Du Yunru shifted her body and looked sideways at Du Yunluo.

Having been through this herself, she understood Du Yunluo’s current state of mind very well. Du Yunru reached out, covered Du Yunluo’s cheek with her hand, and said with a smile, "You too, just sleep, and everything will be fine. It’s still more than a year until your coming of age, no need to worry now."

Du Yunluo responded softly and leaned closer to her elder sister.

She still had more than a year, but for Du Yunru, it was less than three months until her marriage.

The thoughts lingered in her mind, yet she didn’t voice them. After all, Du Yunru wouldn’t want these emotions to take over.

When Mrs. Zhen returned to Anhua Courtyard, Jin Ling lowered her voice and said, "Madam, the two young ladies have fallen asleep together."

"Asleep?" Mrs. Zhen was taken aback. She tiptoed to the window and glanced inside, seeing the sisters nestled together in a nap. She felt a tug at her heart and couldn’t help but smile, "Really! Both of them are already being considered for marriage, and yet they’re still like this."

With three parts reproach and seven parts affection, Mrs. Zhen shook her head with a smile and turned to return to Qinghui Garden.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Wu left Du Mansion and headed to Dingyuan Marquis Mansion.

Madam Wu was sitting on the pear wood Arhat Bed in the Warm Pavilion, carved with symbols of blessing, prosperity, and longevity. Surrounded by maids and old servant women, she chatted amiably with several daughters-in-law.

Upon seeing Mrs. Wu’s return, Mrs. Lian got up to greet her. After a few pleasantries, the conversation naturally turned back to Du Yunluo.

"She truly is a fine-looking girl. In the capital, I frequent the inner courtyards of many official families and have seen numerous young ladies from prestigious families. But honestly, in terms of appearance, Fifth Miss Du ranks among the top," Mrs. Wu said with a smile. "Her face is like a goose egg, and her eyes speak volumes—truly charming."

Mrs. Lian smiled with pursed lips, "For you to praise her like this, she must indeed have a wonderful appearance."

Mrs. Wu was about to offer more praise when she noticed Mrs. Zhou’s indifferent expression and Madam Wu’s subtle brow movement. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly came to her senses.

Being a mother-in-law or senior relative, the requirements for a daughter-in-law extend beyond just beauty. On the contrary, excessive beauty might not necessarily be a good thing in their eyes.

Feeling favorably toward the Du Family, Mrs. Wu didn’t want her words to leave a bad impression of Du Yunluo on Madam Wu and Mrs. Zhou, so she quickly added, "It’s not just her beautiful appearance; she also has a stable and appropriate personality. Madam Wu, she’s exactly what we back home call ’dependable.’

"Oh?" Madam Wu put down her teacup, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "We had heard she was lively and not dull."

"Well, after all, she’s still at the cusp of maidenhood and a treasured pearl at home, indulging playfully before her parents. It’s natural to be lively. Madam Wu, look at my fourth girl; she took a tumble last time, acting as if nothing happened in front of you, but cried and fussed once she got home. When I rolled up her pant leg, it was just a little scrape. To the unknowing, it would have seemed like she twisted her ankle," Mrs. Wu said, laughing heartily.

Madam Wu nodded, "That’s true. Around me, there are only a bunch of rough and tough boys, making one want to give them a good beating every day. I almost forgot how different young girls are; they’re real treasures, able to entertain themselves all afternoon. Remember when Yuanmin was like that as a child?"

Mu Yuanmin, Madam Wu’s only daughter, remembering her childhood softened Madam Wu’s smile considerably.

Madam Wu asked a few more things about the Du Family. Knowing that Mrs. Wu’s visit went smoothly, she felt more at ease and turned to Mrs. Lian, "Although I’ve not met this child, since you all speak so well of her, she must be quite decent."

Du Yunluo, as a prospective niece-in-law, was specifically chosen by Mrs. Lian. While true feelings couldn’t be disclosed to Madam Wu, now that things were settled, Mrs. Lian couldn’t help but relax and said, "Rest assured."

Mrs. Zhou, who had remained silent, softly spoke up, "To this point, my heart is halfway settled. Being lively is still better than being dull and wooden."

This was a frank statement.

Madam Wu gave her eldest daughter-in-law a deep look. She understood Mrs. Zhou’s intention. After years of continual setbacks, Dingyuan Marquis Mansion was lifeless. If they had a new daughter-in-law who loved to laugh and talk, it would add some cheer.

Mrs. Lian, keenly observant, glanced between Madam Wu and Mrs. Zhou and clapped her hands together, "Truly, the mansion hasn’t hosted a happy event in quite some time. Madam Wu, why not let Lian Cheng marry Yu Nuan into the mansion within the year?"

Madam Wu’s smile froze, and she looked deeply at Mrs. Lian. A frail figure with tear-streaked cheeks came to her mind. After a long pause, she finally sighed deeply, "You decide."

Mrs. Lian nodded, eyes lowered.

After seeing Mrs. Wu out, Mrs. Zhou hesitated and said, "Regarding Yu Nuan, Madam Wu..."

Madam Wu waved her hand to interrupt Mrs. Zhou, her tone low and weary, "Go and inform Yuan Ming’s wife; she ought to know."

Mrs. Zhou sighed quietly and nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, in Lianfu Garden at Du Mansion, Ninth Madam of the Miao Family had also returned.

Xia Anxin’s wedding was scheduled for May of the following year, still almost a year away, which, calculating carefully, wasn’t too rushed.

Old Mrs. Xia was particularly pleased, nagging Mrs. Miao a bit before bringing up Du Yunying’s marriage.

"Don’t blame me for delaying; I’m just hoping Yunying can marry into a good family. You know the situation at our house best. After all, circumstances aren’t what they used to be. If Old Master was still holding a position in the court, choosing a family for Yunying wouldn’t be so troublesome," Old Mrs. Xia sighed, shaking her head. Glamour is of the past. Since Du Gongfu left his official post, the Du Family’s fortunes have been declining. "Now, with Yunluo marrying well, it provides some level of improvement."

Mrs. Miao held her breath, her smile somewhat sheepish.

She hoped that Du Yunluo’s advantageous marriage could elevate the Du Family, but Old Mrs. Xia’s candidness—and highlighting Yunying’s marriage also relying on Du Yunluo—made her a bit uncomfortable.

Recalling the comments from the visiting ladies at Du Yunying’s coming of age ceremony, Mrs. Miao couldn’t help but clench her hands tightly at her side.

Those people wanted connections with Dingyuan Marquis Mansion but were reluctant to let their own daughters "take risks." Seeing Du Yunluo’s advantageous marriage, they targeted the Du sisters.

Mrs. Miao was indignant. Didn’t they realize? Even if they were willing to send their daughters to Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, the mansion might not even want them. For such opportunistic families, she couldn’t bear to let Du Yunying marry into them.

Yet such thoughts couldn’t be voiced in front of Old Mrs. Xia. Mrs. Miao kept her head lowered, took a few deep breaths, and said, "You’re thoughtful regarding Yunying, and I am aware, Mother-in-law."

Old Mrs. Xia chuckled lightly, "Alright, let’s not speak of this anymore. We aren’t in a hurry to send Yunying out; no need to rush the decision. The more you think and inquire, the fewer mistakes you’ll make."

Mrs. Miao agreed verbally, though her heart remained somewhat anxious.