"Madam Zhao is much younger than me, yet I never imagined that..."

Seeing that the fish had taken the bait, Jiang Yue deliberately brought up her age.

This conversation drew the attention of the other ladies present.

Yes, why is Madam Zhao a few years younger than this Lady Jiang, and why does Lady Jiang have no wrinkles and smooth skin?

They unconsciously touched their cheeks, all of them somewhat puzzled.

"May I ask, Your Highness, what are your skincare secrets? Could you please share them with me?"

"Yes, Your Highness, you must have a secret. I hope you will be so kind as to share it with me."

"My Lady~"

The bold ones didn't care about the feelings of the prefect's wife anymore. It's human nature to love beautiful women, and women are most afraid of getting old and losing their husbands' favor.

Even Zhang couldn't help but set aside her prejudices and listen attentively.

"When I passed through a town, I discovered a cosmetics shop called Spruce. I bought a lot of skincare products there, and to my surprise, the fine lines on my face have diminished considerably after using them..."

Jiang Yue wasn't afraid of being exposed; the shop opened by the Ye He sisters was indeed called Spruce.

It's just that the effects of the objects inside might not be that magical.

But everyone present was a lady, a lady of high standing, who usually spent her days watching plays, listening to music, and dressing up.

Upon hearing about a beauty and skincare method, they swarmed around it, completely forgetting about the prefect's wife.

Although Zhang was angry, she listened attentively. Spruce, is it? She made a note of it. After the banquet, she arranged for someone to go and buy some...

At the same time, Wang Sinian, surrounded by servants, also arrived near the pavilion in the middle of the lake.

At a glance, I spotted the most unique flower among all the others.

"This is Lady Jiang? She looks quite nice; she doesn't look like a woman who has given birth to several children."

Wang Sinian has too many peculiar habits to list.

He accepts all kinds of people, from virgins and young boys to young girls and beautiful young women!

As long as someone catches his eye, he will use every means to bring them under his control!

Now, he suddenly felt that the virgin who had accompanied him last night was too bland, and he set his sights on the beautiful woman...

Even though the other party was of a higher status than him, he didn't care.

She's just a woman. In Yunshui County, this is his territory. He can do whatever he wants. There's nothing he can't get!

"Master, shall we ask Madam to bring Lady Jiang over to pay her respects?"

"Yes, go. Take him to my study, understand?"

"Understood, this old servant obeys."

Wang Sinian nodded in satisfaction. This was truly his trusted confidant.

He went to the study first and drank a bowl of deer blood...

Upon hearing the steward's report, Madam Zhang frowned.

No matter how outrageous the master was in the past, he never brought anyone back to the manor like this. Now, why has he suddenly taken a fancy to someone...?

"Madam, Master has already gone to his study. We mustn't keep him waiting."

The butler offered a smiling reminder, while also subtly threatening the lady.

Both inside and outside the household, the master is the one who truly holds the reins!

Madam, please don't be ungrateful!

Otherwise, anyone would be scrambling to become the wife of the prefect's household.

Zhang's face turned cold. When did a mere steward in the manor start to give her attitude?

"Madam, the Prefect has not yet met the Lady. Perhaps you could introduce them?"

The nanny who was standing nearby stepped in just in time to ease the tension.

After the steward left, the old nanny whispered a few words in the lady's ear, and Zhang's complexion improved.

Yes, the flowers in the garden are never as fragrant as the wild ones; she can't possibly pick them all!

Since that's the case, then I'll just hold onto my position as the prefect's wife.

"Ladies, please move to the banquet hall. My wife and the princess have important matters to discuss."

As soon as the old woman appeared, everyone's excitement returned to normal.

They almost got carried away. This is the prefect's residence, not their own. They mustn't be so presumptuous.

Jiang Yue straightened her sleeves and skirt, remaining calm and composed.

A smile played at the corners of his lips, a smile that seemed both mocking and pitying.

Zhang wanted to take a closer look to see if she was seeing things, but when she saw the lady again, she saw that she had an indifferent expression.

Will you refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a penalty cup?

She was a woman with no strength to even kill a chicken. Although she was a county princess, she had no real power and no military authority. As a newcomer, wouldn't she be courting death if she didn't humble herself and act subserviently?

Alright, she agreed!

“My lady, my master invites you. He is usually very busy with official duties, but knowing that you are coming to the mansion today, he specially invites you to his study for a chat.”

Zhang smiled and spoke politely, but her demeanor left no room for refusal.

"I have been in Yunshui County for several days now, busy with the repairs to my residence, and have not had time to think things through. Since the Prefect is available today, I would like to trouble Madam Zhang to lead the way."

Jiang Yue's words were flawless, silencing the other party from further discussion.

Zhang swallowed her anger, her smile becoming somewhat forced.

She's just a country bumpkin, hardly fit for a refined setting!

To order around a mere prefect's wife to lead the way is truly—

This is outrageous!

"Wow, this artificial mountain is truly beautiful. I have never seen such a beautiful artificial mountain in all my years."

"Since the Princess likes it, then I will send someone to deliver it to the Princess's residence so that the Princess can admire it day and night, shall I?"

"Great! That's wonderful!"

"....."

Zhang was so angry that her mouth twisted in disbelief. She thought to herself that she had never seen such a difficult woman!

Aunt Ge suppressed a laugh and followed closely behind the Princess.

Her family's princess is not one to suffer losses.

Just wait and see, reinforcements will be here soon.

Yes, that's right, Jiang Yue is stalling for time.

How could a prefect who spends his days indulging in debauchery and revelry be expected to take office on time and handle affairs?

The yamen was practically useless; it was utterly helpless against the legitimate soldiers sent by Lord Liu.

Chen Junwei has investigated and found that he is a righteous man who hates evil and is a mortal enemy of Wang Sinian!

This person is both righteous and wicked, but when faced with major issues of right and wrong, it is easy to persuade him.

Censor Zhang is one of Wang Sinian's men. There's no need to win him over; just arrest him, torture him severely, and it's only a matter of time before he confesses.

Finally, the two forces went straight to the prefectural governor's mansion!

Zhang set up a trap, but she took a risky move to strike at the heart of the enemy!

Before Wang Sinian could react, they captured him alive!

She had been racking her brains for a way to get close to him, but now it seemed she didn't need to bother. His wonderful wife had provided her with a perfect excuse...

In the study—

The butler emerged from the secret room, a smile on his face, and bowed to the master, saying:

"Sir, everything inside has been rearranged; I guarantee you'll be very comfortable."

"Yes, I trust you to handle things."

"It is my honor to serve you, sir."

"Go down and see if the lady has brought the game over."

"This old servant obeys!"

The butler slowly withdrew, and after leaving the room, he saw the lady leading a group of people towards the study.

He felt a huge sense of relief; the wife was secured, and now it was up to him.