How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

Guo Ziyou had questions in his mind, but he didn't ask them. He then turned to another table, where another group of prominent people in the city sat.

Judging from the order in which Guo Ziyou toasted, it was clear that the seating arrangements had already been made in advance.

Whether it was Yan Ru's imagination or not, she saw that when Master Song sat down, his eyes were clearly fixed on her.

She glanced at Yuan Liang, who was still oblivious. Seeing Yan Ru looking at him, she assumed he was tired and said, "If you don't want to eat, let's go."

Yan Ru shook her head. "Since we're already here, and I noticed that Madam Guo doesn't look well, perhaps she's worried about her son. Thinking about how my sister and Young Master Guo are both in Nanjing on business, I'm worried too. After we finish eating, I need to go and talk to Madam Guo."

Yuan Liang was aware of Yan Ru's plan, so he agreed, "That's good. Madam Guo is always better informed than us."

For a moment, Yan Ru ate her food listlessly, her mind wandering to other things. Seeing that she ate so little, Yuan Liang had to take extra care of her, serving her food and soup as if she were a child.

While they were eating, Guo Ziyou and Zheng Peilan came over to offer a toast. There were young men at the table who were acquainted with Guo Ziyou. They had already stood up before Guo Ziyou even came over.

"Ziyou, congratulations! I never expected you to get married first, and to the most beautiful girl in our city. You're so lucky!"

Guo Ziyou laughed and said, "That's right, this is my good fortune. Eat and drink more later."

Yan Ru and the others also stood up to reciprocate, but she didn't say anything auspicious.

Guo Ziyou was stunned for a moment when he saw Yan Ru look up.

"Who is this? I've never seen him before."

Yuan Liang spoke first, "Second Young Master Guo, can't you see me?"

Guo Ziyou looked at him, somewhat surprised that he hadn't noticed him. "Young Master Song, why aren't you sitting with your uncle?"

Song Yuanliang laughed and said, "We're all young people, why sit with him? I haven't wished you a happy marriage yet, come on, let me toast you."

Because of Song Yuanliang's interruption, Guo Ziyou didn't get to ask Yanru's name.

The men, seeing Song Yuanliang's nervous attitude, knew it was his female companion and couldn't help but say, "Young Master Song is so lucky to have such a beautiful woman by his side. It's truly enviable."

Zheng Peilan's smile froze on her lips. What did she mean by that?

Song Yuanliang said politely, "You are the one who is truly enviable, newly married, one of the three great events in life."

Guo Ziyou smiled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and pulled Zheng Peilan to the next table.

However, Zheng Peilan's hands and feet were stiff, and Guo Ziyou's first attempt to pull her was unsuccessful.

Looking back in confusion, Zheng Peilan then followed Guo Ziyou.

However, neither of them looked too good.

Yanru felt it was troublesome, and after thinking about it, she said to Yuanliang, "Never mind, they have too many things to do today, I won't go to see the First Madam."

Yuan Liang wholeheartedly agreed, "That's right! Let's do it another day, I'll come with you then."

The banquet continued, but the food tasted bland.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, miss, please don't be offended, I didn't mean to."

Yan Ru's face tightened. Just now, the maid had tripped and accidentally spilled a whole pot of soup on Yan Ru.

Although it's not too hot, the clothes are all dirty and can't be used anymore.

The commotion around Yanru was quite significant, mainly because she was too eye-catching. The maid was so frightened that she turned pale and kept apologizing.

"It's alright, just tell me where the water is, and I'll wash up."

Just then, Yanru also didn't want to stay any longer, so this was a reason that came to her doorstep.

The maidservant quickly got up, and Guo Huaitong bumped into her. She suppressed the urge to beat the maidservant to death and looked at Yan Ru with concern, "Are you alright? Go to my room and change your clothes. Your clothes are made of nice material, and they must be quite valuable."

Yan Ru declined, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Miss, but it's not necessary. These clothes can be washed."

Guo Huaitong wanted to show her magnanimity, so she pulled Yan Ru back, saying, "Don't be so polite. Do you think I'd be short of your clothes?"

Without saying another word, he pushed Yan Ru out and personally led her to the backyard to deal with the situation.

Song Yuanliang hurriedly followed them. Watching their departing figures, Master Song smiled and picked up a piece of food, feeding it to his mouth.

Elegantly wiping his mouth with a handkerchief, Master Song stood up and said, "Madam, where can I wash my hands?"

The First Madam hurriedly called over a servant, saying, "Master Song can go with him." She then instructed the servant, "Take good care of him; you'll get good rewards."

Master Song nodded and disappeared into the shadows.

On the other side, Guo Huaitong led Yan Ru to the side room and was about to leave. "Miss Lü, you can rest here for a while. I'll have a maid get you some clothes. There are still guests in the front yard, so I have to go now."

Yan Ru nodded, "Go ahead, thank you for your trouble."

