The Third House is indeed not easy to mess with. Their mother is pretending to be good at it, but these two sisters are just short of showing off their hostility.

"Why aren't Yuqi and Yulin here?" Second Madam Lou asked.

"They're both always out and about, and they only listen to their uncle. I just sent them to their uncle's house a few days ago, asking him to help keep them in check so I can have some peace and quiet.

Third Master went to pick them up today. The uncle and aunt met, and they probably went out for a drink together. They haven't returned yet." Third Madam Lou said without missing a beat, "I've neglected Second Brother. I apologize on his behalf."

"That's not right," Second Master Lou said with a smile.

Everyone continued to chat happily. Old Lady Lou, in her old age, loved the hustle and bustle. Seeing her sons, daughters-in-law, and granddaughters all chatting away, with Qingyun nestled in her arms, sharing intimate conversation, her face never faded. After a round of tea and snacks, Third Lady Lou urged, "Grandma, it's getting late. Let's serve dinner."

"Third Brother hasn't come back yet?" Old Lady Lou frowned. "That's ridiculous."

"Why wait for him? Let him drink." Third Lady Lou said with a flourish. "Second brother and sister-in-law have come a long way. It's freezing cold, and my nieces are feeling the chill too. I've had the kitchen prepare piping hot mutton soup and ginseng and antler chicken soup. Let's add two more pots to warm the guests. Our family has been apart for over ten years, so we need a reunion dinner."

"You can drink, but let's make it clear: where are we going to sleep when we're drunk?" Second Madam Lou also jokingly said, grabbing Third Madam Lou's hand. "Has Third Madam Lou arranged a place for us to stay? Let's check it out first. If it's not suitable, we can sleep in Third Madam Lou's courtyard when we're drunk."

"Well, even Second Madam Lou needs to ask? It's already been arranged. Eldest Madam Lou lives in the west courtyard, and Second Brother and Sister-in-law will live in the south courtyard. It's closer to the old lady, so it's easier to talk. We haven't been back in fifteen years, so it's a good time to get closer." Third Madam Lou continued to smile.

Though Second Madam Lou smiled, her eyes suddenly turned cold. Ling Shuang noticed that the old lady's expression also froze.

The four sisters had been learning housekeeping from Second Madam Lou since they were young. Although this was her first time back at the Lou residence, she had already taken a quick look at the house and had a general idea of ts layout.

The heart of the Lou Mansion lies in the main courtyard, where the old lady resides. Its three main rooms face south, offering warmth in winter and coolness in summer aturally, the best of all.

The eldest wife had widowed early, and the old lady, out of sympathy, took her in to live with her. She lived in the courtyard to the west of the main house, a small, quiet place with two bright, warm upper rooms, more than adequate for her needs.

With the third wife, Feng Wanhua, in charge, the third wife naturally occupied the best of the house. The east courtyard they had seen upon entering was new, large, and well-appointed. Clearly, the best materials had been allocated to the third wife during the renovation, since it was paid for from the public account.

That's not all; the southeast is naturally the warmest and brightest, only slightly less so than the old lady's south-facing room. Winters in the capital are bitterly cold, unlike those in the south, so a house's orientation is crucial.

The second wife had just returned, and although she was nominally older, it was impossible for them to vacate the east courtyard. However, with Feng Wanhua's ingenuity, she was able to organize a spacious area in the vast Lou Mansion.

It would be easy to clear out a few upper rooms in the quiet, south-facing courtyard. Otherwise, where would distinguished guests stay? It wasn't a temporary return; their letters had arrived before the New Year. Arranging such a room was clearly intentional.

Second Madam Lou asked her now because she was worried that after dinner, the old lady would be sleepy and she might have gotten away with it. She didn't dare go too far in front of the old lady.

Who knew Feng Wanhua would actually dare? The South Courtyard sounds nice, but it's actually just a row of small pavilions across from the main house, with a narrow courtyard, facing south and north. How could it be habitable?

Fifteen years ago, when the second wife was still in the mansion, it wasn't lived in. It was only used to store the old lady's belongings, serving as a sort of warehouse. The courtyard was also filled with flowers and trees that were removed and replaced seasonally, like a semi-nursery.

But since she had spoken publicly, Second Madam Lou couldn't do anything to her. A smiling face is not to be slapped.

Fortunately, Second Madam Lou, after fifteen years of experience, had become more composed. She didn't respond, but simply walked back to Old Madam Lou, took the loquat from Qingyun's hand, and handed it to the old lady with a handkerchief.

Ling Shuang knew she was waiting for the old lady's reaction.

Sure enough, Old Madam Lou spoke.

