Chapter 30: Older Sister (Part 2)

  Yu Niang and Da Tai Tai became sorrowful, and the atmosphere in the house changed immediately.

  The little brother poked his head out of his mother's arms, opening his clear and bright big eyes curiously looking at the old lady, as if he didn't understand why his grandmother suddenly burst into tears.

  The fifth daughter turned her gaze, took out a handkerchief and walked forward to give it to the old lady to wipe away her tears: "Today is a happy occasion for the mother and daughter to reunite, why did Mother become sad!"

  The old lady burst out laughing after hearing this, took a handkerchief and wiped the corners of her eyes: "Look at me, getting more and more incompetent with age."

  That smile is still a bit forced.

  Yu Niang's eyes sparkled: "Am I in my daughter's place? What's all the fuss about?"

  The madam nodded.

  The maids brought in water for Madame and Yuanniang to wash their faces.

  Yuanniang had her own attendants by her side, while the mistress was served by Shiyiniang holding a basin and Wuniang helping to roll up sleeves and remove bangles.

  After washing her face clean, Yuan Niang ordered the maid: "Bring out the palace powder that the Empress Dowager bestowed last time."

  The maid answered "yes" and quickly brought over a small porcelain box with a lid decorated with flowers.

  "Try it out, girl. It's from the Imperial Household Department." Yuanni smiled and said, "I've never used these things before, so I don't know if they're good or not. If you find them useful, I'll have someone send a few boxes over."

  The little maid hurriedly brought over the dressing mirror.

  The lady took a powder box with a soft yellow base and intricate sky blue patterns, elegant and understated.

  "It's indeed a masterpiece." She played with it in her hand for a while before gently twisting open the box.

  Suddenly a refreshing jasmine fragrance burst out, faintly filling the entire room, invigorating one's spirit.

  The eleventh girl's expression changed, and she couldn't help but glance at the box again.

  The powder inside is light yellow...

  She raised an eyebrow.

  Modern makeup techniques involve adding a touch of yellow powder to the skin-toned foundation and applying it to the face, making the yellow skin look brighter and cleaner... The women in Luo's family use only pure white powder, not only that, but also think that the whiter the better... This is completely two different concepts.

  Things made by oneself are indeed much better than those sold in the market!

  In her sentimental mood, Mrs. Daimaru had already applied powder to her face.

  As expected by Shiyi Niang, the light makeup made Dà Tàitai look suddenly five years younger.

  Wu Niang exclaimed in surprise on the side, with a flash of envy in her eyes. Even Xu's mother was also full of astonishment.

  The young lady smiled and instructed the maid: "You go tell Song Maibang tomorrow that the palace powder rewarded by the empress last time was good, let him send a few more boxes in."

  The maid knelt down and was about to speak when the madam waved her hand: "No need, no need. Why bother owing someone a favor for just a few boxes of palace powder."

  Yuanniang smiled and said: "Don't worry. The one in charge of the inner court now is Shun Wang, who grew up with Houye since childhood, they are very familiar."

  The old lady was still making excuses when the little maid reported: "Madam, Wen Niang has arrived!"

  Yuanni's expression was slightly stunned, and she smiled: "Her ears are quite sharp... Let her in!" Her eyebrows were calm and natural, without any sadness or anger, just like hearing a good neighbor visit.

  The old lady looked at her daughter with some confusion and said in a low voice: "It's from the Wen family of Yangzhou..."

  Yuanniang nodded and smiled: "I'll also meet them. We're all from Jiangnan. Although the Wen family made their fortune with salt, they've done quite well in the silk business these past few years. Knowing more people means having more paths to take. If there's an opportunity, have Wu Xiaquan go to Yangzhou and the Wen family will definitely treat him with courtesy on my account!"

