Chapter 10: Reaction (Part One)

  The next day, Eleventh Sister went a little earlier than usual to pay her respects to Madame.

  The lady of the house was combing her hair and seemed somewhat surprised that she had come.

  "...can only weave one root a day." Eleventh Girl explained somewhat embarrassedly, "Not as fast as Master Jian."

  The old lady's eyes had a hint of a smile, and she said: "Since that's the case, then from now on you don't have to come to pay your respects to me morning and night either. Just focus on embroidering that screen well, that will be your filial piety towards me."

  The eleventh girl thought for a moment and respectfully replied "yes".

  The lady knew she had an affair, rewarded her with a bowl of mutton soup, and let her go down.

  The one who saw her off was Luo Qiao.

  She took the opportunity to invite her and Lianqiao.

  Luo Qiao's eyes widened slightly as she smiled and said, "What a coincidence. Lian Qiao is ill, and Madame has only me and a few young maids to attend to her... I don't know if we'll have any free time."

  "Just gather together," said Eleventh Sister with a smile. "Sister's errand is urgent. We all live in the same courtyard, and there will be opportunities later."

  Luo Qiao also smiled: "One day when we have time, let's go and tease Miss Eleven again."

  Two people were talking, and the big madam in the house asked the little maid beside her: "Has Miss Eleven left yet?"

  The little maid went out and took a look, then came back and replied: "No, she's talking to Sister Luo Qiao right now!"

  The lady nodded and Lu Qiao lifted the curtain and walked in.

  "What did you say to Eleventh Sister?" Madam asked casually.

  Luo Qiao's heart tightened, and she smiled: "Eleventh Miss is having a wine party at home this afternoon to entertain Hu Po. She invited me and Lian Qiao to join in the fun."

  The big wife didn't ask again and changed the subject: "What did Wu Xiaquan say?"

  Luo Qiao said: "Wu Zongguan said that at this time, the imperial court will issue an edict that the emperor will send troops to the northern border again after the new year. The price of gold has fallen sharply. Your exchange amount is large, and ordinary money houses cannot afford it. Powerful money houses see you in a hurry and are waiting for you, and they will not give in on the price. Calculating this way, the difference is around 4,000 to 5,000 taels. It's really not worth it."

  "Tell him that 4,000 or 5,000 yuan is just 4,000 or 5,000 yuan. Find a way to exchange it all before mid-February next year."

  The fallen leaves rustled and went away with the sound.

  Eleventh Sister returned to the Green Mansion and had Binju give invitations to Jiaoyuan, Tenth Sister, and Eleventh Sister. Dongqing then went to Xu Mama's residence.

  Xu's mother was not around, and the little maid who served her had an attitude of perfunctoriness: "I'll let you know when mom comes back."

  Dong Qing just went through the motions and exchanged a few pleasantries with Xiao Yatou before turning around and heading to Wu Xiaquan's house.

  Wu Xiaquan's family was having breakfast when they heard that Dong Qing from the eleventh miss's room had arrived. She hastily put on her shoes and went to greet her: "What's the matter? Let Xiao Yāo say something, why did Miss Dong Qing have to come in person! Have you eaten breakfast? Come in and add some."

  Such politeness stunned Dong Qing for a moment, and it took him a while to come back to himself: "Thank you, Mom. I've already had breakfast." Then he stated his purpose.

  Wu Xiaoquan's family heard that she had something else to attend to and didn't keep her, so they readily agreed: "Tell Miss Eleven, I'll definitely go when the time comes!"

  Dong Qing went to Yao Mama's place with a puzzled expression.

  "Invite me to drink? You, Eleventh Miss, have a heart, but I don't have the leisure! The old lady just sent someone to clean up the warm pavilion in the back garden and raise the ground fire, for use during the New Year. Saying that, she waved her hand like shooing away flies, "We'll talk about it later!"

