Chapter 010: You have embraced the wrong one again

As she still needed to visit her third uncle Fang Yao and third aunt Tang Meiniang, the esteemed lady did not dare to stay too long. After conversing for a while, she prepared to take her leave and said to Fang Xiao and Li Minhua: "If my second uncle and second aunt have time in the future, please feel free to come to the He family to chat with me. If I have time, I will also come by to visit."

"I haven't washed my face yet!" Little Olive said beside me in a rather pretentious manner, "I'm a bit taller than the little sister, how could Mama Li not recognize me?"

Fang Wenfeng waved her hand and said: "Don't mention the word 'curvaceous.' As soon as I hear those two words, I get anxious. Ever since I had three children, my figure has been ruined, and I've lost my waist."

As everyone conversed, they entered the hall, where a maid had already brought tea and also served sugar for Xiao Ganlan and He Yuan to enjoy

After the dragon and phoenix twins woke up, they had a light meal at the Tang residence. The noble lady did not dare to delay any longer and took the dragon and phoenix twins back to the He residence.

A few cousins and their spouses came up to meet, and several nephews and nieces also came out to play with Little Olive and He Yuan

"Aren't you looking rosy?" The noble lady brushed aside Fang Wenfeng's hand, regaining the liveliness of her youth, and covered her mouth with a smile, saying: "You still look quite plump!"

Your elder sister is tidying up things ahead. Upon seeing the wet nurse bringing the twins, she smiled and said: "Today, I will take you to meet your two uncles. When you see your uncles, you must address them properly. Do you remember that?"

Upon returning to the residence, Old Lady He sent the maid Qiushui to convey that there were guests arriving. Having heard that the twins were adorable, she insisted on meeting them and instructed the young lady to take the twins out to greet the guests

"Sister..." Mama Li was deeply moved when He Yuan's warm little hand touched her, and she embraced He Yuan, saying: "Such a precious little one, who knows how to care for others, how can one not love her?"

"It would be one thing if it were another household, but the thought of going to the He residence makes me somewhat apprehensive." Fang Wenfeng, upon mentioning her partnership with Guijie and Sun Xiaosi in the rouge shop, laughed and said, "Currently, the shop is quite profitable. Those familiar noblewomen are eager to come to our shop to buy things, and they keep asking if we have any whitening creams! Last time, a plump lady came in, saw Xiaosi there, recognized her father as a pharmacist, and even asked for a consultation. She jokingly said that if we could help her lose some weight, she would be willing to pay a lot of money, treating Xiaosi as if she were all-powerful."

When Sister Gui married into the He family, it was only natural for Fang Xiao and Fang Yao to think that she had climbed the social ladder. If Sister Gui does not take the initiative to pay them a visit, they will inevitably believe that she has elevated herself above them, showing even a lack of respect for her uncle.

"It's nothing, it's nothing, with these two little bundles of joy, I won't be worn out!" Li Minhua replied breathlessly, having already brought the twins inside in one go.

As soon as they entered the door, Fang Wengfeng, Fang Xiao's daughter, came out to greet them. She took the little olive and, while pulling Guijie to take a closer look, nodded and said: "No wonder she married into a prominent family and became a young mistress; just look at her complexion, it is even more radiant than when she was a young girl!"

The carriage slowly arrived at Fang Xiao's place, and a young maid had already gotten off to announce their arrival. In the following carriage were the wet nurse and two maids, Qiu Tang and Chun Ying, who were now busy getting off the carriage, waiting in front of the noble lady's carriage, helping to carry down the dragon and phoenix twins. Before long, Fang Xiao and Li Minhua came out to greet them. Upon seeing the twins, Fang Xiao remained composed, but Li Minhua was so overjoyed that she didn't know what to do. She exerted herself to hold both of them in her arms and hurriedly ran inside, exclaiming, "I have long heard that the noble lady gave birth to dragon and phoenix twins, and everyone says they are delightful. Now that I see them today, they truly are children born from a snowdrift. Oh, my precious babies!"

When your sister brought the twins into the hall, they heard a burst of hearty laughter from inside. One voice said: "He Nian was quite remarkable as a child. Now, instead of marrying one of the many beauties in the capital, he has gone to the countryside to marry someone. This young lady must be extraordinary to have caught He Nian's eye. I must see her today before I leave!"

