Compared to Lu Xu's cheerful and sunny personality, Lu Huai appears much more reserved and composed. However, compared to the reserved Lu Gu, his interactions with Jin Shu are still harmonious and pleasant.

Whenever Lu Gu saw Jin Shu chatting and laughing with Lu Huai and Lu Xu, he felt a sense of loss and sadness.

He couldn't help but step forward, racking his brains to join their conversation.

For example, when Jin Shu asks a question, he will unconsciously try to answer it. When Jin Shu's hand gently falls on him, he feels a strange sense of satisfaction and secret joy.

The mother and her three children presented the invitations. After the guards let them in, they hadn't even found their seats when they heard a cheerful shout from behind them.

"Look, the mistress of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion has arrived. Jin Shu, come here, I've saved a seat for you."

The person who spoke was the matriarch of the Liang family. Surrounding her sat many ladies from prominent families, all dressed in elegant and luxurious attire, chatting and laughing in small groups, each vying for attention.

When Jin Shu walked over, everyone looked over. The matriarch of the Liang family patted the spot next to her.

"Come, come, sit here. I saved this seat for you."

Jin Shu had just sat down with her three children when the matriarch of the Liang family asked with a smile.

"Why didn't I see you when we prayed at the temple last time? I asked your grandmother, and she said you weren't feeling well."

How are you feeling now? How's your recovery going? I heard Her Majesty the Empress has arranged quite a few activities later; do you still have the energy to participate?

"Take it easy, you're still recovering from a cold."

After finishing her homework, Jin Shu coughed twice and leaned back weakly on the cushion. Seeing this, Lu Huai handed her the tea beside him.

Upon seeing this, the matriarch of the Liang family spoke in a high-pitched and exaggerated voice.

"Look at him, what a thoughtful son he is! Although he's not my biological son, he's even more considerate than a real child. It's truly enviable."

You have three such good sons. I think when we get old, we will definitely not be as fortunate as Jin Shu!

"When it comes to sons, none of you have as many as Jin Shu."

Upon hearing this, the ladies nearby covered their mouths and smiled slightly.

"Yes, we work hard all year to have one son. How can we compare to Jin Shu's good fortune, who has three sons at once!"

"Hehehe... You people are so annoying. You always make fun of Jin Shu. You only let it go because Jin Shu has a good temper. If it were me, I would have turned against you long ago!"

These words came out of nowhere, and anyone who didn't know better would have thought that the young lady in the pink overcoat was speaking up for Jin Shu.

But if you listen carefully, you can tell that the sarcasm in her words is much stronger than that of others.

This is just saying that Jin Shu is shameless, and no matter how others ridicule and mock her, she can still stay here without moving an inch.

The ladies laughed heartily.

Jin Shu looked at the woman in pink in front of her, and the woman's identity automatically came to mind.

Hu Jin, the concubine of the Prince of Liang, was a true member of the royal family compared to the other ladies from noble families. Therefore, even though she was only a concubine, she was still able to maintain her position in the middle among this group of legitimate ladies from noble families.

She and Jin Shu were about the same age and had similar backgrounds and social status, but the teenage Hu Jin looked quite pale in comparison to Jin Shu.

Jin Shusheng is beautiful and talented, and she is always the center of attention no matter the occasion.

No matter how hard Hu Jin tried, she could only become Jin Shu's foil. Even though she was dressed in gorgeous clothes, she could be outshone by Jin Shu's simple and plain style.

Although the two have always referred to each other as close friends, judging from Hu Jin's current animosity and targeting of Jin Shu, she must have harbored resentment in her heart for many years back then.

Jin Shu is now down on her luck and has lived a frugal and impoverished life for the past decade.

In order to ensure that the Duke's mansion would not be in a difficult situation among the aristocratic families in the future, the original owner silently endured it even though she knew that she would be ridiculed and played with every year.

She was used to being silent.

These ladies from aristocratic families also had a habit of teasing and tormenting Jin Shu as a fun activity before the banquet, and everyone enjoyed it immensely.

Hu Jin was the most enthusiastic about this matter, while the others were used to it, either smiling knowingly or looking indifferent.

In the past, when the original owner heard these sarcastic remarks, her biggest reaction would have been to get up and walk away. Otherwise, she could only laugh and cry and remain silent, pretending that she didn't understand anything.

Jin Shu could sense the embarrassment and dejection emanating from the depths of his heart. This emotion affected Jin Shu's mood, and she frowned and clicked her tongue.

"Madam Liang, your son, who recently became the top scholar in the imperial examination, met a courtesan at a brothel. The two became deeply in love, and the girl eventually became pregnant and came to ask for your hand in marriage. I wonder if you have resolved this matter?"

Jin Shu's words perfectly illustrate a point.

When it does speak, it is sober that it is considered a great success.

The group of noble ladies who had just been waiting to see Jin Shu make a fool of herself suddenly widened their eyes and stared at Madam Liang. A strong atmosphere of gossip spread, and everyone silently pricked up their ears, waiting for Madam Liang's reaction.

Madam Liang shuddered, her whole body trembling as if a cat had its tail suddenly stepped on. She almost jumped up on the spot, and her already high-pitched voice turned into a sharp whistle.

"What nonsense are you spouting?! What a ridiculous and absurd thing you've come up with! What are your intentions in framing my son like this?! Do you know that my son is an official of the court, a high-ranking minister before His Majesty? If His Majesty finds out that you have insulted him like this, do you know what crime you will commit!"

Jin Shu sat calmly, her expression composed in the face of Madam Liang's aggressive threat.

"Whether it's true or not, everyone can just go to Tianxiang Tower and ask. Or is it that Madam Liang is too forgetful and doesn't remember that her future daughter-in-law is currently hiding in your backyard waiting to give birth?"

"You...you're talking nonsense! If you keep spouting nonsense, I'll tear your mouth off!"

Everyone present was shrewd; just by observing the attitudes of these two people, everyone knew whether the matter was true or false.

Young Master Liang is a promising young man, a high-ranking official, and has a bright future. Many noble ladies in the capital dream of marrying him. It is said that the Ninth Princess, the Emperor's most beloved youngest daughter, is also quite satisfied with him.

Young Master Liang's status as the imperial son-in-law was practically a done deal. If this scandal were to break out now, the young scholar's reputation would be ruined and his innocence tarnished.

Everyone listened with great interest to this matter, and Hu Jin's eyes were wide with excitement. Suddenly, Jin Shu turned around and faced her directly, slowly speaking.

"Princess Consort, you're so thin-skinned, how could you do something so outrageous? What will happen to your reputation if people find out?"