Chapter 449: Chapter 449

Outside, the sky was bitterly cold and the earth frozen, with icy winds and snow howling, yet inside the warm pavilion, a cozy, harmonious warmth prevailed at this moment.

Sipping the milk tea and eating the candied fruits that the servants had just warmed up, the three sisters were chattering away, sharing their little talks.

From the inner chamber, the clear and pleasant laughter of women could be heard from time to time.

Since the current emperor ascended the throne, due to the multitude of complicated affairs in the palace, even someone as habitually lazy as An Ning could no longer lie flat every day as before; she always had to help handle some internal matters.

Fearing she might cause trouble for her younger sister in the palace, and coupled with the fact that Zhou Yun and Zhou Zhi had been in a state of shock for quite a long time over the Grand Princess's sudden military coup and ascension to the throne...

Even someone as clever as Chen Silang, being at the bottom rung with poor information flow, hadn't truly grasped the situation.

Thus, since that day, this was the first time in several months that the three sisters had gathered together again.

On a small table not far away, slightly trembling red plum blossoms brought a hint of warm fragrance.

Although their statuses had changed now, seeing that their fifth sister remained as she always was, the two elder sisters quickly adapted.

Dressed in a Xiang-red lantern-sleeved plum blossom brocade jacket with gold-printed satin pleated skirts underneath. Perhaps because life had indeed been smooth these past few years, Third Miss was even more bright and cheerful than before her marriage.

"Tsk, I really never expected, Fifth Sister, your fortune is truly..."

She didn't even need to engage in palace intrigue, and barring any accidents, she was basically the ironclad future Empress Dowager.

Heavens, she wouldn't even have dared to dream this big before.

What is this called? Born with a noble fate.

That said, looking at the increasingly dignified and spiritually perceptive fifth sister before her now, Zhou Zhi expressed her admiration frankly, perhaps mixed with a tiny bit of envy.

As for jealousy, to be honest, she really didn't feel much at the moment.

After all, Third Miss Zhou's life had indeed been good these years. Although the courtyard was a bit small at first, she could genuinely be her own master, with no one above her giving her a hard look.

Her dowry was substantial, and she didn't need to worry excessively about daily livelihood.

It's no exaggeration to say that for Third Miss Zhou, who had been treated well since childhood but actually harbored a deep sense of insecurity, this was already considered rare, solid, and comfortable.

Moreover, her husband Chen Silang indeed had promising prospects. He was clever and ambitious, giving her hope for the future. Coupled with the fact that there were no real troubles at home, the slight material shortcomings weren't actually unbearable for Third Miss.

What's important is that Zhou Zhi understood very well in her heart why her husband was so considerate in everything and attentive in every detail, even though she had only given birth to one son over the years, he had never considered taking a concubine, and there wasn't even a single female companion by his side.

Now that her fifth sister had an even brighter future, she was naturally more happy for her.

As for the earlier covert comparisons and rivalry, for Third Miss, who now lived comfortably and had hope for the future, they were no longer that important.

Of course, part of the reason might also be that the gap was simply too vast.

In any case, after secretly comparing her life with those of other noblewomen, Zhou Zhi had to admit she breathed a huge sigh of relief.

This life was far, far better than she had imagined before.

So what if she couldn't compare to her own sister? As if anyone could!

Having figured this out, Third Miss Zhou's brows smoothed out even more. In the warm room, her already bright and beautiful features now appeared even more vivid.

Sharing a similar sentiment was Eldest Miss Zhou, who sat quietly listening while holding her teacup.

Among the three sisters, only the household of the Marquis of Ding'an still had concubines and even children born to them. If asked whether Zhou Yun had ever felt envy? Naturally, she had.

But at the same time, she also knew that this life was the most suitable and the best possible for her.

She wasn't as clever and perceptive as Fifth Sister, who could captivate the then-Duke, now the prince, even while still in the inner chambers. Nor was she as daring and determined as Third Sister, who was willing to risk everything to gamble on a future that wasn't very certain at the time.

In fact, neither marrying above nor below her station was suitable for her.

The former made her uneasy, the latter made her even more apprehensive.

In comparison, although the household of the Marquis of Dingyuan and her own husband might seem somewhat mediocre next to her two brothers-in-law, a hereditary title and family wealth, at least a guaranteed life of prosperity for several generations, and having both a son and a daughter—she was already very content.

Besides, since her sisters had such fortune, her own days would only get better in the future.

Remembering how her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law had become increasingly amiable lately, even her mother-in-law treating her with a hint of caution, Eldest Miss Zhou lowered her head again and took another sip of the light tea.

Now, watching her two younger sisters bicker, Zhou Yun felt increasingly comfortable in her heart.

Who would have thought? Even back in their maiden days, they had never imagined the three sisters could have such comfortable lives as they did now.

So stable and carefree it almost felt unreal to her.

Inside the warm pavilion, the plum fragrance grew more subtle and serene, and the crisp sounds of laughter and chatter continued.

"Exactly! Hmph, just look at when my fortune has ever been bad."

Retorting to her third sister's teasing, An Ning, reclining on the soft couch, smiled triumphantly without any modesty, the red jade earrings at her ears glowing even more lustrously.

Thinking about it carefully, it really seemed true!

Third Miss couldn't help but scoff.

After who knows how long, Third Miss Zhou suddenly seemed to remember something:

"Eh, come to think of it, the reason we sisters can have such comfortable lives today is actually largely thanks to Father, isn't it?"

Upon careful consideration, although Father's character was indeed disappointing and hard to look at, one had to admit he just happened to elevate their status right at the time the three sisters were discussing marriage prospects.

If not for that, not to mention Eldest Sister entering the palace, given the state of the Count's household back then, the prospects for us sisters really would have been precarious.

Just for this point, Third Miss still felt a tiny bit of gratitude towards this rather useless old father at this moment.

What a pity, with Father being like that, they also lost the chance to repay him...

However, as soon as the words fell, except for An Ning who calmly sipped her tea, the sisters couldn't help but pause for a moment.

"Ah, Father really wasn't someone destined to enjoy good fortune!"

Just when life was about to get better.

His fortune really wasn't good. After a brief moment of regret, Eldest Miss couldn't help but sigh softly.

But then again, the timing of Father's illnesses each time really was quite opportune...

Could it be a special kind of fortune that prospers his children?

However, after a brief, wry smile, Eldest Miss quickly put the matter out of her mind.

Zhou Yun, though dignified, gentle, and calm, was not an ignorant person. Not to mention the fact that father and daughter had little contact over the years, the limited father-daughter affection had been mostly worn away back when he stubbornly insisted on sending her into that devouring palace.

Thinking of the earlier fate of the Worthy Consort and the hundreds of people from the Yang family, Eldest Miss Zhou shuddered with fear every time she remembered. She felt increasingly grateful that Father had indeed fallen ill at the right time that day.

Her gaze resting briefly on the faces of her two elder sisters, An Ning, reclining on the soft couch, also sipped her light tea without changing expression.

But then, as a father, Zhou Baiyan really only had this bit of use left.

Make the most of everything, that's not shabby at all!