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

Gan Cai'er looked at the child who was tightly clutching her skirt and wiping away tears, and her heart ached.

She knelt down, held the child in her arms, and gently coaxed, "Yes, Fairy Sister knows you have parents, and you're a good child. By the way, what's your name? Where are your nanny and maid?"

"My name is Du Ke, and my parents call me Ke'er. My mother called away Granny Luo and Sister Magpie," Du Ke said softly.

"Does Ke'er still remember his courtyard? Fairy Sister will escort you back, shall we?"

"Ke'er remembers." Du Ke nodded obediently.

Gan Cai'er picked up Du Ke and followed his directions, wandering aimlessly through the Du residence. For some reason, the paths Du Ke pointed to were all secluded and deserted trails.

Is it because he is timid by nature and habitually avoids people, or is he not allowed to appear in public?

Gan Cai'er looked at the child in her arms. The child was quiet and well-behaved, showing a level of obedience and maturity beyond his years. She couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache.

After walking for about the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, they arrived at a small courtyard. The courtyard was very secluded, seemingly located in a corner of the mansion. There was almost no main road in front of the courtyard gate, only a narrow path. The path was overgrown with weeds on both sides, but the courtyard itself was very clean and well-organized, even exquisite.

Above the entrance to the courtyard is a plaque with three characters: Tingzhu Courtyard.

Gan Cai'er frowned, finding it strange.

If the owner of the courtyard was truly favored, he wouldn't have been placed in such a remote location. But if he wasn't favored, the courtyard shouldn't be so exquisitely decorated; it's clear that much thought and effort were put into its arrangement.

Moreover, Du Ke's clothes were exquisite from head to toe, no less so than those of the children who bullied him.

As soon as Du Ke saw the courtyard, he struggled to get down from Gan Cai'er's arms, then burst into tears and ran into the courtyard.

"Hey, hey, why is this child crying again?" Xiao Hong glared at him, pointing at Du Ke's short legs. "Won't people think we're bullying him?"

“That’s how kids are. They keep their grievances bottled up outside, and when they see their mother, they naturally cry.” Gan Cai’er shook her head and smiled.

"Let's go too. If we don't leave soon, people will really misunderstand and think we're bullying a child."

After saying that, Gan Cai'er turned and left.

High-class families and grand mansions are rife with intrigue, and Gan Cai'er didn't want to get too involved. In her previous life, she had witnessed too much shady dealings and despicable schemes within the inner quarters of the household, and even now, just thinking about it still made her shudder.

As long as the child is safely delivered.

Gan Cai'er led Xiao Hong along the path. After walking for a while, Xiao Hong sensed something was wrong.

"Hey, Miss, why are you heading out of the manor?"

Weren't they here to attend the lotus-viewing banquet and broaden their horizons? But if they keep walking like this, they'll be leaving the Du residence soon.

"Are you waiting to get caught if you don't leave quickly?"

Xiao Hong suddenly realized that the child who had been beaten had probably gone to complain to someone. If he were caught... Xiao Hong shuddered; she figured he'd be in serious trouble, if not killed. Her young lady had beaten the young master of the Du family!

"Miss, let's hurry, let's go!" After understanding the reason, Xiao Hong grabbed Gan Cai'er and they walked quickly.

The master and servant were hurrying out when they suddenly heard hurried footsteps behind them, as if someone was running after them.

Gan Cai'er and Xiao Hong exchanged a glance, both of them startled.

No way? They found them so quickly?

Gan Cai'er lifted her skirt, ready to take off running, when she heard someone shout from behind:

"Madam, please wait a moment. My aunt invites you in."

Upon hearing the word "aunt," Gan Cai'er slowed her pace and turned to look.

The newcomer was a middle-aged woman, panting as she jogged toward them.

"Oh dear, I've finally won over the lady!" The old woman gasped for breath, clutching her chest.

Then, she bowed to Gan Cai'er and said, "My aunt is very grateful for Madam's help to the Ninth Prince and would like to invite Madam to have a chat to express her gratitude."

Gan Cai'er breathed a sigh of relief. As long as they weren't there to cause trouble, that was fine. As for gratitude, she decided to skip it.

She bowed slightly in return and smiled, "You flatter me, Granny. The children were just playing around and I was only helping the young master back to his courtyard. Please tell your wife that it was nothing, and she doesn't deserve any thanks."

The old woman was somewhat surprised when Gan Cai'er refused. She subtly observed Gan Cai'er and noticed that although she wore a woman's hairstyle, her face was very young and she still had the spirit of a young girl.

