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  Ding Ruo protected Liu Shi, although they were supposed to be mother and daughter in terms of status, but Ding Ruo was actually over thirty years old in her heart, older than Liu Shi. Her experience far exceeded that of Liu Shi, who had been confined to the inner courtyard. Sometimes, Ding Ruo treated Liu Shi like a younger sister.

  However, when it came to Old Madam, Ding Ruo did not dare to underestimate her. She treated her as an elder with caution and respect, with a hint of wariness. Someone like Old Madam would not overstep boundaries even if she doted on Ding Ruo. What she cared about most was the Ding Manor, never the beloved granddaughter.

  Last night in Tai Fu Ren's arms, Ding Ruo rarely retracted her wings and rested. This opportunity has not come many times in this life or the last.

  "Are you awake?"

  "Ah, grandma."

  Ding Rou snuggled into Tai Furen's arms, and Tai Furen's heart softened a bit. When she woke up in the middle of the night to tuck her in, she saw that Ding Rou's eyes were slightly moist, and the usually strong girl looked a bit vulnerable in her arms. Just as Tai Furen was thinking of how to comfort her, Ding Rou climbed out of her arms, stretched lazily, and turned back with her usual bright smile, "Grandmother, it's time to get up."

  She lifted the curtain and Ding Ruo put on her shoes, calling out: "Lan Xin, Wen Li."

  Two senior maidservants led a group of junior maidservants carrying copper basins and other items into the room to attend to Ting Ruo and Madame Tao's toilette. As Madame Tao was going out to socialize today, Ting Ruo dressed more cautiously than yesterday when she went to the Zhou residence. The friends Madame Tao got along with were all elderly madams, so Ting Ruo thought for a moment before choosing a crimson-purple skirt with rolled edges, wearing it under a long, narrow-waisted dress, paired with several silk ribbons personally woven by Lady Liu, and moon-white stone earrings. She had Lanxin braid her hair into two buns, making her look demure and gentle.

  Tai Fu pursed his lips and touched his temples, "Put on the collar I gave you, the one that matches the colored jade."

  Ding Ruo's eyes widened slightly, and she asked Lan Xin to bring it over. In a short while, Lan Xin handed her the box, and Madame Yu took one look and knew that Ding Ruo was being cautious and didn't plan on wearing it out. Ding Ruo's carefulness made Madame Yu feel satisfied yet heartbroken. Originally, Ding Ruo had thought of a simpler Bi Xi pendant necklace, but Madame Yu had already spoken up, and she couldn't always refuse. Moreover, going out in something too plain would make Madame Yu lose face. Ding Ruo put on the necklace, with the most valuable part being the colorful jade hanging from her chest.

  "It's still grandma who has good eyesight, we were all at a loss for how to choose just now."

  Ding Rou gathered her skirts neatly and walked towards Tai Fu Ren with a smile, "Without grandmother's idea, the many pieces of jewelry you gave me, I still can't decide which one to wear?"

  The old lady smiled and said: "I helped you, but you also have to help me."

  Ding Ruo furrowed her brow, was there a test? Wen Li opened the cabinet, and clothes of various colors entered her line of sight. Ding Ruo carefully thought about the likes of the wife of the Minister of Justice, vaguely remembering that she had mentioned in passing that she didn't like light brown color, but favored sapphire blue and azure blue. They were old friends, so there was no need to worry too much about clothes when visiting each other's homes. Even if it wasn't a big deal, one still had to make an effort to look presentable to the host. No matter how good their friendship was, there would always be a day when it would fade.

  Ding Ruo walked closer to the wardrobe, seemingly carefully selecting clothes, thinking in her mind about the reason for Tai Furen's outing. After Ding Xuan's promotion as a government official, meeting with the mother of the Shangshu Servant was politically significant, far outweighing their friendship between them.

  He needs a good review from the Ministry of Personnel... He may formally enter the central government and strive to become a cabinet member. The Minister of Personnel helped Ding Dong today, and in the future, relying on the relationship between the two families, if Ding Dong becomes a cabinet minister, he can also promote him. The officialdom is complex and divided into factions, and it's not just a simple phrase that officials protect each other.

