Beneath the white silk canopy behind the lake was a pavilion where five or six young women sat. Some were eating fruit, watching something across the lake and covering their mouths to laugh, while others frowned, holding pens and pondering. Judging by their attire, they were all daughters of wealthy and noble families in the capital. Among them, one girl in a light yellow fitted vest had exceptionally bright eyes, like translucent jade from the Western Sea. It was Ye Ling'er, the only daughter of the Kyoto garrison commander, whom Fan Xian had glimpsed from afar outside the capital.

Ye Ling'er glanced towards the lake and turned to Fan Ruoruo, asking, "Ruoruo, is that unpresentable one from your family here today too?"

Hearing this, Fan Ruoruo felt an inexplicable fire rise in her heart. She slammed her brush heavily on the desk and said calmly, "Ye Ling'er, normally your mouth is like your family's swords and spears... having some edges is fine, but where did you come back from today, smelling so strongly of the pickle shop?"

The pavilion fell silent at these words. No one had expected the elegant, kind, and gentle Miss Fan to speak in such a manner.

Ye Ling'er harbored a strong dislike for the illegitimate child of the Fan family for some reason, which was why she had been so rude earlier. Now, seeing the usually gentle Miss Fan being so sharp with her, she snorted twice, anger rising in her chest, but she couldn't find a retort at that moment.

Princess Roujia was grinding ink beside Fan Ruoruo. Hearing the conversation, she giggled and said innocently, "You two are usually so close, what's made you so sour today?" Among the young women, Princess Roujia was the youngest and most esteemed, but also the most gentle. Her words made it difficult for the two in the "atmosphere" to continue their quarrel.

Ye Ling'er coldly snorted, "Who knows what's wrong with Miss Fan today."

Fan Ruoruo smiled slightly, suppressing her anger. Her long eyelashes fluttered. Although she was the daughter of an official's family and known for her talent, she was still just a young woman of sixteen or seventeen. How much could she endure? She replied gently, "If it concerns my elder brother, I naturally cannot be rude."

Ye Ling'er sneered, "Where was I rude? Could it be that the person who came with you today has been officially recognized and added to the Fan family's genealogy?"

Fan Ruoruo was intelligent enough to know why Ye Ling'er was venting her anger on her brother. She smiled coldly, not answering, and walked out of the pavilion. For some reason, Ye Ling'er followed her. Princess Roujia sighed softly, unsure of what to do. The other young women in the pavilion didn't know who Ye Ling'er was talking about, nor why the two had suddenly become angry, and were completely bewildered.

Outside the pavilion, the maids didn't follow. Fan Ruoruo spoke more directly, her face darkening. "You're close to Miss Lin, that's your business. She's unwilling to marry my brother, that's her business. But if you speak disrespectfully about my brother again, don't blame me for disregarding our past friendship."

Ye Ling'er wrinkled her nose in a charming way, complaining, "Yesterday when you came to my residence, I told you that Chen'er doesn't want to marry your brother at all. I wanted you to go back and talk to your family, but who knew you'd bring him to the Prince's residence today? Don't think I don't know what ideas your family has. You probably want to use this poetry gathering to gain some fame so you can..." She stopped speaking, angrily waving her sleeve.

Seeing her expression, Fan Ruoruo sighed inwardly, realizing that these young ladies saw things as simply as her brother had said. "Who should I talk to? Father or my brother? You know that in families like ours, we can't decide our own marriages."

Ye Ling'er bit her lip, saying with a hint of hope, "...Or, have your brother leave the capital."

Fan Ruo frowned at her, finding her words absurd. She realized that she might have been influenced by Fan Xian, making her seem more mature, while Ye Ling'er was still a noble young lady who didn't know the hardships of the world. "Don't say such nonsense."

Ye Ling'er looked at her and sneered, "What's your brother's status? And what's my Lin *jiejie*'s status?"

Fan Ruoruo smiled slightly. "My brother has a father but no mother. Your Lin *jiejie* has neither father nor mother. What status? Still this kind of status."

Although Miss Lin was the illegitimate daughter of the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister dared not acknowledge her, could not acknowledge her. As for her mother, she was a secret that the Qing Kingdom knew but dared not speak of – so it wouldn't be wrong to say she had no parents.

Ye Ling'er seemed not to expect Fan Ruoruo to speak so sharply beneath her smile. She trembled with anger and lowered her voice, saying fiercely, "Do you think this marriage is settled? Who knows what changes might happen in the future."

Fan Ruoruo's heart tightened slightly, but her face remained full of a gentle smile. She took a slow step forward, closing the distance with Ye Ling'er, and replied with considerable pressure, "You might not know my brother very well, but I advise you not to do anything inappropriate. As for this marriage... I don't think it's settled either. Maybe after my brother meets your beloved Miss Lin, he might run away from the capital immediately."

Although Ye Ling'er had inherited martial arts skills, her aura gradually weakened in front of this gentle woman. "Does your brother dare to be picky about Chen'er?"

Fan Ruoruo sighed, her expression resembling the way Fan Xian sometimes acted, and said, "I just don't understand, this is a matter between the Fan family and her family. Why are you so anxious?"

Ye Ling'er thought for a moment and lowered her posture, saying softly, "You also know that Lin *jiejie*'s health isn't good. In that case, why go against her wishes and make her marry someone she doesn't want to marry?"

These words struck Fan Ruoruo's heart. Which young woman doesn't dream of love? Which young woman doesn't want to marry the person she wants to marry? Putting herself in her place, Fan Ruoruo knew that Miss Lin, who couldn't control her own love, was indeed a bit pitiful. But... "This matter is first decided by the adults, and then it depends on my brother's opinion. There's nothing I can do, Miss Ye."

She smiled as she replied to the last sentence.

At this moment, Princess Roujia, worried about their conflict, finally came out of the pavilion to look for them. Seeing that they seemed alright, she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief and said sweetly, "Let's go back."

Fan Ruoruo's eyes suddenly sharpened, and she said softly, "Miss Ye, I heard that your friend's health isn't good. My father happens to know a famous doctor. I wonder if it would be convenient for him to visit Miss Lin's residence?"