“Cousin Jiǎo, my mother is dead. From now on, I’m like you—we’re both motherless now—” Du Feixue clung to Li Jiǎo, crying bitterly.

Li Jiǎo’s hand patting Du Feixue’s back paused, annoyance flashing in her eyes.

Even at a time like this, why did she have to step on her?

She had lost her mother from childhood and hadn’t cried like this. Du Feixue had at least been pampered and spoiled for so many years—she was much luckier than her.

Li Jiǎo’s brief silence didn’t catch Du Feixue’s attention. She continued crying: “Cousin Jiǎo, what should I do from now on? It’s all because my father wanted to divorce my mother that she hanged herself. Just thinking about this makes me not want to see my father anymore…”

Li Jiǎo almost rolled her eyes in impatience.

This cousin of hers, who had been showered with countless affections since childhood, was truly foolish, speaking ill of her uncle right in front of her.

Even if her uncle treated her ordinarily, he was still much better than her aunt, an outsider. Did she have something wrong with her brain, abandoning her blood uncle to side with her dead aunt?

“Cousin Jiǎo, I’m so sad. Now whenever I walk into the courtyard where my mother lived, I feel like I can’t breathe, wuu wuu wuu—”

Hearing Du Feixue’s heartbroken lament, Li Jiǎo’s heart stirred. She slowed her movements and patted her back: “Cousin Feixue, why don’t you go stay at your maternal grandfather’s house for a while?”

Du Feixue’s crying stopped abruptly, and she looked up at Li Jiǎo with tear-filled eyes.

Li Jiǎo’s thoughts raced quickly, but her expression remained gentle and caring, appearing completely concerned for her cousin: “Since you’re unhappy living at the Earl’s residence now, why not go stay at the Marquis’ residence? You’re a girl, different from Cousin Feiyang. Even if you stay at the Marquis residence for New Year, no one would think it improper.”

Du Feixue’s wet eyelashes lowered and trembled lightly, clearly considering Li Jiǎo’s suggestion.

Li Jiǎo sighed deeply: “Cousin Feixue, I’ve been motherless since childhood. My father remarried not long after. Look how I’m living now?”

At these words, Du Feixue’s expression changed slightly.

How was her cousin living? Certainly not well.

Since childhood, she had to rely on herself for everything and had to yield to Li Zhao everywhere. Even with such compromises, in the end, Li Zhao would marry into the Marquis’s residence to become a Marquis’s wife, while her cousin could only marry into the outskirts of the capital. Her cousin’s freedom to go out was even restricted…

Thinking of all this, Du Feixue shuddered.

She, too, had lost her birth mother. Her father was in his prime and would certainly remarry. When that time came, wouldn’t she be as miserable as her cousin?

Her cousin was right—she should go to her maternal grandfather’s house. Her maternal grandfather and grandmother loved her so much that living at the Marquis residence would certainly be better than at the Earl residence. Moreover, she could see Cousin Zhu often…

Seeing Du Feixue’s expression soften, Li Jiǎo secretly curved her lips.

With her aunt’s death, Du Feixue could only stay confined at the Earl’s residence during mourning without going out. Even if she could visit the Earl’s residence, what good would it do? But if Du Feixue went to Marquis Taining’s residence, it would be different. Then she could visit the Marquis’ residence under the pretext of consoling her cousin, and there would always be opportunities to scheme.

The more Du Feixue thought about it, the more she felt Li Jiǎo made sense. When she saw Old Madam of Marquis Taining, she threw her arms around the old lady’s neck and cried: “Grandmother, I’m so scared. I don’t want to stay here anymore. I want to go home with you…”

These words made Old Madam of Marquis Taining’s tears flow: “Good child, don’t cry anymore. Grandmother will take you home.”

Madam Wen, wife of Marquis Taining, who was supporting the old lady, lowered her eyes to hide the shock and anger in them.

Was this young lady planning to live permanently at the Marquis residence?