  The struggle between factions, the struggle between friends is much more harmful. If you are not careful, it may be irreparable. After Old Master Ding retired, the Ding family gradually faded out of the Jiangsu and Zhejiang Qingliu camp. Once Grandmaster Ding was reused by the emperor, the Ding family would return to the Jiangsu and Zhejiang Qingliu, and it would be difficult to have an independent position like now.

  Mr. Lang, it is said that you have a great reputation in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and having a reputation is equivalent to having the right to speak. The old lady's visit to the Shilang Mansion shows more clearly that she has returned to the Jiangsu and Zhejiang clique, seeking support from the faction. Without anyone backing her up, even if Ding Dong is capable, he will suffer from being restricted, and also needs to guard against attacks from petty people. Once Ding Dong doesn't have any political achievements, he won't be able to keep his position stable.

  And the North-South dispute has always existed, and next year's big comparison... Ding Rou's mind turned extremely fast, and she always felt that there was an opportunity in it, but for the time being, she couldn't think of it. Although Ding Rou thought a lot, it was only for a moment, taking down the blue-purple wide-sleeved robe from the cabinet, smiling at Tai Furen: "How about this one?"

  The old lady's eyes closed for a moment, "Very well."

  She didn't say much to Ding Rou before, but Ding Rou not only remembered it, but also made the correct judgment from the clues. The old lady also valued her cleverness, no, wisdom. Ding Min also said some things, but as Master said, whether it's the overall situation or the details, Ding Min seemed to be stating the results, and rarely explained the reasons clearly. When asked urgently, Ding Min spoke even more chaotically.

  Old Master Ding summoned Madam Ding to the study yesterday, and their son Ding Dong was also present. Old Master Ding asked Ding Dong to pay more attention to Ding Min, while secretly asking Madam Ding to treat and cultivate Ding Rou well.

  "What jewelry are you wearing? Sixth younger sister mustn't be lazy, I heard it today."

  Ding Rou let out a sigh of relief, one hurdle had been cleared but there was still another to go. The selection of accessories would be easier now. The old madam of the Shilang Fu's hometown was Suzhou, generally she would like light and elegant accessories, pearls and jade, which showed her status more than gold and silver.

  Ding Ruo selected from the open jewelry box, taking out one piece at a time to match the outfit for Madame Tai today's outing. It had to conform to her status, highlight Madame Tai's temperament, and most importantly, make it look familiar and close to the Madame of the Servant Lang's manor so that she could start a conversation with ease.

  After dressing up, Madam Tai was satisfied and smiled at herself in the mirror, nodding her head. "Sixth Sister has a good eye for this sort of thing; from now on, I'll leave it to her."

  Once was a waste of many brain cells, and if there were several more times, Ting Ruo wouldn't necessarily be able to take it. Ting Ruo comforted herself, practice makes perfect, practice makes perfect, Madam Tai gave her face, how could she dare refuse? She bent her knees: "If grandmother doesn't mind, I'm happy to serve."

  At breakfast time, both the first and second wives came to pay their respects to Old Madame. Seeing her getup, they couldn't help but be taken aback for a moment. The second wife smiled and praised: "Mother looks at least ten years younger today."

  Which woman doesn't like this sentence? Mrs. Tai couldn't help herself either, the beryl jade beads on her wrist turned around, "It was Liu Yaotou who helped pick it out." The satisfaction was evident in her words.

  The second lady glanced at Ding Rou and said, "Liu Yaotou is also dressed up nicely, she's quite clever. Eldest sister-in-law is so lucky to have her as a daughter, she looks just like the mistress' own granddaughter."

  "Second Aunt is overpraising me, it's just that I learned a thing or two from Mother when I was by her side, and now they're coming in handy, making Grandmother happy. To be honest, if Mother hadn't taught me in person, how would I have earned Grandmother's praise today?"