  The Luo family's property, apart from their land holdings, was a silk shop. However, the Luo family had always been known for passing down poetry and books through generations. If it weren't for the fact that agricultural harvests relied on heaven's favor, and the profits from silk were truly enticing, they wouldn't have gone into business opening a shop either. Therefore, although the Luo family's Yuande Silk was an old brand in Jiangnan, they only did business around Hangzhou Prefecture and didn't set up branches elsewhere. Despite being managed for several generations, it was just barely scraping by, neither rich nor poor.

  Eleventh Girl heard Yuan Girl's tone and realized that she was actually asking Madame to borrow from the Wen family's power to expand her business!

  She couldn't help but feel slightly surprised.

  Madam was also shocked like the eleventh daughter: "What's this..."

  Yu Niang smiled at her mother and said, "We'll talk about this later." She turned to the maid and instructed, "Go get my agate inlaid cat's eye stone mirror for the madam." Then she explained to Eldest Madam, "Give it to her as a gift for their first meeting!"

  The eleventh daughter seems to be lost in thought.

  The lady was about to say something else when a soft voice came from outside the screen: "Sister, can you please let in my aunt?"

  For a moment, everyone's attention was focused on the screen. Then, a delicate woman like an incense burner walked in.

  She wore a plain yellow jacket, a crimson skirt with folded branches of flowers, and a white moon-colored skirt with drawn lines. Her black silk hair was combed into a low bun, with a Western pearl flower on the left side and three branches of red gold pomegranate hairpins on the right side. The earrings, made of red gold inlaid with turquoise, hung down to her cheeks, swaying gently, making her skin shine like snow, charming and captivating.

  The eleventh girl's eyes lit up.

  What a beauty!

  "Madam, I'm Wen Shi, at your service!" Wen Shi smiled before speaking, her words were smooth and pleasant. She took a few steps forward, then squatted down steadily to pay her respects to the madam with a bow.

  The lady's face had already changed to a bright smile: "Get up, get up. As a family, why be so polite!" On the other side, Mrs. Xu had handed over a red lacquer gold-inlaid box to the lady, who saw that the lacquer work was exquisite and the gold-painted flowers were elegant and dignified, not something from their own household. She knew this was the mirror watch her daughter had mentioned earlier. Although she felt uncomfortable in her heart, she still smiled and handed it over to Wen: "You take it and play with it!"

  Wen's smile was radiant as she accepted it, but her eyes had already glanced at the box before handing it over to the maid behind her. Then, smiling, she stepped forward to pay respects to Yuan Niang: "Sister, are you feeling better?"

  The girl's smile reached her eyes: "Now that you're here, it's not bad anymore!"

  "Eldest sister, this can't be let the young master hear, or else my life won't be preserved... I'll definitely be sent to Imperial Physician Wang to make a medicinal soup..."

  In Yuan Niang's arms, her younger brother suddenly said: "Auntie, you're wrong. Huang Mama is in charge of the kitchen..."

  Yu Nu laughed loudly.

  Everyone else also burst out laughing.

  Only Xiao Ge, looking around in all directions, first didn't know why everyone was laughing, later seeing that everyone was laughing, somewhat shyly hid into his mother's arms.

  Wen Yiniang stepped forward, half-kneeling in front of the bed, smiling at Jun Ge: "Good Jun Ge, if Master Hou asks, you must say that Wang Taifu doesn't manage the kitchen, it's Huang Mama who does."

  The little brother nodded at Aunt Wen and then buried his head in his mother's arms again.

  Everyone burst out laughing again.

  Or perhaps it was because she laughed too frequently, Yuanniang suddenly started coughing.

  The aunt hastily came forward to help Madame Yuan relieve her discomfort, and then accepted the tea handed over by the maid, poured a small amount into the lid of the cup to taste it, before sitting down beside the bed to assist Madame Yuan in drinking the tea.

  Her movements were extremely familiar, not a bit awkward, it was clear that she often did this kind of thing.

  Eleventh Sister's eyes flickered slightly, while Fifth Sister's face showed a look of surprise.

