Old Madam Xue’s expression remained indifferent: “Grandmother doesn’t want to see the Li family’s daughter damage your reputation.”

Kou Zimo’s eyes widened slightly: “What do you mean by that, Grandmother?”

“A young lady spending months in close company with several young men day and night—what good reputation could she possibly have?”

“But Miss Li went south under the Empress Dowager’s orders—”

Old Madam Xue smiled faintly: “Naturally, people won’t say much openly, but Grandmother is just giving you private advice. The Li family’s daughter is approaching her coming-of-age ceremony. When the time comes, you can observe whether any families will come to propose marriage.”

Kou Zimo quite disagreed with Old Madam Xue’s words: “Granddaughter feels that Miss Li has upright character and is not someone who would cause trouble…”

Old Madam Xue cast a cool glance at her granddaughter: “Upright character? If her character were truly upright, why would Marquis Liuxing’s residence be hastily organizing a flower-viewing banquet?”

As she spoke, she pushed an elegant invitation in front of Kou Zimo.

Kou Zimo was intelligent and immediately understood Old Madam Xue’s meaning after a moment’s consideration.

Old Madam Xue’s deep gaze fixed intently on her eldest granddaughter, her voice carrying a warning: “Now every family in the capital who received this invitation knows that the Li family’s daughter has entangled herself with the heir of Marquis Liuxing’s residence, frightening the old madam of Marquis Liuxing’s residence into hastily sending out invitations for a flower-viewing banquet to choose a wife for her precious grandson.”

Seeing her granddaughter’s face darken like water, Old Madam Xue spoke earnestly: “Grandmother is not one of those snobbish people who look down on the Li family’s daughter because of her ordinary birth. Previously, when you invited her to the residence, I didn’t stop you. But now Grandmother cannot watch you continue associating with her. Zimo, think about it—with Miss Li’s current reputation, if those madams and ladies knew you were friends with her, how would they view you? You’re at the age for marriage discussions now.”

Kou Zimo pressed her lips together without speaking.

Old Madam Xue raised an eyebrow: “Zimo, did you listen to Grandmother’s words? Don’t tell me you also want to end up like the Li family’s daughter, unable to marry and remain a spinster for life?”

Kou Zimo smiled bitterly in her heart.

If she couldn’t marry her cousin, she would rather remain a spinster for life.

However, as an unmarried young lady, she couldn’t voice such words to her elders.

“Zimo?” Seeing her granddaughter still not responding, Old Madam Xue’s gaze deepened slightly.

Kou Zimo forced a smile: “Don’t worry, I won’t invite Miss Li to visit anymore.”

She couldn’t change her grandmother’s opinion with just a few words, so why make Third Miss Li come and suffer cold treatment? Even though Third Miss Li might not notice, it would pain her to witness it.

Hearing Kou Zimo’s response, Old Madam Xue smiled with relief: “It’s good that you understand. Grandmother is preparing for her afternoon nap, so you should go rest as well.”

Kou Zimo stood up, and when she reached the doorway, suddenly turned back: “Grandmother, Third Miss Li would never entangle herself with the heir of Marquis Liuxing’s residence.”

After dropping these words, she lifted her skirts and hurried away, leaving only the cotton curtain with pine and crane patterns swaying gently before Old Madam Xue’s eyes.

Old Madam Xue’s lips moved slightly, and she sighed heavily.

At Chunfeng Tavern, Chi Can threw an invitation in front of Yang Houcheng and sneered coldly: “Look at the fine mess you’ve made!”

Yang Houcheng’s face flushed red: “I’ll go back and explain things clearly to Grandmother!”

Chi Can grabbed him: “Explain what? Do you want to make things worse? Now all the prominent families in the capital are laughing at Third Miss Li, convinced that her character is improper and that she’ll never be able to marry in this lifetime.”

“Then what should we do?” Yang Houcheng was extremely anxious. Staring at the invitation bearing Marquis Liuxing’s seal, inspiration struck him: “Wouldn’t it work if Tingquan married Miss Li? All those families want to marry their daughters into Marquis Guanjun’s residence. Once Tingquan marries Miss Li, let’s see what they have to say!”

