mforted the several children, "Don't you know your elder brother's abilities""He used to go hunting in the mountains for half a month at a time. Didn't he always come back safely"Although she said so,...At this point, if they were to leave, they might not even see the sun rise again once they left Jinshu Mountain Villa.

Several socialites, of course, didn't dare to actually roll around. They gritted their teeth and sat through Yuan Xiangli's low pressure.

She erupted at the women's section, and the men over there could hear it all clearly. Zong Pingchuan was once again the object of everyone's sympathy.

People at the table had already begun to show him real sympathy.

"Lord Zong, this daughter of the prime minister is indeed difficult to serve. These years, you haven't had it easy."

These words are not dared to be spoken by those with lower official ranks. Those who dare to speak are almost all at the same level as Zong Pingchuan or even higher than him.

It's one thing to sympathize with someone in your heart, but it's another when someone else points it out and makes you feel sorry for yourself.

Zong Pingchuan has been keeping a low profile lately because of Yuan Xiangli and her son repeatedly embarrassing the family. Besides putting on a forced smile and waving his hand, he barely wants to utter a word.

But they were all just laughing at the joke under the pretense of sympathy.

"Ladies and gentlemen, before the banquet begins, I would like to formally introduce an elder to you all – my mother-in-law, Mu Yunhe."

"She is also the Matriarch of our Jinshu Mountain Villa. She is both my mother-in-law and my benefactor."

After Fang Jinshu finished her introduction, she glanced in Zong Pingchuan's direction. Even though it was just a quick glance, she noticed his pale and stiff face.

During banquets in Beijing, every household would arrange for their elders to come out. The opinions of elders held absolute weight, and Da Xi Chao placed great importance on filial piety.

Although the guests present didn't know Mrs. Mu, as long as she maintained the title of mistress of Jinshu Mountain Villa, even Fang Jinxiu would listen to her, and she would then be respected by everyone.

Everyone knows Fang Jinshi was previously married, but to this day no one has ever inquired about her husband's family name.

Only a few people know that her husband is much older than her. Besides, with her youngest son and daughter being so grown up, the mother-in-law must also be an elderly woman.

The moment Mu appeared in the hall, dressed in vibrant colors, many people's faces were filled with surprise.

"Is this Fang Jinshui's mother-in-law She looks so young!"

"She doesn't look like a grandmother who has given birth to three children at all; she clearly is a woman with lingering charm."

“No, you see her youngest son is already eighteen or nineteen, and the eldest son is even older. It's impossible for her to be a young widow.”

"Even if it's not fifty, there are over forty, right"

A young man stared intently at Mu Shi, his eyes blinking not even once, muttering to himself.

"Is that so But she looks to be only in her thirties, more like a sister to Lady Fang than her mother-in-law."

"My goodness, over forty How is Mrs. Mu maintaining such good looks"

Women are always concerned about beauty and skincare. They can't wait to get in touch with the Mu family to inquire about their skincare secrets.

In fact, the Mu family had never done any proper skincare. Before meeting Jinshu, she was almost too sick to live, her body left with only skin and bones, aging like a decrepit old woman, ready to die at any moment.

In recent years, the daughter-in-law has been busy making medicinal meals and supplements for her health. She also gives her a facial balm, claiming it can't be bought outside.

Mu Shi just lived her normal life. When she heard these words, she was too embarrassed to even describe it.

Do you really, truly look this young now

She rarely looked in the mirror in her daily life. Every day, she would wash up and get dressed after waking up, then come to the courtyard to find her grandson and spend time with him. However, last night, after Jinxiu had finished dressing herself up, she was startled when she saw her reflection in the mirror.

Of course, Mu Shi, after putting on makeup, was different from her usual self.

Makeup covered most of the traces of age on her face. The Mu family's features were originally quite beautiful, and Fang Jinshu made them even more delicate and prominent, magnifying Mu's beauty that had been ignored for over a decade.

Zong Pingchuan was long past being able to regain his composure, his expression blank and wooden.

If Fang Jinshu hadn't said that the woman's name was Mu Yunhe and that her young son Zongbai stood beside her, he simply wouldn't have believed his eyes.

Mu shi actually appeared before him.

Apart from shock and a creeping fear, Zong Pingchuan was also stirred by Mu Shi's familiar beauty, recalling many past memories.

They were childhood companions. Mu was the daughter of his teacher, and they studied together at school, becoming close friends and even sharing a period of love.

Teenage feelings are the most sincere. Even someone as selfish and cold as Zong Pingchuan, upon seeing Mu's face again, his features almost blended with the youthful innocence of his memory, he actually felt a twinge of guilt and pain in his heart.

His fist clenched tightly under his sleeve. If he hadn't restrained himself, he would have almost blurted out Mu's maiden name.""Do you want to be like those who are irresponsible and start relationships without thinking of the end"She put on an act of great vulnerability, and with her delicate beauty and charming looks, the...