A mask? Tan Yuwen was a little surprised, a flicker of curiosity crossing her beautiful eyes. Someone who still wore a mask on an occasion like this...
Taishu Zheng chuckled and said somewhat awkwardly, "This is Chief Steward White, the chief of guards my third brother recently recruited."
Tan Yuwen's doubts only deepened. She could not understand why a chief of guards was seated here, let alone why he kept his mask on. But she was socially adept, and her smile remained as gracious as ever. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Chief Steward White!"
"You're too kind, Miss Tan." Chen Mu returned her greeting. His passing thought of Lei Zi had dampened his spirits, and Tan Yuwen's allure seemed to have faded considerably in his eyes as a result. His expression was composed, his gaze clear and calm.
Chen Mu was undoubtedly no more than a brief interlude. Tan Yuwen's gaze fell on Xu Jia beside him, and her beautiful eyes lit up. "You're so lovely, sister! Meeting someone as beautiful as you has made this trip worthwhile," Yu Wen said. The men at the table could only exchange wry smiles, yet none of them found her words offensive.
"I wouldn't dare compete with you in beauty, little sister. That would be far too disheartening!" Xu Jia said with a warm smile.
The two soon fell into an animated conversation.
"And you and Chief Steward White are...?" Tan Yuwen asked, sounding a little exploratory. Xu Jia's poise stood out even among the women she had met, and upon learning that she was Taishu Cheng's chief secretary, Tan Yuwen could not help glancing at Chen Mu.
Xu Jia answered deftly, "I'm Chief Steward White's companion this evening."
Tan Yuwen smiled knowingly. "The Third Young Master certainly has no shortage of