The aunt who came to take Xi Pa was a woman named Du, and she was a capable person beside the old lady of the Taian Hospital, Yuan.

  The old lady sent the elderly Du Niang to pick up Cui Ying to go to the main hall, not only to show her importance to this new daughter-in-law, but also to borrow the time on the road to let Du Niang say something about the general population of this house and the preferences of each madam.

  The men of the Generals mansion, except for Yuan Dalang as the eldest son guarding the house, all went to the northwest, leaving behind a house full of women.

  As the old saying goes, three women make a drama. This kind of thing usually happens because of disputes between women, and its really troublesome.

  Du Niangniang knew in her heart that this new Fifth Granny was different from the other grannies.

  It was an extraordinary period when the old lady entered the palace to ask for a new daughter-in-law, and because of the urgency of the matter, the wedding was hastily arranged.

  From the engagement to the wedding, all the steps that could be saved were omitted. The wedding was very low-key, without a grand procession or a big banquet, only inviting close relatives and a few close friends. The men of the Town Country Generals Mansion were not present, if it werent for several princes attending, this wedding feast would probably not be as lively as the Yuan familys New Years Eve dinner.

  If it were an ordinary young lady from a humble family, it would be all right.

  The Cui family, however, was a prominent family after the founding of the dynasty. Anning Duke Cui Hongjin was highly trusted and relied upon by the Emperor, and several of his sons held important positions. The Cui familys relatives were also very noble, including imperial relatives and nobles.

  Furthermore, the reputation of Cuis daughter Lizis descendants was well-known outside, and many were from families that matched their social status who came to ask for her hand in marriage.

  The Zhen Guo Generals Mansion, although powerful and prestigious, has a good relationship with the An Ning Bo Mansion through marriage, but the Cui family is famous for doting on their daughter, so its unlikely they would sell her off for fame.

  So Laotaijun begged the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager asked the Emperor to issue an edict, which was somewhat bullying and forcing people.

  The old lady was not a foolish person. She was delighted that the marriage had been arranged, but at the same time she couldnt help feeling a little guilty and sorry for Fifth Granny.

  Du Ya followed Old Madame for a lifetime, and no one could better understand Old Madames intentions. Since entering the mansion, she had put away the proud and majestic demeanor of the head housekeeper, and kindly and gently asked Cui Ying about her well-being, chatting with her about some family matters.

  She had a smile in her eyes, without deliberately trying to please anyone, but showed great kindness. "Among the masters of the Yuan family, the fifth master looked the most like the late general, so the old lady loved this youngest grandson the most, and the fifth master was also filial. Just now, as soon as it dawned, he guessed that the old lady should get up, so he went to the Taian courtyard, saying that before leaving, he would have a few more intimate words with his grandmother."

  Cui Ling pursed her lips and smiled, but she was a bit nervous inside. Last night, she had performed poorly in front of Yuan Wulang, and she didnt know if he would say anything about it to Old Lady Yuan. When she was being reckless, she thought that after he paid his respects with tea, he would just leave, but who knew he would specially go to whisper something to the old lady.

  The old lady saw that the bride seemed a bit ill at ease, thinking she was shy and nervous, so she hurriedly smiled and said, "When the old master and the fifth master were talking in private, I wasnt by their side, but I heard laughter coming from inside all the time. It seems that the fifth master is extremely fond of the fifth lady. When I came over, the fifth master even asked me to bring a message to the lady."

  She covered her mouth and smiled, "Wu Ye said that grandma looks good with the silver hairpin with the colorful butterfly fluttering, remember to show it to Old Lady later."

  Colorful butterflies dancing silver hairpins...

  Cui Lings heartstrings tightened, and she knew this was Yuan Wulangs threat and warning to her.

  According to what Du said, it seems that Yuan Wulang did not speak ill of her in front of Old Lady Yuan. Whatever his intentions were, he was still a broad-minded and magnanimous man. Letting her wear the hairpin that had stabbed him last night to pay respects in the main hall was clearly saying that if she didnt behave herself in the Yuan household, he would not cover for her again next time.

