Being a second wife is difficult: I'm busy raising children in the Earl's mansion.

A single sentence caused an instant fluster in the pavilion, dispelling the previous somber atmosphere.

Lu Hui, disregarding his previous emotions, hurriedly looked at the table.

The table is currently covered with blueprints for winter plum blossom hairpins and unfinished wooden carvings, all of which are birthday surprises prepared for Aunt Zhou. If she were to discover them, all these carefully planned efforts would be in vain.

"Hurry up and pack!" Jiang Wan immediately said.

The group moved swiftly and in perfect unison, without the slightest hesitation.

The children quickly gathered up the scattered blueprints and wooden carving blanks and handed them to Jiang Wan.

Qinghe and Qiutang quickly stepped forward to help, and swiftly organized all the items, hiding them away in the study without leaving a trace.

In a short while, all traces related to the birthday gift were completely erased, leaving no trace.

Qinghe and Qiutang worked in perfect harmony, moving all the tea snacks from the small table on the side of the pavilion to the stone table, arranging them as if they were for casual conversation and snacks.

Everyone returned to their seats, glancing at each other, their eyes meeting briefly before quickly looking away.

Some people raised their hands and aimlessly swept their hands towards the flowers and trees outside the pavilion, while others pretended to be leisurely looking at the distant sky, all trying their best to appear as if they had just been appreciating the scenery and chatting.

But the barely concealed panic lingered in his eyes and brows, making him look somewhat comical.

Jiang Wan casually picked up a slightly cool pastry and took a small bite.

A cold wind swept through the pavilion, and the pastries, which had been left out for a long time, had long lost their temperature. The surface of the pastries was blown hard, and they were dry, cold, and had a terrible taste.

She chuckled inwardly, but her face remained calm and composed, without anyone noticing anything amiss.

Just as I finished tidying up, I heard light footsteps in the distance.

Qinghe quickly stepped forward to greet her, and soon led Aunt Zhou, dressed in simple and elegant clothes, into the pavilion.

When Aunt Zhou stepped into the hexagonal pavilion, she saw that everyone was gathered inside. The madam, the two concubines, and a group of children were all there. A clear look of surprise flashed across her eyes.

But she quickly suppressed her surprise, a gentle smile appearing on her face as she curtsied.

"So everyone's gathered here. I guess I've arrived at the right time."

Her eyes crinkled into a smile, and her tone carried a clear hint of teasing: "You all seem to be having a good time, quietly gathering here to chat and joke around, without even inviting me. Are you trying to isolate me?"

Upon hearing this, Aunt Liu took the lead in smiling and smoothing things over, her tone gentle and natural: "It's just that the winter sun is shining and the snow has stopped. Sister Zhao and I happened to be in Madam's courtyard and saw that the flowers and trees were newly planted and the scenery was quite unique, so we came over to enjoy the view and chat."

"The children wander around and come here, so they just sit together in the pavilion to kill some time during the boring winter days."

Zhao Tongfang nodded slightly in agreement, her expression calm and composed, showing no sign of panic or weakness.

Jiang Wan smiled faintly and continued, "The weather is perfect today, clear and bright. My new courtyard has just been replanted with flowers and trees, so the scenery is refreshingly beautiful. It's quite a coincidence that everyone has come to sit here."

Aunt Zhou smiled and nodded, then took a seat in the empty space that the others had made for her.

She looked up and glanced around, her gaze sweeping over the newly planted flowers and trees in the garden, their branches outstretched and buds laden with blossoms. Her eyes were full of admiration: "Madam, this garden has been completely renovated. The flowers and trees are arranged in a pleasing and orderly manner, giving it a fresh new look. To have such a vibrant scene in winter is a joy to behold and a delight to behold."

"It's just a casual arrangement," Jiang Wan smiled faintly. "Today is quite unusual; it's rare that everyone seems to have the leisure to gather here unanimously, making it unusually lively."

During their conversation, Aunt Zhou's gaze shifted and landed on Lu Hui, who stood to the side looking flustered and with his head slightly bowed. A hint of mockery flashed in her eyes as she chuckled and teased him.

"You silly child, you're always so lively around me, why are you being so evasive today? Did you do something naughty or mischievous behind my back?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Hui's face flushed red, and he was at a loss for words, not knowing how to respond.

Fearing her brother would give himself away, Lu Wan and Jiang Wan spoke almost simultaneously, both calling out, "Auntie!"

The two voices overlapped, clear and synchronized.

As soon as he finished speaking, the pavilion fell silent for a moment.

Jiang Wan and Lu Wan exchanged a glance and both smiled helplessly.

Seeing the two of them so perfectly in sync, Aunt Zhou's eyes gleamed with even more mockery, and she instantly understood their situation.

