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Xiyan was also happy that Third Young Mistress could think of Third Young Master. She was so happy that she took out all of Chu Lian's snacks and packed them up. There were several exquisite blue cloth bags. Even with the small jar of Translucent Beef Slices, there wasn't much left.

Granny Gui looked around and felt that it was too little. She couldn't bring it out, so she added a gourd of wine that Chu Lian brewed a few days ago and put it together. Granny Gui was finally satisfied.

Poor Chu Lian didn't know that all of her snacks had been given away by Xiyan. Even the two jars of wine that she had obtained with great difficulty were half gone.

By the time Third Young Mistress' letter and gifts were delivered to the front yard, the entire Duke Jing 'an Estate knew that Chu Lian was going to send a huge letter to He Sanlang.

The housekeeper even boasted in front of the housekeepers that he had handmade Third Young Mistress' letter on the spot!

When Matriarch He, her mother-in-law, Countess Jing 'an, and the heir of Duke Jing' an Estate heard this, they all smiled happily.

They praised Third Young Master for marrying a good wife!

Thus, in the letters that the elders sent to He Changdi, they all praised Chu Lian for being sensible and filial. Other than Madam Zou, there was probably no one who didn't speak up for Chu Lian.

The letter and gifts from Duke Jing 'an Estate were quickly sent to the Northern Region.

In Prince Jin's Estate's study, the usually humorous Tang Yan had long lost his smile. His expression was solemn as he glanced at Prince Jin, who was sitting in the main seat with his eyes closed.

"Your Highness, the people from the Five Cities Military Office just sent news that the captured men in black were all killed overnight."

Prince Jin suddenly opened his eyes that were different from normal people's.

"Did you find any clues?"

"All the men in black had black pottery marks on their left arms. After the coroner examined the corpses, he suspected that this was a secret technique used by the previous dynasty's imperial palace to control the men of sacrifice." Tang Yan's eyes narrowed as he spoke.

"Send people to continue investigating. Also, find out more about the Defeng Teahouse."

Tang Yan accepted the order and left.

Prince Jin's slender hand lightly tapped on the table in front of him.

His eyes, which were originally shallow, now looked much deeper.

Everything that happened in the Defeng Teahouse was replayed in Prince Jin's mind. He didn't forget that Chu Lian recognized him at a glance.

Although he was a member of the imperial family and the fourth son of the imperial family, he was not favored by the other princes. His mother had passed away early and his maternal family was weak, so he was of no help to him.

He was now eighteen years old and had already started his own business two years ago. After moving out of the Imperial Palace, he did not often enter the Palace except for the twice-monthly court conference. In his early years, he often traveled with He Changdi to the Ministry of War's camp on the outskirts of the capital, so he was familiar with many of the military officials in the court. Otherwise, he would not have helped He Changdi establish a foundation in the Liangzhou border army.

However, it was common knowledge that the Great Wu Dynasty valued the civil and military, so not many people in the capital paid much attention to his interactions with military officials.

Because of the difference in his pupils, the current emperor, Emperor Cheng Ping, had long said in private that the throne would not be passed on to a prince with foreign blood like him. Therefore, Prince Jin had never thought of fighting for the throne since he was young. This was also the main reason why he had been granted the title of Prince and left the palace to build his own mansion.

In another two years, after his marriage, it was very likely that he would be sent to a fiefdom.

Right now, staying in the capital was just a matter of waiting.

Prince Jin's different eyes could be said to be a taboo in the imperial family. Coupled with the fact that he usually lived in seclusion, other than a few important officials in the court, not many people knew of his abnormality.

Even if others knew, no one would dare to talk about it. No matter how unfavored Prince Jin was, he was still a prince who had entered the imperial family and had the emperor's blood running in his veins.

But even so, Chu Lian had guessed his identity the moment she saw him.

It must be known that before Chu Liu married, she was just an unfavored young lady of the Duke of Ying's household. She probably did not even have the opportunity to attend a few high-class banquets, and it was even more impossible for He Sanlang to mention him to her. Looking at He Sanlang's attitude these days, did he seem like the kind of person who would say such heartfelt words to Chu Liu?

There was nothing wrong with his attire when he went to the Defeng Teahouse that day, but when Chu Lian rushed out of the private room next door and met his gaze, it was clear that she recognized him.

This was interesting.

He Sanlang, ah, He Sanlang, you're really lucky to have such an interesting wife. Not only does she have a relationship with a man outside, but she also seems to be hiding a lot of things.

However, Prince Jin didn't know what Chu Liu's thoughts were, but it was a fact that Chu Lian sent her maidservant to find the people of the Five Cities Military Office and saved his life.

Prince Jin was a person who would repay kindness.

He wouldn't forget Chu Lian's credit just because of his good friend He Changdi.

Chu Lian spent two peaceful days in the fu. She had already started to consider the plan to reorganize Guilin Ju.

She was waiting for two days to ask Matriarch He to personally go to Guilin Ju to take a look.

Soon, it would be the Mid-Autumn Festival. Everyone in the residence began to prepare for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Because of the two autumn rains, the temperature of the hot weather dropped a little and became a lot cooler.

In the morning, after eating breakfast in Songtao Yuan, Chu Lian went to Qingyi Tang to pay her respects to Matriarch He as usual. Coincidentally, she met her sister-in-law, Zou shi.

