Upon hearing that Anning was going to talk about Mr. Ou, all the servant girls in Xuelian’s room got busy.

Even Nianfeng urged Yao Xuelian to change clothes quickly, and several young girls started quarreling over who would accompany her, and who would stay to look after the room.

Speaking of Mr. Ou, he was the most beloved man among women aged eight to eighty throughout the world.

The reason was that Mr. Ou was known for his deep devotion, and the things he did for Mrs. Ou back in the day are still recounted. Which woman doesn’t wish for a gentle and devoted husband? Reality is harsh, and most women aren’t as fortunate as Mrs. Ou, so they project their fantasies onto Mr. Ou.

Even the original occupant of Anning’s body was quite fond of Mr. Ou.

Yao Xuelian changed clothes while Anning supported her, and the two walked and talked.

Anning indeed narrated a lot about Mr. Ou, which made Yao Xuelian smile broadly.

Upon reaching the garden, Anning suggested that Yao Xuelian sit and rest in a pavilion.

She pointed to a small courtyard on the other side of the artificial lake and asked, "Sister, when did a small courtyard appear over there?"

Yao Xuelian glanced across the lake, looking somewhat melancholy: "That’s where Young Master Fu is staying."

"Oh, it’s him."

Anning really didn’t like this Young Master Fu: "How could Uncle allow him to live here? It’s such bad luck; how are we supposed to enjoy the garden now?"

Yao Xuelian was also helpless: "Young Master Fu said he wanted to study for the imperial examinations, so Father found him this quiet spot. He said staying by the water is both quiet and cool, and if it gets cold, he can move to the front courtyard."

Anning pouted, "Uncle really is too kind to him; he’s just a down-and-out nobody. Uncle taking him in is already an act of great kindness."

Yao Xuelian shook her head, "There’s nothing we can do about Father’s decision."

While they were talking, a young man in a green robe emerged from the small courtyard and stood by the lake, looking at something.

He gazed at the water for a moment, then looked up at Yao Xuelian with a smile.

Yao Xuelian really disliked Young Master Fu; seeing him look over, she got up to leave.

Anning quickly followed her.

Since Yao Xuelian hadn’t exercised for a long time and had walked quite a distance, she couldn’t keep up with her physical strength and walked very slowly.

Anning could only walk slowly as well.

Because they walked slowly, Young Master Fu crossed the bridge to their side of the lake and caught up. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Miss Yao, please wait."

Yao Xuelian had no choice but to stop and turn to Young Master Fu: "What do you want, sir?"

Nianfeng stepped forward cautiously, separating Yao Xuelian and Young Master Fu.

Young Master Fu greeted Yao Xuelian: "I wanted to thank you, miss. The other day, you personally brought me ink and food. I’m deeply grateful, and I assure you, I will study diligently and marry you gloriously..."

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

At these words, Anning’s eyebrows shot up: "My sister is the most proper person. Even if she is engaged to you, she remains cautious and would never see you privately. How could she have sent you anything? Don’t tarnish my sister’s reputation."

Nianfeng was also angry: "What an impudent person you are! The other day, my lady was bedridden, unable to rise or even take a few steps without her legs aching. How could she have personally delivered anything to you? And it couldn’t have been an errand either, because I know everything about my lady’s courtyard, and there was absolutely no way she would send an item with a servant girl without my knowledge."

The two gave Young Master Fu a stern look, which scared him quite a bit.

Yao Xuelian was trembling with anger: "Sir, please speak carefully. I have never sent anything to you, so don’t tarnish my reputation."

"But, you personally visited the other day, and I wouldn’t mistake you."

Young Master Fu was puzzled: "Aside from that day, you have visited several times. Each time, you brought me things and we spent time together by the flowers and the moonlight..."

Anning was furious and immediately slapped Young Master Fu across the face: "You scoundrel, how impudent of you. Uncle kindly took you in, and this is how you repay him?"

Yao Xuelian was already out of breath, clutching her chest in anger.

Anning quickly helped her and called for Nianfeng and several servant girls, "Bring some old women to carry my sister back to her room, and find a doctor quickly."

Young Master Fu was dumbfounded by Anning’s slap, muttering, "We are already promised to each other, so how could I tarnish her reputation? Besides, I wouldn’t mistake someone else for her; it clearly is..."

No one paid him any attention now, as Nianfeng called over some elder servant women to carry Yao Xuelian back to her room.

A young girl went to report to Mrs. Zhao.

Knowing Yao Xuelian was unwell, Mrs. Zhao rushed over anxiously.

Even Granny Yao was alarmed, bringing a group of servant girls and old women to check on Yao Xuelian’s room.

Yao Sheng also sent for a doctor, and by the time the doctor had seen Yao Xuelian and prescribed medicine, it was almost dark.

"Oh, my child, what happened to you? You truly frightened me to death."

Mrs. Zhao wept as she saw Yao Xuelian lying in bed with a pale face, her heart aching in pain, tears flowing.

Granny Yao sighed as she sat next to her: "What exactly happened?"

She looked at Nianfeng: "Nianfeng, you tell us."

Nianfeng knelt down with a thud, her forehead turning red as tears streamed down her face: "This matter shouldn’t be explained by a mere servant like me, but I can’t hold it in. Our master pitied Young Master Fu for having no parents to rely on, which is why he took him in and even built a small courtyard across the lake for him. The master was more than kind to Young Master Fu, but who would have thought that Young Master Fu...he repaid grace with enmity by tarnishing our lady’s reputation in front of so many people."

"Explain it."

Granny Yao was even angrier upon hearing this, and slammed the table demanding answers.

Nianfeng reiterated the events: "To inform Granny and Madam, our lady has been resting due to her illness these days. I have been accompanying her, and besides me, Mrs. Li was also present, as were many servant girls and old women watching over her. How could our lady have run to meet Young Master Fu in private?"

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Zhao gritted her teeth in anger: "What an ungrateful thing, and our master went so far as to help this creature. Is he afraid that our family will call off the engagement in the future, so he couldn’t wait to sully my daughter’s reputation and force her to marry him? It’s not even that we have such thoughts, but still...he shouldn’t have done this."

"His heart is truly filthy."

Granny Yao was also furious: "Have your master come see me tonight; I want to know how he plans to handle this."

Once Granny Yao vented her anger, Anning brought a cup of tea: "Grandmother, please have some tea to calm down."

Granny Yao took the cup and drank some warm tea.

Anning then whispered, "Earlier in the garden, I slapped Young Master Fu in anger. On reflection, although Young Master Fu isn’t a particularly good person, I don’t think he is deceitful to that extent. There’s probably some truth to his words."

Mrs. Zhao turned her head and glared fiercely at Anning.

Nianfeng almost wanted to confront Anning.

Yao Xuelian lay in bed, tears streaming down: "Sister, is this truly what you think of me?"

Anning quickly waved her hands: "Of course, I believe you, sister. But you know I love reading strange stories. Recently, I read a tale about someone impersonating another to carry out schemes under their name. Earlier, I was too angry and hit Young Master Fu, but now that I’ve thought about it carefully, it’s possible someone who bears a grudge against our family or resents you took on your appearance to associate with Young Master Fu privately, aiming to ruin the reputation of the Yao Family’s daughters."