At the Xie Residence on Wuyi Lane, in the Rose Small Courtyard, Xie An and Xie Wan stood with their hands behind their backs beside several rose bushes whose flowers and leaves had withered. Xie Daoyun stood attending them as they discussed the bestowed marriage. The maid Yinfeng hurried in, paid her respects to Xie An and Xie Wan, then told Xie Daoyun, "My lady, Master Chen has returned from the Lu Residence. Everything went smoothly. Master Chen said that if it was convenient for you, you could go to Hengtang to visit."
Xie Wan raised an eyebrow. "Ayuan, why would you go to the Lu Residence at a time like this?"
Xie Daoyun said softly, "Young Lady Lu has visited me twice. Your niece has felt stronger these past two days and wishes to return her visits."
Xie Wan said, "Even if you wish to return her visits, there is no need to insist on today. Empress Dowager Chongde will summon you and the Lu Clan Lady tomorrow, and the empress dowager herself will confer the titles of Left and Right Wife. Would you not be lowering your own standing by visiting the Lu Clan Lady now?"
Xie An smiled. "Ayuan, it is nearly dusk already. It really would be inappropriate to rush to the Lu Residence now. Return her visits in a couple of days." Seeing Xie Daoyun lower her head and eyes and softly agree, he knew his niece still had a knot in her heart. She would inevitably feel guilty when facing the Lu Clan Lady in the future, and might then yield the position of mistress of the Chen household to her with both hands. That would hardly do. He had to untie this knot in Ayuan's heart-
Xie An asked, "Ayuan, do you feel