The cousin's family is extremely wealthy; she deserves to be a concubine.

Xin Yucheng sensed the doubt in He Zhihuan's words. He became so anxious that his face turned red. He was eager to explain, but he didn't know where to begin.

In He Zhihuan's eyes, his uneasy behavior was all the more convincing.

"Alright, don't panic, I trust you." For the first time, someone said that he remembered her at first glance in the crowd.

She thought these were the most beautiful words of love she had ever heard in her life.

He Zhihuan lowered her head even further in embarrassment, while Xin Yucheng revealed a simple, silly grin.

The two, one in love and the other in love, were completely unaware that two groups of people were hiding outside the pavilion.

One of them was He Zhizhu, who was heading towards the pavilion with great momentum.

Another group consisted of Hua Sirong and Granny Yan, who had been waiting behind the artificial rockery for a long time.

Ignoring the maids and servants' attempts to stop her, He Zhizhu went straight into the pavilion. "Oh, Second Sister, why are you meeting with a man outside the family?"

He Zhihuan's face turned deathly pale after He Zhizhu's commotion.

Although Shen Shi had endorsed her, He Zhizhu's outburst still put He Zhihuan in an awkward position, especially since she had just dissolved her engagement with Meng Silang at noon.

If rumors spread that she broke off her engagement at noon and then secretly met with another man in the afternoon, she would probably only have one way out: death.

He Zhihuan trembled slightly, and Xin Yucheng immediately transformed into a fierce guardian, stepping forward to argue his case.

“Miss, my surname is Xin. I have come to visit you today, and I am not some lecherous rogue.”

My meeting with Miss Huan'er here was personally permitted by Lady Hou, and was witnessed by the maids and servants. There was nothing out of the ordinary, so please, Miss, be kind with your words.”

Huan'er, my girl?

He Zhizhu sneered, her eyes filled with disdain. She looked at the young Xin Yucheng and thought about how she had been obsessed with him in her past life, how she had humbled herself to the dust for him.

At this moment, when the couple met again, she discovered that she felt more than just hatred towards him; she also harbored complex and unspeakable emotions deep within her heart.

Especially the phrase "Girl Huan'er," which almost brought her to tears.

She feigned composure, her expression haughty, "Look at your shabby appearance, do you think you're worthy of my noble lady?"

Go back to your poor, wretched world as soon as possible.

If you ask me, you're only good enough to marry either a burly old woman from a butcher's family, or a pockmarked village girl.

He Zhihuan couldn't listen anymore. "Seventh Sister, that's enough."

He Zhizhu objected, "What? She hasn't even married into the family yet, and Second Sister is already protecting her?"

Don't blame me for not warning you, but with someone as poor as him, I'm afraid even selling your blood or flesh wouldn't be enough to make ends meet.

Think this through carefully, so you don't regret it later.

Xin Yucheng was humiliated by He Zhizhu's blatant disrespect and was about to take his leave in shame and indignation when he said to He Zhihuan, "I dare not presume to be associated with her and do not want her to suffer along with me."

This provoked He Zhihuan to promise on the spot, "I insist on marrying you. I am not a snob. You can just go back and find a matchmaker to propose marriage."

He Zhizhu looked at him with a disappointed expression and stormed off.

He Zhihuan was left there, unsure whether to go forward or retreat, and somewhat annoyed at having just spoken out of turn.

Xin Yucheng, on the other hand, was overjoyed, like a fool, and a string of guarantees flowed out of his mouth like water.

Once the pavilion was empty, Hua Sirong and Granny Yan helped each other walk toward Qingwu Courtyard.

Granny Yan, ever as astute, asked, "Does the Seventh Miss want the Second Miss to marry Scholar Xin, or not?"

Hua Sirong gave Granny Yan a meaningful look and admired her keen insight.

Based on He Zhizhu's actions, Hua Sirong boldly deduced that Xin Yucheng was the ungrateful husband He Zhizhu had mentioned in her previous life.

She herself has no intention of getting married in this lifetime, but it seems she's going to push her own sister into a fire pit.

Thinking of this, Hua Sirong couldn't help but shiver.

Previously, He Zhizhu had been so open and honest with her, even telling her such secrets.

Although she was apprehensive, she was also grateful, and her feelings for He Zhizhu were different.

But seeing how she treated He Zhihuan today, Hua Sirong was no longer sure.

How much of what He Zhizhu said to her was true and how much was false?

If she could push her own sister into a fire pit, what chance would she have against her cousin, with whom she had very little contact?

She replied to Granny Yan's words, "Zhuzhu probably wants to get rid of Xin Xiucai, but she is also unwilling to see him fawning over other women."

And that woman was her second older sister.

Granny Yan could understand each word individually, but when put together, she was completely bewildered and couldn't understand it.

It made the old nanny wonder if she was really too old and should retire gracefully.

--

After seeing Xin Yucheng off, Madam Shen listened to He Zhihuan's request for her to make the decision, which she found utterly unbelievable.

When she later found out that He Zhizhu was also involved, she was furious.

After sending He Zhihuan away, He Zhizhu was immediately summoned for a reprimand.

He Zhizhu didn't need anyone to call her; she came on her own.

Madam Shen chased away the servants, "Zhuzhu, what are you doing?"

If He Zhizhu hadn't been her precious daughter since childhood, Madam Shen would have loved to slap her a few times.

Ignoring Shen's anger, He Zhizhu said indifferently, "I don't want to do anything, I just don't want to see Xin Yucheng have such a good life in both his lives."

Shen thought to herself, "Isn't that just good fortune?"

In her past life, the eldest daughter of a marquis's family filled this pit; in this life, the second young lady is filling it, and she's no less capable.

"Who knows what you and your brother are thinking."

If it were me, I'd want to stomp that guy surnamed Xin into the mud so he could never get up again.

"You two are so kind, you even helped him out."

He Zhizhu's eyes darted around. "Mother, don't worry about that heartless man. With my brother watching over him, he won't be able to escape our grasp."

"Mom, tell me quickly about the future cousin-in-law you picked for me! Did my cousin decide who it is today?"

Madam Shen tapped He Zhizhu's forehead, "You two siblings better keep an eye on that ingrate."

"As for your cousin, you little rascal, you're really well-informed."

"Hey, take a look too. I prepared several copies. I also sent a copy to your brother, and your cousin Rong just took one back with her."

He Zhizhu looked through the photos one by one and exclaimed, "My goodness, you're amazing! Where did you find these poor, shabby people?"

Madam Shen pinched He Zhizhu, "Go away, if you can't speak properly, then don't speak. Your brother praised me for making a good choice, and Rong'er didn't say anything when she saw it."

He Zhizhu's face showed disdain, "My cousin is so beautiful, she could easily make a living off her looks, but she insists on helping the poor."

I really don't know if she's lost her mind.

"Mother, if we really marry my cousin off to a family like that, won't people think we're treating her badly?"

Shen chuckled, "To be honest, I did have some concerns before."

But now that your second sister is such a shining example, and your own niece has only married into such a family, what can others say about our Marquis's mansion if your aunt marries into a family that is not much different?

Besides, we only chose families with a clean reputation for being scholars; people say that our family doesn't discriminate based on wealth or poverty.