Chapter 29

Chapter 30: Elder Sister (Part Two)

The atmosphere in the room immediately changed as Eldest Miss and the matriarch became sad.

Chun Ge poked his head out from his mother's embrace, his clear, wide eyes curiously looking at the matriarch, as if wondering why his grandmother had suddenly started crying.

Fifth Miss shifted her gaze, took out a handkerchief, and stepped forward to offer it to the matriarch to wipe her tears. "Today is a joyous occasion of a mother and daughter reunion. Why did you become sad, Mother?"

Hearing this, the matriarch smiled through her tears and took the handkerchief to wipe the corners of her eyes. "Look at me, the older I get, the more easily I become emotional."

The smile was still a bit forced.

Eldest Miss had tears glistening in the corners of her eyes. "Mother is here with her daughter! Why so many formalities?"

The matriarch nodded.

Maids brought in water for the matriarch and Eldest Miss to freshen up.

Eldest Miss had her attendants to assist her, while the matriarch had Eleven Miss holding the basin for her and Fifth Miss helping to roll up her sleeves and remove her bracelets.

After washing their faces, Eldest Miss instructed a maid, "Bring out the palace cosmetics that the Empress awarded last time."

The maid responded, "Yes," and quickly brought over a small enamel box with floral designs.

"Mother, please try it. It's from the imperial court," Eldest Miss said with a smile. "I never use these things, so I don't know if it's good or not. If you find it suitable, I'll send a few more boxes over to you."

A young maid hurriedly brought over a hand mirror.

The matriarch took the powder box, its base a tender yellow with intricate sky-blue patterns, elegant and understated.

"Truly an item from the imperial court," she said, playing with it for a moment before gently opening the box.

Immediately, a delicate jasmine fragrance burst forth, subtly filling the room, refreshing everyone who smelled it.

Eleven Miss was impressed and couldn't help but glance at the box.

A thought flickered in her mind. Modern makeup techniques add a hint of yellow to foundation to brighten and enhance yellow skin tones. The women of the Luo family used only pure white powder, believing the whiter, the better. These were two very different approaches to beauty.

Imperial court items were indeed far superior to those available on the market.

Eleven Miss watched as the matriarch applied the powder.

As expected, the makeup looked natural and smooth, instantly making the matriarch appear five years younger.

Fifth Miss, beside her, clicked her tongue in admiration, a flash of envy in her eyes. Even Xu Mama wore a look of surprise.

Eldest Miss smiled slightly and instructed the maid, "Go and tell Buyer Song tomorrow that the palace cosmetics the Empress awarded last time are excellent. Ask him to send a few more boxes over."

The maid bent her knees in acknowledgment, but the matriarch waved her hands, "No need, no need. No need to owe favors for a few boxes of cosmetics."

Eldest Miss smiled, "It's fine. The one managing the imperial court now is Prince Shun, who grew up with the Marquis. They are very familiar."

Despite the matriarch's continued protests, a young maid reported, "Madam, Lady Wen has arrived!"

Eldest Miss was slightly surprised but smiled, "She has keen ears. Let her in!" Her expression remained calm and composed, as if welcoming a familiar guest.

The matriarch looked at her daughter with some doubt and said in a low voice, "It's the Wen family from Yangzhou..."

Eldest Miss nodded and smiled, "Mother, you should meet her too. They are both from the Jiangnan region. Although the Wen family rose to prominence through the salt trade, they have been doing well in the silk business these past few years too. Knowing one more person means having one more opportunity. If the opportunity arises, send Wu Xiaquan to Yangzhou. Given our connection, the Wen family will surely treat him well."

The Luo family's assets consisted mainly of farmland and silk shops. However, since the Luo family was known for passing down scholarly traditions, they would not have engaged in business if not for the dependence on the whims of the weather for agricultural yields and the tempting profits from silk. Thus, while Yuan De Silk, the Luo family's renowned shop in Jiangnan, had been operating for several generations, it only served the Hangzhou region and had not opened branches elsewhere. They were comfortably well-off but not among the wealthiest families.

Eleven Miss realized that Eldest Miss was suggesting the matriarch use the Wen family's influence to expand their business.

She was taken aback.

Equally surprised was the matriarch, "This is..."

Eldest Miss smiled at her mother and said, "We'll talk about this later." She then turned to order a maid, "Go fetch my enameled filigree inlaid with cat's eye stone table clock." She explained to the matriarch, "Give it to her as a gift for the first meeting."

Eleven Miss pondered thoughtfully.

Before the matriarch could say more, a delicate voice came from outside the screen, "Sister, I've been waiting for the mother-in-law to arrive!"

At that moment, everyone's attention shifted to the side of the screen. A petite woman, resembling a fragrant pendant, entered.

She wore a ginger-yellow plain jacket, a crimson floral vest, and a white moon-colored lined skirt. Her hair was styled in a flowing horse bun, with a Western pearl and jade flower on the left and three gold pomegranate hairpins on the right, while her ears sported gold-framed jade water drop earrings that swayed and made her fair skin glow, exuding charm and allure.

Eleven Miss's eyes brightened.

What a stunning beauty!

"Matriarch, I, Wen, offer my greetings!" Wen smiled and spoke, her voice clear and pleasant. She stepped forward gracefully and knelt down steadily to offer a formal greeting to the matriarch.

The matriarch's face immediately turned to a warm smile, "Quickly rise, quickly rise. We are family; no need for so much formality!" Meanwhile, Xu Mama handed a red lacquered gilt box to the matriarch. The matriarch, noticing the exquisite craftsmanship and elegant gilt flowers, realized it was the table clock her daughter had mentioned. Though slightly uncomfortable, she smiled and handed it to Wen, saying, "You can take it for fun."