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t improper for a motherless girl to be taken in by her maternal family for a long stay, but she had long noticed this young lady’s feelings for her son. With the old lady agreeing so readily, wasn’t she bringing disaster into the Marquis’ residence? Yet as an aunt by marriage, she couldn’t say anything.

Madam Wen was deeply troubled by Du Feixue’s sudden move, while Old Madam of Earl Guchang was both shocked and embarrassed.

She had only this one granddaughter and had always treasured her more than her grandsons. But she never expected to raise such an ungrateful wolf.

Lady Zhu had just died, and her granddaughter was already crying to live at her maternal grandfather’s house. What would others think of the Earl’s residence when this got out?

Li Jiǎo watched coldly from the sidelines, secretly lifting the corners of her mouth.

See, once you lost the birth mother who protected you, even a grandmother’s disgust came so easily.

Du Feixue got her wish to go to Marquis Taining’s residence, and the farce at Earl Guchang’s residence ended in a rather lamentable way.

On Qiao Zhao’s side, after the formal inquiry about names and the acceptance of the favorable omens, her engagement with Shao Mingyuan was finally settled.

Great Liang had liberal customs, and it was acceptable for engaged young men and women to meet and date openly.

Shao Mingyuan had a sense of finally being able to hold his head high after not having to sneak around anymore. He invited Qiao Zhao to Baiwei House, a famous century-old establishment in the capital.

“Mutton is most nourishing in winter. Zhaozhao, eat more.” Sitting by the window, Shao Mingyuan ladled a bowl of mutton soup and handed it to Qiao Zhao.

Qiao Zhao took it and ate with relish. Noticing someone’s burning gaze constantly fixed on her face, she couldn’t help but stop and look at him.

“Is it good?” the man across from her asked with a smile.

“Not bad.” Qiao Zhao nodded.

Shao Mingyuan stirred the mutton soup in his bowl with his spoon: “Strange, why does mine taste salty?”

“It doesn’t. Mine tastes just right.”

“It’s salty. Try it.” Shao Mingyuan scooped a spoonful of mutton soup and brought it to Qiao Zhao’s lips.

Qiao Zhao lowered her head to eat it, puzzled: “Where’s the saltiness?”

“Let me try yours.” Shao Mingyuan picked up Qiao Zhao’s spoon and took a bite, savoring it carefully. “Zhaozhao, yours tastes better.”

Only then did Qiao Zhao catch on. She lightly tapped Shao Mingyuan’s hand and scolded: “Shameless?”

Shao Mingyuan gazed at the young lady’s rippling eyes and said in a low voice: “I don’t want face, I only want you.”

Just then, a tavern servant brought warm rice wine. Qiao Zhao shot Shao Mingyuan a warning glare. After the servant left, she bit her lip and said, “Shao Mingyuan, after not seeing you for two days, you’re talking nonsense.”

Shao Mingyuan gently grasped Qiao Zhao’s hand: “Zhaozhao, we’re engaged now. Are you happy?”

Having gone through so many twists and turns to be together, Qiao Zhao was naturally happy, but under the man’s affectionate gaze, she couldn’t say it out loud and just pressed her lips together silently.

Shao Mingyuan pulled Qiao Zhao’s hand to his heart and smiled: “I’m extremely happy. This heart can finally be at peace.”

Whether it was the Emperor or anyone else, no one could stop his determination to marry Zhaozhao at home.

Their engagement was finally settled.

Emperor Mingkang was still thinking about recruiting Marquis Guanjun as a son-in-law for his only presentable Eighth Princess. As soon as he came out of seclusion, he summoned Jinlin Guards Commander Jiang Tang to discuss the matter.

“What? Marquis Guanjun has already gotten engaged to Scholar Li’s daughter?”

Jiang Tang nodded: “Yes, Your Majesty.”

Emperor Mingkang was in an extremely bad mood: “Why wasn’t this reported to me?”

“You were in seclusion.” Jiang Tang carefully reminded him.

Emperor Mingkang: “…”

His seclusion had cost him the son-in-law he had his eye on. How annoying!