Remarried to a top-tier playboy, her reborn ex-husband is filled with regret.

The next morning, the village became lively.

The night before, Xiao Fang wrote more than a dozen invitations and had Mingrui send them into the city by express horse.

The post was simple and blunt: "Tomorrow we're going to a hot spring resort on the outskirts of the city. Bring your men and horses; those who don't come are cowards."

For those spoiled brats, Xiao Fang's invitation was more effective than an imperial edict.

Before 9:00 AM, the first group of people arrived at the gate of the manor.

Yun Shuyao stood at the window of the attic and glanced into the distance.

Dust billowed on the official road as a dozen or so fine horses rode side by side.

Leading the procession were Lu Zhao, the heir apparent of the Prince of Qing'an, and Lin Hui, the heir apparent of the Duke of Fuguo.

Lu Zhao, riding his iconic white horse, waved to Xiao Fang from afar, his voice so loud it could be heard from half a mile away.

"Brother Xiao! Your mother-in-law's estate is truly enormous—"

Xiao Fang stood at the entrance of the manor, arms crossed, a lazy smile playing on his lips.

"Just an ordinary village."

Lu Zhao dismounted, tossed the reins to his attendant, strode over, and put his arm around Xiao Fang's shoulder.

"Come on, your mother-in-law is from the Qin family in Kyoto. You know better than we do what the Qin family is made of!"

Lin Hui also dismounted, waving a folding fan he'd somehow acquired, and walked over unhurriedly, adding a comment with a smile.

"I asked Mingrui last night, and he said that the herd of deer has at least a hundred members, and they are all plump and strong."

Brothers, we're really grateful for your help; we should be thankful.

All you ever think about is eating.

Xiao Fang laughed and cursed.

As they were talking, Zhou Lin, the heir apparent of the Prince of Annan, also arrived. He was more composed.

He dismounted, bowed to Xiao Fang, and then spoke.

"Won't this disturb Madam?"

He then handed over a box of pastries.

"This was specially asked by my mother to be brought here, as it's a gift for your mother-in-law."

Yun Shuyao happened to have just arrived at the entrance of the manor, and called out with a smile:

"Please thank Princess Annam for your thoughtfulness. Please come in and have a seat."

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the纨绔 (playboys) of the Censorate had all arrived one after another.

There were more than two hundred people, plus their friends.

There were also some noble ladies from prominent families who often played together, as well as the fiancée of a certain prince.

There were even some sons of officials and military officers who were on good terms with them.

The entire estate was packed with people, and a long line of horses stretched out outside the gate.

The neighing of horses rose and fell, creating a lively atmosphere like an emperor's grand banquet for his ministers.

Xiao Fang stood on the steps, glanced at the sea of ​​heads below, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

In just three days since its establishment, the Censorate has transformed over two hundred of the most unruly playboys in the capital from a disorganized bunch into a cohesive unit.

When he's sweeping the land, he's a demon; when he puts on brocade robes, he's back to being a pack of frolicking wolf cubs.

Today he took the wolf cubs out for some fresh air, and naturally they did whatever they wanted.

"Alright, everyone stop standing there."

Xiao Fang waved his hand.

"Lotus pond, deer park, racecourse, choose whatever you want to do."

There was wine in the cellar, meat in the kitchen, and bows and arrows and targets were prepared by the racecourse.

There's only one rule—

He paused, then a wider smile appeared on his lips.

"No rules."

A burst of laughter and cheers erupted from below.

Lu Zhao took the lead and shouted a sentence.

"Brother Xiao is awesome!"

Then the group scattered in a flurry, drifting off in small groups to different places.

The area around the lotus pond is the most lively.

Seven or eight small boats were launched, and men and women crowded onto them, rowing swaying and rocking deeper into the lotus pods.

A spoiled brat insisted on standing at the bow of the boat to pick lotus pods.

As a result, he lost his footing and fell into the water with a splash, soaking the girls on the boat next to him.

The girls screamed, laughed, and cursed, grabbing lotus pods and throwing them at him.

The纨绔 (a spoiled, dissolute young man) thrashed about in the water, still managing to shout with a smirk.

"Cool! This water is so refreshing!"

Yun Shuyao stood on the shore watching this scene, laughing so hard she bent over.

She wore a bright red riding outfit today, her hair was neatly tied up, and she looked much more cheerful than when she was in the capital.

