They say it's best to set off for Yangzhou in the third lunar month when the fireworks are in full bloom. But Fu Zhen thought the scenery in the capital was no less charming than that in the south of the Yangtze River.
The weather was getting warmer day by day. Before she knew it, she was wearing light and thin dresses.
The garden was a riot of colors, with butterflies fluttering and perching on the flower stamens. Fu Zhen was dressed in a light pink gauze dress today. As she walked, she seemed like flowing water, ethereal and fairy - like.
She was waving a fan to catch the butterflies in the flower bushes when she looked up and saw Nanny Li standing under the corridor, smiling at her.
Fu Zhen waved her fan shyly and walked over quickly. "Nanny Li, why have you come?"
"Replying to the Second Miss, the mistress has invited you over," she said.
Fu Zhen responded with a gentle smile. "Next time for such errands, Nanny, you can just send a young maid. You're so busy. There's no need for you to come all the way here."
Nanny Li walked half a step behind her. "It's no trouble at all. It's just a short walk. While this old body can still move around, I should get some exercise."
Fu Zhen knew she was a very proper person, so she didn't say anything more.
When they entered the main courtyard, they saw Mrs. Bai sitting in the main seat, and Chen Huanyun was sitting below.
Fu Zhen's steps paused imperceptibly for a moment, then she resumed her brisk pace.
"I greet my aunt," she said as she bowed, then looked at Chen Huanyun and smiled faintly. "Sister Huanyun."
Chen Huanyun stood up and nodded. "I greet my elder sister."
Mrs. Bai wasn't too concerned about such formalities. When she saw Fu Zhen coming, she stood up and pulled her by the hand to sit beside her. "I've noticed that your complexion has improved a lot these days. It seems those tonics really do have some effect."
Fu Zhen had been eating the bird's nests and medicinal herbs sent by Mrs. Bai every day, and she had no worries. With such a luxurious life, how could her complexion not improve?
She even seemed a bit plumper than before.
"I'm really grateful for the tonics aunt sent. I think I've gained a bit of weight," Fu Zhen said coquettishly.
Mrs. Bai looked her over. "Nonsense. Your waist is as slender as a willow branch. Where have you gained weight?"
Fu Zhen laughed. "Maybe the weight has all gone to my face. Don't you believe me? Take a look."
Saying that, she leaned her face closer. Mrs. Bai laughed and pinched her cheek. "Sure enough, you're a young girl. Your skin is as tender as dough."
The two of them laughed and joked together.
Chen Huanyun watched them from the side and couldn't help but clench her handkerchief tightly.
"Aunt, I wonder why you've called us here today?" she interrupted.
Fu Zhen glanced at her, sat up straight from Mrs. Bai's embrace, and tidied her hair.
Mrs. Bai also smoothed her sleeves and regained her dignified appearance. "It's not a big deal. Mrs. Liu's birthday is coming soon. An invitation was sent this morning. I was thinking of taking you two with me then."
"I've also asked the embroiderers to make clothes for you," she said, looking at Fu Zhen with a smile. "I remember you like light - colored clothes, so I asked them to make you a light cyan dress. There are a few silver - embroidered lotus flowers on the cuffs and collar. It's fresh and not too eye - catching. It suits you perfectly."
Then she looked at Chen Huanyun. The smile on her face remained, but there was less warmth. "The same goes for Huanyun. The day you came to the marquis's mansion, you were wearing a rose - red dress. So I asked the embroiderers to use light - red fabric. This way, you won't outshine the host."
Chen Huanyun quickly stood up and bowed, pretending to be surprised. "Thank you, aunt. I like this color very much."
Mrs. Bai nodded. "That's all for now. You can go back. Zhenzhen, don't leave yet. Stay and help aunt check the accounts. I'm old and always make mistakes. Please help me check them carefully."
Fu Zhen naturally agreed.
Seeing the affectionate way they were getting along, Chen Huanyun's eyes turned cold after she turned around. She caught a glimpse of the smile on Fu Zhen's face from the corner of her eye, and a flash of jealousy and hatred crossed her eyes.
Mrs. Bai didn't hide her closeness to Fu Zhen at all. One was the girl she had actively brought back to make up for the past, and the other was the girl who had come on her own with an agenda. It was obvious who was more important and who was closer.
After Chen Huanyun walked out of the main courtyard, she took a few steps and suddenly stopped. She grabbed the well - blooming rose at the corner of the wall tightly.
The juice stained her hands, and it slowly dripped down along her finger joints.
After a long time, she turned her head and whispered a few words to the maid beside her.
The maid looked up at her, and her eyes flashed.
Since Chen Tingfeng didn't like to wear clothes bought from outside since childhood, there were several embroiderers living in the servants' courtyard of the marquis's mansion all year round.
If these embroiderers were too old to work or didn't want to do the job anymore, they could report to Mrs. Bai, settle their wages, and go home. Usually, when an embroiderer was old and couldn't handle the work, she would recommend her daughter or daughter - in - law to take over. As long as their embroidery skills were qualified, Mrs. Bai would agree.
After all, the masters of the marquis's mansion were kind - hearted, they didn't beat or scold the servants casually, and they paid generously. Naturally, these embroiderers were reluctant to give up this job.
It was sunny and the light was good today. The embroiderers were in the room, busy making clothes.
A maid walked in with a food box, smiling. "It's so hot today. Our young miss made some plum juice especially for you all to quench your thirst."
The embroiderers stopped their work and looked at each other. A bold one asked, "May I ask which young miss it is?"
There were two new young misses in the marquis's mansion all of a sudden, so they were confused.
"It's the newly - come Miss Huanyun. Our miss is so kind - hearted. She said the embroiderers are working so hard, so she made this plum juice herself and gave you all a break," the maid said with a smile.
These embroiderers didn't move around much in the mansion, so they had never met Chen Huanyun and didn't know what kind of person she was.
They only got the impression from the maid's words that this newly - come Miss Huanyun seemed to be a very kind person, and she even thought of them, these unremarkable servants.
The bold embroiderer quickly stood up and said obsequiously, "Thank you, miss. Thank you, miss."
Then, she took the food box from the maid very tactfully. "This is heavy. You've been carrying it for so long. It must be tiring. Let me take it."
The maid let go of the food box with a beaming smile. "You're so smart. Well, here you are. You can distribute it among yourselves. After you're done, just wash it and put it aside. I'll come and get it another day."
"Oh," the embroiderer quickly said, "There's no way we'd let you come and get it after we've eaten. Don't worry, miss. I'll send it back to you after we're done."
The maid looked her over and said with a satisfied smile, "Then I'll trouble you."
After saying that, she turned around and left.
The remaining embroiderers looked at each other and then all looked at the bold one. One of them hesitated and said, "Jinlan, this... There's never been such a precedent. Can we drink this soup?"
Mrs. Bai disdained to use such small favors. She only rewarded those who did good work and were hard - working with some money.
A young and smart embroiderer looked at the plum juice in the bowl that was glistening with moisture. She rolled her eyes and whispered to her close friend, "This Miss Huanyun is smart. We stupid ones shouldn't get too close. Just drink this plum juice today and that's it."
The person beside her was gentle and honest. Hearing this, she nodded. "You're always so smart. I'll listen to you."
The two of them looked at the somewhat proud Jinlan and closed their mouths at the same time.