The 86th time

  He Hongwen was dusty and disheveled, his dark-colored cotton robe had many damages. After the ceremony, Old Lady Shen ordered someone to serve tea, while Minglan stood silently beside her.

  "This time you've really grown a lot." The old lady smiled and looked at He Hongwen, "You're also darker from sun exposure."

  He Hongwen raised his eyes and saw Minglan standing tall and beautiful, even more stunning than before. Her clear and bright eyes sparkled, and he blushed, lowering his head to reply: "This time, I went with the uncles from my maternal grandfather's side, and got to know many rare medicines, as well as some rules of the medicine market. Hongwen benefited greatly."

  The old lady nodded slightly and said: "A good boy should stand on his own, you're doing very well. I heard from your grandmother that you've already put up a nameplate at the hospital?"

  He Hongwen seemed to be a bit shy, and respectfully said: "It's all thanks to the uncles who have helped me along the way. Actually... in He Hongwen's opinion, he still wants to go through some tempering at the lower levels. A doctor is not like an ordinary profession, the more experience one has, the better."

  The old lady nodded repeatedly, her smile becoming even warmer: "You're a good child who is willing to work hard and endure hardships, you understand things clearly, it's not in vain that your grandmother has taken great care of you." Just as she was saying this, the old lady changed the subject and said, "Recently the heat has been intense, but now it's cooled down a bit. Your mother hasn't been feeling well, I've prepared some things here, take them back to her later."

  As he spoke, the housekeeper on the side called for the maids to bring over a small trunk filled with precious medicinal herbs and rare silk fabrics. He Hongwen's heart sank as he saw this, thinking that in all these years, he had always been generous towards Old Lady Sheng, who would graciously accept his gifts without much fuss, only adding a few more items during the New Year's celebrations. But today... He Hongwen carefully raised his eyes to glance at Old Lady Sheng, seeing that her demeanor was as warm and friendly as usual, not mentioning anything about the Cao family affair, nor did he have the opportunity to say anything.

  He had already learned from the letter that the Cao family was returning to Beijing, and also knew that Mrs. Cao intended for him to marry Jin'er's cousin. At first, He Mu indeed wanted to make this marriage, but times have changed, and now He Hongwen has long determined that Minglan will marry himself; over the years, the two families have tacitly agreed without saying a word. He is by nature simple and straightforward, and naturally does not want to change his mind. Who would have thought that just a few days later, another letter arrived at home, saying that Jin'er's cousin was willing to be his concubine, but nothing else was clear, and he was really confused.

  After saying a few more words, the old lady felt tired and bid farewell to He Hongwen. As he was leaving, she casually said, "Let Minglan see him off."

  He Hongwen's eyes lit up, and he respectfully bid farewell, obediently bowing his head as he left. Minglan curtsied to the old lady, then turned around with a smile to see He Hongwen off. The two of them were followed by Danju and Xiaotao, walking along the stone path outside Shou'antang Hall.

  "... How's your younger sister doing lately?" He Hongwen was choked for half a day before spitting out this sentence.

  Minglan smiled and said: "Everything is fine, the last time Brother Hong sent over the Qingxin Nuomaren, Grandma ate it very well, I also ate two grains, sweet and delicious."

  The girl's voice was soft and gentle, and He Hongwen immediately let out a sigh of relief, laughing loudly: "I know you're most afraid of taking bitter medicine, so I added a lot of licorice and dried plum to it. If you like it, sister, I'll send more next year."

  Minglan covered her mouth and smiled lightly, a faint blush on her cheeks: "Medicine isn't something to be eaten recklessly, if you're hungry, just eat some snacks instead."

  He Hongwen scratched his head with a sheepish grin, his light brown face looking quite handsome: "Next time I want to go to Yunnan and Guizhou to take a look, the mountains are high and the forests are dense, maybe we can find even more precious things; just afraid that mother won't agree."

  Minglan listened with great envy, she also hoped to travel around, so she said: "Hongyang brother is right, the famous doctor Zhen Baifang of the previous dynasty once said, 'Read ten thousand volumes of books, walk ten thousand miles, search for hundreds of species, and visit all directions, only then can one obtain the way of medicine'."

  He Hongwen's eyes lit up, and he felt very comfortable in his heart; Minglan continued: "Even if we take a step back and say that if we can't cure the illness of the officials and nobles, we might be blamed; it's better to practice first."

