With the Lunar New Year fast approaching, the Lou residence began to get busy. No wonder the only thing worth attending before the Lunar New Year was the Great Cold Banquet. The wives were busy preparing for the festival, and the daughters were also expected to learn to manage the household. They had no time for banquets or social events, as they were all preoccupied with their own household duties. Consequently, none of the Lou sisters attended the following banquets.

In previous Lunar New Years, the sisters had followed Second Madam Lou's lead in looking after the household, helping with everything from the New Year's menu and banquets to ancestor worship and festival gifts. This year, it was "guest time," and Third Madam Lou was the immediate head of the Lou family's old house. She had always been wary of interference from the Second Madam's wife, and her arrangements were impenetrable, leaving the Second Madam happy to be left alone. Second Madam Lou had instructed them to treat themselves as guests, not to interfere, to report to her if they had any concerns, and not to confront the Third Madam's wife.

Feng Wanhua was a ruthless person, a smiling tiger on the outside, and willing to sacrifice her reputation for personal gain. Add to that her family's power, and Old Lady Lou took sides. Second Lady Lou was left alone in the capital, a life of bitter suffering.

Though she had returned in high esteem, her primary goal was to find a husband for her daughter. Living in the old house was also a matter of concern for the negative impact it might have on her. Living in a separate residence before the family division showed signs of unrest.

Qingyun was obedient, and Lingshuang didn't bother with matters of the inner chambers. However, Xianyue had been unable to leave her home due to a cough lately, leaving her extremely bored. With Tanxue acting as her spy, the two were ready to make a move. Second Lady Lou repeatedly warned her, but Xianyue simply said, "I won't offend anyone unless they offend me. Don't worry, mother."

Who knew that before she could finish her words, the attack would come.

The 23rd was the Minor New Year, and the harvest from the farm only arrived on the 24th. There were live chickens, ducks, cattle, and sheep, of course, but there were also wild game like roe deer, muntjac, and the like. The Lou family wasn't particularly wealthy, only considered upper-middle class in Beijing, a land known for its hidden talents.

But Third Lady Lou was quite vain, always managing to make the New Year a grand affair, drawing praise. Her two daughters had copied her, boasting only 70% or 80% of their looks, but portraying them as truly magnificent beauties. Rumors spread that they were the only two outstanding figures in the capital, aside from Princess Xun, and a number of young men from aristocratic families believed them. If Qingyun hadn't appeared, those noble ladies would have been in a state of panic.

Xianyue, at home, was well-informed about world affairs. On the 24th, she went to visit Xue to see the gifts from the farm. She and Lingshuang were alone in the bedroom. They had been quietly reading when she suddenly said, "Madam Zhao really likes Qingyun."

"Which Madam Zhao?" Lingshuang was puzzled.

"Marquis Zhao's wife, Zhao Jing's mother." Xianyue knew them all like the back of her hand.

"Who is Zhao Jing?"

"His grandfather was the Marquis of Fuping, and he had two sons. Zhao Jing's father, the eldest, held a lowly position, a mere censor, but he inherited the title of marquis. Zhao Xiu's father, though a concubine's son, held a high position. The two brothers were nicknamed Big Zhao and Little Zhao, known as the Zhao Wangsun.

Among the aristocratic families in the capital today, those we could reach, these brothers are in the top five. Everyone wants to be called the Zhao Wangsun.

"Zhao Wangsun? Who came up with that nickname?" Lingshuang frowned.

"I gave it to me." Xianyue remained calm, and Lingshuang was amused by her.

"A scholar who never leaves home yet knows everything about the world. Are you Zhuge Liang?

You're in the top five of our worthy families. Did you even rank them in order?"

"You don't understand. Although I don't leave home, I've already gotten to know most of them. During the Lantern Festival, when I'm going to exorcise all diseases, I'll meet everyone and find out who's who. I'll tell you all about them one by one.

You think I'm like you, clueless? I know everything about the capital," Xianyue said.

She wasn't bragging. A strong general always has weak soldiers. Her maid, Taoran, was also very clever. Although the rules in the capital were strict, not only the ladies, but even their maids were forbidden to see outsiders,

But Taoran also had a little maid. Xianyue was frail, so her wet nurse, Huang Mama, took care of her until she was in her teens. They had a deep bond. After her own child died, she treated her like her own daughter, obeying her every command.

Xianyue often needs to buy brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones for her paintings, sometimes even going to several shops just for the same paint. Huang Mama has a legitimate reason to go out, and her husband is a sedan bearer, so she's well-informed. When she said she'd arrange seating for everyone, she wasn't exaggerating.

"I don't think Madam Zhao's fondness for Qingyun is fake; she's incredibly fond of her. She's even pressuring Madam Lu to adopt Qingyun as her goddaughter. But Madam Lu, who also likes Qingyun, refuses to acknowledge her, believing that even if she does, she can't marry her.

The other ladies are trying to join in the fun, praising Qingyun. Mother's been so much the center of attention, it's made Sanniang so angry she came home without even having her midnight snack, claiming she had a cold and couldn't eat. It was hilarious." Xianyue was wary. "Hey, I heard Yuzhu and Bizhu's primary targets are the Zhao Jing and Zhao Xiu brothers. Last time, I deliberately had Taoran trick them into saying that the young men in the capital are ugly and not as elegant as the Jiangnan ones. Guess what Bizhu's maid, Xiaotao, said? She said, 'Nonsense! The young master of the Zhao family is handsome and talented, and the emperor has praised him.' The rules in the capital are so strict; how could a young lady have the chance to meet a prince? Think about it, she's been keeping an eye on things for a long time.

The Zhao family clearly hasn't relented, otherwise the third branch would have already been engaged.

Seriously, be wary of the Third House. If Madam Zhao truly sets her sights on Qingyun, who knows what they'll do.

Ling Shuang listened, took it to heart, and sure enough, Xianyue's words came true that evening.

Old Madam Lou's maiden family was the Wangs, an established clan. In recent years, it's been somewhat similar to the Cuis, showing signs of decline.

Old Madam Lou wasn't snobbish; she brought all her grandchildren and nephews home for the New Year. Her brother had passed away, and her widowed sister-in-law, Old Madam Wang, was gentle. Her son was an official in another province, so she stayed with the Lous year-round, and her grandchildren all attended the Lous' private school.

The Third House, managing the household and supporting the Wangs year-round, must have had complaints.

This time, she showed her power. The nights were long, and they all gathered to chat and play cards with Old Madam Lou, while Qingyun sewed nearby. That day, Old Madam Lou felt a little sleepy and went to bed early.

Everyone was instructed to chat with Old Madam Wang. The second and third wives were present, playing cards with her. Then, Madam Feng, the housekeeper, came in and whispered something to Madam Lou San. Madam Lou San was playing cards, so she couldn't hear clearly. "Just tell me what you want to say. Don't be so nosy. There aren't any outsiders here."

Madam Feng looked embarrassed and said, "We just checked the dry goods. The abalone we received isn't enough. The three-head abalone will have to go to Madam Wang, and the rest of us will have to use twelve-head abalone."

"Twelve-head abalone? You're so surprised! Are you eating abalone or just popping sunflower seeds?"

Madam Lou San said this while playing cards, and the others laughed.

Abalone size is measured by the number of abalone per jin (pound). Twelve-head abalone is twelve abalone of this size, weighing one jin (pound). It's indeed a bit too small.

"There's nothing we can do. It's definitely too late to buy it now. Even if we could find it, it'd probably be worth more than gold.

Abalone, shark's fin, and bird's nest are a New Year's tradition. Luckily, the old lady's is still good enough," Madam Feng said with an apologetic smile.