"Indeed," Yuan Mengzhu did not hide her feelings but instead nodded in agreement, "To have one’s own son wholly preoccupied with someone else, it truly doesn’t sit well with me. If I didn’t know that Lady Xinxin had no interest in Zeze, I might even think... Anyway, it just feels very disappointing..."
"My lady," Grandma Aqiu couldn’t help but laugh and cry, calling out with the address she’d used before Yuan Mengzhu was married, "You really are... If I may be so bold, you’re worrying over nothing. Don’t you know the kind of person your son is? He is most grateful, and since Lady Xinxin saved his life, isn’t it normal for him to talk about her? If your son were truly heartless, wouldn’t you be even more worried?"
"I understand the reasoning," Yuan Mengzhu gave a self-deprecating smile, "but it doesn’t make it any easier." Then she waved her hand to prevent Aqiu from continuing, "Alright, Aqiu, let’s end this discussion. You should personally go check on Daphne Garden’s preparations; that little tyrant has given strict instructions many times. We can’t afford any mistakes."
"Don’t worry, I’ll go and keep a close eye on things," Aqiu said with a smile, bowing her body respectfully before hurrying away.
Yuan Mengzhu let out another sigh and then turned to walk toward her own courtyard.
"Sister-in-law," just a few steps later, a plump woman hurried after her, "You’re indeed here; you had me searching all over..."
"Sister-in-law, what is it?" Yuan Mengzhu’s face returned to its usual calm and faint smile, as Fang Decheng’s wife, the Sun Family matriarch, approached.
"Sister-in-law, isn’t it just a few days until the old master’s grand birthday celebration? I’ve prepared the guest list, take a look..." the Sun Family matriarch handed over the list, "If there are any cuts to be made, it would be good to make the changes quickly..."
Yuan Mengzhu took a look at the list and furrowed her brow slightly, "Why isn’t Yang Ruxin’s family included?"
"They are, at the back," the Sun Family matriarch smiled, "The ones in the front are all notable figures; this Yang Ruxin is just a village girl, so I put her..."
"Is that what father instructed?" Yuan Mengzhu’s expression immediately became severe.
"No..." the Sun Family matriarch suddenly seemed very embarrassed, "I thought..."
"Sister-in-law, what did you think?" Yuan Mengzhu would never neglect Yang Ruxin, despite any personal discomfort she felt, especially since the girl had saved her son and was thereby her benefactor. Moreover, Ruxin was a disciple of Dao Xuzi; who knew when they might need her help in the future? Therefore, she would not allow for any mishap at the birthday feast, and was particularly displeased to see the Sun Family matriarch relegating Yang Ruxin’s name to the end of the list, "Perhaps you’d like to take over the household?"
"Heh, I’ll correct it immediately..." the Sun Family matriarch quickly tried to smooth things over with an awkward laugh, "Please, don’t be upset, sister-in-law..."
Yuan Mengzhu then nodded and turned to leave.
"Ptui!" Once Yuan Mengzhu was out of sight, the Sun Family matriarch spat in the direction of her retreating figure, "What a piece of work..." But she quickly remembered she had come to dig for information about Yang Ruxin, to no avail, and, annoyed, stamped her foot before turning back to consult with her husband and son.
Unbeknownst to Fang Tianze, his attachment to his "Sister Xinxin" had only intensified the main house’s dissatisfaction with them. He was counting the days, believing Yang Ruxin should be visiting soon, and so he sent Liuyun and Liu Guang from the main house to wait for her at the city gates in turns.