  Ding Ruo really admired Second Madam, why must she find fault with her? A hint of shyness appeared in her smile, Ding Ruo slightly lowered her head, the pearl hairpin on her head, which was as small as a fingernail, swayed back and forth, setting off Ding Ruo's jade-like skin. "In front of Mother, I'm the one who learns the slowest, Third Sister and Fifth Sister are both more talented than me, fortunately Mother doesn't abandon me, she loves me just the same."

  The lady said: "Who doesn't know how to be filial and grateful?"

  Mrs. Wang smiled and said, "The girl by your side is more delicate than the one following me, it's clear that you have a good relationship with Liu Xiang, and my brother's words are right, isn't she just your own granddaughter?"

  "Six daughters are fine, what I value most is that they have a sense of self-discipline and self-awareness, well-raised girls, each one excellent."

  The older lady said with a smile, "When they can't get praise from their mothers, that's when they know what's going on."

  The second lady caught the warning glance from Old Madam and didn't dare to speak anymore, serving Old Madam's meal with even more care. The first lady knew her temper and let it go. After dinner, the two ladies learned that Old Madam was going out and instructed Ding Yu to take good care of her as they sent Old Madam off at the door.

  Ding Ruo got into the carriage and softly asked: "Has Third Miss left?"

  "In response to Miss Hui Liu, Miss San said that the road to Nian Ci An is far away. To show her sincerity to Bodhisattva and Buddha, she left the door as soon as it got light. I guess Miss San will be the first person to leave the city gate."

  Ding Rou tightened the fox-fur-lined cloak outside, the sky was gloomy and oppressive like a lead block pressing down, the cold wind was biting, blowing against her cheeks until they hurt. Judging from the weather, it seemed that there would be a heavy snowfall today. In the capital city, it was slightly better, after all, there were many people and buildings to block the way. Ding Min went to Nian Ci An, not to pray for blessings but to suffer.

  The hand warmer won't last long, and no matter how thick the fur is, it can't block the wind and snow on the mountain. "Aren't you getting in the carriage?" The voice of Tai Furen came from inside the carriage, and Ding Ruo hurriedly stepped up onto the stool and into the carriage. Because Tai Furen was a noblewoman with a high rank, the decorations inside the carriage were even more luxurious, with a warm stove that made the interior very cozy. Nevertheless, Tai Furen signaled to Wen Li to hand the hand warmer over to Ding Ruo, saying with a hint of concern: "Can't you ask your questions once we're in the carriage? Why do you have to stand outside in the cold wind?"

  "It's about Third Sister, Sun's daughter admires her for being a devout Buddhist elder sister..."

  The old lady looked at Ding Ruo with a smile that was not quite a smile, and Ding Ruo pursed her lips and said nothing. The old lady poked Ding Ruo's cheek and said, "This little devil is to be admired for enduring the cold. San Yatou is not stupid, but she always thinks too much, unaware that human hearts are the most difficult to fathom."

  "Uh-huh."

  Ding Rou leaned against Mrs. Tai's side, holding a warm hand warmer in her hands. Ding Min had never understood human hearts, what was she after? Was it people or things?

  The horse carriage had traveled halfway when a faint noise of quarreling was heard. Ding Ruo curiously lifted the corner of the curtain, and snowflakes fluttered down beside the road. Two young men were arguing with each other, and the horse carriage moved slowly. When Ding Ruo saw one of their faces, she gasped. The old lady asked: "Who is it?"

  Ding Rou thought for a moment and said, "It seems like it's from Prince Xinyang."

  "Have you seen King Xinyang?"

  The old lady heard that it was Prince Xinyang, and ordered the people driving outside to stop. Ding Rou said: "When I was recuperating in the villa, I happened to see him a few times, and Prince Xinyang left a deep impression on me."

  He wasn't taken to the old lady's mansion, how did he come out again? Ding Rou saw Xinyang Wang holding onto a young man beside him, "No matter what is said today, you can't let him go to that nunnery... Mother's illness... I'll think of a way..."

  An Tang? Is it Nian Ci An? Ding Rou carefully looked at the young man standing beside the carriage, he also seemed a bit familiar... Ding Rou suddenly remembered... the siblings from Luo Feng Mountain, was it him? The illegitimate son of the Yin family?

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