Song Zhiyu didn't respond, but just looked at her calmly, with a slight smile on her lips, and deflected her words with ease, "My aunt has finally come back, it's the perfect time to show filial piety, how can I, as a junior, compete with my elders?"
"That's right. Madam Yang has been married for many years and has only come back a few times. Now she has brought her whole family to seek refuge in the Marquis's mansion, but she is not even willing to spend this little bit of money. It's a bit unreasonable."
“We are all aware of the rules of the Treasure Pavilion. We can’t break the rules just because you can’t afford to pay. Others won’t be happy about that.”
"..."
Because of those sarcastic remarks, these ladies had already silently taken note of Shen Ru and were eager to see her make a fool of herself.
Shen Ru failed to outmaneuver Song Zhiyu and instead became a laughingstock. Her eyes turned red with anger, and she began to speak recklessly, "No wonder my brother didn't want you back then. Shu'er is a thousand times better than you."
Upon hearing this, Song Zhiyu narrowed her eyes, her cold gaze carrying a hint of pressure. "What did you say?"
Noticing the whispers around her, Shen Ru realized with a start that she had said something she shouldn't have.
"You misheard me, I didn't say anything?" Shen Ru denied it outright, but her flustered eyes still revealed something was wrong.
Song Zhiyu approached Shen Ru step by step, his steps slow and steady, each step seeming to strike Shen Ru's heart.
"Aunt, what do you mean by saying 'No wonder Father didn't want me back then'? I was stolen by bad guys, so how could I be involved with Father? Do you know something?"
Song Zhiyu's three consecutive questions caught Shen Ru off guard. She subconsciously swallowed and couldn't help but take two steps back. "I didn't mean anything. I was just angry and said some things without thinking."
Song Zhiyu's eyes flickered slightly. She guessed that Shen Ru must be related to what happened back then, and even involved in it, otherwise she wouldn't have reacted this way.
It seems that besides Chen the wet nurse, she has found a new breakthrough.
“Aunt, I heard that the person who delivered my mother’s baby was a wet nurse surnamed Chen…” Before Song Zhiyu could finish speaking, she felt a strong force pushing her backward from her shoulder.
"Miss!" Lu Bai reacted the fastest and tried to reach out to grab Song Zhiyu, but she was still a step too late.
The others present were also startled, not expecting Shen Ru to suddenly make a move. If Song Zhiyu, with her delicate skin, were to fall, she would suffer greatly.
"Be careful." A lazy yet magnetic voice sounded from above her head. Song Zhiyu felt a pair of strong hands wrap around her waist, firmly stabilizing her body.
After she regained her footing, the man quickly withdrew his hand and winked at her.
Song Zhiyu's pupils widened slightly. She tried hard to suppress the upturned corners of her lips, straightened up, and quickly stepped forward to slap Shen Ru.
With a sharp "smack," Shen Ru's right cheek instantly swelled up, and several clear red marks appeared on it.
Her eyes widened in disbelief. "You dare hit me?"
"Then you'll see if I dare to do it or not." Song Zhiyu sneered, raising her hand to deliver another heavy slap, showing no restraint in her strength.
Shen Jinhua finally snapped out of her shock. She verbally rebuked him, but hesitated to step forward. "Song Zhiyu, that's enough. She's an elder. How could you lay a hand on her?"
“You’re right, then you take the beating for her.” Song Zhiyu thought about it seriously for a moment, then slapped Shen Jinhua across the face.
She had wanted to beat them up for a long time, but she had been holding back.
Shen Jinhua wanted to retaliate, but before she could take a step forward, the other half of her face was also attacked.
Seeing this, Shen Ru covered her face and wailed, "This is outrageous! Song Zhiyu actually dared to hit an elder! Everyone, please be the judge..."
Jiang Jiyao's lips curled down slightly, forming a straight line. His eyes, which had been full of smiles, were now filled with endless coldness. "Dare to cause trouble at the Treasure Pavilion? You must have forgotten the methods of the Treasure Pavilion. Throw the person out, and ask the Marquis of Chengen's mansion for the rest of the money."
"I understand." The shopkeeper straightened his expression and beckoned to his guards.
"Let me go! I am a member of the Marquis of Chengen's mansion! How dare you touch me!" Shen Ru shouted as she was being lifted up and thrown out the door.
She was unaware that the Marquis of Chengen's mansion was nothing special in the capital, and certainly not worthy of Jiang Jiyao's attention.
"I'm truly sorry to have spoiled everyone's enjoyment. Yunxi, please present the luminous pearls I brought back from the East Sea to the ladies." Jiang Jiyao turned around and his expression changed again, his gentle and warm demeanor seemingly devoid of the coldness he had displayed when he ordered Shen Ru to be thrown out.
"Yes." Yunxi opened the box containing the luminous pearls. Inside, the round and dazzling pearls emitted a soft glow, instantly captivating the hearts of the ladies.
"This is too valuable." They had seen priceless treasures before, but only Jiang Jiyao would be so generous.
"I'm glad you ladies like it. Consider this a token of my gratitude for speaking up for my sister." Jiang Jiyao's narrow eyes narrowed slightly, the corners of her upturned eyes were red, and the way her thin lips curled up had a seductive meaning.
The ladies snapped out of their daze, instantly catching the key words in Jiang Jiyao's words, and asked uncertainly, "Who are you?"
Jiang Jiyao smiled, a deep laugh escaping his throat. "Yu'er is my younger sister. We grew up together and have a very close relationship."
"I see, Mr. Jiang really dotes on his sister." The group suddenly understood and readily accepted the explanation.
They were also aware of Song Zhiyu's background; she was unloved by her parents and her father. Now that she had a brother who doted on her so much, it was a stroke of luck amidst her misfortune.
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