"Actually, some time before my engagement, my mother and aunt suggested several promising young men. My mother had people privately investigate the character of each of them and only suggested them after she felt there were no problems. Of course, none of these men came from the Wei family, but they themselves had a promising future."

"But my aunt disagreed, always saying that my mother had ulterior motives and that the family she chose for her niece was too low-class, while the best ones were reserved for her own daughter. In the end, my mother got angry and stopped caring, telling her to find someone herself and just let the middleman know when she found someone she was satisfied with."

When Zhao Ziyun spoke of these things, she looked dejected. Being a matriarch of a family was not easy, and she was afraid of it.

Looking at her, Mo Lan couldn't help but smile. It made sense. In the entire Jiang County, there was only one Tongpan. Even the prefect had to give her some face, since she was in charge of food and water.

The saying "a local official is more powerful than a distant one" perfectly illustrates this point.

"So what are you planning to do next? Go back home?"

"Of course we have to go back. We originally planned to stay at the temple for three days, but judging from the situation, we probably can't stay there." Since her aunt's first plan failed, she must have another one waiting for her. Only a fool would stay and be schemed against.

"What if your aunt doesn't want to leave early?" Since they have bad intentions, how can we easily compromise?

"...Or should I just be a shameless shrew? Cry, make a scene, and threaten suicide?" Zhao Ziyun stared wide-eyed, blinking repeatedly. It seemed her upbringing made her unsuitable for being a shrew.

“Miss, why don’t you just pretend to be sick? Anyway, the Madam made a scene today. Even if she knows you’re faking it, she won’t dare to pursue the matter. As long as you get back to the manor safely, the Madam will take care of things for you.” Bi’er, who was standing to the side, couldn’t help but suggest this when she saw her young mistress looking so conflicted.

"That probably won't work. There are two monks in the temple who are quite skilled in medicine. As long as I say I'm sick, my aunt will immediately send someone to invite them. Maybe she can even use this as a way to let me stay and recuperate."

At that point, you won't be able to leave even if you want to.

"Do you have your own carriage? Can't you go back by yourself?" Mo Lan shook her head as she watched the two of them scratching their heads in frustration.

“There is a carriage, but no one is protecting me. If something happens on the way, I’m afraid I won’t survive.”

Before she left, her mother specially sent two burly old women to accompany her, but they suffered from diarrhea on the way and had to turn back halfway. The rest of the group were guards to escort her; if she were to order the guards to escort her home, she would inevitably clash with her aunt.

Mo Lan looked at her and thought that being too focused on rules and etiquette was not good. She hadn't even considered expediency, and this tendency to be overly cautious had led her to suffer.

"This won't work, that won't work either, we have no choice but to compromise."

"How is that possible?"

Hearing Mo Lan's tone, Zhao Ziyun immediately objected. It would have been fine if she hadn't been able to figure out her aunt's thoughts, but now that she knew, wouldn't compromising be like asking a tiger for its skin?

Thinking of this, she suddenly looked at Mo Lan opposite her, her eyes sparkling, which made Mo Lan raise her eyebrows. This girl was trying to scheme against her.

What are you going to do?

"…Good sister, will you take me home? You're strong, with you there, there won't be any problems." That way, she only needed to leave a letter for her aunt, and she wouldn't be stopped, and she could get home safely.

As long as she gets home safely, the rest is up to her aunt to explain to her mother. She wants to see what excuse her aunt will use.