May this scumbag husband, who favored his concubine over his wife, rest in peace.

“Yuan Shu,” Ren Man said embarrassedly, “could you please come with me to a quiet place for a while?”

Wen Yuanshu nodded.

Lu Chengyuan had already put his arm around her shoulder and started walking, and Ren Man hurriedly followed, completely ignoring Wen Rang standing to the side.

The group walked to the pavilion hidden by the trees, where they were completely isolated from the view of outsiders, and Ren Man finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'm sorry, Yuan Shu," Ren Man said with a wry smile, "I still can't get used to this kind of occasion."

"It's alright, I was just looking for some peace and quiet anyway," Wen Yuanshu said.

She wasn't uncomfortable with these kinds of situations, but she would avoid them if she could find some peace and quiet.

As soon as she finished speaking, a cloak was placed on her.

The cloak was warm and carried the cool fragrance of Lu Chengyuan, enveloping her in it.

A large, well-defined hand emerged from behind her and tied her sash into a neat knot.

"Aren't you cold?" Wen Yuanshu turned her head to look at Lu Chengyuan.

"It's not cold," Lu Chengyuan said, pulling the person closer to cover themselves up.

The pavilion fell silent for a moment.

Knowing that someone was sitting in the pavilion, the servants thoughtfully brought over a stove and tea.

With hot tea and warm snacks, conversation naturally flowed naturally.

“I shouldn’t have come today,” Ren Man sighed. “This banquet is so different from what I imagined.”

Just as Wen Yuanshu was about to pour tea, Lu Chengyuan had already picked up the teapot from the charcoal fire and poured it for her.

Wen Rang quickly followed suit and added some to Ren Man's clothes.

“When those people buy clothes from my store, they are always very polite to me, but today when they come here, I feel that they look down on me.”

"No, right?" Wen Rang said. "I... I didn't notice anything."

Lu Chengyuan almost rolled his eyes to the sky.

Does it matter whether he feels uncomfortable or not?

This person must have drunk too much medicine a few years ago and made them stupid.

Sure enough, Ren Man glanced at him, her expression somewhat complicated.

Wen Yuanshu coughed and said, "Since you came with Young Master Wen, I'm afraid many people have already guessed your relationship."

“Normally it’s fine, but if she gets married, these people will naturally value her background.”

Most wives of officials also came from official families, which was considered a good match. Even if someone married a merchant's daughter, it was usually as a second wife. Cases like Ren Man's were extremely rare.

Ren Man sighed: "Yes...maybe I shouldn't have come today in the first place."

Wen Yuanshu glanced at Wen Rang before saying, "If you two decide to travel together in the future, even if you can avoid it now, you can't avoid it in the future."

"Besides, when did you become the type to avoid things like this?"

Ren Man had traveled all over the country with Manager Ren since she was a child, which gave her a fearless personality. She never expected that she would be frightened by this banquet that was all show and no substance.

Wen Yuanshu felt that the person in front of her was a bit of a stranger.

Ren Man was also taken aback.

Yes.

What kind of situation hasn't she seen over the years?

In the past, she would have dared to slam her fist on the table with a ruthless local tyrant for a mere ten or twenty percent of the profit. How could she be so intimidated by this seemingly respectable banquet?

Ren Man looked up and glanced at Lu Chengyuan.

Lu Chengyuan pretended not to notice.

These past few days have really been bizarre. At home, it's one thing for Madam Wen to drag Wen Yuanshu all over the courtyard, but when they go out to a banquet, they run into someone who's trying to steal her away. Why can't he just spend some time with his wife?

However, Wen Yuanshu, who was standing to the side, had already realized that Ren Man had something to say to her.

Lu Chengyuan couldn't pretend he didn't see Wen Yuanshu's gaze.

Helpless, Lu Chengyuan sighed and said, "Alright, I'll wait for you outside."

After saying that, Lu Chengyuan reluctantly got up and left, taking Wen Rang with him as well.

Only two women remained in the pavilion.

Ren Man then spoke up: "To be honest, Yuan Shu, I also feel like I'm a stranger to myself right now."