  She forced herself to change her hairpin, but still had to smile innocently and charmingly on her face. She repeatedly hated herself for being too reckless. Some words were innocent when thought about in her heart, but saying them out loud and letting the master hear them was truly a case of courting death by not avoiding it.

  For her, the husbands favoritism was not that important, but when she was complacent, she really forgot that in a patriarchal society, whether her mother-in-law supported her or not, and whether she could live comfortably in the future still depended on Yuan Wulangs attitude towards her.

  Moreover, Yuan Wulang is the old ladys favorite grandson, and the old lady will love him with all her heart, of course she will also hate him with all her heart.

  With a heart full of regret and trepidation, Cui Ying followed Du Niang out of the house. As they left Xi Yuan, she turned her head to take one last look, and saw on the door plaque under the flying eaves three bold and powerful characters: Cang Xiang Garden.

  It turned out that where she would live later was called Cangxiang Garden.

  "Look, Fifth Granny! The characters on this plaque were written by Master Wu himself. This courtyard was originally called the Diligent and Frugal Courtyard, where Master Wu has lived since he was six years old. When Fifth Granny was about to enter the gate, Master Wu said that the original characters were too harsh and unpleasant, so he personally wrote the three characters Cang Xiang Yuan and had them hung here."

  She smiled more deeply, "Our Fifth Master has known how to bully people since he was young, and Fifth Granny is really blessed."

  Cui Ying pretended to smile shyly and got through it, but in her heart she was tightly worried.

  If Yuan Wulang were a useless good-for-nothing or a foolish and incompetent person, she would be at peace right now. But judging from the emotions conveyed by the three words "Cang Xiang Garden", as well as Dus excessive praise, it seems that her husband Yuan Hu is a great man who is magnanimous, calm, wise, kind, considerate and gentle.

  Such a man, born into a wealthy and noble family, is undoubtedly a high-quality handsome rich man, rare in both his past life and present life. Unfortunately, such a man deserves a better woman.

  But she herself is a woman who only wants to live an easy and comfortable life, just drifting through life.

  Her purpose in marrying was neither to live with her husband in conjugal bliss nor to bring up children to enjoy the pleasure of family life, but simply to find a more suitable place for old age and to lead an idle and indulgent life.

  Thinking so, Cui Ying suddenly felt a little guilty.

  If she had known that Yuan Wulang was so good, she should have let such a good man go to other sisters. Anyway, the imperial edict is pressing, and there must be a Cui family daughter who will marry out. If she didnt take the initiative to ask for it, her grandfather wouldnt have thought of having such a granddaughter either.

  Whether its Seventh Sister, Eighth Sister, or Tenth Younger Sister, they are all more gentle and considerate than her.

  They soon arrived at the main hall of General Zhen Guos mansion, where a room full of women were already seated.

  As soon as Cui Ling stepped through the door, she saw dozens of complex gazes with different meanings staring over at her, and among them, the coldest one was naturally her husband, Yuan Wulang.

  She hastily glanced in the direction of her line of sight, saw him wearing a black tunic, with only a simple silver hoop on his hair knot, and his whole attire was low-key and simple, looking like he was about to go on a long journey.

  Perhaps because of the guilt and embarrassment in her heart, her gaze stopped short, not daring to meet Yuan Wulangs eyes at all, without even seeing his appearance clearly, she hastily lowered her head and followed Du Niangniangs footsteps, slowly moving to his side.

  "Girl..." He gritted his teeth and reminded her in her ear.

  "Ah, husband, what is it?" replied Cui Ying in a soft voice like a mosquitos hum.

  Yuan Wulangs face wore a gentle and humble smile, but the corners of his mouth were slightly stiff. He leaned in close to her ear and said in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "Youre stepping on my shoes."