Strangers and silence were like two insurmountable rivers, lying between them.

"Yulang, don't be nervous. It's just the imperial examination. Relax and treat this as gaining experience..."

"Didn't you tell me to study hard and become the top scorer? Why aren't you in a hurry now?"

On the street, Pei Lingyu looked at the sea of ​​people and the candidates from all over the country. He was so nervous that his legs trembled and his posture when getting off the carriage was a little distorted. Jiang Yao, on the other hand, looked extremely calm.

"What’s wrong with you?"

"You look so different today. Are you hiding something from me?"

Pei Lingyu keenly noticed Jiang Yao's unusual behavior.

Jiang Yao naturally couldn't tell him that the imperial examination would be held twice this year, and this time it wouldn't count.

After beating around the bush for a while, Jiang Yao looked up and saw Jiang Shuwan getting off the carriage. Her eyes lit up and she grabbed Pei Lingyu and ran over.

"Big sister is here?"

"Last time, when my elder sister accompanied the young master to the autumn examination, he came in first place. I imagine he will do just as well this time."

Seeing her excited eyes, Jiang Shuwan smiled knowingly, "Thank you for your kind words, Second Sister. I also wish my brother-in-law good luck."

"Thank you, elder sister." Pei Lingyu quickly came forward to greet her.

The four of them stood and talked for a while. Finally, Jiang Shuwan and Jiang Yao watched as the Pei brothers, Pei Lingyu and Pei Yanzhi, entered the examination hall.

"Big sister, let's ride in a carriage together. It'll be more lively with more people, and we can chat too."

Jiang Yao was in an exceptionally good mood today. Without waiting for Jiang Shuwan's reply, she squeezed into her carriage and then followed Jiang Shuwan all the way back to the Marquis's residence for a free lunch.

In the old lady's courtyard, Jiang Yao ate her meal while quietly asking Chang Mama, "Where is Aunt Liu? Doesn't she come to eat? Is she tired from serving the young master?"

Chang's mother: "..."

Chang's mother almost burst out laughing. She had never seen such a bold woman as Jiang Yao, who spoke without any regard for anything else.

She was tired from serving the prince; is that something a sister-in-law can say?

This is clearly an attempt to make things difficult for Jiang Shuwan.

Glancing at Jiang Shuwan, who was engrossed in drinking her soup, Mama Chang lowered her voice and whispered, "Young Master's wife, please be careful with your words. In the past, Concubine Liu was a guest, and there was no place in the Marquis's mansion that she couldn't go. Now that she's just a concubine, how can she come here to eat?"

Jiang Yao: "..."

She stammered for a long time before finally managing to utter a sentence that sounded like she was about to cry: "Are the rules in the Marquis's mansion really that strict?"

She thought that once Liu Yunyan entered the manor, she could watch Jiang Shuwan make a fool of herself.

Unexpectedly, Liu Yunyan didn't even have the right to sit and eat with Jiang Shuwan anymore.

"It's not just about meals; Aunt Liu also has to pay her respects to the young mistress on ordinary days."

"..."

"However, the young mistress is very busy, so she is not invited over."

"..."

waste!

Liu Yunyan is utterly useless!

Weren't you pretty awesome in your previous life? Why are you useless to Jiang Shuwan now?

Gritting her teeth, Jiang Yao picked up a piece of bamboo shoot stir-fried with pork.

This is one of Jiang Shuwan's favorite dishes. For every extra bite she takes, Jiang Shuwan takes one less bite.

"Your appetite has increased recently?" Jiang Shuwan glanced at her.

"When I'm in a good mood, I eat more."

Jiang Yao buried her head in her food and ate with gusto, but her eyes kept glancing at Jiang Shuwan, scrutinizing her from her jeweled hair to her Shu brocade dress, which was presented as tribute.

In his previous life, on the very day the imperial examination results were released, Pei Yanzhi was caught cheating, which also implicated the old Marquis, who had just returned from mourning, leading to his suspension from duty and imprisonment of Pei's in-law, Lord Yun...

Tsk tsk tsk.

When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter; Jiang Shuwan's good days are numbered.

With a slight smile, Jiang Yao picked up a piece of bamboo shoot stir-fried with meat and put it into Jiang Shuwan's bowl.

"Big sister, eat more, you won't be able to eat this again."

"..."

On the way back to the house, Jiang Shuwan walked slowly, while Qingxing curiously touched her chin.

"Miss, what's wrong with the Second Miss again? I feel like there's something hidden in her words."

With a slight smile, Jiang Shuwan didn't say anything; she went to Donglai Street to check the accounts first.

With fewer seasonal flowers available in winter and transportation difficulties, perfume sales were low throughout the winter. In addition, with many expenses in the North, the company barely broke even this quarter.

It will be good when the flowers bloom in spring, then we'll have money.

Feeling her empty purse, Jiang Shuwan thought to herself in a good mood. Then she looked up and saw a somewhat unfamiliar figure following Song Huaizhang into the room.

The other person walked in, dressed in a dark red robe with gold python and fox-fur sleeves, covered by a dark blue cloak and overcoat, with a five-colored butterfly and phoenix sash tied around the waist, adorned with a piece of beautiful jade, and wearing blue deerskin boots. He was dazzling and eye-catching.

His appearance was androgynous and stunningly beautiful; the moment he entered the room, he captivated the eyes of everyone in the office.

Everyone in the room, men and women alike, stared at him. Several young male managers were so stunned that they bumped their heads against the doorposts, their faces turning bright red.

"Who is this guy? He's so handsome. Is he the new manager? What's he doing in our office?"

Jiang Shuwan was completely stunned.

Li Chengyun is really crazy. Even though this room doesn't belong to her or Song Huaizhang, she can't just wander around like this. Running here in broad daylight, as if she's afraid others won't know they've been in contact, right?

What are you doing here?

She immediately dismissed everyone in the room, then grabbed Li Chengyun by the collar and slammed him against the wall, her teeth clenched as if she wanted to bite him.

"I let it go after you kidnapped me last time, but you dare to come to my territory in broad daylight?"

"What kidnapping? That's called a friendly meeting between siblings."

Li Chengyun raised his fan to block Jiang Shuwan's hand.

Jiang Shuwan simply chuckled twice, "Who wants to be your sibling? I'm not tired of living."

"Your place is quite large, and your office layout is quite interesting."

Li Chengyun had never been here before, and he curiously touched and looked around. He was also very curious about its management model, especially when he discovered that the male and female managers each had their own duties, did not disturb each other, and were able to cooperate with each other, which made him even more interested.

These days, men and women are different, and it's rare to find men and women in charge who are used together, let alone used very well.

"Is this all you came here to say?"

Jiang Shuwan glared at him with hostility. Seeing that Li Chengyun was still looking out the window, she yanked the window open and sent him to his death.

"Miss, should we call him General Gu?" Qingxing asked cautiously. She knew Li Chengyun's identity and that her young mistress did not want to be associated with him.

"Wanwan, you were very rude to me today!"

At this moment, Li Chengyun smiled.

“Last time, you called me Your Highness and even poured me tea. Now that I’ve been here for half a day, you haven’t even given me a sip of water.”

The man slightly twitched his right hand, and the fan painted with peonies in his hand instantly opened. The fan ribs were exquisite, and the peonies bloomed passionately and unrestrainedly, echoing the red clothes he was wearing.