"Sister-in-law, aren't you going down to play?"

Lu Zhao stood at the bow of a boat, holding a freshly picked lotus seedpod in his hand, and waved to her.

Before Yun Shuyao could answer, Xiao Fang had already walked up from behind.

He naturally put his arm around her shoulder. He looked down at her and asked, his voice tinged with laughter.

"Would you like to go boating?"

Yun Shuyao glanced at the lotus pond, which was now splashing water everywhere because of the playboys.

Looking at Lu Zhao again, with that posture that seemed ready to push someone into the water at any moment, I decisively shook my head.

"I think it's more interesting to watch them play from the shore."

Xiao Fang chuckled and didn't press the matter.

I put my arm around her and we stood in the shade under the willow tree, chatting casually while watching the lively scene in the lotus pond.

The deer park presents a completely different scene.

Lin Hui, the heir apparent of the Duke of Fuguo, led dozens of people to a circle around a barbecue grill, where he was enthusiastically directing people to slice the venison.

He has always been serious about food, and always carries a small box with him specifically for storing seasonings.

It contains all the spices: Sichuan peppercorns, black pepper, cumin, and salt, all neatly arranged, even more complete than the spice racks in the imperial kitchen.

"The venison should be sliced ​​across the grain; the thinner the slices, the better it absorbs the flavor."

While sprinkling seasonings on the venison, Lin Hui talked incessantly to the people around him.

"The fire shouldn't be too big; it's just right when the charcoal turns white."

The meat sizzled as it was placed on the grill, and it roasted for seven or eight breaths on each side.

Hey, don't flip through it! It's not time yet!

The young dandy next to him was so startled by his shout that his hand trembled, and he almost dropped the meat into the charcoal fire.

Zhou Lin, the heir apparent of the Prince of Annan, did not participate in the roasting of meat. He squatted by the deer park, holding a small porcelain bottle in his hand.

They were earnestly discussing with the servants of the deer park the matter of obtaining the deer's heart blood.

His mother was in poor health and needed deer heart blood for medicine. Zhou Lin was a well-known filial son, and no one could stop him from doing this.

"Be gentle, don't hurt the deer."

Zhou Lin instructed his servants, his tone as serious as if he were giving instructions on military affairs.

"Just take a little bit, just enough."

The servant nodded repeatedly, thinking to himself that this young master was quite different from the other spoiled brats who wanted to carry the whole deer away.

The aged wines from the cellar were brought out one jar at a time.

The Qin family's wine collection was indeed as renowned as it was; one cellar alone contained no fewer than a hundred jars.

The oldest vintage is fifty years old. The moment the clay seal is broken, the aroma of the wine fills the air, and even people rowing boats in the lotus pond can smell it.

"Excellent wine!"

Lu Zhao jumped off the boat, soaking wet, and ran towards the wine jars.

"What kind of wine is this? It smells so good!"

"Fifty-year-old pear blossom white wine."

The spoiled young master in charge of carrying the wine held the wine jars, looking pained.

"There are only ten jars in total, so drink them slowly."

"What's wrong with ten jars? Boss Xiao's mother-in-law said it's fine!"

Lu Zhao snatched the wine bowl, took a big gulp, then squinted his eyes and let out a satisfied sigh.

"The Qin family truly lives up to their reputation as the richest family. This wine is priceless in the capital, yet they drink it freely here."

Everyone raised their bowls, and in an instant, the aroma of wine mixed with the smoky scent of roasted meat filled the entire estate.

Xiao Fang, however, did not drink it.

He sat on a stone bench next to the grill, holding a cup of tea in his hand, sipping it slowly.

Yun Shuyao sat next to him, and he stuffed a skewer of grilled meat into her hand.

The two sat side by side, watching the group of spoiled brats make a ruckus.

Lu Zhao swaggered over, holding a wine bowl, and asked with a thick lisp:

"Brother Xiao, why are you drinking tea? Come, come, have a bowl. This wine is truly excellent!"

Xiao Fang smiled and shook his head.

"No, you guys drink."

Lu Zhao wanted to persuade him again, but Lin Hui pulled him from behind and gave him a wink.

Although Lu Zhao was a little tipsy, his mind wasn't completely muddled.

He immediately remembered something, awkwardly withdrew his hand, chuckled, and slipped away.

Yun Shuyao saw it all, and it would be a lie to say she wasn't moved.