There is a happy inn in the capital.

Lord Gu looked at Hai Yaoyi: "You know perfectly well what you did in Yangzhou in mid-April."

Hai Daren began, "My son is in my hometown paying respects to my ancestors."

Lord Gu flicked his sleeve, glanced at Lord Hai, and then looked at Hai Yaoyi: "Is that so? Tell me yourself, besides this, what else did you do?"

Hai Daren was puzzled. Could this kid have done something bad behind his back? He then looked at Hai Yaoyi.

Hai Yao completely ignored his father, focusing solely on what his father-in-law was saying, wondering if his rendezvous with Lan had been discovered.

However, Princess Changning promised him she wouldn't expose him, and Princess Changning and that Miss Li weren't at the Gu residence.

Hai Yao composed himself and said, "My son-in-law, I only went to pay respects to our ancestors; I did nothing else."

Lord Gu looked sharply at Hai Yaoyi. Very well, she wouldn't speak. He had originally thought that after decades of working together, if Hai Yaoyi told the truth, the marriage could be amicably negotiated and annuled.

That's how it is...

Gu Ziying suddenly chuckled and said, "Young Master Hai really knows how to lie without batting an eye."

Hai Yao was filled with doubt. He hadn't seen Gu Ziying on the day of the lake excursion; perhaps it was just a ruse?

Hai Yao's voice was still sweet enough to seduce anyone: "Zi Ying, why do you say that?"

Gu Ziying took a deep breath, suppressing her discomfort, and said coldly, "Please call me Miss Gu, Young Master Hai."

Hai Yaoyi, looking somewhat sad, said, "Little sister Ziying, your brother Yaoyi is very fond of you. Why are you so distant from me? You're making me heartbroken."

As Haiyao spoke, she clutched her chest and took a step back. By the last sentence, she was frowning and shaking her head, putting on a full-on emotional performance.

She acts like a pitiful little thing who's been heartbroken by her lover; only the performer knows the truth.

Gu Ziying felt disgusted upon hearing this, and speechless upon seeing his actions. She wanted him to show some respect.

Before he could speak, a familiar voice came from afar.

"Oh dear, the scenery at the Gu residence is truly beautiful, but it's a pity there's a fly buzzing around here, so disgusting, so disgusting!"

Gu Ziying was already incredibly annoyed, but Li Shuchen's words almost made her burst out laughing. She knew in her heart that Li Shuchen had spoken up for Hai Yaoyi, calling her disgusting.

Well said

Li Shuchen strode into the lobby, his attitude upright and his manners impeccable.

Li Shuchen: "Li Shuchen greets Lord Gu and Lord Hai."

Hai Yao's expression froze when she saw the person bowing—it was her, Miss Li.

Lord Gu said with a doting expression, "Chen'er, just call me Uncle Gu. Just as Ziying said, you are exceptionally intelligent."

Li Shuchen knew that Uncle Gu was afraid that Lord Hai and Hai Yao would make things difficult for her, so he preemptively told them that Li Shuchen was under his protection.

Li Shuchen smiled adorably: "Uncle Gu, you flatter me. It's all thanks to Sister Ziying's excellent teaching."

Lord Hai was initially somewhat displeased—who was this girl who dared to enter the Gu residence and disturb their conversation?—but upon hearing this, he let it go.

Li Shuchen stepped forward, took Gu Ziying's hand, and said, "Ziying, you've become even more beautiful in just a few days."

Gu Ziying looked exceptionally beautiful today, dressed in a light purple silk robe, adorned with a pearl and gold crown, and pearls adorning her temples on both sides. Her complexion was rosy, and she exuded a dignified and elegant air.

Hai Yao also looked up and saw that she was indeed more beautiful, more captivating, and more desirable.

Li Shuchen moved swiftly, conveniently blocking Hai Yaoyi's view. That scumbag Hai Yaoyi, did he even deserve to look at her?

Hai Yao glanced at it once, but Li Shuchen blocked her view.

Watching Li Shuchen's little gestures, Gu Ziying affectionately patted Li Shuchen's hair and said, "Shuchen, you look as beautiful as a flower today."

Of course! Li Shuchen wore a light green silk dress today, and put on all her best jewelry—not too much, not too little, just right. She also applied lip rouge, blush, and drew her eyebrows.

She looked good in the mirror before leaving; she wanted to make a good impression on Gu Ziying.

The two sisters chatted and laughed, seemingly forgetting about the Hai family members and treating them like they were invisible.

Hai Yao was very annoyed and coughed.

Li Shuchen pretended to be surprised when he first saw Hai Yaoyi.

Li Shuchen: "Oh! Young Master Hai is here too. How have you and your cousin been since we parted ways in Yangzhou?"

Hai Yao put on a fake smile; he couldn't admit it, or he'd give himself away.

Hai Yaoyi: "Miss Li, you're joking. We've never met, and you don't have any cousin with me."

Hai Daren turned to look at Hai Yaoyi. Where did he get a cousin? Could it be that she'd really been hiding something from him? Hai Daren decided to wait and see.

Upon hearing this, Li Shuchen thought, "Oh, this scumbag is pretending not to know me because he's afraid I'll tell on him since we're so close."

Li Shuchen shook his head and sighed, "Alas, if Young Master Hai says that, I'm afraid the girl in pink will be heartbroken."

Li Shuchen: "You even wiped her mouth back then, your behavior was quite intimate."

Hai Yao retorted, "Miss Li, don't make things up. There's no such thing as a girl in pink. Father-in-law, you must believe your son-in-law!"

Lord Gu didn't want to pay him any attention at all.

Hai Yao raised his hand to his ear and said, "My love for Ziying is unwavering and I have no other intentions. If I break this vow, may I be struck by lightning."

Just as Hai Yao finished speaking, a sound came from outside the hall.

"Princess Changning has arrived."

Princess Changning walked in haughtily, dressed in silk she had bought in Yangzhou, exuding unparalleled luxury from head to toe. Her gold hairpins glittered, and her makeup was exquisite.

Lord Gu and Lord Hai bowed respectfully, saying, "Your humble servant greets Princess Changning."

Gu Ziying: "Greetings, Princess Changning"

Li Shuchen also bowed to Gu Ziying.

Hai Yao bowed and said, "Hai Yao greets Princess Changning."

Princess Changning waved her hand and said, "No need for formalities."

He then sat in a high position

Then he took something from the maid and threw it at Hai Yaoyi, which then rolled onto the ground.

Princess Changning: "You think you can bribe me with that stinking crown you gave me? Keep dreaming."

Li Shuchen was delighted with Changning's cocky demeanor. "Well done!" he thought, giving Princess Changning a look of approval.

This statement confirmed that Hai Yaoyi had a close relationship with another girl.

Princess Changning would never do such a thing for no reason.

Hai Daren recognized the hair ornament rolling on the ground as his son's. It was a gift from Hai Yaoyi when he was twenty, given in the hope that he would become a good person.

Enraged, Lord Hai slapped Hai Yaoyi across the face: "You scoundrel, kneel down and admit your mistake!"

The moment Hai Yao saw Princess Changning, he panicked, but he couldn't admit it. He continued to feign innocence, wearing an expression of being falsely accused.

Hai Yaoyi finally looked at her father and said, "Father, I didn't."

He wouldn't kneel

Hai Yaoyi: "What evidence do you have? How can you prove that this hair ornament is mine? There are plenty of hair ornaments exactly like this one."

Upon hearing this, Hai Daren was deeply disappointed by Hai Yao's words; this was something he had commissioned a skilled craftsman to make.