Over at Count Jing 'an's estate, Tuan Jiao, won first place, and Matriarch He was surrounded by the other noble ladies to congratulate her. The Empress Dowager specially rewarded her with a set of sapphire headdresses, making Count Jing' an's estate proud again.

It had been many years since Matriarch He had received so much praise from the imperial palace, so she was naturally in a good mood. Chu Lian stayed by her grandmother's side the entire time, so she naturally received greetings from the other noble ladies.

With Matriarch He's intentional introduction, Chu Lian took the opportunity to get to know many of the noble ladies in the capital.

When it was time to leave the palace, Princess Wei specially sent a female official to tell her to go play at the Prince of Wei's estate in a few days, which made a bunch of other madams envious.

When they arrived at Count Jing 'an's carriage, Chu Lian was about to help Matriarch He into the carriage when she was stopped by an old woman hurrying over.

This old woman was none other than Matriarch Zheng's. Beside her was a slightly plump middle-aged woman. When she smiled, her eyes curved into crescent moons, making her look very amiable.

"Older sister, walk slowly."

Matriarch turned around and saw her. She smiled and said, "You and I are sisters. Why are you in such a hurry? Walk slowly, or you might twist your waist."

Old Madam of Duke Zheng's Fu laughed. When she arrived at Old Matriarch He's side, Old Madam of Duke Zheng's Fu first glanced at Chu Lian with a smile, then said to Old Matriarch He, "I have some matters to discuss with Old Sister."

"What's there to be polite about between us? Just say it," Matriarch He said generously.

Matriarch Zheng was about to speak when Chu Lian caught a glimpse of someone leaving the palace from the corner of her eye. Wasn't this Madam Pan?

Didn't she leave early?

Why was she leaving the palace only now?

Chu Lian frowned slightly. They had offended Madam Pan today, and she was afraid that they would quarrel again when they met outside the palace. Chu Lian suggested, "Grandmother, there are many people at the palace gates. If the two elders have something to say, why don't they talk in the carriage?"

Matriarch He had clearly seen Madam Pan leaving the palace with her servants, so she dragged Matriarch Zheng's into Count Jing 'an's large carriage.

Although Count Jing 'an's carriage was spacious, it wasn't as large as a room. It was a bit crowded after four people sat inside.

Zou furen was about to lift the curtain and come in when Old Matriarch He said, "Eldest husband's wife, the carriage is a bit crowded. You should go sit in the carriage at the back!"

Zou shi tightened her grip on the shaft of the carriage. She raised her head to look at the four people in the carriage. In the end, she lowered her head slightly and bowed to Old Matriarch He in the carriage. She then turned to the carriage in the back.

Chu Lian glanced at Zou Shi's lonely figure as she left and sighed in her heart.

In the end, there was still enmity between them.

Eldest sister-in-law, Zou shi, already looked at her with colored glasses. In the future, no matter what she did, she would not like it.

She wouldn't offend others if they didn't offend her. Although she didn't like to bicker, she definitely didn't like to be taken advantage of.

In the future, she would mind her own business with Madam Zou.

Duke Zheng's Estate wasn't very far from Duke Jing 'an's Estate. After they left Vermilion Bird Avenue, they were on the same road for quite a while, so it didn't take much effort to talk in the carriage.

Duke Zheng's Estate's carriage followed behind. In Duke Jing 'an Estate's carriage, the two old sisters were chatting and laughing.

Old Matriarch Zheng had already noticed that something was amiss at the banquet. She held her old sister's hand and comforted her, "It's rare for there to be no trouble at an event like this. It's good that we made it through safely."

Old Matriarch He nodded and smiled at Old Matriarch Zheng's Estate. "You, don't keep thinking about it. Didn't our estate gain something out of a disaster?"

The old mistress of Duke Zheng smiled and looked at Chu Lian. "After tasting that ball of cake, I knew it was your idea. San Lang isn't home, and you don't have anything to do in the manor. Come with your grandmother to visit Duke Zheng's manor another day."

Chu Lian was slightly surprised. She didn't expect Old Matriarch Zheng's Estate to take the initiative to invite her. In the original novel, this old matriarch lived in seclusion and rarely interacted with the few madams she was acquainted with when she was younger.

Chu Lian looked at Old Matriarch. As a junior, it was better for her to let Old Matriarch make the decision.

Old Matriarch He was very satisfied with Chu Lian's actions. She looked at her old sister reproachfully. "It seems to me that you really want to try San Lang's wife's cooking, but you're just pretending to invite her!"

Even though Old Matriarch Zheng's Estate and Old Matriarch had been close friends for decades, she still blushed when she heard Old Matriarch He expose her.

She sighed softly. "I won't hide it from you. I did bring my daughter-in-law here to ask for a favor."

Chu Lian found it strange. Duke Zheng's Estate's career was going well. Their only son was in the Imperial College and would be able to pass the Fall Quarter Examinations this year. Everything was going well for them. Why would Old Matriarch Zheng have something to ask of Old Matriarch?

Even if it was a favor, it shouldn't be in front of Old Matriarch He. Although Old Matriarch He was a person of virtue and prestige and had a personal relationship with the Old Matriarch, she definitely couldn't interfere with matters of the court.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through Chu Lian's mind. She was slightly flabbergasted.

"Say it. As long as it's something Old Sister can do, I'll do my best."

Old Matriarch Zheng glanced at Old Matriarch He and was momentarily embarrassed. Beside her, Old Matriarch Zheng's wife saw that her mother-in-law was too embarrassed to speak, so she spoke up for her mother-in-law. "Old Matriarch, it's like this …"

Old Matriarch He was shocked. She didn't expect Old Duke Zheng to be bedridden and not eat or drink.

