If Mu Lianhui gives the impression of a single green lotus, Jiang Yunuan is a scene of blooming red plum blossoms.

From afar, she is stunningly beautiful and fragrant, but upon closer approach, one realizes her chilling, bone-piercing coldness.

After Mu Liancheng inherited the title and Jiang Yunuan became the mistress of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, her actions were decisive and unhesitant, leaving no room for mercy when disciplining the younger generation and servants.

The scenes from those times are still vivid, making it hard for Du Yunluo to adjust to the current gentle and smiling Jiang Yunuan.

Du Yunluo knew that Jiang Yunuan and Mu Lianhui had a very good relationship.

Having grown up together, they spent many days and nights in the East Warm Pavilion of Madam Wu’s courtyard, and later even as sisters-in-law, their bond remained intact.

At that time, Du Yunluo envied them, but after decades passed, she stood before the ancestral hall and wondered about Jiang Yunuan’s thoughts. She couldn’t help but ask herself: was their bond truly genuine?

In their youth, perhaps they were innocent and without suspicion, but as they grew up and Mu Lianhui’s ambitions grew, how could she have continued to feel truly for Jiang Yunuan?

In her youthful years, Jiang Yunuan’s feelings for Mu Liankang might have been kept from Madam Wu, Mrs. Xu, and the Lian Family, but she certainly wouldn’t have hidden them from Mu Lianhui.

Being as clever and meticulous as Mu Lianhui, she surely saw through them.

Knowing Jiang Yunuan’s feelings, Mu Lianhui helped her parents plot against Mu Liankang, which essentially meant betraying Jiang Yunuan.

And when Jiang Yunuan married Mu Liancheng, how much of the previous sister-in-law closeness could remain genuine?

As for Jiang Yunuan, being deceived by the second household for her whole life, what would she think of Mu Lianhui after discovering some clues?

In fact, there was no need to think anymore.

By then, Mu Lianhui was already gone.

Du Yunluo sighed. Looking at it this way, Jiang Yunuan had targeted her and tormented her for a lifetime, yet in the end, they were just equally pitiable people.

Both realized the truth when they were old, beyond the point of redemption.

No regrets left to regret.

For that reason alone, she even felt like having a drink with Jiang Yunuan.

As soon as Mu Lianhui entered, she sensed the unusual atmosphere in the Flower Hall. Looking around, she saw Du Yunluo, Yunuo, and Lu Wan together, while Princess An Ran was accompanied by Duan Huayan and Shi Lian’er, and Huo Ruyi stood alone by the south window. She understood it all, as was expected.

Today, as the host, Mu Lianhui naturally showed more enthusiasm than anyone else. She introduced Tian Jing to Jiang Yunuan, and everyone greeted each other.

Tian Jing kept looking at Du Yunluo, and after a while, she said lightly, "I heard my mother mention the Fifth Miss of the Du Family. She praised your looks and temperament, and I came over to see what my cousin-in-law looks like."

The tone was even, except for the words "cousin-in-law," which were said through clenched teeth.

Upon hearing this, Princess An Ran’s gaze turned as cold as an ice cellar.

Du Yunluo quietly met Tian Jing’s gaze.

Tian Jing was emphasizing the term cousin-in-law, but having dealt with her before, Du Yunluo knew she held no obsession for Mu Lianxiao. Her initial feelings were just the innocent thoughts of a young girl, which passed with time. Her current dissatisfaction was simply because Mrs. Tian Wu had praised Du Yunluo.

Tian Jing, pampered since childhood, felt uncomfortable when her most beloved and respected mother praised a peer she had only met once. Hence her sarcastic demeanor.

In front of so many people, Du Yunluo didn’t want to be rude. After some modest words and flattering Mrs. Tian Wu, she managed to appease Tian Jing’s childish temperament, reducing her initial disdain.

Princess An Ran glanced up and down at Du Yunluo, smirking, "No wonder you’re set to become a sister-in-law; your sister-in-law relationship seems to be going well. Look, today there’s not just your cousin and eldest sister-in-law but also sisters-in-law. You should take this opportunity to win their favor."

Du Yunluo turned her gaze towards Princess An Ran.

Princess An Ran, undeterred, glared back coldly.

Du Yunluo silently chuckled. This one never learned from past mistakes, and despite the Old Master’s recent reprimands, which should have made her more cautious, she remained heedless.

In the end, nature is hard to change.

Such a sour tone eclipsed even the scent of the cold plum blossoms outside.

Princess An Ran pursed her lips, waiting for Du Yunluo to retaliate. Given their past grudges and her provocation, anyone with pride wouldn’t merely swallow the insult.

She remembered Yunuo mentioning that this Du Wuniang was not one to take a loss lying down.

Yet unexpectedly, Du Yunluo said nothing but slowly curled her lips into a smile.

A smile that made one’s hair stand on end.

Princess An Ran involuntarily clenched her fists, about to retort when she saw Huo Ruyi walking over from the window.

Huo Ruyi, gritting her teeth, said word by word, "It seems my sister-in-law still doesn’t know how to manage the sister-in-law relationship. You’re about to become a sister-in-law yourself; being this clumsy won’t do. My dear sister-in-law, you’d better seize this opportunity to learn well."

Princess An Ran bit down on her back molars, suddenly realizing why Du Yunluo smiled.

So the trap was set here.

She wanted to provoke Du Yunluo with words, but unexpectedly, it backfired, and she ended up offending someone else, suffering a loss for trying to gain an advantage.

Princess An Ran wasn’t afraid of Huo Ruyi, but starting a quarrel with Huo Ruyi here, she suddenly felt she lacked the confidence.

Mu Lianhui stepped forward to smooth things over, "We’re here to enjoy the plum blossoms. Now that everyone’s here, let’s lighten the mood. We’re all like sisters and relatives here, no need to be restrained. It snowed a few days ago, and I’ve saved some snow water to make tea for you all to try."

As Mu Lianhui was hosting the gathering, a few ounces of respect had to be given. Princess An Ran and Huo Ruyi grudgingly acknowledged each other and let it be.

With about a dozen young ladies present, it wasn’t too many, but as the host, Mu Lianhui ensured good hospitality all around.

Jiang Yunuan didn’t need to always be by her side nor desired to join Princess An Ran’s circle, so she smiled and approached Du Yunluo, "I’m entering the mansion next autumn. Have you set your date?"

She was referring to marriage, and Jiang Yunuan, still waiting for her betrothal, deliberately lowered her voice to avoid being ridiculed.

Du Yunluo looked at Jiang Yunuan and smiled, "I’ll come of age next year, so we’ll probably discuss it after that."

Jiang Yunuan pursed her lips, "It’s actually quite soon. Let me tell you, once I’m in, Ahui won’t stay much longer, and then it will just be me in the mansion, which would be rather lonely. You should come in soon so we can have each other’s company."

Du Yunluo was secretly surprised. Jiang Yunuan didn’t speak to her like this before; she was often cold and at times sarcastic, treating her as if she didn’t matter.

Come to think of it, maybe it wasn’t so strange. Initially, Jiang Yunuan did talk to her more.

She sobbed with an expression of pear blossoms in the rain, full of dilemmas.

She expressed missing Mu Liancheng, who had gone to the front line, and said how she, with her growing belly, became gloomy with wild thoughts every day.

As Du Yunluo listened more, she became more reluctant for Mu Lianxiao to leave. As the departure day approached, her fear grew, leading to frequent tears and protests.

She was genuinely afraid of her fears coming true, so what about Jiang Yunuan’s tears then—how much was real, how much feigned?