Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

Before Su Qianrou could speak, Chunzhu couldn't help but say, "Miss Liu didn't bring any, she can just go and buy some, why does she need to borrow from my young lady?"

If Liu Xiang had money, she wouldn't have asked for this. If her father were still alive, it would be fine, but since her father passed away, their family property has been controlled by her grandmother and uncle. They haven't gotten a single penny. If it weren't for her mother's dowry, they would probably have starved to death long ago.

Her mother's dowry, aside from daily expenses, was almost entirely used for her brother Liu Feng. She herself only had two new clothes made for New Year's or other holidays, and as for jewelry, she could only buy two pieces a year.

Therefore, when she saw that Su Qianrou wore almost different jewelry every day, as well as the rewards the Emperor gave her, she was insanely jealous.

"My third cousin is not willing."

“My jewelry was all prepared for me by my mother, so it might not be appropriate to give it to you. But I recently bought a gold hairpin with a butterfly design, which matches my cousin Xiang’er quite well, so I’ll give it to her… Chunzhu, go and get the hairpin.”

Although Chunzhu was unwilling, she didn't say anything, turned around to get it, and soon brought the hairpin back and gave it to Liu Xiang.

Liu Xiang glanced at her, somewhat disgusted, thinking she was trying to fob off a beggar, but she didn't say anything. She simply said, "Thank you, Third Cousin. I'll head back now," and then got up and left.

This infuriated Chunzhu, who shouted at the door, "What the hell? She's complaining about it? If she's so capable, then don't take it!"

Su Qianrou didn't say anything, picked up her teacup and took a sip, looking indifferent.

Juxia then said, "Miss, I've heard that Miss Liu has recently been using the Marquis's name to make friends with many young men outside."

"Young Master".

"Ok".

Su Qianrou thought for a moment and then understood what was going on. She ordered, "Send someone to keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't do anything out of line."

"Yes, miss."

The next day, Su Qianrou was leisurely drinking tea in a private room of the teahouse.

Opposite her sat two men, one who looked about the same age as Su Mingxuan and the other about the same age as Su Haoyu.

They are Su Qianrou's uncle's children. They are the eldest cousin, Lin Xiaoyang, who is twenty years old this year. He is the eldest son in the family, married, and has a child who is almost two years old.

Sitting next to him was his younger brother, Lin Yulin, who was also Su Qianrou's cousin and was now fifteen years old.

Then, Lin Xiaoyang said, "My cousin invited us out today, it must be more than just for tea."

Su Qianrou smiled, then put down her teacup. "My cousin is indeed clever."

"Speak, what is it?"

"I want to open a restaurant, but as you know, I've only been back for a short time and don't know much about the capital. So, I don't know where to start with many things. Therefore, I'd like to ask you for help. I wonder if you would be willing?"

"You want to open a restaurant."

"Ok".

"Restaurants are practically everywhere in the capital, some have been in business for over a hundred years, and the least have been around for over a decade. My cousin opening a restaurant in the capital is not a wise choice."

"Don't worry, cousin. My restaurant is a little different from theirs."

"I would like to hear the details."

"I want to open a restaurant that combines formal dining, hot pot, and barbecue."

"Cousin, what is hot pot? And what is barbecue?" Lin Yulin asked curiously.

"Well... how about this, we'll find some time to go to the mountain villa on the outskirts of the city for a few days, and then I'll show you around. If you think it's good, then we can talk further. What do you think, cousin?"

"Okay, then let's do it in three days."

"Okay, then cousin will bring his wife and niece along."

"Ok".

Afterwards, Su Qianrou returned to the Marquis's residence and went to the Siyi Courtyard.

Unexpectedly, as soon as I entered the courtyard, I heard my mother's angry roar coming from inside the house, "How can you be such a proper aunt, pushing your own niece into a fire pit?"

"I did that for Qianrou's own good."

"Ha, doing it for her own good means marrying a useless person, ptooey."

"Don't be ungrateful."

"Get out of here, get out of here."

Upon hearing this, Chunzhu said timidly, "Miss, I have never seen Madam so angry before."

"Let's go in and take a look," he said, and stepped inside.

Chunzhu hurriedly followed.

Upon entering, she saw Lin Xiaoran sitting on the couch, while Lin Rong stood up, glaring at her angrily, clearly quite furious.

Su Qianrou said calmly, "What brings you here today, Aunt?" As she spoke, she walked to Lin Rong's side and called out, "Mother."

"Why are you here?"

"I've come to have a meal with you," he said, helping her sit down. "You're not feeling well, don't upset yourself. Sit down and let's talk."

Lin Xiao sat down, but her anger had not subsided.

Then, Su Qianrou looked at Lin Xiaoran and asked again, "I've never seen Auntie come over to sit down before, why did she come today?"

Lin Xiaoran knew she couldn't win an argument with her, so she didn't answer. Instead, she stood up, looked at Lin Rong, and said, "Second sister-in-law, you should really consider my suggestion. It's not a loss for Qianrou to marry into that family. After all, it's the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion." After saying that, she gave Su Qianrou a meaningful look, and then left without looking back.

Lin Rong's anger flared up again instantly. "Don't even think about it. It's impossible."

"Alright, Mom, don't be angry. It's not worth getting sick from getting angry."

Lin Rong was still furious, and the more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

Su Qianrou gently patted her back to help her catch her breath.

After she calmed down a bit, Su Qianrou asked, "Mother, what happened? Why did Aunt come over and make you so angry?"

"Hmph, she wouldn't come here without a reason. She actually wants you to marry into the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion."

"The Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion?" Su Qianrou looked puzzled, because she had never heard of it.

"The Zhenguo Duke's Mansion has gradually declined in recent years, so it's normal that you haven't heard of it," Lin Rong continued. "Speaking of the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion, it's quite a pity. Twenty years ago, who in the entire Yunyue would dare to underestimate the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion? Unfortunately, good times don't last long. Eight years ago, General Liu was betrayed by his subordinates and killed. Madam Liu couldn't accept her husband's death and ultimately chose to follow him in death, leaving behind a nine-year-old son and a six-year-old daughter. That's not all. The year after General Liu's death, the young heir was conferred a title, which should have been a good thing. However, a few days after the conferment, his legs inexplicably became paralyzed, making it impossible for him to stand, let alone walk. And from then on, the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion began to decline."

Upon hearing this, Su Qianrou's first reaction was that the young master's leg had probably been harmed.