"No!" Dong Qing smiled, "Compared to before, I now eat and sleep every day, and when I'm free, I do needlework to pass the time. I live the life of a young lady. How can I feel bored!" Then she took out a bundle from the kang cabinet with a smile, "I made two kilts for you as my wife, do you like them?" As she said that, she opened the bundle, revealing the rose-red and bright red brocade inside.

"Making something for me again." Eleventh Lady smiled and shook out her skirt.

Rose red is embroidered with stone blue bamboo, and bright red is embroidered with green plum blossoms.

"They are all beautiful." She smiled, "I prefer the rose red one."

Dongqing accepted it with a smile and said, "Madam is old and likes bright colors. You should also go with the flow sometimes." She spoke in a tone like an older sister.

Eleventh Lady smiled with pleasure, remembering that Dongqing had often reminded her of this in the past. She glanced at Luyun, motioned for them to leave, and started talking to Dongqing in private.

"According to the date, your youngest sister should be married by now, right?"

Last time the eldest master went back to Yuhang, Jiang Mama, who was with the eldest wife, accompanied him. Amber, Dongqing and others asked Jiang Mama to take letters back. When the eldest master came back, Jiang Mama also brought the soybean paste made by Dongqing's mother. At that time, Shiyi Niang ate two big bowls of it with rice, and even Xu Lingyi said it was delicious. However, this paste must be brewed before the winter solstice. If the day is missed, Dongqing, a clever housewife, will be unable to cook without rice. Shiyi Niang had to keep all the sauce that was originally intended to be given away.

Dong Qing nodded: "I married into a good family." When Jiang's mother came back, she told her about the families' situations. "My brother-in-law is an only child. His family owns more than 50 mu of fertile land and runs an oil press." She laughed and said, "In a word, it was because of my wife... The family thought our family was not rich, but when they found out that I was working for my wife, they agreed to the marriage."

Eleventh Lady smiled and nodded.

As long as they don't do anything wrong, she doesn't mind letting others use her name.

"Time flies. In the blink of an eye, you are already 21 years old."

Dongqing blushed when she heard this, lowered her head slightly, and rubbed the copper thimble in her hand.

"I have always kept your matter in mind." Eleventh Lady lowered her voice as she looked at him, "Look, how is Wan Daxian?"

Dong Qing looked up suddenly when he heard this, his face a little panicked: "What is the madam talking about... I don't understand!" Then he lowered his head again.

Eleventh Lady thought her expression was a little strange. It wasn't like the shyness she showed when someone mentioned her marriage, but a hint of fear in her surprise.

She remembered that she had specially arranged for Dong Qing to go to Goldfish Lane so that she could see Wan Daxian with her own eyes. Could it be that she had made a mistake? Was there anything wrong with Wan Daxian?

"I think he's not bad looking, and you're about the same age." Eleventh Lady said, carefully observing her expression, "but he doesn't have much family background. However, a good man doesn't eat his parents' food, and a good woman doesn't wear her wedding dress. I deliberately put him in the account office. With his personality, he will be able to stand on his own in three to five years. I don't know who will be lucky enough to marry him..."

Dong Qing's face turned pale and blue, and it was a little unpredictable...

Eleventh Lady was already very sure that she was not very happy about this matter.

She sighed slightly and changed the subject: "When I was sick, it was all thanks to you and Binju who took care of me. We have a special bond. If you have any problems, just tell me. No matter what, I will always stand by you..."

There was a hint of shyness in Holly's expression.

Or maybe someone has taken a fancy to him...

Eleventh Lady's heart was slightly moved, and she continued softly, "If you are embarrassed to tell me, it's the same to tell Amber and Binju."

Dongqing said nothing, but turned her face slightly, her cheeks becoming even redder.

It’s just a pity for Eleventh Lady.

She thought Wan Daxian was a pretty good young man.

After a few more words, he stood up and went back to the house, calling Amber over: "Go and test Dongqing's mood and see what her plans are."

Amber smiled and poured her tea: "We have been wandering around in this small area, how can we compare with the vision of the Madam. Of course, I will listen to you."

"You can't say that." Eleventh Lady smiled, "If everything was conditional, there wouldn't be so many infatuated men and resentful women in this world. I always hope to fulfill your wishes and make everyone happy." Amber's face turned red.

"I'll go check on Sister Dongqing tonight. She can't wait any longer at her age. Otherwise, there will be more gossip in the mansion."

"Issue?" Eleventh Lady was stunned.

Amber stammered, "Nothing! I just said that Sister Dongqing and Sister Binju are both old, why haven't they found anyone yet? I just said that there is no one suitable."

"Did anyone ask you?"

Amber nodded: "Mother Shi beside the Fifth Madam."

"There really is no one suitable." Eleventh Lady sighed, "I always feel that no one is worthy of you."

"What is worthy and what is not?" Xu Lingyi's voice sounded in the room without warning.

Amber hurriedly helped Shiyi Niang off the kang, but Xu Lingyi looked at the newly hung turmeric-colored gauze curtains and said, "It's finished so quickly."

Eleventh Lady and Amber bowed to him, asked him to sit on the kang, and said with a smile: "The Marquis has spoken, who dares to neglect it?" Then they personally brought the tea from the maid and served it to him.

Xu Lingyi continued what he was saying: "What are you talking about?"

Amber listened and retreated with shame on her face.

Xu Lingyi looked strange.

Eleventh Lady smiled and said, "Just talking about Dongqing and Binju - they are both not young anymore, and they want to marry someone, but there is no suitable one."

