Chapter 004: Seductive Small Chest Armor

The spring oriole was already busy lifting the curtain to let Mrs. He in. The young lady, hearing the sound, hurriedly stepped forward. Once Mrs. He was seated, she had someone bring tea.

After sending Granny Zheng back to her home, He Jia, fearing that Guijie might be worried, hurried back to her room to report that Granny Zheng had been safely returned. Upon reaching the door, she found that all the maids were absent, but she could hear laughter coming from inside the room. "Miss, the few peculiar undergarments you made earlier look like the breastplates worn by soldiers in battle, only these are thinner and more transparent, made of fabric, which makes them quite strange. However, since you made them yourself and have never worn them, now that no one is around, would you like to try them on?" The laughter continued in the room.

During the New Year celebrations, Gejie hurriedly went up to support and said: "Grandma, you can just ask anyone to bring it over, why do you have to come yourself?"

I am just afraid that someone will disturb us tomorrow night and the night after!" He Nian looked around and saw no one, then pulled Guijie into an embrace and kissed her, murmuring: "With so many maids and servants to take care of, how can you still be this busy? I really don't understand what the purpose of keeping them is for.

Aunt Zheng was playfully entertaining the twins, while Mrs. He, upon hearing her arrival, hurried over to invite her for a meal and also offered tea in a small side hall. She laughed and said, "Usually, I cannot persuade my esteemed mother-in-law to come over for a meal, but now that she is here, she must stay for dinner before leaving. Last time, I made some pastries filled with date paste and sent them over for the children to eat, and I heard that my esteemed mother-in-law also enjoys these pastries. It just so happens that I made some today as well, so I should take some over for her to try later."

Little Olive and Little Round Ball are still awake! Sister Gui turned her head and saw Little Olive and Little Round Ball playing with their fingers. Hearing the noise, they both turned to look this way. Although she knew the little ones might not understand, she still felt a slight blush on her face and stamped her foot, saying: "Oh, they are all looking over!"

Since Mrs. He married into the Zheng family, she has observed that although the Zheng family members are from the countryside, they possess a certain dignity. They are warm yet measured in their interactions with the He family, never taking advantage of them, and occasionally sending over local specialties. Despite living nearby, the Zheng family does not often visit unless necessary, allowing Miss Gui to drop by for a chat when she has the time. Now that Zheng Mingfa has taken up an official position, the Zheng family has gained a respectable standing in the village, and their manner of dealing with others is very balanced, leaving no room for idle gossip. Upon entering the house, Miss Gui gave birth to twins, and she spoke appropriately, refraining from saying anything out of turn. The few maids in her room were well-managed, showing no faults. What is even more commendable is that the two beautiful maids by her side behaved with composure in front of their son, unlike other maids in the household who might have acted inappropriately, which was reassuring. Mrs. He, being quite satisfied with Miss Gui, extended her courtesy even more towards Zheng Pozi and the others. At this moment, upon hearing that Zheng Pozi was willing to stay for a meal, she hurriedly asked what dishes Zheng Pozi preferred, so she could instruct the cook to prepare something special.

Mrs. He nodded and said, "Well, it is what it is!"

Outside the curtain, there was no sound. He Nian tugged at Sister Gui's sleeve, looking pitiful as he said: "The night before last, Little Olive was crying and you were busy comforting him, so you didn't pay attention to me. Last night, you were busy counting money and also didn't care about me. Tonight again..."

As the old woman left, He Nian cast a sidelong glance at the young lady and leaned closer to say, "Tonight..." Before he could finish his sentence, the voice of the old woman came from outside the curtain, saying, "Young mistress, the madam has instructed that tomorrow morning you must go to the temple early to offer oil, as a sign of sincerity. Therefore, you must fast and bathe tonight. The young master is requested to spend the night in the study to avoid disturbing the young mistress."

