Early in the morning.

Shen Manman was pulled out of bed by Granny Feng.

Then she started combing her hair and changing her clothes.

Shen Manman's eyes were half-closed the whole time. By the time she was fully awake, she had already changed her clothes.

Her hair was styled in a hanging bun, with a ruby ​​and gold tassel hairpin on each side. She also had lip rouge applied to her lips and was wearing a bright red, shimmering, high-waisted ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress).

Shen Manman looked at the hairpin in the mirror, then at the dress she was wearing: "Is it New Year's?"

Granny Feng chuckled and tied the white ribbon around her neck: "It's not New Year's yet."

"Then why are you dressed like a red envelope?"

"Haha, anyway... it's a good thing."

Shen Manman squinted at her, "It's not... I'm going to go on a blind date?"

As she spoke, she became somewhat frightened: "No way? I was wondering... why did Auntie suddenly come over... could it be...?"

Could it be that during this time, she kept saying that her father had become bad, and her father got angry and wanted to marry her off?

Or is it that Father's other woman is whispering in his ear, trying to persuade him to marry her off?

Anyway... I'm going to marry her off!

Shen Manman's face turned pale.

Granny Feng said with a touch of sympathy, "No, no. Even if we were to look at potential partners, it wouldn't be here!"

Hearing this, Shen Manman's expression improved somewhat. Yes, even if her father was confused, he would never marry her off to someone from this family.

What is that?

"Isn't this Madam here? She wants to go out and play with you, Miss?"

"Oh." Shen Manman breathed a sigh of relief. "That's true. It's a rare opportunity to come all this way, so it's time to go out and have some fun."

After changing her clothes, Shen Manman skipped out the door.

In the outer courtyard, Shen Zhiyan and the Marquis of Dingguo and his wife had not arrived yet.

Shen Manman was taken aback when she saw Shen Zhiyan, because she noticed that Shen Zhiyan was dressed differently today.

In the past, we were very casual. Although our clothes were made of the best materials, we always prioritized comfort. We would wear either hairpins or hairbands in our hair.

Today, however, he was dressed in brocade robes, and unusually, he wore a silver crown on his head, making him appear even more solemn and noble.

Turning around, I saw my uncle and his wife, both dressed very formally.

Just as Shen Manman was wondering what was going on, Madam Hou smiled and said, "Get in the carriage quickly."

......

The horse-drawn carriage moved slowly along the village road.

Shen Manman and Lady Hou rode in a carriage, while Shen Zhiyan and his brother rode horses.

Two horse-drawn carriages followed behind, carrying gifts.

Shen Manman rested her chin on her hand and looked out the window: "Hey, isn't this the road that leads to the village?"

Lady Hou laughed and said, "Yes, we're going to find Lady Ye."

"Oh?" Shen Manman exclaimed in surprise, "So you're going to see your aunt! If you're going to see your aunt, why bother making me do all this? You made me comb my hair for so long and put me in this outfit. Your aunt will laugh at me for looking like a red envelope or a lantern."

Lady Hou chuckled.

Shen Manman continued, "It's rare for your aunt to come all this way. Since he couldn't think of any fun places, he took you to visit your aunt? But... indeed, the only fun place here is at your aunt's place."

"Auntie, you have no idea, my aunt's family runs three workshops. Have you ever tried their spicy soup? It's super delicious! There's also a furniture workshop; all the furniture in my house was designed by my aunt herself. And that glass workshop—they make crystal!"

“I’ve seen them all. There are several crystal-clear bottles on my dad’s display shelf, and that glass paperweight too. They were all gifts from my aunt. Pretty impressive, right!”

“Yes.” Madam Hou was also very interested. “That spicy soup is also sold at Baiweilou in the capital, and I really like the taste.”

"Oh dear, those were all made with my aunt's seasoning packets. They're delicious, but not as good as the ones my aunt makes herself. I'll have her make some for you, Auntie, later!"

Lady Hou smiled and said, "Then I'll have to look forward to it. I've wanted to meet this Lady Ye ever since I received your letter."

Shen Manman immediately understood. It turned out that her aunt wanted to come and visit her aunt because of her letter.

But my aunt didn't understand the simplicity of country folk and made them dress so formally to come over.

Thinking about it, Shen Manman sighed softly, "It's a pity, my father and aunt can't work out. He's having an affair."

Lady Hou nearly choked on her own saliva: "What did you say?"

Shen Manman looked out the window before whispering, "I didn't even mention this in the letter, or to Grandmother... I was afraid of upsetting her."

"My father must be secretly keeping a mistress. Ji Qing even saw them shopping together. He was also secretly writing poems..."

Lady Hou: "..."

Shen Manman said, "Last time I went to the Taoist temple, a Taoist priest said he would have a son next year... Humph!"

Lady Hou's eyes lit up: "Really? That's wonderful!"

Shen Manman: "......"

She's unhappy!

Seeing her pouting, Lady Hou said gently, "What's wrong, Manman? Don't you want your father to remarry, or do you not want to have any more brothers and sisters?"

Shen Manman rested her chin on her hand, gazing out the window. "I want him to marry her, otherwise Father is too pitiful. He even knelt down for me before... I also want Father to have someone who cares for him... But now..."

Now that her father has a mistress, she's still angry with him. Isn't that too selfish?

Shen Manman pouted and said, "I was just thinking that if I were to marry again... I hope it would be someone I like... If it's not someone I like, then there's nothing I can say."

As she spoke, her eyes reddened, and her mood became depressed.

She knew that some things were beyond her control, or rather, things she couldn't stop.

Lady Hou was heartbroken: "Well, perhaps things aren't so bad after all!"

Shen Manman nodded: "Yes, I also have my aunt and grandmother."

Even if she doesn't like that woman and they don't get along, she still has other family members who love her.

She will get married in the future, so she won't have much time to spend with her stepmother.

Regardless, Shen Manman remained listless when the topic came up.

......

Ye Caiping's house was bustling with activity.

Except for Ye Xuan, who had gone out, everyone from the main branch of the family came.

The second branch only has Ye Erquan and Yinhua; the three women, including Wei Shi, are unaware of this matter.

Everyone was dressed very formally, in silk robes.

Ye Caiping was also a little nervous, and kept drinking tea as she sat there.

At this moment, Guixiang walked in and said with a smile, "Madam Ye, Mr. Shen has arrived!"

Ye Caiping paused, her teacup still in her hand. "Oh, please come in..."

"Quickly!" Old Mrs. Ye pushed her, "Go inside! The person involved can't be there."

Ye Caiping blushed: "Why? I'm very open and honest, I'm not afraid."

"Is that so? Anyway, you go in first! Listening from inside the room is the same."

Helpless, Ye Caiping had no choice but to be pushed inside by Old Lady Ye.

After waiting for a while, Shanzi led Shen Zhiyan and three others in.

In addition, Duanwu and Granny Feng followed behind, carrying gifts in their hands.