In the evening, Third Uncle’s family hosted a banquet to celebrate his new position in the government. For once, Zhou forked out enough money to prepare an extravagant meal.

During dinner, Zhou kept on giggling happily, clearly reveling in her unabashed triumph. She also kept complimenting Liu Li, as to which the latter only answered with a humble smile.

Ye Jiayao ate her food silently, thinking whether this ‘help’ was out of the goodness of Liu Li’s heart or if it was simply a ‘reward’.

“Second Cousin-in-law, eat some fish roe. It promotes good pregnancy,” Yulian said with a fake smile.

Ye Jiayao held her breath, working hard on calming her temper.

Zhou lightly reprimanded, “Yulian, Jinxuan’s already taking medicine for that. Did you forget that she should avoid fishy smell?”

“Oh, that’s right,” Yulian said. “I have a bad memory. Forgive me, Second Cousin-in-law.”

Ye Jiayao smiled at them. If they think they could break her with a few petty words, they’ve got another thing coming.

“Besides, fish roe isn’t enough to promote pregnancy. It depends on whether you are blessed or not,” Zhou added, smiling at Jinxuan.

Bitch. Ye Jiayao returned her smile. “Third Auntie is right. We never know, though, blessings are elusive and mysterious. Sometimes, bad events can turn out to be a good thing, and sometimes, a seemingly good thing turns out bad. We really can’t say for sure.”

Zhou’s smile fell. Was she trying to insinuate something?

Xia You didn’t like the bite to Zhou’s words. She might be bummed about the news of Jinxuan’s infertility, but she was still her daughter-in-law. “This gathering is for the celebration of Third Brother-in-law’s promotion. Zhou, you will be the Assistant Minister’s wife from now on!”

Zhou was tickled to hear that title that she forgot about Jinxuan. “Madame, I heard that you and the minister’s wife are close. I would need you to make the introductions.”

The two of them launched into this topic.

Liu Li, who has been watching Ye Jinyao, started, “Second Sister, is this your little sister?”

Ye Jiayao answered,” Yes, this is my youngest sister.”

Liu Li joked, “She’s so beautiful, Second Sister, even more beautiful than you!”

“Yes, she is just like a figure in a beautiful painting. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her the first time I saw her,” Qiao echoed.

Jinyao lowered her head, blushing from all the praise.

“Well, Jinyao is the most good-looking out of the three Ye sisters,” Ye Jiayao said generously.

“Jinyao, how old are you?” Liuli asked. She has really mastered the ability to appear kind and sweet.

Jinyao replied, “14.”

“So you are about to become an adult…” Liu Li mused.

Yulian chimed in, “That’s close with me and Yinlian’s age. Jinyao, you should come here more often!”

With a shy smile on her face, Jinyao nodded. “Okay.”

When she first came to the Marquis’ house and saw these noble ladies, she realized that the ladies back in Yangzhou could never compare. That invitation excited her and scared her at the same time. She needed connections in high places if she’s going to survive here, but she was also a bit skeptical if she could get along with nobilities like them.

Ye Jiayao didn’t know why she was feeling uneasy. Liu Li’s words stirred up something in her. She looked at her little sister, deep in thought. Jinyao indeed was very pretty and very lady-like. She was not too proud to admit that Jinyao’s truly more beautiful than her. That wasn’t what’s bothering her, though.

She recalled how Jinyao acted around her husband. The young lady was always starry-eyed, giggly, and her smile was just extra bright. Ye Jiayao didn’t think much of it before, but now…

Liu Li was also deep in thought. Did Jinxuan invite her sister here to become Xia Chunyu’s concubine? Keep it in the family? Would Jinxuan be able to stand her? She’s still Ning’s daughter, after all.

Should she add fuel to an already smoldering situation?

The women’s banquet ended first before the men’s and they all retreated to their respective yards.

“Big Sister, they are all very nice!” Jinyao remarked excitedly. It was her first time to meet everyone and it went better than she expected.

Ye Jiayao forced a smile and said, “Some people are not what they seem. Be careful.”

That was a warning both for Jinyao and for herself. False friends are worse than bitter enemies. She hoped that she was just overthinking things, but a part of her knew that trouble’s brewing.

Jinyao understood what she was saying. She was able to detect all the snipes and underlying tension at the banquet. However, she played dumb and said, “Big Sister, I don’t understand.”

“You’ll get it later,” Ye Jiayao replied.

