"Master..." A’Yin stepped forward while calling out.

    Lan Qing looked at his servant’s face, filled with distress, and inquired, "What is it?"

    But before the young servant could respond, a shrieking, weeping voice interrupted them, and its owner appeared abruptly.

    "My dear, you must deal with the one who harmed Jian’ Er, please!"

    A middle-aged slender woman, rushed in, clinging to Master Su's leg while sobbing as though her heart would break, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. Yun Si watched disappointedly, thinking even Concubine Jiao showed more professionalism than this. Such crying lacked any beauty or allure.

    "Su Jian was at fault. I ordered the punishment myself. Aunt, how do you plan to handle your son here?" Lan Qing's voice was soft yet menacing, his thin smile belied by his unsmiling eyes.

    "Eh..." Furen Su felt a cold sweat breakout, speechless. She might have been bold with others, but not with this distant nephew. Her courage faded in his presence.

    Years ago, if not for Lan Qing's assistance during her difficult time, would the Su family still stand today? Even if he beat her son to death, who would dare to blame him?

    "Now that you mention it, I recall our young relative has also been behaving inappropriately towards my wife. So, aunt, uncle, how should we further punish him?"

    More punishment! Was that a joke? Her Jian’ Er was already battered and weak; what more punishment could he endure? Su Furen could only gape.

    Lan Qing didn't speak further but his pressuring gaze spoke volumes. Before Master Su and Furen Su could utter a word, a sweet, vibrant voice interrupted them.

    "Brother Qing..." A delicate figure hurried toward them, calling out joyfully.

    Yun Si turned to the newcomer with admiration. It was her first time witnessing such a lively, spring-like woman.

    Her petite, exquisite face, bright, watery eyes, and full, softly red lips in her fluttering bright red dress gave off the impression of a small, dancing red azalea. She clung affectionately to Lan Qing's arm, greeting him cheerfully, her demeanor so lively it dazzled onlookers.

    "Brother Qing, you always frown even upon arrival. Li Lin has told you before that brother Qing is very handsome, so you mustn't scowl like that." Her delicate, jade-like hand left his arm, reaching up to turn his stern face into a smile before laughing melodiously.

    "Lin’ Er, you're audacious! Now grown and still without restraint," Lan Qing didn't push her hand away but gently admonished her, warmth evident in the touch.

    She withdrew with a pout but reluctantly left the elder relative's arm, turning to Yun Si with widened eyes and a bright voice,

    "Eh... Is this my beautiful sister-in-law? Finally, brother Qing has brought you to meet Li Lin." After saying this, she moved from Lan Qing to grasp Yun Si’s hand joyfully. The young woman offered her a signature sweet smile, appreciating her charming appearance.

    So, this was Li Lin whose name refers to an exquisite jade? Truly fitting. Lan Qing's younger cousin was unspeakably beautiful, beyond any expectation.

    “Don’t trouble your sister-in-law. She’s had a tiring journey,” Lan Qing gently chided his cousin, observing Li Lin clinging to Yun Si restlessly.

    “Eh… Is brother Qing even jealous of me with sister-in-law?" The girl teased, her eyes sparkling mischievously, turning to inquire her elder cousin playfully.

    Lan Qing shook his head with a smile, his slender hand decisively pushing the head of the person in front of him playfully before ordering servants to move their luggage into the accommodation, then turning to Yun Si, he guided for her to follow him,

    "Your sister-in-law and I will rest now. We'll meet you at dinner." He addressed only Li Lin before leading Yun Si skillfully to their accommodation, not sparing a glance for Master Su and his Furen.

    Lan Qing escorted her to the guest quarter prepared by the Su family, stepping back to allow Xiao Ying and Xiao Yuan to serve their Great Furen. In the steamy bathtub, Yun Si rested her head against the bathtub, closing her eyes to absorb the comfort of the warm water, with maids engaging her in conversation intermittently.

    "It's hard to believe Master Su and Furen Su have such a lovely and well-mannered daughter. Young Miss Su seems far better than her brother, quite the opposite indeed."

