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

Hua Sirong and He Si both burst out laughing.

Hua Sirong said, "You little rascal."

He Si was much more direct, punching He San twice and saying, "I think you're just desperate to get married."

"As the old saying goes, 'A daughter should not be kept at home once she grows up; if you try to keep her, she will only become an enemy.'"

He San touched his slightly flushed cheek and spat, "Pah, who wouldn't want to stay? But will there be a place for me in this mansion in the future?"

These words immediately silenced the previously lively atmosphere.

He San disliked the oppressive atmosphere, and she continued, "Could it be that I said something wrong?"

It's better to choose a poor but ambitious young man than a lazy, good-for-nothing playboy.

"Just because things are good now doesn't mean they'll always be good in the future."

"The present hardships may be tough, but that doesn't mean things won't get better later."

Hua Sirong nodded in agreement.

He Si, however, had a different opinion: "What if we encounter someone who can only share the good times but not the bad?"

He San smiled brightly, "I am, after all, a young lady of the Marquis's mansion. Even if he wants to climb the social ladder, he'll have to see if the higher-ranking family will give him the opportunity!"

Hua Sirong silently took a sip of hot tea. He San understood, but there was one condition: that the Marquis's mansion could always give her enough confidence.

Unlike her, an orphan, she was very likely to become the woman He San described who would be abandoned after all her hardships.

He Si was a stab in the back; she smiled maliciously at He San, "I'm not saying that children from poor families can't achieve greatness."

"But you've been pampered since childhood, are you sure you can endure that kind of hardship?"

Seeing He San's unconvinced look, He Si continued to add insult to injury, "I'm afraid you'll die of bitterness before you even get to the sweetness."

He San slammed his hand on the table in anger, "He Xiao Si!"

Hua Sirong couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh.

"Oh dear, on this snowy day, I thought the ladies were enjoying some elegant tea and snow-viewing activities, but I overheard a couple of sentences and they were talking about their future husbands. I'll make you all feel ashamed."

He Zhizhu's sudden appearance brought the relaxed and cheerful atmosphere in the room to an abrupt halt.

Hua Sirong was the first to react, "Seventh cousin is here? Come over and warm yourself by the fire to ward off the chill."

After saying that, he got up, took the person over, and personally poured her a cup of hot tea, placing it in her hand.

As for Xiaoya, who was serving outside the curtain, she avoided looking directly at Hua Sirong, and Hua Sirong naturally didn't want to pay attention to her at the moment.

However, Hua Sirong took a special extra look at Qiu Kui, who came to Qingwu Courtyard with He Zhizhu today.

He San had just badmouthed his stepmother, Shen Shi, behind her back. She didn't know how long He Zhizhu had been eavesdropping outside. Right now, she was only focused on pouring tea and didn't dare to look at He Zhizhu even once.

He Si broke the silence first, "In previous years, Seventh Sister never liked to go out on snowy days. Why did you come all the way to Qingwu Courtyard today?"

He Zhizhu smiled with her eyes crinkling, the youthful innocence on her face and the maturity hidden in her eyes, when put together, seemed a little strange at first glance, but one couldn't quite put one's finger on why.

"I thought it would snow again today, so I thought it would be nice to stay with my sisters and enjoy the snow scenery."

"What a coincidence! I was thinking it would be a bit boring for Cousin Rong to be alone in Qingwu Courtyard, but it turns out you two are quite close, arriving even before me."

Hua Sirong looked beaming. "I never imagined that my Qingwu Courtyard would become such a hot commodity in the winter."

In truth, I've gotten a tremendous advantage; not only can I enjoy the scenery of Qingwu Courtyard, but I can also take a look at various portraits of beautiful women.

After saying that, she leaned lazily against the window and gestured towards the three beauties with her lips, the meaning of which was self-evident.

He Sanxian couldn't help but step forward and punch Hua Sirong twice. "Well, Cousin Rong. We came to visit you, but you treat us like a piece of scenery."

He Si pretended to stop He San, "No way, she's looking at us like we're admiring the scenery. Does that mean we can't look back at her?"

After saying that, he gestured for the others to look at Hua Sirong's beautiful face and rosy cheeks, saying that she looked incredibly charming.

Feeling embarrassed by the three women's stares, Hua Sirong covered her face with a handkerchief. From under the handkerchief came a sweet giggle, accompanied by the crackling of charcoal burning inside the room.

He San, who was still a little tense, gradually relaxed. He rolled his eyes and stared at He Zhizhu with a charming look, as if he was about to interrogate her. "How long have you been here, Seventh Sister?"

What did they eavesdrop on?

"Why don't you confess honestly?"

After saying that, he immediately started tickling He Zhizhu's itchy spots.

He Zhizhu, caught off guard, stumbled and fell onto Hua Sirong. He Si offered to help, and in the end, all four of them ended up falling together on the soft couch by the window, making a ruckus.

After playing around for a while, the four women simply kicked off their shoes, curled up on the soft couch, and chatted and laughed while tidying up their messy hair.

Hua Sirong suddenly said, "Oh dear, one of the plum blossom earrings I was wearing today is missing. Please help me find it."

He San, with his sharp eyes, exclaimed, "It's right here!"

She pulled something directly from He Zhizhu's hair bun; it was the one that Hua Sirong was missing.

He Zhizhu covered her hair, which her third sister had messed up even more, and said, "Third sister, be gentle. I heard you rushing to find me a husband outside the door. Be careful, or I'll tell Mother and Grandmother on you."

Upon hearing this, the three people, except for He Zhizhu, breathed a sigh of relief. They exchanged glances, their eyes crinkling with smiles.

He San reverted to his usual arrogant and sharp-tongued self.

"I'd love for you to go and complain. Once the rest of us get married, you'll be next. I don't believe you want to stay in the manor as an old maid."

He Zhizhu's eyes darted around, "Now that Second Sister's marriage is settled, it's Third Sister's turn next."

"I wonder which foolish family will marry you with such a sharp tongue?"

He Sanshun grabbed the cushion in his hand and threw it at He Zhizhu. "So what if you're tough? I've always thoughtless since you were little. Don't let someone sell you out and then help them count the money."

He Zhizhu couldn't help but think of her past life, and looking at the sisters in the house, she realized how precious this time together was.

For a moment, a rare sisterly bond arose between them.

"Is Fourth Sister's marriage arranged? Is it with the eldest son of the Marquis of Chengyi's family?" He Zhizhu suddenly asked.

He Si was surprised, but then she thought that it was possible that her mother had discussed it with Madam Zhan in private.

He Zhizhu must have heard it from the Zhan family.

He Si blushed slightly, "The marriage is not yet settled. Let's discuss it privately and not spread it around."

He Zhizhu asked with a gossipy look, "Has Fourth Sister met her future brother-in-law yet?"

Hua Sirong suddenly interjected, "Seventh Cousin is already talking about her brother-in-law all the time, which shows how satisfied she is with this soon-to-be fourth brother-in-law."

He Si smiled, but a strange feeling crept into his heart. Hua Sirong usually didn't talk much when interacting with others, and she wouldn't interrupt without reason.

Could it be because they were playing together today and the atmosphere was particularly good that they relaxed a bit?