Liang Youyi and Gu Jinyan turned their heads—oh, a familiar face!

It was Xia Qingyue, the eldest legitimate daughter of the Minister of Personnel. Her long black hair was adorned with jade and pearls, a jade hairpin angled at her temple. Her beauty was modest, but her presence was commanding—hence her nickname, “The Exemplary Lady of the Xia Clan.”

Beside her stood two young women: Su Qinghe, daughter of the Assistant Minister of Personnel, and Fu Sangyu.

Yao Suyi had been grooming Fu Sangyu to become a refined noblewoman, often bringing her to social events. Though Fu Sangyu was still recovering from the beating Liang Youyi had given her days ago, Yao Suyi had asked her close friend Xia Qingyue to bring Fu Sangyu to the races.

After all, prestigious horse races were rare—especially those hosted by the Qilin Pavilion, which was of the highest caliber. It was a valuable opportunity to broaden one’s horizons.

Xia Qingyue stood before Liang Youyi, brimming with superiority. So what if Liang Youyi was the Prime Minister’s fiancée? No one in the Prime Minister’s residence liked her. They liked Xia Qingyue.

For the first time, Liang Youyi truly examined Xia Qingyue.

It was her—this self-righteous clown who preached “female virtue and propriety.” In her past life, when the Duke Ding household was exiled, Xia Qingyue had led a petition at the palace gates, begging the emperor to strip Liang Youyi of her title and confine her to a temple to pray for Fu Zhang for the rest of her life.

“Princess Yunshang is domineering and abusive, unable to protect the heir of Marquis Changxin, leaving him childless for life.”

“She is jealous and cruel, monopolizing the household and preventing heirs, condemning the marquis to die alone.”

“She is without virtue or talent. Her title should be revoked, and she should be confined to a temple to pray for Marquis Changxin forever…”

When the Duke Fu household was falsely imprisoned, Xia Qingyue led a group of noblewomen to berate Gu Jinyan publicly. They accused her, as the daughter of Duke Wen, of being vulgar and shameless for riding in public with her husband. They mocked her for having poor judgment, befriending a fool like Princess Yunshang.

And when both Duke Wen and Duke Fu households were executed, Xia Qingyue had even brought a self-proclaimed righteous Taoist to the execution grounds to curse them—wishing they’d never reincarnate.

Liang Youyi looked at her coldly. “Do you need something?”

“Princess, the Prime Minister’s residence is in chaos, and you still have the leisure to race horses?” Xia Qingyue frowned.

“You’re here too, aren’t you?”

“Aren’t you worried about the Prime Minister?”

“No. Are you?”

“What nonsense! When have I ever worried about Lord Fu?” Xia Qingyue flushed red, twisting her handkerchief. “As a proper lady—”

Gu Jinyan burst out laughing. “Xia Qingyue, drop the act! A true noblewoman isn’t stuck in outdated rituals or obsessed with superficial manners. She has a sharp mind and inner dignity. You keep preaching about being a ‘proper lady,’ yet you’re still unmarried at twenty. Isn’t it because you covet the Prime Minister? Coveting someone else’s fiancé while pretending to be virtuous—aren’t you tired of the act, Miss Xia?”

Liang Youyi raised an eyebrow. Gu Jinyan’s words were a full-force Duke Fu-style combo!

But her words cut through the fog. Liang Youyi suddenly understood—Xia Qingyue, daughter of the Minister of Personnel, had always been stuck in limbo because she secretly loved Fu Zhang. No wonder she had hated Liang Youyi and Gu Jinyan so fiercely in that past life. It was unrequited love that turned them into thorns in her side.

Fu Sangyu was stunned. She’d always assumed the Minister of Personnel and Fu Zhang were allies, and their families supported each other. So Xia Qingyue liked Second Uncle, too?

Xia Qingyue’s thoughts had been laid bare. Flustered, she snapped, “Lady Gu, you’ve become so vulgar since marrying. Aren’t you afraid my father will impeach your husband for poor household discipline?”

“Not at all! My father is Duke Wen, my father-in-law is Duke Fu, and both my husband and brother are heirs to dukedoms. If your father dares to impeach my husband, all four of them will impeach him back. Think four against one—who do you think wins?”

Liang Youyi couldn’t help but smile.

“You… I won’t argue with you!” Xia Qingyue turned to Liang Youyi. “I’ve had my eye on Chao Guang for a while. Would you consider choosing another horse?”

Liang Youyi lowered her gaze and glanced at her sideways. “No.”

Xia Qingyue said, “It’s not that I must have Chao Guang. It’s just that Miss Fu has taken a liking to it.”

“Oh? You’re buying it for her?”

“Me? Why would I buy it? I don’t have that kind of money!”

“You talk like a loyal friend—I thought you’d buy her ten horses if she wanted. No money? Then stop pretending to be generous.”

Xia Qingyue was flustered, caught between Gu Jinyan and Liang Youyi, and humiliated in front of Fu Zhang’s favorite niece.

Su Qinghe quickly tried to smooth things over. “Qingyue, weren’t you looking for a gentler horse? Let’s go to the stables before they’re all taken.”

Xia Qingyue was still bitter. She’d been mocked by both women and embarrassed in front of Fu Zhang’s beloved niece.

Su Qinghe offered her a way out, but she refused to take it, insisting, “Princess Yunshang, the Prime Minister prefers gentle and virtuous women. He dislikes you associating with wild types. Have you forgotten?”

Gu Jinyan was about to explode again, but Liang Youyi gently pressed her hand. “Oh? He told you that himself?”

Xia Qingyue smugly pulled Fu Sangyu forward. “Miss Fu is his favorite niece. She can confirm it.”

Fu Sangyu beamed and tugged at Liang Youyi’s sleeve, looking sweet and innocent. “Princess, why didn’t you bring me today? I had such a hard time finding you!”

“Don’t you like Xia Qingyue?”

“I like playing with you more!” she declared proudly to the others. “Second Uncle says Princess Yunshang is gentle and virtuous. She even gave up horseback riding for him! Isn’t that right, Princess?”

Liang Youyi nodded solemnly. “It’s true—I haven’t ridden in years.”

Fang Ling looked worried, thinking she was falling for it again.

But Liang Youyi remained calm.

Fu Sangyu smiled even brighter, thinking of how Second Uncle had coaxed Princess Yunshang again during their recent treasure-viewing at the Qilin Pavilion. She reached out to hug Liang Youyi’s waist, giggling. “Princess, don’t defy Second Uncle, okay? Some people, you shouldn’t associate with. I want you to become my aunt soon!”

“Oh? Really?” Liang Youyi brushed her hand off her clothes. “So you want me to sever ties with the Duchess of Duke Fu’s heir?”