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

Gan Cai'er attended the banquet as Mrs. Lan Tingzhou, so she was dressed in formal attire.

She wore a light yellow jacket embroidered with butterflies and flowers, and a gold hairpin adorned with eight treasures and pearls, inlaid with rubies, sapphires, jade, agate and other gemstones. Her head was covered in a dazzling array of jade and emeralds, which shone brightly in the sunlight, making her look exceptionally gorgeous.

Gan Cai'er was extremely high-profile today. Her already outstanding features were made even more striking by her meticulous makeup, making her look even more domineering.

She knew that Wu Xin would definitely pay attention to her today. This should be the first time that "Madam Lan" and Wu Xin have met.

She had met Wu Xin a few times before under the guise of Xie Caiyun, and fearing that it would arouse her suspicion, she dressed herself up extravagantly today, which was very much in line with her reputation for being spoiled and domineering in Qingshui Town.

She didn't even dare bring Xiao Hong today, but instead brought Lu Ye instead.

After Gan Cai'er and Zhu Xiaoxiao got off the carriage, they were led by a maid to the back hall to pay their respects to Old Madam Wu and Madam Wu.

As she walked, strange glances drifted from behind her—some curious, some amazed, and many filled with envy and resentment.

"I think you're more eye-catching than Lan Tingzhou today. Look at all those people staring at you like wolves." Zhu Xiaoxiao clicked her tongue a few times.

"Maybe they're just curious about which cow chewed up the peony on the mountain," Gan Cai'er said with a self-deprecating laugh.

"Heh, even if they're unwilling, there's nothing they can do. You've already chewed up that high-mountain peony and swallowed it whole," Zhu Xiaoxiao chuckled.

What do you mean by telling her to chew it up and swallow it? That doesn't sound like a serious statement. Gan Cai'er glanced at Zhu Xiaoxiao, not wanting to pay her any attention.

As she looked around, her gaze suddenly froze.

“Hey, isn’t that Huang Lanxiang?” Gan Cai’er tugged at Zhu Xiaoxiao.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiaoxiao followed Gan Cai'er's gaze. She saw several women sitting together chatting in the side hall. One of them sat stiffly to the side, her head hanging low, as if she wanted to bury her head in her chest, looking extremely restless.

It was Huang Lanxiang.

"What's she doing here?" Zhu Xiaoxiao asked, puzzled.

Today's banquet is mainly for talented men; there are not many women present.

"Perhaps they came with Huang Tinghai," Gan Cai'er guessed.

"That's quite strange. She's Huang Tinghai's older sister, not his wife, and she's a widow. Could it be that Huang Tinghai wants to use this opportunity to find someone for his sister to remarry?"

“Let’s go take a look,” Gan Cai’er said.

Upon suddenly seeing Huang Lanxiang, Gan Cai'er was secretly delighted. At least she now had another way to learn about Huang Tinghai's movements.

When Gan Cai'er and Zhu Xiaoxiao walked up to Huang Lanxiang, Huang Lanxiang was both surprised and delighted.

"Lady Lan, Miss Zhu, it really is you!"

"Madam Lan, you look absolutely stunning today, like a fairy descended from heaven! I didn't even dare to approach you to acknowledge you when I saw you just now."

"It's not that exaggerated," Gan Cai'er laughed.

"Xiangniang, what are you doing here today? Did Young Master Huang bring you here?" Zhu Xiaoxiao asked.

"Yes." Huang Lanxiang nodded and smiled shyly. "The Eighth Miss said she wanted to make new clothes. When she heard that I was an embroiderer at Jinxiu Workshop, she asked my younger brother to call me over to help her take a look."

"Miss Zhu, were you and Madam Lan also summoned by the Eighth Miss to have clothes made for her?"

Gan Cai'er and Zhu Xiaoxiao exchanged a glance, both of them somewhat surprised. Huang Lanxiang was actually invited by Wu Xin.

Gan Cai'er shook her head at Huang Lanxiang: "No. My husband was fortunate enough to pass the imperial examination and became a scholar. He was invited by Lord Wu to a banquet at the Wu residence today. I came along to broaden my horizons."

"Oh, congratulations, Madam Lan!" Huang Lanxiang offered her heartfelt congratulations.

Just then, a maid from the Wu household came over and asked Huang Lanxiang, "Excuse me, is this Madam Huang?"

Huang Lanxiang looked at the newcomer with unease.

"I am Madam Huang. May I ask what business this lady has with me?"

"My eighth young lady said that if Madam Huang arrives, she will have me lead her to Ziwu Courtyard, where she will be waiting for you," the maid said with a smile.

"Just... just me alone, going to the inner courtyard?" Huang Lanxiang clenched her hands tightly, stammering nervously.

“Madam Huang, there’s no need to be nervous. The Eighth Miss invited you over to take a look at the style and embroidery of the clothes,” the maid explained patiently.

To her surprise, this explanation only made Huang Lanxiang more nervous. Huang Lanxiang had always been timid, having grown up in a village. The closest place she had ever been was Danzhou Prefecture, and the highest-ranking official she had ever met was the village head.

