Chapter 144: Visiting (Below) (Pink Tickets 1500)

  Madam was indeed amused by the eleventh daughter and ate more than half a bowl of porridge. The egg fruit was also ready, and Madam had someone pack it in paper boxes to eat on the carriage.

  One mouthful at a time, really no need to touch lips.

  Old Lady Wang told her: "When we were as old as you, it was popular to paint a single eyebrow, but Zi Yu, oh, that is, Madame Huang, had a square face, and every time there was a gathering, she wouldn't attend."

  The eleventh girl listened with interest and smiled: "Did you know Madame Huang since childhood?"

  Madam nodded: "When my father was the Governor of Shaanxi, her father was the Governor of Shaanxi, when my father was the Minister of Justice, her father was the Minister of Works... our two families lived next to each other for ten years. Later I married into the Yongping Marquis's household, she married into the Yongchang Marquis's household. We were both only daughters, not native to Yanjing, and married into noble families, always getting along like sisters."

  No wonder when I got married, there was no one from my wife's family present.

  The old lady seemed to have seen through Shi yi's thoughts, and smiled at her: "Or maybe it was because my family had few children, I've always envied other families with many brothers and sisters, especially hoping for a prosperous offspring." She said, blushing. The old lady looked at her with a smile, changing the subject, "I see you don't like those jadeites and rubies, but you seem to really like these corals and honeycombs."

  No need to mention the issue of descendants, Eleventh Sister naturally felt a lot more at ease. She smiled and said: "I'm young and small, I couldn't bear the weight of those things. It's not that I don't like them."

  The two of them chatted and laughed as they walked, and soon arrived at the Zhongshan Hou Mansion.

  The Eleven Girl's dress and demeanor indeed caught everyone's attention.

  Huang San's grandmother even pulled her hand left and right, and asked her: "Is this bracelet awarded by the Queen?"

  The eleventh girl smiled and said: "It's something I play with when I have nothing better to do."

  Grandma Huang nodded in approval.

  Madam Liang smiled and said, "Only the Fourth Mistress can wear such a color. If others were to wear it, they might have elegance but not such dignity."

  The old lady looked at the eleven niang who was standing together with Huang San Niang, Lin Da Niang and Zhou Fu Ren, smiling lightly and elegantly, her eyes full of smiles.

  When everyone went to see Miss Tang after lunch, Eleventh Sister attracted the attention of those young ladies who came to send Miss Tang.

  "Winter is wearing lake color!"

  "Look at that rosary."

  "The emerald green skirt was embroidered with dark green vines and flowers."

  "Do you know who it is?"

  "It's said to be the wife of Yongping Marquis."

  "Is that the newlywed?"

  "Originally the younger sister of Yongping Hou's wife, namely Qiao Lianfang..."

  The sound gradually faded away, and someone else cast a glance of envy over here.

  At this time, everyone was talking about Madame Luo, the wife of Yongping Marquis.

  The strong wind blows down the Chinese parasol tree, and there are bystanders who comment on its length and shortness.

  The eleventh girl was immune to all kinds of strange eyes and returned home early with the old lady after attending the wedding.

  It was Mrs. Three who came to greet them.

  Seeing the eleventh girl, she was slightly startled: "Fourth brother and sister are really dressed up beautifully today."

  "Because we're going to drink at the wedding!"

  The third lady nodded and looked at her twice before curtsying to the old lady: "The second master and fifth master have not yet left for court. The third master is in the study. You've returned very early today."

  The old lady smiled and said, "At our age, we can't take the turmoil anymore. It's better to return early." The third madam supported her back to the house, where Du's mother and others attended to her, helping her change clothes and wash up.

  The third lady smiled and looked at Eleven: "The New Year is approaching, you are idle anyway, why don't you help me prepare for the New Year's goods?"

  The eleventh daughter was taken aback.

  "I'll talk to my mother about this." The third madam smiled and said, "Speaking of which, the New Year is a big deal. If we can get through some of the formalities during the New Year, then everyday life will be easy as pie." Her tone was persuasive.

