Jiang Wanmu sighed and said, "Brother Yi, you treat your wife with all your heart, so naturally she is willing to use all her energy for you. She takes care of you and your children with all her might because you are worth it. But I don't have someone like that, nor do I want to put in effort for people who aren't related to me." Chu Xiao was considered a good man in Jiang Wanmu's eyes. Before getting married, he also had a concubine in the house, but later on, as the couple got along better and better, they dismissed the concubine and didn't take in any new ones.

  Jiang Wan said to herself, thinking back on her life, which had only been a short decade or so, but due to all sorts of hardships and difficulties, she had been transformed from an open and cheerful woman into someone with a bleak outlook. She wondered how many more years of effort it would take for her to recover her original nature and be able to smile freely at the world again. Alas, being born in an era that viewed women as inferior, she could only find her own way out in a narrow space, making it even harder for women.

  She glanced at Jiang Wanru, who looked bitter, and said: "You, you say you're not careful, but your thoughts are heavy. Some things shouldn't be thought about too much, lest they harm your body. Although plans can't keep up with the rapid changes in reality, it's better to have some preparation than none. You've made 99 steps of effort, if you can't reach the 100th step, it can only be said that fate is predetermined, but you've tried your best. Relax and wait until next summer, I believe everything will fall into place. Three years later, when you return to Beijing, my sister-in-law and I will take you to meet our family."

  Jiang Wanru listened with a smile and nodded, she understood the intentions of Chu Xiao's couple, they wanted to bring themselves into the Chu family, but hoped that more people would treat them well. However, relatives outside of blood ties were always hard to come by. If she hadn't entered the Wang Fu, perhaps there would have been an opportunity to borrow a home through marriage. But after entering the Wang Fu, she gradually lost that heart, and having a family seemed like just a dream. In the past when it snowed, she stood alone in the snowy ground, often feeling that this vast white earth was empty, leaving only herself behind. Now sometimes she felt more attached, thinking that there were still people in this world who thought of her.

  "Brother, if I can settle down safely in Zhongnan, you and your wife should come visit me when you have time. I'll take you on a tour of the world." Jiang Wanmu spoke to Chu Xiao with ease, leaning against the carriage wall with an extremely relaxed expression. Ji Yan had never seen Jiang Wanmu like this before. Many times, Jiang Wanmu's face wore a smile, but inside, she was very cold towards people. Now, her words and tone showed affection towards Chu Xiao and his wife.

  Ji Yan quietly raised her eyes. She sized up the majestic man sitting opposite, seeing him listening to Jiang Wanru's words with a gentle expression. The man felt Ji Yan's gaze and gave her a light glance, immediately forcing her to lower her head. Ji Yan lowered her eyelids, not daring to look at the man again. She couldn't understand why Jiang Wanru wasn't afraid of that man, but instead could get close to him and say things she wouldn't normally say to others. Jiang Wanru saw this scene, seeing Ji Yan lower her head again, while Chu Xiao's eyes shone with laughter, leaving her speechless.

  Ji Yan gripped the fabric package in front of her chest, and her mind had not yet awakened from the reality of Jiang Wan's intimacy with Chu Xiao. She heard Jiang Wan ask again: "Brother, what has your sister been busy with these days? I haven't seen her for some time." That man actually answered Jiang Wan's trivial question, "The maids by her side have grown up. She is eager to help them settle down and get married." Ji Yan felt at ease after hearing the man respond to Jiang Wan, thinking that her own brother would also ask her about trivial matters like clothes and food.

  Jiang Wanru heard Chu Xiao say this, and after thinking for a moment, she continued to ask: "Brother-in-law, when your sister arranged the marriage for the maid, would she only choose young masters from your own household?" Chu Xiao glanced at Jiang Wanru, not knowing why she was interested in such matters today, but still calmly told her: "I also think that my sister is too particular about this matter. However, she said 'Choosing from our own household's young masters, everyone knows each other's background, and it won't be unfair to those who have served her wholeheartedly over the years. Moreover, staying behind can also take care of some things.' My sister has carefully nurtured these maids, one by one, and they all seem obedient."

  Chu Xiao rarely explained things in such detail, and Jiang Wanru was overjoyed. Jiang Wanru had always been worried about Fang Zheng's marriage, hoping he would marry someone he liked, while also hoping the woman would be virtuous. Fang Zheng was talented in business and good at seizing opportunities. It was rare for him to be so devoted to Jiang Wanru now, making her feel she could trust him completely. Jiang Wanru had always been worried that he would be blinded by a woman's appearance, as a woman's influence on a man could have a profound effect, like water dripping through stone. Jiang Wanru hoped this matter could end well for both parties.

  She believed in Chu Yang's character and knew that the maid she used was always elegant and clever, not someone who would use such a clumsy person. Jiang Wan thought for a moment, then leaned forward and said to Chu Xiao: "Brother, I have a capable person, he is diligent and loyal to me, if business goes well in the future, he will naturally be the one in charge. He is handsome, has never been engaged, and wants a woman who is understanding and good at getting along with people. Brother, your wife's vision has always been accurate, can you help me think of a way to bring it up with her?"

