The cousin is beautiful but ruthless.

Shen Hanyu wasn't afraid; she was angry and disgusted.

Miao Cui stepped in front, saying, "Lord Guangning, please have some self-respect. My daughter Yunying is unmarried, while you are already married. If any rumors spread, I'm afraid my daughter won't be able to bear it."

Shen Hanyu glanced at Miaocui; she was a good person to stand up for her at this time.

Zhou Yurong's gaze fell on Miao Cui, and he chuckled softly.

"This girl does resemble Miss Shen quite a bit."

Shen Hanyu pursed her lips. Being targeted by Zhou Yurong was not good news.

The Guangning Marquis's mansion is in deep trouble. If Xu Ying knew, she would probably be happy to let her marry into the family and be tormented.

Shen Hanyu didn't want to walk the same path as in her past life, so she took a deep breath.

"Earl of Guangning, please speak frankly."

Zhou Yurong raised an eyebrow. He had originally thought that this young girl from Suzhou, who had no one to rely on, would be easy to manipulate, but after only two meetings, she was very wary of him. Could it be that some information about him had been leaked?

Before Zhou Yurong could speak, a mocking voice drifted over from the archway.

"Lord Guangning, you're so old, why are you still bullying young girls here?"

Shen Hanyu turned her head, and the slanting sunlight shone on Pei Du. Pei Du smiled and leaned against the archway, meeting Shen Hanyu's gaze.

For some reason, seeing Pei Du made Shen Hanyu feel much more at ease.

Zhou Yurong was also surprised that Pei Du would suddenly appear and even mock him for being old.

"You're becoming more and more unruly."

Pei Du stepped out from the sunlight. "If we're talking about lack of manners, I'm afraid it's the Earl of Guangning who's the one who's lacking manners, ambushing a young girl in the back garden of the Princess's residence. I wonder what the Earl of Guangning's wife will think if she finds out."

Upon hearing Pei Du mention his wife, Zhou Yurong gritted her teeth, angrily flung her sleeves and left, completely losing her composure.

After everyone left, Miao Cui kept a wary eye on Pei Du.

Shen Hanyu curtsied and said, "Thank you for helping me out, Young Master Pei."

"We meet again, Miss Shen."

Pei Du also found it quite a coincidence. He had come with Xu Zhun and Li Jun, wanting to find some peace and quiet because the pitch-pot game was too noisy. He never expected to run into Zhou Yurong making things difficult for Shen Hanyu.

"How did you offend the Marquis of Guangning?"

I had previously thought that Zhou Yurong was after Shen Hanyu, and I assumed it was lust at first sight. But today it seems there might be other reasons. Perhaps we should investigate further.

Shen Hanyu's expression changed. "I'm not quite sure either."

She didn't want to continue the conversation, so she asked, "Did the princess also invite Young Master Pei today?"

Pei Du said no.

“I came with the Third Prince, as did the Earl of Guangning.”

So that's how it is. No wonder Zhou Yurong was here.

Shen Hanyu thought for a moment, Pei Du came with the Third Prince, so he might have a good relationship with the Third Prince. Could he know something?

Having thought about it, Shen Hanyu tentatively asked.

"Young Master Pei, your relationship with the Third Prince must be quite good, right?"

Pei Du didn't speak, but stared at Shen Hanyu, who felt a little guilty under his gaze.

"generally."

Shen Hanyu's eyes drooped when she heard Pei Du's reply.

"You want to ask about your cousin and the Third Prince, right?"

Shen Hanyu suddenly looked up. Pei Du smiled. He naturally understood Shen Hanyu's probing, so he knew what she wanted to ask.

Ever since he learned that Shen Hanyu was in Chang'an, Pei Du had investigated everything about her and also learned about her situation in the Marquis's mansion.

"Yes." Shen Hanyu admitted frankly. Pei Du had made himself so clear, so it wouldn't be right for her to keep it to herself.

Pei Du glanced at Miao Cui, and Shen Hanyu knew what he meant.

"If she leaves, I'm afraid rumors will start spreading again tomorrow."

Having a maidservant by my side makes things a little better, unlike last time.

Pei Du nodded, "It's good that you can be trusted."

Shen Hanyu seized the opportunity to ask, "The Third Prince and his deceased wife had a very good relationship. This must be true, right?"

Pei Du said yes.

"It's true, but unfortunately the Third Prince's wife was too frail and passed away a few years after their marriage."

Shen Hanyu was even more puzzled. If that was the case, how did she get involved with Liang Ruoyan in such a short time?

As if sensing what Shen Hanyu was thinking, Pei Du continued, "Do you remember what your cousin wore in her hair on the day of the flower viewing banquet?"

Shen Hanyu was taken aback, recalling the crystal hairpin that shimmered in the sunlight.

"That crystal hairpin was often worn by the Third Prince's wife before her death. The Third Prince even collected crystals from all over the country to give to her. I don't know if your cousin knows about this. In addition, her personality is just as gentle as the Third Prince's wife's, and she plays the zither quite well. Naturally, the Third Prince favored her."

All the signs overlapped with those of the former Third Prince's wife, so Li Jun naturally couldn't ignore them.

Shen Hanyu suddenly realized, "So that's how it is."

Pei Du lowered his voice.

"Do you know what your cousin wants to do to you today?"

Shen Hanyu slowly processed those words. What was Liang Ruoyan going to do to her?

Nothing happened when she came to the princess's mansion in her previous life. Is it because she changed some of the original course after she came back?

"It's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark. Miss Shen, you should be careful and lest some fools run into you."

Pei Du finished speaking, having repaid the favor he had shown at the banquet, and then left without lingering any longer.

After Pei Du's reminder, Shen Hanyu became noticeably more cautious.

Learning about the Third Prince this time wasn't entirely without gain.

Liang Ruoyan, who had been summoned by Princess Yongning, was not in a good mood at the moment, because she found that Princess Yongning seemed to dislike her.

"I've heard that Miss Liang can play the zither. Why don't you play a tune for me?"

Princess Yongning sat on the soft couch. She looked at Liang Ruoyan's attire but did not see the crystal hairpin. Perhaps it was a coincidence, but it was hard to say, after all, you can't judge a book by its cover.

When the princess spoke, Liang Ruoyan dared not refuse. She waited for the maid to bring the zither, and then sat down and began to play it with practiced ease.

Fortunately, with the guidance of a musician, her musical skills have become increasingly refined and masterful.

Princess Yongning stared at Liang Ruoyan's face, wondering why Li Jun treated her so specially. At this moment, Liang Ruoyan really resembled the former Third Prince's Consort.

Before the piece was finished, Li Jun came in from outside.

"Sister Royal."

Princess Yongning looked up and saw Li Jun's anxious expression. She couldn't help but say, "You came in such a hurry, do you think I'm going to eat people?"

Li Jun glanced at Liang Ruoyan, who removed her fingertips from the zither and stood up to bow.

"This humble woman greets Your Highness the Third Prince."

Li Jun told her not to be so polite. Seeing that Liang Ruoyan didn't seem to have suffered any injustice, he directly said to Princess Yongning, "Royal sister, let Miss Liang go outside and enjoy the flowers and fun with the other girls. Don't keep her here."

Upon hearing Li Jun's words, Princess Yongning's opinion of Liang Ruoyan worsened.