Ming nodded to Xu Zhi, then turned and hurried after her young lady.

Shi Liu changed her clothes and crept over at some point. Xu Zhi smiled and whispered, "Oh my, our hero who saved the beauty is back!"

Shi Liu rolled her eyes in a rather unrefined manner and said, "Good girl, what kind of dirty things are you talking about? If you want to do something serious, find some people with better skills. There are just a few thugs, and they're as cowardly as mice. I haven't even made a move yet, and they've already confessed everything."

Looking at the nearly empty flower hall, Shiliu raised her voice considerably: "It's already lunchtime, aren't we going to eat or not? Did you invite people over for dinner or to watch a play? Honestly!"

Has Madam Shen returned yet? Although Madam Shen is quite influential among the ladies of Miaozhou City, and even knows many wealthy people in Miaozhou City through these ladies, she is still just a concubine. To own such a large garden in Miaozhou, her status is naturally extraordinary. Madam Shen has been invited to a pleasure boat for quite some time now. Apart from the second branch of the Yun family, the rest of them are either standing in the flower hall or finding a shady spot under the flowering trees by the pond. Today's events will provide many families in Miaozhou City with a lot of gossip for a long time.

Hearing Shiliu's words and noticing that Shiliu was with Xu Zhi, a trusted nanny of Madam Shen came over with a smile and said, "My lady has gone to discuss some matters. It's getting late, so please invite Madam Zheng and Madam Feng to take their seats first."

Then he turned around and said loudly to the ladies, "Please take your seats, ladies. The food here today was ordered by my wife from the most famous restaurant in the city. Please enjoy it."

With a smile on her lips and a round fan in her hand, Xu Zhi followed behind Madam Ping as they slowly walked into the flower hall.

As He'er walked, she whispered to Ping Shi, "I wonder how Sister Qiang'er is doing, Mother. Shall we go and visit her at home later?"

Yun Qiang'er and He'er from the Yun family have known each other since they were young and have a good relationship. Xu Zhi knows that whenever there is a gathering like this, the two of them will get together and have a good chat.

Madam Ping thought that her eldest daughter used to always be with Yun Qiang'er, but this time they weren't together. To make matters worse, Yun Qiang'er had fallen into the water. After they sat down, Madam Ping asked He'er, "Don't you usually spend time with your sister Qiang'er? Why aren't you together this time?"

"At first we were together. Sister Qiang'er even helped me play with Sui'er for a while. Later, two sisters I didn't know came over. They said they wanted to talk to Sister Qiang'er. Sister Qiang'er didn't introduce them to me. At first, I didn't want to go with them, but after they persuaded me a few times, Sister Qiang'er went with me. She also told me to wait here with Sui'er and that she would be back soon." He'er said with a frown, probably thinking of something that was not right, and glanced at her mother.

Ping sighed inwardly, but said aloud, "In the future, don't go with people you don't know or are unfamiliar with."

He'er nodded. Shiliu had already started eating with her chopsticks. People who come to such gatherings usually don't focus on the food, especially after what happened today. Although everyone sat down, they gathered in twos and threes and chattered amongst themselves.

After taking a few bites, Shi Liu said to Xu Zhi, "Girl, this steamed fish is delicious. You should try it quickly, otherwise it will become fishy and taste bad when it gets cold. And this one is also delicious."

Perhaps because she enjoyed the pomegranates so much, Madam Ping wasn't in the mood to say anything more. After eating a few bites and finding the food quite delicious, she served a few bites to her three daughters before settling down to eat.

With Madam Shen absent, the nanny beside her guided the ladies to their seats and busied herself serving them food and drinks. Apparently, the female storyteller they had originally hired was no longer in the mood. It wasn't until Xu Zhi had finished eating that Madam Shen, with a somber face, disembarked from the pleasure boat.

Stepping off the flower boat, Madam Shen composed herself. Once inside the flower hall, she was once again the same Madam Shen, all smiles and graceful movements.

Madam Shen and Xu Zhi sat at the same table. After entering the flower hall, Madam Shen smiled and said hello to everyone, telling them to eat and drink well before taking her seat.

Madam Shen picked up her wine cup, stood up and said, "I have failed to entertain you properly today and have disturbed you all. I will punish myself with three cups first. I would like to ask you ladies to do me the honor of eating and drinking to your hearts' content."

Madam Shen drank one cup, and the maid behind her poured another cup. She picked it up and drank it without changing her expression. When the third cup was poured, she drank it calmly again. Then, without changing her expression, she said "no" to everyone in the flower hall. Because of Madam Shen's actions, the ladies in the flower hall quickly stirred up the atmosphere.

This ability to control the situation made Xu Zhi look at this Lady Shen with new respect; she was indeed a rare talent.

Madam Shen glanced discreetly at Shi Liu, who was still happily eating with her chopsticks. Seeing Xu Zhi looking at her, she raised her wine cup to Xu Zhi. Xu Zhi smiled at her, and Madam Shen nodded to Xu Zhi. She then put the cup down and began talking to a lady sitting next to her.

Shi Liu, who was sitting next to Xu Zhi, naturally knew that Madam Chen was looking at her, and with an unfriendly gaze.

Xu Zhi leaned closer to Shi Liu and whispered, "Are you being targeted? Why are they looking at you like that?"

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