The 10th time, the illegitimate daughters are not the same.

"Who?" Hualan could not hear clearly

"Elder brother-in-law," Minglan said, making an effort to widen her eyes, appearing quite foolish and innocent

Old Lady Sheng said leisurely, "Ignorance? ... Not necessarily."

Wang felt refreshed in both body and mind, and said with a smile, "The old lady is selecting people; it doesn't matter if you think it's good, what matters is whether she is willing herself! I often tell Hua that wearing brighter colors would make her look more vibrant, but she prefers light-colored clothes. Sir, in everything, it is best when the person is willing; you can't just impose your preferences on someone. The old lady, out of respect for you, would not contradict you, but she may not feel comfortable in her heart. So, you should rest easy; no matter which child the old lady chooses, they are all your daughters. Now that the old lady has spoken, you just need to follow her wishes. This way, the old lady is satisfied, and you have fulfilled your filial duty; isn't that a win-win situation? Moreover, the old lady is kind-hearted and compassionate; she must be considering that Concubine Wei passed away early, and tomorrow she will be weak and confused, perhaps wanting to elevate her status as well."

After the greetings, Minglan was led by her mother to see the new room, and Rulan followed along, bouncing with excitement. Meanwhile, Wang and Hualan continued their conversation with Old Lady Sheng. Wang acted like a door-to-door salesperson, worried about being rejected, so she lavished praise on Minglan, extolling her honesty, simplicity, obedience, and understanding to Old Lady Sheng. Hualan, unable to sit still from the flattery, laughed and said, "Old Lady, look at her, she is so afraid you won't want the sixth sister that she is going all out to praise her."

"This matter is inappropriate," Lady Sheng shook her head and said, "Although your intentions are good, your considerations are lacking. A child is a mother's heart and soul. When I brought Hua over, it had only been three days, and my daughter-in-law had already lost a significant amount of weight, nearly losing her shape. She dared not speak of it, but her heart felt as if it were being fried in oil. Having been a mother myself, how could I not understand? Therefore, even though you registered it under my name, I still allowed Aunt Chun to raise you. Although the lady is the children's legitimate mother, that blood bond cannot be severed. I truly cannot bear to see Mo separated from Aunt Lin at such a young age... Wasn't it you who initially used the bond of flesh and blood as a reason to prevent the lady from raising Mo? How is it that you can now let go?" As she spoke, she cast a sidelong glance at Sheng Hong.

On the second day, as Old Lady Sheng had just gotten out of bed, Mama Fang was serving her bird's nest porridge in a white porcelain bowl adorned with a silver thread pattern symbolizing longevity. Outside, a maid reported, "The master has arrived." Then she opened the thick indigo felt curtain to let Sheng Hong in. Old Lady Sheng glanced at him briefly, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly, signaling Mama Fang to remove the porridge.

"My lord, your heartfelt filial piety has been graciously received by the old lady. The old woman here expresses her gratitude on behalf of the old lady. ... Madam, I kindly ask you to take a moment to attend to Miss Liu. Please inform me when it is done, and I will come to fetch her."

Hua Lan's face turned red again as she turned away and said nothing. Wang Shi, with a beaming smile, said, "What the old lady said is true. I am just worried that this girl has become too unruly at home, and when she goes to her in-laws, she might be ridiculed."

Sheng Hong let out a faint smile, saying, "What the old lady said is true, but tomorrow she..."

Madam Fang has always been straightforward; after speaking, she bent down and returned.

Just returned to the house, not yet having changed clothes or washed up, the old lady's maid suddenly arrived. The couple, Sheng and Hong, hurriedly invited her in. The maid was a long-standing member of the household, and she spoke clearly and concisely, quickly stating her purpose— the old lady wanted to take Miss Minglan over.

Sheng Hongqi said, "Oh? How do you mean by that?"

Sheng Hong thought of Aunt Wei, feeling a pang of sadness. He lowered his head, secretly grieving. Old Lady Sheng glanced at Sheng Hong and said with a hint of sarcasm, "I know that a large part of your heart belongs to Aunt Lin. However, Mo'er is clever and has her own mother around, so you need not worry too much; you won't lose anything. As for the sixth girl, she is weak and naive. Considering the late Aunt Wei, you should take more care of her, for she is truly without support."

Old Lady Sheng turned slightly towards the Wang family and said earnestly, "I was just about to mention this. Ever since Hua Er's engagement, I have written to my old friends in the capital, asking them to recommend a reliable and well-educated governess. I hope to find an elderly woman who has come from the palace, someone cultured, knowledgeable of the rules, and sensible, to come to our household and help teach Hua girl some manners. I only hope that you will not blame me for being overly concerned."

......

The matter of the old lady raising six young ladies has already been settled, and it spread throughout the Sheng residence in just one morning. Upon hearing this, Aunt Lin immediately smashed a teacup. Mo Lan, sitting beside her, wiped her tears, crying profusely: "I said I wouldn't go, but you insisted I go. Look, this time it has truly become a disgrace!"

