How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

On the second day of the fifth lunar month, the wedding date set by the Guo family arrived.

Yan Ru was reluctant to go out, but firstly, the rest of the Lü family was not present, and the Lü family had many dealings with the Guo family, so it would be inappropriate not to go. Secondly, she had just borrowed guards from the Guo family, and it would be impolite not to return the favor.

Therefore, after much deliberation, Yanru and Song Yuanliang kept their appointment on time.

The Lü family may not have much else, but they have a lot of antiques. Yan Ru chose a white jade Guanyin statue as a congratulatory gift.

It had been a long time since Commander Guo had held such a grand banquet. Although he had hosted a birthday banquet for Old Madam Guo before the New Year, it was a family banquet and the number of guests was limited.

Unlike this time, almost everyone in Sifang City with a name or reputation was invited to a banquet, and even a passing beggar received a tip, making it exceptionally lively.

Since the Lü family lived nearby, Yan Ru didn't plan to go that early. She planned to go just before the banquet started, eat, and then go home, trying to see as few people as possible and avoid any trouble.

Song Yuanliang was on high alert. Yan Ru's beauty hadn't spread far, only circulating among the students at school. Those who hadn't seen her couldn't imagine how beautiful she really was, but those who had seen her were bound to be tempted by her looks.

Now that he's going to a banquet, he'll have to dress up. How will he protect himself from the teasing of those spoiled brats?

Song Yuanliang sadly thought that all he had left was the title of the eldest son of the Song family to maintain appearances.

Yan Ru was unaware of Song Yuanliang's presence, her brows furrowing and her expression shifting between indignation and deep thought. She hadn't intended to draw attention to herself, so she simply wore a plain, light blue dress with a thin veil over it.

It's not jarring, nor is it too simplistic to be looked down upon.

After slipping her small feet into her high heels, Yan Ru looked in the mirror and, feeling that she was ready, prepared to go out.

Song Yuanliang reached out to stop her, then rubbed against her shamelessly, saying, "Yanru, I really don't want you to go out."

Yanru smiled and pushed him away, saying, "Stop fooling around. I've calculated the time. If I go now, I'll be there just in time for the banquet to start. I'll come back as soon as I finish eating."

Song Yuanliang knew that the rest of the Lü family were not present, and Yan Ru had no choice but to do this favor, so he was just grumbling.

"Wait a minute, put this on." Song Yuanliang said, handing over the box in his hand.

Song Yuanliang remained silent, waiting for her to open it herself.

Yan Ru gently opened the box, and on the soft red velvet lay a sapphire necklace, surrounded by small diamonds that sparkled with dazzling light.

Girls all like shiny and pretty things, and Yanru is no exception.

"It's so beautiful, when did you choose it?"

The two were together every day, and no one knew how Song Yuanliang had prepared.

Song Yuanliang smiled, as if the sunshine of spring had been gently rubbed onto his face, a smile that instantly brought joy and happiness.

“I’ve been prepared for this for a long time. Since I met you, I’ve prepared so many things for you, but I never had the chance to give them to you before. Today is the first time we’ve formally attended a banquet together, so I have to assert my ownership.”

As he spoke, Song Yuanliang shook the expensive watch on his wrist, "Look, your necklace and my watch, they make a perfect pair."

Looking at the glistening slices, Yan Ru couldn't help but smile genuinely. Yuan Liang's little scheme, though naive, was truly touching.

Yan Ru held the necklace up to her neck and said, "If I wear this dress, this necklace would not match. One is a light blue and the other is a deep blue. They look superfluous together."

After thinking for a moment, Yan Ru went back to her room and changed into a light pink satin dress with a square neckline that slightly revealed her shoulders, perfectly showcasing her long, fair neck. Paired with a sapphire necklace, she immediately looked radiant, exuding both nobility and a touch of girlish vivacity—she was quite beautiful.

After Yan Ru finished dressing up and came out of the room, Song Yuanliang wished he hadn't given her the necklace today, so that Yan Ru wouldn't have dressed up so radiantly to match it.