When they got home, Xiang Tao informed them that a woman named Ye Jinrong sent an invite for Third Young Lady Ye to come over to their house tomorrow.

“I won’t go,” Jinyao said immediately.

Ye Jiayo signal for Xiang Tao to retreat before turning to Jinyao. “It’s okay if you want to go. They’re still your mother and sister. I’m not gonna forbid you from seeing them.”

Jinyao told her firmly. “Big Sister, you don’t have to stand up for them. Yes, they might be my blood, but I cannot forgive them for everything that they have done. It’s better not to see them. It will only make me feel worse.”

Ye Jiayao studied her. Was she really that ruthless? Her mother might have done heinous things, but she was still her mother. She wasn’t even tempted to see her? Ye Jiayao questioned if Jinyao was being genuine or was simply just trying to get her favor.

Jinyao shifted awkwardly, feeling uncomfortable under her sister’s eyes. Determinedly, she said, “My mother and my sister have done evil things I can’t abide by. Big Sister, my loyalty lies with you.”

“Alright. If you don’t want to see them, you don’t have to,” Ye Jiayao reassured.

Just then, Chunyu came in.

Jinyao greeted him and headed out.

Chunyu watched Jinyao’s retreating hunched figure and turned back to his wife, “What’s wrong with Jinyao?”

Ye Jiayao smelled a faint scent of wine on him and ordered Qiao Xi to make some soup to sober him up. Chunyu, however, declined and just asked for a cup of tea.

“Nothing. Ye Jinrong sent a message asking to see her, but Jinyao didn’t want to come.”

He took off his coat and said, “It’s better for her to have less contact with them.”

Jiayao hesitated for a few seconds before asking, “Chunyu, do you plan on letting Jinyao live here?”

“She’s your sister. If she doesn’t stay here, she’s just going to go to Jinrong’s house. Are you okay with that?”

Frankly, she was. She was afraid that Jinyao living here would cause a lot of trouble. However, she couldn’t kick her sister out just because of her suspicions. There was just this foreboding feeling inside her that’s sending all her senses on high alert.

She also couldn’t tell Chunyu all of this so she changed the topic instead. “Is Third Uncle happy?”

He sat down next to her and gathered her in his arms. He loved holding her like this like he’s protecting her from the big bad world outside. “Of course. He’s overjoyed. My father, however, reminded him that his position comes with a lot of stress and it’s more ruthless than others. The higher-ups wouldn’t think twice about firing him if he screws up.”

“Do you really think that warning him like that is going to work?”

“I don’t know. If he screws up, he’ll just be bringing trouble to his family.” Xia Chunyu didn’t want to bring the mood down by talking about Third Uncle more so he said, “After I’ve settled all the matters that were tasked to me, I’m going to ask for a few days off. Where do you want to go?”

He actually already had an idea of where he wanted to go. He heard that there was a famous doctor in Hangzhou who specialized in women’s studies and was once Imperial Physician Li’s mentor. He wanted to take her there and do some sightseeing after.

Ye Jiayao’s lit up. “How many days off can you take? If you leave for long, we can travel further.”

In her past life, she loved sightseeing and could set off for days with just a backpack. In this life, though, as she’s a housewife, she’s not that free. Vacations and leisurely travels are extravagances in her position.

Looking at her bright eyes and excited smile, Xia Chunyu couldn’t help but feel proud of himself. He leaned in and placed a tender kiss on her lips. “How many days off do you want me to take?”

Ye Jiayao’s heartbeat started quickening from that simple kiss. Was it just her imagination or was Chunyu getting more and more irresistible as time passes? “The longer the better.”

“Yes, my lady,” he said with a slow smile, leaning in to give her another kiss, this time, deeper.

Qiao Xi came in with the Heir-son Lord’s tea in hand and immediately blushed when she found him and the Second Young Mistress kissing. She quietly retreated to leave them alone.

Ye Jiayao heard a rustle and looked up, catching a short glimpse of Qiao Xi. It was then that she remembered the tea that Chunyu asked for.

She pushed her husband away and hissed, “Qiao Xi saw us!”

Chunyu laughed at her virgin-like sensibilities. “So? We’re married, it’s natural for us to kiss. They should be happy to see that our relationship is going good. Now, come on…”

Still blushing, Ye Jiayao said, “No, leave me alone. I’m going to change my clothes.”

Before she could escape, she was pulled into his arms again.