Several days passed.
The He family’s elderly matriarch made a phone call, stating that there was an important matter.
Contemplating that it had been many days since her last visit, Su Ruanruan requested a half-day leave.
Upon her arrival at the He Residence.
The Housekeeper greeted her, handing over the management of all household affairs to her.
Su Ruanruan did not refuse and casually inquired, "Is third brother not around?"
The Housekeeper smiled and replied, "Young Master Jitang seldom intervenes in these matters!"
With that, Su Ruanruan dropped the matter.
After briefly taking care of instructions, she went to see the elderly Madam He.
Today, Madam He had an appointment with a tailor, none other than Master Yan, the one whose family has been tailoring for the royal household for generations.
As Su Ruanruan entered, the man smartly stood up.
He said, "You must be Miss Su!"
Su Ruanruan nodded with a smile.
The man gently pressed on her shoulders, prompting her to turn around.
Su Ruanruan felt somewhat shy.
The elderly Madam He teased her, "You look so inexperienced! Master Yan is measuring you, and his hands are incredibly precious."
She complimented Master Yan, "People clutching hefty sums of gold seek him out, yet he might not even oblige."
Su Ruanruan smiled and said, "Then I must express my thanks to Master Yan."
"Of course!" Master Yan was proud, but when he encountered someone he admired, he was very agreeable.
And Miss Su was indeed someone he admired.
With his expert skills, he quickly took her measurements.
Madam He spoke to him, "Our little monkey here is getting married, you must bring your A-game!"
Master Yan naturally agreed.
He packed up his tools and said to both of them, "I’ll go back and ponder over the designs to present a few for Miss Su to choose from next time."
His craftsmanship was quite to Su Ruanruan’s liking.
She escorted Master Yan to the door.
When she returned, she became more coquettish with the elderly Madam He.
Madam He said, "Both my daughters married foreigners, leaving only you and Jitang by my side. Yet, he is not endearing, so whom else should I dote on but you."
She patted Su Ruanruan and added, "For the wedding, an appropriately elegant bridal garment is necessary."
Su Ruanruan acknowledged quietly.
The elderly lady took a sip of tea, then remembered her son.
She summoned the Housekeeper and asked, "Where’s Jitang? I remember he is supposed to be at home."
The Housekeeper looked troubled.
Su Ruanruan, being highly intelligent, guessed what was going on.
Madam He was no fool either.
Ever since Lin Xianni’s return, Jitang had been indulging in women with increased recklessness.
Enraged, He Jitang stepped into the main hall.
Usually gentle and refined, he now carried an added air of decadence and dissipation.
Two buttons were undone on his white shirt.
At the neckline, one could vaguely see two fresh, fine marks.
Clearly, they were left by a woman.
In broad daylight, the elderly Madam He was furious, but she felt powerless towards her son.
Since being hurt by that woman, Jitang’s personal life had become utterly dissolute.
She warned her son, "Those girls are someone’s daughters too. If you’re going to be with them, don’t lay a hand on them, and make sure you’re generous with money."
He Jitang just chuckled.
He sat on a rosewood chair, drank half a cup of tea, and then commented, "The old lady is quite keeping up with the times now."
The old lady paid him no mind.
He Jitang turned and addressed Su Ruanruan, "Ruanruan, don’t you agree?"
Su Ruanruan had no interest in his scandals.
She gave a few noncommittal responses.
He Jitang, with his narrow phoenix eyes, watched her.
At the corner of his eye, a teardrop mole was particularly striking and attractive.
That’s when the elderly Madam He spoke up, "Amitabha, Jitang, spare your sister the dirty details of your affairs. She and Jingyan have been in love for many years, a fine example you should learn from!"
He Jitang just smiled.
He sipped his tea and asked nonchalantly, "What would you like third brother to gift you?"
Su Ruanruan earnestly replied, "If third brother could spend more time with Ci’an, that would be best."
He Jitang called her young yet surprisingly preachy.
The elderly Madam He directly sent him away.