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

Hua Sirong took the freshly peeled chestnuts from her and nodded in agreement, "Okay, next time let's pick a drafty pavilion, roast chestnuts together, and huddle together for warmth."

Just imagining that scene made them burst into laughter.

As He Zhizhu laughed, she wondered if her cousin in her past life had the same pleasing and easy-going personality.

Unfortunately, she had very little contact with Hua Sirong in her previous life, so she couldn't find any information about her.

She casually mentioned, "Why has my cousin been gone for so long?"

Hua Sirong showed no remorse. "Was it long? It wasn't too bad. It must be that the winter clothes were a bit too cumbersome."

He Zhizhu raised her eyebrows, nodded slightly, glanced at Hua Sirong, and said, "I noticed that my cousin is in particularly good spirits today. Could it be because of her engagement?"

No wonder Third Sister is so eager to get married; it turns out that engagements have a stimulating effect on her mind.

He San was focused on eating chestnuts when he unexpectedly became the center of attention again. "Zhu Yatou, please shut up and don't mention those two words to me again."

As he spoke, he stuffed a peeled chestnut directly into He Zhizhu's mouth.

He Si also sided with He San, saying, "Seventh Sister, you know perfectly well that your Third Sister is the most vengeful, yet you still keep provoking her."

Let me give you a piece of advice: be careful when you get engaged.

Be careful, your third sister might team up with the other sisters to laugh at you.

He Zhizhu pouted, "I'm not afraid at all."

When she becomes the Second Prince's consort, they will all have no choice but to fawn over her; they wouldn't dare to laugh at her.

Hua Sirong's eyes flickered slightly. "The weather is just right today. I've done some calculations, and I'm sure Zhuzhu will get what she wants in the future and become a person of high status."

I think my third cousin's revenge plan is going to fail.

He San was so angry he could only glare at him, while He Si's smile held a hint of surprise.

He Zhizhu glanced at Hua Sirong a few more times, but a smug look appeared on her face.

The conversation then became more scattered, ranging from popular jewelry in the capital to the new winter clothes launched by Jin Yi Fang.

Hua Sirong was slightly disappointed, as He Zhizhu did not reveal any further details about her marriage.

Hua Sirong felt a vague unease, but she also knew that she should still be safe before the end of the year.

----

every other day

In the Green Grass Courtyard

Hua Sirong has already rested.

Although Chunyan was already much better, Wang's mother insisted that she rest for a couple more days.

Therefore, only Wang's mother was keeping watch tonight, making the room seem a bit too quiet.

Suddenly, two meows came from outside the yard.

Hua Sirong sat up in bed and whispered, "Mom." Wang's mother didn't answer, but she could hear the rustling sound of her getting up.

Then Hua Sirong heard the sound of the room door being gently opened...

About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Wang's mother returned.

Hua Sirong had already taken out a small luminous pearl from under her pillow, which made the room a little brighter.

"Mom, come warm up by the brazier. I think it's snowing again outside."

Mrs. Wang patted the snowflakes off her clothes and stood on the other side of the brazier. "It's snowing, but it's not too heavy."

After saying that, she carefully took something out of her bosom and handed it to Hua Sirong without even looking at it.

Hua Sirong took it and felt the warmth of Wang's mother's hand as it warmed up, which put her at ease.

She opened the waterproof cover, and there was a crumpled piece of paper inside.

Hua Sirong quickly read through the note, but this time she hesitated to throw it into the brazier to burn it.

Madam Wang listened intently to the sounds outside, thinking that everyone in the courtyard should be asleep by now, before calling out softly, "Miss, Miss?"

Hua Sirong snapped out of her daze, gave Wang Mama a knowing look, and casually tossed the note and waterproof cloth into the brazier.

In just a short while, only ashes remained in the brazier.

Hua Sirong then picked up the pliers next to her and carefully poked at the ashes in the brazier, making sure they all fell into the gaps between the embers before stopping.

Seeing that Hua Sirong remained silent, Wang's mother quietly sat down beside her and stayed with her.

After a long silence, Hua Sirong finally spoke, "Mom, it's late, you should go and rest."

Madam Wang stood up. "Shall I help the young lady to bed first?"

Hua Sirong paused for a moment after hearing this before nodding.

Once Hua Sirong was lying in bed and the curtains were drawn, in the small, enclosed space, she finally had the mind to recall the note she had just received.

When her father was alive, he often taught her that money can make the devil turn the millstone.

If someone truly has a heart as firm as a rock and still cherishes their former master.

Either the offer she made wasn't enough, or money was simply something external to her.

Hua Sirong is not short of money.

Even before she used that small seal to withdraw more wealth from the bank, the remaining silver in her hands was enough for her to use in the inner quarters of the Marquis's mansion to win people over.

The two meows outside the window just now were not from stray cats in the mansion, but from Hua Sirong's spies who were always alert and perceptive.

Such eyeliner is rare, but exquisite.

The news I received tonight is certainly not trivial.

She really didn't expect that okra would move so quickly.

What she didn't expect was that Qiu Yi would take advantage of her position to eavesdrop on the private conversation between Lord He and He Zhizhang.

Hua Sirong pulled the blanket up to keep out any cold draft.

A smile appeared on her lips as she recalled the few teachings her father had given her before his death.

Okra and Autumn Breeze are undoubtedly the most trusted people by their master's side.

They are not people who can be easily swayed by money.

However, Granny Yan had developed a pair of discerning eyes.

When Qiu Yi was in the girls' school, she was sent by the young master to deliver things. During those few observations, she discovered the secret between the two and told Hua Sirong in private.

As far as Hua Sirong is concerned, if she can get married peacefully, she doesn't care about things like okra or autumn feelings.

But at the plum blossom viewing banquet that day, Hua Sirong realized that He Zhizhu would not let the matter rest.

She then took advantage of their private relationship to sow discord between them, and took the opportunity to steal useful information so that she could be prepared in advance for everything.

Thinking about the contents of the note, Hua Sirong couldn't sleep at all.

When she heard Wang Mama's rhythmic breathing, she gently got out of bed by the light of the luminous pearl.

Thinking that the study was cold and quiet at the moment, she took a hand warmer out of the warm bed, held it in her hands, and then tiptoed to the study.

In the dead of night, she did not light a lamp, but only used the light of the luminous pearl to find the rare book she had hidden.

If the message Qiuyi conveyed to Qiukui is true, then the unique book in her hand is also a copy?

The real rare copy was handed over to the late emperor by the old marquis long ago.

Hua Sirong was filled with doubts. She carefully felt the texture of the paper, her brows furrowing even deeper.

Still incredulous, he brought the luminous pearl closer and examined it carefully.

She frowned slightly. If the old Marquis's mansion had handed over the real rare copy, then why would he leave behind an aged fake copy for the Marquis's mansion?

Was it merely to use this opportunity to form a marriage alliance with the Meng family?