  Dong Qing had mentally prepared herself for this, knowing that she would definitely not have anything good to say about her. Since they were working in the same courtyard, it was inevitable that they would run into each other frequently. She pretended not to know of her malicious intentions and accompanied her with a smiling face: "When the time comes, I'll send little Ya Niang to invite Mother!"

  Don't hit a smiling face with an outstretched hand.

  Mrs. Yao wanted to say something but stopped herself. Then she coldly said "uh-huh", which was her way of responding.

  Someone beside him laughed and said: "From now on, you are a family, she is serving in front of the master, you should give her some face. Let's go have a drink later!"

  The wintergreen body stiffened suddenly.

  There must be something said by Yao's mother.

  She thought of the other day when Yao's mother brought eight-color gifts to the village and asked everywhere "What about Xia's family?", "Their daughter who works in the Luo government is engaged to my nephew, I'll come and visit relatives", so that when she returned, all the aunts and neighbors who came to eat her sister's wedding wine asked her "When are you getting married?"

  Thinking of this, Dong Qing got angry and had a stomachache, turned around and went to the kitchen.

  The kitchen's Cao mother saw her, with a disapproving expression: "Miss, why don't you change the menu? Ten taels of silver can buy that duck in the eight-treasures soup, but these expensive ingredients like ginseng, astragalus, angelica...". As she spoke, a hint of disdain flashed in her eyes. "Besides, you've also ordered stir-fried river fish, chicken soup with abalone, pickled silver fish, and winter bamboo shoots with jade lan slices... Miss, since you're managing the household for Eleventh Miss, you should be more frugal. If people know about it, they'll say you're being too extravagant; if they don't know, they'll say we're taking advantage of Eleventh Miss's ignorance of kitchen matters."

  His face turned bright red with anger.

  Last time, Fifth Miss treated us to a meal and only brought ten taels of silver, and even made a Buddha's delight. She was following the rules and reduced the amount, but somehow it wasn't enough when it came to her turn? In the end, it's all about the superficiality of the world, looking down on Eleventh Miss for not having as much prestige as Fifth Miss in front of Old Madam!

  "It's me who doesn't understand things, I hope mom won't take it to heart." She forced a smile and apologized to Cao's mother, "Mom, just add or subtract as you see fit!"

  Mrs. Cao nodded and turned around to instruct the kitchen maid to chop the duck, leaving her back view to Dong Qing.

  Dong Qing returned to Lv Yun Lou with one foot high and one foot low.

  It wasn't until the cold wind blew through the forest that he finally came to his senses a bit.

  Today is their treat, and there are still many things to do. How can they ignore the important things and get into a dispute with two mothers?

  It turns out that the two mothers are older than themselves, entered the mansion earlier than themselves, and have a higher status than themselves. If there is anything wrong with oneself, one should be taught by them... Thinking back to when they first entered the mansion, they didn't learn the rules well, being beaten and scolded was nothing new, and not being given food or allowed to sleep was also common. How could they have followed Miss Eleven for several years and yet can't withstand these things now?

  Although she comforted herself like this, Wintergreen still felt an indescribable pain in her heart!

  She stared blankly at the powder wall and gray tiles in the winter snow for a while, before turning around to head to today's banquet location - a warm pavilion in front of Green Rong Tower.

  Among the white snow and green trees, the red lacquer warm pavilion is like a ball of fire that warms people.

  Pushing aside the large red velvet curtain, a wave of heat rushes out to meet me.

  Binju brought autumn chrysanthemum and zhuxiang, who had just finished cleaning - the black lacquer chair was polished to a high gloss, the small stool had a silver-red tufted cushion on it, the tea table had a teacup on it, and two large square tables were arranged in the middle.

  "Dongqing sister, take a look and see if there's anything that needs to be added or subtracted?" Binju smiled as she came forward.

  Before Dong Qing could respond, Qiu Ju smiled and said, "I think we should offer a few pineapples."

  Bin Ju said, "Offering pineapple is not as good as inserting a few branches of plum blossoms."

