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

Du Juan added casually, "Luckily, Miss Rong is engaged. They've chosen a good date at the beginning of the year, and she might get married in just a few months."

Yuan Tiaotiao nodded, "Cousin Rong is already living under someone else's roof, so I think the Jiang family must also want to marry her as soon as possible."

Judging from the engagement ceremony that day, I fear the wedding banquet will be prepared soon after the New Year.

Du Juan was shocked. "So fast? Isn't it too fast? The whole process of matchmaking and betrothal can take several years."

Yuan Tiaotiao chuckled, "Only wealthy families are so particular. The man my cousin Rong married is practically a peasant."

She was just lucky; the man was from a distant branch of the Jiang family in Beijing, beyond the fifth degree of kinship.

Without the powerful Jiang family as a backing, what is that young master Jiang's family worth?

After thinking about it carefully, Du Juan agreed wholeheartedly. "Young Madam, you have such discerning eyes. On the day of the marriage proposal, I also carefully examined the birth mother of that Young Master Jiang."

Looking at her outfit, the fabric wasn't even as good as what the maids in the manor wore; it was clearly the only decent piece of clothing she kept at the bottom of her wardrobe.

But the cuffs were actually a bit frayed, probably because she usually wore the same garment underneath when visiting someone's house.

After saying this, the master and servant couldn't help but laugh out loud, and the previously tense atmosphere in the carriage immediately became much lighter.

Yuan Tiaotiao seemed to have completely forgotten that when she was in the Yuan family, making a living under her stepmother's care, most of the good things she got were leftovers from her stepsister.

But people often only see what they want to see and only remember what they want to remember.

When Yuan Tiaotiao returned to the Marquis's residence, servants from Yimei Garden were already waiting at the main gate, saying that the Marquis's wife had invited him.

The mood that Yuan Tiaotiao had finally managed to adjust was extinguished again.

Yimei Garden

Madam Shen looked Yuan Tiaotiao up and down, and seeing that there was no hostility between her brows, she felt much relieved.

"The end of the year is just around the corner, and you're pregnant. What important matter can't be handled by the servants in the manor? Why must you, the mistress, brave the wind and snow to go out and risk your life?"

Yuan Tiaotiao didn't believe that Shen Shi didn't know what she had been doing, but Shen Shi insisted on pretending to be stupid, and she, as her daughter-in-law, dared not hide anything.

"I overheard that the young master had met a like-minded girl outside, but I was afraid I had misheard, so I thought I would take the time to go out and confirm it for myself today."

I was thinking, if there really were such a young lady, I would definitely invite her back to our Marquis's residence as a guest.

Shen's expression softened slightly. "Oh? Did you see that girl today?"

Yuan Tiaotiao said apologetically, "I saw her, but the young master also happened to be here. He said that the young lady is not suitable for our household and told me not to bother her in the future."

Madam Shen frowned slightly, but became more amiable towards Yuan Tiaotiao, "Now that you are carrying the eldest grandson of our Marquis's mansion, you cannot let those messy people outside disturb you."

I imagine you must be tired from your trip today, so I won't keep you any longer. Tell Dujuan to help you back to the courtyard to rest.

Later, I personally summoned Zhang-ge'er for questioning. Whether we share similar interests or not, I'll ask him personally before making a decision.

Yuan Tiaotiao smiled slightly, bowed respectfully, and took her leave.

When He Zhizhu heard that Yuan Tiaotiao had returned to the manor and gone to the main courtyard, but nothing happened, she began to doubt herself.

"My sister-in-law is so magnanimous?"

How could she tolerate her older brother keeping a mistress?

Moreover, that mistress looks so much like her cousin, Hua Sirong.

As for Yuan Tiaotiao knowing about He Zhizhang keeping a mistress, it was Qiu Kui who personally handled the matter, so she naturally knew what He Zhizhu meant.

It was Qiu Yi who revealed He Zhizhang's affair to Qiu Kui, who then intentionally or unintentionally revealed it to He Zhizhu.

He Zhizhu originally wanted to take action against Hua Sirong, but he had reservations and did not want to make his move too obvious. Yuan Tiaotiao, He Zhizhang's wife, was a perfect accomplice.

Unfortunately, Yuan Tiaotiao, who was extremely jealous in the Mixiang Garden, was able to tolerate her brother keeping a mistress, who was actually a substitute.

He Zhizhu didn't want to give up this great opportunity, so she decided to add fuel to the fire.

Yuan Tiaotiao's ability to endure does not mean that Wenqin and Wenhua's ability to endure is also possible.

He Zhizhu had an idea and instructed Qiu Kui to do it.

The okra responded and left.

Although she had worked with Hua Sirong once, it didn't mean she had to obey her cousin in everything.

In Qiu Kui's mind, He Zhizhu was unreliable, and Hua Sirong was not as harmless as she appeared on the surface; she had her own plans.

In the Fragrant Garden, Wenqin served Yuan Tiaotiao her evening meal.

"Our master is really something. Young mistress, you're pregnant, and he doesn't even come back for a meal or send someone to let us know. It's just making our young mistress and the little boy in her belly go hungry..."

While speaking, he served Yuan Tiaotiao ginseng soup.

While setting out the dishes, Wen Hua secretly glanced at Yuan Tiaotiao's expression and stopped Wen Qin, saying, "With the end of the year approaching, the young master must be quite busy with official duties, which is why he has to neglect the young mistress."

"Food cools down quickly in winter, so please have your meal first, young mistress. When the men return, the kitchen will prepare something else for them."

Du Juan was closest to Yuan Tiaotiao and could best sense the changes in Yuan Tiaotiao's aura.

She quickly said, "Miss Wenqin and Wenhua, since the young master has not returned, there is no need for you to serve us here. You should go back to your rooms and eat first, and then you can come and serve the young mistress after you have finished eating."

Although Wenqin was unwilling, she was still forcibly dragged away by Wenhua.

The moment the door closed, Yuan Tiaotiao could no longer hold back. "What a fine thing to do! He said he would come back to have dinner with me, but it's so late and I can't even see a soul in sight."

"I was so stupid to believe a man's lies."

The sweet words he said at the outer residence were just to appease me; he was afraid I would do something bad to his darling, so he coaxed me away.

"He turned around and was so bewitched by that vixen that he couldn't find his way home and didn't even know who his wife and children were."

Yuan Tiaotiao was probably too emotional due to her pregnancy, and there was a hint that she was about to break down.

Most of the food on the table was swept onto the floor, including the bowl of ginseng soup.

Fearing that Yuan Tiaotiao might hurt her, Du Juan quickly stepped forward to comfort her, saying, "That Feiyan girl comes from a humble background and is nothing to be afraid of."

Young Madam, please don't let a small matter cause you to lose sight of the bigger picture. Only the little prince in your womb will be your future support.

Yuan Tiaotiao's face was somewhat ferocious, and her eyes were filled with pain. "I know, I know."

But I just couldn't control myself. You have no idea how much effort I had to exert to keep myself from going crazy in front of that mistress today.

Du Juan clung tightly to Yuan Tiaotiao, saying, "I know, I know. But my lady, once you give birth to your legitimate son, all of this will be over."

"Ah—" Yuan Tiaotiao suddenly clutched her stomach and cried out in pain.