  He Hongwen understood her meaning and couldn't help but laugh, the atmosphere suddenly relaxed. As they approached the second gate, He Hongwen suddenly stopped, his lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but hesitated; Minglan knew what he meant, so she waved her hand at the people following behind them, and Danju and Xiaotao immediately retreated a short distance away.

  Old Huang had prepared a sturdy, dark-green oilcloth-covered, flat-topped carriage. He was originally the old lady's attendant and was very honest. Next to him were his two sons, who were also reliable. Seeing Minglan's expressionless face, he didn't ask any questions and got down from the carriage step stool, letting the three girls get in.

  "Old uncle, go to the peach forest at the end of the alley!" Little Peach stretched her head and whispered to Old Huang, who responded with a nod, then whipped the horse and drove on, with his two sons following alongside.

  "Girl! You're killing me, where are we going?" Danju finally couldn't help but ask as soon as they got on the carriage.

  Minglan half-closed her eyes, not wanting to speak, and Xiaotao leaned in and replied: "Just now I saw Mr. He off at the door and heard him talk about the scenery outside. I thought I'd listen for a couple more sentences and ended up sending him all the way to the gatehouse. Just as I was thinking of leaving, who knew I saw Cao's carriage waiting at our mansion gate! Last time we went to the He's house, I saw that carriage at the He's door, with its dull gray canvas canopy, brown wooden frame, and that coachman with a big black mole on his face! Then half a head popped out from inside, and it was Cao's daughter! Mr. He seemed quite surprised, and after Cao's daughter said something to him, he got into the carriage!"

  Tangerine Zhang's mouth opened wide, and he blinked a few times, staring blankly at Minglan: "Could it be... we're going to chase after them? That won't do!"

  Xiao Tao's forehead was sweating, and she pulled down Danju's sleeve, continuing: "At that time, I had an extra thought, so I called the gatekeeper's little Shunzi to run over and take a look. Who knew that in a short while, Little Shunzi came back and said he saw from afar that the horse carriage entered the peach forest at the entrance of the alley; I immediately returned to tell Miss."

  The location of the Sheng Mansion is quite good, not far from there, there is a small peach grove, although it's not very tidy, and there are few tourists, but it also has a wild interest. Minglan roughly estimated the situation, thinking that Cao Jing was probably single when she came, and her brother and sister wanted to reminisce about their past alone. The location is important, it needs to be poetic and picturesque, and rarely visited by people. He's house won't do, neither will Cao's house, that small peach grove is just right.

  Minglan counted on her fingers, calculating the time it took from Sheng's residence to Taolin. It was only about 7-8 minutes by carriage. Xiao Shunzi and Xiao Tao were both sprinters, so in total, they had only delayed for around half an hour. Following the Korean drama plot, at this moment, her brother and sister-in-law would have just finished recounting their experiences of the past few years. Judging from Cao Jinxiu's appearance, it seemed that she must have spent a considerable amount of time crying.

  "...so it is, what did you want to do by hurrying over, miss?"

  Are you going to catch an adulterer?! Tan Ju was stunned.

  "It doesn't matter."

  The carriage stopped, the curtain slightly moved, and a faint scent of peach blossoms wafted over. Minglan opened her eyes, smoothed out the wrinkles on her skirt, adjusted the golden hairpin at her temple, and said lightly, "I'm tired." After speaking, she took hold of Xiaotao's wrist and stepped out of the carriage door.

  Damn it! If you want to die, do it quickly and cleanly. This dull knife is torturing people too much! In this ancient era where the average marriage age is 16, her youth is extremely precious! There are beautiful flowers everywhere in the world, if not, hurry up and change someone!

  It was high noon, and the August sun was still strong. The peach forest was almost deserted, and this area was also located in the middle of the imperial city, so security was particularly tight due to the recent autumnal equinox. People were not allowed to roam freely, and Minglan wore a veil, following Danju, Xiaotao, and two young men from the Huang family as they walked deeper into the forest.

  Xiao Tao quickly ran a few steps forward, then hastily returned and whispered to Ming Lan: "The Cao family's carriage is on the west side, He Shao Ye and Cao Biao Niang are over there." She pointed towards a row of tall, dense trees in front.

  Minglan told the two young men from the Huang family to wait here, and led Xiaotao and Danguo forward. After walking a few steps closer, they heard a low sobbing sound, as well as a man's gentle consoling voice; Minglan and the other two immediately hid behind a large tree.