The sudden decision to have her meet a noblewoman alone, and even just glancing at her luxurious mansion, made her legs feel weak.

She desperately wanted to find Huang Tinghai and have him accompany her. But that was clearly impossible. Huang Tinghai was an outsider and couldn't enter the inner quarters.

So she grabbed Gan Cai'er's hand and pleaded almost desperately, "Lan, Lan's wife, you have better taste than me. You, you'll come with me, okay?"

Huang Lanxiang's eyes were filled with tension and helplessness. Gan Cai'er smiled and patted her hand.

"Okay, I'll go with you."

Gan Cai'er was overjoyed to have the opportunity to see Wu Xin legitimately. Her original intention for coming here was to keep an eye on Wu Xin and prevent her from making a move against Lan Tingzhou.

Isn't now the perfect time?

Zhu Xiaoxiao frowned slightly.

Her plan with Gan Cai'er today was indeed to find an opportunity to get close to Wu Xin, intending for her to act as the one searching for her. But before this plan could be implemented, a golden opportunity fell into their laps.

"Hurry up and come back. I heard there's an opera troupe performing in the park later," Zhu Xiaoxiao said.

"Aren't you coming with us?" Gan Cai'er asked, somewhat surprised.

This was not what they had planned.

"The Eighth Miss only invited Xiangniang. If we go with a large group, wouldn't that be annoying? I won't go."

Gan Cai'er didn't know what Zhu Xiaoxiao was up to, but she had her reasons for not going, and she wouldn't force her.

So she took Green Leaf and Huang Lanxiang and followed the maid to Ziwu Courtyard.

Wu Xin's Ziwu Courtyard was very large, two or three times larger than the small courtyard Gan Cai'er rented on Cuiyun South Street. Not only was the Ziwu Courtyard large, but it was also exquisitely decorated, with beautifully carved beams and painted rafters. This clearly demonstrates Wu Songping's love and care for this daughter.

The maid led Gan Cai'er and Huang Lanxiang into a side hall.

"Please wait here for a moment, ladies. Miss Eight is currently receiving guests at the front and will be back shortly."

After speaking, the maid curtsied and left. A moment later, two younger maids entered, one in light blue and the other in light pink.

Two maids served tea and pastries to Gan Cai'er and her companion. The maid in the light blue dress had a round face and was very pleasing to the eye.

She smiled and said to the two of them, "This is a chrysanthemum tea unique to our Ziwu Courtyard. You two ladies are welcome to try it."

"If you need anything, ladies, please feel free to call us. We'll be waiting for you under the eaves."

“Okay, thank you both, sisters,” Gan Cai’er said.

The two maids closed the door and went out.

Only Gan Cai'er and Huang Lanxiang remained in the room. Only then did Huang Lanxiang relax a little.

"Mrs. Lan, thank you so much today. I don't know what I would have done without you here." Huang Lanxiang looked at Gan Cai'er gratefully.

"Xiangniang, you're being too polite by saying that," Gan Cai'er comforted Huang Lanxiang.

"Besides, Miss Wu likes Jinxiufang's clothes, which is a great thing. Maybe she will become a big customer of the store in the future."

"If this works out, I'll have Boss Zhang give you a big red envelope."

Huang Lanxiang lowered her head and smiled shyly.

"No need for a big red envelope. Being able to join Jinxiufang is already a great blessing for me. It's only right that I can do something for the store."

"It seems that Young Master Huang has a very good relationship with the Wu family?" Gan Cai'er asked casually.

"Yes, it was Lord Wu who sponsored my younger brother's tuition. Lord Wu greatly admires my younger brother's talent, and my younger brother also respects Lord Wu." Huang Lanxiang's face seemed to light up when she talked about Huang Tinghai.

“I heard that Danzhou has a few spots for the special imperial examination this year. Young Master Huang has become famous at a young age, and Lord Wu thinks highly of him. I think he should be able to get one of these spots, right?” Gan Cai’er asked tentatively.

For a moment, Huang Lanxiang's face froze, then she raised her hand, picked up the chrysanthemum tea on the table, and took a big gulp.

"This tea is so fragrant. Madam Lan, you must try it. I've never had such good tea before."

As she spoke, Huang Lanxiang took several more large gulps.

Gan Cai'er sensed something amiss with Huang Lanxiang's actions; it seemed this special imperial examination spot was very important to Huang Tinghai. However, Lan Tingzhou hadn't gotten this spot in his previous life either.

As Gan Cai'er pondered this, she followed Huang Lanxiang's words, picked up the chrysanthemum tea beside her, and took a small sip. The tea filled her mouth with fragrance and had a delicate, sweet aftertaste; it was indeed a fine tea.

One bite, but only this one bite.

"Snap"

Gan Cai'er's teacup fell to the ground and shattered into several pieces.

In a daze, she heard Green Leaf's panicked cries, and then Green Leaf fell silent.

When Gan Cai'er collapsed into a daze, she finally realized that the medicine Wu Xin had prepared was not for Lan Tingzhou at all, but was meant to be used on her.