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Arranging the bridal chamber and buying the furniture were tasks that Mo Sanniang and Meng Liangdong discussed and decided on their own, occasionally receiving some suggestions from Old Mr. Cheng.

However, settling the betrothal gifts and other trivialities weren’t things that men could handle, and since Lin Yuan hadn’t been through it herself, she left the task to Loudmouth.

Since taking over Rice Flower Fragrance, Loudmouth’s temperament had changed considerably—not only had her speech become sweeter, but she also dealt with matters with great sensitivity, sometimes even outdoing Lin Yuan.

But for some reason, when preparing the bridal bedding for Meng Liangdong’s marriage, Loudmouth would often space out, even messing up her work several times, leaving Lin Yuan puzzled.

"Seventh Sister, what’s wrong with you? Are you exhausted from being too busy these days?"

Loudmouth suddenly snapped back to reality, looked at the needle in her hand, exclaimed in pain, and quickly started to re-sew the undone stitches, laughing awkwardly as she explained, "It’s nothing, it’s nothing, probably just didn’t sleep well last night.

You know how it is, when you get older, sleep becomes elusive. "

While threading the red string into the needle eye, Lin Yuan teased her with a laugh, "I think it’s high time you found yourself a man to keep you company. You know, the older you get, the lonelier you become. Without someone by your side, of course, sleep doesn’t come easy!"

Loudmouth glared at her, huffed, "Silly girl, don’t think I won’t speak my mind just because you’re my boss.

Such a youngster, and what are you always thinking about?

I’d say the one who needs a man the most is you.

Look, Mr. Meng is about to marry Sanniang, and you, you little miss, when are you planning to marry Young Master Xia? "

Joining in the laughter while sewing a new quilt for Meng Liangdong, Sister-in-law Luo and Fifth Sister Bai chimed in, "Exactly, have you seen how Young Master Xia looks at you? He wishes he could follow you around all day, for fear someone else might whisk you away."

"If you ask me, although you’re still young and marriage might be a bit early for you," Aunt Chen, who had been silent, said as she tied a knot in the thread and smiled at Lin Yuan.

With her face turning bright red from all the teasing, Lin Yuan finally found an ally in Aunt Chen and quickly huddled by her side, nodding repeatedly, "Exactly, exactly, I’m still young, I’m only thirteen.

It’s still way too early for me to think about marriage!

Aunt Chen is the best, you truly understand me! "

At that time, girls generally married at fifteen, and even for those who married early, they would wait until they were at least fourteen.

More importantly, Lin Yuan still hadn’t had her first period, and how could she marry and share a bed without having it?

It was well known that engaging in marital relations too prematurely could harm one’s health.

But before Lin Yuan could enjoy the support for long, Aunt Chen grinned slyly at her and continued, "Indeed, it’s too early to marry, but you could get engaged, right? With such a good man as Young Master Xia, you can’t let him slip away. You should catch him and hold him tight first!"

"Aunt Chen!" Lin Yuan bit her lip, wishing she could take back the words she just said about Aunt Chen being the best.

Aunt Chen, who had stood on the same side as Lin Yuan, immediately changed her tune so completely, much to everyone’s delight.

Loudmouth, watching everyone laugh heartily, shook her head to herself, casting aside her doubts. Perhaps she had been seeing things, mistaking them for something else. It probably wasn’t him.

Shopkeeper Liu was very reliable in handling tasks and found Lin Yuan two very dependable guards.

What was more, these two were good friends with Liu Zhiguang, and they had trained together in the same Martial Arts School.

Learning that guards were needed for Lin Yuan’s house, Liu Zhiguang immediately recommended the pair to Shopkeeper Liu.

The two were cousins; the one with fairer skin was named Ding Ming, while the darker-skinned one was called Ding Liang. Seeing the two of them together made Lin Yuan laugh; weren’t they a perfect pair of ’black and white’?

Yet Ding Liang wouldn’t admit he was dark-skinned, claiming that his complexion wasn’t naturally dark but had become so from sun exposure.

Before Lin Yuan could voice her opinion, the ever-serious and aloof Ding Ming suddenly spoke up, "That just shows you’re not white enough. A true fair complexion fears no sun exposure."

Ding Liang bristled at that, raising his fists to brawl with Ding Ming, "Are you talking about yourself? Don’t think I don’t know, every time Master tells us to practice horse stance, you always choose a spot under the eaves!

And what about the jar of Snowflake Cream you hide under your chest?

You think I haven’t seen it? Secretly smearing it on your face every day, and you still have the nerve to say your face is pale! "