The vermilion lacquered gate of Zheng's residence shone with a warm luster in the morning light, and Zheng Wanqing walked up the bluestone steps.

Seeing this, the servant holding the book hurriedly took a few steps to open the door for her.

"No need." She raised her hand to stop him. "I can do it myself."

As she spoke, her hand touched the familiar patterns on the door knocker.

The cool temperature of the copper ring came through the cashmere gloves, which made her feel warm in her heart.

The last time I went home was during the nightfall. The glazed palace lantern under the porch was still hanging high, but its faded red tassel had been replaced with a brand new golden tassel, swaying gently in the breeze.

"The young lady is here!" Aunt Liu came out hurriedly from the inner courtyard. The smile in the corners of her eyes was full of kindness, and even the wrinkles on her face were smoothed out.

She wiped her rough hands on her apron nervously, and said with unconcealed joy, "I'll ask the kitchen to prepare your favorite cakes for you."

"Aunt Liu," Zheng Wanqing called out with a smile in her eyes, "Are you and mother all right?"

"The master went to the business meeting early in the morning. The lady was sitting in the flower hall. She was just wondering why the young lady hadn't arrived yet."

Aunt Liu took the cloak that Zheng Wanqing had taken off and carefully smoothed out the wrinkles on it. "The eldest young master is still on duty at the hospital. He specifically asked me to come and have lunch with the young lady at noon."

As she was about to turn around, she said, "Miss, please go to the hall and talk to Madam first. I will prepare some refreshments right away."

Zheng Wanqing reached out and supported Liu Ma's arm: "Okay, go slowly, don't rush."

The corners of her lips slightly raised, and a playful light flashed in her eyes, "I'm going to stay for quite a while this time, so I have plenty of time to taste your cooking skills." She paused and deliberately dragged out her tone, "I hope you don't think I'm annoying."

Aunt Liu smiled and narrowed her eyes, "How could that be? It's my blessing that the young lady likes the food I cook." Then she waved her hand, "No more talking, I'll go to the kitchen and watch the fire."

Zheng Wanqing couldn't help but smile as she watched Liu Ma's back disappear around the corner of the corridor.

She turned and walked through the familiar corridor. The early spring breeze, carrying the chill that had yet to dissipate, brushed across her cheeks, but it could not blow away the warmth surging in her heart.

The door of the flower hall was half-open, and the aroma of tea wafted out from the gap.

From inside there could be heard the crisp sound of tea cups tapping against trays, as well as the mother's low voice instructing the maidservant.

"Mother." Zheng Wanqing called softly from outside the door, her voice carrying the tenderness that is unique to a daughter returning home.

The door opened in response, and Ye Qiulan stood inside the door wearing a crimson jacket and skirt embroidered with golden chrysanthemums. The golden hairpin in her hair swayed gently with her anxious steps.

"Wanqing!" She hugged her daughter in her arms and stroked her back gently. "Are you cold on the road?" Her voice was filled with concern.

Zheng Wanqing buried her face in her mother's shoulder and shook her head gently: "We came here by car. There is a heater in the car, so it is very warm."

Then he took his mother's arm and walked into the flower hall, "How are you and my dear?"

"Everything is fine, except that you always complain about leg pain when you come over." Ye Qiulan pulled her daughter to sit on the cushioned rattan chair, and the rattan made a slight creaking sound.

She personally poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to him. "Yuheng examined it and said it was rheumatism. He prescribed some Western medicine, but your mother always complained about the bitterness and refused to take it on time."

She frowned slightly and changed the subject, "But you, I heard that the young marshal has already left for Beiping?"

Zheng Wanqing held the teacup in her hand, and in the steam she saw that the fine lines at the corners of her mother's eyes had deepened a few inches.

"Hmm." She took a sip of tea, the sweet apricot flavor melting on her tongue, "A lot of big things have happened recently, and Yumin also has to go to Beiping to handle some important matters."

Ye Qiulan sighed, picked up a piece of rose cake from the gilded porcelain plate and placed it on the small plate in front of his daughter: "A man's career is more important, you should be more considerate."

Zheng Wanqing put down the teacup, and the porcelain bottom hit the mahogany coffee table, making a crisp sound.

Her eyes lit up and she leaned forward unconsciously: "Mother, has the wedding date for my brother and Sister Xiao been decided?"

Ye Qiulan was amused by her eagerness. He stretched out his hand and gently pinched the tip of her nose, and scolded her with a smile: "Girl, why are you more anxious than the bride?"

"Of course I'm anxious!" Zheng Wanqing grabbed her mother's hand and shook it. "You also know what a good woman Sister Xiao is. She has a gentle and resolute personality."

She paused, her cheeks flushed with excitement, "I wish she was my sister-in-law now..."

"It's settled, it's on April 8th." Ye Qiulan interrupted her daughter's chatter with a smile, "Your father specially asked someone to calculate a good date."

Zheng Wanqing pouted: "Ah? I have to wait another two months."

"Silly girl," Ye Qiulan flicked her smooth forehead with his finger, "It's already the end of February, to be honest, it's only been a little over a month."

She took a sip of tea, smiling, "We have to give it some time, right? Don't you know your brother's temper? It took us half a month to pick the material for the wedding dress, and we had to find the old-fashioned Yunjin from Suzhou."

Thinking of her brother's always picky nature, Zheng Wanqing had no choice but to nod: "That's right, brother will definitely give Sister Xiao the best wedding."

She suddenly remembered something, "Oh, by the way, I heard that Sister Qingyi is also engaged? Whose son is he?"

Ye Qiulan's expression changed slightly: "It's Chen Chong'an, the eldest son of the fusion of foreigners."