"If you need anything in the future, please feel free to come to Yushang Pavilion to find me. The master has given the order, and we will all be at your disposal."

And this outfit, it was made by the master himself. Now, it has finally found its master.

Yunxi took out the store's prized possession, the "Flowing Skirt," which everyone had been eyeing, and carefully presented it with both hands.

*

After leaving Yushang Pavilion, Song Zhiyu turned a corner and headed towards the Duke's Mansion.

She wondered how Ling Yuan's leg was doing during the two days she was recovering from her injury.

Now that her hand has almost fully recovered, she doesn't want to delay any longer and needlessly slow down the treatment process.

After walking through the long corridor, Song Zhiyu arrived at the main hall of the Duke's mansion, which was full of people, including several unfamiliar faces who were staring at her with smiles on their faces.

"Zhiyu, is your injury any better? If I had sent someone to take you back that day, this wouldn't have happened." Old Madam Ling suddenly stood up, took a few steps forward, grabbed Song Zhiyu's hand, and looked at her with concern.

Song Zhiyu felt the warm touch on the back of her hand and inexplicably felt a sense of care similar to that of family. She showed gratitude and said, "Thank you for your concern, Madam. My injury has healed well and will not delay Young Master Ling's treatment. Please rest assured."

She thought the old lady was worried about Ling Yuan's legs, but she never expected that the old lady was concerned about her.

Madam Ling chuckled helplessly, "Silly child, Yuan'er's leg has improved thanks to your treatment. What we're worried about is your safety."

She couldn't help but regret not sending someone to protect Song Zhiyu that day, which almost led to her suffering a great disaster.

Fortunately, His Highness the Crown Prince happened to pass by and saved Song Zhiyu's life; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

"Madam, please don't blame yourself. None of us expected this to happen. Although I don't know martial arts, I still have some ability to protect myself, and it will definitely not happen again."

Looking into Old Madam Ling's slightly cloudy eyes, which couldn't hide her worry and concern, Song Zhiyu felt a warm current slowly flow through her heart.

At the same time, a spirited female voice rang out, "Grandmother, don't worry. From now on, I will protect Miss Song, and no one will dare to hurt her again."

The crowd looked in the direction of the voice and saw a woman dressed in a black and red robe, with her hair tied in a high ponytail, sharp eyebrows, distinct features, and a determined and confident look in her eyes. She was walking towards them with a long whip in her hand and firm steps.

"I have long heard of Miss Song's great reputation and have been eagerly anticipating meeting you. I am Ling Wushuang, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Ling Wushuang, the first female general of the Lintian Dynasty.

Following in her father's footsteps, after her brother became crippled and her grandfather and father died in battle, she resolutely took over the Ling family army, fought on the front lines, and drove the enemy into retreat. She was truly a woman who was no less capable than any man.

After hearing about Ling Wushuang's deeds in his previous life, Song Zhiyu admired her greatly.

It's a pity that such a radiant woman ultimately...

"Miss Ling, it's a pleasure to meet you." Song Zhiyu's eyes sparkled with excitement, pleased to have the honor of witnessing the female general's demeanor.

Ling Wushuang had heard about Song Zhiyu from her family before, so she wasn't too surprised when she first saw her appearance.

Whether it was because Song Zhiyu's similar features to her grandmother made her feel a sense of kinship, or because of Song Zhiyu's unreliable family members, she felt a sense of pity for Song Zhiyu.

“Grandmother, from now on I will escort Zhiyu back, and I will never let anyone bully her.”

Old Madam Ling trusted Ling Wushuang very much, and coincidentally, she had the same idea; the two of them were of one mind.

"Alright, then Zhiyu will be in your care from now on. You must let those people know that Zhiyu is backed by the Duke of Ling's Mansion, and anyone who dares to harm her is going against the Duke of Ling's Mansion."

"If anyone dares to bully Zhiyu, feel free to take action. Even if the sky falls, Grandma will be there to watch over things."

Ling Wushuang had been practicing martial arts with her father since she was a child. Although she was a girl, her skills were in no way inferior to those of the soldiers in the army.

With her protecting Song Zhiyu, she didn't need to worry too much.

Moreover, Madam Ling had some understanding of her granddaughter's personality.

Although she was heroic and bold, she had an unruly and unrestrained personality, just like her brother.

She wouldn't even bother with someone she genuinely likes, so why would she offer to help?

*

The Marquis of Chengen's Residence.

Shen Yanxi stood blocking the entrance to the Marquis's mansion, his eyes, blazing with anger, fixed on the gate.

He suffered such a huge loss today, and even made Shu'er lose face. Since he couldn't do anything to Yunxi, he blamed all the mistakes on Song Zhiyu.

How could he not see that Miss Yun from Yushang Pavilion was intentionally favoring Song Zhiyu?

If Song Zhiyu had cared even a little about the reputation of the Marquis's mansion or his brother at all, they wouldn't have been thrown out of Yushang Pavilion in such a sorry state, left to be pointed at and gossiped about by others.

"I told you to take good care of Shu'er, and this is how you take care of her. Her eyes are swollen from crying. You know she can't handle any stress, yet you let her be bullied like this by Song Zhiyu." Shen Mingyi grabbed Shen Yanxi by the collar, his face so dark it could drip water.

His beloved younger sister, Shu'er, who valued her reputation so much, suffered such a humiliating disgrace.

He will not let either Yu Changge or Song Zhiyu go.

Shen Yanxi did not refute, but held his head with a look of remorse, "It was my fault for not protecting Shu'er."

Seeing that Shen Mingyi opened his mouth as if to say something, Shen Yuzhou stopped him in time, putting on the air of an elder brother, "That's enough, it's not entirely Yan Xi's fault, calm down. When Song Zhiyu comes back, we'll ask her properly."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the sound of a carriage came from the doorway.

As soon as Song Zhiyu stepped off the carriage, her wrist was firmly grabbed by Shen Yanxi, who immediately confronted her with intense anger and rebuke.

"Song Zhiyu, you've hurt me and Shu'er so badly, how dare you come back?"

Song Zhiyu coldly stared at the large hand on her wrist. The man's strength was so great that it left red marks on her hand.

"Let go." Song Zhiyu's tone was indifferent, but the coldness in her eyes was already evident.

"What can I do if I don't let you go? You..." Shen Yanxi's smug expression didn't last long. The pain in his hand silenced him instantly, and his face turned deathly pale.

"Yanxi!"

The crowd gasped in shock, staring in disbelief as Shen Yanxi's hands gradually turned black, slowly corroded by the poison, with some areas even revealing the white bone beneath.

Shen Muxun quickly realized what was happening, took Shen Yanxi's hand and applied the medicine, successfully stopping the poison from taking effect on him.

However, half of his hand was still corroded, and it would be difficult to heal in a short time.