Madam Pei's courtyard.
In late February, snowflakes fell incessantly.
The Marquis's residence was tightly enveloped by the bitter cold; the wind was like icy blades, stinging one's face.
The indoor heating was warm and cozy, a stark contrast to the cold outside, creating a world apart from the warmth of the indoor heating.
In the main room, Madam Pei lay slumped on the couch, looking listless.
Ever since the date for Liu Yunyan's arrival was set, the old man's spirits have been low, and he seems listless.
Standing beside her, Mrs. Chang bowed slightly and said:
"Grandma, Miss Cousin is set to enter the household at the end of the month. She's always been treated like a young lady in the manor, but now that she's to be a concubine, what do you think we should do about her treatment and the rules she should follow..."
As she spoke, Chang's mother carefully observed the old lady's expression.
If she were a regular concubine, she would be treated the same way.
However, Liu Yunyan's status was not ordinary; she was not just a concubine. Therefore, any changes to her treatment required the personal approval of Old Madam Pei.
Hearing what Chang Mama said, Old Madam Pei frowned, her eyes filled with worry.
Her thoughts drifted back to the past, and she remembered Liu Yunyan's maternal grandmother, who was her sworn sister.
Liu Yunyan's mother had also spent some time with her.
His original intention was to provide Liu Yunyan with a generous dowry and find her a good family so she could live a peaceful life. He never expected that she would only want to be a concubine in the mansion.
You're so disappointing...
Just then, Madam Wen walked in, her hands holding Buddhist prayer beads, followed by a group of maids and servants.
Liu Yunyan was mixed in with the group of old women, and was half forced and half pushed into the room.
Granny Xia lagged at the back of the group, her cheeks red and swollen, looking anxiously at Liu Yunyan. She tried several times to rush to Liu Yunyan's side, but was stopped by the old women.
Seeing that Granny Xia had been beaten, Old Madam Pei's gaze sharpened, and she questioned Wen Shi with displeasure: "What are you doing? Now that you're back, you should be living a peaceful life. The New Year is almost here, and you..."
"Grandma, it's not that your daughter-in-law is causing trouble. You probably don't know about Liu's matter."
As Wen spoke gently, she waved her right hand, and the head maidservant came in carrying a magnificent bright red wedding dress.
The wedding dress was made of the finest silk fabric, its texture smooth and delicate, like flowing silk.
The wedding dress was embroidered with a beautiful phoenix pattern on each side with gold thread. The phoenixes spread their wings as if about to take flight, and they were so lifelike that every feather was clearly visible.
Matching this wedding dress was a dazzling phoenix crown.
The phoenix crown is made of pure gold and inlaid with rubies and jade. In the center, a lifelike phoenix spreads its wings as if about to take flight, surrounded by sparkling pearls, dazzling and captivating.
This is definitely not the standard a concubine should have.
Almost instantly, the old lady knew what had happened.
The old man looked at Liu Yunyan with disappointment.
"old lady……"
Liu Yunyan was taken aback by the disappointed look in her eyes, and a sense of unease rose in her heart, as if something precious was being gradually lost.
After giving a slight curtsy to the old lady, Madam Wen spoke softly.
“Grandma, since my daughter-in-law came back, she has been cultivating her character and not interfering in the affairs of the household. But look at Liu Shi, what kind of behavior is she acting like?”
Pointing to the wedding dress and jewelry, Wen's gaze fell on Liu Yunyan, and she continued:
“Miss Liu, in the past you were a junior in the mansion, a pampered guest staying here. The old lady loved and doted on you. Your food and lodging were all superior to those of the young ladies in the mansion. As your aunt, I couldn’t say anything. As long as the old lady was happy, that was all that mattered.”
"But now that you want to become a concubine, you should understand what you should and shouldn't do."
"You're also a girl from a noble family, tell me, have you ever seen a concubine wear such a wedding dress?"
"Grandma, I didn't mean to break the rules..."
Biting her lip, Liu Yunyan's eyes welled up with tears. "A woman's marriage is a lifelong commitment. I just want to marry my cousin in style..."
As she spoke, her body trembled slightly from the cold.
Just now, Wen Shi led his men into her courtyard, took her wedding dress and phoenix crown without saying a word, and dragged her over. She was only wearing a thin casual dress, and it was snowing outside. She didn't even have a cloak.
Rubbing her frostbitten, red hands together, Liu Yunyan looked pitifully at the old woman, like a little flower shivering in the cold wind.
The old lady couldn't bear to see her suffer, and just as she was about to reach out to comfort her, Madam Wen quickly stepped forward and blocked Liu Yunyan's way.
"The daughter-in-law knows that the old lady feels sorry for Miss Liu, but the country has its laws and the family has its rules. Since she has chosen to enter the mansion, she should abide by the rules."
Upon hearing this, the old lady withdrew her hand that had been reaching out to Liu Yunyan.
After a long pause, the old man spoke in a deep voice.
"Does Wan know about this..."
No sooner had she finished speaking than a maidservant came to announce that the young mistress had arrived.
"I've met the old lady and the lady."
Jiang Shuwan walked in wearing a moon-white brocade jacket. She bowed first before turning her gaze to Liu Yunyan.
Looking at the wedding dress and phoenix crown in the head maid's hands, she understood the general idea.
She just didn't expect that it would be the Wen family who dealt with Liu Yunyan.
She had been fighting with the Wen family for control of the household for more than half a year. Liu Yunyan was just making things difficult for her, and not only did she not side with Liu Yunyan, she actually stood up for her.
The maids standing to the side exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes filled with shock and confusion.
"It's really strange. Usually, the Madam and the Young Mistress are like oil and water. Why is the Madam helping the Young Mistress to teach Miss Biao a lesson today?"
"Has Madam really come to her senses and wants to use this opportunity to ease the tension between herself and the young mistress?"
"It seems this trip to Lotus Manor was worthwhile; Madam has truly changed."
The maids stared at Madam Wen in shock, their opinions of her greatly changed by her transformation.
Satisfied with these changes, Wen stepped forward and grabbed Jiang Shuwan's hand, crying out "My heart is pounding!" for a long time, looking extremely distressed.
"Good child, I'm so sorry to have wronged you. You've been busy managing the affairs of the household all day long, and I never expected such a thing to happen. Luckily, I found out early. Otherwise, if Liu Shi wore this outfit on the day of the concubine's selection, where would you put your face?"
She held Jiang Shuwan's hand with immense heartache, and pointed at the maid behind Jiang Shuwan, scolding her:
"What are you all doing all day? With something like this happening in the manor, are you all deaf and blind? You worthless wretches! Do you think you'll get away with it if your young mistress loses face?"
After scolding her, she comforted Jiang Shuwan, "Don't worry, my child, your mother will definitely stand up for you!"
"..."
We're not in a relationship where you can make decisions for me, are we?
With a smile on her lips, Jiang Shuwan grabbed Wen Shi's hand and said affectionately, "Madam, please calm down. I only just found out about this. But my cousin is different from others. It's up to you, Madam, to decide."
"..."
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