After being reborn, her aloof ex-husband and her crazy deceased husband got into a fight.

Since Yao Xuxu was here, the possibility of Ding Peilan and Zhao Cen coming had greatly increased, so Gan Cai'er gave up the idea of ​​leaving early.

"Then let's wait a little longer," Gan Cai'er thought to herself. Even if those two didn't come today, she could still make contact with Yao Xuxu first, so this trip wouldn't have been in vain.

As for Madam Yao, she naturally had to get close to her, as she might need her help in the future.

So, Gan Cai'er stood up and said to Madam Yao with a smile.

“This plum blossom hairpin of mine was made in my hometown. It is my honor that the Second Young Mistress has taken a liking to it. Of course, I will accompany the Second Young Mistress on this trip.”

"Excellent, excellent!" Second Young Madam Yao clapped her hands and laughed. Then, she affectionately took Gan Cai'er's hand and led her into the inner courtyard.

Gan Cai'er got goosebumps all over her body, and felt more and more that something was wrong.

Although she didn't have much interaction with the wives and daughters-in-law of these high-ranking officials in her previous life, she was still well aware of her own limitations.

Given her status, her demeanor, and her unique attire, it was impossible for the noble ladies of Kyoto to like her at first sight or treat her with such kindness.

The string of vigilance in her heart immediately tightened.

Madam Yao the Second Young Master led Gan Cai'er through the Yao residence, giving her a few careful instructions as they walked.

"My matriarch was originally the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Ping'an. She was a famous heroine on horseback in the capital. In her youth, she traveled all over the country and went to the battlefield."

"After having children and managing the Yao family, she finally settled into the inner quarters. Now that she is old, when she has nothing to do, she likes to listen to stories about local customs and anecdotes from different places."

Gan Cai'er was stunned. She didn't know what Yao Er Shao Madam meant by these words and could only look at her with a blank expression.

Seeing that Gan Cai'er looked confused and didn't seem to understand what she meant, Madam Yao stopped beating around the bush and spoke directly.

"If Madam Lan comes to Beijing from out of town and encounters anything fun or interesting, she can tell the old lady about it. She will be happy to hear it."

Gan Cai'er thought to herself, although Danzhou was located in a remote area, it was not a wild and desolate place, so there was really nothing interesting or strange to talk about.

So she honestly replied, "I have always stayed at home with my husband to study, and rarely travel. My hometown is just a small rural town with simple and honest people. There are no extraordinary people or interesting stories to tell."

Madam Yao's face stiffened, and a glint of light seemed to flash in her eyes, but seeing that what Gan Cai'er said did not seem to be fake, she put on a smile again.

"Oh dear, no matter what, Madam Lan is from outside the capital. What you consider ordinary might be interesting to my old lady."

Gan Cai'er was speechless, and could only nod with a smile.

In all their lives, she had never encountered anything like this that required telling stories of extraordinary people for amusement. Her wariness deepened even further.

After navigating several corridors and passing through two small courtyards, we finally arrived at Madam Yao's Rongde Hall.

At the doorway, several young girls sat together, making knots and whispering among themselves.

"Parrot, is the old lady awake?" Second Young Madam Yao asked the maid who was guarding outside the room.

"Reporting to Second Young Madam, the Old Madam got up early today and is chatting with Granny Zhang right now," a maid in a lotus-colored vest stood up and replied crisply.

Another observant maidservant had already lifted the curtain and announced, "Madam, the Second Young Mistress has come to see you."

Second Young Master Yao led Gan Cai'er into the main room.

Upon entering the room, Gan Cai'er smelled a faint sandalwood fragrance, a scent left from years of Buddhist worship.

When they entered the room, Madam Yao was sitting in the head seat, tilting her head and whispering with an old nanny.

Madam Yao was an elderly woman over sixty years old. Her silver hair was as white as frost and as white as snow, and she had it neatly combed into a bun, adorned with an antique jade hairpin.

Gan Cai'er examined it closely; it was a jade plum blossom hairpin. It seemed that what the Second Young Mistress Yao said was true; Old Madam Yao did indeed love plum blossom hairpins.

Although Madam Yao was old, one could still vaguely see the heroic spirit she once possessed in her eyes. Sitting there, she simply raised her eyes and looked over, yet she exuded an aura of authority that commanded respect without anger, making her someone not to be underestimated.

