Mrs. Zhen understood well, but she didn’t mention Anhua Courtyard at all. Instead, she said, "Fourth sister-in-law, I have thought it over but couldn’t come up with a good place. I wonder if you have any suggestions? If there’s a feasible one, I can help you speak to the old lady."

Liao Family was subtly rebuffed, but she had her limits and could only hint. She couldn’t outright demand Anhua Courtyard from Mrs. Zhen and could only say awkwardly, "It’s just that I have no ideas, so I came to discuss it with you." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

The two sisters-in-law went around in circles a few times. Seeing that Mrs. Zhen wouldn’t relent, Liao Family had to give up, making an excuse to leave for lunch.

Once Liao Family left, Du Yunluo came out of the green gauze cabinet.

Mrs. Zhen waved her over to sit down beside her, and said softly, "When did Nannan wake up? Did you hear everything?"

"I heard it. Fourth Aunt almost had Anhua Courtyard written on her face." Du Yunluo snorted. It was true that young women eventually leave for marriage, but she hadn’t even gone through the small engagement yet, and already they were eyeing her courtyard, which was truly infuriating.

"She’s just being wishful. Don’t mind her, Nannan." Mrs. Zhen said while helping Du Yunluo straighten her long hair.

Shui Yue saw this and brought over a comb to help Mrs. Zhen do Du Yunluo’s hair.

Du Yunru walked in with a lake-green robe that complemented her complexion, making her look fresh and tender: "Mother, I heard that Fourth Aunt mentioned Anhua Courtyard?"

Mrs. Zhen didn’t answer, so Du Yunluo interjected, "She went around several times, but that was her intention."

Du Yunru sat on the embroidery stool and pinched Du Yunluo’s cheek: "Rest assured, we won’t let her have it. What nonsense about you being married off so that Fourth Uncle could settle into East Cross Courtyard? What a calculation!"

Du Yunru was evidently provoked by Liao Family’s words. Generally, the mention of her own marriage would make her blush, but now she was red from anger.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Zhen raised an eyebrow and glanced at her eldest daughter: "Who was gossiping in front of you? How do you know all this so clearly?"

Du Yunru stuck out her tongue and coquettishly said, "Mother!"

Du Yunluo giggled and hugged Mrs. Zhen’s waist, pleading, "If you ask me, Anhua Courtyard should be given to Fourth Brother. It doesn’t matter if East Cross Courtyard stays empty; it hasn’t been occupied anyway."

In previous years, Du Yunru lived in the Water Pavilion near Qinghui Garden. After her marriage was arranged, Mrs. Zhen couldn’t bear to part with her daughter and moved her to East Cross Courtyard, where she could see her day and night.

As for the Water Pavilion, it wasn’t spacious. It was petite and exquisite for a single girl, but a bit cramped for a couple. Moreover, its proximity to Qinghui Garden meant Liao Family didn’t consider it either.

Mrs. Zhen tapped the foreheads of her two daughters: "It’s fine to talk about it here, but don’t go spreading it outside. Whether Anhua Courtyard is occupied and to whom it’s given are all decided by the old lady, not your random thoughts!"

Old Mrs. Xia might not manage affairs personally, but when it comes to important matters, no one can bypass her.

Currently, Du Yunluo resides in Anhua Courtyard. Despite the urgency in Liao Family’s heart, she had to seek out Mrs. Zhen before heading to Lianfu Garden for permission.

If Mrs. Zhen disagreed, it was unpredictable how Liao Family would be received by Old Mrs. Xia.

But Liao Family was unwilling to wait patiently until Du Yunluo married and Anhua Courtyard was vacated. Who knew if it would still be available for the fourth house? Deep down, Liao Family suspected Mrs. Zhen might request Old Mrs. Xia to give Anhua Courtyard to Du Yundi.

With Du Gongfu’s fondness for Du Yundi, would Old Mrs. Xia even consider Du Yunlan?

Thus, Liao Family hurriedly sought a word from Mrs. Zhen, but Mrs. Zhen ignored it.

"Today, don’t let any of you spread gossip," Mrs. Zhen instructed.

Du Yunluo and Du Yunru nodded in agreement.

Anyway, even if the sisters didn’t say anything, Old Mrs. Xia would sooner or later hear some rumors.

Leaving aside the Qinghui Garden, Liao Family returned to Anfeng Courtyard, needing three cups of tea to quell her anger.

When Du Huai’en returned that night, Liao Family couldn’t help but mention again that since the second house took Chuanhua Courtyard, Anhua Courtyard should logically go to the fourth house.

Du Huai’en was impatient with these matters, and after Liao Family nagged for a quarter of an hour, he turned and went to rest at Aunt Mo’s, leaving Liao Family trembling with anger.

For several days, Du Huai’en avoided Liao Family as if evading her, either staying at the front courtyard or going to the West Courtyard, never spending a night in the main house.

Liao Family remained stern-faced daily, and Du Yunnuo became even more fearful. She was pleased Aunt Mo was favored, but feared Liao Family’s anger directed at her, living cautiously.

This carefulness did not escape Du Yunying’s notice, who couldn’t help but smile at the corners of her mouth.

Du Yunying understood this situation stemmed from Chuanhua Courtyard and secretly thought Liao Family overestimated herself, daring to covet Anhua Courtyard that even Miao Family didn’t dare touch. She felt a slight satisfaction, remembering she saw Miao Ruoshan and Du Yunnuo conversing on the day of the coming-of-age ceremony.

Even though she didn’t know what they discussed, having spent over a decade as sisters with Du Yunnuo, how could Du Yunying not understand Du Yunnuo’s nature?

Fanning the flames was indeed her strongest suit.

Du Yunying would not sympathize with Miao Ruoshan or hate Du Yunnuo for it. Who told Miao Ruoshan to be foolish and not stand straight, deserving to be schemed against?

She didn’t blame Miao Ruoshan at the time, and now with Du Yunnuo in trouble, Du Yunying was quite happy.

"Old lady, Mrs. Shi is here," Miao Family announced joyfully as she entered. Recently, she was the happiest, though she couldn’t show her schadenfreude. She endured with difficulty, and now with good news, she couldn’t contain her grin.

Mrs. Shi’s visit naturally pertained to Du Yunluo’s marriage.

Old Mrs. Xia also smiled and said, "Hurry, go welcome her."

Today, Mrs. Shi wore a russet pleated skirt with a top of Hangzhou silk with five bats in a hidden pattern, her black hair neatly combed. The whole look was radiant and jubilant.

She was here to deliver the eight characters matched by the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion: "Please take a look, old lady. It’s a perfect match, and in the future, the princely heir and young Luo girl will surely live harmoniously."

Old Mrs. Xia’s eyesight wasn’t what it used to be. Family letters from the first house often needed to be read to her, but she scrutinized this marriage result carefully herself.

In truth, everyone understood that with the Holy Emperor’s decree, regardless, the eight characters had to match perfectly. Whether said straightforwardly or implicitly, it had to be good news. Yet, Old Mrs. Xia was truly happy, for her favorite granddaughter undoubtedly needed a good marriage.

"A perfect match is excellent!" Old Mrs. Xia exclaimed in delight. "At this age, what I yearn for is my descendants’ good fortune."

Mrs. Shi smiled and complimented a few more words, saying, "At the Marquis Mansion, they asked me to discuss with the old lady. The seventh day of next month is a good day, so why not have the small engagement then? As for the wedding date, though we wish to marry earlier, we understand how dear young Luo girl is to your heart and dare not rush. We can set it after young Luo girl’s coming of age. What do you think?"