Yunuo’s voice carried a hint of stubbornness and annoyance, which strangely sounded more pleasing to Mu Lianhui’s ears.

Her fair fingers lifted the teacup from the table, the jade bracelet on her wrist gently tapping against the surface. Mu Lianhui took a sip of the hot tea, the steam blurring her gaze, her lips curling slightly. After a while, she said, "If it were me, I would be angry too."

Du Yunluo lowered her eyelids, speaking softly, "Really? I heard that Lady has been guided by the Imperial Consort to chant scriptures all year round, her temperament as gentle as water."

"Is that how people talk about me?" Mu Lianhui giggled, "Yunluo, even if I’m like water, throw a stone in, there will still be ripples. I get angry when it’s time to be angry."

Du Yunluo winked at Mu Lianhui, smiling with curled lips.

Mu Lianhui slowly stood up, tidying her garments, and said with a smile, "We’re all here to admire the plums, why not take a stroll in the woods?"

Upon hearing this, almost everyone clapped in approval, each taking a cloak or snow jacket, and went out merrily.

Princess An Ran leaned against the window ledge, motionless.

While tying her snow jacket, Mu Lianhui asked her, "County Princess not going for a walk?"

Princess An Ran didn’t turn her head, her voice faint, "You go ahead, I’ll come later."

Mu Lianhui didn’t insist, leading the others towards the plum garden.

Du Yunnuo crossed the threshold, looking back at Princess An Ran’s figure with every step, her face full of worry.

Seeing Du Yunluo already following along, Du Yunnuo was hesitant, stamped her foot, steeled her heart, and caught up with Du Yunluo.

Du Yunnuo grabbed Du Yunluo’s hand quietly and asked, "Is it alright to leave the County Princess alone?"

Du Yunluo kept walking, replying, "You fear she’ll cause trouble?"

"Wangmei Garden is not small nor large, aren’t you afraid she’ll go looking for the Princely Heir again?" Du Yunnuo glanced back at the Flower Hall, only to see Princess An Ran still standing by the window, unmoving.

"Her?" Du Yunluo sneered, "She’s bold, but not foolish. Sister, if you were the County Princess, would you go?"

Upon hearing this, Du Yunnuo paused, staring at Du Yunluo in shock, observing her usual expression. Reflecting on the words, her face turned pale.

The marriage between Mu Lianxiao and Du Yunluo was set, the imperial decree rested in both family shrines.

No matter how unwilling Princess An Ran was, what could she do?

Were she to seek out Mu Lianxiao to speak, whatever she said, Mu Lianxiao would ignore her, growing even more distant and displeased. If she were to break decorum...

What could she do?

Truly go to Dingyuan Marquis Mansion to be a lesser wife?

With Princess An Ran’s arrogance, having Du Yunluo step on her, dictate rules, Princess An Ran might as well hit her head and die.

Miao Ruoshan is foolish, coaxed by a few words of Du Yunnuo into reckless abandon; Princess An Ran, having seen the wider world, wouldn’t be foolish enough to ruin her future.

Though her prospects now aren’t great, Aunt Liao and Princess An Ran have clearly seen Old Master’s intent.

The illegitimate remains illegitimate.

Wanting to rise? Enduring a legitimate wife’s life until her death, still greets newcomers.

Princess An Ran, having tasted the bitterness of being born of an illegitimate mother, would not lose her head to be a lesser wife.

If she impulsively causes unrecoverable actions today, tomorrow, Aunt Liao will be bedridden again.

Not just her own future, she’d be severing that of her brother and Aunt Liao’s lives as well.

Du Yunnuo, considering all this, realized Princess An Ran wouldn’t do such a thing, even unhappily, at most exchanging sharp words with Du Yunluo.

A thousand enemies might be killed, but at the cost of eight hundred self-loss, a whim of a fool like Shi Lian’er, Princess An Ran wouldn’t continue doing actions that drag herself down.

Understanding these, Du Yunnuo relaxed a lot, slowly followed Du Yunluo, keeping Shi Lian’er within sight.

In the plum garden, the fragrance grew stronger.

The cold blossoms after snow were striking yet tender, delightful to behold.

Tian Jing cheerfully plucked a branch, reciting plum poems with swagger, while Duan Huayan shielded Shi Lian’er, stepping aside.

The plum garden was vast, the pebble paths winding as desired, dispersing as they walked.

By the pond or in pavilions, taking rests and chatting.

Jiang Yunuan smiled as she recounted her childhood living at Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, speaking of Madam Wu, speaking of Mu Lianhui.

Du Yunluo asked her, "I’ve heard Sister Jiang is quite familiar with some of the lords of the Marquis Mansion."

"After all, we grew up together." Jiang Yunuan giggled, leaning close to Du Yunluo’s ear, voice measured, "I’m not acquainted with the Princely Heir, his likes, I can’t relay them to you."

Lu Wan sitting beside them chuckled, winking exaggeratedly at Du Yunluo.

Du Yunluo feigned dissatisfaction, lightly nudged Jiang Yunuan, asking, "Then who are you familiar with? Is it the great lord from Third Lady’s family? Third Lady is your aunt, isn’t this why you lived at the Marquis Mansion, must be familiar with the great lord?"

Hearing Mu Liankang mentioned, Jiang Yunuan’s smile froze, opening her mouth to speak, finding words stuck in her throat.

Du Yunluo seemingly oblivious to Jiang Yunuan’s tension, shook her head, "No, you’re definitely more familiar with Second Lord, you are to become Second Lady after all."

Lu Wan laughed so hard her shoulders trembled, Du Yunluo joining in the mirth.

Jiang Yunuan clutched tightly the fabric on her lap, straining out a sentence, "Thought you were good, yet joking at my expense, I won’t talk to you anymore."

Saying this, she turned away in a sulking manner.

Du Yunluo didn’t attempt to console her, Jiang Yunuan had entangled her, preventing her from following Shi Lian’er properly. Lifting her gaze now, Shi Lian’er previously under the plum tree was nowhere in sight, Du Yunluo widened her eyes.

"Fifth sister, I wish to wash my hands, accompany me," Du Yunnuo came over, grabbing her hand, eyes fixed upon her.

Du Yunluo pondered and nodded assent.

The maid led the way.

Du Yunnuo whispered to Du Yunluo, "Shi Lian’er said earlier she’d wash her hands, afraid of being followed, I waited before calling you, let’s hurry, she hasn’t left long."

Such were her words, yet Du Yunluo felt her heart racing.

Reaching outside the restroom, Shi Lian’er hadn’t been seen, their faces paled.

Du Yunluo glanced around, seeing the distant plum garden, laughter and figures, with the Flower Hall nearby but unable to discern Princess An Ran due to the angle.

Her eyes fell on Du Yunnuo’s bright red cape, a thought crossed her mind, Du Yunluo quickly undid her own purple snow jacket and handed it to Du Yunnuo, whispering in her ear, "Give me your cape, then go find the County Princess."

Du Yunnuo’s eyes tensed, involuntarily glancing toward Mu Lianhui, "You mean..."

Du Yunluo nodded solemnly, "Must keep it from her."