"The Second Young Mistress has arrived? Quickly, serve tea." Seeing the group enter, Zhang Mama hurriedly instructed the maids inside to prepare seats and pour tea.

"There's a banquet at home today, and instead of helping your eldest daughter-in-law greet the guests, you've come here to shirk your responsibilities as an old woman?" Old Madam Yao's expression was indifferent, revealing neither joy nor anger.

The eldest daughter-in-law mentioned by Old Madam Yao refers to Qi Rong, Yao Yong's wife. While the second young mistress of Yao Yong should address her as "Mother," she is not Qi Rong's legal mother-in-law. This is because her husband, Yao Shenxing, is Yao Yong's illegitimate son, born to Concubine Ma, not Qi Rong's biological son. Her relationship with Madam Yao has always been outwardly harmonious but inwardly strained.

"Madam, you've wronged me terribly. How could your granddaughter-in-law dare to shirk her responsibilities?" Second Young Madam Yao said with a forced smile, pleading her innocence.

"I heard a few days ago that you wanted to have a new plum blossom hairpin made. Today, I happened to see this one on Madam Lan's head, a unique style that I've never seen before in the capital. So, I brought it here for you to see if it suits your taste?"

Upon hearing this, Gan Cai'er stood up and greeted Madam Yao. Madam Yao's face visibly darkened, and a hint of anger flashed in her eyes, but she quickly suppressed it.

She raised her hand at Gan Cai'er and said in a cold tone, "This lady doesn't need to be so polite."

After saying that, she turned to Madam Yao, the second young master: "I know you have always been filial. However, you don't need to take a casual remark to heart."

“I already have enough plum blossom hairpins; there’s no need for any new ones. I’m tired today; you may take this lady out.”

Madam Yao made no attempt to hide her dissatisfaction with Second Young Mistress Yao and her dislike for Gan Cai'er.

Gan Cai'er was not surprised by Madam Yao's coldness; she had seen too much of this kind of indifference and aloofness in her previous life.

She tried to flatter him, but ended up making a fool of herself. Madam Yao's face turned pale and then red, and she stood there awkwardly, feeling extremely embarrassed.

Madam Yao didn't glance at it again before getting up and going into the inner room.

At this moment, Granny Zhang came over and gently scolded, "Second Young Madam, this is your fault. If you want to bring guests to visit the Old Madam, you should at least let her know beforehand. How can you just bring people in like that?"

"The old lady is very particular about rules. You don't follow any rules when you do things, so it's no wonder she's angry and embarrassed you."

"What you say is true, Granny. I was too hasty today. When I saw this rare and wonderful item, I only thought about showing it to the Old Madam. I didn't realize I had lost my composure. I hope you can put in a good word for me in front of the Old Madam and tell her that I know I was wrong," said the Second Young Madam Yao, her eyes reddening.

"I'm sorry that Madam Lan has suffered this undeserved misfortune. I hope you won't take it to heart. I was impulsive today. I will come to apologize to Madam Lan in person another day."

The Second Young Mistress Yao spoke with such sincerity and grievance, her eyes were red, that even if Gan Cai'er had a burning anger, she couldn't vent it.

"Is this Madam Lan?" At this moment, Zhang Mama turned around and looked at Gan Cai'er.

Gan Cai'er didn't want to speak, and only nodded slightly.

"Alas, Madam has truly been wronged by what happened today. The Old Madam is not usually so heartless; it's just that your arrival was too sudden..."

Granny Zhang shook her head, hesitated, and finally sighed, "This old servant will see you two out."

Before the tea could even be served, Gan Cai'er was kicked out of Rongde Hall.

Just as Xiao Hong lifted the curtain and Gan Cai'er was about to go out, a young maid rushed over carrying a tea tray. Seeing that the group was about to collide, Zhang Mama quickly stepped to the side and then reached out to pull Gan Cai'er aside, barely avoiding a collision.

"Parrot, are you blind? Why are you running around like that! What if you disturb the guests?!" Granny Zhang said sternly.

"Granny, I boiled the water a little too slowly, and the tea is brewed late..." Yingge'er murmured, her head lowered.

"Go kneel in the corridor and don't get up until an hour has passed!"

The parrot walked away dejectedly.

Gan Cai'er seemed to be greatly frightened, standing there blankly, unable to come to her senses.

The words Zhang Mama whispered and swiftly in her ear as she pulled her aside kept echoing in her mind: "Be careful, Second Young Mistress."