First update, asking for pink votes.

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When the carriage arrived at the Song Family’s main gate, they saw that a steward was already waiting with a servant at the entrance. The servant, Xiao Fu, was sitting on the edge of the carriage, but before he could jump down to talk to the gatekeepers of the Song Family, the steward came over with people to greet them and guided the carriage to continue to the side entrance.

The red lacquer gate of the Song Family remained unchanged, perhaps due to the winter season, from the outside looking in, the yard and buildings within the walls seemed somewhat sparse. The Song Family’s wealth and power remained the same, after all, Old Madam Song was from a branch of the Shen Family and had a knack for maintaining good relations with everyone. However, the Song Family was not populous, which was an undeniable fact.

The carriage entered the side entrance and stopped in front of a white shadow wall. Aunt Sun, Xiao Hong, and a group of maids and wives had been waiting in front of the shadow wall. When the carriage stopped, Aunt Sun and Xiao Hong stepped forward to help Lian Manman down.

The group from the Song Family surrounded Lian Shouxin, Wu Lang, Lian Manman, and Xiao Qi and led them to the Warm Pavilion in the front courtyard, where Old Madam Song and Song Hailong were already waiting.

Upon entering the front courtyard, Song Hailong greeted them with a smile from the Warm Pavilion, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then everyone entered the Warm Pavilion.

At the head of the Warm Pavilion was a Consort Couch covered with thick sable brocade bedding, and there were brocade soft pillows embroidered with gold threads. Old Madam Song was sitting on the couch with a large fur shawl wrapped around her, leaning against the soft pillow, talking to the attendants. When she saw Lian Shouxin and the others entering from outside, she straightened up and made a move to get up.

In terms of seniority, Lian Shouxin and Old Madam Shen were of the same generation, with Old Madam Shen being the elder, and Lian Manman and the others being juniors.

Before Old Madam Shen could get up, Lian Shouxin led Wu Lang, Lian Manman, and Xiao Qi forward to pay their respects.

Old Madam Shen smiled broadly and, as soon as Lian Shouxin began to bow, she stood up from the couch, not accepting his formal gesture.

"Fourth Old Master, please sit, let’s skip these formalities among family. As it happens, I must first apologize. Your family has had several occasions, and I should have come, but my health has not been cooperating." Old Madam Shen said with a smile.

After some brief pleasantries, everyone took their seats, with Old Madam Shen particularly inviting Lian Manman and Xiao Qi to sit with her on the couch.

"... Wu Lang is beyond words, and will surely have limitless prospects in the future. Manman and Xiao Qi are becoming more and more outstanding..." Old Madam Shen said warmly.

Maids brought in hot tea and snacks, and Lian Manman noticed that although the room was as warm as spring, Old Madam Shen was wrapped tightly as though she were outdoors. She guessed that Old Madam Shen might have a cold ailment and tentatively asked what medicine Old Madam Shen usually took and which Imperial Physician she consulted.

"... It’s an old ailment, an illness left from younger years." Old Madam Shen replied, "I am using the prescription given by Imperial Doctor Shi."

Mentioning Imperial Doctor Shi reminded Lian Manman of their first visit to the city, which was to the Song Family to collect a debt from Lian Huahua. It was fortunate that they encountered Imperial Doctor Shi at a teahouse, as his help allowed them to enter the Song Residence smoothly and gain Old Madam Shen’s favorable attention.

"The prescriptions provided by Imperial Doctor Shi must be good. My mother was critical back then, and it was thanks to his life-saving intervention.... Imperial Doctor Shi is a very busy man. I’ve heard that he has gone to Hejian Prefecture to visit friends these past six months, and I’m unsure if he’s back now," Lian Manman said.

"Not yet, I have people inquiring about it." Old Madam Shen’s smile grew even warmer, "Once he returns, I must invite him to the house to check my pulse again. Thanks to his prescription, I’ve suffered much less from my old ailment."

"Certainly, when you have news of Imperial Doctor Shi, please send someone to inform us," Lian Manman also smiled and said.

"Of course." Old Madam Shen then smiled again and told Song Hailong, "I’m getting older, so help me remember this. Don’t forget when the time comes."

Song Hailong naturally agreed with a smile. As Old Madam Shen lowered her head to drink tea, his peach blossom eyes lightly glanced at the group of maids attending near the Consort Couch. By the time Old Madam Shen raised her head again, Song Hailong had already brought his gaze back solemnly.

These days in the county town, because Song Hailong was supportive, Wu Lang and Song Hailong had become more acquainted. According to Wu Lang, although Song Hailong lacked substantial talents in his work, he was quite competent in handling social affairs. Only when he saw beautiful women, he couldn’t control his gaze.