  In the flash of firestone electricity, Eleventh suddenly understood.

  The three wives decided to go with San Ye to take office.

  She's afraid there won't be anyone at home who can take over and host Zhongyu, so Lady Tai will keep her behind...

  The eleventh girl had a somewhat absurd feeling.

  She and Xu Lingyi worried that San Furen wouldn't go, but San Furen was worried that she couldn't go! It's just unknown how they arranged for the two brothers Xu Siqin and Xu Sijian...

  While thinking, Zhen Jie and Yun Ge knew they had come back to pay their respects.

  The two of them looked at Shíyī Niáng's outfit and both showed a surprised expression.

  After asking for peace, Zhen Jie'er stared at the flowing tassels on her wrist with a curious face.

  Unfortunately, this emerald bracelet is too valuable, and it's not suitable to give to a child like Zhen Jie. Otherwise, I'd let them play with it... As the thought flashed through her mind, Eleventh Mother had an idea - why not use pearls to make something for Zhen Jie instead? This way, she can keep it as part of her dowry when she gets married!

  Just then, the elegant and refined Lady Tai emerged from her dressing room, looking refreshed. Seeing that Eleventh Sister was still there, she smiled and said: "You must be tired today too, go back to your room and rest. You don't have to come over today."

  After a day out, she always felt dusty all over, and Shiyi Niang smiled and nodded in agreement as she returned to her own room.

  As soon as she entered the door, Jinju said: "The maid Autumn Red who serves Madame Wen has come to see you several times, waiting for your return!"

  "Madam Wen has something to ask of me!" Eleventh Sister smiled and took off her cloak, then went to the dressing room with Green Cloud in attendance.

  Binju followed: "It's said that the third master of the Wen family is entering the capital to deliver New Year's gifts, and the third lady of the Wen family is also traveling with him. I suppose they want to ask after your well-being. The steward of the Wen family has been waiting at the gatehouse for a response from this side!"

  I don't know what kind of connection there is between the Xu and Wen families, I'll ask Xu Lingyi again.

  "Tell them it's late today and not convenient. Let's talk about it tomorrow!"

  The beach chrysanthemum responded and left.

  The eleventh girl washed her hair and bathed, busy for almost two hours. She put on a sheepskin coat and came out to see Xu Lingyi leaning against the window in the inner room, reading a book on the big bed, which startled her.

  "When did Master Hou arrive? Why didn't you send someone to inform me?"

  Xu Lingyi looked up at her and said, "You've been here for a while." He then lowered his head to continue reading, but muttered under his breath, "Do you want to grow water lilies?"

  "Oh!" Eleventh Sister responded, her eyes involuntarily gazing at the few water lilies on the windowsill, "Let's see if they can bloom like those in the greenhouse."

  Xu Lingyi murmured a response and said: "Quickly go rinse your hair, I have something to say to you."

  Eleventh Sister sat down beside the dressing table, and several maidservants helped her to twist her hair, which was soon half dry. She casually coiled it into a bun, dismissed the maidservants, and sat down opposite Xu Lingyi.

  Xu Lingyi put down the book and said: "The Wanda Xian you mentioned, can he read?"

  "Recognize the character!" Eleventh Sister was shocked.

  It seems that our strategy has taken effect. Moreover, Xu Lingyi has begun to make arrangements for Waiyuan...

  Deep down, I knew this was a big deal, but my eyes involuntarily darted towards the cover of the book.

  It is actually this "Sishu Jizhu".

  "It's almost New Year's, things are busy at the office," Xu Lingyi said lightly, "I'm preparing to temporarily add a few errand boys. Let him go too!"

  The reception office is in charge of the reception affairs of the governor's mansion, reporting the arrival of guests and entertaining them. It's a very profitable job. But Wan Daxian is a practical and honest person, letting him stay in such a place may not be able to bring out his strengths. She has few people under her command, so she must cultivate each one differently, striving for each one to be able to take charge of one aspect.

