At dusk, Long Yue lay comfortably on the soft golden silk couch, eating the freshly delivered fruit.

"Miss, don’t eat too much, otherwise you’ll get indigestion, which can easily lead to weight gain, and then you won’t look as good! If you don’t look good, you won’t find a good husband..."

Yu Zhu, being quick-witted, had become Long Yue’s personal maid. Seeing Long Yue had been eating all afternoon, she quickly advised her.

After all, between master and servant, one prospers with the other, and suffers with the other. This lady does not seem to be an average and mediocre person, so as long as she rises, her close aides are sure to benefit.

Yu Zhu was different from Dong Mei, who was a second-tier maid on Mrs. Wei’s side, whereas Yu Zhu had only been in the mansion for two years and was still a fourth-tier rough maid, lacking a mainstay.

Originally assigned to serve this newly arrived young lady, she was not pleased with it in her heart.

Feeling that following a country bumpkin was going nowhere.

But now, having witnessed her master’s sharp means, Yu Zhu felt her chance had arrived. Perhaps this lady might rise to great heights?

Then, her own status might rise with the tide?

After all, it depends on the time. If it works, it works. If not... she could always stab her in the back later and earn madam’s favor.

Yu Zhu’s eyes darted around slyly, plotting her future path, while Long Yue ate strawberry after strawberry, fully aware of Yu Zhu’s little schemes.

It didn’t matter, as Long Yue hadn’t planned to gather any close allies at the Wei Mansion anyway; even if others wanted to pledge allegiance, she wouldn’t dare accept them!

"It’s about time for dinner, isn’t it?"

Long Yue placed the last strawberry into her mouth and chewed, looking at Yu Zhu with a hint of a smile.

Yu Zhu felt a surge of helplessness, saying, "Miss, you’ve eaten too much..."

Having eaten all afternoon and still wanting to eat at night, it’s just too reckless!

Long Yue smiled without speaking.

How would this little girl understand the matters between men and women?

Those vile men, before marriage, liked women to be slender and graceful, with waists delicate enough to be encircled easily. Yet after marriage, they wanted women to be plump and sensuous, captivating to touch. Think of Li Qingmu, who, when they were newly married, had murmured a remark.

— "Darling, you are petite and exquisite, enticing indeed, but too thin, like a willow twig that falls with the wind. It would be better if you were a little more plump?"

That scoundrel disliked her being too thin at the time, claiming there was no feeling when touching her!

Just thinking of him made Long Yue’s teeth itch with hatred.

This time, she came to Daliang precisely to infiltrate the Imperial Palace and get close to him. And this man, his taste was indeed quite particular; he didn’t like overly thin nor overly fat but preferred those who seemed to have little flesh yet felt substantial to touch.

That pervert!

For his refined taste, Long Yue, pretending to be Wei Yunyan, had just slimmed down only to have to gain weight again, it was truly tormenting her.

"Damn you, wait till I find you, I’ll make you cry for mercy!"

Long Yue swore in her heart, taking a big bite off an apple nearby!

The way she ate the apple, was as if the apple was her enemy!

Today marked the day Wei Yunyan (Long Yue) returned to the Wei Mansion, and Old Madam Wei specially arranged a banquet in the back garden to welcome Long Yue.

Long Yue naturally had to attend, missing such an occasion would be unreasonable.

As night fell, the Wei Mansion was lit with lamps, illuminating the entire place as bright as day. In the garden, tables were set up, with Old Madam Wei seated at the head position, beside her were Mrs. Gao and several concubines.

At another round table sat Wei Mansion’s young masters and daughters, when Long Yue arrived, there were already many people present.

"Well, who do we have here, turned out to be the young lady. What an important person she is, making so many of us wait for so long!"

A sharp voice suddenly sounded, it was Wei Yuncai, Wei Yundai’s sister, daughter of the second concubine Yin Zhu.

Yin Zhu was one of Mrs. Wei’s closest confides, always at the forefront of anything that needed tending to, like this occasion.

Long Yue arrived a little late, so her daughter Wei Yuncai immediately jumped at the chance to embarrass Long Yue.

Her words made everyone turn their gaze towards Long Yue, with a mostly unfriendly look.

Mrs. Gao merely watched, sipping her tea lightly, and gave the second concubine Yin Zhu a glance that said "you’re doing very well."

That little rascal is indeed too arrogant; a good reprimand is just what she needs to know who’s boss!

Wei Yundai kept her head down, trying her best not to let her grandmother notice her sneaky smirk, so as not to upset her. Yet she couldn’t resist wanting to see Long Yue embarrassed, so she slightly raised her eyelids.

However, much to her disappointment, Long Yue remained composed, describing her demeanor as serene, couldn’t be more appropriate. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"Sister, I’m sorry for keeping you waiting; it’s my fault. But as I’m new here, many areas are unfamiliar and need time to arrange and settle. Today’s matters were a bit rushed, hence the delay for an hour or so. Grandmother, it was my lack of propriety."

Long Yue spoke, slightly bowing towards Old Madam Wei.

This attitude of admitting the mistake was quite commendable, making Old Madam Wei smile with satisfaction.

The young ones would always make some mistakes, but admitting them and being willing to correct them is good—it shows responsibility!

A mistake is a mistake, right is right, a person who cannot admit errors cannot achieve much.

"Is the injury on your waist any better?"

The people around might not catch the meaning in Long Yue’s words, but the old Madam who had lived most of her life immediately thought of the incident where Wei Yundai had stabbed Long Yue earlier.

Later, the mammy responsible for checking confided in private that the stab was quite deep, reaching half a fingernail’s depth, the clothes around the young lady’s waist were stained with blood, which looked shocking.

At the time, Old Madam Wei frowned deeply. While not particularly distressed for Long Yue, she was a bit heartbroken for Wei Yundai—such a poor outcome for a girl she had cultivated for so long!

Those petty tricks, mostly creepy in appearance, lacked any real utility; using them only lowered one’s stature!

But that girl didn’t understand it, which truly angered and frustrated her.

If previously Old Madam Wei only had a slight sympathy for Long Yue, now, there was some admiration.

This girl, although from the countryside, her behavior was truly poised and virtuous. If properly taught, she would greatly benefit the Wei Family in the future.

Thus, initially, Mrs. Wei, along with Yin Zhu, hoped to tarnish Long Yue’s reputation. But instead, they inadvertently allowed her to stand out in front of Old Madam Wei.

Old Madam Wei nodded lightly, smiling, "This girl is sensible. New arrivals naturally know nothing, there will always be oversight—that’s why she came rushing here? Well then, it’s all trivial matters, don’t fuss over them. Come, girl, sit next to grandmother."

Old Madam Wei patted the empty seat beside her, smiling eagerly.

Her words instantly drew countless envious, jealous, and hateful gazes towards Long Yue.