The second concubine came out from behind the screen, waving a sandalwood folding fan. The golden thread peony on her crimson cheongsam was dazzling: "Oh, our phoenix has returned to the nest!"

Without waiting for Zheng Shaoqi to speak, she sat down below him, half covering her bright red lips with her fan and said to Zheng Shaoqi, "Master, I think it's time to have some fun at the Zheng residence during the New Year." The pearl tassels on the fan pendant swayed as she spoke, "Why don't we hold a New Year tea party in a couple of days and invite all the important people in Tianjin? What do you think?"

Zheng Shaoqi frowned slightly, picked up the teacup and said calmly: "This, you can discuss it with your wife."

The second concubine immediately turned to Ye Qiulan and slammed her fan shut: "Sister, what do you think? I have even prepared a menu for refreshments, and I am just waiting for your approval."

Ye Qiulan slowly stroked the wrinkles of her cheongsam on her knees and said softly, "Holding a tea party is a good idea." She looked up at her husband's expression and changed the subject, "But in this situation, we need to carefully consider who to invite."

"Sister, you worry too much." The second concubine suddenly lowered her voice and leaned forward, "I heard that the daughter of the Li family, Li Shiyao, is not only good-looking, but also studied at Yenching University." She glanced meaningfully at Zheng Shaoqi who was talking to Xie Yun, "Her relatives worked in the customs at Tianjin Port..."

The third concubine beside her also had some ideas after hearing this. She smiled and said, "Sister, your idea is not bad. I have also found a few good candidates for Qingyi. Our Qingyi is also at the age of marriage, and it's time for her to find a good home."

Zheng Qi sighed helplessly and compromised: "Since both sisters are willing, let's hold a tea party on the sixth day of the first lunar month." When she turned to her daughter and son-in-law, her eyes softened: "It's just that the young marshal is busy with military affairs, so there's no need to force it."

The second concubine smiled and said to Xie Yun, with a gleam of brilliance in her eyes: "Young Marshal, you must honor me. When Miss Li comes, I hope you can help introduce her to me."

Her words were so blunt that even Zheng Wanqing, who was eating candied fruit, stopped and held the silver fork in her hand in the air.

Xie Yun didn't show it on his face, he just said calmly: "If I have time, I will accompany Wanqing back."

Suddenly, there came the suppressed laughter of the maids outside the window. It turned out that a few little maids were peeking at the young marshal from the corridor, and their figures hurriedly dodged after being discovered, swaying on the window paper.

Seeing this, the third concubine deliberately raised her voice with a hint of ridicule: "If we talk about a good match, it has to be a match made in heaven like our Wanqing and the young commander."

She smiled and said to Zheng Wanqing, with a flattering look in her eyes: "Wanqing, if you marry into the Marshal's Mansion, you must help Qingyi more."

Zheng Wanqing lowered her eyes and took a sip of tea. The porcelain cup turned between her slender fingers. She smiled gently and said, "Don't worry, Third Aunt. Qingyi is my sister. I will naturally worry about her lifelong happiness."

Xie Yun lowered his eyes and glanced at his pocket watch, tapping the cover lightly with his fingertips. The moment his eyes met Zheng Wanqing's, they both understood and stood up.

"Yueyue, it's getting late, we should go back." Xie Yun said respectfully with a bow.

Ye Qiulan quickly ordered the maid: "Hurry up and load the New Year gifts prepared for the young commander and the young lady into the car." Then, she turned around and tightened her cloak for her daughter: "The road is slippery in this snowy day, ask the driver to drive slower."

Zheng Yu stood on the bluestone steps with his hands behind his back. The light from the hall behind him stretched his shadow very long. "The young commander has to go on official business. We won't stay any longer." After a pause, he added, "Come back and visit us often when you have time."

Zheng Wanqing bowed and said, "Don't worry, dear. I will come back early on the Lantern Festival to watch the lanterns with you."

After she finished speaking, she naturally took Xie Yun's bent arm, looked back and smiled: "It's freezing cold, you two elders should not come out."