"Sir, madam, Butler Pei has arrived."

Butler Pei?

Chu Yanhan and Xuan Yu looked at each other and stood up simultaneously.

Even the usually haughty Chu Xinyu, along with Chu Xinyue, stood up very politely.

Butler Pei was the chief steward of the Ya Family, responsible for all the daily affairs of the Royal Family, holding a high official rank in S Country.

Why did he suddenly come to the Chu Family tonight?

Chu Yanhan personally went with Xuan Yu to greet the guest at the door.

Reminded by Xiaxia, Jiayi, who hadn’t gone upstairs yet, also became aware of the visitor’s identity and halted her steps.

Under the escort of Chu Yanhan and Xuan Yu, an elder with a noble demeanor entered the room.

Chu Yanhan said with a smile, "Butler Pei, what brings you here today? You didn’t even give us a heads up, so Xuan Yu and I could have made preparations."

Butler Pei waved his hand, "No need, I’ve come to deliver a gift for the Crown Prince. Once I’ve delivered it, I’ll return and not disturb you any further."

He came to the Chu Family to deliver something for the Crown Prince?

The couple was stunned, "What are you delivering?"

Hearing the words "Crown Prince," both Chu Xinyu and Chu Xinyue were also taken aback.

Butler Pei glanced around the living room, "Which one of you is the third young miss of the Chu Family?"

Jiayi was startled.

Xiaxia pointed towards Jiayi, "This is our family’s third young miss."

As for Jiayi’s disappearance last year, Xuan Yu kept it from the outside world, only claiming Jiayi was vacationing abroad and hadn’t returned, having only recently announced her return.

Therefore, Butler Pei didn’t ask further questions, his gaze resting on Jiayi, "The Crown Prince knows that the third young miss of the Chu Family will be attending tomorrow’s banquet and specially sent me to deliver a gift dress, hoping the third young miss will like it."

Upon these words, the entire Chu Family was at a standstill.

Chu Xinyu couldn’t believe it, how could Ya Chen send a dress to this girl?

Though she looked down on that cripple, not wanting to marry him, Ya Chen sending a dress to Jiayi before the banquet was an honor of the highest regard!

Chu Xinyue also seemed to be shocked, a flash of unknown brilliance passing through her eyes. Under the lace of her lotus leaf sleeve, her little fist clenched imperceptibly as she threw a glance at Jiayi.

Nie Yixiao’s eyes moved slightly.

Just then, one of Butler Pei’s assistants entered, carrying a rectangular box tied with a ribbon, and placed it on the crystal coffee table. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Butler Pei didn’t say anything more and took his leave.

All eyes in the family were now focused on the third young miss.

"Third young miss, open it and see," Xiaxia urged excitedly.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Jiayi took out the dress from the box.

It was a gift dress handcrafted by the court-appointed designer of S Country.

In an instant, it made the dresses of the Chu sisters pale in comparison.

Chu Yanhan drew in a sharp breath, "Jiayi, do you know Ya Chen?"

This was a question that other members of the Chu Family also wanted to know, all their gazes turning towards her.

Jiayi had no recollection at all, "I don’t remember."

Xuan Yu frowned slightly, but then her expression relaxed, and she smiled at her husband, "Yanhan, you were worried that our recommendation of Jiayi to the Ya Family would be unwelcome! Look, even Ya Chen personally sent clothes to Jiayi, it seems he does have an impression of her. I think it’s certain that Jiayi will marry into the Ya Family."

Chu Xinyu snorted lightly, "What’s so great about that, isn’t it just a cripple."

Chu Xinyue’s face, flushed with the glow of new clothes, instantly seemed dimmed, lacking enthusiasm, "I’m tired, mommy, daddy, I’m going back to my room to sleep."

Seeing her little daughter’s face turn pale, Xuan Yu said with concern, "Alright, go and rest. With your frail health, you can’t handle too much stress."

Then she looked toward Nie Yixiao, "Yixiao, it’s getting late, and don’t you have surgery tomorrow? There’s no need to drive back, we’re closer to the hospital. You should rest here."

Chu Xinyu took Nie Yixiao’s hand, "Yeah, listen to mommy, Brother Yixiao."

Nie Yixiao was Chu Xinyu’s boyfriend, and he was quite close to the Chu Family, often visiting their house. Sometimes, if it was too late, at the invitation of Chu Yanhan and Xuan Yu, he would naturally stay overnight at the Chu Family’s home.

Although Nie Yixiao wasn’t considered a scion of a very distinguished family, he undoubtedly belonged to the new elite class of S Country, holding a lofty profession and mingling with high society.

Therefore, in the eyes of Mr. and Mrs. Chu, namely Chu Yanhan and Xuan Yu, Nie Yixiao was definitely a sought-after addition to the Chu Family.

Nie Yixiao was accustomed to staying at the Chu’s, and he smiled with a nod, "Then I’ll trouble uncle and auntie."

The Chu family dispersed one after the other.

Xiaxia, holding the exquisite box of the evening dress, went upstairs with Jiayi.

Just as they reached the corner of the stairs on the second floor, a voice came from behind:

"Xiaxia, go and tidy up my guest room."

Xiaxia was startled, turned around, and there was Nie Yixiao.

She glanced at Jiayi, then had to set the box with the dress aside and went to arrange the guest room first.

Nie Yixiao stood at the corner, his eyes calm as still waters, watching Jiayi.

Jiayi knew he had sent Xiaxia on purpose to do this task. With so many maids around, why else would he specifically instruct Xiaxia.

She turned and headed toward her own bedroom.

She hadn’t taken two steps when Nie Yixiao caught up, grabbing her wrist, "Jiayi."

Startled, she forcefully shook off his hand and stepped back, her face full of defensive wariness, like a porcupine bristling its quills, "Mr. Nie, have you lost your mind?"

Nie Yixiao knew the incident outside the embassy restroom that day had frightened her.

He ridiculed himself, touching his jaw where the injury had already healed, "You don’t have to be afraid. That day, I was foolish from not having seen you for so long, and I’ve already been punished, haven’t I? Without fighting back, or even resisting, I let him beat me. Does that not quell your anger?"

Jiayi was suddenly taken aback.

What did he mean, could it be that he had purposely let Huo Zhenyang beat him up that badly?

What was this, redemption?

Jiayi turned around and continued toward her bedroom.

"You know Ya Chen? When did this happen, and why didn’t I know about it?" The man behind her disrupted her steps, his gaze deep as he glanced at the gift box Xiaxia had placed aside.

Such a valuable dress, tailored just for her, in the right size, and the color complementing her, it was unquestionably something a man had meticulously chosen for a woman.

Ya Chen must be very familiar with her, and their relationship was not shallow.

Jiayi had not intended to speak to him, but upon hearing this, she felt an odd urge to laugh.

From where did he get the confidence to question her like a boyfriend or even a husband?

Jiayi stopped in her tracks, turned around, "Who I know or don’t know, and when I’ve met them, seems to be none of Mr. Nie’s business, doesn’t it?"

The sarcasm was evident in Jiayi’s words.

Yet, to Nie Yixiao, it seemed like her admission that she knew Ya Chen.

An unpleasant feeling stirred in his heart as his lips involuntarily curled, "It seems I’ve really underestimated you. You have Huo Zhenyang in China, and in S Country, you even have Ya Chen."

She simply couldn’t remember when she had met this Ya Chen, or even what he looked like, whether his face was round or square.

Jiayi couldn’t help but retort, "I’ll say it again, Mr. Nie, you have no right to question who I know, just as I have no business with whom you associate."