    Yun Si listened and pondered. She closed her eyes, envisioning the beauty in the red azalea-like dress, brimming with springtime vivacity. She smiled subtly, finding her enchanting and adorable, yet determining her true nature would require more time,

    despite what others might not notice. But she couldn't deny Li Lin's intelligence was apparent.

    "Master Lan must be quite angry at Young Master Su today, inflicting such a harsh punishment. It surely means Master Lan is very protective of his wife,"

    Xiao Yuan commented cheerfully, her innocent smile lingering as she provided a towel to Yun Si, who then rose from the bath, allowing the maids to assist her.

    'Is he that protective...'

    Yun Si’s indigo eyes gazed out the window, the verdant and crimson panorama reflecting the beauty of blooming azaleas especially with the handsome man accompanying the lovely young woman. She smiled out of habit, issuing gentle instructions to her maids,

    "Xiao Ying, Xiao Yuan, don't believe everything your eyes see... Remember that."

    The young lady in pink attire, with her endearing and vivacious demeanor and a notable face quite resembling Yun Si, conversed intimately with Lan Qing.

    Xiao Ying, upon noticing, couldn't help but exclaim, "Eh! Isn't that mistress Yun Han?

    How did she come to Luo Yang?"

    Yun Si briefly observed before turning her attention back, allowing Xiao Yuan to manage her damp hair, her lips maintaining a habitual smile.

    Why couldn't she be here? The third Furen Ling Ji of the Minister of Treasury and Furen Su are cousins. Their closeness is long-standing. It's unsurprising for Yun Han to seize this occasion to join the event, hoping to meet the man she yearns for.

    Seeing her husband still displaying a gentle demeanor with a sweet smile towards her younger stepsister, Yun Si couldn't help but smile to herself. Even though Lan Qing might not be a powerful nobility, he is a wealthy merchant, crucial to her father who desperately needs funds.

    Over the past two years, Lan Qing has poured significant wealth into her father's coffers, masking the Minister of Treasury Department’s manor outward prosperity, which belies its inner emptiness due to her father's extravagance. Knowing that her father might start distrusting her and anxious that his financial advocate like Lan Qing could slip away, it's plausible her father and Ling Ji would consent to send Yun Han to the Lan family.

    Unimaginable that families of high nobility would be so thoughtless, pushing their daughter to be pawn, especially to a man she called brother-in-law. As Yun Si contemplated, her beautiful eyes lowered in thought.

    'Lan Qing, how will you handle this situation? Accept or reject?'

    After running her errands, Yun Si let her maids rest, then lay down on the soft bed, letting her thoughts drift until she fell asleep.

    As for the beauty and the accompanying gentleman outside the window... Let it be. She didn't care about them anymore.

    As the weather in the evening was cooler, Yun Si stirred and prepared herself for the night. Soon, her affectionate husband appeared. She glanced at him and shook her head slightly. The tall figure in moonlight-hued robes, exuding an ethereal grace, became especially captivating when he smiled, seemingly enchanting onlookers.

    Luckily, Yun Si was accustomed to him, not overwhelmed as on their wedding day. She rose, placing her gentle hand on his arm, and they supported each other out. How many azalea blossoms would lose themselves to Master Lan's charm tonight?

    The dinner proceeded joyously. Even if Yun Han occasionally cast disdainful glances at Yun Si, the latter was maintained in her composure, Yun Si slightly smiled while her indigo eyes keenly observed the unfamiliar man sharing their table with interest, informed by her husband that he, too, was a guest at tomorrow's Su family banquet.

    'Qing Wenfu', a nephew of Master Qing, crossed her mind. Recalling the elderly man who aided her at a previous banquet of Lan’s family, she appreciated the stable gaze and noble demeanor of the man in front of her. Fitting for the grandson of such a respected elder.

