The man was struck as if by lightning.

His pupils trembled slightly.

The chill that enveloped him was like solid ice that had been struck by a heavy blow, shattering inch by inch, about to disappear completely.

There was a hint of mockery and sarcasm in her eyes.

So vivid, so moving.

Unlike last time, she was no longer calm and collected, keeping everyone at arm's length.

However.

The next instant, she quickly withdrew her hand, forcefully pushed open the sandalwood door of the private room, tiptoed out, and then closed the door behind her.

The movements were fluid and seamless, so fast that no one could react in time.

The man in the private room, whose expression had softened considerably, instantly turned grim.

Zhou Shuyan glanced at the door of the private room, frowned, and asked in a low voice, "Is someone inside?"

Su Wanwan made up a casual excuse and followed Zhou Shuyan to another private room.

Lu Xingjian was dressed in casual clothes, clearly indicating that he had come here to conceal his identity.

She also didn't want anyone to know about her time alone with him.

A girl of about thirteen or fourteen years old stood in the private room, dressed in the uniform of Cuiyun Tower, her hands nervously clasped together.

Su Wanwan only glanced at the little girl a few times before hugging her tightly in her arms, and the two sisters burst into tears.

"Sister, I've finally met you!" The little girl cried her heart out.

She is Su Wanying, the daughter of Su Wanwan's uncle.

"Don't be afraid, your sister is here." Su Wanwan's eyes were red, and she didn't ask in detail about the hardships the little girl had experienced over the years.

After the two sisters quieted down, Zhou Shuyan lowered her voice and said, "It's good that you didn't mistake them for someone else. I'll put in some effort to redeem them."

Su Wanwan was very grateful. "I'll pay for it. Please don't tell anyone."

If people were to find out about her past experience working at the brothel, Su Wanying's reputation would be ruined, making it extremely difficult for her to get married in the future.

The Jiaofangsi was a court institution under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites, and its staff consisted of the families and servants of disgraced officials.

Redeeming someone from their registered status is much more difficult than in a typical brothel, and the cost is several times higher.

However, in recent years, even the death penalty for corruption can be bought off with money and grain, let alone just redeeming a person.

As long as you can afford it, there's always a way.

Zhou Shuyan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Su Wanwan's dowry was as generous as a princess's. With her words, he only needed to run errands, and things would be much easier.

"Aunt Wan, you and Wanxiu should go back to the Qingyun Marquis's residence and wait for me. I will come back to see you after I finish my business."

Su Wanwan paused, then frowned and asked, "Is there a side door leading out from here?"

She didn't want to run into Lu Xingjian again.

The warmth of his lips still lingered in her clenched hands.

The slightly prickly feel of the stubble made her extremely uncomfortable.

nausea.

I really want to wash my hands right away.

I wonder how many beauties he has tasted, and whether he has contracted any diseases.

She shouldn't have touched him.

I just covered my mouth, so I shouldn't get infected, right?

She thought with a glimmer of hope.

Cuiyun Tower certainly has hidden doors for those who do not wish to reveal their identities.

Su Wanwan left safely.

Lu Xingjian stood expressionlessly in a private room on the second floor of Cuiyun Tower, his slender fingers gently pinching a corner of the gauze curtain as he looked down at the people coming and going at the entrance.

Manager Li entered with trepidation, feeling the room was terribly cold, and sneezed twice.

"Master, Madam Su has already left. She said she went to visit relatives at the Qingyun Marquis's residence and the Changning Earl's residence."

"Go check, does she also frequent brothels in Jinling?" Lu Xingjian's voice was devoid of any emotion.

Steward Li responded in agreement, not daring to utter a single word more, unsure of what he had done to anger this man.

...

The late Empress Dowager Zhou had two younger brothers. The elder brother was Marquis Qingyun, Zhou An, who was Zhou Wanxiu's great-grandfather.

Su Wanwan's second younger brother, Zhou Hua, the Earl of Changning, was her maternal grandfather.

Grandpa Zhou Hua and Grandma Chen were both over sixty years old when they saw their granddaughter Su Wanwan come to visit them, and they were so happy that tears streamed down their faces.

Su Wanwan's mother was their youngest daughter, who passed away at a young age when Su Wanwan was only six months old.

Empress Dowager Zhou, out of love for Wanwan, took her under her wing and arranged for someone to take care of her until she got married.

Dinner was eaten together at the Qingyun Marquis's residence, and the house was filled with laughter and joy, making it a lively and festive occasion.

Male and female guests sat separately, filling four large round tables.

Cousins, both acquaintances and nephews, came up to toast her, and Su Wanwan also toasted the elders. After several rounds, she was about half-drunk, and two rosy blushes appeared on her cheeks.

Mrs. Chen hugged Su Wanwan, her eyes reddening: "You are more blessed than your mother..."

Zhou Wanxiu interjected, "That night, Auntie was very open-minded; she didn't even have to give birth herself."

These words made everyone present a little embarrassed, unsure of how to respond.

They all knew that Su Wanwan had separated from her husband on the second day of their marriage, and it was unlikely that she could conceive overnight.

Now that her husband is dead, even the position of Lady of Wei, which was almost within her grasp, is about to slip away. It makes one sigh at the tragic fate of a beautiful woman.

The title of Duke of Wei is different from the titles of these relatives of the emperor, which can only be passed down for one or two generations. The title of Duke of Wei is hereditary and can be passed down indefinitely.

Even if they did nothing, their annual salary of 3,500 shi (a unit of dry measure) would be enough to live comfortably, not to mention the reputation of their century-old family, ensuring their children's marriages would be successful.

Su Wanwan smiled faintly and poured a glass of wine for Madam Chen: "Grandmother, please try this Jinhua wine. If you like it, I will send it to you every year."

Mrs. Chen's hand trembled slightly as she held the wine glass, and tears welled up in her eyes again.

"What, you're going to go to such a far place as Jinling, so that I, an old man, won't see you for years?"

Su Wanwan nestled in Madam Chen's arms, acting coquettishly:

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