Qin Xu lowered his head, his face deathly pale, and saw a silver needle gleaming coldly piercing his wrist. Instantly, he collapsed to the ground as if all his strength had been drained.

His eyes widened in horror as he looked at Song Zhiyu, who was getting up as if nothing had happened, and he instantly understood everything. "You did it on purpose."

Song Zhiyu smiled without saying a word, simply looking down at him with disdain, seemingly saying nothing, yet in reality, it was as if she had said everything.

"You knew all along that we were going to deal with you. Even the Chinese medicine was fake. You were lying to me." Qin Xu licked his dry lips, looked up at Song Zhiyu, whose face was calm, and although it was the same face, a chill suddenly rose in his heart.

They thought they had outsmarted Song Zhiyu, but little did they know that they were the ones being completely fooled.

Song Zhiyu slowly squatted down, toying with the sharp silver needles in her hand. "If we don't play along, how will we know what you're planning? As for your hands, they're probably ruined."

"I am the old lady's maternal grand-nephew, how dare you touch me... Ah!" Before Qin Xu could finish his harsh words, he felt a sharp pain in his wrist, as if someone had shattered his bones. The pain twisted his face, and he eventually fainted from the pain.

Song Zhiyu took out the silver needle, carefully wiped it with a handkerchief, and nodded in satisfaction, "It looks much better now."

She kicked Qin Xu, who was blocking her way, and walked out of the room without looking back, hurrying to deal with the next person.

*

As soon as Ye Rou reached a secluded spot, her true colors were revealed. She stared fiercely at her soaked clothes, her face contorted in a frightening grimace.

That damned, wretched girl—once I become the Marquis's wife, the first thing I'll do is deal with her.

As for Song Zhiyu, it's unclear whether Qin Xu succeeded.

Although Ye Rou felt that their plan was foolproof, Song Zhiyu was always cunning and difficult to deal with. She was still a little uneasy until she saw Song Zhiyu ruined with her own eyes.

Thinking of this, Ye Rou quickened her pace; she needed to change her clothes as soon as possible.

Not long after Ye Rou left, Song Zhiyu slowly emerged from behind the artificial hill, accompanied by a trembling maidservant, who was none other than Ye Rou's trusted confidante.

"If you want to live, do as I say."

Song Zhiyu's teasing gaze was fixed on the direction Ye Rou had left. Although her voice was extremely gentle, the little maid seemed to be frightened, and she opened her lips tremblingly, "This servant understands."

"Go ahead, and remember to invite the Marquis over." Song Zhiyu withdrew his gaze. After today, there would be another topic of conversation in the capital.

*

At the banquet.

Shen Feng frowned and glanced at Ye Rou's seat. Why did it take so long to change her clothes?

He was getting restless. There was still no news from Qin Xu, and he didn't know how the plan was progressing.

Just then, Ye Rou's personal maid quietly came over and whispered a few words in his ear.

"I understand. You may leave now." Shen Feng's tightly furrowed brows slowly relaxed. Although he didn't understand Ye Rou's actions, he didn't suspect anything and made an excuse to leave the banquet first.

About half a cup of tea later, Shen Jinshu also received the news.

Her rosy lips curved slightly, and then she gracefully rose and walked to Old Madam Shen, where she curtsied.

"Granddaughter has prepared a gift for Grandmother at the other residence, wishing Grandmother a long and healthy life. This gift is a bit special, and I hope Grandmother will come with her."

Shen Jinshu whetted the appetites of all the guests, and even Old Madam Shen became somewhat expectant of the congratulatory gift she mentioned.

Seeing this, a guest couldn't help but ask, "What kind of congratulatory gift has Miss Shen prepared that is so mysterious? I wonder if we would have the honor of seeing it?"

"If any of you are interested, you may come with me." Shen Jinshu covered her mouth and chuckled, shy and reserved, but she wished there were as many people as possible.

Upon hearing this, the eldest princess paused in her teacup. "I am also very interested in the special gift that Miss Shen mentioned."

Shen Jinshu was overjoyed. She hadn't expected that the princess would grant her wish before she could even speak.

That's good, it saves her the trouble of having to persuade people to go.

A moment later, Shen Jinshu led the eldest princess, Madam Shen, and a large group of guests to the villa to see the special congratulatory gift she had mentioned.

"We've arrived." Shen Jinshu stopped first, a smile playing on her lips as she looked at the guests behind her.

Following the sound, everyone looked and saw lotus flowers blooming like brocade on the rippling lake, a breathtaking sight. Even the air was filled with the delicate fragrance of lotus blossoms, refreshing and delightful.

Around the pavilion, a unique painting of longevity flowers was hung, which complemented the lotus flowers in the lake.

At this moment, the people on the pavilion, dressed in fine clothes and holding fans, marveled at the breathtaking scene before them.

"Miss Shen is so thoughtful to have prepared such a special gift; it truly touches the heart of the old lady."

"Although she is not her biological daughter, Miss Shen's filial piety towards the old lady is no less than that of others. Such a filial person would never do such a disgraceful thing. It seems that we really misunderstood her before."

"..."

Given the previous physical examination and Shen Jinshu's attempt to clear her name today, most of the guests felt that there was probably some misunderstanding.

"Lotus flowers grow and bloom in the mud, symbolizing longevity and good fortune. Your granddaughter, though unworthy, respectfully offers this lotus flower from the lake to wish her grandmother boundless happiness and longevity."

Shen Jinshu noticed everyone's reaction and smiled smugly, thinking that her efforts to find this lake of lotus flowers had not been in vain.

"You've really put your heart into this, grandma is very pleased." Old Madam Shen held Shen Jinshu's hand tightly, smiling kindly, a truly heartwarming scene of grandmother and granddaughter affection.

Mingzhu pouted in annoyance, her eyes darting around, and said with ill intent, "Where's Song Zhiyu? She took way too long to change her clothes. I was wondering what kind of congratulatory gift she would give to the old lady."

She disliked Shen Jinshu, but she hated Song Zhiyu even more. If it weren't for Song Zhiyu's machinations at that lake excursion banquet, how could she have been ordered by the Empress Dowager to be sent to the brothel and become the laughingstock of the entire capital?

Now that she's finally found fault with Song Zhiyu, she has no choice but to seize the opportunity to make a scene.

Upon hearing her words, the guests realized that Song Zhiyu had not appeared since her clothes got wet.

Even when they delivered congratulatory gifts to the old lady, they didn't see her at all, which was really strange.