Xiao Jinxiang finally realized what lewd things she was saying. Her face and eyes turned red, and she almost cried from anger. She raised her hand to hit her. Jiang Yuchao was prepared and tilted her head to avoid the slap, causing Xiao Jinxiang to knock over a potted pine tree beside her, which crashed to the ground with a bang.

At this time, ladies from various families were coming and going. Although no one was in their corner, there were always people passing by. This sound attracted everyone's surprised attention.

Jiang Yuchao's smile from before disappeared. She stood up and said sternly, "What day is it today? It's the Old Madam's birthday. At a time like this, you're still throwing a tantrum. If Father and Madam find out, they will surely punish you. Don't say those nonsensical things anymore!"

Xiao Jinxiang glared at her with red eyes, "You said Prince Yu..."

Jiang Yuchao sternly interrupted her, "I said, you are not allowed to mention Prince Yu again. Put away your little schemes. Father will not agree either. I already have this reputation, I absolutely will not let you follow in my footsteps! You're not young anymore, how can you still not learn to listen!"

Jiang Yuchao's voice was not soft. Moreover, at a time like this when they were the center of attention, some ladies heard a few keywords and immediately understood what the sisters were arguing about. It turned out to be about Prince Yu. It seemed the Fourth Lady had feelings for Prince Yu. What a great show.

Xiao Jinxiang, who was being watched like a spectacle, covered her chest and panted heavily. She wanted to hit Xiao Jinyue again, but under the scrutiny of those subtle gazes, she couldn't make a move. She could only suppress her anger, almost suffocating herself.

After Xiao Jinxiang ran off crying to complain to her mother, Xiao Jinyue changed to another spot to drink tea. See, angering Xiao Jinxiang to death was this simple. Humiliate Prince Yu, give her double the anger.

Tearing-down rule number two: if you can't beat the person, attack who they care about.

When the banquet started, Jiang Yuchao didn't see Xiao Jinxiang again. Although this birthday celebration was lively, it had nothing to do with her, a minor character. Everyone crowded around Old Madam Xiao to show their filial piety.

She gave an unremarkable gift and just stayed on the side. Old Madam Xiao had many descendants and didn't pay much attention to this disgraceful granddaughter. She was being amused by the twin daughters of her eldest son.

Those twins, Xiao Jinzhu and Xiao Jinshan, had a good relationship with Xiao Jinxiang, so naturally they disliked Xiao Jinyue. With one glance, Jiang Yuchao knew they wanted to stir up trouble.

Sure enough, when Xiao Jinzhu saw that she had pleased the old lady, she immediately made trouble out of nothing, pretending to be innocent and saying, "Oh right, Second Uncle's third sister also came. Last time, Jinshan and I specially went to Mingyue Monastery to visit her, but we were refused at the door by Third Sister."

The laughter stopped and everyone looked at Jiang Yuchao. Jiang Yuchao timely let out an "ah" in surprise and spilled tea on her skirt, putting on a weak appearance. "I've been sick on and off for a month now. Now I can't even hold a cup of tea steady. Sister Jinzhu, with Sister's current reputation, how dare I implicate the family's sisters. I know you are all good, but in the future, it's best not to get too close to Sister. In the end it's not good for you. If by some chance you catch my illness, Sister will feel even more uneasy."

These words were said with such miserable sincerity that Old Madam Xiao, who was previously angry with her, saw how she was considering her sisters' reputations. Hearing that she was living a hard life in that temple with nothing and had fallen ill, her heart softened a bit.

Her tone gentled as she said, "What are you still standing there for? Hurry and go change into clean clothes."

"Yes." Jiang Yuchao left as instructed. Before leaving, she clearly saw the resentment in the eyes of the twin sisters. They were probably preparing to single her out and make things difficult for her, wanting the old lady to dislike her and embarrass her in front of so many people.

But in the end, they only said one sentence and accomplished nothing. Their faces turned green from holding it in.

Jiang Yuchao thought, you two little calves, spoiled rotten and never suffered a setback. Come on, however many times you come, Sister will send you packing that many times.

She left the flower hall where the two big families had gathered and went outside for some air to enjoy the scenery. This mansion had a nice view, a scene of blooming flowers and green willows, a picture of prosperity.

The hem of her skirt was a bit wet. She didn't plan to change clothes. Walking around outside for a bit would dry it. The art of tearing people down also required understanding when to attack and when to defend, to stab at others' sore spots while avoiding their sharp edges.

She walked by the small pond for a while. Then another person came out from the flower hall. It was Minister Xiao's eldest son Xiao Yunqi, Xiao Jinyue's older brother by birth. He was also a punching bag like his sister, and although he was Minister Xiao's eldest legitimate son, his treatment was far inferior to his younger brother's.

In the entire Xiao household, he was probably the only one who truly cared about Xiao Jinyue. It was just that he was also someone who didn't fight or compete, good-natured and easily bullied, unable to protect his sister.

"Jinyue, you said earlier that you were sick. Did you properly see a good doctor?" Xiao Yunqi looked at his sister with concern.

Jiang Yuchao was skilled at tearing people down but not at dealing with others' good intentions, especially when that good intention wasn't for her but for the original Xiao Jinyue. She could only nod simply. "Much better, not serious."

