After dinner, Jiang Wanru and Ji Yan put away the bowls and chopsticks and placed them in the rice box. Outside the courtyard door, amidst the sound of wind and snow, came the sound of a woman knocking on the door and shouting: "Ji Yan, Ji Yan." Jiang Wanru looked at Ji Yan, who said in surprise: "It's Xiao Jiang Auntie calling me, she must have something important to discuss with me." Jiang Wanru knew this person, she was the confidante of her stepmother and probably one of the people she trusted most.

  Jiang Wanmu's eyes turned gloomy, her small face tensed up, and she clenched her fists before saying to Jiyuan with a tone of endurance: "Jiyuan, take the lunchboxes out. I'll rest for a while, and later we'll go shovel snow in the courtyard." Jiyuan looked at Jiang Wanmu who was clearly unhappy, took the two lunchboxes out of the room, and carefully closed the door. Jiang Wanmu glared at the door with hatred, how much longer would she have to endure this kind of life before it came to an end.

  In the courtyard, Jiyuan smiled and opened the gate, standing at the entrance to greet the woman outside: "Hello, Auntie Xiaojiang, is there something I can help you with?" Auntie Xiaojiang's gaze fell on the courtyard, smiling as she took in the scene for a moment before saying: "Jiyuan, your courtyard doesn't have as much snow as it used to. You're quite capable." Jiyuan chuckled and replied: "The young mistress helped me shovel the snow out of the courtyard." Upon hearing this, Auntie Xiaojiang hastily asked: "Will your young mistress be helping you shovel snow again soon?"

  Ji Yan smiled and said, "Yes, Mrs. Xue, there's no need to shovel the snow. Just now, Miss said that we two will go out to shovel the snow together soon. Aunt Xiao Jiang, are you looking for me or is it about Miss?" Aunt Xiao Jiang looked at Ji Yan with a glance and said loudly, "Madam said the snow is too deep, so I came over to take a look at Third Miss and you, whether you're safe? The snow in your courtyard will be cleared by some idle servants I'll call over soon, so there's no need for Third Miss to do it herself."

  Missy is fine, I'm fine. Auntie Xiaojiang, if there's nothing else, I'll close the gate and send the food boxes to the main kitchen. Xiaojiang took over the things in Jiyuan's hands with a smile and said softly, "I'll go to the main kitchen and help you deliver them. Today is an important day in the mansion, take good care of your young lady." Jiyuan looked up at Xiaojiang and asked, "Auntie Xiaojiang, did Missy do something wrong? Why should I guard her?"

  Mrs. Xiaojiang's face sank, and she said to her: "The lady has ordered you to do it, so just do it. What's with all these words from a little kid?" Jiyu's eyes turned red, and in a small voice, she said: "Big sister has changed, and Auntie Xiaojiang has also changed." Mrs. Xiaojiang glared at her for a long time without speaking, then turned around to leave, saying: "You'd better stay in the courtyard and not cause any trouble for your family."

  She heavily closed the courtyard door and locked it, standing outside Jiang Wan's room, pacing back and forth. Inside, Jiang Wan heard this and, not in a good mood, shouted at the person by the door: "Come in! If you really want to leave, go to the courtyard and walk around a few times." Ji Yan lightly pushed open the door, poking her head inside to ask Jiang Wan: "Miss, are you not angry anymore?"

  Jiang Wanmu glared at her and said, "I'm so angry, always helping others. Why should I be angry? It's better to think carefully about how to spend the rest of my life." Ji Yan heard this and smiled as she walked into the room, sat down at the table, and asked Jiang Wanmu, "Miss, how will you spend the rest of your life?" Jiang Wanmu looked at her with a flattering expression like a small dog, and said with a 'pfft' smile, "From now on, I, Miss, will live a good life."

  Ji Yan listened to Jiang Wan's words and felt disappointed, lying on the table. Jiang Wan patted her hand gently and stood up to move around in the room for a while. Hearing the courtyard door being knocked lightly, she immediately opened the door and rushed out into the courtyard, closing the door behind her. Outside the door, Xun Chun said softly: "Miss, your aunt is gone." Jiang Wan immediately opened the courtyard door again, looking at Xun Chun's sweaty face, asking: "How could she be gone?"

  Qian looked at Jiang Wan with a worried face and said, "Madam had someone send us food today. At that time, Yiniang ate a few mouthfuls of rice, and I saw her being the same as usual. After dinner, I went out for a moment, and when I came back to the room, I didn't see Yiniang." Jiang Wan's face suddenly turned white, as pale as snow.

  Madam Jiang endured for many years, and at this moment, taking advantage of her daughter's happy occasion, she let out her joy and satisfaction. Jiang Wanru said in a low voice, "Have you looked for those places?" Chunwang glanced at the pale-faced Jiang Wanru and said, "Miss, except for the main courtyard, I've searched all the places that your aunt usually goes to."

  Jiang Wan said to the maid, "You stay in the yard and wait. If Madam Yu comes, you must hold her back and not let her leave." Jiang Wan then turned to Qingspring and said, "Let's go take a look around the main courtyard." As they walked towards the main courtyard, Qingspring suddenly burst into tears and said, "Miss, if your aunt finds out that your engagement has been called off, she won't be able to live. She says that as long as she can see you get married and have a good life without being a burden on her, she'll be content."

  Jiang Wanmu turned her head to glance at Qingspring and advised, "Don't cry. If she doesn't know anything, seeing you like this will make her suspicious too. Today is a big day for Miss Jiang, Madam won't let her get close to the main courtyard." Qingspring listened to Jiang Wanmu's words and quickly wiped away the tears on her face, looking at Jiang Wanmu and saying, "Miss, you're not stupid now, and Aunt can also put her mind at ease." Jiang Wanmu looked around casually, asking Qingspring who had been following her since childhood, "You've been with her since she was young?"

  Qin Chun looked at Jiang Wanru and saw her looking around, moving her gaze, and said in a low voice: "I'm not someone who has been following the young lady since childhood. I was a third-class maid in the young master's courtyard. The young lady wanted to enter the Jiang family, and all the servants serving by her side were scolded and sold out by the madam. The young master asked me if I was willing to follow the young lady? I agreed, and followed the young lady into the Jiang family."

  Jiang Wanru always thought that Qiu Chun was someone who had followed Yu Xixi before, but she didn't expect her to be a person from Yu Xixi's brother's household. The mistress of the Yu family, at the time of the incident, must have been extremely resentful towards the people around Yu Xixi. Jiang Wanru asked softly: "Then why are you willing to follow her to the Jiang family?" Qiu Chun paused for a moment before saying: "I originally owed Miss a life..."

  "When I was young, because of a small matter, I fell into the hands of Yu's third aunt. She wanted to sell me off when Miss passed by and said that there were no rough maids in Master's courtyard, so she let me serve her. I've heard that people who are sold to Third Aunt never survive, they're all sent to dirty places." Jiang Wanru responded lightly: "Uh-huh." The person quickly rushed forward, Qiu Jin following closely behind her. Jiang Wanru suddenly stopped and Qiu Jin followed suit, looking in the same direction as her gaze.