After thinking for a moment, Song Yuanliang went into the room himself, skillfully took out a thin gauze shawl, and covered Yan Ru completely before he was done.

Yan Ru looked at him helplessly and let him be.

Xin Wu Hui also rushed over excitedly, wearing the new suit that Yan Ru had bought for him.

After learning that he was originally supposed to be a young master, Yan Ru immediately increased his monthly allowance to thirty yuan. This was just pocket money; other expenses would be calculated separately.

"How do I look?

Xin Wu Hui proudly showed off his new clothes and shiny leather shoes.

Yan Ru chuckled, "It looks good, and it makes you look even taller and more imposing."

Xin Wu Hui puffed out his chest in satisfaction, "I knew it! Little Erlang insisted it wasn't good-looking. Looks like he has bad taste."

Xiao Erlang happened to come over and overheard this, and immediately made a face at him, mocking him, "Hehehe, shameless, show-off."

"Hey kid, where did you learn to swear? Stop right there and tell me!"

Seeing them laughing and joking together, Yanru's mood improved as well.

"Alright, everyone has different tastes. Let's just agree to disagree. Let's hurry up and go to the banquet. It would be embarrassing if we were the closest to the banquet but arrived the latest."

Xin Wu Hui stopped chasing after Xiao Erlang, but his suit was now wrinkled. Feeling sorry for him, Xin Wu Hui could only sob, "I'll deal with you when I get back."

I won't bring the kids. There are too many people around, and if something happens, it will be too late to regret it.

So, around 11 o'clock, when the banquet was already in full swing, Yan Ru and his two companions finally arrived late.

As Yan Ru entered arm in arm with Song Yuanliang, she inevitably attracted the attention of passersby, who couldn't help but marvel at her beauty.

Yan Ru lowered her eyes, smiled faintly, and appeared elegant and dignified.

Song Yuanliang held Yan Ru's hand nervously. He looked at all the men in the room as if they were monsters.

Xin Wu Hui, on the other hand, was very carefree. Before, he was Huang Qian's driver, and when Huang Qian went to the banquet, he would just wait bored in the car. Now that he was Huang Qian's "brother" and a young master himself, how could he not want to see the details of the event clearly?

Anyone who sees Yan Ru can't help but steal glances at her, some out of pure curiosity, others with malicious intent.

Xin Wu Hui looked at Yan Ru with a puzzled expression, then thought of her sister Qing Ru. In Xin Wu Hui's mind, the two sisters were equally beautiful, one radiant and the other pure and innocent, but why did Yan Ru always attract more attention?

Comparing herself to the other young ladies, Xin Wu Hui felt like she was starting to understand.

Feminine charm!

Qingru is beautiful, but she is just as capable as any man in handling cases and often hangs out with the police. So when you look at her, you can't help but feel awe and think that she is not someone to be trifled with.

But Yanru was different. She was pitiful, weak, and helpless. Even when she struck a dignified, elegant, and noble pose, you still felt deep down that she needed to be protected. From head to toe, every strand of her hair proclaimed her beauty at all times.

If Xin Wuhui were to use his limited vocabulary to describe her, he could probably only say that Yan Ru was like a snow fox—beautiful, alluring, yet pure and refined, with a gentle smile.

In short, Qingru is beautiful, but she seems unapproachable. Yanru is also beautiful, but she's like a flower you can pluck. Even if you know she's precious, as rare as a snow lotus on a mountaintop or cliff, you can still have the urge to pluck her.

No wonder Song Yuanliang stared at him like his eyes were popping out of their sockets; Xin Wu Hui felt she understood him a little better now.

Putting aside others, even Xin Wuhui himself, when he first met Yan Ru, didn't he also have shameful thoughts?

Xin Wu Hui was startled by his own thoughts. No, no. Qing Ru had been kind to him; he couldn't let her sister be harmed.

Therefore, Xin Wu Hui also put away his playful thoughts and obediently stayed by Yan Ru's side to protect her, thus blocking many lecherous men from eyeing him.