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

Yuan Tiaotiao's stepmother was also difficult to get along with, but her stepmother usually liked to put on an act, only doing things to annoy her in private, and speaking in a way that was sharp but actually hurtful, but she would never raise her voice like this.

"I did act impulsively today. I only thought that my cousin's reputation was ruined, which would not pose a threat to me."

But now that I think about it carefully, what if my cousin Rong's reputation is ruined and no one wants to marry her? What if she ends up clinging to the Marquis's mansion, and my mother-in-law directly betroths her to our young master as a concubine?

Du Juan was worried for her daughter. The cousin had such a captivating face that even if her reputation was ruined, men would still feel both disgust and affection for her when they looked at her.

Originally heading back to Mixiang Garden, Yuan Tiaotiao immediately changed course and went to Qingwu Courtyard.

At this moment, she didn't care about being newly married or not. Anyway, Hua Sirong had come out to attend the banquet on the big day, so it was too late to be superstitious.

When Hua Sirong met this cousin-in-law at Qingwu Courtyard, she was quite shocked. She really didn't know why this new cousin-in-law, with whom she had no prior connection, was taking such good care of her.

If she were in the same position as the Seventh Sister, receiving special treatment from her sister-in-law, she could accept it calmly.

In fact, even Shen ignored her, so this new cousin-in-law really shouldn't have put too much energy into her, a marginal person who was destined to receive very little in return.

It was only when Yuan Tiaotiao saw Hua Sirong for the first time that she realized Du Juan had indeed not lied to her.

She is indeed a beauty. If she were a man, she would also have the urge to take her home as a concubine.

After exchanging greetings, Yuan Tiaotiao began to explain the purpose of her trip, "...It's all over the place, saying that several major events happened in the manor on the day of my wedding to your cousin..."

Outsiders, unaware of the truth, have pinned the blame on you, my cousin.

My cousin is an orphan who finally found a place to stay in the Marquis's mansion. Those gossipy people outside not only fail to empathize with her, but also add fuel to the fire. They are truly hateful.

It's a pity I'm just a weak woman with no strength to even kill a chicken, otherwise I would definitely have confronted those scoundrels and given them a good talking-to, to prove my cousin's innocence.

Hua Sirong was taken aback; she had stayed in Qingwu Courtyard for the past two days and hadn't gone anywhere.

She originally thought that the Marquis's mansion, for the sake of its reputation, would certainly not allow the events of the wedding banquet to spread wildly outside.

Moreover, upon closer examination, what did that day's events have to do with her? Who knew that in the end, the fire would still burn her?

She suspected that Jin Yaoyao and her group had probably spread the news to ruin her reputation.

With her gossiping around, no one really bothered to dwell on Jin Yaoyao and Zeng Ke's affair.

Hua Sirong was filled with a thousand thoughts, but facing Yuan Tiaotiao, she had to put on a brave face. "Thank you for standing up for me, but because of my matter, the reputation of the Marquis's mansion has been affected, and I am really at ease."

Yuan Tiaotiao immediately comforted her, "Cousin, don't worry about it. Your mother-in-law will handle things outside. Don't let those unfounded rumors affect you."

After saying that, seeing Hua Sirong nod, she casually sighed, "My mother-in-law told me yesterday that she's looking after my cousin's husband's family, and I don't know if it will be affected."

I just hope they can open their eyes wide and see the good qualities in our cousin Rong, and not be misled by those rumors.

But then again, if some family really does look down on my cousin because of this, I think it's a good thing. Such families can't handle things in a pinch, so it's better if we don't marry into them.”

Hua Sirong managed to give a weak reply, her smile more like a grimace. "After this incident, my marriage prospects are probably even more difficult. Sigh, I can only trouble my aunt to put in more effort for me."

Seeing that Hua Sirong still seemed determined to get married, Yuan Tiaotiao couldn't help but promise, "As long as my cousin really wants to get married, even if her mother-in-law can't find a suitable family for her, I, her sister-in-law, will keep an eye out for you."

Hua Sirong's eyes flashed, and she looked at Yuan Tiaotiao with a look of surprise and delight. "Thank you, cousin-in-law."

The two looked extremely close, but to outsiders, it was the first time they had ever met.

After seeing off Yuan Tiaotiao and his servant, Wang Mama's face showed a mixture of joy and worry.

"It is said that if the master of a large family does not want to spread the news, even the most trivial matters will not get out."

This old servant truly cannot understand why rumors of a young woman's ill fate would circulate in the capital.

Hua Sirong gazed at the grove of bamboo in Qingwu Courtyard and said softly, "Who must have been in the way to suffer this misfortune?"

If she had previously doubted Jin Yaoyao, then Wang's mother's words at this moment were undoubtedly a blow to the head.

Yes, if it weren't for the Marquis's master pulling strings behind the scenes, who in the entire capital would know that Hua Sirong is a cousin of the Marquis of Muqing?

Truly, what merit do they possess?

Madam Wang brought up Yuan Tiaotiao again, saying, "This young mistress seems to be a kind-hearted person. She didn't blame the young lady for this, but instead said she would help the young lady find a husband."

Hua Sirong didn't want to spoil Wang's mother's good mood, so she didn't offer any further explanation.

She knew in her heart that the premise for her cousin-in-law's enthusiasm must be that there was no conflict of interest between the two of them.

If she were to willingly debase herself and insist on becoming the concubine of the young master's cousin, then this young mistress would probably be a completely different person.

Two days later, the girls' school resumed classes as usual, but unfortunately, Hua Sirong was told that she didn't need to go.

Although Hua Sirong had a premonition, Wang's mother and Chunyan were still saddened for a long time.

Hua Sirong decided to prove to the two of them with her actions that she was not unhappy about not being able to go to school.

She spent the morning reading in the study and the afternoon ordering Chunyan around in the yard, looking very busy.

But the Shen family, who lived in Yimei Garden, were now in a dilemma.

She looked at Granny Yan standing in front of her, and even though she was hunched over, she felt that Granny Yan's spine was straight.

"What did Granny Yan just say? I think I've been busy these past few days and haven't been sleeping well, so my hearing isn't very good. Could you please repeat it to me?"

Granny Yan still wore that unapproachable expression. "This old servant has been living in the manor for a while now and has gotten to know the personalities of all the young ladies. When I left the palace, my original intention was to find a young master to take care of me in my old age."

The old servant has come to see Lady Hou today to tell you that I have already secured a place for myself to rely on in my later years.

Madam Shen nodded. When Granny Yan first came to the mansion, she did have this kind of explanation.

Granny Yan continued, "This old servant quite likes Miss Rong in the manor. I came here today to inform Madam that I will soon be packing my bags to go to Miss Rong's Qingwu Courtyard, and will no longer be a nuisance in the Marquis's manor's school."

Madam Shen stared at Granny Yan. She knew she hadn't misheard this time. The nanny in front of her had chosen her next employer, Hua Sirong.