Guo Huaitong smiled indifferently and left quickly.

Yuan Liang squeezed into the room and examined Yan Ru's wrist with heartache.

"It's so red from the burn! This maid is so clumsy, I don't know how she's doing her job!"

Yan Ru quickly stopped him, "Don't say that. It doesn't hurt that much. It's just that my fair skin makes it look out of place. You should go back to the banquet. I'll change my clothes and come find you. Let's go straight home and not stay here."

Yuan Liang said, "How can that be? I'm really afraid that if I don't keep an eye on you for a while, something will go wrong again."

Yan Ru chided, "Where would there be any trouble? This is the Marshal's Mansion. No one will cause trouble here. Don't worry. Changing clothes will be quick. What will people think if they see you here? Tomorrow's headlines might be about your scandal, Young Master Song."

Yuan Liang scoffed: "If only that were the case, so everyone would know that you are my woman."

Yan Ru smiled and pushed him away. Yuan Liang knew that this would not be good for Yan Ru's reputation, so he reluctantly returned to his seat.

Footsteps sounded outside. Yanru thought it was a maid returning. She looked up and was startled.

"Master Song?"

Mr. Song smiled faintly, "I heard you were burned, so I came to see you."

Yan Ru quickly replied, "No need, thank you for your kindness, Master Song."

Seeing her so wary, Master Song felt amusement. "What's there to be nervous about? There's no one else here, and I haven't even closed the door. If you're worried, I can close it."

"No," Yan Ru refused, "Then there's only more to it than meets the eye. Master Song, we have nothing to do with each other anymore, why do you have to do this?"

Master Song chuckled mockingly, "Really no relationship? Then what is your relationship with my son? An illicit affair?"

Yan Ru blushed, her blood rushing to her head, and she glared fiercely at Master Song, saying, "Please watch your words."

Master Song stared intently at Yan Ru, "Even if you're not my woman, you're my son's woman. You can't escape the Song family."

As he spoke, Master Song couldn't help but reach out and gently stroke Yanru's delicate cheek. "Yanru, even if it's a tragic fate, we can't sever our ties anymore."

Yan Ru turned her head and bit down hard on Master Song's hand. She used all her strength, her sharp teeth piercing the flesh, and soon the smell of blood filled her nostrils.

Master Song endured the pain and let Yan Ru bite him, saying even more hurtfully, "The more agitated you are, the more you care, right? Don't think I can't see it. Your aloofness towards Yuan Liang is because you mind our relationship, isn't it? My poor, foolish son can't see it. He's so naive, holding you in the palm of his hand. Little does he know that you, little woman, have no heart at all."

Yan Ru grew even more resentful, and she slapped him harder.

"Tap tap tap..." Footsteps approached, and Yan Ru knew that it was the little maid from the Guo family who had arrived. She was so surprised that she couldn't come to her senses.

Master Song quickly covered her mouth, flipped her over to the side, and disappeared into the wardrobe.

Yan Ru wanted to stop it, but it was too late.

A maid rushed in, carrying several sets of clothes. "Miss Lü, your figure is a little different from our young lady's. I've picked out a few sets for you to take a look at."

Yan Ru's heart was pounding like a drum. There was absolutely no way she could change clothes here. So she looked through the clothes and said, "None of these outfits suit me. I can't wear them. How about this, I've already eaten. Find a quiet spot and quietly escort me out. Just tell my companions."

The maidservant gaped, "But our young lady said..."

"No buts. If I'm dressed in a mismatched way, wouldn't I be even more of a laughingstock? Don't worry, we'll find a less crowded path, no one will know. Let's go."

Without allowing any explanation, Yan Ru pulled her maid out the door.

After Yan Ru left, Master Song finally emerged from the cabinet. He gave a self-deprecating laugh, wondering when he, Song Wenqu, had become a "gentleman on the roof beam."

He shook his head, hid the bitten hand of Yan Ru in his sleeve, and carefully went out.

However, given that it was a wedding banquet, with many people and many eyes, it was unlikely that he didn't see any of them.

Just then, Zheng Peilan, who had just finished toasting, stormed to the backyard, only to see Master Song coming out of the side room.

Zheng Peilan wasn't quite familiar with the Guo family's layout, so she couldn't help but ask the maid beside her, "What kind of place is that?"

The maid glanced over and said, "Second Young Mistress, those are guest rooms for guests to rest in."

Zheng Peilan frowned and asked again, "Does it differentiate between men and women?"

The maid said, "Miss didn't say, but it seems that Miss Lü, who was just scalded, should have been placed here."

Zheng Peilan was puzzled. Miss Lü and Master Song? Stealing each other's kisses in someone else's home?

Thinking of this, Zheng Peilan sneered, "Your son looks down on me, but I've discovered my scandalous affair."

With a quick glance, Zheng Peilan gracefully returned to the front hall.