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

What happened?

Why is everyone gathered here? Why don't we disperse and go over there to have tea and watch a play?

The Shen family members were seeing off guests when they heard about the drowning incident and wanted to come and check. However, upon learning that it was just a maid who had fallen into the water, they didn't take it seriously.

And just then, the gatekeeper came to report that an eunuch from the palace had come to visit.

This is the real, important thing!

They had a good idea: they thought the masters in the palace valued the Marquis's mansion and had sent some extraordinary gifts to celebrate the old lady's birthday, specifically to bring honor to the Marquis's mansion.

They all went forward to greet them.

When they returned with the distinguished guests, the matter of a maid falling into the water in the side garden was still not resolved.

When Shen saw Yuan in the crowd, her expression immediately turned sour.

An old woman stepped forward and explained in a few words. Shen looked at her father-in-law waiting to the side and her face immediately turned cold.

“Yuan, you can’t even manage your own affairs, and you’ve made a fool of yourself in front of the guests. How dare you stand here?”

"Someone, quickly take this girl who fell into the water and settle her down properly."

The Zeng family's son went into the water to save people, he is our Marquis's benefactor. Why don't you quickly invite someone to the guest room to change your clothes?

I also invited the family physician to give him a proper check-up, lest he catch a cold.

In no time, Mr. Shen had chased away several of the parties involved.

She stepped forward and took Hua Sirong's hand, saying, "Sister Rong, you've been wronged today. It's all because of my good-for-nothing daughter-in-law, who can't tell right from wrong, and made you suffer."

Then her aunt scolded her, telling her to choose two of her best treasured possessions to apologize to you, okay?

As soon as they saw the father-in-law accompanying Madam Shen, some sharp-eyed people followed Madam Shen's words and dispersed slightly, but still within earshot.

The eunuch swept his whisk and, without wasting any words on Madam Shen, asked, "Which one of you is the wife of Lord Jiang Huaiji?"

Shen paused, holding Hua Sirong's hand, and quickly smiled ingratiatingly, leading Hua Sirong to the father-in-law.

"Eunuch Wang, this is my son Ji's wife."

When Hua Sirong first heard Eunuch Wang's voice, she didn't feel flattered. Instead, she felt a jolt. She broke free from Shen's restraints and gave Eunuch Wang a proper bow.

"I am Jiang Huashi. May I ask what business you have with me, sir? Is something wrong with my husband?" Many bad thoughts flooded Hua Sirong's mind, and a hint of anxiety unconsciously appeared on her face.

A few days ago, Jiang Huaiji said that he was planning something big, and once it was done, his family would be able to move into a big house.

But given his status, any so-called important matter is not simple!

Even the eunuchs around His Majesty were alarmed at this moment; Hua Sirong was genuinely worried that something had happened to Jiang Huaiji.

She held her belly with one hand and placed the other on her stomach, as if comforting the baby inside her, or perhaps gathering her strength.

When Eunuch Wang saw that she was pregnant, and because of her stunning beauty, he felt as if he had seen her before.

His voice unconsciously softened slightly as he spoke, “His Majesty was assassinated today, and Lord Jiang was meritorious in saving him. However, he was stabbed in the abdomen and should not be moved.”

His Majesty, mindful of Lord Jiang's contributions, has sent this servant to the Marquis's residence to invite the Lady to the palace to care for Lord Jiang.

Upon hearing that Jiang Huaiji was injured, Hua Sirong's eyes immediately filled with tears. "Is my husband's life in danger?"

Eunuch Wang secretly blamed himself for his carelessness. This Madam Jiang was pregnant, and if something happened to the fetus because he hadn't relayed the message properly, he would be guilty of a thousand deaths.

He apologized, saying, "The imperial physician said that Lord Jiang is blessed with great fortune and has no danger to his life."

Hua Sirong was finally relieved.

She turned her head to bow to Madam Shen and bid farewell, saying, "I will not interfere in the affairs of my cousins ​​in the household. Aunt, I will now go to the palace with Eunuch Wang."

Shen choked, realizing that Hua Sirong was holding a grudge against Yuan for this whole scheme.

However, with Eunuch Wang present, she dared not speak out against her anger.

The more Eunuch Wang looked at Hua Sirong, the more familiar her face seemed. And because of Jiang Huaiji's rescue of the emperor, she would surely become a favorite of His Majesty in the future.

Therefore, he wanted to curry favor, so he asked, "Madam Jiang, is there anything I can do to help you?"

Wang Gonggong, who had been standing to the side, had only heard the gist of what had happened.

He was a shrewd person in the palace; even from just a few words, he could figure out most of the whole thing.

If Hua Sirong needs him, he wouldn't mind being her support.

The Marquis of Muqing's residence was not considered an important figure by His Majesty.

Hua Sirong shook her head demurely, "The innocent are innocent. My husband's matter is more important. Eunuch Wang, let's go."

Eunuch Wang left the Marquis's residence with a cold face, leaving everyone to speculate.

Even those noble ladies and young women who still looked down on Hua Sirong's status dared not openly speak ill of her anymore.

Thanks to Eunuch Wang, Hua Sirong actually benefited from the misfortune. She became known as a merchant's daughter in the entire circle of nobles in the capital, and her reputation was prevented from getting any worse.

-----

Hua Sirong wasn't among the first group of guests to leave the Marquis's residence; Qu Yingyue was.

After finishing her meal, she made an excuse and left the Marquis's residence early.

The study of the Third Prince's residence

"Yingyue is here, please sit down."

I've already told the kitchen to prepare your favorite snacks.

The Third Prince personally welcomed the person into his study, his face gentle, his eyes filled with such deep affection that they could almost drown one in it.

Qu Yingyue was completely under the control of the Third Prince's gentle and tender nature.

"Your Highness, Yingyue has come today because she has something important to tell you."

The Third Prince knew that she had gone to the Marquis of Muqing's residence for a banquet today. Hearing that his good second brother had also gone to the Marquis's residence to offer birthday greetings, he felt a little uneasy.

Now that Qu Yingyue has finally arrived, it's natural to try and get some information out of her.

"Oh? What's the matter that's so urgent?"

Yingyue must be very tired after attending the banquet at the Marquis's residence today.

Yet you went to such lengths to make a special trip to my residence, which shows how sincere Yingyue's feelings for me are.

In the future, I will certainly not let you down.

Upon hearing this, Qu Yingyue couldn't help but gaze deeply into the Third Prince's eyes. Following the Third Prince's arm around her shoulder, she leaned into his embrace, her face filled with shyness and admiration.

“I don’t feel tired at all from running around for His Highness’s sake.”

The Third Prince's lips curled slightly as he placed a light kiss on Qu Yingyue's hair. "What is it that Yingyue wants to say?"

Qu Yingyue pursed her lips before slowly recounting, "There is a cousin of the Marquis of Muqing named Hua Sirong. She revealed that her husband is currently serving in front of His Majesty."

The third prince asked in bewilderment, "There are so many guards on duty around Father Emperor, what's so surprising about this?"

Qu Yingyue then pointed out directly, "Her husband's name is Jiang Huaiji, and he used to serve under the Second Prince."