Mom Zhang saw that Mom Li had mistaken the dragon and phoenix twins, and couldn't help but clap her hands in delight, saying, "Haha, your daughter's eyebrows are a bit lighter and more delicate, she should be easy to recognize, how do you keep getting it wrong?"

Upon boarding the carriage, Fang Wenfeng saw that only the noble lady and the dragon and phoenix twins were inside. He then smiled and said, "As soon as I received your letter stating that you would be coming to see your parents, I came here early to wait for you. Now, I wish to see you, but it is not easy indeed"

There is nothing difficult; if you wish to see me, just go to the He residence. The young lady smiled and said, "It is just that it is not very easy for me to come out!"

Earlier, Little Olive was shouting that she needed to urinate. When Mama Li turned around, she also picked up He Yuan and lifted her little dress to help her, but it was only when Little Olive shouted that she had picked up the wrong child that Mama Li realized her mistake. Although Mama Li had made a blunder, her temperament was extremely gentle. After half a month of interaction, He Yuan had developed a strong fondness for her. Seeing her eyes, which were swollen from crying during the postpartum period, He Yuan couldn't help but reach out her little hand to touch Mama Li's eyes and said, "Mama Li, please don't cry anymore!"

Due to waking up early today, the twins are now feeling drowsy and have fallen asleep as soon as they entered the Tang residence. Tang Mei Niang hurriedly carried them into her own room to sleep, instructing the maid to watch over them carefully before she stepped out to speak with the noble lady.

The old lady specifically had someone make identical robes for them to wear. When they gathered to talk, I truly couldn't tell them apart at first glance. "Mama Li squatted in front of He Yuan, feeling somewhat awkward, and wiped her eyes with her left hand, saying: 'When I was in confinement, I cried several times out of anger from my mother-in-law, and I ended up injuring my eyes from all the crying. Early this morning, I encountered a cold wind, and my eyes have been uncooperative, which is why I can't see clearly.'

Li Minhua quietly said: "The wives of the He family are quite prominent figures in the capital. Your father is currently only a seventh-rank official, and you do not have much money at hand, so they may not regard you highly. However, since you are new here, they will not make things difficult for you at first to show their virtue. But after some time, it is hard to say; you must be cautious."

He Yuan felt a surge of alarm; it seemed that his mother still faced many difficulties ahead! No, in the future, whenever his mother attended a banquet, he must insist on accompanying her. Others would not dare to hinder her because of just one child. He could, however, assist his mother in thwarting others and creating obstacles.

Oh, the siblings are wearing the same robe, and for a moment, it's hard to tell them apart! Early in the morning, Nurse Li held He Yuan to wash her face and rinse her mouth. After putting He Yuan down, she went to wring out a warm towel to wash Xiao Ganlan's face. When she turned around, she saw the twins whispering together, so she picked up He Yuan again, thinking she was Xiao Ganlan, and intended to wash her face once more.

I know this. "Thank you, aunt, for your guidance," Guijie said, gently patting Li Minhua's hand.

"Hush, keep your voice down!" another girl said, "She is fortunate; others cannot envy her. Just think about how many young ladies in the capital vowed to marry into the He family, even offering money to do so, yet none succeeded. Instead, it is this one, with little dowry and no notable family background, who has married in. If she stays quietly in the residence, that would be fine, but if she attends a banquet, I fear those who harbor resentment will try to trip her up! A desirable husband is not so easy to marry." If she stays quietly in the residence, that would be fine, but if she attends a banquet, I fear those who harbor resentment will try to trip her up! A desirable husband is not so easy to marry.

Li Minhua said a few words and quietly pulled Guijie into the room, saying: "The children are over three years old now, why haven't you conceived yet? In this grand residence, if you don't conceive soon, I'm afraid they will take a concubine, so you should be careful. Also, today I saw you with those two maidservants; Chunying came with you from the countryside, but the other maidservant looks silent and is not simple, so you need to be cautious."

He Yuan found it difficult to sleep in an unfamiliar bed. Although he felt drowsy, he could not fall into a deep slumber and overheard two maids who were watching over them conversing. One of them whispered, "Madam's niece has been to our residence before; she was only about thirteen or fourteen years old at that time. Though she was charming, she still had a rustic air about her. Who would have thought that she has now become the young mistress of the He family? It is truly unexpected. And look at this grand occasion; she actually has two carriages when she goes out, with a retinue following her. Who would have imagined that she was once just a country girl!"