She was perceptive and insightful. Looking at the children's evasive expressions and the subtle traces left by everyone in their haste to clean up, she could easily guess what was going on.

The group of people gathered here, each with a different expression, must be secretly discussing matters related to themselves, most likely their upcoming birthdays.

Since everyone was deliberately concealing it, she didn't point it out, preferring to pretend she didn't know.

A warmth welled up in her heart, and she shook her head with a smile: "You two, mother and daughter, are becoming more and more in sync, even your speech is so synchronized."

Lu Wan blinked, smiled charmingly, and said frankly, "Since we understand each other, then Auntie, please don't ask any more questions. This is our little secret."

Jiang Wan chimed in, smiling gently, "It's a trivial matter, so please allow us to keep it a secret, Auntie."

Aunt Zhou was amused by the two of them and waved her hand helplessly, saying, "Alright, alright, I won't ask about the secret. I'll just wait patiently as long as you keep it to yourself."

Amidst laughter and conversation, Aunt Zhou reached out to grab some pastries and snacks from the table. She picked up a piece of yam cake with her fingertips and took a small bite.

The cold, hard cake touched her tongue, making her teeth tingle slightly. She immediately covered her cheek and feigned annoyance, saying, "Ouch—"

"You lot are so busy chatting and enjoying the flowers that you've probably forgotten about the tea and snacks on the table. They've been chilled by the wind for so long, they're so hard they're hard to chew, they're practically inedible."

Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter.

Just now, everyone was so focused on the details of the hairpin that they were completely absorbed in the discussion, and no one paid any attention to eating or drinking, which led to this amusing misunderstanding.

Laughter and cheerful voices filled the pavilion, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

The group chatted for a long time, talking about the scenery of the courtyard, interesting things in winter, and daily life in the mansion, creating a relaxed and warm atmosphere.

As evening approached, the sky gradually darkened.

Aunt Liu was the first to stand up and take her leave. She took the hand of the well-behaved Lu Shan beside her and said, "It's getting late and the air is getting chilly, so I'll take Shan'er back first. I won't disturb Madam any longer."

Zhao Tongfang also stood up and bowed, saying, "I will also take my leave and return to the west courtyard first."

Aunt Zhou smiled and nodded, then looked at Lu Hui beside her and said, "Hui-ge'er, come with me. It's time to go back to your room to study and rest."

Lu Hui obediently agreed, bid farewell to Lu Wan and Lu Zhao, and left with Aunt Zhou.

Within moments, most of the people in the pavilion had dispersed.

As the hustle and bustle subsided, the hexagonal pavilion returned to a state of tranquility, leaving only Jiang Wan, Lu Wan, Lu Zhao, and Qing He standing to the side waiting for orders.

Jiang Wan looked at the two children beside her and said gently, "It's quiet in the yard now, and the wind outside is cool. Come back inside with me."

Lu Zhao and Lu Wan nodded obediently and followed closely beside Jiang Wan, walking together towards the main room of Anhe Hall.

Stepping into the warm house shut out the chill outside, and warmth instantly enveloped me.

Jiang Wan turned to Qing He and instructed, "Go to the study and fetch all the blueprints and wooden blanks that we just collected."

Qinghe accepted the order and soon brought a pile of blueprints, wood carving blanks, and charcoal paints to the house.

Looking at the neatly arranged items on the table, Lu Zhao thought for a moment, then stepped forward and said earnestly, "Mother, why don't you give me these blueprints and wooden blanks for now?"

"On the way back to the courtyard, I will secretly give it to my elder brother. I will make sure it is kept safe and that Aunt Zhou will not notice anything amiss. I will not let everyone's good intentions go to waste."

Looking at his calm and reliable demeanor, Jiang Wan nodded gently and handed him all the items: "With you taking care of things, I'm naturally at ease. Zhao-ge'er is meticulous and acts prudently, so he certainly won't make any mistakes."

A simple compliment caused Lu Zhao's ears to turn slightly red, and he lowered his eyes somewhat awkwardly, but a hint of joy quietly welled up in his heart.

Looking at the two well-behaved and sensible children in front of her, Jiang Wan felt a softening in her heart and invited them, "It's getting late, and it'll be lonely going back to the house. Why don't you stay for dinner at my Anhe Hall tonight?"

Lu Wan's eyes lit up instantly, her eyebrows curving with joy.

Lu Zhao raised his eyes slightly, a hint of expectation flashing in them, and nodded emphatically in agreement.

The room was bathed in warm sunlight, creating a cozy and peaceful atmosphere.

However, even as Jiang Wan gazed at the clear sunlight outside the window, she was not completely at ease.

The news of the approaching New Year lingered in Dong Sinian's mind. Beneath the seemingly peaceful and tranquil inner quarters, undercurrents were already surging in the imperial court.

A long-dormant storm is quietly waiting to erupt after the New Year.