Chapter 10: Gift Giving

Zhao Yuechan extended two fingers: "Just two matters. First, I want her brother to take on the purchasing tasks for our household. This is a lucrative opportunity, and she has hinted at it several times already."

Cao Lihuan was quite pleased with herself, sipping tea as she said, "Indeed, that dead girl Dong Ling's face turned green, but it relieved a grudge I had in my heart." Lin Dongling was the legitimate daughter of the second branch and had always looked down on Cao Lihuan, suppressing her at every turn, which made Cao Lihuan grit her teeth whenever she mentioned her

Zhao Yuechan waved her hand, signaling Ying Shuang to take the person away. Today's events were orchestrated by her, intending for Zhi Cao to push Chun Yan into Pei Ge, causing her to lose the child she was carrying. Then, she would personally testify that it was Chun Yan who pushed Pei Ge, thus killing two birds with one stone and resolving her two major concerns. Unexpectedly, Pei Ge's maid, Lei Er, pulled Pei Ge back, and the plan failed, instead drawing a warning from Lin Jinlou. She slumped in her chair, not wanting to move at all. Unexpectedly, Pei Ge's maid, Lei Er, pulled Pei Ge back, and the plan failed, instead drawing a warning from Lin Jinlou. She slumped in her chair, not wanting to move at all

Zhao Yuechan took out two hairpins and examined them under the sun, sneering, "Such a set of hairpins must have cost Cao Lihuan a pretty penny; it truly is remarkable for such a stingy person."

Xiao Juan stuck out her tongue and said, "That grim reaper is looking for me again. I must go now, Sister Xianglan. You should come to see me often. When I have some free time, I will go to Luoxuewu to find you." After saying this, she dashed away.

Xianglan left two pieces of pastries for Xiaojun, placing them beside her pillow at the head of the bed. Then she pushed the door open and walked out. As she passed by a room on the west side, she faintly heard the sound of crying, seemingly from Chunyan, who was both crying and scolding: "Parrot, don't get too pleased with yourself! You set a trap to humiliate me, and I will make sure you have a day to cry!"

Zhao Yuechan said: "Even if it's just a small purchase, the profits from https://m.hetushucom.com would be enough for them to live on for a year. But as for the little offerings from Cao Lihuan, they feel like cutting into my heart and flesh; I truly look down on that, so I simply pretended to be foolish. As for the second matter..." Zhao Yuechan's lips slowly curled into a smile, "She sent this hairpin to me because she wants me to help her find a few high-status marriages."

Cao Lihuan glanced over and saw Xianglan standing nearby, her delicate oval face showing signs of fatigue and weariness. Knowing that she had been working hard and selflessly these past few days, Cao Lihuan praised her, saying, "I know you are a reliable child." She then turned to Huairui, adding, "You too, my dear, have been diligent and selfless in your work."

Xianglan nodded: "No wonder there isn't a single maid in the front courtyard. What work are you doing at Zhichun Pavilion?"

Ying Shuang opened the wooden box and took out a brand new dark green embroidered round-collared vest adorned with peach blossom patterns, exclaiming, "What a bright and beautiful garment." Upon taking it out, she noticed a small box hidden beneath the clothing. Opening it revealed a set of eight hairpins made of red gold inlaid with rubies. The hairpins came in various designs: some resembling precious vases, some in the shape of auspicious knots, and others shaped like double fish, all representing the Eight Auspicious Treasures. Each hairpin was adorned with rubies the size of rice grains, exquisite and precious. Even though Ying Shuang was accustomed to fine things, she couldn't help but praise, "This set is truly remarkable." Saying this, she presented it to Zhao Yuechan.

Zhao Yuechan propped herself up and said: "Let her in"

At present, a few coins were given to Xianglan, yet a small silver hairpin was bestowed upon both Huier and Huairui. Then, Xianglan was sent away to do some needlework. He beckoned to Huier and Huairui, saying, "You two, follow me." He then entered the bedroom

At this moment, Zhao Yuechan was also standing by the window, gazing in the direction of the main door, her nails digging deeply into the window frame. Behind her, Ying Shuang said, "Eldest Madam, I have brought the herbal grass."

