Zuihua House.
At the end of Qingshi Lane, a pavilion with dark tile eaves is half-hidden among the shadows of bamboo, with a plaque that bears the words "Jiyue" hanging above the vermilion lacquered door.
This is a private garden, with a serene and elegant environment, and extremely high privacy. The aristocratic ladies of the capital often come here for tea gatherings.
The courtyard is filled with pavilions scattered around, with a stream winding through rocks, shimmering like a meandering jade belt.
From the waterside pavilion in the middle of the lake comes the melodious sound of silk and bamboo, as a group of women gather to sip tea and chat leisurely.
Each of them is draped in silk and satin, adorned with dazzling jewelry, clearly from prestigious families.
At the head, two graceful women sit side by side.
One wears a moon-white brocade dress, with a hairpin adorned with blue gemstones and pearls angled by her hair, her face pleasant, eyes delicate, with a subtle scholarly air.
The other woman is plain-looking, without any jewelry, even in the warm sun and gentle breeze, she is still wrapped in a black cloak, her dark eyes like a bottomless channel.
"The last time I saw Lady Jin Yun was at the longevity festival, and now she seems as splendid as ever!"
"It’s rare for Lady Lv to appear as well; how is the Grandmaster these days?"
The women surrounding the two chirped endlessly.
Originally, it was just an ordinary tea gathering, but unexpectedly, both Lady Lv and Lady Jin Yun, two top-ranking noblewomen, showed up!
These two are usually quite low-key and never join in the crowd, yet they are rarely present together now...
Although the reason is unclear, it does not prevent the ladies from trying to get close, exchanging pleasantries, yet still discreetly competing with each other.
Though it’s a private gathering, it is, to some extent, a reflection of political circles.
Forming cliques, flattering some while belittling others, in a circle of fewer than twenty, one can identify over thirty small groups...
He Yuzhi did not follow along in the excitement.
Silently sitting afar, she propped her chin, looking bored and uninterested.
Originally, she had only arranged to meet with a few close friends, but unexpectedly so many people came... She really had no interest in such intrigue, had it not been for her status, she would have already left.
"Lady Chen, long time no see."
At this moment, a female voice reached her ears.
He Yuzhi looked up, her face suddenly darkening, "What is it?"
Qin Shu, dressed in a water-green gown, stood before her, smilingly, "Oh nothing, just haven’t seen you for some time, and I found myself thinking about you..."
"Thinking about my early demise?" He Yuzhi retorted coldly.
"..."
Qin Shu’s smile stiffened slightly, shaking her head, "Lady, you misunderstood, I have no ill intentions."
"In the past, you always referred to yourself in front of me as ’madam’, now it’s suddenly ’this humble self’? Are you pretending to be young, like an old cucumber painted green?" He Yuzhi scrutinized her.
Qin Shu gently adjusted her skirt, sat nearby, and said, "Indeed, my son has erred and should comply with the investigation... Your son handles cases like a divine investigator, I believe soon, truth and falsehood will be discerned."
"Today, I am not here on behalf of the Yan Family but simply as Qin Shu, wishing to apologize for past behavior."
?
Seeing such a humble posture from the other, He Yuzhi found herself even more perplexed.
Feeling something might be off, yet unable to pinpoint the issue...
Qin Shu lightly bit her lip.
Although Chen Mo promised her release within five days, she still felt uncertain.
However, from previous encounters, Chen Mo seemed as stubborn and unyielding as a stone from a latrine pit, indifferent to her efforts, thus focusing more on He Yuzhi...
Since entrusting such crucial evidence to Chen Mo, she had already mentally prepared to sever ties with the Yan Family...
Yet one thing was certain, she absolutely must not implicate the Qin Family.
However, after all these years, the close connections between the two families made it almost impossible to completely sever the ties cleanly.
To prevent being implicated, she had to plan her escape route in advance.
"The crux of the problem still lies with Chen Mo."

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: I Became the Devil Queen's Heart Demon