How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

"Dad, does this look appropriate for me?" Qingru looked at herself in the mirror, feeling a little awkward because she hadn't worn a dress in a long time.

“Beautiful, my daughter looks good in anything. I guarantee that no young lady in the whole city can compare to you.”

Qingru smiled shyly. Actually, she also liked the dress very much. It was a one-shoulder sky blue long dress, with her shoulder slightly exposed and the hem reaching her ankles.

The soft satin fabric shimmered under the light, its novel and unconventional design reminiscent of a Greek goddess. A matching shawl draped naturally over her right shoulder, flowing gracefully down her swan-like neck, fluttering with every step, making her appear like a goddess.

The left leg featured a slit design, revealing glimpses of her long, beautiful legs as she walked. Qingru had never worn such a sexy and alluring dress before, and both Yanru and Lü's father were very supportive.

"Sister, you should dress like this. I think none of my female classmates are as pretty as you."

Qingru blushed and pretended to hit her, "Nonsense, who told you not to go? If you had gone, all eyes would have been on you."

"Sister, you flatter me too much. You have a slender figure and are beautiful. This dress only suits you; it makes the clothes look good on you. If anyone else wears it, the clothes will just look bad on them."

The two sisters immediately burst into laughter.

Qiu Shuang, in the outer room, enviously touched her long braid and nudged Gui Ying beside her.

"Hey, look at her, Qingru has her own sister now, and she's definitely not as nice to us as before."

Guiying's subordinates were quickly tidying up the cabinet when they heard this and frowned. "Don't think like that. They are sisters, so it's normal for them to be close. Besides, we're working for Sister Qingru. Don't you want your wages?"

Qiu Shuang pouted, unwilling to admit that life was indeed a hundred times better than before. They had enough to eat and wear, and Qingru never gave them a hard time. But she still felt something was missing.

"What about Xiao Fuzi and the others? They've all taken the Lü family name now, and they were sent away in the blink of an eye."

Guiying sighed, somewhat puzzled as to what Qiushuang was complaining about. "It's because Zhenhua and Xiaofuzi have fallen too far behind in their studies, so they're simply moving into the teacher's house to study whenever they want. Who's paying for that? Isn't it still the Lü family? If they don't treat your children like their own, who will care about your future?"

At this point, Guiying couldn't help but give Qiushuang a hint, "Hey, let me tell you, I've saved up quite a bit of money. I might go back to the countryside in a while. What are your plans?"

"Me? I'm not going back. I won't leave as long as Sister Qingru doesn't kick me out."

Guiying shook her head, no longer caring what Qiushuang was thinking. She wiped the cabinet clean and then folded and put away the washed clothes.

Qingru was finally dressed up, wearing a noble and elegant blue dress, paired with a complete set of aquamarine jewelry. Her hair was styled in a French updo, just like in the magazine, and adorned with sparkling hair accessories. She looked like a princess from a fairyland.

Although Mr. Lü was a scholar with a traditional education, he was very accepting of his daughter's changes. He reached out his hand for Qingru to take his arm, and the two of them went out.

Yan Ru smiled as she saw them off, nodding to Song Fu in the driver's seat before they left.

The next morning, Song Fu was brought to Lao Hei to be recognized as a relative, but Lao Hei just watched silently and eventually walked away without saying a word.

For reasons unknown, Lü Peijun ultimately kept Song Fu on the team. He was assigned to work next to Lao Hei's courtyard, occasionally serving as his driver, and his comings and goings were not restricted.

Yanru knew his motives were not pure, but that was not important. Rather than driving him away, she decided to focus on monitoring him in real time.

The Zheng family's banquet this time was not large in scale; they only invited a few nearby families to celebrate, since he had only married a concubine.

Older gentlemen like Commander Guo mostly only sent gifts; it was usually the wives of their respective families or members of the Zheng family who came to join in the fun.