Xiao Yunqi: "Are you blaming Brother for not visiting you recently? You live in a women's temple, it's not appropriate for Brother to go there. I was also afraid of affecting you."

As he spoke, he took out a money pouch. "You live alone in that cold, cheerless place. Do you have enough to spend? Brother has some silver and banknotes here..."

What he had on hand was probably all he could take out. Jiang Yuchao didn't accept it. "I have enough money. Brother, keep this to spend."

She made the smile on her face look a bit softer and added, "Brother doesn't need to worry about me."

She really wasn't used to this kind of scene. Her whole body felt uncomfortable.

Xiao Yunqi looked at her and suddenly said, "I feel that Sister seems a bit different."

Jiang Yuchao heard him say this, but her eyebrows didn't move at all. She only said, "After going through life and death, people will become different."

Xiao Yunqi immediately felt distressed for his sister. He recalled the bruises on her neck from before and once again blamed himself for being a useless brother. Not daring to bring up the matter again for fear of upsetting his sister, he carefully brought up other topics.

"Jinyue, you're now living alone in Mingyue Monastery. It must be boring and lonely. How about next time, your brother sends you a puppy to keep you company? I've heard many ladies in the inner courtyard love keeping cats and dogs to relieve their loneliness. Perhaps looking after these little creatures can cheer you up a bit."

Jiang Yuchao had never kept cats or dogs before and wanted to refuse. But seeing Xiao Yunqi's worried look made her hesitate. In the end, she said, "Alright, thank you brother." Anyway, she could just have any servant look after it later.

Seeing her agree, Xiao Yunqi became delighted, his tone turning a bit lively. "Great! Your brother will definitely find you the most obedient and well-behaved puppy. You know Prince Yuling? I made his acquaintance by chance some time ago. He has quite a few dogs, all said to be very intelligent. So many people want them! Your brother will ask him for one for you." He thought, if sending a dog, he must send the best to his sister.

Jiang Yuchao nodded indifferently.

The day after she returned from the birthday banquet, a middle-aged woman carrying a basket came knocking on the door of her courtyard in Mingyue Monastery.

"Is this where the Third Lady Xiao resides? This puppy was arranged by Young Master Xiao to be delivered here." The kind-looking woman, carrying a bamboo basket, came to see Jiang Yuchao.

She first paid her respects, then put down the basket, lifted the cloth covering it, and took out a chubby yellow puppy. The puppy's belly and four paws were white, with a white patch on its tummy and a short stubby black tail tip. It had big eyes like black grapes.

It looked quite cute, but Jiang Yuchao didn't expect it to be an ordinary mutt. She had thought Xiao Yunqi would get her some strange purebred dog. But this was good too - mutts were easy to raise.

The little puppy looked like it was born not long ago, barely able to walk steadily. After being put down by the woman, it waddled towards Jiang Yuchao, sniffing at the hem of her skirt and shoes. Its little tail wagged back and forth behind it. After a while, it looked up at her and let out two infantile barks.

Jiang Yuchao didn't move. She was used to being on guard, not used to any kindness or closeness, and couldn't quite accept it even from a puppy. But the puppy somehow really liked her, running circles around her feet, its plump little tail wagging wildly.

Seeing the puppy's behavior, the dog-delivering woman smiled even more and asked, "I don't know if the young miss has anyone here who knows how to raise dogs. If not, this old woman can presumptuously teach a few things."

Jiang Yuchao pointed to two honest-looking servant girls. "From now on, you two take care of it."

The two happily agreed and went to listen to the woman's advice on dog care.

The woman left Mingyue Monastery and took a carriage from the street corner all the way back to the Prince Yuling's manor. She walked through the main gate. The old gatekeeper was snoring, completely unaware of her.

But the few black dogs lying by the gate immediately raised their heads in alert. Seeing it was her, they lay back down. The woman was used to this. The Prince Yuling's manor was unlike others that pursued elegance with the currently popular rockeries, lotus ponds, winding brooks and covered walkways.

The buildings inside all sat atop a tall platform, majestic and simple. Past the many courtyards, there were very spacious lawns, lakes, and even a grove enclosed within.

Prince Yuling, Xi Zhuoyu, was rolling up his sleeves and brushing a big dog's fur. Xiao Yunqi sat beside him watching, glancing at the gate from time to time as if waiting for something.

As soon as the woman appeared, Xiao Yunqi stood up. Seeing the bamboo basket gone from her hands, he smiled. "Delivered it?"

The woman smiled, "Yes, the little one really likes the Third Lady Xiao."

Xiao Yunqi: "See, I told you. My sister is likable. That puppy was sure to like her too."

Brushing the dog, Xi Zhuoyu shook his head with a smile. "And you were still worried just now."

Xiao Yunqi had told Xi Zhuoyu about wanting to get a dog for his sister. Unexpectedly, this man said to bring the dog to see her - if the dog liked her, he'd agree; if not, to bring it back. It was Xiao Yunqi's first time encountering this.

"It's agreed, if your sister doesn't want to keep that dog in the future, she can't abandon it. She has to send it back to me," said Xi Zhuoyu.

Xiao Yunqi: "..."

Xi Zhuoyu tossed aside the brush and patted the big dog beside him, as if talking to a person, "You heard that. Your daughter found a good family, of her own accord. If there's a chance in the future, I'll take you to see her."

The big dog let out a bark.