Chapter 26

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Reunion (Part Two)

Xinglin smiled and said, "She's in the room with Hang Mama, calculating the accounts! Let me take you there."

Eleven Miss hesitated. "Since that's the case, I won't go over then." She asked Dongqing to hand the package she was holding to Xinglin. "These are a lan-style robe for Master, a zong-style skirt for the matriarch, and a small jacket for Brother Rui. Please, Sister, deliver these to the matriarch on my behalf." She also had Dongqing give Xinglin a small box. "These are embroidered sachets I made in my free time. Please distribute them to the sisters. It's just a small token of my heart."

Although Eleven Miss's embroidery was excellent, she wasn't the only one capable of such work. However, Eleven Miss often created new and unique designs that others couldn't match. Even Master Jian frequently praised her for her ingenuity. Since these were gifts specially delivered, it was clear that effort had been put into them. Without even opening the sachets, Xinglin knew they would be eye-catching. She happily crouched down and bowed to Eleven Miss. "You've gone to a lot of trouble, Eleven Miss." She then accepted the package. "The ladies have been talking about the cape you embroidered for our matriarch last time. Everyone asked who had done such fine work. If the matriarch knows you've come to deliver gifts but didn't even step inside, she might blame me for not observing proper etiquette. Eleven Miss, you must at least come in for a cup of tea before you leave."

Eleven Miss firmly refused. "I'll come visit the matriarch again later."

Since she couldn't persuade her to stay, Xinglin saw Eleven Miss out and then went to the matriarch's room.

The matriarch was looking at account books while Hang Mama's fingers flew over the abacus.

Xinglin didn't dare disturb them. Only when Hang Mama stopped to report a number did the matriarch write it down in the account book. Xinglin then stepped forward and bowed. "Matriarch, just now Eleven Miss came by. She said she had made clothes for Master, you, and Brother Rui." She presented the package. "Eleven Miss heard you and Hang Mama were calculating accounts and insisted on leaving, saying she would visit again another day."

The matriarch looked at Xinglin intently. "Why didn't you keep her here?"

Xinglin was slightly startled.

The matriarch continued, "Leave the package here. Go outside and finish clearing the accounts with those ladies from the household."

"Yes," Xinglin replied, her expression becoming serious as she bowed and withdrew.

Hang Mama smiled. "Xinglin is still young; take your time teaching her, Matriarch!"

The matriarch shook her head. "She's already eighteen… I originally thought of having Master take her as a concubine so I'd have a helper. But who knew… She may be young, but she's quite ambitious. Daring to slight a Miss from the Luo family like that, she's unlikely to be someone who'll make life easy in the future."

"Whether she lives or dies is up to you," Hang Mama said with a smile. "Besides, our son-in-law has never touched anyone around him. Even when Taolin was here, he didn't have any designs on her, let alone someone like Xinglin."

Taolin was the maid who had angered the patriarch…

At the mention of her name, the matriarch's expression darkened. "She really embarrassed the Gu family and made me lose face in front of Master."

Hang Mama glanced around to make sure no one was within earshot before lowering her voice. "Matriarch, rest assured. The mistress took care of it long ago, without anyone noticing."

The mistress she referred to was the matriarch's mother.

The matriarch's expression didn't improve at Hang Mama's words; instead, she became somewhat irritated as she unwrapped the package Eleven Miss had sent. "Let's not talk about these messy things… Let's see what Eleven Miss made for us."

The stitching on Master's lan-style robe was fine and dense, the cluster of orchids on the matriarch's zong-style skirt was lifelike, and the deer embroidered on Brother Rui's cape was vivid…

Hang Mama sighed. "It's a pity she wasn't born to the matriarch's womb!"

"Who can argue with fate?" The matriarch also showed a hint of pity. "It's all destiny."

Both of them thought of Luo Yuaniang at that moment.

For a while, there was silence.

After a long pause, the matriarch rallied herself. "By the way, have the local gifts for Second Master and Third Master been sent?"

Hang Mama hurriedly replied, "They were sent according to Xu Mama's instructions. They should have arrived by now."

The matriarch nodded and resumed discussing the accounts with Hang Mama.

That day, lunch was served an hour earlier than usual. After the meal, the matriarch instructed them to rest for a while. "We can't let the Xu family see the sisters of the mistress looking as wilted as frost-bitten vegetables! Get yourselves dressed and come to my room by the end of the first watch."

Fifth Miss and Eleven Miss dared not disobey. They each went back to their rooms to rest for a while, applying facial treatments, bathing, combing their hair, and changing clothes. The matriarch, meanwhile, worked with Xu Mama to organize the various local gifts they had brought from Yuhang to present to the Xu family.

Everyone gathered in the matriarch's room at the start of the day.

Fifth Miss wore a white silk jacket, a white embroidered skirt, and a rose-red outer garment with gold-woven tendrils. Her jet-black hair was styled in a neat bun, adorned with a gold hairpin featuring a flute-playing immortal, and she wore purple amethyst earrings. She looked elegant and dignified.

The matriarch frowned and said, "Go change that skirt to a goose-yellow one."

