How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

Seeing Lao Hei arrive with his men, Yan Ru guessed something had happened at home. She packed her things and said goodbye to her classmates.

"Mr. Xin, what brings you to the school?"

"I heard you're going on spring break, I'm coming to pick you up."

Yan Ru nodded, judging from Lao Hei's expression that it was probably inconvenient to talk here.

"My name is Xin Wu Hui."

Yanru noticed that he looked unfamiliar, but thought that he must be the person her sister had mentioned, so she nodded to indicate that she understood.

It wasn't until they got in the car that Lao Hei told Yanru, "Master Lü went to Laiwu, Shandong, saying it was for clan matters, but he didn't say it explicitly. Miss went to Nanjing on business this morning, so there's no one in charge of the family now."

Yan Ru asked in confusion, "My sister went to Nanjing on official business? What kind of business?"

Old Hei shook his head. "I don't know either. I left in a hurry."

One by one, the family members left for other matters, leaving Yanru feeling uncertain and alone again.

Seeing Yanru deep in thought, Lao Hei slowly spoke, "Jiang Guiying also went back to the countryside to get married, but the eldest young lady asked her to bring her husband back to the shop to help after the wedding."

Yan Ru snapped out of her daze. "She's gone too? Okay then, is there anything else?"

Old Hei thought for a moment and briefly recounted the recent case involving the Zheng family, omitting only the dangerous parts.

Did they leave me any messages?

"Master said that since things are not peaceful in the city, you should stay at home when you are not going to school and avoid crowded places. Miss did not leave any message. She went to the Marshal's Mansion last night and has not returned this morning. The message was delivered by someone from the Marshal's Mansion."

After going over the matter in her mind, Yan Ru still felt something was off. Leaving aside the Shandong clan, she already knew about her father's schemes. Her great-grandfather's belongings were being paraded around the city; the news would inevitably reach the ears of the other members of the Lü clan sooner or later.

But Qingru's matter is related to national politics, which is beyond her comprehension.

For a moment I felt lost, not knowing where to go, and I felt a little empty inside.

Back home, Yan Ru washed away the dust and powder, changed into a light Western-style dress, and leaned against the trellis to read a book.

Xiao Erlang and Xiao Fuzi were somewhat unfamiliar with Yan Ru, but they both had a sister, so they could manage to play together.

When Zhang Xun entered, this was exactly the scene he saw. A gentle breeze caressed his face as the beautiful woman quietly leaned back in her rocking chair, reading a book, serene as an orchid in a secluded valley, and charming as a peach blossom in spring.

"Second miss."

Startled, Yan Ru quickly stood up and returned the greeting, "Officer Zhang, is there something you need?"

Zhang Xun said, "Madam Guo from the Marshal's Mansion invites you."

Yan Ru frowned. This was strange. Apart from her sister, she had no connection with the Guo family whatsoever. Why would they invite her?

"Officer Zhang, are you sure you're not mistaken? What do you need me for?"

Zhang Xun said, "Perhaps it's about your sister. She left in a hurry and didn't go home. Maybe she had something to tell her?"

That makes sense, and Yan Ru readily agreed, "Then please wait a moment, it would be too shabby to go to the Marshal's mansion like this."

After speaking, Yanru turned and went back into the house. She didn't change her clothes; she wore a dark green velvet long dress with a square neckline that revealed her fair and slender neck. The wrists were trimmed with lace, and the hem was edged with gold, making her look very dignified and elegant.

After rummaging through her jewelry box, Yan Ru found a set of diamond jewelry and put it on. She was young, and wearing dark green would have made her look older, so the sharpness of the diamonds helped to tone it down.

After getting dressed, Yanru greeted Lao Hei and led Qiushuang to the gate of the Guo residence.

This was Qiu Shuang's first time going out with someone. Because she was neither a master nor a servant in the Lü family, she felt a little awkward. However, Yan Ru was not familiar with her, so she could use her as a maid, and Qiu Shuang was happy to have something to do.

The Guo residence was heavily guarded, and even when Madam Guo invited them, they were subjected to considerable questioning.

We walked through the front hall and arrived at the backyard.

Such a long distance is enough to make Yan Ru exhausted.

The servants led her to a luxurious and secluded courtyard and then left, saying that Madam Guo was currently worshipping Buddha and that she would have to wait a while before they could see her.

Since Yanru couldn't figure out the other party's true intentions and was on their own turf, she naturally behaved very well.