  “...Brother, Liangzhou is really not a place for humans to live. Even clean water is scarce! The water drawn from the well is all salty and bitter. After drinking a few mouthfuls, my parents' faces were swollen...” Cao Jinxiu's voice was like sobbing, “This is what it has come to. In recent years, our silver has been used up, and we couldn't even afford to bribe officials. Our family really can't make ends meet, so they...they married me off to him...a thousand-household military officer stationed in Liangzhou...Brother, my...

  I'd rather die! But I just can't die, what would happen to Father and Mother if I died?!

  Sobs and crying sounds came, He Hongwen comforted in a low voice, Cao Jinyu seemed to be very excited, a rustling sound, as if she was pulling her sleeves, Cao Jinyu cried again: "If I can see my brother again, it's worth dying! In these years, I often remember the things we did when we were young... I liked the flowers on the pomegranate tree, you climbed so high to pick them for me, later fell down, Aunt was angry and anxious, but you refused to say it was for me, only said you were naughty... And every year during the Lantern Festival, you made a small lantern for me by hand, sometimes it's a lotus flower, sometimes it's a little rabbit... In my midnight dream, what I fear most is that brother has forgotten me!

  "Hey, calm down, sit and talk properly, don't cry! Your brother is here, now that you're all back, things will get better!"

  She sobbed softly a few more times, and Cao Jinxiu seemed to calm down gradually. Her voice was faint: "Later, the amnesty order arrived, and my parents took out all the silver they had, and brought me back from that family of a thousand households. Anyway, he didn't want me either, saying I cried every day, and was a jinx who would cry away his official luck! I originally thought it was better to die, but I was afraid of hurting my parents' feelings, and also wanted to see my cousin one last time, so even death wouldn't be unbearable. Now that's all settled, I've seen my cousin, and can close my eyes in peace..."

  He Hongwen exhorted again: "Don't talk nonsense, don't mention anything about life or death, you still have a long way to go!"

  “…That Miss Sheng, I've seen her, she's elegant and refined, with a good family background, and the old lady likes her too. This is really great, really great! Brother's lifelong event is settled then...Miss Sheng is gentle and clever, in the future, she will surely take good care of Auntie and Brother...Mother said that Brother should marry me, how dare I have such extravagant hopes? I'm already tainted, a fallen flower...I'll just be Brother's little maid, serving you and Miss Sheng tea and water, doing chores for you two. As long as I can see Brother often, I'll be content...”

  Tangerine's face was bright red, and Little Peach was biting her teeth lightly, wishing she could pounce on him and take a couple of bites.

  Through the faintly visible tree branches, Ming Lan saw that Cao Jingyi had already leaned her head on He Hongwen's shoulder. Her small bird-like frail body kept trembling, like a helpless child sobbing quietly. He Hongwen let out heavy sighs, one hand gently stroking her back, continuously comforting her, saying in a low voice: "Ming sister is extremely good..."

  Xiao Tao's anger was trembling, and she could no longer bear it. With a sudden movement, her foot stepped on something, making a "crack" sound, breaking a branch in the grass. He Hongwen and Cao Jinyu both exclaimed at the same time, turning their heads to look towards Minglan.

  "Who's there?" He Hongwen shouted loudly.

  Dang Ju glared at Xiao Tao, Ming Lan was startled, slightly adjusted her clothes, calmly stepped out of the woods, and stood in front of He Cao and others. Xiao Tao and Dang Ju also came out with their heads down.

  He Hongwen saw Minglan, his face turned red and green, and he was stunned for a long time before saying: "Ming sister, what are you doing here?"

  Minglan waved her hand, and Xiaotao and Danguo retreated, leaving only the three of them under the shade of the trees. Minglan glanced at the wet tears on He Hongwen's chest and forced a smile, saying: "I was originally going out for something, passing by the peach forest, who knew I saw Cao's sister's carriage, so I thought about coming in to say hello, didn't expect Brother Hongwen to be here too."

  A casual remark left He Hongwen at a loss for words, and he stuttered: "Y-you... you heard everything?"

  Minglan still smiled: "I didn't hear much, just a little bit."

  The sunlight at the end of summer shines through the leaves and casts a glow on Minglan's face, as delicate and translucent as white jade. Her semi-transparent skin seems to be fragile enough to break with just a touch, radiating an unbelievable luster, extremely elegant, with a pair of eyes exceptionally black and silent.

  He Hongwen's mind was in a daze, he was very clear that he belonged to Yi Minglan, he liked her gentle and elegant personality, her cute and playful nature, he hoped to marry her and spend the rest of his life with her, but as soon as he turned his head, Cao Jinxiu appeared like a gust of wind.

