As the Duchess of the State, and with the Lunar New Year's Eve approaching, Madam Yang was dressed in a bright red light-patterned cross-collar jacket, her hair loose and adorned with a set of kingfisher feather headdresses. She smiled and said, "It's my fault. I've been busy with the New Year these past few days and haven't paid enough attention to my mother's health."

"You already have many affairs to manage at home. Su Ruli and Jiao Jiao are with me, so you can rest assured. At my age, all I ask for is that you all take good care of yourselves." Madam Xu stopped looking at Liu and started talking to Yang.

But these words, when heard by the two daughters-in-law, carried a slightly deeper meaning. Yang glanced at Liu, wondering what her sister-in-law had done this time.

After she finished speaking, Madam Xu stopped talking. Madam Yang didn't respond, but Madam Liu had a bad feeling.

The atmosphere was quiet, and she felt even more uneasy as she sat there. It wasn't until she saw Xu Yunci walk in that Liu's heart involuntarily jumped.

Xu Yunci was also puzzled. She hadn't found Xu Yunyang yet, being pulled along by Liu Niang, when she was stopped by Granny Chang. When she came in, she saw two elders. After exchanging greetings, they sat silently to the side of Old Madam Xu.

Madam Yang roughly understood that Old Madam Xu probably wanted to summon the two daughters-in-law today, so she didn't urge them. She glanced at Madam Liu, who was sitting rather restless. The only matters in the inner quarters that were related to her son were those concerning the young master of the house.

"Mother, you summoned the two daughters-in-law and also called Erlang over. Is there something you need to tell me?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Liu also spoke up, her tone somewhat hurried: "Yes, Mother."

Madam Xu glanced at Liu Shi, whose face showed anxiety, and said calmly, "There is something I want to discuss with you."

Xu Yunci glanced at his second aunt, but didn't say anything, listening carefully to what Old Madam Xu had to say.

"Now, only Erlang and Sanlang in the family have reached the age of twenty. In ordinary families, they would have been engaged long ago. However, Erlang is the heir apparent and the future head of the Xu family. His wife is the matriarch of the Xu family, so we can take a closer look at them."

“Sanlang and Erlang are about the same age, and it wouldn’t be right for Erlang to drag down his younger brothers. So I thought I’d have you come over today.”

Madam Xu spoke gently, but became more serious upon closer listening: "You are Sanlang's biological mother. Tell us which girl you have chosen for Sanlang. If she is of suitable character, choose an auspicious day for Erlang and the eldest son's wife to propose marriage for Sanlang."

"Our family doesn't care about family background or whether they come from a noble family. As long as they have a clean family background and love each other, and the young couple lives a good life, that's enough."

"Mrs. Liu, which families have you chosen?"

Mentioning this, the anxiety on Liu's face disappeared, replaced by joy. She grinned happily, raising her eyebrows: "Mother is absolutely right. In our village, we judge character by birth, not by social standing. I do have a daughter-in-law, but I'm afraid Mother won't agree."

Madam Xu sneered inwardly: "Sanlang is also my grandson. I'm naturally happy for him to live well, but his mother has to give her approval. Our family is powerful, so we shouldn't let people think we're bullying others."

Liu Shi didn't catch the underlying meaning in Xu Laofu's words and clapped her hands with a smile: "Mother is right."

Yang and Xu Yunci, mother and son, stood on either side of Old Madam Xu. Liu was so engrossed in her joy that she might not have noticed, but the mother and son clearly sensed that Old Madam Xu's expression was not quite right. They exchanged a glance, and Yang looked at Liu: "Sister-in-law, you've been talking for so long, but you haven't mentioned which lady it is. Who is it that you can't forget?"

Liu Shi's face showed no concealment of her joy: "You also know this person, she is our cousin. As the saying goes, a family with a daughter will attract many suitors. From the first day A-Yue entered the manor, I said that I liked A-Yue and wanted to ask for her hand in marriage for Sanlang."

Madam Yang finally realized that her mother-in-law's expression was off; she probably already knew what Madam Liu was thinking. She gave her sister-in-law a deep look: "Is that so? Because of Shi Niang's matter. I don't remember you liking A Yue very much."

The joy on Liu's face froze, and she felt a pang of resentment when that matter was brought up. If her son hadn't said that the young woman was valuable and had some money, she wouldn't have been willing to give in to his wishes.

She was indeed beautiful, but she really didn't like her, especially since her own daughter had been punished because of her. Her son's words, however sweet, did indeed move her. Even if she didn't like him, her son promised to marry her and let her decide, ultimately choosing her based on her looks.

Once she becomes his daughter-in-law, she'll know all too well the ways of the inner quarters and will have plenty of ways to torment him. It wouldn't be worth damaging the mother-son relationship over an outsider.

Liu's eyes flickered, and she smiled as she spoke again: "What happened before was Shi Niang's fault, and I misspoke. It won't stop me from liking A Yue as my wife."

"Besides, I also asked Sanlang, and he said that Ayue is good. Since Mother brought it up today, I will shamelessly try to advocate for Sanlang. Anyway, this marriage is arranged for a member of the Xu family, and it hasn't been specified which one. If Mother approves, why don't we reschedule the engagement?"

"Mother loves A-Yue dearly. After A-Yue marries into the Xu family, she can come to serve her mother every day and fulfill her filial duty."

She always spoke better than she sang, and Madam Yang couldn't stand it. When she turned her head, she saw that Old Madam Xu's expression was frighteningly gloomy.

Liu's smug words trailed off as she met Old Madam Xu's gloomy gaze. Thinking her little scheme had been seen through, she felt a pang of guilt: "Mother..."

Madam Xu's expression was anything but kind: "Jiaojiao is still young, and I'd like to keep her for another two years. You should give up on that idea."

Liu deliberately chose to say something nice, but Old Madam Xu's rejection was very direct, which surprised her greatly. She looked to Yang for help, but heard the latter say, "Look at me, I'm useless. Mother loves A-Yue the most, how can she bear to let her get married so early?"

Madam Liu stood up to step forward: "There's nothing to be reluctant about. I'm still with the Xu family anyway, so even if I get married, I'll still be close to my mother."

"My meaning is very clear: I have no plans to marry Jiaojiao off for the time being." Old Madam Xu's face was calm, and although her gaze was not as frighteningly gloomy as before, it did not seem to have changed much.

"I have arranged a marriage between Jiaojiao and the young master of the Xu family, but I haven't specified which young master it is. Jiaojiao herself hasn't said which one she likes. I don't want to make decisions for her. If one day Jiaojiao comes to me herself, she will tell me."

"Moreover, even if Jiaojiao falls for someone, she has to see if that person is like her. That girl is strong-willed and would never do anything to force someone. Before you came, I asked Jiaojiao what she thought, and she doesn't want to get married, at least not now."

“I’ll put my words here today: you and your son should give up your thoughts as soon as possible. If you really love your son, look outside. There are plenty of good families in the capital.”