Li Yue’e gathered the fox fur robe around her, its fabric woven with gold and silver threads forming intertwined floral patterns. She sat in the warm main hall of the room, where a purple copper brazier engraved with the character for ‘blessing’ continuously emitted waves of heat.

Ouyang Nuan had instructed Hongyu and the others to prepare an abundance of fruits and pastries, filling the table completely. Li Yue’e glanced at Ouyang Nuan’s hand, which rested casually on the table. Her glossy nails were a translucent pink and her fingers were delicate, smooth as jade, revealing at a glance the pampered life of a noble lady. Li Yue’e couldn’t help but sigh at her own lonely and destitute fate, finding it increasingly difficult to understand why a high-born lady like Ouyang Nuan would have the patience to converse with an orphaned girl of humble origins like herself.

“Many thanks for the robe, Eldest Miss. I truly feel undeserving of such kindness.” It was understandable for this young lady to show some warmth toward Li Yue’e in front of the old madam, but now that no one was watching, her continued kindness was baffling. After all, judging from the expressions of the madam and the second miss, they clearly regarded Li Yue’e as a poor relative seeking refuge, not even sparing her a glance.

“Aunt, what are you saying? You traveled all the way from the south to the capital, enduring hardships along the journey. Naturally, you wouldn’t be accustomed to the cold here. We should have prepared these things for you earlier.” Ouyang Nuan spoke with a gentle smile.

Yes, it should have been the mistress of the household, Lin Wanru, who arranged for the guest’s needs. Yet, she had done nothing at all. That thought planted a deeper sense of dislike toward Lin Wanru in Li Yue’e’s heart.

Only Hongyu and Nanny Fang remained in the room. Nanny Fang warmly poured a cup of tea for Li Yue’e and asked, “Miss Li, how long do you plan to stay in the capital this time?”

Li Yue’e’s expression stiffened slightly, feeling a hint of awkwardness. Ouyang Nuan playfully scolded, “Nanny, Aunt has come to my home so it should feel like her own. She won’t be leaving. She can keep Grandmother company and also guide me in embroidery. What a wonderful arrangement!”

Li Yue’e’s expression softened at once, her pale face gaining a hint of vitality. “Eldest Miss, I—”

“Please don’t call me ‘Eldest Miss’. Just call me Nuan’er. That’s what my grandmother and parents call me. Since you’re family, you should call me the same. It makes us closer.” Ouyang Nuan said with a smile. The winter sunlight streamed into the hall, casting a glow on her face and making her fair skin appear almost translucent. Her eyes were as serene as a deep spring, yet within them flickered an enigmatic flame, shifting between light and shadow unpredictably.

Li Yue’e’s smile became more natural and her attitude toward Ouyang Nuan was no longer as distant as before. The two of them spoke for a while about embroidery, when Ouyang Nuan suddenly sighed. “It’s a pity, though. Aunt will eventually marry and won’t be able to stay with me forever.”

Before Li Yue’e could respond, her maid Pei’er giggled and said, “Eldest Miss is right! Just earlier, the old madam was discussing a marriage proposal for our miss!”

Li Yue’e’s face flushed red at once, and she scolded, “You wretched girl! Don’t speak nonsense!”

Ouyang Nuan, however, looked intrigued. “Oh? Which family? Aunt, don’t be shy. I may not go out often, but I’ve lived in the capital for years. If you tell me which household, I can help inquire about them.”

Li Yue’e’s mind wavered. Discussing one’s marriage prospects was indeed improper for a young woman, but Ouyang Nuan was not only the eldest miss of Ouyang Manor but also the di granddaughter of Marquis Zhengou Manor. In the noble circles of the capital, Ouyang Nuan’s status naturally allowed her access to firsthand information. If she could find out more about Li Yue’e’s marriage prospects……

Noticing her mistress’s hesitation, Pei’er immediately spoke up, “One is the third young master of the Wang family from the Court of the Imperial Stud, born of a concubine. The other is the eldest di son of the Sun family, an imperial physician from the Imperial Medical Bureau.”

Upon hearing that, Ouyang Nuan’s smile seemed to fade slightly, a trace of concern appearing in her eyes. She looked at Li Yue’e, hesitating to speak, while Nanny Fang clicked her tongue and muttered, “A girl of Miss Li’s caliber deserves far better than those families!”

