The courtyard was properly arranged.
Xiqiu carefully counted the number of people. Including the people from the Pang Family and those in the mansion, there were a total of seventeen people. So she had two large round tables with magpies and plum blossoms brought out. Each table could seat eight people, or six if spaced out a bit. The Pang Family were bringing people from a different branch, so they needed to open a separate table for them, and a separate table for the Grand Dowager and Old Madam Lou...
She calculated in her mind and then instructed Nanny Li: "Go to the storeroom and see if there’s anything in sky blue, sapphire blue, or Tianqing’s color, to replace this red. Although it looks festive, it feels heavy, especially inside the hall..." It was practically early sumr now, and with more activity, beads of sweat would form on the forehead. With many people in the hall, the red color made it feel even more stifling.
It’s not the main day, no need to be particular about these!
Nanny Li glanced around without opposing Xiqiu and nodded: "I will instruct soone to find it right away."
Xiqiu nodded and turned to another servant woman: "Assign four maidservants to stand at the door, with each rembering where each lady should sit. As people co in, guide them to their seats!" The servant woman nodded in agreent.
Xiqiu gave further detailed instructions on other trivial matters. Seeing everyone carry them out one by one, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Chunliu brought her so tea: "You’ve been busy all morning, the guests should arrive soon, take a rest."
Xiqiu took a sip of tea and asked her: "Go back and see what Min and the others are doing, and rember to report back to ."
Chunliu nodded in agreent.
The Pang Family brought two sister-in-laws. The matchmaker was no longer Madam Hu but was replaced by the wife of Lord Pang, a colleague of the Ministry of Communication, looking prosperous and plump, around her early thirties. From the Xiao Mansion, they invited Madam Qian. In the morning, they exchanged the necessary courtesies, the Xiao Mansion received the betrothal gifts from the Pang Mansion, and both parties announced the marriage date long agreed upon, May 16th!
Nanny Li found several pieces of Tianqing-colored fabric, but upon seeing them, Xiqiu sighed, waved her hand, and said: "Forget it, there’s no ti to make tablecloths now, just make use of the red ones!"
Nanny Li said nothing, still instructing soone to return the fabric.
The First Young Madam Tang arrived, and Xiqiu went out to greet her. After exchanging pleasantries, she said: "Congratulations, congratulations!" Looking at Xiqiu, she said: "The Second Madam is pregnant, and my elder sister’s position is inconvenient, so you’re the only one busying yourself, thank you for your hard work."
"Just a bit of conversation, it’s not hard work!" Xiqiu laughed and said: "The Grand Dowager is chatting with Madam Qian in the room, I’ll take you in."
The First Young Madam Tang graciously waved her hand, smiling: "You are busy, I saw Marquis Wuwei’s carriage stopped at the door when I arrived, Madam Ruan should be arriving soon, you go ahead with your business, I’ll pay respects to the Grand Dowager and then check on my grandaunt."
"Then please excuse ." Xiqiu had Bihuai guide the First Young Madam Tang inside: "My sister-in-law is in the room, I’ll have soone prepare a sedan for you."
Nanny Tang glanced at Xiqiu in surprise, sized her up carefully, smiled, and nodded: "The Fourth Madam is considerate." Taking the maidservant and servant won to the Grand Dowager’s courtyard.
"Fourth Madam!" As First Young Madam Tang predicted, Madam Ruan arrived shortly after.
Xiqiu went to greet her and noticed a little girl beside her, approximately eight or nine years old, with delicate features. She smiled and said: "Madam Ruan!"
"Rong, quickly greet the Fourth Madam." Madam Ruan smiled as she drew out the timid little girl from behind her, who then properly curtsied to Xiqiu, calling out: "Fourth Madam." Xiqiu responded with a warm smile, and Madam Ruan introduced: "This is the youngest in the family, nad Pingrong, usually the most mischievous one. When I ntioned visiting today, she insisted on squeezing into the carriage and refused to get down."
Xiqiu was sowhat surprised. The little girl seed quite shy, so she smiled and took out a small fingernail-sized pearl earring as a eting gift: "I made this in my spare ti, it’s for you to play with."
Ruan Pingrong thanked her and, unlike her earlier shyness, accepted it openly, examining it thoroughly, then whispered with a little maid nearby, turning her head to ask Xiqiu: "Fourth Madam, did you really make this?"
Xiqiu smiled and nodded. The pearl earrings were plain, but Xiqiu had tied a simple little butterfly knot in the beaded thread, making it both exquisite and ingenious.
"It’s truly beautiful!" Ruan Pingrong grinned, revealing two sharp canine teeth, looking very cute: "The butterfly on it looks almost real!"
Madam Ruan also picked one up to examine it, clicking her tongue in admiration: "Oh my, Fourth Madam’s hands are truly skilled, how deftly crafted, even for just an earring." She marveled aloud.
"You flatter , it’s just a little trinket, as long as Rong likes it!"
Ruan Pingrong busily nodded: "I like it very much." Her eyes blinked as though worried her sincerity wasn’t enough, so she added, "I really like it!"
"This child..." Madam Ruan smiled helplessly, and Xiqiu, finding her very adorable, also chuckled.
Just as they were conversing, Madam Qian erged from inside: "I heard your laughter from afar, and after waiting for a while without seeing you co in, I thought I’d co out to see what delightful matter was making you so happy." Madam Ruan smiled and looked at Madam Qian: "Auntie’s hearing is really sharp..." Saying this, Ruan Pingrong ran happily to Madam Qian’s side: "Auntie."
Madam Qian responded with a smile, took her hand, and addressed Madam Ruan: "What were you talking about that made you so happy?" Then she glanced at Xiqiu, nodding gently.
Xiqiu returned the greeting.
Madam Ruan laughed and said: "I can’t tell you, you’re the main guest matchmaker today, you’ll have to treat us well!"
Xiqiu couldn’t help but think of Madam Jiang, feeling that these sisters-in-law really had a good relationship.
Madam Qian laughed heartily: "Of course, I’m here to serve, and specially ca out to welco you." She looked at Xiqiu and added: "Today the Fourth Madam has been working hard."
Xiqiu smiled at her. They didn’t speak much, always having the issue of Young Master Zhou between them, which made Madam Qian a bit uncomfortable, and Xiqiu also felt awkward. But as much ti had passed, she didn’t want things to remain this way indefinitely, so she said with a smile: "Even if I’m busy, as long as I get to chat and talk with the ladies, I wouldn’t feel weary even after a few days."
Madam Qian paused and then laughed, her deanor now different from the slightly tense deanor she had earlier when seeing Xiqiu...
"Hurry inside, the Grand Dowager is waiting." Madam Qian said with a smile. Madam Ruan nodded and said goodbye to Xiqiu: "...We’ll go in first."
Xiqiu had a little maid accompany them into the courtyard.
She saw Ruan Pingrong pulling on Madam Qian’s hand like presenting a treasure: "I received this earring... I’ve never seen such a beautiful earring."
"Oh, let see..." Madam Qian paused: "It is really beautiful, perfectly matching our Rong. Who gave it to you?"
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