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

Suddenly, they heard women laughing and talking coming from around the corner of the plum grove. Judging from the noise, they were clearly heading their way.

In the blink of an eye, Hua Sirong was torn between her inner and outer struggles.

She decisively withdrew her wrist, and taking advantage of the tall man's momentary surprise, she shifted her position and stood a step away from him.

She secretly encouraged herself, thinking that if she just persevered a little longer, the bad guys' deeds would not be able to be covered up.

She could also use this opportunity to make another push for her marriage...

Seeing that many people were about to emerge from the path around Merlin's corner, the tall man did not flee in fear of punishment. Instead, he unexpectedly said something on purpose.

"Rong'er, do you really not mind my poor background and are willing to marry me?"

The voice wasn't loud, but the plum grove was already quiet in winter, and that abrupt male voice seemed to travel through the cold air in an instant, reaching all directions.

In the instant Hua Sirong was astonished, the tall man who had just been dressed as a maid suddenly stood in front of her in a tight-fitting outfit.

Coupled with their affectionate expressions, anyone who saw them would only think that the two were secretly expressing their feelings.

However, their audacity in choosing to meet in the plum garden of the Jiang family mansion meant that their reputations were doomed.

Hua Sirong had heard all sorts of stories about framing and slander before, and she was even forced to experience a series of schemes in the Marquis's mansion.

But this is the first time I've seen someone so casually ruin someone's reputation.

Sure enough, the man's voice immediately drew the attention of the women on the other side.

"Miss Rong is here! Come quick, I've found Miss Rong!"

"Oh my god, how come there's a man outside?"

"Why would the young lady from the Marquis's family meet with a man from another family in private at the Jiang residence?"

"What do you mean by meeting in private? It was clearly a clandestine exchange of favors. How shameless!"

"..."

More and more women gathered in the plum garden, including several young ladies from the Marquis's mansion.

He Si was discussing marriage when Hua Sirong's actions were clearly detrimental to the unmarried daughters of the Marquis's mansion. As the legitimate daughter of the second branch, she stepped forward and slapped Hua Sirong across the face.

Mu Yan, clearly furious, questioned Hua Sirong, "What explanation do you have? You, a merchant's daughter who lives under someone else's roof, have completely disgraced the Muqing Marquis's mansion."

He San had been following He Si. Seeing He Si hitting someone, she quickly stepped forward to pull them apart. She glanced at Hua Sirong's slightly red eyes and the obvious handprint on her face, and offered an explanation:

"The matter hasn't been clarified yet, why did you hit her?"

We all know what kind of person she is. I bet it's her face that's causing all this trouble again, probably similar to what happened on her wedding day with my older brother.

The last sentence was whispered to He Si.

He Si glared at He San, who was speaking up for Hua Sirong, then forcefully pulled Hua Sirong behind him, tilting her head back and glancing sideways at the unfamiliar man.

She shouted sternly, "Who are you? Why are you stopping women in the plum garden? Such a lack of manners must mean you are one of those despicable people trying to climb the social ladder!"

After saying that, he looked around and asked, "Where are the people from the Jiang family? Such a mishap occurred at the plum blossom viewing banquet, and not a single person came forward to uphold justice?"

One of the young ladies who was at odds with the He family said, "It's clearly the He family that's in the wrong, yet you still insist on asking the host family for an explanation. As an outsider, I can't help but laugh to death."

He San couldn't bear to watch He Si fight alone. She could tell that although He Si was ruthless, he was subtly trying to protect Hua Sirong.

He San: "Then you can laugh yourself to death, just don't let your family come to the Jiang residence to demand an explanation afterward."

The young lady was so angry that she could only glare helplessly, and then she turned her anger towards Hua Sirong.

"I think you two shouldn't do something bad with good intentions. The two people are in love, but you two have to pretend to be high and mighty and interfere."

When I arrived just now, I heard that she didn't mind being poor and was willing to marry down.

Today, with so many of us as witnesses, I think you, He Si, should take these two back to the He family as soon as possible, inform your elders, and arrange their marriage.

"Who knows? Maybe she's already secretly pregnant."

He Sanxian couldn't control her temper anymore and grabbed the woman's hair, saying, "I'll teach you to be so foul-mouthed! I'll also accuse you of colluding with this man and trying to frame my cousin."

The woman endured the pain and cried out, "Pah, what nonsense are you talking about? Ouch, you're hurting me, let go!"

Amidst the commotion, the head of the Jiang family arrived late, and surprisingly, the old lady was among them, accompanied by a still charming middle-aged woman.

Hua Sirong immediately concluded that it was the cousin Jiang Yilan had mentioned.

All the parties involved and witnesses were taken to the flower hall, which was not far from here.

Madam Jiang looked displeased. Because of her youngest son, she felt a certain amount of pity for Hua Sirong.

But the old man preferred a harmonious atmosphere, and he was now somewhat wary of Hua Sirong's gloomy aura.

She handed over the reins to the eldest wife of the Chiang family, who was also Chiang Yi-lan's mother.

Hua Sirong finally met someone in the Jiang family who could speak on her behalf, and immediately asked someone to find Jiang Yilan and Chunyan.

Seeing that her first action wasn't to defend herself, but instead to show concern for Miss Jiang and her maid, some people in the crowd began to change their opinion of Hua Sirong.

When the First Madam heard that her own daughter was involved, she panicked and was about to call a servant to search for her when a trusted confidante stepped forward and whispered something in her ear...

The panicked expression on Madam Jiang's face gradually subsided.

Her sharp eyes shot towards Hua Sirong, "My uncle has always praised you highly, and the old lady and I have long wanted to see the niece he speaks of."

Having seen you today, I feel it would have been better if we hadn't met at all.

Although we haven't seen her, Miss Rong remains in our hearts just as my uncle said.

To be honest, Miss Rong disappointed me after meeting her.

"You're saying my Yilan was knocked unconscious by this person and is lying in the plum garden? Unfortunately, Yilan is with her cousin from her aunt's family right now."

The woman sitting next to the old lady chimed in, "Yes, my Qinqin loves to stick with her cousin the most."

Anyone who heard this would assume that the woman must have seen Jiang Yilan and that girl named Qinqin playing together.

Madam Jiang continued, "If Miss Rong wants to clear her name, she needs to find a reliable witness."

With just a couple of taels of silver, one of the maids or servants in this mansion might just be greedy enough to give you false testimony.

But my Yilan, though simple-minded, won't be easily fooled by you.

Hua Sirong couldn't believe it. If Jiang Yilan had been taken away, what about her Chunyan?

She then asked the question herself.

The confidante who had just been whispering with Madam Jiang spoke up: "Your girl is quite plump, which means she loves to eat."

We just went looking for someone, and we found them at the kitchen in the house.

He still smelled of alcohol; he must have been drinking too much and was drunk.

She's still snoring by the heated brick bed in the kitchen.