“Uncle Yun, you haven’t introduced this lady…” Lord Jing asked with a smile as he sat down and glanced at Qu Moying sitting next to Pei Yuanjun.

Her face couldn’t be seen clearly with the veiled hat on, but he could still tell that this woman was beautiful. When she passed by Pei Yusheng just now, a breeze lifted the end of the veil, exposing her chin and lips. She was wearing bright-colored lip makeup, making her ivory skin more conspicuous. At a glance, Pei Yusheng was already amazed.

He didn’t suspect Qu Moying’s identity at all. Judging by her graceful behavior and elegant movement, he knew that she was born in a noble family that had strict discipline. There’s no way she was one of the low-lived and poorly educated girls.

“She’s the daughter of the Guardian General, coming back here to handle some work left about their old mansion. The Guardian General asked me to take care of her while she’s in the capital,” Pei Yuanjun said lazily. He glanced over all the noble young ladies on the opposite side, who were peeking at him with a shy look. Those sophisticated eyes of his seemed charming, but somehow, the expression on his face became colder.

The Level-One Guardian General, Liu Xiangshan, and the Level-One Suppressor General, Ji Yongming, Ji Hanyue’s father, were two big wigs in the army. Of course, these two generals’ positions were still lower than Pei Yuanjun’s. But even so, they also owned part of the military force. Whoever won their support would have a considerable amount of military power.

The Crown Prince married Ji Yongming’s first daughter, but people all said that she was about to die after she moved into the palace. Something happened to her father as well, which meant the Crown Prince’s efforts all ended up in vain.

Then the daughter of the Guardian General became crucial in the game.

Pei Yusheng quietly sized Qu Moying up again. Naturally, he had kept a close eye on everything related to his future throne. So, he was aware that Liu Lanxin, Liu Xiangshan’s daughter, suffered an eye injury before. That was probably why she was wearing a veiled hat today. He also heard that it had something to do with Pei Yuanjun, but he couldn’t understand the current situation. Was Lord Yun going to ask the emperor to arrange a marriage for them?

According to his intelligence, Lady Liu was a proud girl, different from those raised in the city and well-protected by their families. She was a good warrior and a heroic woman who fought beside her father. But surprisingly, he couldn’t feel her experiences on the battlefields at all judging from her slim figure and delicate appearance. She just seemed to be a weak, noble lady.

Well, rumors might not be totally accurate. People probably imagined her as a female general since she had stayed at the border with her father. She just looked a bit tough to get close to.

Pei Yuanjun seemed to ignore his nephew’s excited look and continued, “the Guardian General asked me to show her around, to see if there’s any outstanding young man from the noble families that suits her. Since there’re many guests here for the celebration, I think it may be a good chance for her to look around.”

Did he mean that he wanted to help Lady Liu look for a husband instead of asking the emperor for a marriage arrangement?

That was quite straightforward from them, coming without even noticing the host family. She was truly an extraordinary lady, growing up at the border and living in a military camp. No wonder she didn’t show any embarrassment or timidness so far.

After the shock, a feeling of delight arose in Lord Jing.

If he could marry the Guardian General’s daughter, he would own part of the military power. Although the Crown Prince married Ji Hanyue, she was about to die, so did her father, Ji Yongming. It was unfortunate for the Crown prince, but it meant that Lord Jing stood a chance to fairly compete against him in the future!

With Lady Liu’s background, her eye problem wouldn’t even matter. It was beneficial for Lord Jing to marry her anyway.

“Uncle Yun, do you have a candidate in your mind?” Pei Yusheng leaned over and asked in a low voice, feeling excited.

He was sitting on the left side of Pei Yuanjun while Qu Moying sat on the right. She had always had a good hearing, and she heard Pei Yusheng’s every word. She lowered her head and curled up her lips with a trace of coldness in her eyes.

She was such a stupid, naive girl in her past life. The Crown Prince treated her well only because of the military power in her father’s hand, just like what Lord Jing did right now. After he heard of Lady Liu’s family background, Lord Jing’s attitude immediately softened. His gaze on her became gentle, almost affectionate!

Military power! It was all about military power again!

As memories seeped from her veins, breathing even started to feel painful. This Lady Liu she’s disguising as shared a very similar situation with her in the past life.

She gave herself a hard pinch on the hand, raised her eyes, and looked at Lord Yun, who’s wearing an amiable smile. What did he want? Of course, she didn’t believe he really meant to choose a suitable husband for Lady Liu. Did he want to bring chaos to the political world in the capital? Was it the reason he asked Qu Moying to impersonate Lady Liu?

It seemed the rumors were still reliable to some degree. Perhaps Lord Yun was indeed close to Lady Liu, and this was why she got this job.

It was not hard to guess that disguising as Lady Liu, she wouldn’t be safe after the job started.

But with Qu Moying as the substitute, the real Lady Liu’s safety would be guaranteed!

Under the veiled hat, Qu Moying’s eyes squinted as she took a deep breath. She was fully aware that her current relationship with Pei Yuanjun was the best protection she could have under this circumstance!

Because Pei Yuanjun needed her to do this job, he wouldn’t let anything bad happen to her. Her impersonation got the real Lady Liu out of danger but provided herself with more safety at the same time, which was what she needed for her revenge!

With Lord Yun’s protection, nothing would happen to her in the mansion for the time being, but she really needed to make a faster move…

“Not yet. I’ll take my time since I’m not in a hurry to go back. I’ve asked for the emperor’s permission to stay in the capital for a longer period,” said Pei Yuanjun lazily.

