As the Spring Festival was drawing near, the Yuan Family’s entire estate was decorated with lanterns from top to bottom such that it was fully immersed in the festivities.

Yuan Xuan was exceptionally meticulous about the setting up, because this was the first Spring Festival after Mu Chenyan had married into the Yuan Family. He completed the tasks in his office two days in advance so that he could personally instruct the maids in the Yuan Family Mansion to beautify Hisbiscus Garden and Upper Mansion.

Once the twenty-third day of the lunar calendar passed, Yuan Tangbai’s old subordinates, friends, and previous supporters all came to pay him a visit.

Some of these people were high-ranking military officials, while others were climbing through the business world. Still, some of them had already retired and were merely wandering for the rest of their days. Nonetheless, they were all important figures, regardless of their circle, and usually did not reveal the important aspects of themselves. Now that the situation had reached its tipping point, one could see the powerful supporting organizations behind Yuan Xuan.

It was impossible for anyone else to stand in for him during extremely extravagant events like this. Thus, Yuan Xuan had to personally appear and greet them, as he was Yuan Tangbai’s only descendant.

Yuan Xuan sent presents in return to thank each and every one of the various corporations, aristocratic families, and military organizations who sent congratulatory gifts to Old Mistress. The social and financial influence of this hundred-year-old aristocratic family’s was on full display at this time.

When Mu Chenyan saw this, she slowly understood why her father chose not to be involved in the life and death struggle with the Yuan Family during his final moments that year.

It was just as Mu Chenwu had said. These delicate networks could be brought down at the slightest misstep. Thus, there was the probability that they would be killed by an unknown individual before their information could even reach Capital City.

People from various places came to congratulate them but Mu Chenyan who was supposed to accompany her husband had requested for leave.

Firstly, she did not want to meet the guests because the backlash from Shu Qinger’s long-standing court case still persisted until now. Secondly, Mu Chenyan knew that Old Mistress would get annoyed when she saw her. Thus, her absence at Upper Mansion seemed to coincidentally align with Old Mistress’ wishes.

While Yuan Xuan was receiving guests at Upper Mansion, Old Mistress had Zhao Ruoxin accompany her. Since Mu Chenyan was absent, she had an opportunity to pair her adoptive daughter with Yuan Xuan.

This delighted Ruoxin because she had repeatedly appeared near Hibiscus Garden, as though she was looking for a chance to flaunt herself in front of Mu Chenyan.

In Zhao Ruoxin’s mind, she was the one who always showed up and accompanied Yuan Xuan to receive guests and greet them while Mu Chenyan was hiding far away. This had already proven that the Yuan Family had seemingly acknowledged her existence in front of outsiders.

Although Yuan Xuan kept his distance from her and only remained polite, this did not deter her self-satisfied state from manifesting.

On the other hand, Mu Chenyan did not want to argue with Zhao Ruoxin because she had something else on her mind. Thus, she simply avoided Zhao Ruoxin as much as possible.

The more Mu Chenyan did this, the more victorious Zhao Ruoxin felt. She thought that Mu Chenyan was actively avoiding her because she was afraid. Thus, this woman became more arrogant and even more attentive toward Yuan Xuan, both publicly and in private.

“Mu Chenyan, weren’t you supposed to fight that wolf in sheep’s clothing?” Yuan Tian appeared to be more aggresive than Mu Chenyan.

Ever since Mu Chenyan’s return, the Hibiscus Garden that had once been a restricted area had now turned into Yuan Tian’s playground. She would repeatedly place her feet on the table and eat the various cakes that Ah Fu had personally made. Yuan Tian really became dizzy with happiness.

“Why would I need to fight that sly fox?” Mu Chenyan was unconcerned. “After all, I’m admitting that she concerns me if I consider her as my rival. Why do I need fight with Zhao Ruoxin?”

Yuan Tian clearly could not fully comprehend Mu Chenyan’s reasoning. “Zhao Ruoxin shouldn’t be called ‘Ruoxin’ anymore because a more suitable name for her would be ‘More Sin’ (TN: Tried to translate the pun on Ruoxin’s name that was related to a Chinese idiom.) How many tranquilizers has Yuan Xuan fed you to make you so unconcerned about this?” Yuan Tian pinched Mu Chenyan’s face before she continued, “Are you still asleep?”

Mu Chenyan laughed and said, “Zhao Ruoxin and I are merely pitiful souls living under other people’s roofs. She used her sister’s name to live with the Yuan Family, but she’s still not Shu Qinger. Thus, why should I be envious of a liar like Ruoxin when the one whom Yuan Xuan liked when he was younger was actually Qinger?”

Yuan Tian was speechless. “If Yuan Xuan was such a fickle person, it would have been impossible for him not to have a woman by his side during those two years.” Mu Chenyan’s eyes lit up right after she finished speaking.

Was she unconsciously trusting Yuan Xuan during a time like this?

If that was the case, then why did she refuse to give him the benefit of doubt during the long-standing court case that year?