  Like withered leaves, trembling slightly, black and yellow, thin, weak, wilted. The impression of that lovely little cousin in his mind had changed to this state, he couldn't bear it, and was at a loss for the time being.

  Cao Jinxu saw He Hongwen's face, let out a sorrowful cry, and rushed to Minglan's feet. A string of tears flowed from her eyes, her lips trembling, her voice mournful: "Sheng Niangniang! Don't blame Brother Biao, it was I who didn't know the rules, knowing that Brother Biao would come today, so I had someone keep watch at the dock and then followed him all the way here; Brother Biao's heart is only thinking of you, he has no one else in his heart!"

  Minglan nodded calmly and said, "This is a matter between your brother and me. As an unmarried girl, you should be careful with your words and not speak rashly, lest you cause trouble for others; now get up first, or people will think I'm bullying you."

  Cao Jinxu was stunned for a moment, then immediately nodded, but did not get up. He repeatedly apologized and said: "Miss is right, it's all my fault! I'm already a withered flower, not as knowledgeable and reasonable as Miss. Please don't be angry with me!"

  He Hongwen hastily went forward to help Cao Jinxiu up, but unexpectedly Cao Jinxiu only pulled at Minglan's hem and continued to beg: "Miss Sheng, look at me, in what way am I not inferior to you? Just pity me!... In these years, my life has been worse than death, more than once I've thought of ending it all, just thinking that I could see Brother Bao was enough for me to live until today, please, I beg of you..."

  Cao Jinxiu's voice was extremely humble, filled with endless sorrow and grief. Her gaze at He Hongwen was like a ghost from hell looking up at the world of humans. He Hongwen had always been soft-hearted and couldn't help but get teary-eyed. Looking at Minglan, his eyes seemed to hold a hidden plea, as he stuttered: "......Ming sister, look, my cousin..."

  He Hongwen couldn't say anything more because Minglan was quietly staring at him with her eyes.

  Minglan felt a surge of blood in her chest, and now it seemed that Cao Jingyi was not responding to her. Minglan took a few steps back and stood under the shade of a cool tree, looking at Cao Jingyi who was still kowtowing on the ground. She said calmly: "Cousin, don't cry anymore, I want to ask you a few things...I heard from Brother Hongwen that you have two older half-sisters and one younger half-sister, how are they doing now?"

  Cao Jinxiu raised her head blankly, really not knowing what Minglan meant. This question was indeed a bit difficult to answer. Cao Jinxiu thought for half a day before answering with difficulty: "They... are all well, they didn't come back, and stayed in Liangzhou."

  He Hongwen was taken aback and asked, "How did they end up staying in Liangzhou? Auntie and Uncle have returned, what are they doing there?" Cao Jinxiu's voice was weak and trembling: "They...have also been promised to others."

  He Hongwen immediately understood what was going on and his face changed color again.

  "Miss, I know you're pitiful; but you're not the most pitiful person. You may have had an unfortunate marriage, but at least you still have parents who care about you and would do anything to bring you back. How can you so easily talk about life and death? But what about your sisters? They are concubines, and when your uncle was wealthy and powerful, they didn't necessarily enjoy the same treatment as you did. Now that the family has fallen on hard times, they have to bear the same hardships, and they've even been left behind in Liangzhou to become someone's concubine. It goes without saying how bitter their lives are; there's no one from their family by their side, and no one asks about their well-being. To be honest, I think they're even more pitiful than you are. Not to mention the widows and orphans of the Liangshan Mountains... what do you think, Miss?"

  Cao Jinxu's face turned bright red with shame, and she couldn't help but sneak a glance at He Hongwen, her heart racing with anxiety. She knew that her mother had never been kind to her illegitimate children, and He Hongwen had witnessed it many times when they were young; sure enough, He Hongwen's expression was somewhat displeased.

  "The family really has no money, parents... are also very sorry and worried about it, but... the husbands of several sisters are all good people." Cao Jinxiu could only say this, then rushed to Minglan again, crying and sobbing, her body lightly trembling. "Sheng Niangniang, I heard that He family's old lady and my aunt often praised you, saying that you are kind-hearted and benevolent, and often do good deeds. Please take pity on me like a beggar by the roadside! I won't compete with you for anything, I couldn't even if I wanted to, just please let me see Brother Sheng often..."

  "It won't work." Minglan shook her head firmly and slowly, taking both He Cao and others by surprise, who didn't expect Minglan to be so resolute.

