Old Mrs. Xia sat cross-legged on the Arhat Bed.
She wore a reddish-brown Ruyi Collar Buttoned Coat, paired with a skirt of the same color, and the fabric with a hidden pattern of cranes and pines. Her half-black, half-silver hair was neatly combed and secured with a green turquoise headband, giving her a poised and prosperous look.
Old Mrs. Xia gently patted Du Yunluo's waist with her raised hand, revealing a clear green jade bracelet from her sleeve.
"I heard from the servants that you've been having nightmares recently?" Old Mrs. Xia carefully watched Du Yunluo's eyes and, seeing no obvious dark circles, felt slightly relieved.
Du Yunluo replied, "Just nightmares, it happens once or twice a year, it's nothing serious."
"So you say," Old Mrs. Xia smiled kindly, "But did you rest well after last night's thunderstorm?"
The grandmother and granddaughter chatted about everyday trifles in detail.
The room was quiet, and they didn't lower their voices intentionally, so their conversation was heard by those around them.
Du Yunying's hands paused for a moment, but she didn't look up and continued with her task.
Miao Family's heart grew heavier.
Not long after, a small bowl in front of Du Yunying was filled with walnut kernels.
Old Mrs. Xia noticed and said unhurriedly, "Yun Ying, that's enough, just a bird, how much can it eat in one go? That should be fine, take it to the study."
Du Yunying agreed, wiped her hands with a handkerchief, and carefully carried the small bowl out.
Old Mrs. Xia continued, "Huaiping's wife, you seem busy, go ahead with your work, come back when you have time."
Huaiping's wife referred to Miao Family.
The Huaiping generation had four wives, the eldest wife from the Yang Family accompanied her husband on duty, so Old Mrs. Xia entrusted the household to Miao Family.
The work was tedious and tiring, but it was dignified and profitable, which Miao Family enjoyed.
Mrs. Zhen was frail and didn't like to be in the limelight, so Miao Family wasn't afraid of her vying for power. Instead, the fourth wife, from the Liao Family, secretly wanted a share.
Usually, when Old Mrs. Xia said such a thing, Miao Family would strut like a proud peacock in front of the Liao Family, happily listening to the reports of the daughters-in-law, but today...
Miao Family gritted her teeth.
There was something to be said to the third branch; this was a chance to send her and her daughter away.
Miao Family didn't speak but secretly glanced at the Liao Family, seeing the latter laughing heartlessly, she cursed quietly, "Fool!"
Old Mrs. Xia dismissed the second branch, how could she keep the fourth branch here to listen? Once she left, who knew what excuse would come up to send the Liao Family and Du Yunnuo away too.
Miao Family took a deep breath and forced a smile, "Old Mrs., I was thinking..."
Before she could finish, Old Mrs. Xia interrupted her.
"I know you're busy, so go on. I appreciate your devotion, there are plenty of people here to serve, you don't need to worry about that." Old Mrs. Xia said earnestly.
The fire in Miao Family's chest nearly burst out.
In the past, the gossiping matrons in Lianfu Garden often said Miao Family didn't know how to serve her mother-in-law, always busy with who knew what, that she came to pay respects like reporting for duty, and left after showing her face.
Upon hearing this, Miao Family was furious, she was busy all day yet accused of being lazy.
But those were all servants of Lianfu Garden, and Miao Family couldn't easily vent her dissatisfaction, so she could only fume in silence.
In fact, if it weren't for Old Mrs. Xia having a word, would the servants dare to speak like that?
Miao Family's hand clenched tightly inside her sleeve; given these circumstances, could she still say, "I'm not busy"?
Normally, if not for fear of the Liao Family dividing power, she would have told Old Mrs. Xia daily how hard and busy she was.
Miao Family forced a smile to her face, "Old Mrs. is considerate, but as a daughter-in-law, I must follow the rules."
Old Mrs. Xia laughed heartily, "Go on then, come back to chat with the old woman when you have time."
Having said so much, Miao Family had no way to stay, so she stood up, apologized, and left.
The Liao Family, being tactful, promptly requested to leave.
Du Yunnuo wanted to stay, her mind working quickly to find an excuse.
"Fourth sister," Du Yunluo suddenly said, seeing Du Yunnuo lift her head in confusion, and added, "the knot you were teaching me a few days ago, I couldn't get it right, could you show me again?"
Old Mrs. Xia nodded with satisfaction, "Young ladies should gather to make knots, embroider flowers, go on, the West Attic has good light, it won't hurt your eyes."
Du Yunnuo opened her mouth, unable to refuse, and had to be dragged away by Du Yunluo.
Once they were in the West Attic, Du Yunnuo shook off Du Yunluo's hand, "Do you really not know or are you pretending not to? Aunt is discussing your marriage with Grandmother, shouldn't you be paying attention now instead of leaving?"
Du Yunluo lowered her eyes and whispered, "I know."
"You know yet..." Du Yunnuo was helpless, "We were all there, if you spoke a little more gently, eldest sister and I could have helped persuade them, maybe it would have been dismissed..."
Du Yunluo curled her lips in a mocking smile.
Mrs. Zhen would reveal some truths to Old Mrs. Xia, truths that Du Yunluo didn't want Du Yunnuo to know.
She had deliberately misled Du Yunnuo a couple of days ago, and she didn't want Mrs. Zhen's few words to expose her, so she sent Du Yunnuo away.
Moreover, Du Yunnuo was adept at stirring things up, and her few words of persuasion would only make things worse.
"I know you're looking out for me, but think about it, Grandmother values rules and face, if she intends to refuse, my mother's few words won't matter, but if Grandmother intends to agree, and we oppose her, wouldn't that make her even angrier? If she insists I marry, what then?" Du Yunluo lowered her voice, whispering to Du Yunnuo.
Du Yunnuo thought it over, her reasoning made sense, but it didn't align with her intentions.
She wanted to watch the drama, to stoke the fire, but now she couldn't do either, which was frustrating.
"Do you think Grandmother will directly refuse after hearing Aunt's advice?" Du Yunnuo asked anxiously.
Du Yunluo shook her head, "Grandmother has her own considerations, no matter what my mother says, Grandmother will consult Grandfather before replying to Mrs. Shi."
Du Yunnuo nodded in thought.
Jin Ling brought the colorful threads for knotting, and Du Yunluo sat by the window, her hands deftly at work.
Du Yunnuo's mind was on the East Wing, but unfortunately, there was no sound from there, even if she strained her ears she couldn't catch a word, pacing back and forth, she finally sat down beside Du Yunluo.
"Mother will do her best to support me, being anxious is useless." Du Yunluo said softly.
Du Yunnuo mumbled a reply, resting her chin in her hands, looking out the window, thinking: Why is Du Yunying taking so long to deliver the walnuts? If she came back quickly, maybe they could still go to the East Wing to listen.
After a short wait, she saw a lithe figure in goose yellow coming in from outside the courtyard, Du Yunnuo's eyes lit up, "Third sister is back!"