Matriarch He took a sip of tea. Perhaps it was because it was close to the Mid-Autumn Festival, but the Matriarch had added some dried chrysanthemum petals to her tea today, adding a fresh taste.

Matriarch He looked at the chrysanthemum petals floating in the teacup and suddenly thought of something. She casually said, "It's going to be Autumn soon. It's time for all the courtyards to buy new clothes. Eldest Lang's wife, do you have any plans?"

Zou shi had just raised her teacup when she didn't expect Matriarch He to mention this matter. She hurriedly replied, "I've let Grandmother worry. Yesterday, the housekeeper of the sewing room mentioned this matter to me. Grandmother, don't worry, I've already made arrangements. This season's new clothes are the most popular styles in Shengjing."

As she spoke, she glanced at Chu Lian, who was sitting opposite her. Her eyes narrowed and she suddenly added, "Third Sister-in-law just married this year and is at the age of a flower. I made the decision to make three more sets of clothes for Third Sister-in-law. What instructions does Grandmother have?"

It seemed that Zou shi's answer satisfied Matriarch He. "En, Eldest Lang's wife is thoughtful.

Third Lang isn't in the estate, so as the elders, we need to take care of this little lass.

In Grandmother's opinion, when the other courtyards buy more jewelry, we should also buy two more sets for Third Lang's wife. "

"Yes, Granddaughter-in-law understands."

Although this was Zou shi's reply, she felt indignant inside. Making a few more sets of clothes for Chu Lian was already going against the rules, yet she still had to make more jewelry for her.

A set of clothes, no matter how good the material was, would only cost a few dozen taels.

But a set of jewelry would cost at least one or two hundred taels!

And this wasn't even the highest quality.

Thinking about this expenditure, Matriarch He would suddenly have to pay five or six hundred taels, Zou shi felt displeased. The matriarch didn't manage the household and didn't know how expensive rice and firewood were.

The annual harvest of the farmsteads, shops, and fields in Count Jing 'an's estate wasn't much either.

Currently, none of the masters in charge of Count Jing 'an's estate knew how to run a business. Every year, aside from the estate's normal expenses and favors, there wasn't much left over.

Once Countess Jing 'an's private property was used up, the money for her medicine would still be transferred to the estate. A thousand taels a month wasn't a small sum. At that time, it would be even more difficult to run the household.

When she thought about how Matriarch He had never favored her like this when she first entered Count Jing 'an's estate, Zou shi felt even more depressed and jealous.

Chu Lian sat to the side and wanted to speak, but she didn't have the right to speak. She saw the change in Madam Zou's expression and felt extremely bitter inside.

Aiyo!

Dear Grandmother, aren't you just causing trouble for me?!

The first branch hadn't even added jewelry yet, so how could it be the third branch's turn?

Chu Lian opened her mouth and was about to decline when Matriarch He stopped her. "Third Lang's wife is still young, so it's time for her to dress up. It's just a few sets of clothing, it won't cost much. Our estate has more than enough money."

After the matriarch finished speaking, her gaze flickered to Chu Lian's abdomen.

Chu Lian choked. She couldn't say anything else …

What else could she say? Her words were all blocked by the matriarch.

On the other side, Madam Zou had been paying attention to Matriarch He. When she saw the matriarch's gaze, she was even more shocked.

She felt stifled and couldn't get out of her chest. Her face instantly turned red.

Once Chu Lian and Madam Zou went to Countess Jing 'an's courtyard to pay their respects, Matriarch He called over her trusted aide, Nurse Zhou, and asked softly, "Has there been any movement from Third Young Madam's side?"

Nurse Zhou's expression froze. She replied awkwardly, "I heard that Third Young Madam just received her monthly letter yesterday."

Matriarch He's face was instantly filled with disappointment. It seemed that the great-grandson she had been hoping for all these years had come to nothing.

Nurse Zhou comforted her, "Matriarch, although Third Young Madam is from the British estate, Third Young Master has only stayed at home for a few days after the couple got married. How can he have a child so easily?"

Matriarch He sighed and said dejectedly, "You're right. I was too naive."

Chu Lian left Countess Jing 'an's courtyard first, leaving Madam Zou behind to talk to her mother-in-law.

"Mother, what's the matter?"

Countess Jing 'an's face was pale. She leaned against the headboard and coughed from time to time. She held Madam Zou's hand and said slowly, "The seasons are about to change, and it's the Mid-Autumn Festival as well. There are more and more things to do in the estate. I'm sure you've been tired."

"Mother, what are you saying? This is what a daughter-in-law should do."

Madam Zou was comforted by her mother-in-law's words. The anger she had held back in Qingwen Hall dissipated quite a bit, and she revealed a comforting smile.

"I've been a housewife before, so I know how tiring it is. No matter how busy you are, you have to take care of your health."

"Yes, Mother, I know."

After a pause, Countess Jing 'an finally said, "Third Young Madam has just married into the family. As the eldest sister-in-law, you should take care of her a bit more. Give her an extra set of clothes and jewelry for the change of seasons."

Madam Zou, who had just been feeling calm, instantly felt like her chest was about to explode from anger.

So all the good things the mother-in-law had said earlier were just to pave the way for this sentence. Heh!

How wonderful!

All the elders in the estate were thinking about the third branch because San Lang had gone to the Northern Territory. However, San Lang was the one who wanted to go, so Chu Lian could only blame herself for not making him stay.

Now that she had to make it up to him, who was going to make it up to her?

They were all the official wives of Count Jing 'an's estate!