Can't Dislike It, Can't Kill It

Qiao Xuan, however, harbored a wish for the banquet to be less enjoyable, perhaps even attracting more bandits…

Upon catching sight of Qiao Xuan, a surge of both old and fresh resentment flooded Fan Ruyin's heart, momentarily eclipsing her anxiety.

She pressed her lips together tightly, shooting Qiao Xuan a frigid glare before bowing her head and dutifully trailing behind First Madam Fan.

That was the extent of her efforts. She couldn't vie for Qiao Xuan's favor like the opportunists.

To avoid complicating matters further, she chose silence.

First Madam Fan greeted her with a smile and a discreet wink, signaling for her to impress Madam Shao. But her sister-in-law seemed too rattled by recent events to notice the gesture, nervously keeping her gaze lowered.

First Madam Fan couldn't afford to be too overt, fearing it might backfire or require coercion. Any verbal misstep due to nerves could be disastrous.