The cousin is beautiful but ruthless.

Chapter 190 The reception banquet

Three days later, Li Huaijiang gave them the news.

"We gathered information from the merchants and vendors around you and found out that the person who came to your residence was sent by a guy named Xu Ling. This Xu Ling is neither the Crown Prince's man nor Prime Minister Zhao's man; he comes from a Jianghu organization."

Yu Qi explained to Shen Hanyu in detail that these were all things he had found out.

He showed Shen Hanyu a general overview of the organization.

"It's getting harder to investigate further. We haven't found Xu Ling yet, so we don't know who the real employer is. Don't let your guard down lately."

Shen Hanyu thanked her.

Yu Qi looked around and saw that Pei Du had left people behind to make arrangements, so there was nothing to worry about.

A dark glint flashed in Shen Hanyu's eyes. It wasn't a good idea to always be passive like this. She had an idea.

Judging from Shen Hanyu's expression, Yu Qi probably knew that she had a way to deal with it.

"I'll handle this investigation. You should focus on your own things."

Shen Hanyu glanced at Yu Qi: "Your palace examination is coming up soon, there shouldn't be any problems, right?"

Yu Qi replied confidently, "Of course, no problem. You don't need to worry about that."

Shen Hanyu was not worried because she knew the outcome of her previous life.

After seeing Yu Qi off, Shen Hanyu wrote a note and gave it to Pei Du.

Jin Chui took the post to Pei Du, and after seeing the lineup, Pei Du changed his clothes.

"Enter the palace."

Jin Chui paused for a moment, then quickly followed.

"Young master, why do you suddenly want to go to the palace?"

By the time Pei Du emerged from the palace, news had already spread that Li Jiangui was preparing a welcoming banquet for him.

Pei Mingjian slammed down the book in his hand: "What is he trying to do?"

Having been back for so many days, I suddenly remembered the welcome banquet. What is Pei Du plotting this time?

More panicked than Pei Mingjian were Han Yueru and her son.

The two men had different expressions. Pei Xingzhi clenched his fist. Could it be that Pei Du was going to use the welcoming banquet to steal him away?

The fact that Li Jiangui was willing to host a welcome banquet for Pei Du at this time speaks volumes.

This was also what Pei Xingzhi was most unwilling to accept. Pei Du was really favored. He couldn't help but think that if he had been in the Duke's mansion from the beginning, he would definitely have received the same treatment.

Pei Xingzhi didn't tell anyone what he was thinking; he just sat there quietly and watched Pei Mingjian's attitude.

Pei Mingjian didn't understand what Li Jiangui was up to, but he definitely had to go to the welcome banquet.

Han Yueru was very worried about what might happen at the banquet, and she and Pei Xingzhi would definitely be the subject of a lot of gossip if they went to the welcoming banquet.

"Forget it, we'll find out what they're up to once we get there. There's no point in guessing here."

Pei Mingjian didn't think too much about it, assuming that Pei Du must have something to ask for.

Despite everyone having their own ulterior motives, the welcoming banquet was still held in a lively and bustling manner.

Shen Hanyu appeared with Pei Du.

"I have already spoken to Her Majesty the Empress; you can go see her directly."

Pei Du told Empress Wang what had happened in Shen Hanyu's residence, but omitted some details, which is why this welcoming banquet was held.

Shen Hanyu nodded: "Then I'll head over first."

She needed to resolve this matter completely, and could only turn to the Emperor and Empress for help.

Investigating someone within a gang is too troublesome. Xu Ling has probably already disappeared somewhere. The world is so vast, we can only deal with it from the root.

Upon arriving at Empress Wang's side, Shen Hanyu was led inside by the head palace maid.

"I heard about what happened a few days ago from Du'er. Poor child, you must have been terrified."

Empress Wang held Shen Hanyu's hand, looking at her with heartache.

Shen Hanyu feigned fear, “That day was indeed a bit scary. They sneaked into my residence without me noticing. Young Master Pei helped me investigate and said it was a Jianghu organization, but I don’t know why these people would come looking for me.”

Shen Hanyu sighed, and Empress Wang told her not to worry.

"They are all unregulated and low-level gangster organizations. His Majesty has already begun to prepare to send people to arrest those guys and prevent them from continuing to do evil outside."

Shen Hanyu has achieved her goal.

"Thank you, ma'am."

Empress Wang looked at Shen Hanyu and became more and more satisfied. She did not suspect that Shen Hanyu had any other purpose, after all, Shen Hanyu's performance was always excellent, both in the girls' school and in general.

"Alright, you can go now. Most of the people from the Marquis of Anping's residence have arrived. Don't you want to see your mother?" Empress Wang asked casually.

Shen Hanyu had indeed not seen Liang Fangrong for a long time, but she didn't have anything to do here, so she used this excuse to go to the banquet.

As soon as he entered, he bumped into Liang Fangrong.

Liang Fangrong was quite happy to see Shen Hanyu.

Miaoyi, how have you been lately?

Shen Hanyu is doing quite well, but Liang Fangrong looks different; she has lost a lot of weight.

Having finally run into each other, Shen Hanyu stopped and asked, "Isn't the Marquis's mansion treating Mother badly?"

Liang Fangrong pursed her lips and slowly lowered her head, only to see Xia speak.

"Madam has not had a good time lately... it's really not been a good time."

So many things happened in the Marquis's mansion that those people didn't really care about Liang Fangrong. After the Marquis's mansion was in dire straits, Liang Fangrong became like a ghost.

Moreover, Liang Fangrong wouldn't actively ask for anything; she knew that even if she did, the old lady and the others wouldn't care.

It can be said that Liang Fangrong's situation became even more difficult after Shen Hanyu left.

Liang Fangrong remained silent, but through Jian Xia's words, she spoke her mind.

Even without Xia saying it, Shen Hanyu could tell.

"Does Mother still think the Marquis's mansion is good?"

Liang Fangrong looked guilty. She used to use these words to lecture Shen Hanyu and make Shen Hanyu accept everything.

"If I had listened to my mother, things would probably be even worse now."

Shen Hanyu thought for a moment, and not long after, in her previous life she was sent to the Guangning Marquis's Mansion.

Although Shen Hanyu resented Guangningbo and the others the most for this matter, she also had many grievances against Liang Fangrong.

Liang Fangrong dared not speak anymore.

Shen Hanyu looked at Liang Fangrong, who had become much more timid now, just like in her previous life.

Seeing Xia supporting Liang Fangrong, she knew that Liang Fangrong had mentioned her guilt towards Shen Hanyu several times recently.

But everything is too late.

When Xia saw Shen Hanyu stop and talk to Liang Fangrong, she still had a fleeting illusion that Shen Hanyu would offer to take Liang Fangrong away.

Liang Fangrong probably thought so too, but Shen Hanyu didn't say it. She just asked a few more questions before going to find her friend.

Wei Ming crossed her arms and complained, "Why hasn't Yuxiu come back yet? It's been months!"

With everything settled at the border, Wei Ming thought Ji Yuxiu should have already set off, but she was still there.

"Let's wait a little longer." Shen Hanyu heard from Pei Du that Ji Yuxiu had postponed her return because there were still matters at the border that she needed to handle.