Everyone who was close to the House of High Duke Zheng knew that the old High Duke Zheng was a gourmet. He had been to almost all of the top restaurants in Shengjing. Ever since he had passed his title to his only son, the old High Duke Zheng, who was free every day, would go out to look for good food and travel around. He had just returned two months ago when, for some unknown reason, he had developed anorexia.

Now, it was almost to the point where he couldn't eat.

After explaining the reason, Old Matriarch Zheng's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law looked at Chu Lian expectantly. Chu Lian was embarrassed by their stares.

Old Matriarch He didn't expect Old Matriarch Zheng's mother-in-law to ask her for something like this. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She had to tell the truth. "Old sister, I know you're worried about Old Duke Zheng. To tell you the truth, San Lang's daughter-in-law can make some fresh dishes, but we can't guarantee whether this will work or not. We can only ask San Lang's daughter-in-law to do her best."

"Ah!

Of course, as long as Jinyi Village Lady is willing to help, I'll be endlessly grateful. We really don't have any other choice. Old Master doesn't eat anything. If this continues, his body will collapse, "Old Matriarch said anxiously.

Finally, after obtaining Chu Lian's approval, Old Matriarch He agreed to Old Matriarch Zheng's request and set a visit to Duke Zheng's estate in three days.

Chu Lian sighed and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. In the original story, Old Master Zheng passed away two months later. Could it be that the reason he passed away was because he couldn't taste the delicacies he liked and went on a hunger strike?

When they reached a fork in the road, Old Matriarch Zheng and her daughter-in-law bid farewell and boarded their own carriage.

Only Old Matriarch He and Chu Lian were left in the carriage.

Old Matriarch He held Chu Lian's fair and tender little hand. "Lian 'er, it's all thanks to you today. Otherwise, our estate would have lost all face."

Chu Lian discovered that whenever Old Matriarch spoke to her in private, she liked to call her "Lian 'er".

She smiled. "Grandmother, don't say that. I'm also a part of Duke Jing 'an's estate. This is what I should do."

Old Matriarch He was very pleased to hear Chu Lian's reply. "Child, it's been hard on you. Today wasn't all your eldest sister-in-law's fault. Don't hold a grudge against her. If Grandmother knows, she won't be feeling well either."

Chu Lian was slightly shocked. She didn't expect Old Matriarch to think this way. "We're all family. What's there to hold a grudge against? Eldest sister-in-law didn't know she lost the dumpling cake. This family will still need her to support it in the future!"

"Grandmother knows that your eldest sister-in-law has treated you harshly during this period of time. Don't worry, Grandmother will remind her."

Chu Lian suppressed the shock in her heart. She didn't know that Old Matriarch had such thoughts. Did she think that Zou madam had treated her harshly, which was why she kept "showing off" to slap Zou madam's face?

Chu Lian sighed in her heart. She felt a bit tired. No wonder people in the past said that communication was the most important. Chu Lian felt that rather than letting Old Matriarch continue to misunderstand in the future, it was better to clear things up now.

She raised her slightly lowered head. Her almond-shaped eyes shone brightly and clearly under the dim yellow light in the carriage.

"Grandmother, there's an order of seniority and propriety. It's already granddaughter-in-law's good fortune to be able to marry into the He family.

Granddaughter-In-Law doesn't have much of a future. All she thinks about is living a leisurely life. If she has the time, she can make some food that she likes and earn some money. That would naturally be even better.

Granddaughter-In-Law is very lazy. After finishing all this, she would rather sleep in her own little courtyard and accompany Grandmother.

Although San Lang is the son of the first wife, he's the youngest. There are two older brothers above him, so granddaughter-in-law is naturally the youngest. In a few days, perhaps second sister-in-law will marry into the family! "

Chu Lian wanted to say that she really had no interest in managing the household, and had no interest in fighting for her eldest brother and eldest sister-in-law's position in the household.

Seeing the pretty girl in front of her stare at her and say these words, Old Matriarch's shrewd eyes grew brighter. In the end, she finally sighed and patted Chu Lian's little hand. "Grandmother has wronged you."

Chu Lian sighed in her heart.

Everything she said was from the bottom of her heart. How good would it be to be a rice worm? Who would want to spend all day brainstorming to manage family affairs and deal with the various manors in the capital?

Chu Lian shook her head with a smile. "I don't blame Grandmother. People's hearts are separated by flesh. Even the wisest person can't see through a person's heart. Granddaughter-In-Law only hopes that if Grandmother is dissatisfied with granddaughter-in-law, don't hold it in and say it. Granddaughter-In-Law will definitely change."

Being open and honest with one's heart was the way of communication.

Chu Lian wasn't in the mood to play those roundabout games with other people.

Old Matriarch realized that after today's heart-to-heart talk in the carriage, she liked this little granddaughter-in-law even more.

She reached out and poked Chu Lian's forehead. "You stinky girl, don't think that Grandmother doesn't know what you're thinking. You're always thinking of slacking off. Although your eldest sister-in-law is in charge of the household, you can't be too lazy. After all, you're the mistress of the household. In the future, when the elders are gone, you and San Lang will have to split up and live alone. If you don't know anything, how will you manage the household?"

Chu Lian dispelled Old Matriarch's suspicions and began to act coquettishly. Old Matriarch was the first elder who treated her well since she arrived in the Great Wu Dynasty. In her heart, she had long since regarded this kind old woman as her real grandmother.

She leaned against Old Matriarch's side and said coquettishly, "Doesn't that mean I still have Grandmother to support granddaughter-in-law? In the future, San Lang and I will split up and live alone. Grandmother, you have to follow us. Otherwise, granddaughter-in-law won't be able to manage the household without Grandmother's guidance. When that happens, I'll be laughed at by the servants."

"You little troublemaker. Since you know, why are you always thinking of slacking off?"