Tong Xiyan lowered his voice to introduce to Xiqiu: "This is Mrs. Tang, the Marchioness Xuanning. She is the eldest daughter born to the deceased Princess Changning Mansion." Xiqiu nodded slightly, her gaze had already fallen on the Marchioness. She wore a red double gold plain overcoat, with a round bun adorned on the left with a five-phoenix auspicious hairpin, a coral bat ornant with embedded beads, and a silver gold-plated butterfly hairpin. Her almond-shaped face showed warmth in her eyes, lacking the arrogance of soone born into a prestigious family and being a Commandery Princess. She smiled slightly at Lady: "Mother-in-law has been ntioning Mrs. Qian, so she let co out to greet you, just in ti for your arrival." Her words were clear and subtle, not seeming distant nor overly familiar.
Lady seed accustod to her manner, and smiled as she replied: "The Grand Dowager has been waiting a while." She then entered the main gate alongside the Marchioness.
"Let’s go in as well." Tong Xiyan pulled Xiqiu’s hand and ascended the steps, followed silently by Tong Xiyu. The maids and old servants did not enter but were intercepted at the door by a round-faced maid, standing outside awaiting their return.
Xiqiu entered and was taken aback for a mont. The main hall held a Kuanglu Painting, a tribute table underneath adorned with fragrant oranges as offerings, and a white glazed vase with a blossoming begonia within. A large yellow rosewood eight Immortals table stone had a blue and white porcelain teapot set, with treasure cabinets on either side displaying jade and porcelain artifacts, including an elegant jade bi bowl, a high-footed glass cup, a white glazed reclining lion incense burner, a five-colored general’s jar, and a blue-and-white celestial sphere flask below...
An ivory screen on a chicken-wing wood base separated the main room, painted with patterns of spring birds chirping amidst flowers, a picture full of vitality.
As the main house of the Marquis Mansion Dowager, Xiqiu found the decorations not extravagant, even looking understated compared to Lady’s chamber.
However, she reconsidered, realizing that nowadays the Marquis Mansion was different from before, in tis of nurturing plans and hiding brilliance, modesty was justifiable, and it was understandable for the Grand Dowager to be like this.
Behind the screen, Lady’s voice could already be heard. Tong Xiyan led Xiqiu, turning behind the octagonal screen where five ladies, including Lady herself, were present, situated around a black lacquer endless three-sided Arhat Bed. Sitting on it was a woman about fifty years old, dressed in a maroon blessed longevity double gold overcoat, with a fair face and pointed chin, showing wrinkles, but with eyes bright and penetrating, seeming to look through people with just one glance.
The Marchioness and Xiao Yanzheng, who ca out earlier to greet Lady, were seated on either side of the Grand Dowager.
Lady had already greeted the Grand Dowager, and upon seeing Tong Xiyan entering with Xiqiu and Tong Xiyu, turned and introduced them to the Grand Dowager: "You’ve t the Fourth Girl, and this is the Sixth Girl, and the Eighth Girl." The three misses then respectfully paid their respects to the Grand Dowager.
With a face full of smiles, the Grand Dowager looked at Tong Xiyan and said: "Fourth Miss doesn’t often co to sit; it’s nice to accompany your sister and Yanzheng." Tong Xiyan replied with a smile: "I indeed wanted to co, but my health hasn’t been well lately, so though I think of you, I dare not co to trouble you."
The Grand Dowager, seemingly aware of Tong Xiyan’s ailnt, said nothing further, and continued: "Here is like ho, co over whenever you like; there’s no need for formalities." Then she turned to Xiqiu: "This is the Sixth Miss?" and extended her hand to Xiqiu with a smile: "Co over, let have a look."
Xiqiu obediently stepped forward: "Grand Dowager." The Grand Dowager held her hand, looked her over thoroughly, and said to Lady: "As Nanny Wu ntioned, indeed a beauty."
Lady laughed: "The Grand Dowager flatters her." Xiqiu lowered her face, letting the Grand Dowager gaze at her, while Xiao Yanzheng chuckled behind her sleeve, rose, and stood beside Xiqiu, saying: "Mother, don’t praise her too much; she’s quite shy."
The Grand Dowager laughed: "You know her well; I think she’s very poised."
Lady’s gaze flickered, falling on Xiqiu, secretly surprised at how Xiao Yanzheng seed to know Xiqiu so well, yet she smiled: "Second Miss is right, this girl has been shy ever since she was young."
The Grand Dowager chuckled again, turning to look at Tong Xiyu: "This is the Eighth Miss, right? Years ago, I heard your eldest sister say you were only five or six, always trailing her asking for candy. I didn’t expect you to have grown so tall, looking like a young lady."
Tong Xiyu’s face abruptly reddened, Lady remarked further: "Grown tall too fast!"
The Grand Dowager smiled slightly, not showing the sa interest as in discussing Xiqiu, ntioned Tong Xiyu briefly and did not pursue the topic. She pointed to another lady wearing a honey-colored overcoat to introduce to Lady.
Xiqiu’s gaze unexpectedly fell on Tong Xiyu, noticing her clutching a handkerchief, her face suddenly drained of color, becoming pallid.
While she was quietly puzzled, Xiao Yanzheng pulled her aside to talk: "You have such airs; I’ve invited you so many tis but you haven’t co to see ."
Xiqiu smiled helplessly: "Recently there have been many matters in the mansion, wanting to co but it’s hard to find the ti." Xiao Yanzheng, understanding Xiqiu’s difficulties, smiled: "Later, after eting the ladies, co to my place for a visit. I heard you’re good at needlework, and I’ve kept many patterns for you."
Xiqiu showed hesitance, Xiao Yanzheng whispered in her ear: "I won’t make it difficult for you; I’ll speak on your behalf!" and gave Xiqiu a wink.
Xiqiu smiled at her, didn’t refute, let go of Xiao Yanzheng’s hand and followed Lady’s steps, Lady along with Tong Xiyan, led by the Marchioness, first t with Madam Ruan of Marquis Jinxiang. Lady introduced Xiqiu and others to Madam Ruan, who gave gifts upon eting. Then the Marchioness led them to speak with a slightly short and stout lady beside Madam Ruan, dressed in a red overcoat: "This is Madam Qian of Dongchang Bo Mansion."
Lady’s gaze flickered, recalling the Young Master Zhou whom Tong Xihua ntioned having passed the scholar exam, Lady’s deanor grew more warm: "Xihua ntioned you often visit here, if you have ti do co by my place, though not as spacious as yours, it’s by the Tongji River, perfect for tea in sumr, both enjoyable and cool."
Madam Qian, noting Lady’s enthusiasm, stood up with a smile: "If there’s ti, I’ll certainly visit." Her gaze then fell on Tong Xiyan, her eyes lighting up, and asked Lady: "Who is this?"
Lady pulled Tong Xiyan over to introduce to Madam Qian: "This is the Fourth Girl from the mansion, she always talks about missing her sister, so I brought her to the Marquis Mansion to play today, as the Grand Dowager celebrates her birthday."
"Hello, Madam Qian." Tong Xiyan curtsied to Madam Qian, who warmly held her hand: "Such a glowing pearl... How old are you this year?"
It seed Madam Qian had a favorable impression of Fourth Girl; Lady was filled with joy and heard Tong Xiyan reply: "Thirteen."
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