Pan Nianzhen couldn't be blamed for mistaking him.

She had never seen her second and third cousins, He Changjue and He Changdi. During the time she had been at Count Jing 'an's estate, she only knew that her third cousin, He Changdi, was very good-looking. She knew very little about her second cousin, He Changjue.

Because He Changjue wasn't in the residence all year round, he was always elusive. Even the servants in the residence didn't know who he was!

Not to mention Pan Nianzhen.

She knew that Third Cousin, his wife, and Second Cousin would all come to Qingyuan Hall for the reunion dinner. If it was Third Cousin who came in, he would definitely be with Third Sister-in-law and not alone.

So it wasn't surprising that she mistook him for someone else.

He Changdi's five senses were very sensitive. When Pan Nianzhen called him Second Cousin timidly, his cold gaze swept over her.

This gaze was like a bucket of cold water splashed on a cold day. It chilled one to the bone. Pan Nianzhen also froze when He Changdi's gaze swept over her. The redness on her face was especially funny.

He Changdi didn't immediately correct Pan Nianzhen. Instead, he frowned slightly and turned to look behind him. He stopped walking and stood at the door as if he was waiting for someone.

Chu Lian picked up her skirt and ran two steps to catch up. Her face was red as she raised her head and smiled apologetically at He Changdi. Her big eyes were watery, and He Sanlang couldn't help but want to touch her face.

He Sanlang clasped his hands behind his back. When Chu Lian reached the doorstep, he reached out to support her and let her slowly cross the threshold.

Chu Lian let out a small sigh and swore in her heart that she would never wear this dress again.

Although it looked nice, walking was too much of a hassle. The short distance from Songtao Court to Qingyuan Hall was already strenuous for her and she was even laughed at by He Sanlang several times.

If she didn't stop this fellow, he would have carried her all the way to Qingyuan Hall.

Earlier, he was complaining that she was walking too slowly, but now that they were at the door, he was willing to wait for her. Chu Lian's heart warmed. She felt that although her husband was a little crazy, he was many times better than other people.

When they entered the reception pavilion, Chu Lian wanted to pull her hand out of He Sanlang's grasp, but he held it tightly.

Thus, Chu Lian was led by He Changdi to Matriarch He's side.

He Changdi pulled Chu Lian along to greet Matriarch He.

The Matriarch sat on the heated brick bed and looked at her children, who were a perfect match. She was overjoyed.

Whether a couple's relationship was good or not could be seen from their daily interactions.

Looking at how San Lang doted on his wife just now, she knew that the two of them were in a sweet relationship.

It seemed that San Langzi's wife had made the right decision to go to the Northern Region this time. The young couple had truly bonded with each other. It was completely different from when they first got married.

Old Matriarch He looked at Chu Lian's flat stomach again. The young couple was so loving, it looked like it wouldn't be long before she could hold a great-grandson.

I must get Divine Physician Miao to take a look at San Lang's wife some other day so that she can recuperate her body.

The Old Matriarch smiled. She was genuinely happy. "Why are you still kneeling? Hurry up and get up. Look at the two of you. You've lost weight. Eat more later."

As Old Matriarch cheerfully asked all sorts of questions and showed great concern for He Changdi, Pan Nianzhen, who was at the side, felt awkward.

When Pan Nianzhen said "Second Cousin," not only caused Eldest Grandaunt He Ying to glare at her, but it also caused the maidservant serving her in Qingwen Hall to laugh at her.

The young maidservant covered her mouth and fortunately didn't laugh out loud. She bent over slightly and reminded Pan Nianzhen, "Miss, that was Third Young Master just now, not our residence's Second Young Master."

Pan Nianzhen's body stiffened and her face instantly paled.

What?

This … this was Third Cousin?

It was actually the already married Third Cousin!

Actually, from the moment Chu Lian came in behind them to the moment He Changdi held Chu Lian's hand despite other people's gazes, Pan Nianzhen had already faintly suspected He Changdi's identity.

It was just that she wasn't willing to believe it so easily.

When she was reminded by the maidservant behind her, she couldn't numb herself no matter how much she wanted to.

It turned out that the man who had just walked in front of her, who was like a tall bamboo, was actually the already married Third Cousin …

In Count Jing 'an's estate, she had long heard the servants gossiping about Third Cousin's appearance, but seeing him with her own eyes today gave her an even greater shock.

He actually didn't lose to the top scholar she had seen at the Plum Pavilion in the Prince of Wei's Estate that day!

Moreover, Third Cousin made a great contribution in the northern territory and was bestowed the title of Marquis Dingyuan by His Majesty!

Now, Count Jing 'an's title was also only a count!

Third Cousin's title was actually one rank higher than her maternal grandfather's.

Pan Nianzhen's eyes couldn't help but light up. She buried her head and didn't dare to raise it, but when she glanced at Chu Lian out of the corner of her eyes, she could see a lot of jealousy and unwillingness.

He Changdi had just pulled Chu Lian to sit down when the maidservant guarding the entrance of the reception pavilion announced that Second Young Master had arrived.

The door curtains moved slightly at first, then the felt curtains were forcefully pulled open from the outside. In a split second, a tall and burly young man walked in with a majestic gait.

He Erlang wore a black python robe. His figure was tall and sturdy, and his skin was dark. He looked somewhat similar to He Dalang, but his facial features were more exquisite and well-defined than He Dalang's.

At a glance, one could tell that he was a very manly young man.

He Erlang's appearance might not fit the Great Wu Dynasty's standards of beauty, but in modern times, he would be a typical boorish man. He was still very popular with girls.

That was what Chu Lian thought, but it didn't mean that Pan Nianzhen thought the same.

As soon as He Changjue entered the reception pavilion, he stunned her. In an instant, Pan Nianzhen's face paled and she lowered her head in fright.

She hated 'boorish' men like He Erlang the most. His appearance was no different from those bare-chested boat trackers on the docks. He was practically the epitome of a brawny man with a simple mind.

She lowered her head and pursed her lips, not saying anything.

He Erlang didn't pay any attention to this cousin who had suddenly appeared.

He walked up with a smile and bowed to his grandmother. "Grandmother, you've been well. Your grandson wishes you a happy old age."

Matriarch He glared at He Erlang. "Happy old age? Don't you know what time it is? It's already the tenth day of the second month!"

He Erlang was helped up by the Matriarch. He rubbed his head and chuckled.

The Matriarch became angry when she saw this thorn. "You're not allowed to run around this year. I've heard that His Majesty intends to let you enter the imperial court. You have to grasp this opportunity. While you're in the capital, we'll arrange your marriage this year. Look at the entire capital. Which young master of your age is still not married? You're going to anger this old woman and your parents to death!"

He Erlang used to hate it when the elders in his family brought up his marriage. As long as it was mentioned, he would lose his temper and become impatient. He wouldn't return home today. But this time, his attitude had taken a 180-degree turn.

He smiled and bent down to hold Matriarch He's arm, like a big bear bowing to please someone.

"Grandmother, grandson has made you worry in the past. This year, grandson will definitely listen to you and find a granddaughter-in-law for you."

PS: Ah Lan has a bad cold and only got better today. Sorry, I've stopped updating. Sorry, the weather is unpredictable. Little friends, please take care of yourselves ~