“General Liu was the Level-One Guardian General, always devoting himself to the country, and Lady Liu was the only daughter he has. Uncle Yun, you have to find an excellent young man who can match her. I can tell Lady Liu has inherited a lot of her father’s spirit from her elegant behavior. She will definitely become a demure and graceful wife after she gets married.”

Pei Yusheng spoke highly of Lady Liu and implied that she should find a husband that could match her family background.

Obviously, Lord Jin was one candidate who met the condition.

Ji Hanyue married the Crown Prince as a Level-One General’s daughter, which meant Liu Lanxin was also qualified to be Lord Jing’s wife.

“We don’t need to rush. Lord Jing, if you think of any suitable young man, you can tell me,” Pei Yuanjun said casually as his glance fell to the opposite pavilion.

Some of the young ladies had been peeking at him during the whole time. Feeling his gaze, they raised their handkerchiefs to cover half of their blushed faces in a shy but flirtish manner.

Pei Yuanjun pulled a long face as he raised his eyebrow. His sophisticated eyes looked a little wider and even darker than usual as if they contained infinite blackness. The cold, ruthless expression on his face instantly turned him into the bloodthirsty, heartless Lord Yun from a handsome, gentle, noble young man.

Those young ladies were so frightened after their eyes met his. They quickly turned their heads away to avoid his thrilling gaze and didn’t dare to peek at his handsome face again.

Now, the Old Lady was sure that the strange young man was Lord Yun, Pei Yuanjun.

When Granny Wu came to the male seats, Qu Zhizhen was sitting behind Pei Yuanjun nervously, tightening all his muscles. He had never been so close to Lord Yun before.

“Second Master, the Old Lady wants to talk with you,” Granny Wu whispered to him.

“Tell Mother that Lord Yun is here. Let Yu prepare one more dinner table, only for him,” Qu Zhizhen answered in a low voice. It took him a few seconds to calm himself down, and then he realized that his mother didn’t really mean to call him over. She sent Granny Wu only to ask about the stranger.

“Yes, my lord!” Granny Wu’s face turned pale after knowing the stranger’s identity. But as an experienced servant, she understood the situation immediately and got ready to leave.

“Mr. Qu, there’s no need for unnecessary formalities. I have an appointment with the emperor later and will leave soon!” Pei Yuanjun’s voice came from the front without his head turning back.

Qu Moying let out a deep breath of relief quietly. It should mean that she passed Pei Yuanjun’s test this time.

“Yes, yes, my lord. I understand,” Qu Zhizhen kept nodding, signaling Granny Wu to leave. The old maid stepped back hurriedly and went to report back to the Old Lady.

It was a big relief for the Old Lady after Granny Wu told her that nothing was really going on, and Lord Yun would leave soon. Then she realized that she broke out in a cold sweat. She took out her handkerchief and wiped her forehead, but her face was pale, feeling exhausted after the shock.

“My lady, do you want to leave for a rest?” Granny Wu noticed the Old Lady’s expression and asked with worry.

“No need. I’m just too old to keep up my energy!” The Old Lady shook her head, smiling bitterly, “How’s Ying doing now? Have you sent someone to check on her?”

“Yes. I heard that the Fourth Lady almost fainted while taking a walk outside. But she’s having some rest and feeling alright now!” Granny Wu reported.

“That kid was born with poor health…” the Old Lady let out a sigh but didn’t continue her words. No matter how much she disliked Yu, it was inappropriate to say something with all the female guests around. If the rumors spread out, it would be bad for their family name.

The Old Lady wanted to protect the twins given birth by Yu, but she didn’t expect that Yu’s name was already ruined outside. Yu also overheard some people talking about her, and she was so furious that she almost tore the handkerchief apart. However, she had no choice but to serve the guests, pretending that she didn’t hear anything.

Yu kept in mind all the people’s names who spoke ill of her today. After her daughter became Lord Jing’s wife and then became the empress, she would take her revenge on them one by one. But right now, she could only stay quiet.

“Why has Lord Jing not left yet?” Seeing Lord Jing still sit tight in the opposite pavilion, Yu started to get anxious. She clearly had settled everything with Qu Qiuyan. Did her daughter not do as she was told?

The part of her plan related to Xu Lipeng would take place first, then it would be about Lord Jing. The timeline was tight, but they had to prove Qu Qiuyan’s innocence. They needed to make people think Third Lady Qu had nothing to do with Xu Lipeng and Yu Qingmeng, and it was unlucky for her to get involved.

Yu saw the strange man among the male guests, but with all her attention to Lord Jing, she didn’t notice it was Pei Yuanjun, Lord Yun, at all. All she cared about right now was when Lord Jing would leave for her daughter, or her whole plan would be ruined.

Yu took a glance at a pair of sisters sitting nearby as she got more and more exasperated. The time was running out. If Lord Jing didn’t leave soon, part of her plan wouldn’t be implemented on time.

“Go ask the Third Lady what’s going on?” Yu hurriedly whispered to Auntie Hai next to her. She couldn’t sit tight anymore.

Auntie Hai understood her words immediately and left. As she walked down the pavilion, she saw an old maid rushing over. Auntie Hai recognized her at once, stopped in the shadow of a tree, and waved at the other maid.

The old maid looked around to confirm no one noticed her and strode over, “Auntie Hai.”

“Are you here to look for them?” Auntie Hai asked her in a low voice.

“Yes, that one is too anxious to wait anymore and sent me here,” the old maid whispered.

“Wait for a bit longer.” Auntie Hai sounded hesitant.

“He can’t wait, and he has urged me many times already,” the old maid didn’t have much patience left.

“Only a little bit longer! Everything will be ready soon!” Auntie Hai gritted her teeth with exasperation. The Third Lady wasn’t ready since Lord Jing hadn’t left yet. If they started the plan right now, it would be possibly a failure…