Jiang Segu didn't understand what these words meant, but inexplicably believed them.

Watching Gu Songhan's departing figure, she felt a sweet warmth in her heart.

Just then, Jiang Chuhui's voice came from behind.

"Sixth Sister is so lucky!"

Jiang Segu stopped smiling, turned around and said, "Big sister, what brings you here?"

"There were many people at the banquet, and I was busy with social engagements, so I came out to clear my head. Besides, I also have something to ask my sixth sister."

"Big sister, when did you come out? If you have any questions, let's talk as we walk, so as not to neglect our guests."

She left her seat because Qinghong came to tell her that Gu Songhan wanted to see her.

Therefore, she apologized to the guests under the pretext of washing her face.

But no one knew when the older sister arrived, or how much she had overheard.

"Sixth Sister, don't worry. Even if I heard everything you said, I'm not the kind of person to gossip. I would never repeat what you said!"

These words reassured Jiang Segu somewhat, and she asked again with a smile, "I wonder if there's something you want to ask me, elder sister?"

"This morning, you sent word that I should keep a close eye on Fifth Sister. And just now, when you were provoking Fifth Sister, you bumped into me as you walked past me. I don't understand, do you want what's best for Fifth Sister, or do you want her reputation to be ruined?"

So that's what it was about!

Jiang Segu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Jiang Segu had been worried that Jiang Zhihui would really disregard everything and ask her grandmother for permission to be with Liang Shaojie in front of all the guests.

After much deliberation, she felt that only Jiang Chuhui could keep Jiang Zhihui in check, which is why she notified Jiang Chuhui early on.

She was on tenterhooks when she presented the birthday gift.

Fortunately, the eldest aunt was quite quick-witted at the crucial moment. Before the eldest sister could speak up to defuse the situation, she dissuaded the fifth sister.

What happened at the banquet later was just retaliation; she didn't really want to encourage her fifth sister to take the lead. That's why she gave her eldest sister a hint again.

Fortunately, the fifth sister wasn't completely blinded by her emotions, and the eldest sister was also able to understand what she meant.

That's how it ended without any real danger.

However, I'm afraid my aunt won't let my fifth sister off easily afterward.

"Elder sister, I was confused for a moment and had some thoughts I shouldn't have had. Fifth sister is kind-hearted, I never expected that she would remember some of my nonsense!"

Later, I truly regretted it, which is why I reminded you so early on. As for what happened just now, I was so provoked by my aunt that I didn't know how to retaliate, so while I was trying to provoke my fifth sister, I also asked you to step in and smooth things over.

Jiang Chuhui was a perceptive person; she understood from Jiang Segu's words that Jiang Zhihui's unusual behavior today was all because of her.

"So, that ingeniously designed screen was your idea for Fifth Sister?"

"Um."

Jiang Chuhui stopped in her tracks. "Sixth Sister, you have such a deep mind! You had planned this all along! After all that effort, why did you back down at the last minute?"

"Elder sister, I don't want to lie to you, but I can't tell you my reasons. But please believe me, I don't want any of the sisters in our household to suffer any harm!"

Jiang Chuhui stared at Jiang Segu for a long time before looking away.

"If Sixth Sister is free tomorrow, I'd like to visit Qing Si Fang. I wonder if you could accompany me?"

Qing Si Fang?

What is the older sister going there for?

Was it to see He Quan?

After He Quan recovered, Jiang Segu went to see him.

However, no matter how she asked, He Quan refused to talk about his relationship with his older sister.

After He Quan recovered, he learned that Qing Si Fang belonged to Jiang Se Gu, so he took the initiative to go there to work, saying that he wanted to repay Jiang Se Gu for saving his life.

Even his doubts did not prevent Jiang Segu from replying.

“If you want to go, I’m naturally willing to go with you. However, your status is different now, and I’m afraid Grandmother and Aunt won’t agree.”

"You don't need to worry about that! I'll come to your courtyard to find you at dawn tomorrow!"

After saying that, Jiang Chuhui turned and left...

***

After the banquet, the ladies and grandmothers listened to the opera in Bishui Hall, while the young ladies either played in Liuhua Hall or went to the garden to play.

Jiang Segu sat in the garden and casually picked a rose, lost in thought.

Just then, the Song sisters arrived again with their entourage.

"Who was cruelly destroying the flowers back then? It turned out to be the wife of our newly promoted deputy commander!"

Song Yuru's words drew a burst of giggles.

"Miss Song, please watch your words!"

"Some people are capable of such despicable acts, how dare they tell others to be careful with their words!"

Song Yuru looked arrogant and haughty. "I wondered what was going on. How could your feelings for your cousin change so easily? Turns out it's because you've taken a fancy to someone else! Jiang Segu, you're really fickle!"

But watch closely this time, lest you fall for someone else on your wedding day and run away again. Then you'll be famous!

Jiang Segu tossed aside the rose in her hand, her face full of sarcasm, and said, "Even if my reputation is terrible, it's still better than being someone's concubine! Besides, I would never resort to despicable means to deceive people with fake paintings!"

Upon hearing this, Song Yuru's face turned deathly pale, and Song Yuting's expression also darkened considerably.

The noble ladies who had been surrounding the two of them subtly distanced themselves from them.

They knew that the second daughter of the Song family and the youngest son of the Wu family had an affair outside the city, and that after being seen naked, the girl became someone's concubine. So what was the point of using a fake painting to deceive people?

The gazes of the crowd were like awls, piercing Song Yuru and Song Yuting again and again.

Song Yuting couldn't help but secretly blame Song Yuru.

Although she clearly has no ability to control Jiang Segu, Fourth Sister always seems to provoke him! And now, she's dragged Third Sister's affairs into the spotlight again!

Jiang Segu looked at their ashen faces and had no intention of showing mercy, after all, they were the ones who provoked her first!

"I suppose you all don't know this, but not long ago, Prince Jing'an spent a fortune to buy a phoenix painting from my mother's Treasure Shop for the sake of winning the beauty's smile."

Unexpectedly, Miss Song, for reasons unknown, claimed that Prince Jing'an had bought a fake painting!

Prince Jing'an lost face, so he ordered his men to surround the Treasure Pavilion. Later, my mother had someone investigate the matter. Of course, it was also thanks to the efforts of Prince Jing'an's men that they discovered that it was actually Miss Song who had paid someone to make a fake painting, wanting to…”

She paused for a moment, her gaze towards the Song sisters becoming somewhat amused.

"Actually, I still don't quite understand why Miss Song did this. If she wanted to use Prince Jing'an to suppress Zhenbaozhai, why would she do this when there is no grudge between them?"

If Miss Song had taken a fancy to the phoenix painting, given the Song family's wealth, they certainly wouldn't be unable to afford even a single painting! Besides, this painting was a gift from Prince Jing'an, so Miss Song wouldn't need to spend a single penny!

Could you perhaps enlighten me, Fourth Sister Song and Fifth Sister Song?