Madam Wen fixed her gaze on Ningnuo’s breathtakingly beautiful face, lost in thought. Truthfully, she had always liked Ningnuo - despite the girl's deceitful nature and duplicitous ways, Ningnuo had always been obedient and considerate around her. The girl understood her heart so well that at times Ningnuo proved more attentive than Qingmo ever did. After all, how many women raised in wealthy households possessed pure hearts? Provided Ningnuo didn't turn those manipulative skills against her.

If only Ningnuo had arrived earlier with affection for Wen Ninging instead of Wen Ningxuan, Madam Wen might have even supported the match - she secretly considered it an ideal union. But since Ningnuo's arrival overlapped with Wen Ninging's marriage, and Master Wen disapproved of her, Madam Wen didn't press further.

When later learning of Ningnuo's infatuation with Wen Ningxuan, Madam Wen began actively matchmaking between them for two reasons: first, as Ningnuo was her adopted daughter, arranging a union would give her continued influence. Second, Master Wen despised the girl - if Wen Ningxuan married Ningnuo against his father's wishes, he'd inevitably be neglected in favor of his brother. However, Wen Ningxuan ultimately refused to take her.

Still, Madam Wen believed men needed more than one wife and kept Ningnuo nearby. She planned to wait until Lin He became pregnant - when Wen Ningxuan would surely require a concubine - then engineer Ningnuo's placement in his bedchamber.

Ironically as she was formulating this scheme, Lin He mentioned returning home for several days during her morning greetings. With that opportunity, Madam Wen nearly had the plan set until remembering Wen Ningxuan's stubborn nature. It took days of careful planning to devise a strategy involving Master Wen himself - forcing Wen Ningxuan into accepting Ningnuo by having him drink tea under their father's watchful gaze.

Ningnuo surprised her by agreeing without hesitation when they discussed it, so Madam Wen watched proudly as Wen Ningxuan consumed the tea. The next day she prepared to catch him in a compromising position with Ningnuo - only to discover it was his own son caught committing adultery.

Now with this scandal exposed, Madam Wen knew even if she could prevent Wen Ningxuan from marrying Ningnuo, other women in the household would incite further trouble. Though annoyed by Ningnuo's tone moments ago, her words rang true: Ningnuo came from a respectable family with only one younger brother and was deeply cherished by her parents. Marrying such a woman could indeed benefit Wen Ninging.

Wen Ninging already had too many concubines of dubious character - even his current wife Li Yuzhen lacked refinement. Her family controlled the river transport business on paper but were barely literate commoners who'd once caught Wen Ninging in bed with Li Yuzhen and threatened to keep him unless he married her.

Though repulsed by Li Yuzhen's ignorance, Madam Wen had no choice but to agree when confronted with her son's nakedness. She fabricated a story about mutual affection to explain the marriage to Master Wen and Lady Wen. While Li Yuzhen proved convenient for business dealings, she remained a constant thorn in Madam Wen's side.

Ningnuo's words had sparked new calculations - regardless of obstacles, marrying Wen Ninging would now be inevitable. Perhaps Ningnuo could even assist with his career matters someday. Yet making her official wife would require outmaneuvering Li Yuzhen's troublesome family.

"Of course," Madam Wen finally relented, softening her voice, "please don't let my morning words trouble you - I was simply shocked by that scene earlier. Your union with Ninging is acceptable to me, though I'll need time to discuss arrangements with him regarding Li Yuzhen."

Ningnuo smiled gently, "Adopted mother's reassurance comforts me greatly. After all, household matters are always settled through your wisdom rather than Master Wen or Lady Wen. May I return tomorrow for my morning greetings?"

Her veiled threat - that the matter would reach Lady Wen if not resolved by tomorrow - was clear to Madam Wen despite her distaste for coercion. With a slight nod she conceded silently.