  Chu Xiao gave Jiang Wanru a glance, understanding her intentions, and said directly to her: "Hm, this kind of woman's affairs, you'll come out with your sister-in-law in a few days. Hm, your sister-in-law knows that you're the third miss of the Jiang family, and she cried for half a night because of it, and gave me the cold shoulder for three days. When you see your sister-in-law, remember to tell her that it was you who asked me not to expose you." Chu Xiao glanced at Ji Yan, who was pretending to be deaf and dumb, and his expression slightly improved. Jiang Wanru listened in shock and exclaimed: "Brother-in-law, won't it be because I let you give the Ping'an jade to sister-in-law that she found out?"

  She nodded and sighed, "She was delighted to have that piece of jade in her hand, saying it was a good jade. I told her it was a peaceful jade, she fell silent for a while, then clenched her fist and rushed towards me, saying you're the legendary third miss. Then she started complaining about herself, and eventually began blaming me. Xiao Lan, this disaster is caused by you, so you have to help your brother make things right. So, there's no need for me to beat around the bush when it comes to the people around you, she already knows the truth, no need to hide it anymore. You go talk to her about that matter, as long as that person is worthy, your sister-in-law will support them."

  The horse carriage slowed down, but it was still not far from the right side gate of the Wang Mansion. Chu Xiao signaled to stop the carriage, and he sat in the carriage looking at Jiang Wanru and Ji Yan getting off, the two standing on one side of the carriage, immediately ordering: "Return quickly." The horse carriage galloped away quickly, disappearing from Jiang Wanru and Ji Yan's sight in the blink of an eye. Ji Yan looked at Jiang Wanru's expression beside him, softly comforting her: "Miss, that gentleman must have had urgent business to attend to, so he had to leave in such a hurry." Jiang Wanru looked at the not-too-distant right side gate of the Wang Mansion, shaking her head and saying: "He wanted us to take a shortcut, but as a result, we had to stop too close to the right side gate of the Wang Mansion. Fortunately, they left quickly and didn't let the people from the Wang Mansion see them."

  Jiang Wanru and Ji Yan walked towards the right side gate, where a thick layer of snow had already accumulated on the ground. The short distance they needed to walk was more difficult than usual. After entering the right side gate, the two of them headed towards the courtyard, where people passing by would greet them and exchange pleasantries about the heavy snowfall. It wasn't until they were almost at the courtyard gate that Ji Yan spoke up in a soft voice, "Miss, do you think it's possible for me to marry her? I'm worried that such a good woman might not look favorably on my brother."

  Jiang Wanmu glanced at her and said in a low voice, "Your brother is now much better than the ordinary servants in the mansion. If there's a girl who takes a fancy to him and is kind-hearted and considerate, she definitely won't look down on your brother. At least, your brother won't have so many masters above his head. When the time comes, we'll help pay the silver to redeem her freedom. Once your brother's marriage is settled, everyone can breathe a sigh of relief. You go out tomorrow and spread the word to let the family know about this matter first. Marriage is predestined by heaven, and ultimately it depends on your brother's fate."

  As they entered the courtyard, Jiang Wanru felt that the expressions of the people in the courtyard were not quite right, as if everyone was avoiding them. Jiang Wanru looked at them suspiciously and stopped to say to Ji Yan: "I'm tired today, there's nothing for me here, you go back and deal with the fabric first." After Ji Yan left, Jiang Wanru pushed open the outer room door and saw Lian Hao sitting in the small hall with a cold face. In front of him was a charcoal brazier, on the table were tea and snacks, and the housekeeper stood beside him with a cautious expression.

  Jiang Wanmu greeted him with a bow: "Third Master, good day." Lian Hua let out a cold 'hmm' and turned his head away, ignoring her. Jiang Wanmu glanced at the embarrassed expression of the housekeeper, then looked again at Lian Hua's icy demeanor. She sighed softly to herself, thinking that she was indeed an easy person to bully. This man had encountered unpleasantness outside, and now he wanted to regain his dignity by taking it out on her. She turned around and walked to the inner room door, quickly unlocking it with her hand before entering and then going into the side room.

  Lian Hao hurried back on horseback, rushing directly to the courtyard. He was told by the housekeeper that Jiang Wan had not returned from her outing, but he still wanted to go in and wait for her return. He pushed open the outer door, entered the small hall, and saw the locked inner door. He hesitated for a moment before signaling the housekeeper to open the door, saying he would wait inside for Jiang Wan's return. However, the housekeeper looked embarrassed and said, "Third Master, matters in the mistress's room are never allowed to be interfered with by us servants. I cannot open this door."

  Lian Hao sat in the small hall with a cold face after hearing the words, and the housekeeper immediately called someone to bring in a charcoal brazier and serve Lian Hao's favorite snacks and tea. As he drank cup after cup of tea, he clearly saw that person walking back and forth, but even after adding charcoal two or three times, that person still hadn't returned. The time spent waiting was longer than the time it took to finish a cup of tea, and Lian Hao was an impatient person, his face gradually darkening. Just then, he heard Jiang Wanlin's returning voice, but that person was still chatting with the little maid at the entrance of the courtyard for a while.

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