On New Year's Eve, Jiang Wan and Princess Ya Zheng, accompanied by the queen's trusted attendant, arrived at Lian Hua's residence. Amidst the repeated announcements of their arrival, they directly entered the small reception hall where Jiang Wan was listening to the conversation between the attendants in the courtyard. Upon hearing the news of their arrival, he immediately stood up and smiled to greet them.

  After the three of them exchanged greetings, they sat down in order of precedence. The matron who had been accompanying the guests, bowed to the two visitors and then turned to Jiang Wanruo, seated at the side, saying: "Third Young Mistress, the princess said 'In a little while, she will have the Crown Prince's wife come to welcome our honored guests, and they can dine together in the Fragrant Pavilion.'" Jiang Wanruo listened to this obvious attempt to exclude herself, her face not showing any displeasure. She nodded slightly with a smile, saying: "Yes, please trouble yourself to inform the princess and the Crown Prince's wife, I understand."

  The maid who had been attending to the princess left, and Jiang Wanlin couldn't help but glance at Princess Yazheng, who was sitting in the main seat. She wore a bright red cloak with beautiful floral patterns, which she hadn't loosened after entering the room. Instead, two maidservants behind her helped adjust it, covering her body heavily, pulling up the fallen collar to frame her neck, revealing only her bright and pretty face. Her gaze was now rudely scanning the decorations in the small hall.

  Jiang Wanmu smiled slightly and said to the housekeeper who was still standing beside her, "You follow the old rules. Tomorrow is New Year's Day, you go and arrange things quickly." The housekeeper replied softly, "Yes", she bowed to the three people sitting in the room one by one and retreated. Ji Yan, who had been standing behind Jiang Wanmu, followed the housekeeper out under her gaze. The two maidservants who came into the room afterwards were sent by Wang Fei to replace Shu Yu and Shu Xiang.

  Jiang Wan-yi sat in the guest seat. Seeing Jiang Wan-mu's calm demeanor, she took care of these matters. She looked at the respectful expression on the face of the housekeeper, and then at the two maids who came in afterwards, whose appearance was exceptionally good-looking, but it was clear that they were following Jiang Wan-mu's lead. She looked at Jiang Wan-mu's relaxed and calm smile, and thought back to her first year, when she was busy taking care of household chores. Her face had a smile on it, but her eyes showed a hint of anger and resentment.

  Jiang Wan-yi glanced at her and smiled, saying: "Third sister, I see that the capable people in this courtyard are now all listening to your orders. Third sister is really talented, able to gain Third Master's favor so quickly." Jiang Wan-yi's clear and provocative words attracted Ya Zheng Gong Zhu's attention. She stared fiercely at Jiang Wan-yu, carefully sizing her up from head to toe, taking in the subtle smile on her face. Then she said lightly: "The people of the Wang Fu have always been strict about rules."

  Jiang Wanmu's expression was calm and collected, without a hint of joy. It made Princess Ya Zheng's annoyed expression dissipate somewhat. She smiled and asked Jiang Wanmu, "Your Highness, has anyone mentioned to you about going with the Emperor to admire the snow in the suburbs?" Jiang Wanmu looked at her with a surprised face after hearing this, saying, "How would they mention such an important matter to me? I only know that Your Highness is extremely busy and hasn't been seen for many days."

  Jiang Wanru finished speaking, her eyes slightly lowered, and a hint of disappointment flashed across her face. Yajing Gongzhu saw this and suddenly felt much better, smiling as she said: "Hao, you've always disliked chatting excessively with women. As his wife, it's only right that you care about him. In the future, you should ask him more often, at least help him pack his bags." Yajing Gongzhu spoke as if a proper wife instructing a concubine. Jiang Wanyi heard this and a smile spread across her face.

  Jiang Wanmu raised her head, saying in surprise: "This matter has a special person to take care of it by the master's side. There is no need for me to worry about it. If I were to send someone over to ask too many questions, the master would be annoyed. As long as I stay in the courtyard and mind my own business, that's enough." Jiang Wanmu knew that now was a busy time for every household, only idle people with nothing better to do would have the leisure to interfere in other people's affairs. Jiang Yiyu was an important person in the Lian estate, not an idle person. And Princess Ya Zheng was getting married next year, she should also be busy and wouldn't be an idle person either.

  After Jiang Wanru married, she would often hear people outside talking about Lian Huaofu, saying "That fool, how can he be worthy of the young prince?" "Haha, poor Third Master Lian is such a great person, but to marry such a woman, it's really a waste." These kinds of words, Jiang Wanru had heard since she was little and had grown numb to them, as if listening to someone else's business. Only after hearing flattering words would she feel indignant and mutter to herself, cursing those who spoke ill of her, "May they trip when going out the door and stumble when coming in." Jiang Wanru would shake her head and say: "They're not related to you, why bother getting angry?"

  At this time, the good people didn't come. Jiang Wanru understood better than anyone else. Since she married Lian Zimo, she had become a thorn in her own heart. By marrying into the Lian royal family, she gave them an opportunity and reason to directly reject Princess Yazheng's implicit and explicit suggestions of wanting to marry Lian Hao. Because of this matter, Princess Yazheng could get along with anyone, but from then on, her relationship with Jiang Wanru was nothing more than a superficial acquaintance. The day after Lian Hao got married, there was no news from them again. It seemed they must have heard the rumors. Now they came over just to see Jiang Wanru's pathetic and fallen state.