As the New Year approached, the maid came to close the door. Mysteriously, she suddenly darted to the window, poking her finger through the paper to see what a breastplate looked like. In the dim candlelight, the noble lady slowly began to loosen her clothing, revealing her fragrant shoulders. Then, after removing her small shirt, she turned her back, took a short, small cylindrical object from Chunying's hands and put it on, then draped a piece of thin gauze over it, tying a knot on her shoulder. Only then did she turn around and ask the two maids, "Does it look good?" In the dim candlelight, the noble lady slowly began to loosen her clothing, revealing her fragrant shoulders. Then, after removing her small shirt, she turned her back, took a short, small cylindrical object from Chunying's hands and put it on, then draped a piece of thin gauze over it, tying a knot on her shoulder. Only then did she turn around and ask the two maids, "Does it look good?"

Your sister couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh, whispering: "There are still tomorrow night and the night after, why are you in such a hurry?"

After the New Year greetings, it was quite difficult to finish my tasks, and the young ladies were no longer around. Just as I was about to go up and hold her hand to speak, I heard Mrs. He's voice from outside the curtain saying: "I heard the young master cried and his belly has swollen again. Is he feeling any better now?"

The two enjoyed a lively conversation, and by evening, Mrs. Zheng had dined at the He family, with He Nian personally escorting her back to the Zheng household

"My grandmother is here!" The esteemed lady hurriedly pushed aside the New Year decorations and quickly went to lift the curtain, urging someone to assist Old Lady Zheng in entering.

They do not understand, so what is there to fear? He Nian continued to fidget, whispering: "We will have to pass through the study soon, and we won't be able to come over until tomorrow night. It is truly frustrating!"

Under the candlelight, the sheer fabric of the noble lady subtly reveals the breastplate worn beneath. The breastplate perfectly envelops her chest, outlining two hemispherical shapes, smooth and lustrous, with a captivating allure that is indescribable.

Mrs. He saw that the little olive was playing with her fingers, so she approached and lifted the little one's clothing to check her belly button. Seeing that it was the same as usual, she finally felt relieved. She then turned to the noble lady and said, "Although the doctor said there is no serious issue, we still need to think of a solution. Every time she cries, her belly button swells up, which is not good after all"

Zheng Pozi was extremely pleased to hear what Madam He said, and smiled, saying: "The mother-in-law is a person of great integrity. With such words from the mother-in-law, my dear sister is indeed blessed with unparalleled fortune"

The spring oriole, upon hearing the commotion, caught sight of He Nian standing at the door. Just as she was about to call out to him as 'son-in-law', she noticed He Nian placing a finger to his lips and hushing her. She had no choice but to swallow her words, knowing that He Nian preferred to have no maids or servants around when he was with Gui Jie, and thus quietly retreated.

"Oh, I also want to come and see the children!" Zheng Pozi handed a copper coin to Guijie, smiling as she said, "I am in good shape; what's a few steps? You don't need to support me; I'm not that spoiled yet." Saying this, she went over to look at the twins, and upon seeing them, she joyfully remarked, "They have indeed grown a bit; they look delightful."

Below the elder of the He family, there are five households. Mr. He and Mrs. He belong to the third household, and due to He Nian's intelligence from a young age, the third household is particularly favored by the elder of the He family. Although Mrs. He is not in the capital, her filial piety for the elder's birthday cannot be lacking in any way. Moreover, since the young lady has the lowest status compared to the other daughters-in-law of the He family, her father, Zheng Mingfa, is merely a seventh-rank county magistrate and has no significant background. Currently, the elder and elder lady of the He family have yet to meet the young lady, so this gift must be given extra thought. Mrs. He thinks and thinks, and still feels it is better to have the young lady make a set of needlework. Firstly, the elder does not like extravagance, and secondly, the needlework done by the young lady is quite exquisite. Perhaps this ordinary needlework style might even win the favor of the elder and elder lady. Whenever Mrs. He thinks of the young lady's background, she always feels it is somewhat lacking, but fortunately, the birth of the twins has somewhat compensated for this shortcoming. The elder and elder lady of the He family in the capital, upon hearing that the young lady has given birth to twins, are overjoyed and hurriedly send gifts such as longevity locks.