  Miss Cao, have you ever seen a kind-hearted person who would give away all their possessions to a beggar? Minglan turned her face towards He Hongwen and said word by word: "For a woman, her husband is everything she has. Which woman would take her own husband to sympathize with another woman?! Unless it's a saintly mother of the highest order."

  He Hongwen's face turned red, under Minglan's firm and sincere gaze, he felt a thrill of surprise, and seemed to be flustered, Cao Jinxiu's lips trembled: "...... But what I ask for is just......"

  Minglan gently waved her hand, interrupting her: "Eldest cousin, don't deceive yourself. You're not an ordinary maid or concubine. You're the cousin who grew up with Brother Hongwen since childhood."

  Cao Jinxian's face turned pale with fright, and Minglan continued: "I'm a very ordinary person, I also think about happiness and prosperity, I also want to live a smooth life; but if when I'm being filial to my elders, raising children, and managing household chores, my husband is pouring his heart out to someone else about childhood stories of pomegranate flowers, lotus flower lanterns, and little rabbit lanterns, then isn't that laughable? What am I, just a decorative piece?"

  He Hongwen listened and felt embarrassed again, taking a few steps back from Cao Jinyu.

  "You will never be just a decoration! Brother Cao's heart only has you!" Cao Jinxiu begged anxiously.

  "With you here, I'm just a figurehead!"

  Minglan took a deep breath and said it all, looking straight at He Hongwen, her voice soft: "Elder cousin is indeed pitiful, but I'd like to ask Brother Hongwen, must taking care of her mean marrying her and having a child with her? If you don't marry her, can Elder Cousin not survive? You just told me that you would treat Elder Cousin like your own sister, I remember it clearly. Then please treat her as your own sister! Find her a good husband, prepare her dowry, support her in her husband's family, wouldn't that be okay?"

  He Hongwen was deeply moved, and his mind suddenly cleared up. Just now, he was confused by Cao Jinxiu's crying and begging, but now that he thought about it, wasn't it indeed the case?

  Cao Jinxu's tears flowed rapidly, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. She looked at He Hongwen in silence, then at Minglan with a determined expression. Her eyes grew wider and wider as she felt a wave of sorrow wash over her, her body alternating between hot and cold. Just then, Minglan walked up to He Hongwen and gazed sincerely into his eyes, her voice firm and persuasive as she exhorted him:

  "Hongwen brother, it's not that I'm forcing you, but think carefully, if you really have feelings for Cao sister, I won't blame you. Over the years, Old Lady He has helped my family a lot and you've also treated me well, our families' relationship will remain the same; but there's only one thing, if I exist, then Cao sister can't exist, no concubines, no maids, none of that is allowed! After we get married, it's best if my cousin doesn't see you often, I've already spoken to her about this, to avoid any misunderstandings!"

  After saying this, Minglan also felt exhausted. She bowed to He Hongwen and made a polite curtsy to Cao Jingxiu, then turned around without another word and left, not looking back.

  She walked on, and Minglan couldn't care about etiquette anymore. She directly used her sleeve to wipe the moisture off her face before Xiaotao and Dangui saw it. She forced back her tears, wiped her face clean, and smiled in the sunlight, as if everything was fine.

  ……

  On the west side of Shengfu, in the main house of Shou'antang, all doors and windows were tightly closed, and there were only two people inside.

  With a "slap", the ruler was slammed to the ground, Minglan knelt in front of the old lady, withdrew her left hand which had been beaten red and swollen, gritted her teeth in pain, lowered her head and remained silent.

  "How dare you be so bold! Can't I help but punish you?!" The old lady leaned on the couch, panting with rage.

  "My granddaughter doesn't dare." Minglan said in a low voice.

  "Y-y-you..." The old lady pointed at Minglan, unable to speak, and scolded, "Are you so afraid of not getting married that you're eager to go and compete with others? What is your status? What is the status of the Cao family? Who is Cao Jinxiu, she's not even worthy of holding your shoes!"

  Minglan was silent for a moment before saying, "Miss Cao is indeed a pitiful person."

  "You're really kind of heart?!" The old lady sneered.

  "No, my granddaughter is a selfish person." Minglan raised her head and replied loudly, "No matter how pitiful Cao Niang is, she can't make my granddaughter give in! She wants to enter the door? Dream on!"

  The old lady finally calmed down a bit, slowed down her breathing, and said: "How can you be so stubborn! Without him, we would have to eat hairy pigs, wouldn't we? I'm not dead yet! Before I close my eyes, I must find you a suitable good wife!"

