As Lunar New Year's Eve approached, red lanterns had already begun to be hung under the eaves. Madam Xu looked quite well today, and Li Shiyue and Granny Chang supported her as they stood under the eaves admiring the snow.

The sun was shining exceptionally brightly today. The thick layer of snow, after the heavy snowfall, was slowly melting under the scorching rays of sunlight, making it feel warm and cozy on the skin.

The charcoal brazier beside her feet was burning brightly. Old Madam Xu had specially worn a thick cloak and was holding a freshly made hot water bottle in her arms.

Madam Xu sat beside the charcoal brazier, her chair specially covered with a thick blanket. While warming herself by the fire, she could watch Chunling and Changshun hanging lanterns together in the courtyard.

"Young Master is so thoughtful. He couldn't spare the time himself, so he specially sent Chang Shun over to keep the Old Madam entertained." Granny Chang stood to the side with a smile, looking at Li Shiyue with a smile in her eyes.

“Chang Shun has been with his cousin for a long time and has experienced more things than Chun Ling. Grandmother, please don’t think we’re being noisy.” Li Shiyue smiled and didn’t take the teasing in Granny Chang’s words to heart.

Chunling held a large red lantern in her hand, craning her neck to look at Changshun, trying to see what he was doing.

But Chang Shun noticed and he hid his hands behind his back: "Didn't we say it was about who hung it up better? How come you can look at mine?"

Chunling, her little scheme exposed, snorted lightly: "I don't know how. I wanted to see how you do it. What, is Second Brother Chang being so stingy?"

When Chang Shun heard Chun Ling address him like that, he trembled and rubbed his arms: "Don't talk to me like that, I'm scared."

Chunling gritted her teeth. How could this person have two faces? She wouldn't look, she could still figure it out.

But after she lowered her head, Chang Shun couldn't help but smile and put his hand in front of him. Looking at the other lanterns blocking the way, he reached out and took them all away.

Now everyone could clearly see the way he was poking at the lantern with his hands.

Although Madam Xu's eyesight wasn't very good, she could clearly see the two's subtle movements, smiled, and said nothing.

When Madam Yang arrived, Li Shiyue was sitting with Old Madam Xu on the veranda, enjoying the snow scenery and drinking hot tea, looking quite content.

She was taken aback, then her eyes lit up with surprise. Perhaps because she had been out in the sun in the winter, Madam Xu's face was flushed and she looked more energetic.

"Mother."

Madam Xu did not move, somewhat surprised: "Why is it so late? I remember you said you were going to the Duke of Cheng'en's residence today."

"Yes, we are going. I want Yan Yan to go to the Duke of Cheng'en's mansion with my wife. If my fourth sister-in-law brings Eighth Sister along, it will inevitably cause gossip if Eighth Sister goes alone." Madam Yang nodded and smiled, looking at Li Shiyue.

In front of Madam Xu, Madam Yang never lied: "It was a letter from the Duke of Cheng'en's mansion that invited the Yang family of the Prefect's mansion today. The invitation they sent to our family also said that Yan Yan should go."

Governor Yang was from a branch of the Yang family of the Duke of Chengen. He and Lady Yang, the wife of the Duke, were not from the same clan, but only shared the same surname.

"If it is the Duke of Chengen's mansion that comes forward, it means that the governor's mansion values ​​Ba Niang very much, which is a good thing."

Madam Xu seemed to be deep in thought. In fact, since the time of the late Empress, the young men of the Chengen Duke's Mansion had already shown signs of mediocrity.

After the late empress passed away, few of the family's sons were capable, and their situation became no different from that of ordinary noble families.

However, the Xu family had no intention of humiliating anyone. Since the other party was polite, the Xu family would treat them with the same respect and courtesy.

"Go change your clothes and go with your aunt." Madam Xu didn't move, but pulled Yang to sit down and talked with great interest about how interesting it was when Chang Shun and Chun Ling hung up that row of red lanterns.

Not daring to waste any time, Li Shiyue led Lian Dong inside: "Chunling, stay here with your grandmother. You come with me out of the mansion."

Lian Dong was not surprised and nodded in agreement. She helped Li Shiyue redo her makeup and change her clothes before walking towards the gate with Yang Shi.

The carriages at the gate were already prepared. Li Shiyue glanced at the carriages behind her; they must belong to Zhou Shi and Xu Lingqing. She followed behind Yang Shi and got into the carriage. To be honest, she had never been to the Chengen Duke's Mansion before.

Even at ordinary banquets, people from the Duke of Cheng'en's mansion rarely show up.

After an unknown amount of time, the carriage finally came to a steady stop. Li Shiyue followed Madam Yang down from the carriage and looked up to see the four large characters "Cheng'en Duke's Mansion," with two imposing stone lions at the entrance.

Servants were waiting at the gate, and upon seeing the carriage of the Xu family of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion, they came over to greet it before the carriage even stopped.

The old woman was wearing a plain purple winter coat. Her eyes were gentle and obedient. When she looked at Yang, she kept an eye on Zhou and Xu Lingqing, who were getting off the carriage behind her.

She raised her voice and said, "This servant is here on the orders of the mistress to welcome the Lady of Rongguo, the Princess of Yichang, the Fourth Madam, and Miss Xu to our residence as guests."

"Madam Cheng'en, you're too kind. Please lead the way." Madam Yang nodded politely and waited for the old woman to move before walking inside.

Li Shiyue followed beside Madam Yang into the flower hall, where there were quite a few women. Earlier in the carriage, Madam Yang had briefly told her about the size of the Yang family, the family of the Duke of Cheng'en.

The main branches are those of the Duke of Chengen and his younger brother. In the capital, besides the Yang family of the Prefectural Governor's Mansion, there is another branch of the main family, but their official rank is not high, and they live in the Duke of Chengen's Mansion in a relatively harmonious manner.

The ninth son of the Duke of Chengen's family is the youngest of the four branches of the Yang family in the Duke of Chengen's family. The fourth daughter of the Duke of Chengen's family is his older sister.

Then there's Yang Yan, the seventh son. The other sons and daughters, both legitimate and illegitimate, are also present, but they don't often appear in public.

Since Madam Yang was already bedridden, the seat in the main position was occupied by Madam Song, the mistress of the Cheng'en Duke's Mansion, while the other side was left empty for Madam Yang, the wife of the Rongguo Duke.

The Cheng'en Duke's Mansion was no smaller in scale than the Rongguo Duke's Mansion. Wandering through the winding streets, I almost forgot where I had just passed. Finally, when I saw the main hall, I saw not only the young men and women, but also the mistresses of several households.

That's quite a grand affair.

"I've been waiting for you for so long, and finally you've come." Madam Song, the wife of the Duke of Cheng'en, stood up and went to greet Yang and the others before they entered the flower hall.

Madam Yang smiled and nodded slightly, acknowledging the proper etiquette, before taking her seat with the Lady of Cheng'en.

"The snow on the road has started to melt, and the driver dares not go fast. I should have left earlier. It's my fault."

Lady Chengen quickly raised her hand with a smile to stop her from speaking: "How can you say that? It is a blessing for the Yang family that you can come."

"Since you flatter me so much, I will accept your kind words." Madam Yang said with a smile that did not diminish.

"This must be the Princess of Yichang County. I saw her once from afar at the Grandson's first birthday banquet." Madam Song's gaze fell on Li Shiyue, who was standing next to Madam Yang, with a hint of scrutiny in her eyes.

Li Shiyue rose in response, slightly curtsied, and said, "Junior Li Yanyan greets the Duchess."