After leaving Tongxintang, Xu Yunci still went to Shousongtang and the main courtyard before heading to Jingzhao Prefecture.

The next morning, I woke up to a refreshing coolness. After getting ready for breakfast, I suddenly heard a muffled clap of thunder from the sky outside.

The sound was so loud it seemed to shake the heavens. Li Shiyue, who had just sat down, froze, looked out the door, and saw dark clouds pressing down on the eaves of the houses in the distance.

The thunder had just stopped when the sound of rain came from outside. Raindrops pattered on the bluestone bricks under the eaves, but before they could even create ripples, they were submerged by the following rain.

"Go tell the gatekeeper to keep an eye on things. I bet the Duke and the heir didn't take umbrellas with them when they went out this morning. Have a servant bring umbrellas to meet them on their way home from court."

This rain had been brewing all night and lasted all day. It wasn't until evening that the sunset was seen, rolling across the western horizon, radiating golden light and reddening the clouds remaining in the distance.

The sky was a golden yellow, and the part closer to the setting sun was even more crimson.

Granny Chang was a servant of Old Madam Xu, and even Madam Yang in the mansion would give her some face.

She was respectfully invited in, but Granny Chang remained calm. She stopped in the main room and bowed to Li Shiyue, who was sitting on a wooden chair.

"No need for formalities, Granny. I called you here at this hour because I have something to discuss with you."

Li Shiyue smiled and spoke, and before she could give any instructions, a quick-witted maidservant brought over a teacup.

“Please sit down, Granny. I actually wanted to ask if you still wish to adopt Chunling as your goddaughter. Things have been delayed before, and I haven’t had the time. Now that I have some free time, I thought I’d ask you if your mind remains unchanged.”

"As you know, Chunling came to the Duke's Mansion with me and grew up with me since childhood, so our relationship is naturally different from that of others."

"I am delighted that you have asked, and I have also asked Chunling what she thinks. Now, is Granny still willing?"

Granny Chang didn't rush to speak. She looked up at Chunling, who was standing next to Li Shiyue. She really liked this clever girl.

"Perhaps the adopted daughter is not possible. This old servant has come today with a matter I would like to ask the young master's wife to grant."

After she finished speaking, she didn't look at Li Shiyue and Chunling's expressions. She stood up, placed her hands in front of her, and looked respectful.

"This old servant has no sons or daughters, only the two brothers Chang'an and Changshun. I originally thought that Chunling's personality and appearance were very pleasing, and since we have this fate, I also wanted to have a mother-daughter relationship with her."

"But it's probably not going to work out now. This old servant will shamelessly ask you to help Changshun ask the young master's wife to agree to marry Chunling as his bride."

Granny Chang looked up and saw that Li Shiyue's face showed no surprise, as if she had guessed something. Chunling, who was beside her, was wide-eyed and speechless, whether in shock or joy.

"Although Changshun is the young master's servant, he has had everything he should have over the years. If Chunling is willing, it would be a wonderful story for the two children to be together."

“We have everything we need. Our courtyard isn’t big, but it’s enough for us. The east room is for Chang’an, and the west room has been prepared for Changshun to get married.”

"The reason I came here today is to ask the young master's wife for her opinion. If she is willing, it would be good to ask the Duchess and the old lady to be witnesses. The two children can be together openly and honestly, and they are both my own children."

Granny Chang looked up, her already kind eyes now even gentler, as if she would go to see Old Madam Xu the moment Chunling nodded, and insist that Old Madam Xu be a witness.

"I...I don't want to leave the girl."

Chunling lowered her head. If getting married meant leaving the young lady, she would rather never get married. Even Changshun could not compare to the young lady's position in her heart.

"It's alright. If Chunling is willing, she can continue to stay by the young master's wife's side, just like this servant and the old lady."

Li Shiyue didn't speak, but instead looked at Chunling, wanting her to make her own decision.

Chunling's face still looked conflicted, and she couldn't say anything after waiting for a long time.

The expectation in Granny Chang's eyes gradually turned into disappointment.

Li Shiyue looked at Granny Chang reassuringly and said, "Chunling has been with me since she was a child. This is a major life event for her. Granny, could you give her two days to think about it?"

"Of course, if you have any questions, Madam, please feel free to come and find me." Granny Chang replied with a smile, not directly refusing, which showed that she still had some feelings for that silly boy.

Watching Granny Chang happily walk out of Tongxin Hall, Li Shiyue slightly turned her head to dismiss the others, leaving only Chunling behind.

“You really need to think about this carefully. You can’t live your whole life by yourself. I can’t bear to see you grow old without anyone by your side.”

“I’ve left you some money each time, all for your dowry, just in case you get married someday and I’m caught off guard.”

“If you are willing, I will make the decision for you. Your young lady is now the Princess of Yichang County and the wife of the heir of the Rongguo Duke’s Mansion. Even Changshun’s husband has to listen to your young lady. If you don’t like him, it’s fine to refuse him.”

"But I still want to advise you not to abandon anything just because you want to stay with me forever. Even if you want to get married, you can stay at my house. Whether you are by my side or not has nothing to do with your marriage. As long as you are willing, there will always be a place for you by my side."

As Li Shiyue spoke, she sighed softly, her eyes becoming slightly moist.

Back in the Yunyang Marquis's mansion, Chunling was always there for her through the toughest and most difficult times. Because of her own weakness in her past life, Chunling also met a tragic end.

Although nominally mistress and servant, in Li Shiyue's heart, the two were like sisters who supported each other. Having been given a second chance at life, she naturally hoped that Chunling would have a good outcome.

Although Chang Shun may not achieve anything great, at least he is mediocre enough to provide Chun Ling with a stable life. His emotions are stable, so there is no need to worry about him causing Chun Ling any grievances.

Personally, Li Shiyue thought Chang Shun was quite good, but it mainly depended on Chunling's own feelings.

Chunling lowered her head, still fidgeting with her fingers in a troubled manner: "That Changshun once told me that he wanted to marry me, but I ran away."

“This servant…is willing, but this servant doesn’t have much money, Changshun can’t look down on this servant for being poor.”

"And when did you begin preparing a dowry for me, young lady?"

After leaving the Yunyang Marquis's residence, she saw some things that the Marquis's residence brought were not valuable at all.

“Starting from when your mother’s dowry was sent over, and I’ve also saved money for you. Even if you do nothing, you can live a lifetime.”

"I'm afraid you'll stay by my side, and when you get old, there will be no one to accompany you. What will you do then?"