The two of them jumped in fright when they heard this. Qin Wanru pushed Zu An behind her. “Hide! It’ll all be over if he alerts the Imperial Guard.”

Zu An’s battle with Liu Yao was still fresh in his memory. He really didn’t want to repeat that experience.

As such, he decided to hide behind a screen and assess the situation.

The door opened just as Zu An slipped into hiding, and Hong Xingying strutted in.

Qin Wanru adjusted her hair to hide her alarm. “Why are you here?”

“It’s been a long time! I obviously came to give Madam my greetings.” Hong Xingying was clearly in high spirits.

Qin Wanru sneered. “What? Are you here just to rub it in?”

“I didn’t expect Madam to see through me so quickly!” Hong Xingying made no attempt at denial. “As our ancestors said, ‘If riches and glory are not brought home, it’s the same as taking a stroll at night in expensive clothes’. Your Chu clan doesn’t know how to treat your own people properly. I obviously had to seize this chance to take a good look at the regret on your face.”

“You’re right. We do feel a lot of regret.” Qin Wanru snorted. “I most regret not realizing what kind of person you really were, and not realizing earlier just how much...