Ying Shuang neatly folded the clothes: "What does she want to ask her grandmother?"

Zhao Yuechan instructed Ying Shuang to bring over the box and said, "Ying Shuang, have someone fetch some pastries and fruits for her." She then sent Xianglan away.

Zhao Yuechan gazed out of the window for a long while and then said, "Why does he hate me so much? If he were to change his mind, I would willingly sacrifice ten years of my life."

Not daring to speak up in the face of the frost, after a while, she whispered: "Grandmother, Miss Huan sent someone to deliver something, should we see them or not?"

Ying Shuang entered quietly and presented a bowl of hot soup, softly saying: "Grandma, you have been tired all morning; have some soup to replenish your energy."

She despises her husband's low social status and their meager means. Now that she has lived in our home for a while and broadened her horizons, how could she possibly return to suffering? Is it just based on her appearance and background? Hmph

Cao Lihuan said with a smile: "It is not me; the patterns on these shoes were all embroidered by Huier. The color matching was done by you, and Xianglan also contributed a lot, which is how the shoes were made."

Ah? Isn't the young lady supposed to get married once the mourning period is over? Why is it still...

In the morning, upon returning, Cao Lihuan wore a joyful expression, and Hui'er shouted even louder: "Today, in front of the old lady, the young lady truly made a grand appearance. The young lady presented a pair of shoes, saying, 'A few days ago, the old lady mentioned that her feet were a bit swollen, so I hurriedly made a pair of shoes these past few days. Old lady, please try them on and see if they fit.' Can you guess what happened? The old lady tried them on right there, and they actually fit perfectly. She was so delighted, it was as if she was over the moon, and immediately rewarded the young lady with a pair of golden lilacs." Hui'er shouted even louder: "Today, in front of the old lady, the young lady truly made a grand appearance. The young lady presented a pair of shoes, saying, 'A few days ago, the old lady mentioned that her feet were a bit swollen, so I hurriedly made a pair of shoes these past few days. Old lady, please try them on and see if they fit.' Can you guess what happened? The old lady tried them on right there, and they actually fit perfectly. She was so delighted, it was as if she was over the moon, and immediately rewarded the young lady with a pair of golden lilacs."

The grass has already been pressed against the mouth, the cheeks are swollen high, having received the silver, she quietly said: "Yes, even if I were to be beaten to death, I would not dare to speak."

For the time being, all is peaceful.

Xiao Juan's face immediately showed a look of sympathy: "So you went there... Sigh, it's no wonder, you are so beautiful, how could the old lady allow you to linger near the master"

Xianglan felt a chill behind her and hurriedly turned back. Upon returning, she reported to Cao Lihuan, who inquired in detail. When asked, Xianglan shook her head in confusion, only saying that Zhao Yuechan had taken the items and given her a few pieces of pastry. Cao Lihuan's expression darkened slightly; she sent Xianglan to deliver something, as she valued Xianglan's honesty, believing she would not open the box to steal anything. Huier sometimes had unclean hands, and Huairui was quite shrewd internally, neither of whom she trusted much. However, Xianglan was also excessively "honest," lacking the necessary discernment. Cao Lihuan's face remained somber as she sent Xianglan away.

Xiao Juan took a piece of pine nut cake, eating it while leading Xiang Lan to her room. The room was empty, and Xiao Juan closed the door, smiling as she said: "Where did you disappear to? Among the few girls who came with us, only we don't know where you went."

Huirui cleverly remarked: "It is still the young lady who can win the old lady's favor. The shoe design took two days to draw, carefully considered and deliberated, expending a great deal of effort. No wonder it received praise."

Xianglan entered with her head lowered, presenting the wooden box with both hands: "Grandma, this is what our girl asked me to bring."