Fifth Miss, her face flushed, went to change her skirt.

The matriarch then turned her attention to Eleven Miss.

Eleven Miss wore a light green silk jacket, a bean-green embroidered skirt, and a goose-yellow plain gauze four-joy ruyi-pattern outer garment. While her outfit was elegant, it seemed a bit stiff.

The matriarch sighed and rubbed her forehead, "Today, you two are both being difficult."

"Perhaps they're just nervous," Xu Mama explained with a reassuring smile, having checked their outfits earlier.

The matriarch sighed and instructed Eleven Miss, "Put on a pink silk jacket, a lilac outer garment, and a white embroidered skirt. Style your hair in a bun and add a few pearl flowers... Hurry up!"

Reluctantly, Eleven Miss ran back to her room and changed according to the matriarch's wishes.

Upon returning, Fifth Miss had already changed her clothes.

The rose-red outer garment paired with the goose-yellow skirt gave her an elegant and vibrant look. Eleven Miss, in her pink jacket and lilac outer garment, exuded a delicate grace.

Suddenly, Eleven Miss realized there was no opportunity for her to gain any advantage in the Luo family.

Her hand clenched into a fist.

There has to be another way...

The carriage slowly departed from Baoda Fang's Gongxian Alley, turned left onto Baoda Street, then right onto Dazheng Street. Following Dazheng Street westward, past Zheng'an Gate and the imperial garden Tai Chi Pond, after about an incense stick's worth of time, it arrived at Hehuali, where Yongping Marquis Estate was located.

Hehuali was originally called Hehua Slope, a small lake belonging to Tai Chi Pond. When the Taizong Emperor constructed Tai Chi Pond, finding its location somewhat remote, he gave it to the Ningguo Grand Princess, who built a villa there. After the princess's involvement in the "Zheng'an Prince Rebellion" failed, she poisoned herself, her assets were confiscated, and the villa was reclaimed by the Imperial Household Department. Later, when the Xu family regained their title, their original residence in Shishi Alley had been bestowed by the Xiaozong Emperor to his uncle. The Yingzong Emperor then granted this villa to the Xu family.

"So, Eldest Sister's family lives in a former royal villa?" Fifth Miss, her eyes full of excitement, listened to the matriarch describing the Hehuali they were about to visit.

"Not exactly," the matriarch paused. "After the rehabilitation of families affected by the 'Zheng'an Prince Rebellion,' the Xu family suggested sharing the princess's villa with the Duke of Ding's family and the Marquis of Weibei's Lin family. Otherwise, why would 'Hehua Slope' be renamed 'Hehuali'?"

Hearing that the Xu family shared the villa with others, Fifth Miss was slightly stunned.

Noticing her disapproval, the matriarch felt displeased and said, "Although the Duke of Zheng got the main house, the Lin and Xu families divided the garden. The Yingzong Emperor, considering that the Xu family's original residence was not smaller than the princess's villa, gave only one-third of the garden to the Lin family, leaving two-thirds to the Xu family. The villa, built for the princess's later years, had overlapping mountains and hidden wisteria, very elegant. In terms of size, the Xu family is not significant among the nobles in Yanjing, but in terms of scenery, it is among the best."

Realizing her mistake, Fifth Miss quickly smiled and said, "Mother, could you ask Eldest Sister to have someone show me around? I've never been to such a prestigious place before, and I'd love to see it."

The matriarch's expression softened slightly. "We'll be staying in Yanjing for some time; there will be plenty of opportunities later."

As soon as she finished speaking, someone outside the carriage, separated by the curtain, said, "Relative Madam, we are passing by Tai Chi Pond! Would you like to take a look?" It was a coarse-working older woman sent by the Xu family.

Fifth Miss smiled upon hearing this but was sharply glared at by the matriarch, who then calmly spoke through the curtain to the woman, "No need. From Dazheng Street, you can only see a few large trees. It's better to wait until summer if you want to see it properly, but in this freezing weather, let's skip it!"

The woman chuckled and fell silent.

The matriarch then quietly advised Fifth Miss and Eleven Miss, "When we arrive at the Xu family, don't look around curiously, don't slouch or lower your heads, and don't panic. Speak when you should, and smile gently when you shouldn't. Accept gifts gracefully without hesitation, and when offered snacks, feel free to try them without appearing timid or inexperienced." She rattled off a long list of instructions, making Fifth Miss nervous, and consequently, Eleven Miss appeared uneasy as well. The matriarch finally stopped, "In short, the Xu family is of high status; don't embarrass the Luo family."

Both girls respectfully responded with a "Yes."

The matriarch raised her hand to smooth her temple and then adjusted her already neat clothes.

Eleven Miss was surprised.

The carriage had stopped, and people outside were speaking softly. After a while, the noise ceased, and the carriage jolted slightly as if running over something before moving again.

Inside the carriage, no one spoke, and the atmosphere felt tense.

Fortunately, the carriage stopped again after less than a cup of tea's time.

The curtain was lifted, and Tao Mama's smiling round face appeared before them, "Matriarch, we have arrived!"