newbobooks Chapter 264 Invitation, Mrs. Pei of the Earl's Mansion
Chapter 264 Invitation, Mrs. Pei of the Earl's Mansion
Chen came to Lixiangyuan and saw that although there were not many people, they were busy in an orderly manner. Her previous worries were swept away. It seemed that Yuzhu was right. Nian'er was a person with his own ideas.
"Nian'er, are these maids used well? Are there any problems? If there are any who are ignorant and bully the master, just tell me and I will deal with them for you."
"It's fine! Don't worry."
"That's good. I came here today because I have something to tell you. My mother's close friend, Mrs. Pei, learned that you were back, and invited me to bring you and your sister over tomorrow for a gathering and dinner." Considering that his daughter had just returned, he was afraid that she would feel restrained if he took her there suddenly, so he came to ask for her opinion.
Mrs. Pei was a good friend of Chen Shuhua before she got married. Mrs. Pei married into the Earl's Mansion, and Chen married Shen Wenting. Shen Wenting was initially only a ninth-rank clerk, and it was with the help of the Duke's Mansion and Chen Shuhua that he was able to sit in the position of Shangshu today.
"Since you are my mother's best friend, you can make the decision." Yao Qingnian is now replacing Shen Nianran, so naturally she has to be a competent daughter.
"Don't worry, Madam Pei and I have been friends for many years. We are family. If you go there, it will be like being at home. There is no need to be restrained."
"Okay, Mom, I got it." Yao Qingnian didn't care. It was just a meal, just deal with it.
"Why is there a maid beside you? I don't think I've seen her before." Chen Shuhua noticed the maid beside Yao Qingnian.
"This is Shan Wei, a maid I bought from outside. She looks sensible and smart, so I kept her by my side and forgot to tell you." Yao Qingnian introduced.
"Your servant greets the Madam." Shan Wei bowed politely.
"No need to be so polite. Nian'er, you have a really good eye for people. This girl's words and manners are just right. It's hard to find fault with her." Chen Shuhua's eyes were full of admiration.
The next morning, after Yao Qingnian got up, Linglong helped her to wash and dress up. Although Linglong grew up in the countryside, her mother was well-read and had taught her and the young lady the same etiquette since childhood. She and the young lady were as close as sisters, but her mother never allowed them to break the rules.
"Miss, you are so beautiful. You look radiant even with this kind of dressing up." Linglong combed her hair into a simple bun as Yao Qingnian requested and fixed it with a jade hairpin, revealing her fair neck and delicate face. She didn't put too much makeup on her face, but she had a natural beauty that made people unable to help but take a few more glances.
Yao Qingnian looked at herself in the bronze mirror and could hardly recognize herself. When she traveled here, she had tied her hair up for convenience. Moreover, the original owner had already given birth to a baby, and in Anding County, women wore their hair in a bun when going out. This was the first time she had done it like this. Clothes make the man, and this kind of dressing really looks good.
"Let's go! They are already waiting outside." Yao Qingnian walked towards the front yard. She asked Linglong to stay in the house because her injury had not yet fully healed and Shanwei knew kung fu, so she could be taken care of if anything happened. When she arrived at the front yard, Chen Shuhua and Shen Youran were already waiting.
Shen Youran was wearing a light pink skirt with delicate flower and butterfly patterns embroidered on it. The skirt fluttered in the wind, making her look very elegant. Her hair was combed into two buns, decorated with silk flowers and two golden butterfly hairpins. As she turned around, she looked radiant.
But when Yao Qingnian walked in, everyone's attention was attracted by her. Her facial features were delicate, and although she was not wearing any makeup, she was even more stunning and charming. Shen Youran was instantly eclipsed in front of her.
Chen didn't notice Shen Youran's gloomy expression. Her attention was focused on Yao Qingnian. The more she looked at him, the more satisfied she became. "Let's go! No need to be nervous."
Shen Youran came back to her senses and followed Chen into the carriage.
In the carriage, she looked at Yao Qingnian's fair and delicate face, wishing she could cut it with a knife to vent her anger.
Yao Qingnian noticed her vicious look and said, "Sister, what's wrong with you? Are your eyes uncomfortable?"
"Yes, Youran, you don't look well." Mrs. Chen only noticed her daughter then.
"No... no, maybe it's because of the bumpy ride in the carriage. It will be fine after a while." Shen Youran restrained his expression and returned to his normal appearance.
About quarter of an hour later, the carriage slowly stopped. After getting off the carriage, Yao Qingnian squinted his eyes and saw the three words "Earl's Mansion" hanging high on the gate of the lavish mansion.
"The Earl's Mansion looks grand on the surface, but it has actually been in decline for a long time. After Earl Pei died, his son Pei Zongzheng did nothing but drink and have fun every day. He got a sinecure in the court thanks to Earl Pei's relationship, and he liked to get together with a bunch of friends and brag and flatter them." Shan Wei whispered in Yao Qingnian's ear.
This time, Madam Pei invited not only Chen Shuhua and a few others, but also some familiar ladies. However, most of them were from small families or concubines of high-ranking families. Some of them came just for Chen Shuhua, not only because of the Shangshu Mansion, but more because of the Duke's Mansion.
But no one knew that she had brought a daughter back from the countryside. When everyone saw her coming in with Shen Youran and a girl with picturesque eyebrows and eyes, they couldn't help but look over curiously.
"Shuhua, we've been waiting for you, come and sit down." Seeing Chen Shuhua coming, Mrs. Pei stood up to greet her with a smile.
"Xiaotong, am I late?"
"No, no, you came just in time. I haven't seen You Ran for a while, and you look even more beautiful."
"Hello, Mrs. Pei. Thank you for the compliment." Shen Youran bowed shyly.
"Shuhua, who is this?" Mrs. Pei turned to the other side.
"This is my eldest daughter, Nianran." Chen Shuhua introduced. What? She actually has a daughter. People in the capital only know Shen Nianran. Suddenly, she has a daughter. For a moment, everyone was a little stunned and started to discuss among themselves.
"Hello, Mrs. Pei." Yao Qingnian greeted her generously.
"Oh! You sent me a letter telling me that you have an eldest daughter who is living outside, but I didn't believe it. Now that I see you today, you are really as beautiful as you were when you were waiting to be married. Your eyebrows and eyes are exactly the same." Madam Pei praised. Everyone looked over and they saw that she really looked like Madam Chen. It seemed that she was indeed the eldest daughter of the Shangshu Mansion.
She took Yao Qingnian's hand affectionately, took off the bracelet on her hand and put it on her hand. Yao Qingnian politely declined it, but finally accepted it. It was a meeting gift from Chen Shuhua's good friend, and it would be difficult to refuse her kindness in front of so many people. She would find a chance to return it later.