Chen Huanyun was young and easily embarrassed. Sensing that Lady Bai didn't want to talk more, she quickly grabbed the woman who was about to speak and gave her a meaningful look. "That's exactly the point. Quarrels between husband and wife are common. When you get home, Mother, just have a good talk with Father."
Then she apologized to Lady Bai. "It's my fault. This baseless marriage matter has dampened Auntie's mood. I hope Auntie can forgive me."
Lady Bai's expression softened a bit. Although she looked down on the family of the fourth brother, she was fond of the younger generation. "Fate is something that can't be explained clearly. Huanyun is beautiful and generous. You don't need to worry about marriage."
At this time, Fu Zhen stepped forward with a smile. "Auntie, you just said you wanted to go to the riverside to release floating lanterns. I see a crowd over there and the lights flickering on the river. It seems that some people have already released the lanterns. Why don't we go and have a look now?"
Lady Bai naturally agreed. After a few words, she led Fu Zhen away.
The woman was left there with an ugly expression. "Why did you hold me back? It was such a good opportunity just now. If you could have met those noble princes and nobles, you wouldn't have to worry about money all day like me for the rest of your life!"
Chen Huanyun stared at Fu Zhen's back for a long time, then frowned and said, "Didn't you hear what Auntie said? She even mocked the bad relationship between you and Father. Why did you still try to get close to them? You're just making a fool of yourself."
"Let them laugh. Who in the whole capital city hasn't seen the jokes of our family?" The woman sneered. "Your father is a good-for-nothing. He considers himself a talented scholar and disdains to associate with high-ranking officials and marquises. He spends all day in brothels, writing poems for this girl or odes for that girl. He only spends money but never earns any!"
"If I hadn't managed those shops hard all these years, do you think you could still wear such nice clothes and jewelry?"
"Stop, Mother!" Chen Huanyun interrupted her impatiently. "What's the use of telling me this? I'm not your husband. Instead of complaining, you'd better think about how to get me a better marriage!"
The woman scolded a few words and then said angrily, "Your aunt is so stingy. We've been so humble, but she didn't even look at us. I don't think we can count on her."
"She may not look at you, but it doesn't mean she won't look at me," Chen Huanyun snorted. "That wild girl beside her can live in the Marquis Mansion. Why can't I?"
The matter of Fu Zhen living in the Marquis Mansion might not attract the attention of other families, but several relatives of the Chen family noticed it immediately.
The old marquis of the Marquis Mansion only had one son, Chen Xuan. But there were many siblings in the old marquis's generation, four brothers and three sisters in total.
These siblings had many children, but they usually only contacted each other during festivals and didn't have much contact on weekdays.
Although Chen Xuan didn't have any full-blooded siblings, he had many cousins.
He was cold and unyielding. He never gave face to those he looked down on. So his cousins rarely associated with him, except for Chen Huanyun's family.
"I don't know where that girl came from. She's really an eyesore!" The woman spat. "Do you also want to be like her and let the Marquis Mansion take you in directly?"
The Marquis Mansion only said publicly that Fu Zhen was a distant relative who came to seek refuge. Ordinary people wouldn't investigate it carefully. After all, when someone becomes prosperous, there will always be some poor relatives.
Chen Huanyun walked aside in disgust. "Uncle and Aunt aren't stupid. Do you think I'll go directly to seek refuge? Just wait. There will always be a chance."
The floating lanterns that Fu Zhen mentioned were just an excuse. After walking a long way, she tentatively asked, "Auntie, who were they just now?"
Lady Bai replied indifferently, "They are the family of your fourth uncle. Your fourth uncle is absurd in his actions. The whole family depends on your fourth aunt to support them. Their life is a bit difficult."
Fu Zhen naturally saw Lady Bai's dislike for that family. But because of her soft heart and their difficult situation, Lady Bai had given them a lot of good looks.
Fu Zhen nodded and sighed, "There are many heartless and cold-blooded men in the world. If a man can't be supported, his wife and even his children will suffer a lot."
"Don't think about these things," Lady Bai saw that it had reminded Fu Zhen of her sad past, so she couldn't help but hold her hand tightly lovingly. "Just regard the Marquis Mansion as your own home. If you want to tear off the tiles on the roof, Auntie will let you do it."
"Then what will I be like?" Fu Zhen immediately laughed, and her heart was also a bit touched.
Uncle and Aunt were really very kind people. While being touched, she thought that fortunately she had those dreams. She still had a chance to repent. In this life, she would treat them well and never let them be sad for her again.
The two of them strolled around for a while. Seeing that the time was about right, they were about to go back home. Who would have thought that as soon as they turned around, they saw a familiar figure.
Over there, Chen Tingfeng naturally saw them too. He took a few steps and walked up to them. "Mother."
Then his gaze fell on Fu Zhen. After a pause, he said, "Cousin."
Fu Zhen wore a polite smile on her face. "Greetings to Cousin."
As soon as they looked at each other, they knew that the other's greeting was reluctant.
"Has the palace banquet ended?" Lady Bai was a bit surprised. It was obviously still early, not yet the time for the banquet to end.
Chen Tingfeng shook his head. Before he could answer, he heard someone fall from the sky beside him. Before the person could stand still, a voice came. "Chen Tingfeng! You're unreasonable!"
Who else could it be but the Second Prince?
Fu Zhen's eyes immediately lit up.
After Xie Yan stood still, he saw Lady Bai there. He coughed and quickly straightened his clothes and saluted. "Auntie."
Lady Bai didn't dare to accept his salute and quickly stepped aside. "Greetings to the Second Prince."
Xie Yan smiled. "Just now I was making a bet with Shaochuan in the restaurant. He lost the bet and had to be punished to drink. Who would have thought that he turned around and jumped off the building. I was so anxious that I followed him down. I'm sorry for my rudeness. Please forgive me, Auntie."
Then he looked at Fu Zhen beside him and said with a smile, "Didn't it scare you, Cousin?"
Before he finished speaking, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Chen Tingfeng about to kick him. He quickly dodged. "Chen Shaochuan, you're going too far!"
Lady Bai slapped Chen Tingfeng on the back. "What are you doing!"
The scene was once very chaotic. Taking advantage of the time when Lady Bai was scolding Chen Tingfeng, Fu Zhen gave a soft laugh and shook her head at Xie Yan. "I wasn't scared. Thank you for your concern, Brother Xie."
Xie Yan opened his folding fan and waved it. He sized up Fu Zhen and praised, "You look good tonight. It seems that you've been eating well these days."
Fu Zhen's heart skipped a beat. A faint blush appeared behind her ears, and she shyly said nothing.
It was already a pleasant surprise that the Second Prince still remembered her. She never expected that he remembered so clearly, even her complexion from last time.
It was really... a joy to her.