    His stern face, with its sharp and elegant features like a carved jade, thick dark eyebrows slanting across, and a tall, masculine stature, radiated a cold aura yet was laced with a dignified allure. His dark eyes sparkled like the night sky, intently scrutinizing Yun Si.

    The young man engaged in conversation at their table for a long time until others started to gather in their groups, and Lan Qing was eventually drawn away by Su Lilin and Yun Han. The lady in a sea-blue dress sat prominently, her beautiful face always graced with a thin smile, relaxing above the surrounding hustle and bustle.

    Prominent, beautiful, yet emotionless. Even her smile seemed fabricated...

    Qing Wenfu defined the woman in front of him. He thought of his grandfather's words about her, observing her carefully.

    Hmm... A virtuous lady indeed. That's why the old man was so obsessed, even to the point of scolding him for not approaching a good woman like Lan Qing. Having seen her himself, he found her intriguing, though unfortunate.

    Qing Wenfu, a forward-thinking man, engaged Yun Si in a flavorful conversation about his trade affairs. She responded occasionally and sometimes posed her questions.

    She sensed the goodwill from Young Master Qing, pitying her for sitting alone without her husband by her side, also no one cared about her.

    Hmm... Poor Yun Si for such a good man.

    Soon, the tall figure of Lan Qing returned, settling next to his wife. His penetrating eyes carried an unpredictable glimmer, choosing to sit at the far end with Yun Si, preventing Yun Han from joining them. She could only fretfully return to her place.

    Qing Wenfu observed the overt actions with a touch of scorn. Is this the daughter of a grand noble, behaving like a courtesan chasing men? If she were his sister, she would have been confined for ages. It was unimaginable that she was related to a fine lady like Yun Si.

    With someone to compare, Qing Wenfu's favorable impression of Yun Si grew stronger. His gaze toward her was visibly admiring whereas Lan Qing’s eyes darkened at the moment.

    Among the cheerful noises, Su Lilin stood out with her bright voice and facial expressions that endeared her to the audience, occasionally coquettishly interacting with Lan Qing. Yun Si sat with a sweet, profound smile, playing the role of a devoted wife, adoring her husband as he tenderly touched her hand.

    The noises in the hall quieted as the sound of a guqin began, drawing everyone's gaze to the center where a young lady in a red azalea dress gracefully plucked the strings.

    Her beautiful face lowered, her pale hands crafting intricate melodies on the instrument, her eyes and lips smiling, creating irresistible beauty.

    Qing Wenfu raised his liquor’s cup, his gaze indifferently clashing with the performing lady. She was indeed beautiful, but he had traveled extensively, encountering various forms of beauty, especially such deceptive allure!

    The old man had instructed him to attend the Su family gathering partly to evaluate his potential match. Originally hearing that Su Lilin was Luo Yang's unparalleled beauty, he, who was expected to marry soon, could accept that. But should he really marry a woman who feigned such grace? Did he have to lower his standards?

    His thick hand placed the liquor cup back on the table, glancing around instead. If he consented to marry Miss Su, his enthusiastic grandfather would likely beat him with a stick, unable to accept the decision. His gaze inadvertently drifted back to the slender figure in blue, finding something just didn't align with his wishes, such a true pity.

    Autumn winds whipped through the window, the flowing red attire of "Swan's Plea " enchanting as celestial music, captivating everyone present.

    Yun Si’s smile, more exquisite than any, her eyes shimmering like stars, squeezed the hand beside her in response. When Lan Qing traced her soft palm with his fingertips, he beamed warmly, his gestures reflecting deep affection. He tightened his hold on her delicate hand gently, allowing her petite figure to snuggle closer.

    In that quiet night, while others slept, the two figures in the guest quarter remained intertwined, unbothered by the chilly mist outside. The blazing passion rendered the cold irrelevant.

    Yun Si let her heart follow him unresistingly, letting surging emotions lead, consumed by fervent desire. Yet, one recurrent thought dominated her mind: 'Since you intend to disrupt our balance, let's conclude everything, Lan Qing.'

    The game of their lives was about to begin...