She arrived at the Marquis Zhong's residence in a graceful and proud manner, only to be led to the Lotus Garden by her servants.

Passing by pavilions and towers, and looking at the mansion that was several times more luxurious and spacious than the Biber residence,

His eyes were filled with longing and envy.

As soon as I entered the lotus garden, I heard bursts of giggles.

In the pavilion in the center of the lotus pond, several noble ladies were having tea and chatting. They were talking about something that made everyone cover their mouths and laugh.

Just then, a woman said, "Hey, she's here."

When everyone looked over, they saw Wen Wan, dressed in her finest attire, walking along the corridor, and couldn't help but show their disgust.

"It really is true what they say, 'You can do anything about it'."

"How tacky. No wonder he comes from a peasant background. He dresses like a nouveau riche."

"Alright, you're here. Compose your expressions. Don't forget you're here to do something for the Third Miss today."

Wen Wan walked into the pavilion and saw the group of noble ladies. She immediately became reserved, not knowing which of them were these noble ladies, or which one of them was Miss Wei. She quickly curtsied.

This action immediately elicited a burst of silvery laughter.

Wenwan, thinking everyone was being kind, couldn't help but laugh along.

Seeing her foolish appearance, the crowd lost even the will to make fun of her.

One of them greeted softly, "Miss Wen has arrived, please take a seat."

She thanked him gently and carefully sat down at the table.

She was waiting for everyone to introduce themselves, but instead, they continued chatting idly.

They mostly talked about interesting things in the capital or the palace.

She was somewhat displeased, but fearing she might offend someone, she could only suppress her anger and listen.

I wanted to find an opportunity to join in the conversation and blend in.

But she discovered that she knew nothing about many of the things they were talking about and couldn't join in the conversation at all.

Just as she was feeling restless, someone suddenly said, "Hey, speaking of which, I recently learned something that is related to Miss Wen."

Wen Wan thought the other person was talking about her, and looked up in surprise.

The other person happened to be looking over as well, and said with a smile, "By the way, Miss Wen, I wonder if you know? I heard that Wenrou is doing quite well in Lufeng City these days."

Upon hearing the name Wenrou, Wenwan's expression froze for a moment, and she unconsciously clenched her fist.

Hearing that she's actually doing quite well makes me feel really down.

She's been under tight control lately and doesn't have anyone she can use, so the plan Jia Shaoyang gave her has to be put on hold for now.

She thought of Wenrou, a woman who had been driven out of the capital, all alone, who might be robbed and abused by bandits on the road, and perhaps even die long ago.

I never expected to hear news about her again, and it's even good news.

The person next to them seemed to have heard it as well and immediately chimed in.

"What do you mean 'doing well'? That's called 'thriving' or 'flourishing'."

"Hey, what do you all know? Tell me in detail!"

"I also want to know how to make a fortune," someone asked Wen Wan.

The resentment and malice still lingered in Wen Wan's eyes as she looked up and hurriedly composed herself.

"I really didn't know that. My parents forbid anyone in the household from mentioning her anymore."

Everyone suddenly realized, but a hint of mockery flashed in their eyes.

"Let me start by saying that Wenrou really traded Chunyulu with Princess Fu'an for a farm and opened a restaurant in the city. I don't know where she found the chef, but it is said that the restaurant has been making a fortune since it opened, and her reputation has become very popular in Lufeng City."

Upon hearing this, Wen Wan's face turned even uglier, and she felt as if a thousand venomous snakes were crawling all over her.

But then someone said dismissively.

"Oh, I see. Well, it's just a merchant's thing, not something that can be taken seriously."

Her expression immediately relaxed.

Indeed, she is merely a lowly merchant, yet she, a woman, shows her face in public every day; it is utterly despicable.

This self-comfort helped me calm down a bit.

But then the man said, "Don't underestimate this restaurant. I've heard that the powerful and wealthy in Lufeng City love to go there, and many noblemen have taken a fancy to Wenrou and are vying to marry her."

"Oh, is that so? Well, she is indeed quite pretty with her gentle features."

"I've heard that there are many powerful and wealthy people in Lufeng City with connections in the capital. Who knows, one day they might be able to return to the capital in glory thanks to their husbands' influence."

"But she has no background now, so she can probably only be a concubine."

"So what? I think she's very capable. Even if she's a concubine, she'll eventually rise in status through her son and compete for the position of mistress."

Wen Wan listened to everyone's comments.

The handkerchief in her hand was almost torn to shreds, her chest heaved violently, and the resentment and jealousy in her eyes were almost overflowing.

Everyone looked at each other, exchanged glances, and couldn't help but smile.

They then naturally changed the subject and continued talking about other gossip and interesting stories.

Wenwan paid no attention to any of it, enduring the whole ordeal until everyone said they were tired and wanted to go back to rest.

She was sent out of the Marquis Zhong's mansion in a daze, not even knowing that the women she had talked to today were not noble ladies from other families.

They were just some concubine's daughters from the Wei family.

On her way back home, Wenwan's mind was filled with thoughts of how glamorous and wonderful Wenrou's life was now.

Enraged, she tore the handkerchief, her fingernails almost digging into her flesh.

"Why? Why do you always live such a good life? Why?!"

"Don't be so smug. I can crush you into the mud once, but I can do it again. Be gentle!"

The carriage stopped at the entrance of the Earl's mansion. She composed herself and stepped off the carriage onto the back of a servant.

Unexpectedly, a disheveled man suddenly rushed out from the side and grabbed her arm.

"Little sister, little sister, I've finally waited for you!"

Just as Wen Wan was about to scream, she heard a familiar voice and turned her head in surprise.

Then I saw Xu Baofu, disheveled and looking like a beggar.

"Big...you, how could you..."

Then she smelled a foul stench and couldn't help but frown in disgust, trying to shake off his hand. "Let go of me first."

Those nearby wanted to step forward to stop them, but upon realizing that the young lady seemed to know the other person, they could only continue to stand by.

Xu Baofu grasped at this straw as if it were his only hope.

"Little sister, I've been waiting for you for so long! Give me some money, your brother is starving!"

Xu Baofu does indeed live by begging now.

Last time, Yun Zhiyi ambushed me, and I had diarrhea for several days, almost killing me.

Later, despite his illness, he went to the Earl's mansion to look for someone, but was thrown back onto the street by the guards, who said that the Earl had ordered that his family members were not allowed to visit again.

He could only wait outside every day.

Today, Wen Wan finally appeared, so we must cling to this sliver of hope.

The two were pulling and tugging at each other outside the gate, attracting strange looks from many people.

Wen Wan blushed with embarrassment and wanted someone to pull him away.

Afraid that he would make a scene, I could only tear off my purse and stuff it into his hand.

"Get out of here right now, and don't come looking for me again!"

Upon receiving the purse, Xu Baofu excitedly began to examine it.

Upon discovering it was a packet of silver melon seeds, he excitedly turned and ran away, not listening to what she was saying.

Wen Wan gritted her teeth and warned everyone not to say a word before quickly returning to her residence.

Before he could even return to the hospital, he was taken to the Intermediate People's Court.

Her parents were already waiting in the hall. When they saw her arrive, they asked her about the day's events.

She dared not reveal anything about Wenrou, only saying that she got along very well with Miss Wei and several noble ladies.

After hearing this, the two smiled and breathed a sigh of relief.