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

Huang Tinghai was right; the Wu family was indeed the most prominent family in Danzhou Prefecture. Although Wu Songping's official rank was not as high as Du Zhong's, and he only held a minor military position, the Wu family's influence in Danzhou was much deeper than that of the Du family.

The Wu family has been in Danzhou for a century, their influence deeply entrenched and pervasive, like a dense spider web. Within Danzhou, the Wu family can easily control everything.

But the Wu family was unwilling to be confined to Danzhou; they dreamed of returning to the capital and the core of political power. Unfortunately, the Wu family disciples were not talented enough to support the Wu family's ambitions.

If quality is lacking, quantity will make up for it. The Wu family had a large number of offspring. Wu Songping alone had six sons and eight daughters, and his household was filled with wives and concubines, and his children and grandchildren were numerous.

Wu Songping only obtained the rank of a fourth-grade general thanks to his family's influence. He had no other skills, but he was most adept at scheming and climbing the ranks.

Since his own son was disappointing, he had no choice but to seek out other people's outstanding sons. As a result, his daughters became Wu Songping's biggest bargaining chip.

If the Du family mansion can be described as grand, then the Wu family mansion can only be called luxurious. Its scale and exquisiteness are comparable to those of the wealthy families in the capital.

The mansion features small bridges, flowing water, carved beams, and painted rafters, a sight that dazzles the eye.

Zhu Xiaoxiao clicked her tongue in amazement as she walked.

"A general's residence built to this scale, aren't they afraid of being impeached by the censors?"

"The emperor is far away, and in this remote corner of Danzhou, where could any censor possibly be found?"

"That's not necessarily true!" Zhu Xiaoxiao said dismissively. "Didn't someone from the Hanlin Academy come to Danzhou on imperial orders last time? The Wu family's behavior is so arrogant and oversteps the bounds; they're bound to run into trouble sooner or later."

“I often heard my grandfather say that he was able to retire to his hometown and live out his days in peace because he was diligent and low-key when he was an official. Those who were high-profile all died young.”

Gan Cai'er paused upon hearing this. She thought for a moment and seemed to recall that there really was such a thing.

After Lan Tingzhou became an official, Gan Cai'er and he settled in the capital and never returned to Qingshui Town. Most of the news about Qingshui Town and Danzhou came from Zhu Xiaoxiao's gossip in her letters.

She remembered that once, Zhu Xiaoxiao mentioned in a letter that the situation in Danzhou Prefecture had changed drastically. A powerful family had been raided and its property confiscated for deceiving the emperor, embezzling government taxes, and disregarding human life.

It seems that the family in question is surnamed Wu?

Gan Cai'er was startled and, when she came to her senses and looked at the bustling scene before her, felt a chill run down her spine.

Sure enough, those who are too high-profile die quickly.

Wu Xin's tea party was held in a waterside pavilion in the Wu residence. There were not many noble ladies present today, about seven or eight, all of whom were her close friends, either from prominent families or relatives of officials, all from her own small circle.

Zhu Xiaoxiao and Gan Cai'er were the only two unfamiliar faces. However, after everyone heard that Gan Cai'er was Lan Tingzhou's cousin, they all gave them meaningful smiles.

"Ah Cai, why do I find their laughter creepy?" Zhu Xiaoxiao whispered.

"Yeah, I think so too. They all seem to have ill intentions."

"How about we go for a walk?"

"Alright."

So, Gan Cai'er put down her melon seeds, and Zhu Xiaoxiao put down her teacup. The two apologized to everyone and then left the waterside pavilion hand in hand.

The two strolled casually along the lake, with Xiao Hong and Huan'er following behind.

The autumn wind was already quite chilly, and when it blew on my face, it cleared my mind.

"I only met Miss Wu once, and we are not acquainted. Why did she invite me to this tea party?" Zhu Xiaoxiao asked, looking at the group of women in the waterside pavilion from afar.

"Didn't I tell you already? You're smart and beautiful, you're sure to win her heart," Gan Cai'er laughed.

“Speak like a human!” Zhu Xiaoxiao raised her eyebrows and glared at her.

Gan Cai'er paused for a moment, then sighed.

"Didn't you ever consider that maybe she really wanted to invite me, not you?"

"For the Lanting Boat?" Zhu Xiaoxiao understood immediately.

"It seems so." Gan Cai'er nodded.

"Tsk, tsk, are there no good men left in Danzhou Prefecture?" Zhu Xiaoxiao shook her head in bewilderment. "Aren't there three great academies here? I heard they produce many outstanding young talents."

Gan Cai'er gave Zhu Xiaoxiao a disdainful look.

Zhu Xiaoxiao's judgment of character is truly terrible. No wonder she was able to fall for Ma Yuting in her past life.

With his appearance, talent, and demeanor, Lan Tingzhou was clearly no ordinary person; he was far beyond the reach of ordinary talents.

Not to mention Danzhou Prefecture, even in the capital, there aren't many people as outstanding as him.

The two chatted idly as they wandered aimlessly, and then they realized they were lost.

They were in a secluded, winding corridor, with a moon gate at each end. Outside the moon gates were two different gardens, one with an artificial hill and pond, and the other with a bamboo grove.

What lies beyond the small garden is unknown.

"I'd better ask someone for directions. It wouldn't be good if I accidentally wandered into someone's inner quarters." Zhu Xiaoxiao stopped in her tracks.

“Alright.” Gan Cai’er nodded.

"Xiao Hong, go and see if you can find someone to ask for directions. We can rest here for a bit."

As she spoke, Gan Cai'er took the lead and walked towards the artificial hill and pond.

The garden there was spacious and open, unlike the secluded bamboo grove. If someone were to pass by, they could see it from afar without causing any misunderstanding.

Once in the garden, the three of them found a stone bench and sat down. Huan'er, being young, was restless and soon began wandering around the small garden, looking here and there.

"Miss, look! The red carp in this pond are so plump!"

Gan Cai'er and Zhu Xiaoxiao looked in the direction of the sound, and indeed, the red carp in the pond were all plump and strong, floating there quietly, unable to swim.

"Hey, there's another golden one here, Miss, come and see!" Huan'er exclaimed excitedly.

Golden carp? That's quite rare.

Gan Cai'er and Zhu Xiaoxiao also got up and went over. They saw the golden shadow flash by and disappear into the artificial rockery's water cave. Huan'er picked up a dry twig and lay down at the base of the rockery, poking it repeatedly, trying to coax the golden carp to peek out.

Gan Cai'er and Zhu Xiaoxiao also gathered around her, looking at the strange sight.

As the three of them were lying down watching the carp, they suddenly heard a series of light footsteps coming from outside the artificial hill.

"Third sister, why did you drag me here?"

Gan Cai'er and Zhu Xiaoxiao exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with astonishment. It was indeed Wu Xin!

Then, the two of them tacitly lifted their skirts and hid behind the artificial hill, holding their breath. Seeing this, Huan'er also threw away the dry branch in her hand and quietly stood close to the artificial hill.

"Xin'er, I heard you went to Aunt Chen's room the other day to ask her for medicine?"

"Third sister, how did you know? Who was gossiping about you?!" Wu Xin's voice was both surprised and angry.

"Never mind how I know, just say yes or no?"

Wu Xin remained silent for a long time.

"You're so foolish! You're so foolish!" Miss Wu shouted angrily.

Behind the artificial hill, Zhu Xiaoxiao and Gan Cai'er stared wide-eyed. What secret tale had they stumbled upon this time?