The following afternoon, Su Miao and Shen Changji went to the Taipu Mansion together.
Shen Changji thought Su Miao would cause a scene, but to his surprise, the woman covered her head with a handkerchief and fell asleep as soon as she got into the carriage...
Even with the cloth covering her face, he could still see her beautiful and charming features beneath it.
He glanced at it a few more times, then looked away.
He admitted that Su Miao's every smile and frown was captivating.
They remained very quiet throughout the journey.
Su Miao woke up upon arriving at the Liu residence and followed Shen Changji off the carriage.
Knowing that Shen Changji was coming, Liu Taipu, along with Liu Wangshi and Liu Jiaojiao, waited for Shen Changji at the door.
Liu Muxuan was the only one missing.
Su Miao had heard before she arrived that Lady Liu had brought her distant cousin over on the occasion of Liu Jiaojiao's birthday, presumably intending to arrange a marriage between them.
What Lady Liu was planning, you'll know if you think about it carefully.
Su Miao lowered her eyes, feigning a weak appearance.
Upon seeing Shen Changji, the head of the group, Liu Taipu, smiled and said, "Ziji has arrived!"
His eyes made no attempt to hide his fondness for the long silence.
"Chen Lang, you've finally come to my birthday celebration this year," Liu Jiaojiao said shyly.
In previous years, the Shen family sent their second and third branches of the family to come over, but this year is different.
"Yes, the birthday gift is coming up later. I chose your favorite one."
"Shen Lang, you're too kind. You've given me so many things all the time, and I still can't use them all!" Liu Jiaojiao said, blushing.
Upon hearing this, those around him remarked that General Shen truly doted on this Miss Liu.
“It’s alright, it’s your birthday today,” Chen Changji said.
Seeing how good the relationship was between Liu Jiaojiao and Shen Changji, Madam Liu's smile deepened. At least Shen Changji had given her the respect she deserved.
"This must be the cousin from the Duke's mansion, right?" Liu Taipu noticed Su Miao behind Shen Changji.
Su Miao hadn't expected Liu Taipu to mention her... after all, her status wasn't exactly respectable.
"Yes, Miao'er greets everyone!"
Su Miao bowed gracefully, glanced timidly at the people present, and quickly lowered her head, appearing weak and cowardly.
A dark glint flashed in Liu Taipu's eyes, and he couldn't help but glance at him a few more times.
"Alright, stop standing at the door, the banquet is about to begin," Lady Liu urged.
"The blessing tea hasn't been served yet this morning!" said Liu Taipu.
“I almost forgot about this! Every year on her birthday, Jiaojiao goes up the mountain early in the morning to pray for blessings. This water is spring water. Although it’s not much, it’s been offered with incense. Drinking it will bring good fortune in the future!” said Madam Liu.
“In previous years, we used this water for our own purposes, but this year is different. Ziji will be part of our family sooner or later.”
"That's really thoughtful of you." Shen Changji's lips curled slightly.
Su Miao had heard about this before, but she didn't expect to get a drink herself. She guessed it was because of Shen Changji...
She hesitated for a moment, then picked up the glass and drank it all in one gulp.
Seeing that Shen Changji had finished his tea, Liu Jiaojiao smiled and said, "Shen Lang, please."
Because men and women were separated, Su Miao went to the women's section as soon as she entered.
All the guests at Liu Jiaojiao's birthday celebration were prominent young ladies from noble families, and her presence was solely due to the Duke's mansion.
As soon as she entered, Su Miao could feel those contemptuous and disdainful gazes falling on her.
Since the banquet hadn't started yet, everyone was chatting and laughing, creating a cheerful atmosphere.
Su Miao didn't care; she wished everyone would treat her like she was invisible.
She took Tao'er to a pavilion in the distance to find some peace and quiet.
As soon as Su Miao sat down, she couldn't help but look towards the men's section, where she saw a familiar, tall figure standing out in the crowd.
Shen Changji was a favorite of the emperor, and everyone wanted to take this opportunity to get closer to General Shen.
"That's wonderful," Su Miao murmured.
Su Miao was lost in thought when she was suddenly interrupted by a voice.
"This must be Miss Su? The master needs to speak with you privately."
"Master? Master Liu?" Su Miao frowned slightly.
"Yes! It's probably about you and the young master," the maid said.
Since things have come to this point, it would be incredibly ungrateful of Su Miao not to go.
She got up and led Tao'er over, but halfway there the maid had something to do and could only point them in a direction.
Su Miao didn't pay much attention, because there are some things that should indeed be kept quiet.
But the more Su Miao walked, the more she felt something was wrong. Most importantly, she felt inexplicably hot all over...
"Miss, I have a bad feeling!" Tao'er said alertly.
No sooner had these words been spoken than the master and servant heard a blush-inducing, suggestive sound...
It seems to belong to Liu Taipu!
Before Su Miao got close, she heard a loud "bang".
A woman, her clothes disheveled, rushed out of the house, her face still flushed with the afterglow of passion.
The moment she saw Su Miao, she rushed straight towards her.
"You bitch! You actually ruined my life!"
Before Su Miao could react, she instinctively closed her eyes as the slap was about to land.
The expected pain did not materialize.
"Do you think you can just mess with the people from the Duke's mansion?" Shen Changji said coldly.
The other party was greatly surprised when they saw Shen Changji.
"General Shen..."
He pulled Su Miao into his arms, "Are you alright?"
She wanted to answer that she was fine, but as soon as she got close to the man's body, she felt terrible... the heat inside her body was raging.
Shen Changji noticed Su Miao's flushed face, his eyes darkening as if he had realized something.
He picked her up in one swift motion.
Turning around, Shen Changji saw Liu Jiaojiao standing behind him.
"She's injured, so she probably won't be able to attend the banquet later. As for this woman, the Duke's mansion demands an explanation."
He glanced at the woman behind him, then, after speaking, hurriedly left with Su Miao in his arms.
Even through their clothes, Shen Changji could feel the fever in the person in his arms...
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