Xu Lingyi nodded and said disapprovingly: "Why don't you just tell Manager Bai? There should be someone of their age with good character in the family."

If only marriage were that simple!

Eleventh Lady was really afraid that he would be interested in intervening and marrying the two of them casually. She smiled and changed the subject: "It's rare that the Marquis came early today, why not call Brother Yu and Sister Zhen to go to mother's place earlier."

Xu Lingyi thought for a moment and said, "Alright, I'll go there early so I can talk to my mother about Zhen Jie'er going to Xishan."

Eleventh Lady asked the maid to pass on the message, and then sat down with Xu Lingyi to chat about some family matters. After Xu Siyu and Zhen Jie'er came over, they went to the lady's place together.

The lady was very happy to see them coming early. After Zhun Ge paid his respects to Xu Lingyi and Shiyi Niang, he pulled them aside to talk: "...Xiao Wu brought back a few big firecrackers like this," he said, gesturing with his hands, "We are going to set them off in front of the ancestral hall during the New Year's Eve ancestral worship..."

Eleventh Lady thought that Xu Lingyi would talk to the Madam about Zhen Jie'er later, and it would be inconvenient for the mother and son to talk with her here. She winked at Xu Siyu and Zhen Jie'er, and found an opportunity to pull Zhun Ge's hand: "Mother, I'll take Zhun Ge to the hall to play shuttlecock."

The lady smiled and nodded: "Go! Go!" The look in her eyes was kind and doting.

Xu Siyu and Zhen Jie'er of course also said they wanted to go, so Shiyi Niang took the three children out.

"After all, they are related by blood." The lady smiled as she looked at the swaying curtains. "Zhun Ge was so shy, but in just three or four months, he is already talking and laughing with Shiyi Niang."

Xu Lingyi was stunned when he heard this.

I don’t seem to be the kind of person who is easy for people to get close to, but after three or four months, I seem to have gotten used to Shiyi Niang being around... and I never get tired of teasing her...

Thinking of this, he responded "yes" somewhat unnaturally.

The lady looked at him absent-mindedly, then looked at the curtain that was hanging quietly, and smiled.

* * * * * *

Eleventh Lady led her three children to the main hall and gathered around to watch Zhun'er play shuttlecock.

Zhun Ge was very happy and performed in different ways.

Did he call himself out just to watch Zhun Ge'er play shuttlecock?

Xu Siyu was very confused.

Sister Zhen was a little worried.

I don’t know what my father will say to my grandmother. If my grandmother knows that it was my stepmother who spoke up for me, will she blame her? Seeing that the family was so lively at that time, I was only worried about my second aunt, but I didn’t consider my stepmother’s position... My smile became a little forced.

Zhun Ge, sensing that his brother and sister were acting strange, could not help but stop, his eyes full of confusion, tilting his head and looking at them strangely: "What's wrong with you? Did I not kick well?"

When they heard Zhun Ge asking them, there was still some confusion in their eyes.

Eleventh Lady hurried forward and touched Zhun Ge's head, smiling and comforting him: "No, no. We were all surprised to see that you are so good at kicking the shuttlecock."

"Really!" Zhun Ge's smile immediately brightened.

"Yes!" Eleventh Lady smiled and took his hand. "After playing for such a long time, are you tired? Otherwise, let's go to the East Interval to take a break? We can play again later."

"I'm not tired." Zhun Ge said with a smile, "I want to continue playing." He looked eager to perform.

Seeing that his little face was red and there was no sweat on his forehead, Eleventh Lady knew that he was really not tired, so she loosened her hand and stood aside with a smile.

After hearing this, Zhun Ge nodded repeatedly and kicked the shuttlecock even harder.

Some people clapped their hands.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound in surprise and saw Fifth Master Xu Lingkuan and Third Young Master Xu Sijian standing at the door curtain and applauding.

"Brother Zhun, I didn't expect you to be so good at shuttlecock!" Uncle Wu's tone was sincere, and you could tell it came from the heart.

Zhun Ge smiled and ran towards Uncle Wu: "Uncle Wu, Uncle Wu, have you set off the big firecrackers?"

Wu Ye picked up Zhun Ge and pinched his little nose. Then he put him down and greeted Shiyi Niang.

Eleventh Lady returned the gift and greeted him with a smile: "Fifth Master went to buy firecrackers today."

Wu Ye said politely, "Yes. I just went with Jian Ge'er to put all the firecrackers in the warehouse to prevent those servants from accidentally lighting them and causing trouble."

Eleventh Lady smiled and nodded, explaining her whereabouts to him: "The Marquis is talking to Mother in the inner room."

As a result, it was difficult for the Fifth Master to go in, so he stood on the east and west with Eleventh Lady. Xu Siyu and Zhen Jie'er came forward to pay their respects to him, and Xu Sijian also came forward to pay his respects to Eleventh Lady. Then he pulled Xu Siyu aside and asked, "Brother, have you seen my eldest brother? I went with Uncle Five to buy firecrackers early this morning, and when I came back, I didn't see him. My eldest brother's two personal servants are gone, and mother and Qiu Ling are not in the room either. When I asked other people, they all said they didn't know..."

Xu Siyu smiled with a hint of joking, "Oh, this afternoon, the Duke Zhongqin's residence came to deliver New Year gifts. The mothers came in to greet Grandmother and mentioned that their eldest daughter has been worshipping the Goddess of Smallpox these days. Third aunt was very worried and took eldest brother back to her parents' home. I don't know if he will stay at the Duke Zhongqin's residence for dinner!"