Wen smiled and accepted it, her eyes briefly lingering on the box before passing it to the maid behind her. She then stepped forward to greet Eldest Miss, "Sister, how are you feeling?"

Eldest Miss's smile reached her eyes, "Seeing you makes me feel better!"

Wen, with a startled expression, said, "Sister, don't let the Marquis hear you say that, or my life might be in danger. He might send me to Physician Wang to be made into a soup..."

Chun Ge, nestled in Eldest Miss's arms, suddenly said, "Aunt, you're mistaken. Huang Mama is in charge of the kitchen..."

Eldest Miss burst into laughter.

Everyone followed suit.

Only Chun Ge, looking around in confusion, didn't understand why everyone was laughing, but after seeing them laugh, he shyly hid in his mother's arms.

Wen half-knelt by the bed, smiling at Chun Ge, "Good Chun Ge, if the Marquis asks, just like you said, tell him that Physician Wang doesn't handle the kitchen; Huang Mama does."

Chun Ge nodded to Wen and buried his head again in his mother's arms.

Everyone laughed again.

Perhaps from too much laughter, Eldest Miss began to cough.

Wen quickly moved to help Eldest Miss regulate her breath and took the tea offered by a maid. She poured a small sip into the lid of the cup, tasted it, and then sat by the bed to assist Eldest Miss in drinking.

Her movements were practiced, suggesting she often assisted in such situations.

Eleven Miss's eyes flickered slightly, while Fifth Miss's face showed surprise.

After drinking the tea and calming her breath, Wen looked at Fifth Miss and Eleven Miss, who were standing before the bed with concerned expressions, "These two must be Fifth Miss and Eleven Miss, right?"

Eldest Miss nodded with a smile.

Wen Yi Niang quickly sized the two of them up and stepped forward with a smile, taking Fifth Miss’s hand. “The first time I met Eldest Sister, I thought I had seen a fairy. But Eldest Sister often says that the younger misses in the family are the truly beautiful ones. Now that I see you in person, the reputation is well-deserved.”

Fifth Miss hurriedly replied with a smile, “Eldest Sister has always taken good care of us younger sisters and is partial out of affection, which might be a bit embarrassing for you, Wen Yi Niang.”

Wen Yi Niang’s eyes sparkled. “Oh my, what a straightforward person you are.” Then she turned to look at Eldest Miss. “It matches my temperament quite well.”

Eldest Miss laughed heartily.

Wen Yi Niang motioned to her maid, who then presented two boxes.

“I only just found out that the matriarch had brought two young misses over for a visit, so this is rather hastily prepared. I hope the two young misses won’t find it lacking.”

Fifth Miss and Eleven Miss thanked her and took the boxes.

Receiving a gift upon meeting someone—it’s like making a small fortune…

Eleven Miss couldn’t help but laugh at herself with a touch of sarcasm.

Another young maid behind the screen announced, “Young Miss Yao Huang from the elder madam’s quarters is here.”

One after another, it felt like a grand assembly!

Eleven Miss couldn’t help but widen her eyes.

“Quick, please invite her in!” Eldest Miss said with a smile. A tall, slender maid came around the screen.

She looked about seventeen or eighteen, with a slender figure but a round face, like a big-headed doll. Though her proportions were a bit off, she was quite adorable.

Seeing everyone in the room, she smiled and greeted them, then said to the matriarch, “The elder madam sent me to pass a message. She said that since she knew the matriarch was coming to visit, she should have come to welcome you in person. However, Madam Cheng of the State Duke’s family has come with her niece, so she asks for your understanding if you would wait a little while. Please don’t take offense, matriarch.”

Eleven Miss, carefully observing Eldest Miss, caught a brief flicker of coldness in her sister’s eyes.

The matriarch responded politely, “The elder madam is older than me, so I should be the one visiting her. How could I let her come to me?” She added hesitantly, “I wonder how long Madam Cheng of the State Duke’s family will be staying? Since I’m here, it would be improper not to pay my respects to the elder madam…”

Before Yao Huang could respond, Eldest Miss laughed, “Mother, the madam is the host here, so it would be improper for her to leave her guests. But you are a visitor, so naturally, the visitor follows the host’s lead. There’s no reason we shouldn’t go.” Then she instructed her maids, “Help me change clothes.” It seemed she was preparing to accompany them to see the elder madam.

The matriarch hesitated.

She was concerned about her daughter’s fragile health and whether she could handle the visit. For a moment, she was torn between her options.

Wen Yi Niang smiled and suggested, “Eldest Sister, how about I accompany the matriarch instead? Otherwise, the elder madam might worry about you overexerting yourself.”

Eldest Miss pondered.

Wen Yi Niang added, “I’ll carry Chun Ge and accompany the matriarch.”

“That works!” Eldest Miss said with a smile. “Have Chun Ge give my regards to the elder madam on my behalf.”

Wen Yi Niang smiled. “Eldest Sister, don’t worry. We’ll be back soon.”

Eldest Miss looked at her mother with an apologetic expression. Before she could say anything, the matriarch smiled and said, “This is a good idea by Wen Yi Niang. I’ll have Chun Ge accompany me to see the elder madam.” She added, “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure Chun Ge doesn’t catch a chill.”

Eldest Miss looked at her mother seriously. “Then I entrust Chun Ge to your care.”

The matriarch nodded solemnly.