Chapter 433: Chapter 433

On the sixth day of the lunar month, the day of the three-day marriage return, as expected, both brothers-in-law along with a group of the Zhou family members were already waiting in the front hall early.

Taking advantage of the men talking amongst themselves, An Ning and her two sisters once again made their way to their old spot.

The early spring morning still carried a slight chill.

After instructing servants to lay a velvet blanket on the stone chairs early and setting out all the fruits and hot tea, the three of them finally sat down as usual, sipping tea while chatting:

"Eldest Sister, you're seven months along now, right? With your body so heavy, you should be resting properly at home. When can't we sisters meet?"

Glancing at the other's noticeably heavy body, An Ning, for once, expressed a hint of disapproval.

"It's fine, I always wanted to come and see you all! Besides, the doctor said more movement is good."

Perhaps due to the pregnancy, Zhou Yun's originally gentle and graceful features had become even softer. She wore a sandalwood-colored ruqun dress, adorned with a green jade hairpin comb featuring intertwining peony branches, elegant yet dignified.

Pulling the person closer for a careful look, Eldest Young Lady Zhou seemed to let go of some worry, quickly picking up her teacup again with a smile:

Zhou Zhi, sitting to the side, also looked over.

"Look at Eldest Sister, asking so many questions at once! Which one should this younger sister answer first?" Under the intense gazes of the two.

An Ning deliberately furrowed her brow in feigned distress. With the movement, the red jade begonia drop earrings at her ears swayed slightly, making her already radiant, rosy-cheeked face appear even more lustrous and glowing.

Third Young Lady Zhou immediately let out a soft snort from the side, saying sweetly:

"Come on, Eldest Sister, just look at her , does she look like someone who's been wronged?"

"Didn't you see just now, Fifth Brother-in-law's eyes hardly ever leave her?"

Tsk, so lovey-dovey, Third Young Lady couldn't help but secretly grumble in her heart. Zhou Yun beside her also couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Knowing their concerns, after a brief moment of banter, An Ning casually picked up a piece of almond pastry and put it in her mouth, soon saying cheerfully:

"Don't worry, as we thought earlier, the Grand Princess is very busy every day. Not to mention causing trouble for this new daughter-in-law, aside from having a meal together in the morning, we rarely even see her on ordinary days."

"As for the other people in the household, the Princess runs things with military discipline; the servants' manners are excellent!"

Causing trouble? Before figuring out the background of this new bride, they wouldn't dare be so bold.

Seeing the genuine ease in her eyes, Zhou Yun and the other exchanged a glance, finally letting out a sigh of relief and relaxing completely.

After all, realistically speaking, among the three sisters, Fifth Sister was now the only one who had married into a higher-status family. The Grand Princess also held a noble and powerful position. The two of them could still rely on their own households or their sisters as support, but Fifth Sister had almost nothing behind her.

If she encountered any difficulties, neither the household nor they could usually even lend a hand.

Thinking of the obviously changed attitudes of everyone in the Marquis of Anyuan's Household, including her husband, since Fifth Sister's imperial marriage decree, and how even though she was pregnant these days, her mother-in-law had never mentioned adding new women to her husband's side.

Never before had Eldest Young Lady Zhou understood more clearly how important it was for a woman, especially a married woman, to have support behind her.

Thinking of her husband's obvious attentiveness lately, even changing his attire several times specifically before leaving this morning.

Zhou Yun sighed again in her heart.

Actually, sometimes being a little oblivious might not be a bad thing.

After all, the one benefiting was her, wasn't it?

"By the way, Eldest Sister-in-law's Xing-ge, is he being raised by Mother now?"

Seeing the wistfulness in Eldest Sister's eyes, An Ning quickly changed the subject.

Xing-ge, the legitimate eldest son of Eldest Brother Zhou, and now the legitimate eldest grandson of the household. Eldest Young Master Zhou married even earlier than Eldest Young Lady, and now had two sons at his knee, one legitimate and one illegitimate.

Counting by nominal age, Xing-ge was almost two years old this year.

But what made An Ning curious was that for this only son, Eldest Sister-in-law Madam Yang had always treasured him dearly before. Why did she suddenly think of sending him to the main residence now?

"Could it be Eldest Brother again?" Causing more trouble? Picking up a piece of dried peach, An Ning secretly gossiped.

Eldest Young Lady, who vaguely knew some inside information from their mother, couldn't help but sigh:

"Fifth Sister is indeed clever. Eldest Brother, ah!"

Eldest Sister-in-law Madam Yang came from the Yong'an Count's Household. Also a declining count family, it was originally considered a match of equal social status for Eldest Brother Zhou. However, now seeing that several younger sisters had married well, and the family itself had climbed to a noble in-law. In comparison, Eldest Sister-in-law's Yong'an Count's Household remained as it always was. Hadn't Eldest Young Master Zhou become arrogant?

Not only was the illegitimate son born just a few months apart from the legitimate one, but his attitude towards his own wife had also become noticeably impatient.

Speaking of this, even though it was her own elder brother, Eldest Young Lady Zhou couldn't help but look pained. Zhou Zhi beside her was speechless to the point of twitching at the corner of her mouth.

Dryly swallowing a sip of fragrant tea, Third Young Lady then said, unable to hide her shock:

"Don't tell me Eldest Brother actually thinks Sister-in-law isn't good enough for him now?"

Truly, his face is so big, one doesn't know how many thousands of miles it spans.

The three sisters thought simultaneously.

One must know that as the carefully chosen young madam candidate by Lady Jiang, the future mistress, although the Yong'an Count's Household was declining, Fourth Young Lady Yang was a rare, excellent talent. Not only was she gentle, virtuous, and kind, but she was also highly skilled in social interactions and managing household affairs.

Occasionally when the First Madam was unavailable, she would take over managing the household without ever making a mistake. She was also meticulous and considerate towards the younger sisters below.

Overall, although Eldest Brother was hard to describe, the three sisters still held quite a high opinion of Madam Yang as their elder sister-in-law.

Third Young Lady Zhou had even secretly grumbled before: If not for her family's lack of strength, such a good talent, paired with Eldest Brother, was truly a waste.

"Does Eldest Brother want a heavenly fairy or something!"

"What heavenly fairy? Even if it were a real heavenly fairy, Eldest Brother would probably criticize her for not being down-to-earth and not being worthy of his own heroic and extraordinary self!"

An Ning couldn't help but roll her eyes.

Eldest Young Lady Zhou lowered her head and silently drank her tea. Although she didn't want to speak, she couldn't help but nod at this moment.

"Sigh, no wonder it's driven Eldest Sister-in-law to this point..."

Thinking of Eldest Sister-in-law's beaming smile just now, showing no sign of anything amiss, Third Young Lady Zhou couldn't help but feel some admiration in her heart.

Knowing that if it were her, she could absolutely not achieve such a state.

After taking turns venting, the three sisters exchanged more about their daily lives, then refreshed and invigorated, walked together arm-in-arm towards the front hall.