Wen Xun didn’t expect that she would completely disregard his words, and immediately became furious: “You…”

“Well done!” Before he could finish speaking, someone interrupted him.

Wen Xun’s expression turned ugly, and when he looked up, he saw an unexpected person.

Wei Lanzhi exclaimed, “Grandmother?”

The person who had arrived was none other than the old matriarch of the Zhen family, Lady Zheng.

Unlike their first meeting, the old lady now seemed much more spirited.

Though a maid was carefully assisting her along the way, if one looked closely, it was evident that the maid’s support was merely a gesture.

Having regained much of her health, Lady Zheng’s eyes had regained their usual sharpness.

When she looked at people, her gaze still carried a sense of pressure.

Wen Xun was momentarily stunned.

When Wen Yurou had asked to pray at the temple, the person they had hoped to invite to light the first incense stick had been Old Lady Zheng.

In terms of status, aside from a few high-ranking figures in the palace, she was the highest.

However, Lady Zheng had refused.

Because of this, they had turned to invite the Duke of Zhen Guo.

When the Duke had come to the manor today, he hadn’t mentioned the old lady.

Wen Xun thought this meant that Lady Zheng wouldn’t be coming.

But unexpectedly, she appeared here.

“Why have you come?” Xiao Jin walked to Lady Zheng’s side.

The maid who had been assisting Lady Zheng let go and allowed him to support her instead.

Lady Zheng’s gaze was like a sharp sword as she first looked at Wen Xun: “The princess is clear-sighted and decisive, handling this matter excellently.”

Wen Xun’s expression shifted slightly. He hadn’t expected that Lady Zheng would be here to speak on Wen Yuesheng’s behalf.

Seeing that he didn’t speak, Lady Zheng coldly continued, “A maid like this, who dares to break into the master’s residence and take things without reason, will eventually steal things from the manor and sell them. As time goes by, if she is enticed by outsiders, she may even assist thieves.”

Fushun, who was being held down on a bench, turned pale.

Having managed the household for many years, Lady Zheng could easily tell the reason behind his expression.

She snorted coldly, “It seems she has already done something like this.”

She noticed Wen Xun’s sour expression and likely understood his thoughts.

Wen Xun wasn’t protecting the servant; he simply didn’t want the scandal to spread to the household.

But in Lady Zheng’s eyes, if someone wants to keep something hidden, it should never have happened in the first place.

Such a thing could only point to poor management by Madam Chen.

She wasn’t familiar with the affairs of the Princess’s household and had only ever doted on the obedient and sweet Wen Yuru.

Looking at it now, Yurou was fine, but her mother seemed a little muddled.

“Lady Zheng is right.” Wen Xun, having been in the official world for many years, knew when to yield.

Given Lady Zheng’s status, since she had spoken, Wen Xun couldn’t disrespect her in front of Xiao Jin.

Looking up again, Wen Yuesheng was completely indifferent to their opinions, and the sound of beating was heard throughout the courtyard.

She held a white jade prayer bead, standing coldly in front, watching.

“How come Lady Zheng came today? I heard from Sister Lanzhi that your health had improved. I was planning to visit you.” Wen Yuesheng said.

Everything happening in the yard seemed to have no impact on Wen Yuruo.

She warmly held Lady Zheng’s hand, smiling sweetly.

Wei Lanzhi couldn’t help but click her tongue.

She certainly wouldn’t dare to speak so casually to her grandmother.

Lady Zheng softened her gaze upon seeing her and gently patted her hand.

The maid standing by their side cheerfully said, “The Second Miss doesn’t know, but after the old lady made a wish in the Princess’s courtyard last time, her health has been improving gradually.”

“Today, she has come to fulfill her vow.” The maid waved her hand, and several servants from the Duke’s household entered the quiet pavilion, holding various brocade boxes.

“There are also gifts for the princess.”

This statement caused an odd atmosphere in the courtyard.

Lady Zheng had refused to light the first incense stick for Wen Yuruo, yet she brought such precious gifts to thank Wen Yuesheng…

Even Gu Yu was taken aback.

Had the situation been reversed?

However, the cold-faced and indifferent master of the house had already spoken.

Wen Yuesheng: “The wishing pool is effective, and the turtle should be thanked.”

Wei Lanzhi: ?

Did she know what she was talking about?

Even more absurdly, Old Lady Zheng nodded in agreement.

The maid laughed, “That’s why, today, the old lady also brought many fresh fish for Lord Turtle.”

Everyone present: …

Lord Turtle?

What kind of address was that?

At that moment, a servant came to report.

“Master, the door reports that guests have arrived outside.”

Wen Xun paused. “Who are they?”

“They are the Third Miss from the Protector of the Country General’s household and the Fourth Miss from the Ministry of Rites’ Household.”

Wen Xun was startled.

Da Hui valued culture over military might, especially during the reign of the late emperor.

However, after the current emperor took the throne, due to the constant border invasions by the Haoyou tribes, military officials had gradually been given more importance.

The military faction, apart from the General of the Cavalry, included the Protector of the Country and the Duke of Zhen Guo.

But Wen Xun had never had any dealings with military officials.

Why would the daughter of the Protector of the Country General’s family be visiting their manor?

Wen Xun thought for a moment, still thinking it was one of Wen Yurou’s close friends.

Just as he was about to ask, a cold and distant voice spoke up: “She is my guest.”

It was none other than Wen Yuesheng.

This caused everyone around her to glance at her in surprise.

After Wen Yuesheng’s notorious reputation spread, the noblewomen in the capital avoided associating with her.

Now, why had she suddenly become close to the daughter of the Protector of the Country General?

However, Wen Yuesheng had no intention of explaining.