  The eleventh girl smiled and said, "This Wan Da Xian is too honest, I'm afraid it's hard for him to take on important tasks. If you really want to use him, it's better to arrange him in the ancestral hall to help manage the ritual vessels, which suits his temperament."

  This is certainly a very leisurely job, but it requires loyalty. Otherwise, if the ritual vessels are stolen and sold, even if someone is beaten to death, they cannot be recovered.

  Xu Lingyi nodded as she listened.

  Eleventh girl dares to say so, it seems that Wan Da Xian is a very loyal person.

  He pondered and said: "The ancestral hall seems simple on that side, but the person in charge of offering sacrifices must be familiar with the way of image worship, he may not be suitable."

  The eleventh girl smiled and said: "I didn't think so much, it's still Master Hou who thinks more carefully."

  Xu Lingyi listened and fell into thought for a moment, her face expressionless. "Let him go to the Department of Justice then," she said finally. "After all, they'll need to hire some assistants anyway."

  I didn't expect Xu Lingyi's move to be so big... it seems that she has made up her mind to reshuffle the deck!

  It's also good to go to the government office, an honest person doing some practical things makes him feel more at ease.

  The eleventh girl smiled and said: "I'll have someone deliver a message to him right away. Tomorrow morning, I'll have him come to thank you."

  "It's just a small favor, no need to thank me!" Xu Lingyi smiled and said, "No need!"

  Shi Yiniang thought of what had happened that morning and smiled awkwardly, mentioning the matter of Wen's third grandmother coming to pay her respects: "...I don't know whether I should see her or not? I was thinking of asking His Lordship for his opinion."

  Xu Lingyi thought for a moment and said, "The Wen family is after all business people. They care about making a huge profit from a small investment. If they don't see it, then so be it."

  Eleventh daughter was quite unexpected.

  She thought that although Xu Lingyi didn't like the Wen family, the Wen family was after all one of the top merchants in Da Zhou, and they would at least put on a show. Moreover, the Wen family had sent their eldest daughter to the Xu family as a concubine, and the Xu family had accepted her. This in itself was an attitude of humility and submissiveness. But now that time had passed and circumstances had changed, Xu Lingyi actually seemed unwilling to have much to do with the Wen family!

  Although she didn't understand, she respected Xu Lingyi's decision.

  After all, he is the master of this family.

  "I know!" Eleventh Sister smiled and said, "I'll go back to her tomorrow."

  Xu Lingyi nodded, with a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes.

  The eleventh girl saw that everything had been discussed and the sky was gradually getting darker, smiled and said: "Is Master Hou going to serve dinner now or wait a bit?"

  Xu Lingyi looked out of the window and saw that the big red lanterns under the eaves had all been hung up, saying: "Let's set the meal!"

  The eleventh daughter ordered the maidservant to lay out the meal and waited on them herself.

  Xu Lingyi looked at him with a smile and said: "I thought you hadn't eaten yet, why did you come back so early?"

  "Miss Tang's auspicious hour is at the beginning of Shen, and she ate a bit early."

  Xu Lingyi ate dinner alone and went to Qiao Lian's room.

  The eleventh girl took out the famous post given by Tai Fu Ren and re-familiarized herself with the characters, not necessarily to the point of being extremely familiar.

  The next day, Qin Yiniang and Wen Yiniang came to pay their respects to Shier Niang. Shier Niang kept Wen Yiniang behind to talk, politely declining the proposal from the Wen family.

  Madam Wen was surprised and said in a low voice, "The Luo and Wen families are both from Jiangnan. In this unfamiliar place of Yanjing, they should be looking out for each other. There are many business opportunities that can be cooperated on. Why must the lady be so cautious just because the Wen family is a merchant? But what she didn't know was that merchants value honesty the most, and once they promise something, they will never go back on their word!"

  The eleventh girl was secretly shocked in her heart.

  It seems like every sentence of Aunt Wen's has a hidden meaning!