Madam Fang smiled as she stuffed the box into Hualan's hands: "Miss, please accept this. The red gems on it were brought back by the late Lord Hou from the Kingdom of Kyiv beyond the Great Snow Mountain. They were crafted into a complete set as a dowry for the old lady, with a total of eighteen pieces, meticulously inlaid with pure gold. It took two teams of craftsmen three months to complete. Even wearing it to the palace to meet the nobles would be more than sufficient. Miss, this is the old lady's heartfelt intention, please accept it."

When the Wang family encounters a joyful event, their spirits are uplifted, and this buoyancy leads to generous actions. To demonstrate that she is indeed a very virtuous and loving stepmother, she brought Minglan several exquisite pieces of fabric, including satin, velvet, burnt wool, thin silk, brocade, and engraved silk. Since these were taken directly from Hualan's dowry, they are quite respectable. Additionally, she also gifted Minglan several newly made gold and silver accessories for Rulan, which adorned her completely.

As the box opened, the room was instantly filled with a dazzling golden light. The gold was bright and clear, evidently just cleaned recently. The large red rubies sparkled brilliantly, each the size of a thumb, radiating a fiery red that was both eye-catching and stunning. Even the Wang family, who hailed from a wealthy background, were taken aback, unable to look away, while Hualan was left breathless in astonishment.

Aunt Lin stood in the room, her hairpins scattered, her beautiful features twisted into a fierce expression, and she said with resentment: "Hmph, that old hag has no money, and she is not the master's biological mother. What kind of pretentiousness is this? If she doesn't want you, we don't care either. Just wait and see how long she can flaunt herself!"

"What brings you here so early in the morning? It's cold outside; why not sleep a little longer?" After Sheng Hong completed the formalities and took his seat, Old Madam Sheng said.

Old Lady Sheng said in a low voice: "Everyone thinks she is foolish, but who would have thought that she understands everything? She is just suffering inside, yet dares not speak of it, and can only cry secretly to the Buddha."

Wang was feeling refreshed and invigorated, as events were unfolding in the direction she most desired. That vixen had not succeeded, and Ru Lan did not have to leave her side; instead, she had managed to pass off a hot potato. This Dengzhou truly is a wonderful place, with good feng shui, bringing her prosperity! Thus, the next day, she rose early, directing the maids and servants to prepare Ming Lan, planning to send her over directly when she went to pay her respects.

Wang was overjoyed and immediately stood up to deeply bow to the old lady, speaking with a choked voice: "Thanks to your thoughtful consideration, I was indeed worried about this. If it were a family of equal status, it would be one thing, but Hua'er is specifically engaged to a count's household. Although our family can also be considered a prominent family, the rules and customs in those noble households are extensive and complex, which ordinary families cannot easily learn. Not to mention the Duke of Loyalty and Diligence's household; in the future, the friends and relatives we interact with will likely be from either the Wang family or the noble households. Hua'er is straightforward by nature, and I have always worried that she might not understand the proper etiquette, which could lead to her being looked down upon in the future! Today, you have truly resolved a significant dilemma for me, and I bow to express my gratitude! Come, Hua'er, you should also come over and bow to the old lady!"

Sheng Hong was at a loss for words, chuckling dryly as he said, "It is still the old lady who is thoughtful; I fear that tomorrow, if the ignorant tire you out, it will all be the son's fault."

Minglan awoke and murmured, "He is truly fortunate to have such a caring elder sister looking after him"

The entire household, including masters and servants, burst into laughter. Old Lady Sheng particularly favored Hualan's straightforward manner of speaking and said with a smile, "You little girl, even scheming against your own mother. Be careful she might cut your dowry; you won't have anywhere to cry later!"

Madam Sheng felt a sense of sadness in her heart. She nodded to Mama Fang, who then retrieved a large flat wooden box from inside. The wood appeared aged, yet the gold inlaid patterns of cloud dragons at the corners of the box shone brilliantly. Mama Fang placed the box on the kang, and Madam Sheng took it, saying to Hualan: "Your dowry was prepared years ago in Quanzhou, and your parents have put in great effort; there is nothing lacking. This set of ruby and gold headpiece was given to me when I married, and today I am giving it to you."

......

Sheng Hong found this reason quite plausible, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt the likelihood was high. Even if he wanted to elevate Mo Lan, he could not force the old lady to accept her. However, Aunt Lin and he were truly in love, and Mo Lan was a product of that love. For the sake of this bond, he planned to make another effort.

Old Lady Sheng let out a slight sigh and turned her head away. The housekeeper beside her, noticing the situation, quickly smiled and added: "It is indeed a pity. After arriving in Dengzhou, when the master first brought his wife and children to pay their respects to the old lady, they had breakfast together. The other young masters and young ladies were all taken away by their mothers and maids, but the mother of the sixth young lady was engrossed in her tea and asked her daughter to wait. While the sixth young lady wandered around, she stumbled upon the old lady's Buddhist hall. When I went to look for her, I saw the sixth young lady kneeling on the mat, bowing to the statue of Guanyin, pitifully holding back her tears, only daring to cry softly without making a sound."