Chi Can looked at him with a half-smile.

“Am I wrong?”

“You’re right, so I mainly want to ask what you plan to do about it? The invitation clearly states that the flower-viewing banquet is set for three days from now.”

Yang Houcheng slapped his forehead hard: “Right, what should I do?”

He paced around anxiously while Chi Can smiled and sipped his tea, commenting with detached amusement: “Those who sow evil reap what they deserve.”

After leaving the Kou residence, Qiao Zhao didn’t look back once during the journey.

Her former maternal grandmother’s home—she probably wouldn’t come here again.

She feared that the closer she got, the more cruel the reality would become.

“Third Miss, we’ve arrived.”

The carriage stopped, and Qiao Zhao got down and walked inside. A voice called out: “Stop right there!”

Hearing the voice, Qiao Zhao paused her steps and looked sideways to see Jiang Shiran approaching with an angry expression.

“Where did you go?” Jiang Shiran stopped in front of Qiao Zhao and demanded.

“I just returned from Minister Kou’s residence. Do you need something, Miss Jiang?”

“I invited you to visit my residence for a chat. Why did you go to Minister Kou’s residence instead?”

“I received Miss Kou’s invitation first.”

Jiang Shiran sneered: “I think those are all excuses. You don’t dare to come to my house!”

Qiao Zhao was too lazy to argue with Jiang Shiran: “Miss Jiang may think so if she wishes. If Miss Jiang has nothing else, I’ll go inside first.”

“You’re finally admitting you don’t dare come to my house, aren’t you? Li Zhao, you have a guilty conscience, don’t you?”

Qiao Zhao found this utterly baffling: “What are you talking about, Miss Jiang?”

“Stop pretending to be confused. Zhenzhen used your medicine, and it had no effect whatsoever. You’ve been deceiving her from the very beginning!”

Qiao Zhao had no time to waste on Jiang Shiran’s nonsense and said coolly: “Then I’ll wait for Ninth Princess to summon me. What qualifications do you have to question me on behalf of the Ninth Princess?”

After speaking, she lifted her foot to walk through the gate.

“Li Zhao, stop right there!”

Her answer was the crisp sound of the door closing.

Jiang Shiran’s face flushed with anger. She walked to the Li residence’s entrance and kicked the door, forgetting she was wearing soft satin shoes today. The pain brought tears to her eyes.

“Coward!” Jiang Shiran cursed hatefully. Turning around, she saw Jiang Shiyi standing there expressionless.

Jiang Shiran stepped back and frowned: “Eleventh Brother, what are you doing here?”

Jiang Shiyi’s voice was cold and emotionless: “To invite Third Miss Li to visit the Jiang residence.”

“Who told you to invite her as a guest?” Jiang Shiran looked displeased.

“Foster father.”

After Jiang Shiyi spoke, seeing that Jiang Shiran didn’t respond, thinking she hadn’t understood, he added: “That would be your father.”

“My father invited her as a guest?” Jiang Shiran became furious upon hearing this. “Don’t invite her!”

Jiang Shiyi walked around Jiang Shiran and knocked on the door.

“Eleventh Brother, did you hear me?”

“I heard.”

“Then why are you still knocking?”

Jiang Shiyi turned back with an expressionless face: “How else can I invite Miss Li to the residence without knocking?”

“You just said you heard me!” Jiang Shiran reminded him through gritted teeth.

Jiang Shiyi nodded, indicating she was correct, and repeated: “The Grand Commander invites Miss Li to the residence.”

Jiang Shiran’s lips went white with anger. Knowing she couldn’t change Jiang Shiyi’s mind, she secretly made up her mind: when Li Zhao arrived at the Jiang residence, it would be the perfect opportunity to settle accounts with her!

Miss Jiang had calculated well, but the gatekeeper who delivered the message returned with this reply: “Our Third Miss says she still has matters to attend to and cannot leave. Please tell Lord Jiang that she will visit in a few days.”

Jiang Shiyi nodded and turned to leave, leaving Jiang Shiran dumbfounded.

When had the Jinlin Guards become so mild-tempered?

Wait—wasn’t Li Zhao supposed to be her father’s actual daughter?