Your elder sister's second uncle, Fang Xiaoyuan, is the manager of a fur shop owned by the wealthy merchant Jiang Teng in the capital. Later, he found some opportunities for himself and, with the support of his former employer, opened his own fur shop, which is currently thriving in the capital. The third uncle, Fang Yao, is the son-in-law of the Tang family, a tea merchant in the capital, and is currently assisting his father-in-law in managing the tea shop, where he holds considerable influence.

Your sister mentioned that Qiutang was given by Old Lady He, and today she is going out. It would not be appropriate to only bring her own maid, so she has to take Qiutang along. With her presence, it is naturally inconvenient to speak.

"Second Aunt, please walk a bit slower!" Guijie saw Second Aunt Li Minhua holding a small olive in her left arm and He Yuan in her right, and was quite frightened. Not wanting to express her fear of dropping the twins, she could only smile and follow behind, saying: "Since coming to Beijing, they have grown quite a bit and are getting heavier. If you are tired, Second Aunt, it would be better to put them down and let them walk by themselves!"

Fang Wenfeng smiled and said: "Since we still need to go to Uncle San's place, I haven't seen them for a long time either, let's go together!"

The esteemed elder sister agreed and smiled, saying: "Madam, rest assured, I know how to handle this. Since I arrived in the capital, I have also sent them a letter, saying that when I have the time, I will bring the young masters and young ladies over to show them. Having delayed for a few days, seeing that today the sun is shining brightly and the weather is warm, it cannot be postponed any longer; if we do not go soon, I fear we will be blamed."

Madam Li is only twenty-three years old. After giving birth to three daughters, she was despised by her mother-in-law and cast out. In desperation, she sold herself to the He family. Now, seeing He Yuan's cleverness, she is reminded of her own daughters and is overwhelmed with emotion.

After breakfast, the esteemed lady instructed someone to harness the horse-drawn carriage. Soon, Mrs. He arrived and advised, "There are many people and chaos outside. Since you need to take the young master and young lady to visit your two uncles, you must be very careful. The weather is getting colder, so do not dawdle. Return after lunch. You are currently in the capital, and there is plenty of time to meet. Otherwise, you can invite them to our residence for a conversation."

As the two individuals conversed, they arrived at the Tang residence, but Fang Yao was not present. Tang Meiniang, along with her daughter-in-law Lin Wanru and others including Qing's granddaughter Sun Xiaosi, came out to greet them. Upon seeing the dragon and phoenix twins, Lin Wanru and Sun Xiaosi were equally enamored, each taking one in their arms and walking away. Lin Wanru even sighed, "How much fortune must one accumulate to give birth to such a pair of exquisite children?"

That head Zhang's mother had wrung out a towel to wash Little Olive's face, and she carried him over, saying: "Alright, let's quickly go ahead to have some porridge. I heard that the young lady is taking the children out today!"

Fang Xiao and Li Minhua were extremely reluctant to part with the twins. The children from the Fang family also held hands and said, "Little brother and little sister, remember to come and play next time!"

The esteemed lady hurriedly changed her attire and also helped the twins change theirs. At that moment, a maid who came to deliver a message asked, "Do you know who the distinguished guest is that has arrived?"

Madam Fang, Madam Fang, please be careful! The two wet nurses and the two maids behind were also startled and panicked. If the young master or young lady were to fall, wouldn't they be skinned alive by the old lady and madam when they returned to the residence? In a moment, they hurriedly followed closely behind and urged, "Let us carry them inside!"

The young lady, it was the Madam of the Minister who brought her son over. Originally, it was intended for the young master to read the fortune of her son, but since the young master went out with the master, the Madam of the Minister inquired about you and the children, and thus expressed a desire to meet them. Qiu Shui, seeing Gui Jie and the brightly dressed dragon and phoenix twins, smiled and said: "If the Madam of the Minister sees the children like this, she will surely love them."

"Mom Li, I have washed my face!" He Yuan struggled a bit in the arms of the wet nurse and said in a childish voice, "It is the older brother who hasn't washed, you have抱错了!"