Granny Xia was Liu Yunyan's wet nurse and one of the few servants Liu Yunyan brought from Luoyang.

"What brings you here, Granny Xia? Serve Granny Xia some tea."

"Thank you, young mistress. I've come to ask you for a favor."

"?"

"To be honest, young mistress, my young lady came to the capital in a hurry and has just finished her mourning period. The clothes in her trunk are really too plain. The old lady kindly held a welcome banquet for her. When the banquet starts, all the ladies of the mansion will be there, so it is not appropriate for her to wear mourning clothes. However, my young lady does not have any suitable clothes. Since you are of similar size to my young lady, I thought I would like to ask you to lend her a piece of clothing for her to use in this time."

"..."

Borrow clothes?

They were just borrowing clothes?

The newly arrived cousin of the family, upon entering the manor, immediately donned the young mistress's clothes and chatted amiably with the young master, her childhood sweetheart, displaying affectionate gestures...

With just a little thought, Jiang Shuwan knew that she couldn't lend out these clothes.

At the crucial moment, Qingxing didn't let her down. Taking the opportunity to pour tea for Jiang Shuwan, she whispered a reminder, "Miss, you can't lend it. It's unmarried, and the young lady is wearing your clothes and sitting with the young master. Won't that make people think all sorts of things..."

Yes.

Even Qingxing knew not to lend it, so Liu Yunyan couldn't possibly not know.

so.

Is this a setup?

But it's not right not to lend her anything, since Liu Yunyan is a guest. The young girl is all alone and helpless. She said she would take good care of her, but then she wouldn't even lend her a piece of clothing.

They made the person wear mourning clothes to the banquet.

This would make her seem mean and hypocritical, which would damage her reputation. The old lady would probably have to re-evaluate her.

But if it's borrowed...

Letting Liu Yunyan wear her clothes to pick up men, doesn't that make her look incredibly stupid?

Then some rumors started circulating, and she really did all the work for someone else's benefit.

Damn it~

No wonder Jiang Yao put aside Pei Lingyu's studies just to come and see the excitement.

So that's where he was waiting for her.

What a predicament it is to borrow clothes, yet neither can you lend them out.

With her eyes slightly lowered, the girl's slender, delicate fingers twirled on the rim of the celadon cup. She remained silent, lost in thought, and Granny Xia did not urge her.

The old woman from Luoyang bent over and bowed her head, appearing very respectful to Jiang Shuwan on the surface, but in reality, her mouth was already grinning from ear to ear.

Her daughter won this round.

...

On the other side, Jiang Yao was also watching the scene before her with great interest.

In her previous life, she had no idea that this was Liu Yunyan's doing. Not only did she foolishly borrow the clothes, but she also gave away a lot of jewelry.

Unexpectedly, the very next day, rumors spread throughout the mansion, further jeopardizing her already precarious position.

Now, it is Jiang Shuwan who has married into the Marquis's household.

Just like in her previous life, Granny Xia came over pitifully to borrow clothes. Jiang Shuwan didn't agree immediately. Could it be that she saw through Liu Yunyan's scheme?

Ugh~

Is Jiang Shuwan really smarter than her?

Jiang Yao felt an intense, agonizing pain in her heart.

Why? Why?!

Clenching her fists, Jiang Yao felt less than pleased with the stalemate before her. Her only consolation was the thought that Jiang Shuwan was about to stumble, which would make her feel a little better.

The room was quiet as Jiang Shuwan continued to ponder.

Besides her, she could have borrowed clothes from someone else for Liu Yunyan, but that would have taken up too much time.

It's getting late; it would be impolite to go any later.

Moreover, in terms of height, among all the girls in the manor, she was the only one who was about the same height as Liu Yunyan.

so.

She had no choice but to lend it to him.

Wear my clothes, date my men...

Ellie, is that you? ...

Upon arriving in the capital, Song Yi entered the same grand mansion in just a few steps.

After passing through several doors along the covered walkway, we finally arrived at the deep courtyard at the end.

The courtyard was deep and secluded, and it was the height of summer. The flowers and trees grew even more lush, blocking out the sun and preventing even a ray of sunlight from entering.

Despite the sweltering heat, the entire courtyard exuded a gloomy and eerie atmosphere, with even the air feeling chilly.

As he strolled over, Song Yi frowned as he looked at him.

Within just a few days, this expensive courtyard became unusable.

Especially those wild, unnamed flowers and plants, perhaps because of their exceptionally tenacious vitality, actually drove several rare orchids to their deaths.

There is also a clear pond that runs through the entire courtyard. In spring, the water is still clear and flowing, and you can occasionally see a few small fish swimming in it.

Now that weeds are growing everywhere, I don't know where the fish have gone, or maybe they're already dead.

Song Yi casually beckoned a palace maid over.

"The garden is so messy, why hasn't anyone been asked to tidy it up?"

"Your Highness, it is His Highness's will. All things in nature are created, and His Highness says that whether they live or die depends entirely on their fate."

"..."

Song Yi frowned slightly. These words sounded rather cruel, but that was typical of that person.

"Where is Your Highness? I have something to report."

"His Highness said at the camp outside the capital that you may go to him if you need anything."

Song Yi hurriedly went out on horseback and rode all the way to the camp on the outskirts of the capital. As darkness fell, bonfires lit up the camp, and the soldiers’ excited shouts made people’s eardrums vibrate.

"Go for it! Hit him! Hit him!"

"Go harder! His Highness will reward you if you win! Attack the head! Attack the head! Ah, his lower body is unstable, attack his lower body..."

As soon as Song Yi entered, he saw two burly, muscular soldiers wrestling together.

They either locked each other tightly with their arms or used skillful force to pull each other's center of gravity. After several rounds of wrestling, neither side could gain the upper hand. The onlookers cheered even more excitedly, and their shouts of encouragement were deafening, making the atmosphere of this bonfire duel even more intense.

The person sitting in the high seat still had a cold expression on their face.

He was dressed in a long black robe with wide sleeves, his hair half-down and half-tied with a golden crown. He sat lazily on a chair with his legs apart and his left hand supporting his forehead.

His eyes were closed, as if he were asleep.

"Your Highness."

Song Yi called softly, and he opened his eyes with a "whoosh," the cold light in his eyes as sharp and piercing as an ice pick, making people's hearts tremble.

Song Yi bent down and whispered in his ear.

"Your Highness, Miss Liu has been delivered."

"..."

The man did not react to his words; he remained slumped in his chair, his gaze fixed on the wrestling soldier.

He seemed to be watching a game, and Song Yi waited for a long time but he didn't say anything.

He was about to retreat.

"cousin."

"..."

"Who do you think will win?"

"..."

Which "them"?

Or them?

*********

Jiang Shuwan's courtyard.

"Miss, the clothes you requested have been brought in."

Qingxing, following Jiang Shuwan's instructions, brought in a box of clothes, all made of the finest fabrics and with exquisite workmanship.

Now she was being forced to lend it to Liu Yunyan. The little girl gritted her teeth in hatred, while feeling wronged for Jiang Shuwan.

What kind of cousin is she? The young lady didn't offend her at all, yet she comes here and immediately starts looking for trouble with the young lady...

I should have known better than to lead the way for her...