Before the arrival of Su Yuanyuan and the others, Su Huaisheng had tidied up the carving room in advance. When Zhang Yingxue and the others stepped in, they saw only strange and ugly stones filling the walls and shelves, as well as some finished carvings.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that this carving room was a treasure trove, which drew exclamations from the young girls.
"I didn't expect Young Master Su the Third to have such skills. He can turn ordinary stones into such eye - catching objects," Zhang Yingxue's eyes sparkled with a light that she had never shown before.
Su Huaisheng then stepped forward to introduce his collection to them.
He talked in great detail about where each stone came from and what the carved object symbolized, leaving the girls dumbfounded. Qin Wanrong and Zhuo Shu were relatively calm. Although they were surprised, they were not really interested.
However, Zhang Yingxue kept asking new questions. Before long, she and Su Huaisheng were chatting so animatedly that no one else could get a word in.
Seeing how well they got along, Su Yuanyuan's suspicion was confirmed.
"Where is the hairpin that Young Master Su the Third carved these days? Can you show it to us?" Zhang Yingxue asked.
Su Huaisheng replied, "You've come just in time. This hairpin was just finished. It's still brand - new."
He took a brocade box from the cabinet and opened it in front of the girls. Inside the vermilion brocade, there lay a lifelike lotus leaf. There were even a few water droplets rolling on its outstretched leaves. Just one look and a gentle summer breeze seemed to blow in their faces. They could almost smell the faint fragrance of lotus flowers.
Zhang Yingxue was immediately attracted to the hairpin and could hardly take her eyes off it.
She asked eagerly, "When will this hairpin be sent to Tianbaozhai?"
Su Huaisheng's heart skipped a beat. "This hairpin will not be sold."
Disappointment was clearly visible on Zhang Yingxue's face. "I was thinking I could buy it at Tianbaozhai."
After building up the suspense, Su Huaisheng grinned. "This hairpin is indeed not for sale, but for giving. Since Miss Zhang likes it, it's yours."
When carving this hairpin, Su Huaisheng had Zhang Yingxue in mind, the one who wore the "heavy snow" accessory. This hairpin was originally made for her.
Zhang Yingxue widened her eyes slightly. "Really? For me?"
But the next moment, she waved her hands hurriedly. "No, no, no. This gift is too precious. I can't accept it."
Su Yuanyuan popped her head out from behind. "Third Brother, did you only prepare a gift for Sister Yingxue? The three sisters are Yuanbao's friends. They helped us at the music appreciation banquet, and this is their first visit. Third Brother, surely you didn't only prepare one gift?"
At this moment, the siblings seemed to be on the same wavelength. Su Huaisheng said seriously, "Of course, I have gifts for Miss Qin and Miss Zhuo too."
Then Su Huaisheng fetched two more items and gave them to Zhuo Shu and Qin Wanrong respectively.
Zhuo Shu received a jade finch carved from white jade. The feathers on the finch were so lifelike and exquisitely carved. Qin Wanrong got a fragrant sandalwood bracelet. The fragrance could calm the mind, which was just right for her.
Seeing that everyone had a gift, Zhang Yingxue felt it was less awkward to accept the hairpin.
She took the lotus - leaf jade hairpin gracefully and said with a smile, "Thank you, Young Master Su the Third."
After staying in Su Huaisheng's courtyard for a while, they left. When they walked out of Su Huaisheng's courtyard, Su Yuanyuan saw another courtyard not far away. Her eyes lit up and she said,
"Since we've met my third brother, how about going to say hello to my second brother?"
Hearing this, Qin Wanrong quietly raised her eyes and looked in the direction Su Yuanyuan pointed at, secretly clenching the corner of her sleeve.
However, when Su Yuanyuan and the others arrived at the courtyard gate, they learned that Su Huayuan was not there.
Su Yuanyuan asked the servant in surprise, "Where has Second Brother gone? Did he say when he would be back?"
The servant replied, "My lady, the second young master had a big knife made a few days ago. He went to pick it up today."
Humph, this second brother. He refused to accompany her to the opening of Tianbaozhai but had the energy to pick up his knife.
Su Yuanyuan rolled her eyes. "Don't tell Second Brother that we've been here. I don't want him to overthink."
The servant quickly replied, "Yes."
Su Yuanyuan led the girls back to Mingzhu Garden. But when they were leaving, Qin Wanrong looked back at Su Huayuan's courtyard. There was a trace of loneliness in her eyes.
Back in Mingzhu Garden, it was still early. To kill time, Su Yuanyuan asked someone to bring out a chessboard and her Wangchuan Qin.
When the maid brought the "Wangchuan" Qin, the three of them were amazed. Zhang Yingxue, with her sharp eyes, recognized the Qin. Su Yuanyuan took the opportunity to say that it was a gift from Mr. Shanyin. As expected, no one suspected anything.
So, Zhang Yingxue and Zhuo Shu played chess, while Su Yuanyuan sat on the side playing the Qin. Qin Wanrong was in poor health, so she just watched from the side. Even so, she found it very novel and interesting.
As time passed, it was soon noon. Sure enough, Qin Wanrong's maid, Yuzhu, came looking for her.
"Miss, it's noon. It's time for you to take your medicine. Let's go back home."
Qin Wanrong looked up at the maid. Usually, she was very obedient, but this time, her eyes were so sharp that the maid felt a strange sense of timidity.
Su Yuanyuan got up from behind the Qin table and walked to Qin Wanrong's side. She affectionately took Qin Wanrong's hand and said with a smile, "I hit it off with Sister Wanrong immediately. I'd like to invite her to stay in the mansion for a few days. Please go back and tell Lady Qin that Sister Wanrong won't be going back to the Qin Mansion for the next few days. She can take her medicine here in our mansion."
What? Not going back home? That's out of the question!
The maid was in a hurry. "This won't do! Our miss is in poor health. How can she stay outside? What if something happens..."
Su Yuanyuan showed two dimples as she smiled. "Are you saying that our Prince Qing's Mansion can't take good care of your miss?"
Although she was smiling, her words scared the maid to her knees. The maid trembled, "M - My lady, I didn't mean that."
With Su Yuanyuan, the blessed princess, backing her up, Qin Wanrong gained some confidence. She said, "Yuzhu, go back and tell mother that I'll stay in Prince Qing's Mansion for a few days and won't be going back for the time being."
The maid was on the verge of crying. "Miss, please go back with me."
Qin Wanrong covered her lips and coughed a few times. Her voice became a bit hoarse, but her attitude was very firm. "Go."
Under the gazes of Su Yuanyuan and Zhang Yingxue, the maid had no choice but to get up and leave, going back to the Qin Mansion to convey the message.
Since they were going to let Qin Wanrong stay for a few days, they couldn't keep it from Mrs. Mo.
After sending the maid away, Su Yuanyuan asked Xialu to inform Mrs. Mo in Moyi Pavilion. After Mrs. Mo heard the news, she didn't say anything. She just asked the maid to tidy up Mingzhu Garden so that Qin Wanrong could stay comfortably for the next few days.