People in the Qin Dynasty, entertained during the Warring States period

In Madam Hu's West Garden, the snow had not been swept. Yingge stood outside with her arms crossed and the maidservant brought by Madam Hu.

"Mr. Cao Ze, please come in."

Hu Meiren's maid, who had already received instructions, respectfully invited Cao Ze inside.

Cao Ze then invited Yingge, "Miss Yingge, let's go together."

The maidservant spoke up to stop her, saying, "Her Majesty said that only the gentleman is allowed to enter."

Tsk, asserting sovereignty, huh? Just a pretty girl, yet she acts so high and mighty. This is outrageous... Cao Ze said that for his sister-in-law's sake, he would let it go this time.

Cao Ze pushed open the door and stepped in from the frigid outside. Warm air rushed in, melting the snow around the threshold.

Two pairs of eyes, each brimming with a different kind of charm, snapped towards Cao Ze.

Cao Ze cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Greetings, Your Highness, and Madam."

Madam Hu lowered her head and looked down. With her sister beside her, she dared not look at Cao Ze again, for fear that her sister would see through her.

Hu Meiren smiled sweetly and said, "The heavy snow has just passed, and I have already summoned you, sir. It is truly my fault. Please have a seat."

Since they were all family, Cao Ze naturally didn't stand on ceremony and sat down on one side.

A smokeless, bronze-gold stove was placed in the middle of the three people, and two large basins of white, silver-copper charcoal fires with blue flames were placed on either side of the room. Gaps were left in the windows for ventilation.

Hu Meiren and Madam Hu seemed to have stayed in the warm indoors for quite a while, their pretty faces both flushed.

Especially Madam Hu, who seemed preoccupied and would occasionally glance at Cao Ze.

Hu Meiren took out several scrolls of books and said, "These are the lyrics my sister wrote these past few days. Please take a look, sir."

Cao Ze took the letter, opened it, and saw that it was written in Madam Hu's elegant handwriting, which was far superior to his own neat handwriting.

The play he and Madam Hu prepared was a classic chapter from "Dream of the Red Chamber"—Daiyu Burying Flowers.

The lyrics themselves aren't the problem; the problem is whether anyone can actually perform them.

After watching it, based on the 1987 TV series adaptation of "Dream of the Red Chamber" that he had seen before, Cao Ze pointed out a few awkward parts in a very professional manner.

This delighted Madam Hu. If it weren't for the fact that her sister was still there, she would have liked to have a long talk with Cao Ze and study the matter carefully.

Under the influence of Madam Hu, Hu Meiren understood some drama, but her understanding was limited to being able to tell whether a play was good or bad.

Seeing her sister's overjoyed expression, Hu Meiren smiled with satisfaction, "Sir, you are truly skilled."

Cao Ze said reservedly, "I'll take these letters back first, and after I've carefully considered them for the next couple of days, I'll ask my sister-in-law to finalize the draft."

"Alright, then sir, you may go ahead. My sister and I will talk for a while longer."

Ha, women, they use men and then throw them away... Cao Ze's hopes of having a deeper conversation with the two sisters were dashed, and he was too lazy to find an excuse to stay and flirt with Madam Hu, so he took the initiative to leave.

When the time comes, I'll definitely give Lady Hu a good scolding on behalf of Madam Hu, so she'll know what it means to have an elder sister like a mother and a brother-in-law like a father!

Madam Hu watched Cao Ze leave, feeling somewhat reluctant, but even more so expectant, wishing he would come over that very night.

Hu Meiren noticed her sister's unusual behavior, slightly moved her red lips, but after thinking for a moment, she chose not to say anything.

She overlooked it; she should have thought of it sooner.

The elder sister had been lonely and isolated in the mansion for a long time when a young and handsome man with similar interests suddenly appeared. It was hard for her not to fall in love with him.

As for whether she had misread it, she had no doubt about herself.

Having spent many years in the palace, she had long since developed a keen eye for detail.

If she had misjudged someone, she would have been ruined and eliminated long ago. How could she possibly have secured her position as the beauty?

After thinking it over, Hu Meiren said softly, "Sister, there are some things that are best not to overstep."

She understood Liu Yi better than her sister; he was a ruthless man, and she could only restrain him, not force him.

Everyone in Xinzheng knows that Liu Yi is Ji Wuye's watchdog.

If Liu Yi finds out that Madam Hu and Cao Ze are having an affair, it will be difficult to resolve the situation even if she intervenes.

Even a bad move could harm oneself.

Madam Hu was startled, but managed to say, "What are you saying, sister?"

Hu Meiren sighed softly, "Sister, I know you've suffered a lot here. It's also because I'm incompetent and can't get you out of here..."

Did her younger sister find out?

Madam Hu remained silent for a long time, then sighed as well, "Sister, he and I... are nothing."

Hu Meiren shook her head slightly. "I won't say anything if you want to do whatever you want with him, but Liu Yi is not dead yet. For your safety, I still hope that you can sever ties with him and it would be best if you never see him again."

"No!" Madam Hu refused instinctively.