  After drinking the tea, Yuan Niang smoothed out her breath. Wen Niang stood in front of the bed, gazing at the two women with a concerned expression: "I suppose these two are Miss Five and Miss Eleven?"

  Yu Niang smiled and nodded.

  Wen Yiniang quickly glanced at the two of them, smiled and walked forward to pull Wu Niang's hand: "I saw my sister for the first time, I felt like I saw a fairy, but my sister always said that the younger sisters at home are really beautiful. Today, it is indeed true."

  The fifth daughter-in-law smiled and said: "Sister has always taken care of us younger sisters with a kind heart, so it's hard to avoid being partial, and Auntie is laughing at her."

  "Aiya, what a refreshing person!" Then she turned her head to look at Yuanniang, "It's just right for my temper."

  Yu Niang smiled with a "heh heh".

  The madam gave a hand signal to her maid, and the maid brought over two small chests.

  "I just found out that Mrs. Zhang brought two young ladies home to play, and they're in a hurry, so please don't mind them."

  The Fifth Daughter and the Eleventh Daughter thanked them and took it in their hands.

  When meeting people, there is a gift for the encounter, and I have sent out a small amount of money...

  The eleventh girl couldn't help but smile to herself.

  Another young maid servant reported from behind the screen: "Sister Yao Huang from the house of the elder lady has arrived."

  One after another, just like a gathering of heroes!

  The eleventh girl's eyes widened involuntarily.

  "Please come in quickly!" Yuanniang smiled and a tall and slender maid came out from behind the screen.

  She was only seventeen or eighteen years old, with a slender figure, but had a round and big face, looking like a big-headed doll, although somewhat disproportionate, yet very cute.

  Seeing the room full of people, she smiled and came forward to greet everyone, then said to the lady: "The old lady specially asked me to pass on a message. She said that knowing the aunt was coming, she should have come in person to welcome her. However, it so happens that Madame Cheng Guo Gong is here with her niece, so I can only trouble Auntie to wait for a while. Please don't mind, Auntie."

  Eleventh Sister had been carefully observing Yuan Niang and saw a fleeting glimmer of coldness in her sister's eyes.

  The lady on the other side politely said: "Madam is older than me, I should be the one to visit Madam, how can we let Madam take the trouble." She said, slightly hesitating, "I don't know how long Madame Cheng will stay? Since I've come, how can I not pay my respects to Madam..."

  Without waiting for Huang's response, Yuanni smiled and said: "Mother, the hostess is not good at abandoning guests. You are a guest. Naturally, you should follow the host's convenience, what can't be done?" As she spoke, she instructed her maid beside her: "Help me change into another dress." She actually looked like she was going to accompany her to see Madame Taifu.

  The lady hesitated for a moment.

  A daughter with such a body makes her uneasy when accompanying her; not letting her accompany her is also impolite.

  For a moment, she was at a loss as to what to do.

  "Big sister, why don't I accompany the first wife instead? Otherwise, Old Madam will be heartbroken again seeing you like this and neglecting your health."

  Yu Nu's contemplation.

  The aunt said: "I'll carry Tongge with me and accompany Madame Wang."

  "Alright!" Yuanni smiled and said, "When the time comes, let Brother Yun substitute for me to pay respects to Mother."

  "Auntie smiled and said: 'Don't worry, sister, we'll be right back.'"

  Yuanni looked at her mother with a face full of apology, but before she could speak, the old lady smiled and said: "This is a good idea. Let Xun Ge accompany me to see Madame Tai." She also said: "Don't worry, I'll be there to take care of him, he won't catch cold in the wind."

  Yu Niang looked at her mother's gaze gradually becoming serious: "Then I'll leave Jun Ge to you."

  Mrs. Dai solemnly nodded her head.

  Sorry! There are guests at home, only one update tonight. ⊙﹏⊙ sweat......