The daughter of a noble family is reborn, and she is doted on by her godmother.

Chapter 99 Expenses

"This marquis and his cousin? Are they really that close?"

This question might require further consideration from Yun Qingjin and Liu Zhou'er, but for the three people who had visited the Marquis's residence, it seemed there was only one roughly correct answer.

This was especially true for Yun Yuke, who had overheard the conversation between the Marquis's brother and sister from every angle.

Last time at the Marquis's residence, Consort Deng Wanyi appeared to be pleading before Marquis Ankang, but when she and her husband Liu Jie left, they did not have satisfied expressions on their faces.

"Although I feel in my heart that... this Marquis wouldn't do so much for an ordinary cousin, they are both surnamed Deng after all... and they are both from the Empress Dowager's family. We should think of ways to deal with what they might do in advance."

Yun Yuke considers many things and generally doesn't easily overlook any possibility.

Although Yun Qingjin couldn't understand the specifics of what they were saying, she knew that her mother's decision must have been made after careful consideration.

"In short, we're all prepared. It's a trap, isn't it? We won't know the final outcome until we attend."

The Yun family mother and daughter handed over the equipment they had brought to the people of the Marquis's residence.

This time, I brought three sets of close-fitting soft armor, as well as several small concealed weapon boxes that can be tied to the waist and sleeves.

It was filled with handfuls of embroidery needles.

“As women, it’s perfectly fine for us to carry some embroidered items around, right?” Yun Yuke had said these words when she was designing these hidden weapon boxes.

Now, after taking out the item, they still use the same old rhetoric.

"The improved version can fire at least ten steel needles. I've also coated them with some poison. Don't try it too often, but if there's a real problem, these things can help you get out of there quickly."

"I don't know if we'll meet in three days. After all, we're coming from two different directions. If we try to make contact then, it might be too late."

That's why we brought all the relevant equipment with us this time.

"You can practice freely these next two days. I've prepared plenty of embroidery needles for you, so feel free to use them."

In this way, it can be considered that everything was prepared in advance.

three days later.

Outside the city, the road to the Marquis of Ankang's residence was bustling with carriages and horses. Everyone was heading to the same destination: the summer resort on the mountain behind the Marquis of Ankang's residence.

This villa was built by the Marquis of Ankang specifically to entertain guests. It is located on a slightly higher part of the mountain, offering a panoramic view of the area below.

Many people received invitations this time. Or rather, everyone in Changgan City knew that the flower viewing banquet would definitely attract a large number of people. So when the invitations were sent to various places, the whole city knew about it.

There was no shortage of discussion about it.

“Mother, look at the people along the way. Indeed, many people feel that the flower viewing banquet is an honor.”

Yun Qingjin leaned against the carriage, looking outside. The invited guests were all different, regardless of their social status. Some ordinary people rode in carriages, while others walked or used donkey carts, and so on.

Some ordinary people do indeed behave quite proactively.

"Perhaps it's because those who attended the flower-viewing banquet had smoother business afterwards and received protection from the Marquis's mansion, so they saw this as a good opportunity to make their business soar."

Yun Yuke had learned about the situation in previous years, but she still couldn't figure out what the purpose was this time.

Originally, Yun Yuke had planned to sneak into the Marquis's mansion to eavesdrop if possible, but there were people from the Marquis's mansion everywhere in the city, and people were also stationed along the way to guard the main road to the Marquis's mansion.

In other words, Yun Yuke was being watched in various places, so she had no choice but to give up.

This delay lasted for three days.

The flower viewing banquet is on the second day. If you go a day in advance, there will be a simple welcome party. Everyone will rest for a day at a place arranged by the Marquis's residence. The focus is on the second day.

When leaving the city, the prefect's men and the Yun family men left at the same time. When leaving the city, Liu Zhou'er was transferred to the Yun family's carriage.

The Marquis of Ankang's residence was much more lively than when I visited before. There were also people specifically assigned to greet me and arrange related matters.

Now, everyone in the Yun family knew just how powerful and wealthy this Marquis Ankang truly was.

Last time they came, they only visited a small part of the Marquis's residence. For this banquet, the villa next to the Marquis of Ankang's residence was basically arranged as accommodation for everyone.

The servants in the Marquis's residence were very organized and made proper arrangements for the visiting guests.

Yun Yuke watched coldly, and the more she looked, the more she felt something was wrong.

However, Yun Yuke didn't speak for the time being. After all, there were many people around, and she couldn't discuss it with Zhu Ling and Xing Xiaoyu. Their public identities were still those of ordinary government officials and merchants.

Even if it's just a discussion, it should be done when no one is around, and only with one's daughter.

Yun Qingjin was also carefully observing the surrounding situation.

Flower-viewing banquets. I did attend some when I was in the capital, but most of the flower-viewing banquets in the capital were for matchmaking between women and families in the capital.

Back then... Yun Qingjin's initial bittersweet feelings resurfaced once again.

That dear younger sister of mine, when I first came back, she would always make things difficult for me at these kinds of banquets.

The reason is, "My older sister is exceptionally talented, and her dance is captivating. She'd be the perfect way to entertain everyone."

But... when she first arrived... everyone in the capital knew that this new young lady was originally a slut.

Yun Qingjin shook her head: Don't think about it. This is my second life. I am an ordinary commoner now, not the young lady of the Marquis of Changxing who was ridiculed.

Perhaps it was because of her past life's experiences that Yun Qingjin sensed many strange things along the way.

No, this flower-viewing banquet is different from those in the capital.

As a form of protection, Aunt Hua and her daughter Liu Zhou'er also accompanied them, and the four of them strolled around the Marquis's residence together.

Anyway, it was broad daylight and there were many people in the mansion, so there was no fear of someone suddenly making a move.

The Yun mother and daughter seemed to have planned it beforehand, subtly observing their surroundings. Of course, Yun Yuke's expression was more composed, while Yun Qingjin seemed to be just starting out in this kind of thing, looking rather sneaky.

“Qingqing,” Yun Yuke interrupted, seeing her daughter’s head bowed, “It’s too obvious. Let’s be more natural.”

Yun Qingjin then realized that she was indeed a bit too nervous, chuckled, and stopped looking around aimlessly.

Within the limits permitted by the Marquis's residence, the four finally chose a location by the lake. The lake at the Marquis's residence was built on the site of a natural lake on the outskirts of the city, so the place was very open and they were not afraid of anyone listening nearby.

"Mother, you know, this Marquis has caused so much trouble, and he's even throwing such a grand banquet... it must have cost a lot of money."

When Yun Qingjin saw the bustling scene before her, she immediately wondered how much it would cost to host such a banquet.

"There are so many servants coming and going in his mansion. Where did the Marquis find so many people?"