Lin Xiao came out of Lin Wei's courtyard and returned to Sanfang.

  As I passed by the main hall of the Zhuang family, I thought of Lin Wei's words and turned into the Zhuang family's courtyard.

  The maidservants of the Zhuang family, Cai Ping and Cai Zan, stood at the door to pay their respects, calling out: "Third Miss."

  Lin Xiao looked at the tightly closed door and asked in a low voice: "Is mother in? I want to pay her respects."

  "The lady is in, but Third Master is also inside."

  Lin Ying came back, Lin Xiao felt that she hadn't had a good talk with her father yet, and exclaimed: "Then I'll also pay my respects to Father."

  It wasn't until she saw the shallow smile with deep meaning on his face that she came to her senses, blushed and said: "I, I... will come again tomorrow." Then she ran away in a hurry.

  In the house, Zhuang Shi had already gotten up and was sitting in front of her dresser combing her hair.

  Lin Ying sat behind her, holding a strand of her hair to her nose and sniffing it, saying to his wife: "This time back, Shi Furen brought Shi Niang with her. You invite them to the mansion in a few days so that Mother and Sister-in-law can meet them too. Also, there's the matter of Biyu's marriage, you should pay more attention to it. I plan to settle the engagement between Cheng Gang and Biyu this time when we return to Beijing, marry Biyu off to a decent family, and after Cheng Gang and Shi Xiaojie get married, let them follow us back to the northwest together. Cheng Gang is already seventeen years old, as a son of the Lin family, he should also go to the battlefield to gain some experience."

  Zhuang raised an eyebrow and said, "You handle the marriage of your precious son and daughter yourself, I won't be the bad guy who gets in the way and causes resentment."

  Lin Ying smiled and said, "Look at what you're saying, aren't you their stepmother? You raised them up and even took care of their marriage, they should be grateful to you. Ah Ruo, I know you've always been kind-hearted, you..."

  Zhuang's wife gave him a glance, lightly slapping the comb on the dresser and said irritably: "Don't try to flatter me, stepmother. Did you ask me when you gave birth to them?" As she spoke, she pushed her husband away and got up to sit down at the edge of the bed.

  As soon as Lin Ying heard her mention the past, she felt a chill run down her spine, afraid that she would bring up old grievances again. She quickly walked over, took her hand and said: "Look at you, didn't we agree not to mention what happened in the past?" Then, trying to placate her, she added: "If you don't want to help them out, I'll let my mother do it."

  Actually, the relationship between Zhuang and Lin Ying has improved now. She doesn't always bring up past matters to drive a wedge between husband and wife. However, every time she thinks about the past, especially when seeing Lin Cheng Gang and Lin Yu, who seem like evidence of Lin Ying's past mistakes, she still feels uncomfortable in her heart.

  Zhuang sighed and said, "Mother is already so old, how can she still be let to take care of these trivial matters for us? Besides, with my stepmother standing by idly watching mother take charge, outsiders will think what's going on. Never mind, I'll take care of it myself."

  Lin Ying smiled and kissed her face, half-jokingly and half-seriously saying: "Ah Rou, being able to marry you is truly the blessing I accumulated in my past life."

  Zhuang's wife pushed him and said: "Go go go, you're not even a decent shape."

  Lin Ying directly pulled down the curtains and carried Zhuang Shi to lie on the bed, saying: "It's still early, let's sleep for a while."

  On the second day, after washing and dressing, she went to Li's Fuding Hall and mentioned the matter of Shi's mother and daughter to Li, saying: "...... I want to choose a day to invite Mrs. Shi and Miss Shi to our house for everyone to see. If you are satisfied with your mother, we will quickly complete the three books and six rituals to set the wedding date. Cheng is getting older, and Miss Shi will be 16 years old after the New Year. What do you think, Mother?"

  Mr. Li nodded and said, "It's only polite to do so, you can discuss with your second aunt what time to invite guests, how to invite them, and what is needed, I'll just attend the event and give you face on the day when Mrs. Shi and Miss Shi arrive, as for Mrs. Shi and Miss Shi, since you and Lao San have agreed, I trust your judgment."

  Zhuang said with a smile, "Is that settled then?" He continued, "And there's also the matter of Bao's marriage. I've been spending less time in the capital these past few years, so I'll have to ask Mother to help me take a look around." As he spoke, he turned his head towards Duan and Qi who were sitting beside him, saying, "Eldest sister, second sister, please also think for me if there's any suitable family."

  Qī shì then really started thinking, and smiled: "My mother's older sister loves to play matchmaker, I'll help you ask her. What kind of family do you and Lǎo Sān want to find for your daughter?"

  Zhuang said, "My and Third Master's idea is that as long as the man has good character, a simple family background, and a kind and generous aunt, it's all right. If he comes from a noble or aristocratic family, then it would be best if the family atmosphere is strict and harmonious."

  Thinking of Lin Wei's temperament, Li also nodded in agreement.

  Dongfang's heart skipped a beat as she listened.

  When they came out of Fuding Hall, Duan's wife called out to Zhuang's wife and said: "Third Brother's Wife."

  Zhuang turned around and smiled, asking her: "Sister-in-law, is there something you want to tell me?"

  Dongfang Bubai glanced around and said, "Third Brother and Third Sister, would you like to invite me to your courtyard for a cup of tea?"

  "Of course, welcome! We've been looking for you everywhere."

  After the two returned to Sanfang, after the maidservant had served tea, Zhuang Shi let all the maidservants in the house go down.

  Dong's family took a sip of tea, then opened his mouth and said: "Third brother and sister want to let Bi Niang see people, I have someone here. He is the son of my mother's family's nephew's wet nurse."

  Dong said up to here, saw Zhuang furrowed his brow, and hastily explained: "Don't misunderstand, that wet nurse is not a slave, and his son is indeed very excellent. If not, I wouldn't have come to tell you."

  Zhuang's family knew Duan's temperament and knew she wasn't the kind of person who couldn't bear others being better off, so he asked: "Then, big sister, tell me first what kind of family the man is from."

  Dong Shi said: "That wet nurse surnamed Zhao, when my niece was born that year, my sister-in-law wanted to choose a wet nurse, and she came to the mansion for selection. Although it was a poor family, they were dressed neatly and cleanly, with a hint of elegance on their body. My sister-in-law was very satisfied. Originally, the wet nurse had to sign a death contract, but Zhao refused, saying that falling into slavery was nothing, but her husband was a scholar, and her son would also be taking the imperial examination in the future. She couldn't bring shame to her husband and son. If the master's family was willing to trust her, she could take less silver. If they were afraid she wasn't loyal enough, she would taste everything that young Miss ate and used first, and definitely raise young Miss well."

  My elder sister-in-law was somewhat moved, but she didn't dare to casually hand over the child to someone who didn't have their own contract. Later, it was found out that the wet nurse's husband had some good fields at home and wasn't reduced to serving a wealthy family, but her husband unfortunately passed away, and his mother was a stepmother who bought off the relatives in the clan to force her to return to the clan and remarry so she could take over the family property. She resolutely took her son out of the clan and cut ties with her natal family who had advised her to remarry. My elder sister-in-law pitied her situation and admired her strong will and chastity, so she helped her get back her family's property. The wet nurse was also someone who knew how to repay kindness, often entering the estate to pay respects. Later, there was a time when my little niece fell ill and refused to drink the wet nurse's milk, but unexpectedly, my little niece was willing to drink her milk, and after drinking it, her illness gradually improved, so she became the wet nurse.