The afternoon sun filtered through the paulownia leaves, casting dappled light onto the cobblestone path. Shen Niantang accompanied He Yanjing as they saw Lu Hanze out. Just as the three reached the courtyard gate, a shrill female voice pierced the tranquility.
"Well, well, isn't this the precious young lady of our Shen Residence?"
Shen Niantang’s footsteps faltered. She looked up to see Chen Jinlan standing outside the iron gate with her hands on her hips. She was wearing a garish, floral-print top, and her permed hair puffed up atop her head like a clump of withered grass. Her fingers, coated in blood-red nail polish, were gripped tightly onto the iron bars, her eyes brimming with malice.
Chapter 25