As they were talking, Marquis Qingyun arrived with the elders and juniors of his household, and the room instantly filled with people, creating quite a lively scene.

The people inside the room were exchanging pleasantries.

Zhou Wanxiu squeezed next to Su Wanwan, and was about to pull her arm to show affection, but she saw Su Wanying sitting next to Su Wanwan.

Su Wanwan gently tucked the stray hairs from Su Wanying's cheek behind her ear.

Zhou Wanxiu was slightly taken aback and awkwardly withdrew her hand.

She and Su Wanwan had also shared such intimate and warm sisterly moments.

I don't know when it started, but the simple kinship between them is gone.

Su Wanwan pretended not to see the displeasure on her face and said with a smile, "Wanying is an elder, so she should give you New Year's money."

As he spoke, he took two red envelopes from He Ying's hand, giving one to Wan Ying and handing the other to Zhou Wan Xiu.

Zhou Wanxiu awkwardly accepted the red envelope from her cousin, gritted her teeth, and got straight to the point, whispering:

"Aunt Wan, have you heard the rumors lately?"

"Hmm? Which one are you referring to?"

Su Wanwan looked at her intently.

Zhou Wanxiu whispered in Su Wanwan's ear:

"The palace is about to appoint a new empress. What will you do if the emperor insists on making that unruly concubine Ma Ji the empress?"

"She has a grudge against you, how can you maintain your foothold in the capital?"

Su Wanwan frowned:

"yes."

"So..." Zhou Wanxiu looked at her expectantly, "You have to think of a way, we absolutely can't let her succeed!"

At this moment, Marquis Zhou An of Qingyun had already taken his seat. His gaze fell upon this side, and he asked with a kind smile:

What are you whispering about?

Zhou Wanxiu's expression was somewhat unnatural.

Su Wanwan remained calm and did not intend to respond to that.

Su Wanying, however, said with a smile, "Grandfather, we were talking about choosing an empress."

"Wanxiu said that Ma Ji is the future empress."

Zhou An narrowed his eyes, feigning displeasure but with a smile on his face:

"Nonsense! This is no place for us to discuss such an important matter."

It wouldn't be bad if the new empress were Su Wanwan. At least she has a fairly close relationship with the Zhou family.

Zhou Hua quickly tried to smooth things over:

"It's time to begin the meal. Let's take our seats."

Because the Qingyun Marquis's residence and the Changning Earl's residence together were quite large, they were divided into two east and west halls, which were set up as separate banquet halls for men and women.

Just then, someone came to report: "The Emperor has arrived."

Marquis Qingyun, Zhou An, revealed a meaningful smile, glanced at Su Wanwan lightly, and then led everyone to greet the emperor.

Su Wanwan stepped back and hid behind the screen.

When the girl in the dark dragon robe appeared with a young woman named Maggie in a red dress, she felt that her actions were absolutely correct.

Things shouldn't happen more than three times.

She had already witnessed such a chaotic scene twice.

I really don't want to see it a third time.

Her heart isn't that strong.

Su Wanwan left directly through the side door.

This is the main hall in the front courtyard of the Marquis of Changning's mansion.

Su Wanwan found a maid and asked her to lead her to her maternal grandmother's residence for a while.

The maid was in a bit of a dilemma:

"There are a few rooms over there. If you would like to take a rest, that would be more suitable, as it's closer."

Su Wanwan just wanted to leave this place as soon as possible and avoid meeting Lu Xingjian, so she followed the maid to the side room.

The flower hall was so solemn that hardly any voices could be heard coming from there.

Su Wanwan listened intently, and her heart, which had been pounding in her chest, calmed down slightly.

The maidservant went out to make her tea.

Su Wanwan sat down, feeling uneasy. When she heard the door open again, she flinched and looked towards the doorway.

A tall, upright figure stood at the entrance, his face obscured by the backlight.

Su Wanwan's heart pounded like thunder.

He stood up and walked further into the house, trying to escape.

But this room was only so big; it only took a few steps to reach the rosewood display shelf against the wall.

Su Wanwan simply turned her back to the door and pretended to admire the Ru ware slender-necked flower arch on the shelf.

But his ears clearly heard the light footsteps getting closer and closer behind him.

My heart was beating faster and faster, almost as if it would jump out of my chest.

When the footsteps stopped, a pair of long, strong hands embraced her from behind.

"Why are you hiding, huh?"

A quiet male voice sounded from above.

Frustrated, Su Wanwan pushed his hand away, walked to the middle of the room behind him, and asked somewhat irrelevantly:

What are you doing here?

Shouldn't he be spending time intimately with Yu Ji?

Lu Xingjian chuckled, his tone carrying a hint of mockery:

"Of course, I've come to see my wife."

Su Wanwan, with a stern face, pointed towards the flower hall:

"Your wife is over there."

Lu Xingjian slowly stepped forward, hugged her from behind again, and then kissed her on the cheek.

"My wife is here."

The man's faint scent of ambergris enveloped her.

Su Wanwan tried to break free, but this time it was difficult for her to do so.

She said somewhat angrily, "Who's your wife?"

Lu Xingjian raised an eyebrow and said with a hint of nonchalance:

"Your promise to Weizhou City is still ringing in our ears; are you now unwilling to acknowledge it?"

"No, I don't want to."

Lu Xingjian narrowed his long, narrow eyes slightly, a sly glint in them.

"Then I'll kiss you until you admit it."

As he spoke, he lifted Su Wanwan's chin and kissed her fiercely.

He looked fierce with his bared teeth and claws, but the kisses that landed on her lips were actually very gentle.

Su Wanwan lost her balance and fell backward into his arms.

A familiar yet unfamiliar scent wafted over me.

It seemed like it had been a long time since the two of them had been this close.

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