"As you've arranged, my wife. I'm tired from walking, so I'll rest for a while before seeing her."

The maidservant tactfully withdrew, and soon brought over two cups of fragrant tea.

"This is a new jasmine tea this year. The lady said that a young girl like Miss might like to drink it."

Yan Ru hurriedly thanked her, saying, "That's perfect. The tea is sweet and fragrant, and refreshing. Thank you so much for your trouble, Madam."

Seeing that she recognized its value, the maidservant happily withdrew, clutching a pair of golden winter jasmine earrings in her hand.

Qiu Shuang was a little jealous. "She just brewed some tea and she got a reward?"

Yan Ru explained to her, "That's because it's the first time you've visited, so you should naturally be more careful. Besides, that maid is Madam Guo's personal maid, so you should at least give her some face."

Qiu Shuang stopped talking and tried her best to act like the other maids, pretending to be honest.

After drinking three cups of tea, Madam Guo arrived late, hurrying into the house with a strong sandalwood scent.

The moment they met, Mrs. Guo's eyes lit up. "Oh my, there really is such a beautiful girl! Look at her, she's so adorable."

Yan Ru blushed and said, "Madam, you flatter me. I am just an ordinary person and cannot compare to your calm and dignified demeanor."

Mrs. Guo laughed heartily, "This child, you have such a sweet voice. I heard you're still in university?"

"Yes, he's just started first grade."

Mrs. Guo nodded in satisfaction. "I like girls who are well-educated. Come on, let's go sit in my room."

Yanru obediently followed Madam Guo's hand and walked towards the main house.

Judging from the way Madam Guo walked, Yan Ru guessed that she had bound her feet and then unbound them. That's why she walked with a wobbly gait and took very quick steps, just so that no one would notice.

Once inside the house, Yanru realized there was another person there.

"Greetings, Madam." Judging from the other person's age and Madam Guo's attentive service, Yan Ru instinctively knew that this was Madam Guo.

Sure enough, the other party smiled kindly and hurriedly told Yan Ru to get up, "Oh my, this child is really good-looking."

Grandma Guo had a plump face and a plump figure. She sat on the kang table with a smile on her face, looking very kind.

Yan Ruyi looked shy and asked Qiu Shuang to bring up the prepared gifts.

Fortunately, two sets were prepared to show that the gift was very generous, so one set was just right for each person.

"These are two Buddha statues left in the courtyard by our ancestors, the Guanyin of the South Sea and the Maitreya Buddha. Our family has treasured them for a long time, but they have been gathering dust. Today, we have finally found a good home for them."

Madam Guo believed in this the most, and hurriedly took it herself, saying, "Oh, you child, you can't say that. Welcoming and seeing off guests is like inviting a Bodhisattva into our home."

Yan Ru said, "Look at me, I don't even understand this. Madam is much more knowledgeable, otherwise I would have made a mistake."

Mrs. Guo shook her head. "You young people rarely believe in Buddhism. You all prefer to go to those churches. If you ask me, it's better to have a monk from outside the temple chanting sutras. Amitabha, may God protect you."

Grandma Guo, puffing on her hookah, nodded upon hearing this, "That's right, Huai Tong has gone astray. If you ask me, what's the point of believing in that cult?"

When the two started talking about other members of the Guo family, Yan Ru didn't know how to interrupt and could only sit aside with a smile, acting like she was just a toy doll who only knew how to please others.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law talked for a while before it seemed they had just discovered Yan Ru. "Look at me, once I start talking, I never stop."

The old lady also complained, "You didn't even try to pull me back a little."

What else could Yan Ru say? She could only say that she didn't mind. "You two are chatting so casually that I feel very warm and familiar with you. To be honest, my mother passed away early, and seeing you two so happy together really moved me."

These words contained both flattery and sincerity; it is indeed rare to see such a close relationship between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

As expected, Grandma Guo became happy and held Yanru in her arms, saying, "Tell me, how can there be such a lovely girl? None of my grandchildren are as good as you."

Yan Ru was startled and quickly explained, "Madam is too modest. Although I have never met your young master and young lady, just by looking at you two, I can tell that your family has strict discipline and upright character, and the children you have raised must be outstanding individuals."

At this point, Old Mrs. Guo's expression suddenly changed, and she looked somewhat dejected.

Yanru was at a loss, not knowing which of her words had been wrong.