Upon exiting the Beast-fighting Palace, Wufu approached her family’s carriage to bid a temporary farewell to Changping and the others. She still needed to dress in accordance with her rank as a County Lord for the Imperial Banquet.

"Congratulations, County Magistrate Ruifu." A not-so-friendly voice broke into the scene of farewells.

Wufu turned around and saw Song Wei dressed in his Princely Heir attire, casually playing with a whip in his hands, and looking at her with a half-smiling expression.

Upon seeing Song Wei, Changping looked completely displeased, embarrassed, and uncomfortable.

"You should go ahead." Wufu told her to leave first.

Changping, not wanting to face Song Wei herself, said, "Be careful, see you later."

Wufu nodded with a smile.

As Changping left, Song Wei approached, fixing Wufu with a gaze that was both complex and intense.

"Crown Prince Song, do you have matters to discuss?" Wufu looked at him calmly.

"You two had met each other long ago, why pretend not to know each other?" Song Wei said, "Prince Jin arrived in Nanyue early with this intention, which truly makes me curious and suspicious. I’m sure His Majesty feels the same way."

Wufu replied, "Isn’t Prince Jin’s intention the same as Crown Prince Song’s? Both came for Empress Dowager’s millennial celebration, oh, and for the cooperation between the two countries in opening the trade routes. Or, does Crown Prince Song have other intentions?"

Song Wei’s face darkened slightly.

"As for me, I must prepare my formal attire, so I won’t be chatting idly with Crown Prince Song." Wufu gave a slight smile and turned to board the carriage.

Song Wei snorted and left quickly.

"Zhou Wufu."

Just as Wufu sat in the carriage, a small figure rushed over. Upon focusing her eyes, she saw it was Wu Yining, her eyes red and glaring at Wufu like a man-eating demon.

"What did Crown Prince Song say to you?" Wu Yining shrieked, "You’ve already stolen the limelight, and now you want to seduce Crown Prince Song too?"

Seeing Song Wei and Wufu talking together, Wu Yining was about ready to explode like a small universe, charging over without thinking.

"Slap her!" Wufu spoke indifferently.

Slap slap.

Mo Lan, standing at the carriage door, immediately delivered two slaps to Wu Yining’s face.

This scene was witnessed by Madam Wang and Wu Lihong, who quickly rushed over.

Wu Yining, stunned by the hits, burst into loud tears, attracting the attention of many onlookers.

"May I ask the County Lord, what did my daughter do wrong for you to lay hands on her?" Madam Wang, furious, looked dissatisfiedly at Wufu seated in the carriage.

The high-and-mighty attitude of the other party truly strained her eyes.

"What did she do wrong?" Wufu did not dismount, and seeing the crowd gathering, raised her voice, "Madam Wu, may I ask what official rank is your husband? And what rank is mine? Have you paid your respects to the County Lord yet?"

Madam Wang and Wu Lihong’s faces stiffened.

"It turns out that raising such a rude daughter is due to the example set by the parents! Your daughter not only failed to pay her respects to the County Lord but dared to question the County Lord, spouting vile words. Crown Prince Song merely asked me a few questions, and you claim I was trying to seduce him. Miss Wu, upon what grounds do you question me? By what do you presume I intend to seduce Crown Prince Song?"

"If you can’t speak correctly, then it’s best not to speak at all. Disciplining you is to help you understand what respect and hierarchy mean." Wufu sneered, "If you do not understand manners and your parents have failed to teach you, I, the County Lord, can petition Virtuous Consort to grant you a governess to educate you on the virtues of propriety, honor, integrity, and shame!"

These words, both satirical and threatening, reached the ears of many, who began to view Wu Lihong’s family as little more than jesters, pointing and whispering amongst themselves.