"Wanhua, you're being ridiculous! There's stuff stored in the South Courtyard right now. How can anyone live there? Why don't you vacate the Fallen Plum Pavilion..."

"Oh, I've been so busy this year!" Feng Wanhua burst into laughter. "I was saying there's no room in the South Courtyard anymore. They just moved it to the garden, and now they're piling it up in Fallen Plum Pavilion and Huixue Pavilion. What should we do now? I'll have the servants go and move it back overnight with lights..."

"How can you be so quick? What nonsense!" Old Madam Lou frowned.

She knew Feng Wanhua's thoughts. The Third House was indeed too much of a scoundrel; she didn't deserve such a show of force. But the Second House was also truly despicable. Out of spite, she'd stayed in Jiangnan for fifteen years without returning. Everyone in Beijing was laughing at the Lou family...

Old Lady Lou pondered, her eyes subtly glancing at her granddaughters. Qingyun, on the other hand, had always been honest and loyal. Although she'd heard the warning, she still lowered her head slightly. She was a smart and filial child.

The youngest, Tanxue, was even more despicable. She was a carbon copy of her merchant mother. She was incredibly aggressive. In her early teens, she was like a little elf, her eyes blazing with anger as she glared at Third Lady. She had no manners.

The second child was even more outrageous. She had a coquettish air and was full of ulterior motives. She relied on her good looks to be quite restless, with a frivolous look in her eyes. She looked at Third Lady Lou with a half-smile, and she wasn't someone to be trifled with.

As she was surveying her granddaughters, she accidentally exchanged glances with Lou Lingshuang, who was sitting in the rose chair. A chill suddenly struck her heart.

The gaze of the youngest daughter from the second house was rather cold. She was smiling, but unlike someone from the third house, it looked as if she were observing a farce with aloof eyes.

Such a look from such a young girl was not a good sign.

When she saw Old Lady Lou looking at her, she restrained her expression and smiled sweetly.

Seeing her, Old Lady Lou couldn't help but think of something else and averted her gaze.

Girls are delicate guests, and it's hard to tell their status at first. Only after they marry will one know their future.

Feng Wanhua was wrong today. Qingyun's appearance and character alone, let alone those of the other girls, were outstanding even among the girls in Beijing. After the Twenty-Four Flower Banquets, she would surely be able to find an excellent marriage. Even for Qingyun's sake, Old Lady Lou wouldn't let the Second Branch live in that gloomy South Courtyard.

"No need to rush. I've got an idea." Old Lady Lou said with a smile, "Third sister, isn't Wutong Courtyard ready? Why don't you let your brother and sister-in-law live there? Isn't that perfect?"

Feng Wanhua's expression was complicated for a moment, but she quickly smiled even sweeter. "That's fine, but Wutong Courtyard only has two upper rooms. How can four nieces fit in there?"

"Let your brother and sister-in-law take the old and young ones there.

Let Qingyun and the other two live with me. It just so happened that I cleared out two upper rooms in the warm room before the New Year, so they can live there. It's warm and intimate, perfect for them." Old Lady Lou said, "Tomorrow is the Minor Cold Feast, the beginning of the Twenty-Four Feasts. I have everything ready, so the girls don't have to move. Go to bed early and go to the feast tomorrow."

Ling Shuang observed Feng Wanhua and found her shrewdness quite impressive. Her expression didn't even falter for a moment, and she immediately smiled.

"The old lady is truly amazing! She tore this rotten fish head apart in a snap."

Feng Wanhua smiled brightly, draping her arm around Second Lady Lou's shoulders as she jokingly said, "I told you the old lady favored my second brother and his wife, but no one believed me. Look, the main house is for my niece, and the newly built Wutong Courtyard is for my second brother and his wife. No one loves us anymore..."

Her joke brought laughter to the room, and the atmosphere was filled with joy. But Ling Shuang felt that her smile was a bit gnashing.

Sure enough, when it was time to settle in for the night, once Xianyue and the other maids who had made the beds had left, leaving only her own maid to help with the grooming, she immediately said, "I heard that Wutong Courtyard was actually built by Sanniang to entertain distinguished guests from her family. She put so much effort into it. She nominally said it was for guests, but in reality, she loved to bring her family to live here while in Beijing. Who else would it be besides her sisters-in-law?

Her brother is away on assignment year-round, and her sisters-in-law have been staying with us for six months. The old lady must have had her complaints long ago.

Now, after all the hard work to build it, we've given it to our parents to live in first, and the old lady loves the eldest sister so much, she's going to be so mad she can't sleep at night."

The three sisters are close in age and grew up together. Qingyun is well-behaved and dignified, so they often play together. But even at the age of fifteen, Lingshuang is still often amazed at how well-informed Xianyue is.