Yun Pingting was genuinely planning to stay at the Tao family's house. She sent Bai Tao back to the inn to retrieve her belongings and inform Zhu Yan. However, Zhu Yan hadn't returned when Bai Tao went back, so she had to collect her things first and then go back to wait.

"Pingting went to the Tao family?" Zhu Yan was very surprised when he returned and learned that Yun Pingting had moved away with all her belongings.

“That’s right. Our young lady went to the Star-Picking Tower and reunited with Manager Tao after a long separation. She then suggested staying at the Tao family’s place,” Bai Tao replied. “Young Master Zhu, I’ve been waiting here for you to tell me this. Now that I’ve delivered the message, I’ll head over to the young lady’s place!”

Zhu Yan was initially surprised, but quickly regained his composure and did not object.

“Since Pingting likes to stay there, then please stay for a few days. Miss Baitao asked me to pass on a message: once I finish what I’m doing, I’ll go to Zhaixing Tower to visit Manager Tao and discuss matters related to Zhaixing Tower in Sifang City,” Zhu Yan said in a gentle and refined manner.

Bai Tao responded and left the inn. Upon arriving at the Tao family home, she relayed Zhu Yan's words to Tao Wanniang.

During the day, Tao Wanniang continued to attend to her business at the restaurant, while Yun Pingting spent time with Chen Lian and Xiao Qiao'er at the Tao family home.

“Master Shen, the spring sunshine is so bright, why don’t you take Xiao Qiao’er out for a walk, and bring me along too?” Yun Pingting said to Shen Lian when she felt bored. “You know An Feng, he’s very skilled and can protect us. Bai Tao is also very powerful.”

Chen Lian wasn't a stubborn teacher, and Yun Pingting was right; the spring sunshine was bright and beautiful, and they shouldn't waste it.

“Alright, since you’ve come all this way, I know there’s a garden in the capital at this time of year where all the flowers are in full bloom and people are flying kites. It’s quite a lively and beautiful place,” Chen Lian said. “Little Qiao’er, let’s go for a stroll together!”

"Okay." Little Qiao'er couldn't be happier than agreeing.

Zhang Liang was initially worried about Shen Lian and Xiao Qiao'er going out together, but when he saw Yun Pingting and the other two guards together, he remained silent and could only watch them leave.

"Brother Zhang, weren't you worried? Why didn't you come along?" Yang Bai asked, somewhat puzzled.

"That girl is as beautiful as a fairy. Even your brother Zhang felt embarrassed standing next to her," Zhang Liang said truthfully. Yun Pingting was so beautiful that he didn't dare to get too close.

Yang Bai agreed, but he felt that no matter how beautiful the woman was, it had nothing to do with him. Thinking this way, he naturally felt no pressure.

"Brother Zhang, I don't really think they'll even glance at us."

"Stop speaking the truth, get to work." Zhang Liang sighed. He used to be a bandit leader and had seen a lot, but he couldn't compare to the knowledge he gained from being a guard for Tao Wanniang.

When Chen Lian and her group appeared in Liufang Garden, they attracted quite a bit of attention.

Shen Lian was elegant and beautiful, while Yun Pingting was so beautiful that it was hard to look away. The two walked together, attracting the attention of men and women in the garden.

Compared to Yun Pingting's habits, Chen Lian felt somewhat awkward.

"Who is it? It's Master Shen!" A sudden voice rang out, and Shen Lian's face stiffened, but she quickly regained her composure and said, "Minister Liu, Madam Liu, it's been a long time."

The man looked to be in his late twenties, and his wife was heavily pregnant. When they saw Chen Lian, neither of them looked too pleased.

"Chen Lian, it's been a long time. Are you still all alone?" Liu Yunliang looked at Chen Lian with an unusual gaze.

“Chen Lian, I am pregnant now, and my husband is lacking a caring person by his side. If you are willing, I will have my husband send a small sedan chair to welcome you into the house.” Although Liu Yangshi said with a smile, her words made Shen Lian frown.

“Minister Liu, Madam Liu, I have long since severed all ties with you. How I live my life is none of your business,” Chen Lian said with displeasure.

"That's right, who do you think you are? Our Master Shen is talented and handsome, and you still want her to be your concubine? Are you out of your mind?" Yun Pingting said angrily.

The insults coming from Yun Pingting weren't actually that bad. Liu Yangshi glared at Yun Pingting, but couldn't bring herself to say anything offensive.

“I’m sorry, Shen Lian, although our previous engagement didn’t happen, my wife said that because she saw you all alone. We all know each other, and she actually wanted to take care of you,” Liu Yunliang explained. “Since you have no intention of marrying me, then we won’t bring it up again.”

After saying that, Liu Yunliang pulled Liu Yangshi past Chen Lian, but he clearly turned back again, though it was unclear whether he was looking at Chen Lian or Yun Pingting.

"Pah!" Yun Pingting snapped. Although she didn't know the reason, she had a prejudice against the couple because she saw Chen Lian's dissatisfaction.

"Master Shen, don't take the words of irrelevant people to heart," Yun Pingting comforted Shen Lian.

"Thank you, Miss Yun. You are beautiful inside and out," Chen Lian said with a forced smile.

“Master Shen, if he bullies you, we’ll tell Mother, and Mother will help you!” Little Qiao’er comforted him.

Chen Lian forced a smile and said in a relaxed manner, "It's not worth it. They are indeed insignificant people."

After walking a few steps, Chen Lian spoke again: "Liu Yunliang was my former fiancé. My father was a well-known Confucian scholar. Back then, he went to the capital to take the imperial examination and became my father's student. My father saw that he had a promising future, so he arranged for me to marry him."

Yun Pingting and Xiao Qiao'er both looked at Chen Lian quietly, not knowing what to say for a moment.

"But later he really did pass the imperial examination and even entered the Ministry of Works, where he caught the eye of Yang Yun, the daughter of his superior. He decisively broke off his engagement with me and married Yang Yun!" Shen Lian said. "My father was already in poor health, and he passed away after that. I was influenced by my father from a young age and was quite well-read. After the engagement was broken off, I observed three years of mourning for my father, and later, through my father's friends, I became a tutor in several households."

Shen Lian spoke calmly, saying that from the age of sixteen to twenty-six, she had let go of all those loves, hates, and grudges!

"Pah, what a scoundrel!" Yun Pingting said angrily. "Master Shen, you should be glad you didn't end up with someone like that."

"Yes, I'm glad!" Chen Lian nodded.

"Master Shen, don't be sad. Mother said that if a woman lives well on her own, it has nothing to do with men." Xiao Qiao'er tugged at Shen Lian's sleeve, encouraging and comforting her.

“Your mother is right,” Shen Lian nodded, but when she looked up again, her expression became somewhat awkward.

Ling Yunzhou was pestered by Hailan, and after hearing from his subordinates that women liked to come here, he accompanied Hailan.

There are some flowers and plants, and people are flying kites on the grass. What's so fun about that?

"Madam Shen, who is that person?" Yun Pingting followed Shen Lian's gaze, somewhat curious.

“That is General Ling of Lingyun Continent,” Shen Lian said.

“He is the father of my mother and child,” Xiao Qiao’er added.

Yun Pingting immediately became interested. Tao Wanniang's ex-husband? She had to take a good look at him!

"Come on, let's go up and say hello!"