The invitation for the two of them had been sent a few days ago, and the date had coincidentally overlapped with Wen Yurou’s temple visit.

Over at the punishment area, the beating had finished, and Fushun was carried away.

After washing her hands in clean water, Wen Yuesheng slowly made her way to the side courtyard.

Since Lady Zheng had come to fulfill her vow, Xiao Jin and Wei Hengzhi accompanied her to the side courtyard as well.

The maid assisted Lady Zheng in lighting incense, and since Wen Yuesheng still had guests, they didn’t stay for long.

Just before leaving the side courtyard, Xiao Jin looked back at the courtyard, which was quite different from before.

A golden Buddha sat in the midst of green shadows and leaves, radiating a serene light.

Outside the side courtyard’s gate hung a golden plaque, with brushstrokes full of murderous intent, clearly from the same hand.

The words written were “Forbidden” and “Stop.”

They were two words that, upon a single glance, could startle anyone.

Wei Hengzhi, standing beside him, spoke in a low voice: “It seems the Princess of Sining is not quite the same anymore.”

Xiao Jin withdrew his gaze and turned his attention to the two figures entering the side courtyard, led by a servant.

It was Zhou Manniang.

She was the woman Wen Yuesheng had saved during the imperial banquet.

On the other side, as soon as Lu Hongying entered the side courtyard, she was startled by the golden Buddha.

She whispered to Zhou Manniang, “So the rumors outside were true… The princess really has placed a large Buddha statue in her room.”

Zhou Manniang raised her hand and bowed towards the Buddha, signaling Lu Hongying to stop speaking carelessly.

Lu Hongying understood and closed her mouth.

However, the furnishings in this courtyard were beyond her imagination.

In the reception hall, the main seat had a Buddhist painting hanging on the wall, and a round wooden fish sat on a redwood table.

On the treasure cabinet, a white jade statue of the Bodhisattva was gazing benevolently at her.

…Wait, who places a Bodhisattva in a treasure cabinet?

Her face was filled with shock as she completely forgot Zhou Manniang’s earlier warning and started looking around in awe.

Only when she heard the servants call for the princess did she snap back to her senses.

Looking up, she saw Wen Yuesheng slowly walking into the reception hall, wearing a dark blue dress.

Zhou Manniang, who had been standing beside her, immediately stood up.

Her face turned bright red, and she stammered, unable to speak a complete sentence.

“Princess, thank you for… no, Princess, for your help that day.”

Zhou Manniang was a concubine’s daughter, and since childhood, she had lived under the harsh rule of her stepmother.

She was timid and weak.

It was only because of Lu Hongying’s repeated encouragement that she had mustered the courage to come to the Princess’s manor.

Lu Hongying sighed, knowing that if she hadn’t come along, Zhou Manniang would likely have messed everything up.

Unlike Zhou Manniang, Lu Hongying came from a military family.

With only her mother at home and two older brothers, she had been spoiled since childhood and grew up in the military camp, making her straightforward and uninhibited.

She clapped her hands, and a servant quickly brought a jar of wine.

Lu Hongying opened the jar, then thought better of it and poured herself a cup of tea instead.

She stood up and said to Wen Yue, “Princess, that day at the imperial banquet, Manniang was framed by wicked people, and thankfully, you helped her. Today, we’ve come to express our gratitude.”

“I’ve done my part, you’re free to do as you wish!”

After saying this, she drank the tea in one go.

As she finished, she noticed Zhou Manniang was on the verge of tears.

Lu Hongying: ?

Zhou Manniang, unable to bear it any longer, gently reminded, “Hongying… the princess is performing a ritual.”

Lu Hongying slapped her forehead in realization.

She had forgotten.

She had always thought that when you wanted to thank someone, you just needed a drink in the military camp, and everything would be understood through the wine.

As she scratched her head, unsure of what to do, she suddenly heard Wen Yue speak softly, “It’s fine.”

“The Buddha won’t mind,” Wen Yuesheng said, twirling her prayer beads with a neutral expression.

Lu Hongying and Zhou Manniang exchanged looks, both stunned by her words.

Especially Lu Hongying, who instantly developed a deep admiration for Wen Yue after hearing that.

This princess… she’s quite something.

Then Wen Yuesheng’s gaze landed on Zhou Manniang’s arm.

Zhou Manniang had been severely injured on her right arm when the formidable Zhang Yulin lost control.

Wen Yuesheng had seen her when her arm was badly mangled, blood and flesh a mess.

Now, just seven or eight days later, there was no trace of any bandages on her arm.

Only faint scars were visible when she moved her arm.

Noticing Wen Yuesheng’s gaze, Zhou Manniang shyly smiled, “Please don’t laugh, Princess. My aunt is in poor health, so I’ve learned some basic medical skills from the physician since I was little.”

“Did you heal your arm yourself?” Wen Yuesheng asked.

Having spent more time together, Zhou Manniang had come to realize that Wen Yuesheng wasn’t as hard to approach as she initially thought, so she nodded naturally, “Yes.”

At this point, Lu Hongying couldn’t help but speak up, excitedly, “Princess, you don’t know, but our Manniang is very skilled in medicine, despite her young age. I met her because I fell off my horse and nearly broke my leg. It was Manniang who saved me while she was out picking herbs.”

“If it weren’t for her, I’d probably be dead by now.”

Zhou Manniang shook her head in response to Lu Hongying’s excitement.

Lu Hongying was just like that—when she liked someone, she couldn’t help but share everything, even embarrassing details.

But… this was Wen Yuesheng.

Zhou Manniang felt there was nothing to hide.

Her gaze softened as she looked at Wen Yuesheng, filled with admiration.