Listening to her daughter's heartfelt words, the pregnant Lady Hou went on a killing spree.

Before the words were finished, the two figures had already arrived not far from Qinghe Courtyard. Although they concealed their movements, they could not escape the eyes of the Mo Wen and Mo Da brothers.

The two brothers jumped up almost simultaneously, one blocking the other's path, and the four of them immediately started fighting.

When masters clash, the difference in skill is immediately apparent; a dozen or so moves can be completed in the blink of an eye.

Seeing that the Mo brothers were able to handle the situation, the guards remained in their positions, fearing that more thieves might come.

Xuan Yi and Xuan Ye were caught off guard because they didn't expect that there would be experts guarding outside the Lady of the Marquis's courtyard.

After exchanging blows for over a hundred moves, Xuan Yi and Xuan Ye realized that they couldn't defeat each other by continuing the fight, so they decisively retreated and disappeared into the night sky.

The two did not continue the pursuit, but returned to the courtyard gate to keep watch.

Everyone inside the courtyard had already heard the commotion at the gate and was on high alert, fearing that the thieves might break through the outer guards' defenses and rush into the courtyard.

Don't worry, Mother. The Mo brothers have already chased them away, and I believe they won't come back tonight.

However, you must be extremely careful when you go to the poetry gathering at the Princess's residence tomorrow, as Marquis Anshun will not miss this opportunity.

If Chunhua hadn't been injured, you could have brought her along when you went.

"It's alright. I'll bring Zhiyi and Shuyi with me tomorrow. Shuyi is quite skilled and intelligent, so she'll definitely be fine."

"Then Mother, you should go to sleep and get some rest so you'll have the energy to deal with Princess Changping tomorrow."

Ji Yueru responded.

.........

The next morning, after having breakfast, Zhiyi began to dress up his wife. Today was the day she was going to attend Princess Changping's poetry gathering, so naturally he had to make sure his wife was dressed up properly so as not to look bad.

She knew that Princess Changping had feelings for the Marquis, and her own wife couldn't afford to lose.

"Madam, let's wear this outfit today; it will surely outshine everyone else."

Zhiyi is holding a bright red peony dress with gold-flecked floral patterns.

"It's too flashy. Today's hostess is Princess Changping. Wearing this outfit would be seen as overshadowing her. Let's change into that light green one."

Although he wanted his wife to shine, Zhiyi was a competent servant and naturally prioritized his wife's wishes.

I put the dress back in the closet and took out the light green dress that the lady had mentioned earlier, a very plain color.

"Just the white jade hairpin from my makeup box and a pair of white jade earrings will suffice; nothing else is needed."

"Madam, isn't this a bit too plain?"

"I'm pregnant now, so comfort is the most important thing. Just do as I say."

"Yes, madam."

After getting ready, the three of them, master and servant, took a carriage to Princess Changping's residence. When they arrived, a long procession had already formed in front of the residence, indicating that quite a few people had come to the Princess Changping's residence to attend the poetry gathering today.

After getting off the carriage, the three of them, master and servants, entered the garden under the guidance of the maid.

Ji Yueru was wearing a cloak. The weather in the capital was already a bit cold in October, and it was estimated that it would snow soon.

The people in the garden were stunned when they saw Ji Yueru, and many of them whispered among themselves.

"Why is Lady Ji here? Why would Princess Changping invite her?"

"Shh, why do you care so much? There's going to be a good show today."

The two ladies exchanged a glance, their unspoken understanding unspoken, while the others watched with expressions of anticipation.

Poetry gatherings are different from banquets. Most of the people attending poetry gatherings are refined scholars and talented women who are already quite famous in their private lives.

Since it was a poetry gathering to make friends through poetry, there was no distinction between men and women.

"Princess Changping has arrived."

A palace attendant shouted, and everyone looked in the direction of the voice, only to see that the princess was accompanied by the Marquis of Anshun.

Many people couldn't help but turn their attention back to Ji Yueru, it seemed that the position of the Marquis of Anshun's wife was about to change hands.

Before the incident of catching the adulterer in adultery, no one would have imagined that Miss Ji would become the second wife of Marquis Anshun.

At that time, many people were spreading rumors about Marquis Anshun and Princess Changping being together, but the matter eventually came to nothing after they got married.

Judging from their current state, it seems there might be more to the story.

The two arrived in the garden. Marquis Anshun bowed to Princess Changping and then strode toward Ji Yueru.

The crowd gathered in small groups, and most of their attention was focused on the couple.

Marquis Anshun came to Ji Yueru's side and smiled gently, as if the previous unpleasantness had never happened.

"Madam, I had something to do today and couldn't go out with you. You won't be upset with me, will you?"

"My mother is trying to harm me; she carries a lot of musk on her."

Ji Yueru was shocked and quickly retreated, covering her mouth and nose with a handkerchief.

Zhiyi and Shuyi, not knowing why their mistress was acting this way, quickly stepped forward to help her up.

"What does Madam mean by this?"

Marquis Anshun leaned forward, but Ji Yueru quickly waved her hand to stop him.

"Don't come any closer."

"What's wrong with the Lady Marquis?"

Many people were puzzled. Even if the couple had a bad relationship, they shouldn't have acted like this in public. It was simply shameless.

"Madam, what's wrong?"

Despite being advised against it, Marquis Anshun still tried to step forward, but Zhiyi and Shuyi stepped forward and blocked him.

Ji Yueru covered her mouth and nose.

"Does the Marquis not know that I am pregnant? Why do I smell so strongly of musk?"

Everyone was shocked and looked at Marquis Anshun. Some of the more fearless ones moved even closer.

"The Lady of the Marquis is right. The Marquis does indeed have the scent of musk, though it is not strong, it is definitely there."

Chen Zhen, who is known as the Pure Stream Hermit, was also among those invited. No one would doubt what he said, which means that Marquis Anshun really did have musk or something containing musk.

Marquis Anshun was truly surprised by Ji Yueru's keen sense of smell; even he himself could hardly detect the smell.

This completely disrupted his initial plan, so he quickly took a few steps back, sniffed himself, and put on an innocent look.

"Why can't I smell anything?"

Undeterred, Chen Zhen stepped forward, circled around Marquis Anshun, and finally fixed his gaze on the purse at his waist.

"The strongest musky scent comes from the purse tied around your waist."

Marquis Anshun untied his purse and glanced at Princess Changping.

Princess Changping frowned. It was true that she had given the purse to Marquis Anshun this morning, but she had not put musk in it.

Everyone in the garden saw that glance just now; there's no need for them to guess where the purse came from.

Princess Changping wanted to replace Ji Yueru as the wife of Marquis Anshun, so getting rid of her and her child would indeed be a win-win situation.

The simplest solution would be for Ji Shi and her unborn child to both die, but it was also somewhat insidious.

Many people began to feel dissatisfied with Princess Changping. They could join in the fun of healthy competition, but trying to kill someone was really going too far.

"Excuse me, I need to change my clothes."

[Mother, our chance has come.]