and coughed repeatedly.

The wind outside the window brushed against her cheeks. She leaned against the bed, panting softly, her lowered eyes filled with hatred.

Yan Beimo washed his hands, glanced at her, and said, "Drink your medicine quietly."

After saying that, he turned and left.

With someone watching over him day and night, Chu Changning's plan to deliberately delay his illness fell through, and within two days, he recovered and his complexion became rosy.

Yan Beimo has been very busy these past two days, and he hasn't been able to see Xie Xuan even when she came to look for him.

They stopped him several times in the mansion before finally seeing him, and then took him directly to Chunfeng Pavilion.

"That's not fair. They're blinded by Jinling. They're about to leave, and they don't even think about having a get-together with us."

Inside Chunfeng Pavilion, the group had been waiting for some time. As soon as Yan Beimo entered, he was met with a few sarcastic remarks from Wang Hezhan.

He didn't care at all, took off his robe, and went straight to his seat.

The beautiful women who served in the room all withdrew, leaving only four people behind.

Steam rises from the golden beast-shaped incense burner, carrying wisps of fragrant smoke.

"How's the food and supplies situation going?"

Yan Beimo picked up a pot of wine and asked casually.

The interests of the powerful families are complex. The four men come from the four top clans and are also longtime friends who have fought together on the battlefield. They all know his thoughts.

Cui Linyuan went to Jiangdong a few days ago, specifically to discuss the matter of supplies.

"They've already sent him back to Libei."

Xie Xuan fanned himself with a light laugh, "This time, Helian Ye is heading south to the Central Plains, and he's bound to fight you to the death. I'll help you go to the Western Regions."

Yan Beimo said, "No need. You and Lin Yuan stay in Yandu to oversee things. He Zhan, go ahead."

Wang Hezhan clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction, "You only think of me when there's a tough job."

"It's because you have such a good way with words."

Xie Xuan chimed in, "Exactly, who else but you?"

"Alright, come on, drink up!"

Having had a few drinks, Wang Hezhan suddenly remembered the gossip that had been circulating recently and asked Xie Xuan a few questions.

"I've heard that there's a concubine's daughter in your household who's seducing the young master of the Yang family. It's all over the place."

Xie Xuan chuckled, "They're second-rate, no need to bother with them."

The Xie family was a large clan. Regardless of the number of main branches, there were nineteen collateral branches, and countless concubine daughters. He had no idea who his concubine sister was; he rarely saw her.

Wang Hezhan recalled the scene he had witnessed at the temple a few days ago, and gave a sinister smile as he swirled his wine glass.

"If she falls into my hands, I'll make her wish she were dead."

-----

The fifth day of the seventh lunar month is an auspicious day for holding banquets and for all matters to be well-received

The Yan family of Lanling and the Xie family of Chenjun were three powerful and influential families.

Madam Xie was going to hold a flower-viewing banquet, and all the prominent families in Yandu were eager to attend and make connections with the powerful. The place was bustling with activity.

Inside the mansion, guests mingled and drank, while melodious music filled the banquet hall.

Yan Beimo led Chu Changning through the banquet, greeting and toasting the guests.

The former dynasty princess had no power or influence, yet she was favored by Lanling Yan Er. The two seemed to have a very deep relationship, and some who wanted to marry into the Yan family gave up their ideas.

But he couldn't resist the constant stream of noble ladies who wanted to curry favor with him.

The head of the Yan family dotes on his eldest son, who was born out of wedlock; otherwise, why would the family agree to let the legitimate son, who had made outstanding military achievements, marry a princess from the old dynasty?

If Yan Er agrees to demote his wife to a concubine and arrange a marriage alliance with a powerful family, the line to marry him could stretch from Yandu to the capital.

Back then, the Wang family intended to form a marriage alliance with the Yan family, and married Wang Wan to Yan Beimo.

Unfortunately, the head of the Yan family disliked the growing power of Yan Er, so the former dynasty princess intervened. Now, with several people at the same table, there are quite a few onlookers watching the show.

Chu Changning also noticed various hostile gazes.

She pretended not to see it, sitting quietly at the table eating her meal, calm and composed.

After the banquet, groups of two or three noble ladies went to the garden to admire the flowers and listen to music.

Chu Changning didn't recognize anyone here and followed behind indifferently.

She hadn't walked more than a few steps when she heard someone calling her from behind.

"Sister-in-law."

It was Wang Wan, with a woman beside her.

Chu Changning didn't recognize the person who came, but those who could come to the Xie family were all noble ladies from prominent families in Yandu.

"Sister-in-law, this is Xie Rongyue, a daughter of the Xie family."

Wang Wan smiled gently and introduced her to her friends in a very generous manner.

Xie Rongyue chatted with her warmly for a few minutes.

Chu Changning looked her up and down a few times, but couldn't recall any memory of her, so he could only respond gently.

Xie Rongyue was an illegitimate daughter of the Xie family. She had grown up having to be mindful of others' feelings. She mistakenly thought that Chu Changning looked down on her status, so she lowered her eyes slightly to hide her expression.

She was a lowly concubine's daughter from a collateral branch of the family. She went to great lengths to get close to Wang Wan in order to be able to attend noble banquets and find a good marriage.

She absolutely must not let the mistress send her to the bed of the old man from the wealthy family.

Her target this time was Wang Wan's elder brother.

Wang Hezhan, the eldest son of the Langya Wang clan, was an exceptionally talented and brilliant man.