Xu Yunci's attitude was not exactly respectful; at the very least, he did not regard someone like Yunyang Bo as his uncle-in-law.

Some things are said bluntly, and that's all there is to it. Yunyangbo no longer shamelessly utters those pretty words.

The setting sun pierced through the treetops, casting shadows on the rocks under the eaves, where the long white jade steps stretched out to the doorway.

Having lost face, Uncle Yunyang refused to stay any longer. He wasn't even given a chance to see the things that Granny Chang had brought.

He walked quickly, almost fleeing from the Duke's mansion.

Xu Huailou rose from the seat of honor, his face grim, and spat towards the door: "Does he really think everyone is as easy to fool as him? He talks like a human being, but he can't do anything like that!"

Turning her head, she smiled reassuringly and said, "Yan Yan, don't be afraid. If that old man comes to our door again, just say you won't see him. If he dares to do anything, have him thrown out. No matter what, with your uncles here, we won't let you suffer."

“We can’t send it out. Even with Madam Li’s letter, in terms of blood ties alone, the Earl of Yunyang and my cousin are father and daughter, a fact that cannot be changed by a piece of paper.”

Since their last parting, their reunion today was inevitably a little awkward. Xu Yunci seemed oblivious to Li Shiyue's deliberate avoidance of his gaze, looking directly at her.

He opened the envelope from Granny Chang's hand. He had seen it before. It contained a statement from Old Madam Li that the Xu family would make all the decisions regarding Li Shiyue's marriage and upbringing. There was a red seal in the lower right corner, which was the private seal of Marquis Yunyang, Li Wenting.

Regardless of whether it was built by the Earl of Yunyang himself, as long as he insists that it was sent from Old Madam Li, the Earl of Yunyang can manipulate Li Shiyue, and even if he has to risk the Emperor's face, it won't work.

However, if Yunyangbo were to use some tricks, other methods might not be useless.

The visit of the Marquis of Yunyang seemed like a minor incident. His trip to the capital was actually for reporting on his duties. Since the unpleasantness of his visit and departure that day, he had been unusually calm for several days and had not even appeared before the Xu family.

The sky was overcast and dark that day. A spring rain brought a chill, and it felt cool to go out in the morning.

Chunling hurriedly found a cloak and carefully tied the belt for Li Shiyue before following her to the main courtyard with peace of mind.

The trusted nanny by Madam Yang's side was Zhou Mama, who had accompanied her during her dowry years ago. She spotted Li Shiyue's figure from afar and greeted her with a "Oh dear!" "What a terrible weather! Why did you suddenly come here, Miss? Madam is inside. Please come in, Miss."

Li Shiyue saw two unfamiliar maids following behind Zhou Mama: "But Aunt is busy with something, so I can come later."

Madam Zhou was a very clever person: "It's nothing. Seventh Master is quite old now. Even if the servants grew up together, they are not as attentive as the maids. Madam personally selected two innocent maids to serve in the front yard. It won't cause any trouble."

With a wave of his hand, the two maids lowered their heads and were led out with light and orderly steps.

Li Shiyue withdrew her gaze and followed Zhou Mama inside. Madam Yang was sitting cross-legged on the pear wood couch on the left. Seeing Li Shiyue enter, she smiled and said, "You've come early today, please come and sit down."

"But we dare not delay. The estate and shop have already been settled. We came here today to properly thank my aunt."

As Li Shiyue spoke, she took the exquisite red lacquered wooden vanity box from Chunling's hands. It was about the length of her forearm and six inches tall, and it was carved with delicate patterns. She gently fiddled with the metal button and pushed it to Yang's side.

Only then did Madam Yang see clearly that it was a headdress made of cloisonné enamel, kingfisher feathers, and inlaid with exquisite tourmaline, with a pair of phoenix tail hairpins on both sides holding a pair of large and full pearls.

The headdress, adorned with cloisonné enamel and kingfisher feathers, was inlaid with a variety of exquisite tourmaline jewels, making it incredibly precious. For Li Shiyue, an unmarried woman, such a headdress was clearly not her own; it was obviously a relic from the Xu family, taken from her dowry.

Madam Yang glanced at it and said, "You can't take this. If I'm not mistaken, it was left for you by your aunt."

Seeing Li Shiyue nod, she sighed inwardly. Then she couldn't accept it even more. It was just a small matter of a dowry shop and estate, something she could easily do herself. There was no need for her to accept old things left by someone else's mother.

She's lived for decades; she can't just throw away her dignity and snatch things from a child.

Li Shiyue saw through Yang's thoughts and pushed the things back to her: "Aunt, please accept them. The things are valuable, but they've been gathering dust in my hands."

"Moreover, I have been living in the family for almost half a year now. My aunt takes care of me every day, and my cousins ​​are so devoted to me. These things are precious, but they are not as precious as the heart of my family members who treat me well."

“Before spring even arrived, you were worried that I was too cold, so you had someone stew chicken soup for me, afraid that I would taste the medicine in it, and you had people try to coax me in every way possible. Even the person who gave birth to me has not been able to do anything for me.”

"I embroidered sachets for my cousins, but I've thought long and hard about what to give my aunt. This is the only one I can present. I hope my aunt won't think that I, a woman, am not thoughtful enough."

Madam Yang felt a warmth in her heart. What she had done were just small things for the mistress of the house, but she hadn't expected Li Shiyue to remember them all.

Li Shiyue's choice was ingenious. The cloisonné enamel and kingfisher feather inlay were extremely precious, and the dazzling array of gemstones set on them exuded elegance and nobility without appearing vulgar. In particular, the large and full pearls on the pair of hair ornaments were most befitting of the demeanor of a matriarch of a prominent family.

"Why don't you wait until the grandson's first birthday banquet, and have your eldest aunt wear this outfit? Let everyone see how much your eldest aunt loves me."

Li Shiyue approached with a soft voice and a smile.

A maid entered from outside and whispered something in Zhou Mama's ear, which was completely inaudible. Zhou Mama's expression gradually turned serious, and she glanced at Li Shiyue, her face showing hesitation.

Naturally, they didn't want to disturb the cozy atmosphere inside, but they still had to report this: "The Li family has sent people again."

Now, the Earl of Yunyang is staying in the capital, in a newly built house named "Li Residence".

Madam Yang's expression remained unreadable: "What is he sending this time? I just don't understand. Back when you were in the Earl's mansion, he, as your father, did nothing proper. Now that you're rich and powerful, what does he want from you?"

“We send things to the Duke’s mansion every few days, but we assure him that even if he, the son-in-law of the Duke of Rong, is gone, our Yan Yan will still be here.”

Speaking of her brother-in-law, Madam Yang gritted her teeth in anger. She recalled how timid and shy Li Shiyue was when she first entered the mansion. In the past six months, she had personally watched over her and had people take good care of her, and she had finally seen the true nature of a lady from a noble family.