I fulfilled the female supporting role's wish and I succeeded

As dusk fell, the lights in Sheng Mansion were bright and the noise gradually subsided.

This grand banquet is finally coming to an end.

The visitors from the Yuan family were all smiling and raising their glasses frequently, showing their great satisfaction with the marriage.

Wang Ruofu sat upright at the table, her usual noisy temper had changed, and her demeanor revealed a bit of dignity.

From time to time, she turned her head and whispered a few words to Lin Qinshuang, her eyes and eyebrows showing unconcealable joy.

Lin Qinshuang smiled like a flower, her eyes were moving, and she gently waved a round fan from time to time with an elegant posture.

She leaned close to Wang Ruofu's ear and whispered softly, "Sister, you see, the Yuan family really loves Hua'er. You should be relieved."

Wang Ruofu's smile widened upon hearing this. She patted the back of Lin Qinshuang's hand and said with emotion, "Sister, you are so thoughtful. If it weren't for your reminder, I would have almost missed Hua'er's lifelong event."

Sheng Hong sat in the main seat, stroking his beard, with a smile on his face that he couldn't hide.

He raised his glass frequently and exchanged greetings with the visitors from the Yuan family, his words full of praise for the marriage.

At the banquet, there was drinking and laughter, and both the guests and hosts were having a great time.

Lin Qinshuang stood up and walked slowly to Sheng Hong's side. She filled his glass with wine and said softly, "Master, today is a great day for our Sheng family. I offer you a toast."

Sheng Hong took the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp, his eyes full of doting.

He held Lin Qinshuang's hand and said softly, "Thank you for your hard work. This Sheng Mansion is run from top to bottom, inside and out, thanks to you for your help."

Lin Qinshuang snuggled in Sheng Hong's arms and said with a sweet smile, "It is my great honor to be able to share my lord's worries."

The clinking of wine glasses made a crisp sound that echoed in the brightly lit hall.

This grand engagement banquet ended in laughter and joy.

As the night deepened, the hustle and bustle of the Sheng Mansion gradually faded away, but the lights in Shou'an Hall were still on.

Old Madam Sheng sat upright on the couch, her face calm, twisting a string of Buddhist beads in her hand, one by one, slowly and rhythmically.

Nanny Zhao stood aside with a serious look on her face, carefully observing the old lady's expression.

"Madam," Old Madam Sheng spoke slowly, her voice low and slightly tired, "I underestimated Sheng Hong and Lin Qinshuang."

She paused, a hint of helplessness in her tone, "Now, even the lady has been won over by them."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Zhao frowned and said softly, "Old Madam, don't worry too much. The eldest lady has a straightforward personality and is easily deceived."

Old Madam Sheng shook her head and sighed, "This isn't straightforward at all; it's clearly blinded by greed!"

She looked out the window with a deep gaze, "If Hualan hadn't been kept here with me, I'm afraid I wouldn't even be able to speak in this family."

Old Madam Sheng smiled bitterly, stroking the Buddhist beads in her hand, her tone filled with worry: "Hualan will get married eventually. What should I do when she gets married?"

Aunt Zhao stepped forward, gently patted the old lady's shoulders, and said softly, "Old lady, don't think too much. Everything will work out in the end."

She paused and added, "Besides, the emperor now rules the world with benevolence and filial piety. You are the legitimate mother of the master. Even for the sake of appearances, he dare not be unfilial to you."

When Mrs. Sheng heard this, a gleam of light flashed in her eyes, but then quickly dimmed.

She murmured to herself, "Filial piety? They're not being filial, they're just wary of my status."

She raised her head and looked at Madam Zhao sharply, "Madam, do you know what I'm really worried about?"

Nanny Zhao was stunned and looked at the old lady in confusion.

Old Madam Sheng said word by word, "What I'm afraid of is losing my rights in this family."

She clenched the Buddhist beads tightly in her hand, her knuckles turning white, and her eyes flashed with complex light.

Old Madam Sheng sighed deeply, and the sound was particularly clear in the silent Shou'an Hall.

She stood up, walked to the window, opened it, and let the night wind blow her silver hair.

"Filial piety or not, to me, is nothing but an empty name."

She murmured to herself, her gaze passing through the courtyard and falling into the dark night sky in the distance.

"What I really care about is my status in this family and the right to protect myself."

Madam Zhao walked silently behind her, put a cloak on her, and asked softly, "Old Madam, what are you going to do?"

Old Madam Sheng turned around, her eyes falling on Aunt Zhao's face, a flicker of determination in her eyes: "I have to find a way to raise another child."

Zhao Mama was startled and blurted out: "Old Madam, you..."

Old Madam Sheng raised her hand to stop her and continued, "Molan can no longer be relied upon. She is the county lady, and with Lin Qinshuang, the princess' wife, it's naturally not my turn to raise her."

She paused, then continued, "Rulan is the legitimate daughter. I've already raised Hualan. The Madam will definitely not agree to let me raise another one."

Old Madam Sheng's gaze swept across the courtyard and finally fell in the direction of the remote courtyard where Wei Xiaoniang lived.

"It seems that Minglan is the only one left." Her tone was calm, without any emotion. "She is still young, and her mother is not favored, so she is the easiest to control."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Zhao felt a little worried: "Old Madam, Minglan is Miss Wei's child after all. If she is raised by you, I'm afraid..."

Old Madam Sheng sneered and interrupted Madam Zhao: "Of course I know, that's why I have to make careful plans."

She walked to the table, picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said in a cold tone: "I will never raise a child with a living mother. The child I want to raise can only rely on me and listen to me."

She put down the teacup, her eyes dark, "We need to think about this matter carefully."

Lanterns were lit everywhere in the Princess's Mansion, and the dim light fell on the courtyard, lengthening the shadows of the trees.

Sheng Hong and Lin Qinshuang's family of four were sitting around the table having dinner. The atmosphere in the room was warm and harmonious.

Lin Qinshuang frequently served food to Sheng Hong and asked softly, "Honglang, does this dish suit your taste?"

Sheng Hong smiled and nodded, his eyes full of doting: "You still understand me the best."

Molan and Changfeng were playing around, and Lin Qinshuang glared at them angrily: "You have no manners. You should be quiet when eating."

Molan stuck out her tongue and sat down obediently, but Changfeng was still naughty and secretly picked up a piece of meat and stuffed it into his mouth.

Just then, a loud quarrel came from outside, breaking the silence in the house.

Lin Qinshuang frowned slightly and ordered Zhou Xuenniang, "Go and see what's going on outside."