Li Yue’e was startled and, forgetting her shyness, asked anxiously, “Nanny, what do you mean?”

Ouyang Nuan softly reprimanded, “Nanny, don’t speak recklessly. Ruining someone’s marriage prospects is a grave matter.”

The Court of the Imperial Stud was of the sixth rank. Although the Wang family’s third son was born of a concubine, his family’s status was high. The Imperial Medicinal Bureau was of the eighth rank, and though its prestige was lower, the Sun family’s son was born of the main wife. If it weren’t for the Ouyang family’s influence, they wouldn’t even have considered this match. Even so, Li Yue’e was still marrying up. Why, then, would Nanny Fang say such a thing?

“You don’t know, Miss Li. That young master from the Wang family is notorious for drinking, gambling, and whoring, while the Sun family’s eldest son has been sickly his whole life. He’s only looking for a wife to bring good fortune. No decent girl in the capital would willingly marry into either family!”

No wonder, no wonder they were willing to propose! Li Yue’e’s face turned deathly pale. Given her current family background, how could she possibly marry into a prestigious household? Yet to marry into a poor and struggling family…… She clenched her teeth. To live a life of hardship— she would never accept it!

“Aunt, you must plan for yourself carefully……” Ouyang Nuan said with genuine concern. Seeing that Li Yue’e’s expression remained bleak, she smiled and gestured for Hongyu to bring over a gilded box inlaid with red gemstones. “This is a gift from my father a few days ago. I have many such items, so I’d like to give this one to you as a token of gratitude for teaching me embroidery.”

Hongyu carried the box over and opened it. At a single glance, Li Yue’e saw the dazzling gold and jade jewelry inside, and she nearly jumped in shock. “I can’t accept this!”

“Aunt, now that you are part of the Ouyang family, you are one of us. This is merely a small token of my appreciation. If you refuse, I will be heartbroken.” Ouyang Nuan smiled and patted the other party’s hand. Noticing how Li Yue’e’s gaze kept drifting toward the jewelry, her smile deepened.

After chatting for a while longer, Li Yue’e rose to take her leave.

Ouyang Nuan didn’t insist on keeping her and accompanied her to the courtyard gate. Just as Li Yue’e was about to step outside, she nearly bumped into someone.

The man appeared to be in his early thirties, with a tall and graceful demeanor, exuding an air of refinement. It was none other than Ouyang Zhi, the master of the Ouyang family. He was just returning from outside, still bearing traces of travel dust.

Perfect timing!

“Father.” Ouyang Nuan smiled slightly and introduced the woman beside her. “This is Aunt Li.”

Li Yue’e hadn’t expected to encounter Ouyang Zhi, and having almost stumbled into his arms, her face flushed red. “Greetings, Cousin.”

Ouyang Zhi suddenly ran into a delicate and stunning beauty at the entrance of his daughter’s courtyard. He froze on the spot, his eyes involuntarily fixed on Li Yue’e. It wasn’t until Ouyang Nuan let out a soft cough that he snapped back to his senses. Realizing that Li Yue’e was an unmarried young lady, and even though they were cousins, it would be inappropriate to say too much, he could only smile and say, “Cousin, are you settling in well? If you need anything, just let your sister-in-law know.”

For some reason, Li Yue’e felt her face grow warm. She lowered her head and softly replied, “Mm, thank you, Cousin.”

Ouyang Nuan escorted Li Yue’e out and said with a smile, “Aunt, go rest first. I’ll come find you tomorrow for a chat.”

Li Yue’e quickly responded, “Mm, it’s chilly outside. Nuan’er, you should head back soon. Cousin…… seems to still be waiting for you.”

Li Yue’e walked away, and once she was out of Ouyang Nuan’s sight, she found a secluded spot and hurriedly opened the box in her hands. Inside, she saw a phoenix hairpin inlaid with kingfisher feathers and gemstones, a teardrop-shaped emerald hairpin, a twisted gold bracelet weighing a full three taels, a vibrant green jade bead bracelet, and a pair of Eastern pearl earrings…… The half-filled box sparkled so brightly that her vision blurred for a moment.

Pei’er gasped in astonishment. “The eldest miss is so generous!”

Li Yue’e stared at the jewelry in the box, unable to help but click her tongue in amazement. She sighed, truly realizing how extraordinary the Ouyang family was, and murmured, “If only the family I will marry into is this wealthy, how wonderful would that be?”