Jin Rui tidied up the table and gently called out to Du Yunluo.

Du Yunluo turned and walked back to the table. As she picked up her brush, she tilted her head and asked, "Did you go to Anfeng Courtyard? Who told you?"

Jin Rui replied, "I went to look for Qian He to talk, and just happened to see the fourth young lady looking lost walking out of the fourth lady’s room. Qian He followed to serve her, and heard someone say, ’A concubine’s child will always be a concubine’s child.’ Qian He was startled. I heard it too and pondered; it seems the fourth young lady heard something unpleasant from the fourth lady again and felt unhappy, so I inquired a bit at Anfeng Courtyard and figured out what it was about."

Du Yunluo slowly nodded.

Jin Rui and Jin Ling had good relations in the various houses and courtyards in the mansion. The information they intentionally gathered was usually reliable.

Although it was unclear what the situation was in the backyard of the Duke Mansion, Anfeng Courtyard already had someone upset.

Du Yunnuo saying such a thing showed she had come to understand it. Thinking of Princess An Ran, she felt even more pitiful and sad.

These were matters of Duke Jing Mansion; Du Yunluo did not dwell on them and continued copying scriptures.

The north wind blew fiercely in the twelfth lunar month.

After two consecutive days of snow, Mrs. Zhen increasingly worried about Du Yundi.

Only when Du Yundi returned to the capital did she finally feel at ease. After her son greeted her respectfully, she carefully scrutinized him and asked about the Shi siblings, Shi Shiren and Shi Lian’er.

Recalling the incident at the academy before, Du Yundi’s face reddened as soon as his mother mentioned Shi Lian’er. He waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "I’ve been avoiding her."

Du Yunluo blinked at Du Yundi upon hearing this.

Avoiding her meant Shi Lian’er was still pestering Du Yundi.

Even though she knew Shi Lian’er was shameless and not one to give up easily, Du Yunluo still felt a tightness in her chest.

Mrs. Zhen felt the same. She wanted to remind him a few more times, but seeing Du Yundi’s face turn crimson, she decided not to mention it further. She thought to herself that since the New Year was approaching, she could discuss it with him when he departs after the festivities.

Preparations for the twelfth lunar month were orderly.

The shops and farms of each family came to deliver their accounts. Not only was Miao Shi tirelessly busy, but Mrs. Zhen too, as the third branch had quite a few industries under its name.

By the time the annual gifts from the main branch arrived, it was already the sixth day of the twelfth lunar month.

Following past tradition, starting tomorrow, the shelters of the princes, dukes, marquises, and earls would begin distributing porridge, and crowds would throng outside the city gates.

At Lianfu Garden, naturally, the discussion of who would go to Potuo Mountain to fetch porridge on the day of Laba Festival was brought up again.

Mrs. Zhen did not join the conversation, merely looking calmly at Liao Shi.

Liao Shi’s health had improved, but her spirits remained downcast, and she looked dejected.

In front of Old Mrs. Xia, Miao Shi refrained from being the villain, sipping her tea silently.

Seeing Old Mrs. Xia’s gaze, Liao Shi hesitated for a moment, then sighed and said, "Old Madam, I’ve been feeling unwell these days, and in this condition, it’s not appropriate to go before the Bodhisattva. Let Third Sister-in-law take over fetching the porridge tomorrow."

With the principal speaking, Old Mrs. Xia neither agreed nor disagreed. Only then did Miao Shi smile warmly and kindly speak to Liao Shi, offering her words of consideration.

Sitting on the thickly cushioned Eight Immortals Chair, Liao Shi felt uneasy. No position seemed comfortable, and as Miao Shi’s words about "health is important," "taking time in winter to nourish well," and "Third Sister-in-law is reliable, everyone will be at ease with her fetching the porridge" kept ringing in her ears, she felt increasingly irritable. Claiming an unwell body as an excuse, she left early.

Du Yunnuo quickly followed, obediently trailing behind Liao Shi.

Once inside Anfeng Courtyard, Liao Shi didn’t want Du Yunnuo lingering around, dismissing her casually before returning to her own room.

Standing under the veranda, Du Yunnuo waited for the curtain in front of her to stop swaying before letting out a long breath.

The window of the west wing was slightly open; standing beneath it, Du Yunnuo heard Liao Shi inside voicing complaints about Miao Shi. She slowly stepped back two paces, sneaking quietly to the West Courtyard.

Aunt Mo’s room was not as warm as those of Old Mrs. Xia and Liao Shi, but Du Yunnuo felt a sense of comfort upon entering. Ignoring Aunt Mo’s surprised look, she rushed directly into her embrace.

"Aunt..." Du Yunnuo buried her face in Aunt Mo’s chest, calling out hoarsely.

Aunt Mo hugged her, gently saying, "What’s wrong, my lady? Did Madam trouble you? These days, Madam’s temperament isn’t good; have you been wronged?"

Hearing Aunt Mo’s comforting words, Du Yunnuo felt a lump in her throat, and her eyes turned red. She bit her lower lip and sobbed for a long time before she managed to say, "Aunt, after all my efforts to please her, does it have any effect?"

"My lady, isn’t your future in Madam’s hands? Besides appeasing her..." Aunt Mo sighed mournfully.

"Didn’t the County Princess An Ran try to please her grandfather, only to suffer in silence?" Du Yunnuo clung tightly to Aunt Mo, whispering, "I fear that no matter how much I please her, I will never be her own, and she may treat me the same way. In the end, it’s because I lack the capability. Didn’t Grandmother say previously, if you don’t want to be bullied, if you don’t want to be oppressed, you have to be strong? But after thinking it over, I still don’t know how to become strong, how to rise above others."

Given Aunt Mo’s position, she couldn’t think of more than reassuring words.

For a daughter of a concubine to live more gloriously than the legitimate daughters and to climb step by step upward was a near impossible task.

Having interacted with Liao Shi for almost two decades, Aunt Mo understood her character well. Even if Du Yunnuo stayed obediently by Liao Shi’s side, she wouldn’t suffer greatly in marriage matchmaking, but any dreams of soaring high seemed out of reach.

Liao Shi wasn’t intentionally suppressing Du Yunnuo to prevent her from marrying well; it’s just that Liao Shi didn’t have the necessary connections to support Du Yunnuo. Even if connections existed within the Du Family, they were in Old Mrs. Xia’s hands.

However, given the trouble in arranging a match for Du Yunying, it was evident that even Old Mrs. Xia found it difficult to assist.

What lies ahead for Du Yunnuo depends entirely on fate.

Aunt Mo shook her head with a bitter smile, knowing she could only burn more incense and pray more to Bodhisattva.

In Qinghui Garden, once the decision to go to Potuo Mountain was made, Mrs. Zhen began her preparations.

Du Yunluo sat beside Mrs. Zhen, watching her give instructions. She pouted and called sweetly, "Mother, I want to go as well."

Mrs. Zhen glanced at her, "On Laba Festival, it’s a crowded scene. Why would a young lady like you want to join such a bustle?"

"Didn’t Fourth Sister go before?" Du Yunluo was persistent.

"Still acting spoiled? Didn’t see you this eager to go out before, so why are you restless now?" Mrs. Zhen chuckled, touching her daughter’s nose gently, "In any case, you’re not allowed to go, just stay home."

Seeing Mrs. Zhen unmoved even after a few pleas, Du Yunluo gave up.