She couldn't help but smile gently: "Madam, please come with me. The Fifth Young Master is the eldest son of the family. He has been exceptionally intelligent since childhood, with a remarkable memory and is always praised by his teacher for his photographic memory."

Xiao Hong looked at the old woman in confusion. What business was it of theirs how her fifth young master was doing?

Gan Cai'er suddenly realized what the old woman meant. The child she had hit was not only of high status, but also had a good memory!

If they wanted to sneak out of the mansion quietly, it probably wouldn't be easy.

"In that case, I'll have to bother you, Auntie."

So, Gan Cai'er returned to the courtyard she had been in before. This time, she met the owner of Tingzhu Courtyard: Aunt Zhao.

Although Aunt Zhao's face was no longer young, she was still a rare beauty. Her eyes and brows seemed to exude a myriad of charms, and with just a slight lift of her gaze, she unconsciously revealed a touch of allure. Her thick, beautiful hair was casually tied up, with a few strands falling loose, adding a touch of languid weakness.

She is truly beautiful, but her allure is too frivolous and lacks elegance, making her unsuitable for refined occasions.

Du Ke had already tidied up and was quietly playing the nine-linked rings game next to Aunt Zhao.

"Today, Ke'er was bullied, but fortunately, Madam intervened. As a concubine, I don't have much to offer, but this jade pendant is quite rare, so I'm giving it to you, Madam. If you ever need my help in the future, you can come to me with this jade pendant."

Gan Cai'er was so frightened that she waved her hands repeatedly: "Auntie, there's no need for that. It was just a small favor."

How could she dare to accept anything from Zhao Jiao'er!

She acted impulsively before, losing her temper and nearly getting herself killed. Now, if she accepts Aunt Zhao's gifts, wouldn't she really be dragged into the infighting within the Du family?

It's alright if she's alone, but I'm afraid she might bring trouble to Lan Tingzhou. Having experienced her past life, Gan Cai'er knows very well that the inner quarters and the front hall are closely related.

Aunt Zhao, however, forced the jade pendant into Gan Cai'er's hand, saying, "I, Zhao Jiao'er, may not have any other skills, but I can still whisper sweet nothings in the master's ear."

Since things had come to this point, Gan Cai'er had no choice but to accept it.

"Granny Huang, go and get the clothes," said Aunt Zhao.

"It's already here," Granny Huang replied with a smile.

Gan Cai'er looked closely and saw that Granny Huang was holding two sets of clothes in her hands.

Aunt Zhao said, "The Fifth Young Master is spoiled and can't stand the slightest anger. He also holds grudges. In the past, if a servant accidentally bumped into him, he would be beaten to death and thrown out of the mansion."

"Now that he has been reprimanded by his wife, he will certainly not let it go. He is probably searching for his wife all over the garden right now."

"I'll have the nanny redress you two to avoid him causing you trouble."

Gan Cai'er thought about it and thought it was a good idea, so she nodded in agreement.

Granny Huang was skillful and finished dressing up Gan Cai'er and her servant in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

Gan Cai'er changed from a plain light red cotton dress to a goose-yellow gold-threaded tulle dress, and her hairstyle was also changed to the most popular double bun. With the addition of elaborate hairpins and ribbons, she looked exceptionally lively and beautiful, which was very different from her previous low-key and quiet appearance.

Looking in the bronze mirror, Gan Cai'er could hardly recognize herself and couldn't help but admire Granny Huang's superb ability to recreate herself.

Xiao Hong was also completely different from before.

After changing her clothes, Gan Cai'er bid farewell to Aunt Zhao and left Tingzhu Courtyard with Xiao Hong. The two, mistress and servant, continued walking along the path out of the mansion.

As they approached the side exit, Gan Cai'er saw three or four maids holding lotus flowers, giving a few to each of the ladies who had left earlier, saying it was a small token of Madam Du's appreciation.

Everyone couldn't help but praise Madam Du for being generous, considerate, and thoughtful.

Gan Cai'er noticed that whenever a woman wore a red dress, the maids would always stop her and ask her a few more questions, subtly inquiring about which family she belonged to, where she lived, and whether she had a good time. They would even give her two extra lotus flowers.

Gan Cai'er stopped and turned around, then walked back into the Du residence.

"Miss, didn't you say you were going to leave the manor?" Xiao Hong asked, completely confused.

"I've changed my mind. I'll wait until the banquet is over and then leave with everyone."