My low-key cultivation of immortality was discovered by the emperor in my diary.

Chu Wen'er was speechless after being choked by Chu Lengyu's words.

She was furious, but there was nothing she could do.

Chu Lengyu was personally taken home and raised by the eldest master, a fact known throughout the capital. Even without blood ties, she was the nominal eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

Although Chu Wen'er was the eldest daughter of the second wife, she could only be subordinate to her and be addressed as "Second Miss".

In order to maintain the dignity of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, her parents only allowed her to make things difficult for Chu Lengyu, but forbade her to act recklessly, make a big fuss, or cause controversy.

It should be noted that Second Master Chu's position as "Duke of Zhenguo" was obtained through some tricks and methods.

Before Chu Hanchen passed away, Second Master Chu personally promised him at his bedside that he would treat Chu Lengyu as his own daughter and take good care of her from now on.

These are all absolutely true and cannot be denied.

Otherwise, given Chu Wen'er's personality, she would have already sent someone to disfigure Chu Lengyu's face and kick her out of the mansion.

But for now, Chu Wen'er can only show off her power; she can't actually do anything to her.

She could usually only gain the upper hand verbally and make Chu Lengyu uncomfortable. But today, Chu Lengyu silenced her with the words, "I am naturally beautiful."

Damn it, she's just a bastard child who was picked up, how come she was born with such good looks and such good luck!

Chu Wen'er truly hated her.

At this moment, the heavy snow had just stopped, and the cold wind was biting, causing the remaining snow on the branches to fall in a rustling sound.

Chu Wen'er suddenly smiled, but there was a hint of coldness in that smile.

"Sister seems to be much better. The scenery here is nice. Since you're feeling bored inside, why don't you stand here a bit longer and get some fresh air? I'll send a few people here to keep you company, so you won't be bored."

After she finished speaking, she pointed out several maids and servants and ordered them to stay here and "keep Chu Lengyu company".

She watched coldly without saying a word. Once Chu Wen'er left, she would naturally have many ways to leave.

However, Chu Wen'er did not leave immediately as Chu Lengyu had expected.

A smug smile played on her lips as she took a gold-embossed invitation from the maid and gently unfolded it.

She flaunted the invitation in front of Chu Lengyu's eyes, her face full of provocation.

"Sister, look, this is an invitation to the snow appreciation banquet personally hosted by Princess Jin'an. Her Highness just sent it over."

Chu Wen'er's words were full of pride and boasting, as if she had already foreseen Chu Lengyu's envious yet helpless expression.

However, Chu Lengyu's reaction was beyond her expectations.

She just stood there, unmoved by what she said.

Her face remained cold and unmoved, as if the invitation was nothing more than a useless piece of paper to her.

Upon seeing this, Chu Wen'er felt a surge of inexplicable anger.

She deliberately raised her voice and continued, "Sister, I forgot, you've never received an invitation to a banquet, nor have you ever been invited by a princess. You probably can't even imagine how grand those gatherings of noble ladies are, can you?"

Her words were full of sarcasm and disdain, directly mocking Chu Lengyu.

Seeing this, the maids and servants behind Chu Wen'er also chimed in.

They surrounded Chu Lengyu and began to laugh at her wantonly.

"Your Highness has such discerning eyes, knowing that there is only one true young lady in our Duke's mansion," a shrill old woman said.

“Those who can’t be considered respectable, even if they manage to climb the social ladder by chance, will ultimately never be respectable,” another maid chimed in sarcastically.

"Why do you think Master Chu wouldn't allow someone to accept the invitation? Is it because he knows in his heart that someone is too shameful?" An older maid deliberately raised her voice, drawing laughter from those around her.

Their words became increasingly offensive, and their laughter grew more and more grating.

Chu Lengyu stood still, her eyes gradually turning cold.

With just a thought, she could easily get rid of these gossipy women and the detestable Chu Wen'er.

But Chu Lengyu knew she wasn't a bloodthirsty person, and she didn't want to expose her special abilities so quickly.

So she took a deep breath, suppressed her anger, and chose to endure it for the time being.

Let them be arrogant for a few more days...

Looking at Chu Lengyu's calm and composed face, Chu Wen'er felt a surge of inexplicable irritation.

She felt that her pride and boasting seemed so pale and powerless in front of Chu Lengyu.

So she put away the invitation in her hand, turned around listlessly, and said to her personal maid, Arou, "Let's go and take a look at the plum garden. I heard that there is a maid who is dishonest and dared to secretly pick the plum blossoms in the plum garden."

Arou immediately understood, a fawning smile appearing on her face, and continued Chu Wen'er's words:

"Yes, Miss. That maid was incredibly audacious; luckily, she was caught red-handed by the garden keeper."

Today she dares to steal plum blossoms; tomorrow she might dare to steal silver or other valuables. If this kind of servant isn't severely punished, how can we deter other servants?

Their words made Chu Lengyu frown.

Stealing plum blossoms... Could they be referring to Lü Yun?

No wonder Lüyun hadn't appeared before her all day; it turned out she had been captured and detained.

However, the plum garden is so big, picking some plum blossoms is nothing, is that a sin?

Hmph, deliberately stirring up trouble and intentionally making things difficult for me.

Making a mountain out of a molehill over the smallest things—isn't that a kind of "torturous" life?

What's the point of forcing yourself to stay in a place like this? She kept shaking her head inwardly.

"Wait!"

Chu Lengyu called out to them.

Upon finally hearing those words, Chu Wen'er turned around.

She raised her chin and said smugly, "Sister, you can relax here. Leave the useless servants to me, so as not to affect your reputation."

“If you’re talking about Lüyun, she went to pick plum blossoms on my orders. She didn’t steal them!” Chu Lengyu argued.

"Without evidence, the guilty party should be presumed guilty! Green Jade, as a servant, dared to steal from the master's house. She deserves all the punishment she should receive!" Chu Wen'er curled her lips and led her people away.

(The principle of "presumption of guilt" is only applicable to this worldview and has nothing to do with real life.)

Chu Lengyu fell silent.

The maid, Arou, took the opportunity to flatter her mistress, saying, "Miss is really amazing; she changed her expression with just one sentence."

"Hmph." Chu Wen'er felt even more smug upon hearing this.

She lifted her leg to leave, but suddenly her foot slipped.

In her panic, her limbs went out of her control, and she lunged forward.

Finally, with a "bang," it crashed to the ground.

"Ah! Miss!" Arou screamed.

The maids and servants all tried to help Chu Wen'er up, but they all slipped and fell together.

When they finally struggled to their feet and hurriedly helped Chu Wen'er up, they saw that her face was covered in bruises, her makeup was ruined, and tears and dust mingled together, making her look extremely disheveled.

Seeing that her mistress had fallen and was covered in bruises, Ah Rou was terrified and hurriedly shouted, "Quick! Go get a doctor!"

Chu Wen'er's face twitched with pain.

She was terrified, afraid that she might have been disfigured from the fall, otherwise why would it hurt so much, and why would Arou and the others be so panicked.

A group of people surrounded her, and a buzzing sound filled her ears.

She looked up, only able to watch helplessly as Chu Lengyu turned and left, her back view aloof and cold.

Meanwhile, Chu Lengyu, who was leaving to find Lüyun, was silently thinking to herself.

Chu Wen'er, this is just a small punishment. If you provoke me again next time, don't blame me for breaking your legs.