Chapter 422: Chapter 422

Even though Earl Zhou grew increasingly melancholic and gaunt day by day, it couldn't dampen the joyful atmosphere that permeated the entire household in the slightest. After the marriage alliance was settled, the people from the Marquis of Anyuan's Household arrived with equal swiftness.

On the day of the betrothal ceremony, An Ning, for once, set aside the black chrysanthemums she had been cultivating for over half a month. She followed her Third Sister, and together they secretly pulled the Eldest Young Lady to hide behind a screen.

Just as Lady Jiang had said that day, the eldest son of the Han family indeed possessed quite a proper and handsome appearance. He had inherited the robust physique of a military family lineage, and his demeanor appeared rather forthright and steady.

However, An Ning wasn't overly concerned. When it came to judging people, she still very much trusted the discerning eye of her legitimate mother, Lady Jiang.

When it involved her only daughter, naturally, she would scrutinize everything meticulously.

Moreover, being able to tolerate a younger half-brother from a concubine rising to such prominence suggested that this eldest son of the Han family, and even the matriarch of the Marquis of Anyuan's Household, were not overly narrow-minded in temperament.

This was probably one of the reasons why Lady Jiang had chosen this particular family.

At least in An Ning's view, if this situation were placed on her own cheap big brother, he would probably be consumed by jealousy and resentment by now. How could he possibly possess the current composure and steadiness of the eldest Han Young Master?

As for the Eldest Young Lady Zhou, just looking at her slightly flushed little face at this moment and the shyness she couldn't conceal in her eyes made it clear that she was also quite pleased with this marriage arrangement.

On the way back, noticing that her Third Sister was clearly somewhat absent-minded, An Ning turned her head and asked knowingly:

"What's wrong with Third Sister? Are you feeling unwell?"

"No, I'm just... just..." Unfortunately, after 'just'-ing for a long time, Zhou Zhi couldn't articulate a clear reason.

Meeting her Fifth Sister's increasingly clear and discerning gaze, after a long pause, Third Young Lady finally stamped her foot fiercely and simply gave up, saying bluntly:

"Ah, I'm just thinking, Eldest Sister's marriage is settled, but the two of us still don't know what will happen in the future..."

Zhou Zhi understood in her heart that even though the Mistress had treated them almost equally on the surface over the years, not being her own flesh and blood was ultimately not the same. Besides, she and Little Five were daughters of concubines. In the future, hoping to find a perfectly ideal marriage like Eldest Sister's would be even more difficult.

Moreover, considering her own biological father's self-destructive tendencies, who knew how long his current allure could be maintained under these circumstances.

If, by then, the Grand Princess grew tired of him, or if their father became reckless and courted disaster, wouldn't their Count's household fall into decline once again?

"Ah, those who rely on beauty to serve others, how long can that last!"

Third Young Lady sighed with a face full of worry.

I never expected you to be such a practical Third Sister!

An Ning couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth, then said in a lighthearted tone:

"What's there to fear? With Mother's intelligence, she naturally understands the importance of timing. Third Sister is already sixteen this year. I imagine she will arrange a marriage for you very soon."

The implied meaning was: Don't worry, Third Sister, you won't have to wait until Father completely loses his looks and favor!

"Who knows about that!"

Third Miss Zhou boredly poked at a nearby autumn chrysanthemum.

"By the way, Little Five, aren't you worried?"

Her gaze held a touch of pity as she looked at her younger sister. Ah, poor Little Five just turned fourteen this year. By the time her marriage is arranged, Father would truly have lost his looks and favor.

How many years of youth does a man have? Among the sisters, the one most likely to miss out on this wave of benefits is the pitiable Fifth Sister.

Understanding the meaning in her gaze, An Ning couldn't help but shudder. After a moment, she deliberately raised her head with an air of pride:

"Don't worry. Wherever I am, that's where I'll live. Besides, I'm so clever and quick-witted. How could I not live well in the future?"

Third Miss Zhou: "..."

Clever and quick-witted? Sorry, she really hadn't seen that.

Forget it. Ah, why talk about these things with a blockhead who has no sense of worry at all?

But meeting the gaze of the person before her, still completely untouched by any worry, even Third Miss Zhou couldn't help but sigh:

"Fifth Sister, you really need to grow some sense. It's only because our legitimate mother is kind and our Second Aunt is wealthy that even if it's a marriage alliance, they won't literally sell us by the pound. Fifth Sister, do you know? The neighboring Xiangyang Count's Household recently married off a daughter from a concubine to a merchant family!" Merchants, how disgraceful!

Thinking of this, Third Miss Zhou couldn't help but sigh again.

Now she felt even more grateful that although their father lacked ability, at least he had gained a new "talent." Their daughters could also bask in some of that glory...

An Ning: "..." This Third Sister, truly filial!

In any case, the Eldest Young Lady had secured a good marriage, and recently the entire household was filled with joy. Of course, perhaps one person was excluded.

Once again carried back, his legs weak and unsteady, looking at his wife who was clearly glowing with even more radiance, and the surrounding servants who were visibly beaming with delight, Earl Zhou couldn't help but let out a cold snort:

"Well? Is Madam satisfied with the price fetched for her husband?"

Lady Jiang, who was currently calculating how to add more dowry for her daughter: "..."

This... naturally, she was extremely satisfied. Of course, she couldn't say that. Ignoring the man's obviously sour expression, her gaze swept over his slightly darkened eye sockets. Lady Jiang immediately said with a touch of heartache:

"Master must be exhausted these days. This humble wife will order the kitchen to prepare more nourishing and energy-replenishing foods. Master's health is paramount; we must absolutely not neglect it!"

Unwilling to delve into what hidden meaning his wife might have, Earl Zhou gave a heavy, cold snort and immediately flicked his sleeve, leaving in a huff.

Seeing that the direction he left in was towards the study, and not towards the rear courtyard to some concubine, Lady Jiang once again paid it no mind, lowering her head to continue calculating her daughter's dowry. In her heart, however, she thought: It seems it would be good to prepare more of those tonic supplements...