After transmigrating, I became a stepmother.

Lin Hao had no time to pay attention to the crowd's astonishment. She smiled and replied to the magistrate's wife, "Since you have honored me with your presence, of course I must give you a proper welcome!"

"You sure know how to talk!" the magistrate's wife teased.

As they talked, the group arrived at the main hall.

Unsurprisingly, after another round of pleasantries, the old lady and the magistrate's wife took their seats at the head of the table.

"It's quite lively today!" The magistrate's wife glanced around and said to Lin Hao.

"That's right, everyone is so busy during the holidays, it's a rare opportunity to get together and relax!"

Lin Hao knew that the magistrate's wife was referring to the large number of guests present today, so she could only smile and smooth things over. After all, Gu Liunian had not yet passed the exam, and the Gu family had to keep a low profile and not offend anyone easily. She thought the magistrate's wife would understand.

Indeed, after Lin Hao's remark, the magistrate's wife didn't say much more, but smiled and said, "I wonder what tricks you have up your sleeve today. I'd better see them for myself, or I won't let you off the hook!"

There was a hint of intimacy in those words, and Lin Hao knew she had passed this hurdle.

"Knowing you were coming, I racked my brains for a long time to come. Regardless of whether you like it or not, please give me some face in return for all the effort I've put in!" Lin Hao immediately put his hands together and begged the magistrate's wife for forgiveness.

Everyone laughed at her, and the atmosphere immediately became lively. Some of the bolder ones, like Madam Zhang, even joined in the joke.

"That depends on what you've prepared for us, Madam Gu. If it's too bad, and we have to make a trip in this freezing weather, then even we, let alone the magistrate's wife, won't let you off easily!"

Someone chimed in, "That's exactly right!"

"Madam Gu has always been clever, so everyone's worries are probably unnecessary."

Lin Hao glanced at Madam Zhao, who had said those words. Was she trying to put herself in a difficult position? If today's gathering was just like any other, wouldn't that imply that she hadn't done her job properly?

"I am truly flattered by your words. Every lady and young lady here is intelligent and virtuous. I would never dare to presume to teach you! I have long admired Madam Zhao's reputation. I would love to visit your home someday to learn from you and broaden my horizons!" Lin Hao said humbly, seemingly oblivious to the veiled meaning in Madam Zhao's words.

The magistrate's wife concealed the corners of her lips as she drank tea; she was indeed not one to suffer a loss!

Lin Hao's words didn't seem like much at first glance, but everyone present was shrewd enough to understand them.

Madam Zhao subtly mocked Lin Hao for showing her face in public and running the restaurant. Lin Hao retorted that Lin Hao's reputation was too great, and that it was not a good thing for a woman to have too much fame!

Besides, everyone knows that Madam Zhao became infamous for mistreating her servants, and Madam Gu is blatantly slapping Madam Zhao in the face!

Everyone turned to look at Madam Zhao's reaction, and sure enough, they saw that her face was ashen, and she was pointing at Lin Hao: "You, you're something else!"

She couldn't say anything, since Lin Hao hadn't made it clear, and she couldn't expose her weaknesses. Only her heaving chest betrayed her unease.

"Thank you for the compliment, Madam!" Lin Hao accepted it with a smile, as if Madam Zhao were truly praising her.

She knew this would offend Madam Zhao, but she had no choice but to do it! Today was her first time formally entering this high society circle. If she were to be humiliated by Madam Zhao in her own home, the entire Gu family would become a laughing stock in Qingyuan County, and it might even affect Gu Liunian's career, which was something she absolutely could not accept!