  Minglan's face floated up with a bitter smile, slowly stroking the old lady's knee, saying: "Grandmother, where in the world is there a perfect husband? Where is there a truly comfortable mother-in-law's house?"

  The old lady was shocked, but she glared at Minglan with a stubborn expression: "You think He Hongwen is that good?"

  "No, he isn't the best." Minglan was unusually calm, her eyes fixed on the old lady. "Over the years, Grandmother has sought out many families for your granddaughter's marriage, but in the end, you still favored the He family. Why is that? Because, as you also know, Brother Hongwen is indeed a gentleman of good character, self-reliant and dependable, who has vowed since childhood not to take concubines; after considering all options, you still thought Brother Hongwen was the best, didn't you?"

  The old lady was speechless for a moment, and then turned her head away in anger.

  Minglan gently stroked the old lady's knee, her voice choked with emotion: "That year when I moved to Mochou Zhai, Grandmother, you said that no one could shield a granddaughter from the wind and rain for a lifetime. Granddaughter remembered it... Now, the wind and rain outside have entered the house, and Grandmother is afraid that Granddaughter will suffer injustice, and wants to close the doors and windows to block out the wind and rain; but this won't do! Why? Why should we give in?"

  Minglan's tone suddenly became fierce, her voice as resolute as a hammer striking an iron: "A person lives only once, and on the road of life there are always many unevennesses and obstacles. Can't just avoid them at first sight! I want to take a closer look, fill in the mud and sand, move the stones to pave the way, maybe after passing through it will become a thoroughfare! How can one encounter something unpleasant and then reject the family that has come together with great difficulty?"

  The old lady's heart was violently shaken, her eyes became misty and wet, looking at the girl she had raised with her own hands, she didn't know when she had become so brave and decisive. She herself lacked this kind of perseverance, and had given up too easily in the past. As she spoke, the old lady also hesitated: "Do you think... it's possible?"

  Minglan shook her head, her eyes clear and bright: "It's hard to say. Perhaps Brother Hongwen can fulfill Old Madam's wishes, but perhaps he also has feelings for Cao Gongzhu, who knows? If that's the case, I'll just accept my fate! Man proposes, God disposes; as a granddaughter, I've done my best, the rest is up to Heaven."

  The old lady fell onto the couch, speechless for a long time.

  Minglan saw her grandmother's defeated face and couldn't bear it, so she slowly got up from the bed, her knees burning with pain, almost gasping for breath. She endured the pain, sat down beside her grandmother, and smiled as she persuaded:

  "Grandma, things are not as bad as they seem. As for Brother Hongwen, it's not necessary to mention him, and Aunt He is actually a good person, she just has a soft spot in her ears. If I were to marry someone else, who knows how many evil spirits my daughter would have to fight in the future? But if I marry Brother Hongwen, I'll only have to deal with one family. The Cao family is not worth worrying about, they have no power, no influence, no money, and no people. If they behave themselves, we can just give them some silver and send them back to their hometown, and let the Cao family's children focus on their studies; if they refuse to give up and keep clinging to our family, trying to take advantage of us, I'm not afraid of them either! I have a kind-hearted grandmother who cares for me, successful brothers, and sisters who married into high-ranking families. What is there to be afraid of? Aunt He is weak and can't manage the household, but with Grandma He in charge, I'll be able to take care of everything once I marry into their family; having a soft spot in her ears isn't necessarily a bad thing. When the time comes, I'll make sure to put everything in order at the He estate, and not let the Cao family people come and go as they please. And I'll have the maidservants who serve Aunt He persuade her day and night, until she finally listens... I don't believe Aunt He is so stubborn! If we're afraid of this little thing, then we might as well not be human! Grandma should trust me, I still have some skills."

  After a long persuasion, the old lady's complexion gradually calmed down, looking at Minglan's firm expression, she couldn't help but sigh, rubbing her head and saying: "I always thought you were a child, it turns out you've already made up your mind; what's next, just waiting anxiously?"

  Minglan let out a soft sigh, her lips a mixture of helplessness: "Today, my granddaughter said some big and harsh words! If the He family is interested, there will be news within a few days. Let's wait for... ten days, if there's no message after ten days, Grandma will find another family for Minglan. After all, this world doesn't only have one family with sons."

  I'm exhausted! Tomorrow, which is Monday, I will be taking a rest day. From now on, every Monday will be a rest day. Got it?!

  Goodnight everyone.