As September is the birthday of the old gentleman in the capital, Madam He took the opportunity to say to the noble lady: "You should find some time in the next few days to make a set of needlework, and after a while, I will have someone send it back to the capital, so that the old gentleman can also know of your filial piety"

Hello, hello, father, the young man does not understand, but I do! You must take it easy. He Yuan secretly laughed while learning to play with the little olive, finding it hard to believe that father could be so reserved. Only someone like mother could be so genuine, adapting to it as if she were a fish in water.

Sister Gui smiled slightly, and before she could speak, she heard that Xiao Ganlan and Xiao Yuanzhu had woken up. In a hurry, they called someone in to take them to relieve themselves. Then, a young girl sent by the Dong family came to deliver something. Busy looking at the items, she also instructed Chunying to reward the young girl. Qiuyan was making gloves and now brought them in to compare with Xiao Ganlan and Xiao Yuanzhu's hands, laughing, "Miss, are these gloves big enough? I think they can be finished off with fabric buttons sewn on."

Madam He, moved by a few words, recalled her eldest daughter's somewhat unsatisfactory marriage and smiled, saying: "A daughter who has been married off is like water that has been spilled; for those with good fortune, both the husband and mother-in-law will take care of her, while those with less fortune must rely solely on their husband's family. Rest assured, dear mother-in-law, your daughter is a well-mannered person. Once she enters the He family, she becomes one of us. Now that she has given birth to twins, a son and a daughter, she shares a deep affection with Xiaonian, and they discuss everything together. The He family will not treat her poorly."

As soon as the esteemed sister turned her head, the spring oriole was nowhere to be seen, but she saw He Nian standing at the door, and could not help but smile and say: "Why don't you come in?"

My grandmother mentioned an ancient method, saying to take a copper coin to the temple to pray for blessings, and to place a red thread over the little olive's navel, which would ensure safety. The elder has already taken the copper coin to pray for blessings, and will bring another copper coin in the evening! The noble lady laughed and said, "My sister-in-law said that when one cries heavily, wind enters the mouth, and this wind has nowhere to dissipate, causing the navel to swell. She advised me to gently rub the little olive's belly, making circular motions around the navel with my palm, and once he passes a few gas, everything will be fine." The elder has already taken the copper coin to pray for blessings, and will bring another copper coin in the evening! The noble lady laughed and said, "My sister-in-law said that when one cries heavily, wind enters the mouth, and this wind has nowhere to dissipate, causing the navel to swell. She advised me to gently rub the little olive's belly, making circular motions around the navel with my palm, and once he passes a few gas, everything will be fine."

Oh! The New Year outside the window almost made me nosebleed; for the first time, I experienced the alluring and thrilling sensation of a voyeur. I can only lament that I still have to stay in the study tonight, not knowing how I will endure until tomorrow night

The festive face has long been adorned with the warmth of spring and blooming flowers, and with a charming demeanor, it says: "I stand here watching my lady walk, and I was just mesmerized!"

Ah, at that time, I remember I did several things, coaxed my mother to wear it once, but later she refused to wear it again. Then I managed to get my second sister-in-law to wear it. But I wonder how it looks on her? " The voice of the eldest sister laughed and said, "You all close the door, and I will try this on to see how it looks on me.

Zheng Pozi, knowing that the He family is not an ordinary household, thought that even if the noble lady married into the He family, she would not come unless invited by them. If she missed the noble lady, she would simply ask her grandson to come and extend the invitation. Today, having brought copper coins to the temple to pray for the dragon and phoenix twins, she was in a hurry to deliver them and did not return home first, but instead came directly to the He family, initially planning to drop them off and leave. However, upon seeing Mrs. He like this, it would not be appropriate to decline, so she smiled and said, "Since it is the esteemed lady of the family who has invited me, how can I just leave? Naturally, I must stay for a meal." Today, having brought copper coins to the temple to pray for the dragon and phoenix twins, she was in a hurry to deliver them and did not return home first, but instead came directly to the He family, initially planning to drop them off and leave. However, upon seeing Mrs. He like this, it would not be appropriate to decline, so she smiled and said, "Since it is the esteemed lady of the family who has invited me, how can I just leave? Naturally, I must stay for a meal."