Little Juan held the cake and smiled, saying: "You are more beautiful than the three girls in the old master's house. I believe it won't be long before you grow up and will definitely be more beautiful than the eldest lady. The eldest lady is the most beautiful woman in Jinling, and I fear she may have to step aside in the future."

Xianglan Road: "I am currently at Luoxuewu, at Miss Huan's place"

Xianglan covered Xiaojun's mouth with her hand: "My little ancestor, what nonsense are you talking about? Are you trying to make me unable to live?"

Ying Shuang snorted and said: "She must have had wind blown into her head; everyone in the residence is watching this matter closely, how could it possibly be given to her brother"

Zhao Yuechan turned around, walked to the side of the chair, sat down, took out a piece of silver from her sleeve, and handed it to Zhicao, saying: "Even though you did not perform well today, I will still reward you with two taels of silver. Remember to keep your mouth shut."

As Xianglan came out of Zhao Yuechan's room, a large maid named Bailu led her to the nearby pavilion, where she handed her a generous amount of pastries and snacks. Xianglan wrapped them in a cloth, expressing her gratitude repeatedly. Upon exiting, she saw Xiaojun standing in the corridor waiting for her. Xianglan hurried over, presented the cloth, and smiled as she said, "Here, please have some snacks."

Xianglan still wore a smile on her face, but in her heart, she coldly thought: "Alright, very good. After three days of exhausting work that left my eyes bloodshot, in the end, it all boils down to a single phrase: 'I have been of considerable help.'"

What are you going back for? This set of red gold inlaid with ruby hairpins costs nearly one hundred taels of silver. You should keep it well; I have a plan in mind regarding this matter

On this day, Cao Lihuan specifically designed a shoe style to have a pair made, selecting the color scheme together with Huairui. She also asked Huier to sketch the patterns on the shoes, setting a deadline for Xianglan to rush the production of a pair. Xianglan immersed herself in making the shoes and the illustrations, hastily eating just a few bites for both lunch and dinner, and at night, she stayed up late by the lamp to embroider the patterns. Within three days, she completed the shoes. When Huier saw them, she first remarked that the embroidery was not attractive, then said that the shoe upper was not stretched evenly, and finally embroidered a circle of small flowers around the shoe opening. Xianglan immersed herself in making the shoes and the illustrations, hastily eating just a few bites for both lunch and dinner, and at night, she stayed up late by the lamp to embroider the patterns. Within three days, she completed the shoes. When Huier saw them, she first remarked that the embroidery was not attractive, then said that the shoe upper was not stretched evenly, and finally embroidered a circle of small flowers around the shoe opening.

Xianglan pushed Xiaojun lightly and scolded with a smile, "What are you talking about!"

Ying Shuang nodded, took the key, and locked the box of hairpins into Zhao Yuechan's jewelry box

Xiao Juan let out two soft cries, then pried open Xiang Lan's hand and said: "Don't worry, I have it under control. It's just the two of us here, isn't it? Today, the parrot was hit, and those maids have all hidden in the back courtyard, afraid that the masters will see them and vent their anger."

Hui'er obediently said: "It is still the young lady who teaches well"

Little Juan, still young, saw Xianglan as if she were a family member, and she chattered on about her grievances. Xianglan patted her head and said, "I feel the same way. I have done a lot of work, yet I still do not earn the master's favor. This is just how it is. New maids endure this; after a couple of years, when we become the old hands, no one will dare to bully us." At that moment, they heard someone outside calling loudly, "Little Juan! Where is Little Juan? Why are you running off instead of watching the stove?"

Xiao Juan sighed and said, "I do the cleaning work, watch the stove, water the flowers, and clean the yard. The corridor floor has to be washed three times a day, and I am exhausted every day, yet those few sisters are still not satisfied. They scold me every time and push the tasks that others do not want to do onto me"

Little Juan was straightforward and lively, and she was also quite adorable. Upon seeing the pastries, her eyes widened even more. Xianglan felt that she resembled a mewing kitten, which made her smile and she couldn't help but push the cloth forward again.

This matter is indeed difficult to handle ... ... How about returning the hairpin?