"Why?" Hu Meiren's amber eyes were full of confusion.

Given the relationship between the sisters, how could a mere man provoke such resistance from the frail older sister?

Madam Hu hesitated. If she told her sister that Cao Ze knew her daughter's whereabouts, given her sister's personality, she would definitely go directly to Cao Ze, making things even more complicated.

Ultimately, she couldn't rest easy as long as Liu Yi was alive.

She hesitated for a moment, then said, "Sister, you don't need to say anything. I know what I'm doing."

Hu Meiren frowned slightly. Had her sister's feelings for Cao Ze become that strong?

This makes things difficult.

She understood her sister; she was stubborn and persistent, and once she set her mind on something, she would see it through, even if it meant sacrificing herself. This was why her sister always seemed submissive and somewhat stubborn.

"Okay, I understand, sister."

Hu Meiren gently pressed her brow.

She didn't have the ability to get rid of Liu Yi, even if she got that old bastard Han An to do it, it wouldn't make a difference.

Unless Ji Wuye doesn't want Liu Yi anymore, Liu Yi won't live much longer even without her intervention.

It seems she needs to make some arrangements early on, and try her best to personally handle the matters between her sister and Cao Ze, so that Liu Yi has no chance to find out.

Thinking of this, Hu Meiren couldn't help but smile bitterly. She never imagined that one day she would have to guard the door for her sister and that man. It was truly...

Liu Yi was somewhat surprised that Cao Ze left so early.

He drank some wine with Cao Ze and asked him some questions before letting him leave.

He was increasingly at ease with Cao Ze. As expected of the renowned Mr. Cao Ze, who commanded the respect due to a hundred disciples, he was a true gentleman and a good person. He liked him.

Cao Ze spat as he left Liu Yi's residence.

Liu Yi is really suspicious.

In particular, it requires both, and also requires.

He already agreed to help take care of his sister-in-law, and he still wants me, Cao, to find a way to win her back? Doesn't he even know his own brain and character?

If it were a good man like him doing the job, his wife would already be surrounded by children, having given birth to two, three, four, five, six, seven, or eight children.

Holding the scroll of the lyrics to "Daiyu Buries Flowers," Cao Ze walked back to Zilan Pavilion step by step.

He refused the carriage arranged by Liu Yi, wanting only to get some fresh air and dispel the bad luck brought by Liu Yi.

Perhaps today is just my day to be unlucky.

Before even entering Zilan Pavilion, they were robbed on the way.

"I built this road, I planted these trees!"

Cao Ze replied, "If you want to pass through here, leave some money for the toll."

"Yes, that's it! Hand over what you're holding to this princess!"

Honglian, dressed in a pink brocade jacket, stood with her hands on her hips, gazing longingly at the scroll in Cao Ze's arms.

Cao Ze asked, somewhat puzzled, "Why has Your Highness come here?"

Honglian muttered, "It's been snowing for days and you haven't come. I'm almost suffocating in the palace."

"After the snow stopped, I thought you should come, but you still didn't come, so I decided to come out and look for you."

"Then I ran into my brother. I don't know how he guessed that I was looking for you. Not only did he not let me out, but he also threatened me with our father."

"But am I someone who can be threatened? So I punched him and ran away."

Princess Honglian began to unleash her power of constant nagging.

Cao Ze caught a glimpse of Han Fei standing outside Zi Lan Xuan. Her dark panda eyes were very striking. Good heavens, she was definitely his younger sister.

Brother Han, rest assured, we will help you teach your sister a good lesson with the whip in the future.

"I see."

Cao Ze really wanted to say "Well done!" again, but Han Fei was coming over, and he had to give his brother-in-law some face.

"Brother Han... Hmm, you seem to be in good spirits. Are you better now?"

Han Fei snorted, "Thanks to you, I'm much better!"

Why are you so fierce and arrogant, swallowing your pride and gritting your teeth... You're truly a brave warrior!

Cao Ze said admiringly, "Brother Han, please come inside."

Han Fei hesitated for a moment, worried about corrupting his younger sister, but the next moment he lost his composure.

Honglian swiftly snatched the scroll from Cao Ze's arms and dashed into Zilan Pavilion.

Cao Ze shrugged and sighed, "Brother Han's little sister... Princess Honglian is quite the character."

Han Fei rubbed his panda eye, which Hong Lian had punched, involuntarily. It really hurt.

He couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Isn't it all because of you, you traitor Cao?! If you hadn't written that damned Dream of the Red Chamber, would my gentle and lovely little sister have done something like hitting her brother? And even gone to Zilan Pavilion!"

Cao Ze and Han Fei entered Zilan Pavilion and went to the elegant room on the second floor.

Zi Nu served fragrant tea, and with Nong Yu absent, the room became much quieter.

Han Fei drank his tea silently, remaining seated without uttering a word.

Cao Ze glanced at Han Fei, who seemed preoccupied, and then began chatting with Zi Nu on his own.

Honglian sat by the window, engrossed in reading the opera lyrics.

She suddenly stood up, ran excitedly to Cao Ze, and waved the scroll.