The cousin's family is extremely wealthy; she deserves to be a concubine.

He San was shocked. "No way, Xiao Ba is only twelve years old. She looks like a pushover, an invisible person. How could she be so...unassuming?"

He Si gave He San a deep look. "Only you are a fool. Do you really think that just because Xiao Ba and Xiao Qi are the same age, they are equally naive?"

He San was indignant. "How am I a fool? Have you ever seen me suffer any losses?"

He Si didn't care about her. "Yes, you're not going to suffer any losses. You were born to be at odds with me."

He San hurriedly caught up with her and said a few kind words, then took the opportunity to ask, "Seventh Sister hasn't been to the girls' school for quite some time, shall we go and see her?"

He Si knew He San's true nature perfectly well. "What's there to see? She's been managing the household with her aunt this morning, and now she has Granny Li personally tutoring her. What does it matter whether she comes to the girls' school or not?"

He San pouted, "Second Sister is getting married next year, and we're both fourteen this year. Why isn't anyone asking us whether we should learn these things?"

He Si pinched her, "Be careful what you say! Some of our school's teachers have also taught housekeepers and managers."

He San retorted indignantly, "That's not the same at all; it's just empty talk."

He Si was at a loss for words. As the legitimate daughter of the second wife, she had been privately instructed by her mother, Madam Zhan.

As for the second sister, her mother had also taken her under her wing and trained her for a while.

Whether it's just for show or not, this step is not skipped.

As for the eldest branch of the family where the third sister lived, it was under the control of her aunt, Madam Shen. In fact, the entire inner quarters of the Marquis's mansion could be said to be under Madam Shen's control.

How she teaches and when she teaches are none of her business, as a distant niece.

He San thought of the eldest daughter of the main wife, an older sister who had already married. Because she was the first, the legal mother could not openly mistreat her. The older sister had also learned a little about housekeeping from her.

As for the sixth sister, she must have had some incredible luck to be favored by Consort Zhaoyi. With two nannies to teach her, her future is bound to be bright.

Of the entire main branch of the family, only she, this illegitimate daughter who was neither here nor there, was completely ignored. They had been mocking Jin Yaoyao earlier, but now they felt they might not even be as good as Jin Yaoyao.

At least Third Aunt really cared for Jin Yaoyao, so she spoiled Jin Yaoyao, a cousin, who dared to talk big with the real young lady in the Marquis's mansion.

He Si comforted He San, "You didn't have a chance to practice at your parents' home, but it'll be the same when you go to your husband's home. Are you worried about not having a chance to manage the household in the future?"

I'm worried you'll find the housekeeper too troublesome and quit.

He San didn't feel comforted, and instead cheered himself up, "Forget it, I won't think about those unrealistic things anymore."

There are two matrons in the girls' school now. I'll try my best to behave well and learn a thing or two from them, so that I'll be less bullied when I go to my husband's family."

He Si liked He San's indomitable spirit. "That's right. The two nannies teach us without holding anything back. We're not any less intelligent than others, so I don't believe we can't learn something."

He San and He Si exchanged a smile, their mood instantly improving.

He Si asked, "Are you still going to see Seventh Sister?"

He San: "I'm not going. I don't want to be a nuisance." She was afraid she would go crazy with jealousy.

-----

Yimei Garden

While waiting for Hua Sirong, Madam Shen asked Wenqin, "I asked you to investigate whether the young master and the cousin had met in private. Did you find anything?"

Wenqin replied respectfully, "Whether we have met or not, this servant is incompetent and has not been able to find out."

However, I have found that the young master and his cousin have appeared in the same area on several occasions.

As for whether the two masters met privately, this servant dares not speculate.

Madam Shen tightened her grip on the handkerchief. Rong'er was so beautiful that once you'd seen her, you'd definitely want to look at her a second time.

Hopefully, her son Zhang won't get involved.

Wait a little longer, just a little longer and your daughter-in-law will be coming in. When that happens, tell her to put a few more servants in their yard. You won't have to worry about losing your son's affections.

"Greetings to Miss Biao."

Hearing the sounds coming from the courtyard, Madam Shen knew that Hua Sirong had arrived.

After exchanging greetings, Madam Shen was momentarily at a loss for words.

If Hua Sirong had seduced He Zhizhang, she could stand on the moral high ground and criticize Hua Sirong.

But what if Hua Sirong has no idea what Zhang Ge'er is thinking? Wouldn't her revelation confirm their affair?

If Rong'er were to become envious of the Marquis's power and eagerly become Zhang'er's concubine, wouldn't her previous words of persuading her own son to give up become a joke?

Various scenarios swirled through Shen's mind, but in the end, she still chose to ask about Hua Sirong's marriage.

"Ever since your father's family came to visit, I've started looking for a husband for you. I've been thinking that since both your parents are gone, and I'm your aunt, it's only my responsibility to take on your marriage."

Although marriages have traditionally been arranged by parents and matchmakers, I still want to ask for your opinion. After all, it's you who will be married and living your life, so your aunt has come to ask you today what kind of person you want to marry.

"Among the social classes of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, although you are registered as a merchant, you now reside in the Marquis's residence. If you wish, marrying into a noble family is not impossible."

"I know you don't want to be a concubine. In the capital, there are countless impoverished noble families who can only maintain a facade of prosperity."

"You have plenty of money. I'll find a suitable nobleman, and Master Jiang will act as matchmaker. This deal is guaranteed to go through."

Hua Sirong was genuinely grateful for Shen's plan, but she was unwilling to use her money to support the entire household, lest she end up raising a whole household of ungrateful wretches.

She had heard countless stories since childhood of merchant daughters marrying into wealthy and powerful families, becoming concubines to the legitimate sons or wives to the illegitimate sons, but she had never heard of a single one that ended well.

So she said, "Aunt, I still want to find a poor but educated man. I don't need him to be very ambitious, as long as the family is simple and harmonious, that will be fine."

Shen had lived in the capital city since childhood, right under the emperor's nose. Every three years, there was an imperial examination to select officials, and she had heard countless stories of talented men and beautiful women.

"The most righteous are often from humble backgrounds, while the most ungrateful are often scholars. You must never be influenced by those romance novels; you are young and don't know that they are all harmful things."

The stories of wealthy heiresses and down-on-his-luck scholars who live happily ever after are all fabrications by impoverished scholars who can't turn their lives around, relying on their literacy skills.

They were frustrated and unfulfilled, fantasizing that one day a wealthy young lady would see through their slovenly appearance and discover their profound knowledge.

I bother!

"Rong'er, although you're a merchant, you're not short of money. Believe me, if you were to marry a poor scholar, his whole family might be spending your money while simultaneously criticizing your background."