Having been reborn, she naturally knew of Liu Yao'er's existence and had no reason to be angry. She only wanted to take this opportunity to reveal Liu Yao'er's true identity and remind Bai Yehua to be wary.

She turned to look at Bai Yehua, but Bai Yehua remained calm and composed, his phoenix eyes smiling as he gazed at her. "Little Yu, Liu Yao'er is a little dancer in the Jia family. She was fortunate enough to be chosen by Madam Zuo as her goddaughter. I have only met her a few times and we are not familiar with each other. Do not listen to Liu Yu's attempts to sow discord."

Not familiar with each other?

You should know that in her previous life, it was Liu Yao'er who destroyed the Bai family.

Bai Yehua's nonchalant attitude disappointed Shen Yu. She still wanted to find out Liu Yao'er's true background so that she could know who the enemy pirates were.

"Brother Bai is from a prestigious family, how could he possibly take a fancy to a mere dancer? An adopted daughter? Surely that Liu Yao'er is a young lady from a noble family who has fallen on hard times?"

"She is indeed a lady from a prominent family."

Which company is it?

Bai Yehua shook his head and remained silent, a hint of sadness welling up in his usually sharp eyes.

Although Liu Yao'er was the adopted daughter of the Zuo family, she was actually Madam Zuo's biological daughter.

Madam Zuo was the eldest daughter of the Gao family, Gao Qiaomei. The Gao family had been officials for generations and held a very important position in the court, earning the respect of the court officials.

When Zuo, a minor official of the seventh rank, married Takahashi Mi, who had been divorced, he rose through the ranks and thrived.

In order to conceal Madam Zuo's unknown past and to save face for Lord Zuo, Liu Yao'er's true identity had to be kept secret.

Bai Yehua dared not reveal the truth and remained silent with his head down.

Seeing that Bai Yehua refused to confess, Shen Yu had no choice but to look away. She could no longer tolerate Bai Yehua and instead looked elsewhere, kindly reminding him, "Brother Bai, we have known each other for many years and I know you very well. If you didn't truly like her, why would you cover for her? Perhaps she is a stunning beauty, but please don't let your mind cloud your judgment and fail to distinguish between friend and foe. You once fought off Japanese pirates as a naval general in the southeastern coastal region. Have you ever considered that... the Japanese pirates might disguise themselves as nobles from the capital?"

Bai Yehua naturally understood Shen Yu's meaning from such an obvious reminder, but... how could the Gao family, who had been officials for generations, be associated with Japanese pirates?

Besides, the Bai family is weak and powerless, and Master Mu has been dismissed from his post. If he doesn't rely on the Zuo and Gao families, how can he gain a foothold in the court?

It's all Liu Yu's fault for being so talkative, which made Shen Yu jealous and envious of Yao'er.

Seeing Bai Yehua's displeased expression and his angry glare at Liu Yu, Chen Yu gave up and turned to walk towards Liu Yu.

She looked down on Bai Yehua more and more. He secretly kept a dancer, exposed Liu Yu's fetish, and still had the nerve to complain about Liu Yu?

Liu Yu, already being helped over by two maids, said, "Miss Chenyu, I'll take you back."

"Thank you for your trouble, Young Master Liu."

The two walked side by side, but unexpectedly, Bai Yehua caught up, pushed Liu Yu away, and grabbed Chen Yu's arm.

"Little Fish, even if you are angry with me, you must not belittle yourself. Do not get too close to Liu Yu, lest people gossip. You will be a general's wife in the future. The Emperor has promised me that when I return, he will bestow a marriage upon us."

Chen Yu was utterly helpless. Bai Yehua kept pestering her, all he wanted was to marry her and uphold the prestige of the Bai family.

She stopped struggling and let Bai Yehua hold her wrist, but her words were like sharp swords, piercing Bai Yehua's heart.

"Aren't Young Master Bai and Young Master Liu also indulging in revelry all night long? Aren't you two cut from the same cloth? I, Mu Chenyu, was able to take a liking to Young Master Bai back then, so naturally I can also take a liking to Young Master Liu. I have already accepted Young Master Liu's token of love, so I hope Young Master Bai will not pester me."

What?

Has Chen Yu taken a liking to Liu Yu?

Bai Yehua looked astonished and released Chen Yu's hand.

Liu Yu was equally surprised. Facing Shen Yu's gaze, he quickly nodded and smiled, saying, "Miss Shen Yu... Yu Yu accepted my folding fan. It was on the day you broke off your engagement that Yu Yu expressed her feelings to me."

Shen Yu nodded and handed the medicine box in her hand to Liu Yu's maid. "It's getting late, let's go back."

------

Under Bai Yehua's watchful eye, Chen Yu invited Liu Yu to board the Mu family's carriage.

Inside the sedan chair.

Shen Yu and Liu Yu sat facing each other. She wanted to get rid of Bai Yehua, and in her desperation, she used Liu Yu as a shield. Surely Liu Yu wouldn't take it seriously? Bai Yehua had just said that Liu Yu didn't like women.

Thinking of Liu Yu's quirks, she couldn't help but cover her face and chuckle. Looking up, she saw Liu Yu tilting his head and sizing her up.

Her big, bright eyes blinked, clear and lively. When their eyes met, Liu Yu hurriedly lowered his head, his cheeks flushing. He was so easily embarrassed; he didn't seem like the womanizing, reckless playboy he was.

Sigh... He's all show and no substance; that perfectly describes a playboy like Liu Yu, isn't it?

Liu Yu clasped his hands together, his palms sweating. Shen Yu said she had taken a liking to him? Really? Although he had accomplished nothing, he was the Empress's nephew, and the threshold of the Duke's mansion was not low. If Shen Yu really had taken a liking to him, he would definitely send away all the women in the harem. Their constant chatter would only annoy Shen Yu.

Instead of overthinking, he decided to ask her directly. He lowered his head and tentatively asked Chen Yu in a joking tone, "Yu Yu, you're happy just because you confessed your feelings to me?"

Huh? Liu Yu really took it seriously?

Shen Yu panicked and quickly shook her head in denial, "No, Young Master Liu, please don't joke with me. You know I only said that because I was desperate. You wouldn't take it seriously, would you?"

Liu Yu lowered his head, his heart instantly filled with bitterness.

Two years ago, he met a maid at the Mu family's polo field. She was fresh-faced and clever, and he took a liking to her at first sight. Later, he learned from Princess Yanghua that the maid was Mu Chenyu, the eldest daughter of the Mu family.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!