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

Seeing Hua Sirong show weakness, Jiang Yilan immediately became smug, her nostrils flaring with pride as she exhaled, "At least you have some self-awareness!"

Then I'll teach you a lesson today. You're nothing but the daughter of a mere merchant, without father or mother, yet you dare to try and curry favor with the Jiang family in the capital.

Don't think that just because my uncle likes you, you can marry into the family smoothly!

Hua Sirong looked puzzled. "Miss Jiang, what makes you say that?"

When did I get married, and was it related to the Chiang family?

A moment of surprise flashed across Jiang Yilan's face. She said irritably, "Hua Sirong, don't pretend to be innocent after getting the benefit."

If it weren't for my uncle's intention to marry you, would you, as an orphan girl from a merchant family, have received an invitation from our Jiang family?

Why did my grandmother, who has been a devout Buddhist for many years, make a special trip to see Lady Shen, the wife of the Marquis, today?

"Isn't this to discuss your marriage to my uncle?"

Hua Sirong, seeing that Jiang Yilan's expression didn't seem fake, suddenly felt like she was being unfairly blamed. She looked at this simple-minded and easily appeased young lady and asked:

"Even if your grandmother wants to discuss my marriage with Uncle Jiang, what does that have to do with you, her niece?"

Parents to enrich people.

I've never heard of a niece being so controlling as to interfere with her uncle's affairs!

Jiang Yilan's face turned bright red, and she angrily shouted, "Stop with your filthy thoughts! I just think you're not good enough for my uncle."

"I see," Hua Sirong said, relieved.

However, she was the type to think things through carefully before speaking, so she tentatively asked, "If you think I'm not good enough for your uncle, then I wonder which noble lady in the capital is good enough for him?"

Jiang Yilan blurted out, "Of course it's my cousin's aunt."

After saying that, she slapped herself, muttering to herself, "Serves you right for being so quick-tongued."

But because they were so close, Hua Sirong heard every single word.

It seems the person behind today's troubles has been found; it must be that cousin.

Judging from Jiang Yilan's indignant attitude, she was probably being used as a pawn without realizing it. Hua Sirong then changed the subject, taking the opportunity to clear her name.

"So that's how it is. I suppose that cousin you mentioned must be a rare and extraordinary woman."

Miss Jiang, you were right to defend your aunt. But you shouldn't have listened to what others said and misunderstood me.

You see, Uncle Jiang is just Uncle Jiang; she's like my father, an elder. Uncle Jiang is kind-hearted and took me in as her niece, for which I am extremely grateful.

But that's all.

You've probably never heard of a niece wanting to marry her own uncle.

After saying that, Hua Sirong looked at Jiang Yilan with a strange gaze, "Could it be that you've ever seen an uncle who has ulterior motives towards his own niece?"

Even so, you should still trust your uncle more.

Good heavens, you don't actually think your uncle is some weirdo who would marry his own niece, do you?

Jiang Yilan stomped her foot, "Pah, pah, pah! My uncle is a gentleman, he would never do such incestuous things."

Hua Sirong looked helpless and spread her hands, "Then what else does Miss Jiang have to worry about?"

I, Hua Sirong, hereby swear that in this life and the next, I will never have any improper thoughts about Uncle Jiang.

Even if I were to marry, I would definitely marry a scholar; poverty wouldn't matter.

Although your uncle comes from a very wealthy family, he is a businessman.

Jiang Yilan stared with the same almond-shaped eyes, half-believing and half-doubting, and asked, "Really?"

Hua Sirong nodded affirmatively, "More real than real gold."

Jiang Yilan was relieved and felt that she could give an explanation to her cousin from her aunt's family, so she decided to let Hua Sirong and her servant leave.

She kindly gave directions to Hua Sirong and her servant, and Hua Sirong secretly glanced at the tall man next to her, deciding to return the favor.

She pulled Jiang Yilan away from the tall man by about three zhang before asking in a low voice, "Where did you find this girl?"

He looks so tall, like a real man. Don't believe me? Look at his Adam's apple and the obvious shaved beard marks on his face.

For the sake of us both being Uncle Jiang's nieces, please replace her.

Also, when you get back, you'd better find out how this person was assigned to serve you.

Upon hearing the word "man," Jiang Yilan couldn't help but turn around and glance at the tall man. Her pupils dilated instantly, and her entire face was filled with fear.

She held Hua Sirong's hand tightly, "This girl was just handed to me by my little cousin. Could she really be a man?"

The more I look at it, the more it resembles someone else! What should I do? My legs are weak, I can't stand up.

Hua Sirong supported Jiang Yilan with all her might, regretting that she had meddled. She never expected that Jiang Yilan was all bark and no bite, all looks and no substance.

"Who is my little cousin?" Hua Sirong asked in a low voice while thinking of a solution.

Jiang Yilan looked distressed and said weakly, "She is the only daughter of my aunt and my uncle who died young."

Hua Sirong: ...

Goodness, this Uncle Jiang's niece is trying to find herself a widowed aunt, and also a cheap cousin along the way.

But based on what happened today, if Hua Sirong believed that the mother and daughter were good people, she would dare to twist her head off and kick it like a ball.

Just as Hua Sirong was about to call Chunyan over to help Jiang Yilan up,

The suspiciously tall man took two strides and arrived in front of Hua Sirong and Jiang Yilan.

And just like that, the unexpected happened...

Chunyan only had time to pull back Hua Sirong before Jiang Yilan, who had become the target, was knocked unconscious by the tall man with a karate chop and fell onto the not-too-thick snow.

Hua Sirong, disregarding Jiang Yilan, tried to escape to a more crowded area with Chunyan's help.

However, Hua Sirong ultimately held them back, and Chunyan, in order to protect Hua Sirong, went head-to-head with the tall man.

Even with Chunyan's strength, she quickly showed signs of weakness in the face of the disparity in strength between men and women.

"Girl, don't worry about me, run!" Chunyan did everything in her power to give Hua Sirong a chance to survive.

Hua Sirong suppressed her worries and fears and ran towards the crowds based on her memory. She stumbled and staggered along the way, but in the eyes of the tall man, it was only a few breaths' distance.

Hua Sirong heard the sound of Chunyan falling to the ground, but she didn't dare to turn around.

But his steps became heavier and heavier, so heavy that every step required tremendous effort.

She heard the tall man behind her making a villainous 'hoho' sound, coming closer and closer, like a demonic curse lingering in her ears.

She heard the sound of footsteps on the snow, each step feeling like it was pounding on her heart, silently mocking the lamb before her, who was overestimating its own strength.

Just as she was about to despair, she clenched the thing in her hand once more.

That was something she took out of her purse when the incident occurred; it was an essential item for a woman to use for self-defense when going out.

I never expected it would come in handy today. I hope she can catch them off guard and create a way out for herself.

The tall man placed his hand on her shoulder, pressing down on Hua Sirong's heart like a thousand pounds of iron.

She was about to raise her wrist and make a desperate attempt.