  The two of them didn't even bother to exchange pleasantries, and instead went straight to the point. Jiang Wan saw that Jiang Wan was lightly responding to her words, and the anger and resentment on Princess Ya's face when she arrived had actually turned into a smile after listening to her repeatedly. Jiang Wan felt even more resentful in her heart, as Jiang Wan had not been treated well at the Wang Manor, and she had secretly been delighted about it. But unexpectedly, her husband had heard some news from somewhere, and over the past few months, he had come to their room many times, but most of the time was spent hinting to her that she should show concern for her own sister.

  Jiang Wan Yi hid the hatred in her eyes and smiled as she spoke: "Princess, my younger sister, when I was at home, I didn't think she was particularly good-looking. But after not seeing her for a few months, now that I look at her, I think she's quite pretty, and her temperament is especially attractive. It seems that Third Young Master has put his heart into it, looking at the decorations in this room, it's clear that he regards her as someone dear to him." As Jiang Wan Yi spoke, she smiled with half-covered mouth, her expression clearly one of delight. The smile on Ya Zheng Princess's face became even brighter and more radiant.

  Jiang Wanmu looked up at the red-clad figure, Jiang Wanyi, who was half-covering her mouth with a smile. She could no longer see the radiance that once shone on her sister's face. This elder sister had spent years in the Jiang and Lian households, vying for favor among the concubines, but always seemed to fall short. She didn't have Madame Jiang's cunning, but she had learned to be just as ruthless. Her temperament hadn't acquired Madame Jiang's patience, yet she often put on the airs of a legitimate wife. Lian Zimu was originally a bastard son, and having such an elder sister constantly reminded him of the difference between legitimacy and illegitimacy.

  Men are passionate, but only when their passion is at its peak. Under the impact of time, day by day, the family's disputes continue, and even the deepest affection cannot withstand the wear and tear of time. Jiang Wanruo, in Lian Wangfu, could hear rumors even in such a state of neglect. Moreover, it was said that Lian Zimo's favorite concubine, who was deeply loved, once slipped up and told someone that "when Master gets drunk, he often regrets not keeping his promise and doing things properly, saying that having this legitimate wife is heavenly punishment."

  The young master's wife came over two days ago and told Jiang Wanru about the disposal of Shu Xiang and Shu Yu, saying: "Wanru, those two have been with Hao for many years, and we can't let them get cold feet. I'm taking charge and giving them to the small servants in the outer courtyard. The princess heard about it and specially selected two useful people to come over. You use them for a while, if they don't work out, I'll replace them for you." Jiang Wanru listened and nodded with a smile: "The young master's wife is doing things properly, thank you for handling it this way. The people by the princess's side are naturally easy to use."

  The crown prince's wife, before leaving, amusingly told Jiang Wanru about the words of Lianzi Mo's concubine, and said with a smile: "I originally thought he was at least a responsible person, but now it seems that he is also an irresponsible person. No wonder his studies are not progressing, and he is busy every day with several wives and concubines in his household, which is enough for him to focus on. Wanru, now it seems that you are a lucky person." Jiang Wanru just smiled and didn't speak, the crown prince's wife's words and actions were absolutely not excessive, she said this to remind herself.

  She glanced at the smile on her face, but in reality, she was about to get angry. She looked again and saw Jiang Wan clearly wanting to add fuel to the fire. She smiled lightly and sighed, saying: "As the eldest son of the Wang family, you will not do anything that goes against the rules of the Wang family. With the new year approaching, all the decorations in the house are changed according to the old tradition. I have always dreamed of becoming as beautiful as a flower, but this appearance is innate, how can it be changed? However, when I was at home before, I loved wearing simple clothes. Originally, my looks were ordinary, and with that dress and makeup, standing among my sisters who were as beautiful as flowers, made me look even more dull and unnoticeable.

  In the palace, every season's new clothes, the prince's wife is carefully arranged, and each style is extremely thoughtful. I naturally recognize the prince's wife's goodness and think that I should live up to her kindness. Of course, I will cherish and wear each piece. Today, telling Young Madam this, she instead says that the brocade dress's splendor is my face's splendor, really making me ashamed. Alas, looking at the princess's beauty and Young Madam's appearance, for a while I don't dare go out and see people, my appearance really is embarrassing our master.

  Jiang Wan-yi didn't expect that Jiang Wan-mei, who used to be straightforward and blunt, could now speak so eloquently. The woman in front of her, who had a hint of shyness when speaking to outsiders, was smiling calmly and serenely, with an air of confidence and without any attempt to curry favor. However, as she spoke, she subtly praised herself while also mentioning the Jiang family's indifference towards her in the past. Such a woman, if she were outside, would make people doubt that she was illiterate and couldn't write. Jiang Wan-yi secretly resented Lian Zi-mo for teaching this person to recognize characters back then.

  Princess Yazheng carefully examined Jiang Wan's eyebrows and eyes, laughing and saying: "A man as handsome as Lian Hao is really... haha, but I'm glad to see it." Princess Yazheng laughed heartily. When the Crown Prince's wife came in, she saw Princess Yazheng smiling with joy in the room, covering her surprised expression, and said with a smile: "Princess, the Queen asked me to come and welcome you."

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  Hard study