Xiao Yunying returned home before noon. With the teahouse's renovation plan in mind, she went back to her room after lunch to write and draw.

When I went out to get some water in the afternoon, I happened to run into Madam Luo and Luo Sheng coming in from outside.

Out of politeness, Xiao Yunying greeted her first: "Madam Luo, have you gone out for a stroll? The natural scenery in our village is quite nice."

Madam Luo said gently, "I haven't been able to visit your parents since I returned two days ago because of the rain. Today the weather is fine, so I'll have Sheng'er take me to visit them."

Xiao Yunying was startled: "Go...to visit my parents?"

Good heavens, I hope my parents won't say anything nasty to Mrs. Luo.

However, judging from Madam Luo's expression, it seems that nothing unpleasant happened.

I wonder what they were talking about...

Madam Luo glanced at Luo Sheng beside her: "I heard from Sheng'er that the Emperor's decree of marriage will arrive in a few days. It's a good time to discuss with your parents how to arrange your marriage."

Each topic is more shocking than the last.

Before Xiao Yunying could react, a figure ran over from the side and immediately questioned, "What do you mean? His Majesty is going to bestow a marriage upon Brother Luo Sheng and this lowly peasant girl?!"

My mother said that she heard from Madam Luo that their marriage was a sham. My father also told me that Luo Sheng admitted in court that he was already married and declined the Empress Dowager's offer of marriage.

She thought the peasant girl was just an excuse Luo Sheng used to refuse the marriage, and she was worried that Luo Sheng might commit the crime of deceiving the emperor because of this, so she never dared to bring it up.

How could we possibly accept the Emperor's decree of marriage now!

"Lanzhi!" Madam Luo gently scolded, "Watch your words!"

Zuo Lanzhi stamped her foot anxiously: "But Aunt Luo, my mother said that you and she arranged a marriage between me and Brother Luo Sheng when we were little."

Xiao Yunying unconsciously took two steps back, giving up her seat, and quietly watched the show, suppressing her shocked expression, as if she were an outsider.

Everyone noticed her actions. Madam Luo looked at her, then at Zuo Lanzhi: "That was just a joke between your mother and me when we were drunk. We had just gotten married, and I was going to the frontier with your Uncle Luo. I wouldn't be back in the capital for a while, so your mother and I had a few drinks and said a few jokes when we were a little tipsy."

Zuo Lanzhi said unwillingly, "But... my mother clearly said that she and Aunt Luo agreed that whoever had a daughter first would be the other's daughter-in-law."

God knows how happy she was when she heard her mother talk about it a while ago.

She only thought about how she was her mother's only daughter, and that Luo Yong was the only one left in the Luo family, so the two of them were a perfect match.

Lost in her own fantasy, Zuo Lanzhi was completely unaware that her mother had spoken of this in a joking tone.

She then ignored all advice and warnings, convinced that she and Luo Sheng were a match made in heaven.

Mrs. Luo showed more patience and tolerance towards her friend's daughter, disregarding Zuo Lanzhi's rudeness, and explained softly:

"At that time, neither of us was pregnant, so we didn't think that far ahead, nor did we exchange tokens or seriously commit to anything. It wasn't a serious matter, and your mother probably wouldn't have taken it seriously either."

The implication is that neither your mother nor I took it seriously, and you, as a young girl, don't need to take it seriously either.

Zuo Lanzhi was both anxious and angry, her face flushed red: "How can it be taken seriously? How can Aunt Luo go back on her word!"

As an elder, Madam Luo was bound to feel angry when criticized by a junior.

"How dare you! Lanzhi, where is your manners and upbringing? Is this how your mother taught you to be?"

Xiao Yunying quietly took two steps back.

Wow, this Zuo Lanzhi is really spoiled, daring to speak to Madam Luo in such a tone.

Luo Sheng's face also turned ugly, and he said coldly, "Miss Zuo, it seems you've forgotten again. This is the Xiao family, the Luo family, but not your Zuo family. If you dare to be disrespectful to my mother again, don't blame me for throwing you out."

Zuo Lanzhi calmed down a bit. She panicked and said with red eyes, "It was Lanzhi who was rude. Aunt Luo, please don't be angry with Lanzhi. Lanzhi was just too anxious."

As she spoke, tears began to fall.

Xiao Yunying secretly cheered in her heart, not expecting Zuo Lanzhi's acting skills to be so good, her tears came so easily.

Of course, it's also possible that they genuinely felt wronged.

After all, she had watched her grow up since she was a child, and Madam Luo couldn't help but soften when she saw her like this.

"Perhaps your mother didn't explain this to you clearly, leading to a misunderstanding. In any case, once the imperial decree of marriage is issued, this matter cannot be changed."

Madam Luo softened her tone, giving Zuo Lanzhi a way out: "You came here to relax, so stay for a while, have some fun, and then go back to the capital."

Zuo Lanzhi wanted to say something more, but Yinzhu behind her tugged at her sleeve, which made her hold back the words that were already on the tip of her tongue. She bit her lip and bowed with a sob in her voice, saying, "Lanzhi understands, Aunt Luo. Lanzhi is not feeling well and will go back to her room first."

After Zuo Lanzhi returned to her room, Madam Luo said, "Lanzhi's matter is all a misunderstanding, Yunying, don't take it to heart."

Xiao Yunying quickly stated, "I know, Madam Luo, rest assured, I will not have any disagreements with Luo Sheng because of this matter."

After that commotion, Zuo Lanzhi's feelings for Luo Sheng were now out in the open, but for the sake of appearances, she could only pretend not to know.

Besides, she didn't care about it at all.

Seeing that her expression was normal, as if she really didn't care, Madam Luo thought to herself, "This girl is quite composed."

"Your parents said they'll be coming tomorrow to formally discuss your marriage. If you have nothing to do tomorrow, don't go out."

Xiao Yunying hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Are we going back to the capital to get married?"

“No need,” Luo Sheng suddenly said. “This place is fine.”

Xiao Yunying breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good."

Madam Luo asked, "Don't you want to come back to the capital with us?"

As Xiao Yunying was pondering how to answer, Luo Sheng added, "Mother, let's talk about these things later. You know a bit about what's going on up there, and for the time being, this place is safer than the capital."

Madam Luo nodded: "That's true."

She said to Xiao Yunying, "We'll talk about these things later."

Xiao Yunying couldn't refuse directly, so seeing that the mother and son had said so, she replied, "Then we'll talk about it later. Madam Luo, please rest well. I'll go and get back to work."