Seeing Mrs. He’s warm hospitality, Aunt Zheng secretly nodded. This was naturally a sign of her valuing the young lady, which is why she treated her with such courtesy. Considering that the He family, not to mention in this countryside, is also a prominent family in the capital, their warm reception towards a rural woman like herself truly reflects their respect for the young lady. To understand the young lady's status in this family, one only needs to observe Mrs. He’s attitude towards her rural relatives, which makes it clear. Thus, she could indeed feel reassured. Even if the young lady were to follow He Nian to the capital in the future, He Nian and Mrs. He would naturally support her, and there would be no fear of being looked down upon by other members of the He family. To understand the young lady's status in this family, one only needs to observe Mrs. He’s attitude towards her rural relatives, which makes it clear. Thus, she could indeed feel reassured. Even if the young lady were to follow He Nian to the capital in the future, He Nian and Mrs. He would naturally support her, and there would be no fear of being looked down upon by other members of the He family.

He Nian and Gui Jie were secretly entwined, taking advantage of the moment, when suddenly a maid's voice came from outside the curtain: "Old Lady Zheng has arrived"

How strange! The spring oriole and the autumn swallow blushed and said: "Miss, this gauze is too sheer, and with so much skin exposed from the breastplate, it would be better not to wear it!"

Zheng Pozi, upon hearing Mrs. He's inquiry, smiled and said: "I hope you won't laugh at me, dear in-law. We have also experienced poverty in the past, eating whatever we could, and we were not picky at all. Now that our circumstances have improved a bit, we are eating good food. Remembering how we used to live, I think we should cherish our blessings. As long as we have good food to eat, why should we be choosy? Moreover, the things provided by you, dear in-law, are naturally good, so there is no need to prepare anything else."

Before sending off Mrs. He, the young lady was about to speak with He Nian when a maid came up to relay a message. She mentioned that Mrs. He had forgotten to say one thing earlier, which was that she had made a wish at the temple for an oil lamp, as it was a wish made for the dragon and phoenix twins. Being of a higher generation, she could not personally go to add oil to the lamp. She asked the young lady to get up early tomorrow to prepare and, as soon as it is light, to hurry to the temple to add oil to the lamp and also to bring back a pair of protective talismans for the dragon and phoenix twins.

Mrs. He, upon hearing that Old Mrs. Zheng did not shy away from mentioning the past hardships, became curious and inquired about the earlier matters of the Zheng family. Old Mrs. Zheng briefly recounted some details and smiled, saying: "To be honest with you, dear daughter-in-law, when the three matchmakers came to the Zheng family to seek a match for Miss Gui, although your He family is a prestigious family, the Zheng family did not wish for Miss Gui to marry into your He family! After all, the disparity in family backgrounds is too great. We not only feared being accused of seeking to climb the social ladder, but also worried that Miss Gui would not be able to meet the expectations of you and others in the He family once she arrived there. Our Miss Gui comes from a humble background, unlike the daughters of prominent families, and has been learning etiquette since childhood. Therefore, the Zheng family always harbored some concerns, fearing that Miss Gui would bring shame to the He family! Now that you, dear daughter-in-law, treat Miss Gui so well, there is nothing more to say, and we can rest assured. In the future, when we arrive in the capital, with a mother-in-law like you looking after Miss Gui, even I, as an old woman, can feel at ease."

It turns out that the dragon and phoenix twins sometimes accidentally scratch their own faces while sleeping at night, leaving marks. Therefore, the esteemed lady considered making each of them a pair of thin gloves to wear on their hands while they sleep at night. This way, even if they scratch their own faces, they will not injure themselves.

Old Zheng entered holding a copper coin threaded with a red string, laughing as she said, "This must be placed on the young master's navel to keep him calm."

It should be this big. When you finish the edges, gather them stitch by stitch, so that it resembles the small opening we make when preparing dough for pastries, just enough to fit over the wrists of the young men and women, and then cut a strip to sew on a fabric button.