Even someone like Lü Peijun, a newly rich man in the city, though not wealthy, was still someone who had been registered at the Marshal's Mansion, and therefore was also among those invited.

"congratulations."

"Congratulations."

...

Zheng's comprador set up the banquet in the main hall, unlike when Zheng Peilan returned to China and even set up the manor.

The butler was the one who greeted guests at the door; Zheng the comprador, Zheng Peilan, and the legendary concubine were nowhere to be seen.

Everyone is speculating about what kind of beauty could have captivated Zheng, a comprador who has been widowed for many years.

Qingru entered the scene at this time.

The flashing lights and the elegant attire of the women in the room were nothing compared to the beauty before them.

For a moment, everyone who saw Qingru held their breath, afraid that they might have misread her.

"Whose daughter is this?"

"Yes, I've never seen it before."

"It looks kind of familiar."

Qingru felt slightly uneasy in the face of such discussions. Her father patted her hand, indicating that she didn't need to worry and that he, her father, would take care of everything.

Qingru knew that showing weakness at this moment would only be embarrassing, so she immediately straightened her chest, smiled, and greeted everyone with elegance and poise.

While Qingru was indeed striking, Lü Peijun wasn't entirely without merit either. Having given birth to beauties like Qingru and Yanru, Lü Peijun was naturally quite handsome himself.

Tall and elegant, with impeccable manners, he exudes the scholarly air of a refined gentleman. Although he looks no younger than his age, time has not diminished Lu Peijun's appearance; on the contrary, it has added to his composure.

This father and daughter made one feel utterly ashamed of oneself.

Fortunately, everyone's attention was quickly drawn to Zheng, the comprador, who stood in the center and spoke into the microphone:

"Thank you all for coming. Today is the day I celebrate the joy of welcoming a new family member. I wish to share this happiness with everyone. I don't ask for anything in return; it's just a chance for us all to get together and have some fun."

After Zheng finished speaking, the crowd applauded enthusiastically.

A man who was usually close to Zheng, the comprador, said, "Brother Zheng, why don't you call your wife out to offer her a toast? Stop being so secretive, be more generous."

"Exactly, let us see what it's like."

"Haha, I'm waiting to be the first to drink."

Comprador Zheng laughed incessantly at the commotion, saying, "Alright, alright, it's just one woman, what's so interesting about her?"

"I'll remember what you said, and I'll make sure my sister-in-law hears it clearly later."

"That's right, Brother Zheng, you don't know how to speak properly, we're going to file a complaint."

"Alright, alright, sit down, all of you. I'll show you in a bit, okay?"

"Bravo!" Another thunderous applause erupted from the crowd.

Zheng, the comprador, thoroughly enjoyed everyone's teasing; it seemed like he hadn't felt this lively in a long time.

As the banquet began, the opera troupe invited by Zheng, the comprador, also started performing.

The new concubine that Zheng the comprador had mentioned finally arrived late and appeared before everyone.

The new concubine was dressed in a well-fitting cheongsam, with a graceful figure and her hair styled in the most fashionable waves piled up at the back of her head, making her extremely charming.

What's most striking is that, although she's clearly older, the new concubine's beautiful eyes seem to have hooks, exuding a captivating charm even when she's not smiling. And now, with her eyes sparkling with laughter, every move she makes is mesmerizing.

While both were walking, she walked with a graceful and charming gait, her demure demeanor making even the young men present want to show her affection.

So this is what a beauty she is! No wonder I heard that Zheng, the comprador, fell in love with her at first sight and wanted to officially give her a title in less than a month.

The scene immediately became lively, with exclamations of praise filling the air.

Although everyone was just amazed by Qingru's beauty, they were instantly drawn to the new concubine. Even though the new concubine's features and figure were inferior to Qingru's, and she was far younger, she possessed a unique allure.

Perhaps this is the difference between women and girls.

Only Lü Peijun sat still, his eyes full of inquiry.

Could it be her with that appearance and demeanor?