"Did you hear that? What are you daydreaming about all day?" Hualan said, tapping Minglan's forehead with her finger, which resembled a green onion.

Hualan held back her emotions, yet tears still streamed down her face: "Rest assured, Ancestor, I will take good care of myself. You must also take care of your health, for your granddaughter will come to visit you often in the future"

Sheng Hong was rendered speechless by the remarks.

Old Lady Sheng chuckled softly, "Once bitten by a snake, I am now wary of those clever and intelligent girls; their minds are sharp and their thoughts intricate. Before I have even clarified a single thought, they have already twisted it around seventeen or eighteen times. It would be simpler to have a foolish one; besides, she is not truly foolish. Did you not say that day you heard her mumbling about her mother in front of the Buddha? She must miss her deceased mother, which makes her a thoughtful child; let it be her."

The busy maids in the room covered their mouths and stifled their laughter. Hualan's face turned red with embarrassment; she both wanted to tear Minglan apart and felt too shy to escape. Minglan innocently blinked her big eyes at her, using body language to convey: What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?

The several close maidservants nearby did not dare to utter a word. The entire Sheng residence was aware that in recent days, Mo Lan had been diligently serving the old lady, and everyone assumed that it would be Mo Lan who would go. However, at the last moment, there was a change of plans, and this time it could lead to a significant loss of face.

After Grandma Sheng finished asking her three granddaughters, she expressed her fatigue and instructed her children and grandchildren to return to their rooms, as she needed to rest. Sheng Hong originally wanted to say a few words to Mo Lan, but he had no choice but to hold back and return to his room.

Old Lady Sheng lightly picked up the conversation: "Currently, Minglan is naturally well taken care of by the madam, but the madam has to manage the household, prepare a marriage for Hua'er, and also take care of Ru'er and Changbai. It is rather too much to handle; moreover, she is not Minglan's biological mother, so her actions are inevitably constrained. It is just right for her to come to me, as it benefits both sides."

As soon as these words were spoken, the Sheng couple felt as if they were in heaven and earth. Wang was overjoyed, wishing she could immediately burn two sticks of incense to express her gratitude. However, Sheng Hong felt somewhat dejected, believing that the old lady ultimately would not favor Aunt Lin and her son.

Sheng Hong respectfully said, "After Mother Fang left yesterday, I pondered throughout the night and still feel it is inappropriate. I understand that the old lady is compassionate towards Ming Er, but your own health is not yet stable. If another naive and ignorant child were to be added, how could my son feel at ease? It would be better to have Mo Er come; she is sensible and well-behaved, and her words and actions are appropriate. She would serve the old lady well. What does the old lady think?"

After sending Sheng Hong away, Mama Fang helped the old lady lie down on the bed by the window and couldn't help but say, "What a pity for the Fourth Young Lady. Regardless of how Aunt Lin is, she is indeed a good child"

Hua Lan, in a moment of excitement, buried her face in the old lady's embrace and began to cry, expressing her gratitude while weeping. Wang Shi, standing by, also wiped her tears; this time, the tears were undoubtedly genuine.

As Wang wept, Hualan hurried over. Before she could kneel, she was pulled into the embrace of Old Lady Sheng. While the old lady called for Mama Fang to help Wang up, she held her eldest granddaughter tightly, looking at her earnestly and choking back tears, saying, "You are a blessed child. Your father has been inquiring everywhere about your marriage, and the young man's character and abilities are well-known. You have Old Master Hou looking after you, and you have your fiancé's family supporting you. In the future, you must be sensible and obedient. When the nurse arrives in a few days, make sure to learn the rules and proper conduct from her, so that when you go to your in-laws, you can earn their respect; ah... I remember when you were not even as big as a pillow, and now you are about to get married..."

"What does 'old lady' mean? In our family, the girls, apart from Hua'er and Mo'er, are the eldest, so naturally, the eldest sister should take on the responsibilities. Should we really let a child who is both ignorant and frail do it?" Sheng Hong spread his arms, allowing Wang to unfasten his clothes. He thought that Mo Lan was more suitable than Ming Lan. "Not to mention that Mo'er has been serving the old lady these days, and everyone says she is filial and proper. What is the old lady still hesitating about?"

Amidst the busyness of everyone, Hualan sat majestically on the kang, while Xiaominglan sat on a small stool, listening to her older sister's admonitions—no sleeping in, no slacking off without exercise, no being late for greetings, no being bullied... Hualan would say one thing, and she would respond to each. She was already feeling drowsy in the morning, yet Hualan continued to drone on like Tang Seng reciting scriptures, seemingly endless. Minglan found it puzzling that a girl of merely fourteen or fifteen could be even more nagging than the dormitory supervisor from her school days, truly a peculiar phenomenon.