  "The plum blossoms are about to bloom, and the boxes and vases need to be taken out. Miss Eleven has a total of three plum vases. One is an old kiln with five-color gold mud, one is a Ru kiln with sky blue glaze, and one is an official kiln with sweet white porcelain, all of which are top-notch things. Later, when there are many people and hands are busy, if one gets lost, it will be cried over in vain." Autumn Chrysanthemum argued somewhat discontentedly.

  Binju let out a sigh: "The pineapple and the bergamot are both being kept by Guan Yuzi's mother, go get them, but you'll have to ask Mother Guan for her token... it's not worth opening the box to take the plum bottle."

  For a moment, all three of them were speechless.

  Just now the faint sorrow suddenly turned into a wave, and Dong Qing couldn't help but hold 12-year-old Qiu Ju: "If one day we can do whatever we want, it would be great!"

  At noon when eating, Shíyī Niáng asked Dong Qing about the situation of treating as a guest.

  "Mrs. Xu is not at home, the maid said she would pass it on. Mrs. Wu said that when the time comes, she will definitely come..." She paused and said, "As for Mrs. Yao, I promised to send a little maid to invite her again later. The fifth young lady was writing and didn't see her, Ziwei said that we need to ask the fifth young lady first to know if she can come or not. At the tenth young lady's place, only Baizhi was seen. Baizhi also said it depends on the situation. At the twelfth young lady's place, Liu Mama came back and said that the twelfth young lady sleeps early and needs someone to serve her by her side. If she comes, Yutong and Yuhuai cannot come, if Yutong and Yuhuai come, she cannot come. After weighing the pros and cons, such a lively scene is better left for the young people. So she won't come. Let Yutong and Yuhuai bring the two little maids Baizhu and Jinxuan instead."

  Xu's mother hadn't met, Yao's mother, Jiao Yuan, Shi Niang and Twelve Niang's attitude were all the same as before. That is to say, only Wu Xiaquan's family suddenly became very enthusiastic.

  The eleventh girl nodded slightly and remained silent.

  The house fell silent.

  Amber's face behind her showed a thoughtful expression.

  In the late afternoon, Wu Xiaquan's family arrived. They also brought two jars of Jinhua wine: "...I'm a free man, Miss Eleven, see if you have any use for me."

  Just listen to this polite talk, but actually let her go and help. She put down the embroidery and got up to entertain her.

  "No, no, no." Wu Xiaquan's family waved their hands repeatedly. "You help Brother Rong tie the auspicious knot, this is a big deal. I'll be fine with Amber by my side. You attend to your own business. I'll go to Dongqing's place and pay my respects, listen to her instructions." Insisting on going to the warm pavilion.

  Eleventh also indeed worried about this unfinished business, instructing Amber to accompany Wu Xiaquan's family to the warm pavilion.

  Dong Qing went to the kitchen to hurry up with the dishes, while Bin Ju led Qiu Ju and Zhu Xiang in waiting for guests in the house.

  Wu Xiaquan's family arrived, and everyone warmly greeted her. She returned the courtesy, chatting with Binju and several others in a witty and charming manner, causing them to laugh.

  Before long, Yutong and Yucai brought Bai Zhu and Jin Zhu. Seeing Wu Xiaquan's family, they all showed a look of surprise, but Wu Xiaquan's family was calm and greeted several people.

  Yu Tong and several others were busy collecting the gifts from Wu Xiaquan's family.

  At this time, Ziwei came from Wu Niang's house.

  Wu Xiaquan's family took the initiative to greet them.

  Ziwei's face was full of shock, and it took her a while to come back to her senses and pay respects to Wu Xiaquan's family.

  "Mom is also here, I really didn't expect it..." She muttered two sentences, then suddenly realized she had misspoken, and hurriedly laughed to make amends, "I said mom was a busy person, but she arrived earlier than me."

  Wu Xiaquan's family was calm and smiling: "I'm just an idle person, unlike you all who have official business to attend to and can't leave."