When Chen returned from Old Lady Luo's, she saw Luo Yixiu slumped over the table, not having eaten even half a bowl of rice. She asked the maid to take her bowl and chopsticks away. She asked her, "What did you eat at your seventh sister's that makes you unable to eat?"

"Half a chicken—" Luo Yixiu lay on the small table and was slapped on the hand by Chen. "Look at the way you're sitting so awkwardly. Sit up straight!"

Luo Yixiu saw Yi Yu sitting across from her, still leisurely eating. She was the oldest of the sisters and incredibly beautiful. She had a pointed chin, skin as white as snow, and thin eyebrows, but between her brows there was a sense of pride and reserve. Luo Yixiu sat up straight and asked Luo Yi Yu with a smile, "I heard that after Xuan'er dropped the tourmaline last time, Yi Lian was punished by her second uncle to copy the women's discipline and couldn't leave the house. Fourth sister, are you heartbroken?"

Luo Yiyu glanced at her calmly and said, "Why do you talk so much all day long?"

"Who told you to play well with that little bitch!" Luo Yixiu gloated, "Now you've been implicated by her too."

"Yilian has always been honest and sensible, better than you and Yining!" Luo Yiyu retorted. "You were the one who didn't like the tourmaline and let Xuan'er pick it up, but you blame Yilian? If I were to ask you, Yining was there too, why didn't she stop Xuan'er and let him break it? I think she did it on purpose."

Seeing her two daughters quarreling again, Chen's head ached. She slammed the table and said, "Enough, you keep bickering. What sisters are like you? Don't mention that tourmaline thing again, or we'll have a rift with your second uncle. Besides, your brothers are still studying for the autumn exam. If you disturb them, I'll beat you to a pulp. Yixiu, you too, what's with the little bitch? Who did you learn that from? What other lady from a noble family talks like you?"

Chen's authority was unquestionable. Luo Yixiu didn't dare argue with Yiyu anymore, but she didn't want to see Luo Yiyu either. She snorted and lay down on the bed.

Chen looked up at Luo Yiyu. Her daughter had indeed grown increasingly beautiful over the past two years. No wonder the young master of the Liu residence had been so captivated upon seeing her true appearance. Furthermore, her recent new clothes were all beautiful, and her face was adorned with the finest perfumed powder, which Chen had someone bring back from the capital. It was pearl powder with a hint of pale yellow, costing twenty taels of silver a box, and it made her face look remarkably fair.

"Yi Yu, you are grown up now. You should learn to be dignified and reserved. Don't bother with your sister about these things." Chen warned lightly.

Yi Yu stood up and replied.

Chen asked the maid to come in and bring some nourishing soup to Luo Huaiyuan and Luo Shanyuan. They were busy studying that night.

Luo Yiyu said she couldn't eat anymore and went back to her room.

The maid beside her was waiting for her and quietly handed her something: "Fourth Miss, this is the reply letter from Second Master Cheng."

Luo Yiyu came over with a candle, her heart beating like a little rabbit. She took the note, opened it, and read it, a smile rising from her lips. "He said my dress looks good... bring me a pen."

The maid said nervously, "Fourth Miss, let's...let's not write it. If the Madam finds out, even being beaten to death would be the least of my worries. Besides, Second Young Master Cheng won't really be with you! After all, you're engaged to Young Master Liu."

Luo Yiyu glanced at her and, suppressing her anger, said, "How could Liu Jing be worthy of me? Yet, mother and her family insisted on this marriage." Unlike Luo Yixiu or Yining, she had been pampered since childhood. Among the daughters of the aristocratic families in Baoding, she was the best in talent, appearance, and bearing. Why did she have to marry the son of the prefectural governor? As for Cheng Lang... Luo Yiyu had liked him the first time she met him.

Cheng Lang was the most handsome man she had ever seen; even the third brother in the mansion couldn't compare to him. His gaze was incredibly deep, as if filled with deep affection, and he was gentle and warm. Every time those eyes swept over her, she felt light and indescribably happy.

Besides... he is not completely indifferent to her.

Luo Yiyu took a deep breath and said, "Don't worry about it. Only the three of us know about this. No one else will know about it. Who else could find out..."

The girl wanted to say something, but Luo Yiyu stared at her coldly.

She could only agree and go get paper and pen for the young lady.

The next day was a cool day with a gentle summer breeze. After returning from school with the female teacher in the afternoon, the girls all went to learn needlework from Old Lady Luo.

Yi Ning was a beginner in needlework, so the nanny gave her a handkerchief to embroider for fun. Old Madam Luo had also instructed that the main subjects of instruction would be Luo Yi Yu and Luo Yi Lian, with no hope for Luo Yi Xiu. She would be considered a pass if she could sit on the platform for a full hour.

"Just looking at all this needlework gives me a headache," Luo Yixiu said helplessly. "My mother always says I'm not serious enough, but it's just like you. You get sleepy as soon as you practice calligraphy. I feel sleepy too when I pick up needlework."

Yi Ning turned around and glared at her: "When did I feel sleepy when practicing calligraphy?"

"You told me last time... that calligraphy copybook your third brother gave you is so hard to copy, it makes me dizzy just looking at it..."

Suddenly someone coughed from behind.

The two little girls looked back and found Luo Shenyuan, Yuanlang and others standing behind them. Luo Huaiyuan was looking at them with a smile, but his expression was indifferent. Several girls stood up and greeted their brothers.

Luo Huaiyuan tilted his head and teased Luo Shenyuan, "Third brother, Seventh sister thinks your calligraphy isn't good enough."

Seeing that Luo Shenyuan's handsome face was expressionless, and it was impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry, Yi Ning quickly explained, "Actually, Third Brother's calligraphy is very good. I just didn't sleep well and felt sleepy."

It would have been fine if she didn't defend herself, but after she did, everyone laughed even harder, and Luo Shenyuan couldn't help but smile.

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!