ngyu patted his younger brother's shoulder, telling him to take good care of their mother and sister at home. He reminded him to keep dinner warm in the pot, just in case they finished up and returned...Zong Pingchuan frowned again and uttered a low rebuke.

"Watch your words, little white face. There are people all around."

Hearing Yuan Xiangli say that Zongbai was a kept man, Zong Pingchuan felt a little uncomfortable.

He knew that speaking up would further deteriorate their already strained relationship, but he just couldn't hold back.

Yuan Xiangli was indeed angry.

gritted his teeth and asked in a low voice.

"So protective Are you also bewitched by that little fox spirit, have you fallen for her"

Zong Pingchuan endured again and again, the irrational woman was truly terrifying, what was stuffed in her head.

"I haven't looked at anyone, don't talk nonsense."

"I wouldn't want to offend King Jing."

Just as the two of them were arguing incessantly, Fang Jinshu had already led Zong Bo to finish their opening remarks. She clapped her hands, signaling for the pre-meal snacks to be brought up.

Tea is made from the tender shoots of unknown tea trees found in the wild. Its taste is quite unique. The water used to brew the tea is pure spring water, and Fang Jinxiu is reluctant to let so many people drink tea brewed with spring water.

Even if it's just wild tea brewed with diluted spring water, the taste is not inferior to many famous teas.

It's both economical and classy to take it out to entertain guests.

At least everyone looked satisfied after finishing their tea, with many even showing expressions of astonishment.

After the banquet, many people asked Fang Jinshu about the source of the tea leaves. As a major money-making tool for Jinxiu Mountain Villa in the future, she certainly didn't miss this opportunity.

I took the opportunity to push some wild tea, and made quite a profit.

She sells her wild tea made from the tender buds of tea trees that were grown with spring water. Even without using spring water to brew it, the flavor is not bad.

The snacks on the table were also unprecedented, cheese puffs.

This is made with real cheese added in. There's no cheese in this world, it only exists because Fang Jinshi provided the recipe for making it.

The rich milk flavor and sweetness perfectly balance the bitterness of the tea, making it very popular with female customers.

Before the feast even began, Fang Jinshu had already pocketed all the silver that these people would have spent.

Listening to the men and women at the table discussing the tea and snacks of Jinshi Mountain Villa, Yuan Xiangli couldn't bear it any longer.

Fang Jinshui also had a serving prepared for the two of them, but they both left it untouched.

Yuan Xiangli let out a cold snort.

"Aren't they just some rustic tea and food from the countryside, hyped up to be heaven-sent by you"

"Aren't you all usually quite picky Do you think showering them with praise and flattery is enough to forge a good relationship with the Jing Wangfu"

She hadn't even reached the gates of Jingwang Mansion, and even if she did enter, she would only be a concubine.

"My lords, I'm afraid you've mistaken the place to flatter."

Zong Pingchuan was so angry he wanted to find a cloth to stuff Yuan Xiangli's mouth shut. Did she have to speak

I've never seen her speak so sharply and cruelly. In front of all these bureaucrats, she has no shame and neither does he.

Zongpingchuan hurriedly cast a warning glance, raising his teacup to try and diffuse the tension. Just then, someone spoke up in discontent.

"Madam, even though today is just a private banquet, there's still a distinction between men and women. The ladies' table is over there. You sitting among us men isn't proper!"

Others nodded in agreement and began to scold Yuan Xiangli.

To make matters worse, Zong Pingchuan discovered that their table actually had a censor sitting at it.

The official, as expected, opened his mouth.

According to the *Analects of Confucius*, teachings are given for six years and names and positions are explained. After seven years, men and women have different seats and do not eat together.

"As the wife of a high-ranking official, Madam Zong should have been well-versed in these rules of etiquette and conduct since childhood. Tomorrow, I shall personally inquire with Chancellor Yuan whether there is a lack of 'Classic of Rites' in his household, causing Madam to have missed out on reading it."

The censor's tongue was indeed sharp, scolding people without resorting to vulgar language, causing those around him to stifle their laughter.

The person being mocked didn't look so good anymore. Even if Yuan Xiangli was as domineering and arrogant as ever, being ridiculed by a censor for having no manners meant that she had disgraced her father's reputation.

Yuan Xiangli stood up angrily.

"No need to worry, Lady Qing. This madam just came over to discuss a few other matters with her husband. Once we're finished, I'll naturally return to the ladies' quarters!"

After finishing her words, she turned and went to the ladies' side. Everyone present parted ways when they saw her approaching.

Yuan Xiangli became like a plague, no one dared to get close to her.

The story of the couple suffering from a mysterious itchy ailment that refused to be cured had long been circulating.

Everyone dared not get close, fearing that the strange illness might be contagious. Yuan Xiangli was on the verge of going mad today, and she had almost forgotten about being ill herself. Besides, she wasn't itchy anymore. She didn't really care about the servants at home.

Now all she could think about was her youngest son.

"What are you all doing so far away This lady isn't going to eat any of you!"

Yuan Xiangli sat down and immediately began to berate them. Those who used to flatter Yuan Xiangli, even praising her smelly feet, were now from families less prestigious than hers, with husbands holding lower official positions than Zong Pingchuan. They could only smile helplessly as they retreated.

Almost all of them were putting on forced smiles, their reluctance was clearly visible, but they had to sit back down unwillingly. Yuan Xiangli felt even more angry seeing this.

"Get out of my sight if you don't want to sit next to me!"fe's instructions and poured it into the water jar.Then I went for a walk in Fang Jinshiu's vegetable garden. I couldn't just stand around, so I cleared out the weeds that had just started to sprout....