Chapter 243 Rouge

Chapter 243 Rouge

When all was silent, Zhu Qing knocked on the door of Jingsi Residence.

Yan Sanhe had already been lying on the bed, dozing off, but upon hearing that she was summoned, her dark eyes instantly lit up.

Li Buyan tied the bundle behind her back and carefully helped her up.

Tangyuan squatted down to put a shoe on Yan Sanhe's foot, while the other foot, wrapped in thick bandages, didn't need one.

"Tangyuan, you go to sleep; don't wait for us."

"I'll wait for Miss to return."

Tangyuan pointed at the sewing basket. "I can use this time to make a few loose summer pants for you, so it's easier to put your feet in and out."

"Don't strain your eyes with that lamp."

Li Buyan gave a reminder, then carried Yan Sanhe away.

As they left the courtyard, Li Buyan whispered, "The more I see, the more I find this girl considerate, even speaking up for you."

Yan Sanhe nodded.

Tangyuan wasn't talkative, but she managed their daily needs perfectly, leaving neither Yan Sanhe nor Li Buyan any worries.

She also stayed calm and didn't mingle with other maids in Xie Mansion, avoiding idle chatter about others' affairs. Instead, she preferred to stay in her room doing needlework.

Most importantly, despite her many questions, she never asked a single one, focusing solely on her duties as a servant.

"In the future, we don't need to hide things from her."

Li Buyan chuckled softly. "It's better not to hide; she will eventually know some things."

They chatted idly along the way and soon arrived at Shi'an Yard, where Zhu Qing was waiting by the gate with a lantern.

Entering the study, both Yan Sanhe and Li Buyan were stunned.

In the study was a canopy bed, with a small table in the middle. On one side lay Xie Zhifei, and on the other...

On the other side sat a stunning woman in a purple silk dress.

With willowy eyebrows, a sinuous waist, and a heavy chest, it was hard not to glance her way.

The woman was peeling lychees, her ten slender fingers painted bright red, more eye-catching than her ample bosom.

After peeling a fruit, she turned her gaze, leaned over, and offered the fruit to Xie Zhifei.

"Third Master, ah, open your mouth..."

Xie Zhifei gave her a warning look, telling her to behave herself and not to cause trouble.

"This is Yan Sanhe; she has something she needs to discuss with you. Yan Sanhe, this is Mei Niang. You can ask her directly."

Yan girl?

Yan Sanhe?

Finally, I get to see her in person.

Mei Niang tossed the fruit into the plate, stood up, and addressed Yan Sanhe in a coquettish manner.

"Yan girl, may you be well."

"Mei Niang, there's no need for formalities."

"Yan Sanhe, sit here."

Pei Xiao pointed to the bamboo couch. "I've tried it out for you; it's very comfortable."

Li Buyan carefully placed her down, while Pei Xiao brought over a small square stool. "Lift your injured foot onto this; it will heal faster."

"Thank you!"

Yan Sanhe slowly moved her injured foot.

Pei Xiao chuckled, "Between us, what are you thanking me for?"

Once Yan Sanhe was comfortably seated, she spoke, "Mei Niang, do you mind if we get straight to business?"

"What kind of talk is that, girl?"

Mei Niang glanced at Xie Zhifei coquettishly.

"If it weren't for you seeking me out, someone like me would never have the chance to step into the Xie Mansion."

If Mei Niang hadn't said that, Yan Sanhe wouldn't have thought much about it.

But now, seeing her attire and demeanor, Yan Sanhe felt a twinge of sympathy.

How many women in this world willingly degrade themselves?

Most are forced into such a life out of necessity.

Looking at Xie Zhifei again, Yan Sanhe suddenly felt a strange discomfort, as if her eyes and nose were out of place.

The fact that he could bring her home showed they were familiar;

And being familiar with someone who sells her smiles for a living indicated that Third Master frequented such places often.

Xie Zhifei saw the look in Yan Sanhe's eyes and knew that the girl must have misunderstood.

He did not explain further. "Zhu Qing, go outside and guard the courtyard gate. Do not let anyone in."

"Yes, sir!"

The door closed, and Li Buyan laid out the items from the bundle one by one in front of Mei Niang.

"Mei Niang!"

Yan Sanhe said, "I asked you to come today to help us identify these items. Can you tell us what era their styles are from?"

Mei Niang looked at Third Master in confusion, but he remained silent. It was Xiao Pei who spoke up.

"Examine them carefully. If you can discern something significant, Master Pei will reward you handsomely."

Mei Niang then picked up the rouge box, turning it over and examining it closely.

The more she looked, the more her brows furrowed.

Yan Sanhe asked, "Is there a problem?"

Mei Niang smiled gently. "Miss Yan, this rouge box is not a current style. Its design and craftsmanship are quite old; such boxes haven't been available on the market for a long time."

Yan Sanhe asked, "Can you estimate how many years old it might be?"

Mei Niang counted on her fingers. "At least twenty or thirty years. Since I started using rouge, I've never seen this style."

Twenty or thirty years?

That would be when Jing Chen was around twenty years old.

Why would she still have a rouge box from so long ago?

Why?

Yan Sanhe and Xie Zhifei exchanged a glance before she asked again, "Mei Niang, can you tell if this rouge box is of high quality or low quality based on its appearance?"

Mei Niang weighed the box in her hand. "Miss Yan, it feels heavy. The heavier the rouge box, the more expensive it is."

Yan Sanhe asked, "So, you're saying that such an item wouldn't be used by ordinary people?"

"It must belong to a wealthy family."

Mei Niang smiled charmingly. "Of course, popular courtesans in brothels could also afford it."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Pei glared fiercely at her.

Mei Niang raised an eyebrow: Xiao Pei, what's wrong?

Pei Xiao glared back: Don't mention brothels and taint the girl's ears.

Seeing Master Pei's reaction and recalling his attentive behavior toward Miss Yan, Mei Niang understood.

Ah, so she's Xiao Pei's sweetheart!

Unaware of their silent exchange, Yan Sanhe continued, "Mei Niang, take a look at this patchwork robe."

Mei Niang examined it inch by inch, feeling its texture.

"This patchwork robe is also quite old, and the material is excellent. Look at the sleeves," she pointed to the peony embroidery on the sleeve.

"Patchwork robes originated from the palace and were initially popular among wealthy families, so the sleeves were often embroidered with rich flowers like peonies, plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums."

"What about now?"

"Now, even commoners wear them, but they don't embroider flowers on the sleeves anymore."

"Why not?"

"Look at the garment; it is made of different colored patches, already vibrant and bright. There's no need for additional floral embellishments."

Yan Sanhe looked up, meeting Xie Zhifei's gaze once again.

Both saw surprise in each other's eyes.

The rouge was from over twenty years ago, and so was the robe. The embroidered shoes were likely from the same period.

Jing Chen chose this set of clothes as her burial attire, clearly with a purpose.

But what was that purpose?