In a moment of impulse, I forcibly kissed my brother's best friend.

The two followed Xie Yige, who had remained silent the whole way, to the bustling Zhuque East Street and entered Lancôme Pavilion.

Because she didn't give any notice before she came, and Jiu Niang just happened to be away at the moment.

Xie Yige didn't mind. She strolled around the store, planning to pick out a gift for Li Zhiwei—her birthday was coming up soon.

The shop was filled with glass, pearls, and luminous pearls, which complemented her delicate and smooth skin, making it appear even more radiant.

She stood in front of the counter, her fingers gently gliding over boxes of rouge and face powder, her gaze focused and gentle.

"Miss, is that the daughter of the poor family? I specifically inquired about her, and it is her."

A shrill voice came from the doorway.

Upon hearing the phrase "daughter of a humble family," Liu Ruolian automatically developed negative emotions; she particularly disliked those four words lately.

My cousin was willing to give up his status as the eldest son of the clan and defy the elders to marry a girl from a humble family.

This has become a thorn in her heart, making her restless day and night.

She straightened her posture, adopted a superior air, and gracefully walked up to Xie Yige.

"Lancôme Pavilion is a place frequented by noble ladies of the capital." Her voice was neither loud nor soft, but carried an undisguised contempt. "What are you, a girl from a humble family, doing here?"

Xie Yige looked up in confusion—wasn't this the cousin of the person she met while boating on the Bizhao River?

Are you talking to me?

Seeing her calm demeanor, Liu Ruolian's elegant and composed expression immediately crumbled.

"I'm talking to you! You've damaged this stuff, can you afford to pay for it?"

Bichun and Zhixia were also filled with anger and were ready to fight at any moment.

But Xie Yige simply said, "They don't dare make me pay."

"you--"

"I've never seen anything like it before. The cousin of the Cui family, who's been begging for money, actually dares to act like a noble lady and bully people in the capital." A woman in a pink, high-waisted ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) stood to the side, covering her mouth and chuckling as she watched Liu Ruolian.

Xie Yige let out a soft "Huh"—it was actually her.

"Who are you? How dare you speak so arrogantly?" Liu Ruolian hated being accused of freeloading, and her well-maintained face instantly twisted into a grimace.

"Xie Wan Ning, the eldest daughter of the Xie family of Chen County." The woman in pink raised her head slightly, her eyes filled with disdain.

"This young lady is here shopping peacefully, and you're the one who's provoking her. You're really disgracing us women."

The women watching from the sidelines were all noble ladies of high status, and when they heard that Xie Wan Ning was the daughter of the Xie family of Chen County, they all agreed in unison.

Although they also felt that people of low status should not come here, Liu Ruolian's blunt mockery was indeed unbecoming of her status.

As soon as the dispute arose, a servant in the pavilion went to inform Jiu Niang.

When Jiu Niang arrived, she saw Xie Yige in the middle of the conversation and quickly went over to her.

"Ladies, do you feel that our establishment has failed to provide adequate service in any way?"

Having just been humiliated, Liu Ruolian had nowhere to vent her anger, so she was even more impolite to the female shopkeeper.

"Ninth Sister, Lancôme Pavilion is really a place where anyone can come these days. Don't they find it unlucky?" She glanced at Xie Yige with a malicious look in her eyes.

Jiu Niang's face turned cold: "In this respect, we have indeed not done a good job."

She turned her head, her voice suddenly turning cold: "Someone, take this Lady Liu out."

Liu Ruolian's expression changed: "What do you mean?"

"You dare to insult our master? Do you think Lancôme Pavilion is made of clay?" Jiu Niang gave a signal, and the female servants who were skilled in martial arts immediately stepped forward, grabbed Liu Ruolian and her maid on the left and right, and dragged them out without any politeness.

Liu Ruolian's screams and curses stopped abruptly at the door.

The onlookers were stunned by this turn of events and all looked at Xie Yige. This woman was actually the owner of Lancôme Pavilion!

Xie Yige smiled slightly at everyone: "It was just a little accident, I apologize for disturbing you all. All the cosmetics and face powder purchased by those present today will be given a 10% discount."

The atmosphere immediately became lively. Although they came from distinguished backgrounds, the items here were simply too expensive, and who would complain about not having enough money when there was a discount?

"The lady of the house is so generous, we will respectfully accept her offer." The ladies smiled and nodded to her before dispersing to continue selecting their favorite items.

The woman in pink seemed completely unsurprised by her identity.

He then walked to Xie Yige's side and lowered his voice, saying, "Madam Xie, may I speak to you in private?"

Xie Yige nodded.

Jiu Niang immediately led them to a private room at the back and poured them tea. The aroma of the tea rose gently; it was the finest Lushan Yunwu tea, clear and sweet.

"My name is Xie Wanning." The woman got straight to the point as soon as she came in, staring intently at Xie Yige.

Does my name sound familiar?

Xie Yige nodded. Her name differed from her mother's by only one character; her mother's name was Xie Wanqing.

But she didn't know the woman's purpose, so she could only wait for her to continue.

"I suspect that your mother is our missing elder sister." Xie Wanning's voice was soft, but it carried a certainty.

Xie Yige's heart skipped a beat.

"I went to see your brother Zhou Xuan'an, but he ignored me." Xie Wan Ning felt truly helpless when she talked about this. He seemed to think of her as a lecherous woman, and avoided her every time they met.

"I've never heard my mother mention you." Xie Yige suppressed her shock. "Why do you have this suspicion?"

"When my eldest sister passed away, my brother and I had just been born, so we don't really remember her." Xie Wan Ning's gaze became somewhat distant. "But I've seen her portrait at home. The two of you look very similar to my eldest sister in her portrait."

She paused, then said, "But the most important evidence is that I found your brother's jade pendant when I was on the island in the middle of the lake. The five-pointed star pattern on it is a pattern that my eldest sister liked to use; I saw it in her room before."

Xie Yige's breath hitched slightly.

"Could you show me the five-pointed star pattern you've ever seen?"

"It's in my eldest sister's room," Xie Wan Ning smiled slightly. "There happens to be a Spring Festival banquet at our residence tomorrow. Would you like to come along?"

Xie Yige frowned slightly, looking quite conflicted.

"Lancôme House is a place favored by wealthy ladies. As the owner, you'll inevitably have to deal with them a lot in the future," Xie Wanning said, noticing her hesitation. "Come on, I'm here. You can also meet my family. Aren't you curious?"

Xie Yige finally opened her mouth. She was indeed very curious about her mother's identity.

After returning home, Xie Wanning quickly sent over the invitation.

Xie Yige sat under the lamp, thinking about what she had heard at the mutton soup shop today, and then about Liu Ruolian's provocation at Lancôme Pavilion. All she wanted to do now was punch someone.

She called Zhixia over: "Go find Baoyu and tell him to have his master come to see me."

Zhi Xia accepted the order and left.

A short while later, Cui Yutang, dressed in flowing white robes, appeared at the entrance of the Zhou residence. Surprisingly, he entered through the main gate this time.

When Zhou Xuan'an heard from his servant that he had arrived, his expression turned strange, and he immediately went to the door to block him.

"Brother Yutang, what are you doing at my house so late?"

"Yi Ge asked me to come," Cui Yutang replied calmly.

Zhou Xuan'an's expression froze, he opened his mouth, but only heard himself say one sentence.

"You two aren't engaged yet, so take it easy."

Zhou Xuan'an had given up on treatment and returned to his own courtyard.