Chapter 253 - 253 The Marquis's wife
253 The Marquis’s wife
“First Madam Yu, Second Madam Yu is finally here.” When the Marquis of Changxing’s wife received the news, she quickly welcomed her with a smile. Her brownish-gold peony pattern dress was solemn and noble. Even Yang Shuwan’s wasn’t as outstanding.
Yang Shuwan stepped forward, her bright red figure almost blocking Madam Yao’s way. “Eldest Madam, you’re too polite. There’s no need to welcome us from afar. We have legs. Even if someone leads the way, we can walk over ourselves.”
These words made it seem like she had an extraordinary relationship with the Marquis of Changxing’s wife. After saying that, she tilted her head to look at Madam Yao, secretly showing off.
Madam Yao smiled and agreed with Yang Shuwan. “First Madam Cao is busy today, so you don’t have to deliberately entertain us.”
The Marquis of Changxing’s wife quickly waved her hand. “How can that be? Everyone who comes is a guest. It’s not necessary to be polite.
With that, she looked at Madam Yao with her slender phoenix eyes. Yang Shuwan glanced behind her and immediately smiled. “Oh, these must be the sisters in your residence. How did you raise such beauties? In a few years, they’ll grow up. It’ll be amazing. Just looking at them makes me very envious.”
Yu Youyao pulled Yu Shuangbai out from behind Madam Yao, and so did Yu Jianjia.
The three sisters bowed to the Marquis of Changxing’s wife. “Hello, Madam!”
The Marquis of Changxing’s wife first looked at Yu Jianjia. When she saw her moonlight brocade dress, her eyes lit up.
Then, she looked at Yu Youyao. When she noticed the shark silk on her, she secretly took a deep breath.
In the end, she looked at Yu Shuangbai. She was also very beautiful in silver.
The few of them were all beautiful.
Seeing that Yang Shuwan did not introduce them, Madam Yao smiled and pointed at Yu Youyao and the others, introducing them to the Marquis of Changxing’s wife.
The Marquis of Changxing’s wife smiled and said, “Your family is really lucky to have raised so many little beauties.”
Yang Shuwan was furious. She had originally planned to bring Jia Jia to talk to the Marquis of Changxing’s wife first, so that she could show that the Marquis of Changxing’s wife treated Jia Jia differently. Then, she would introduce her to the other young misses.
Who knew that Madam Yao would ruin her plans?
The Marquis of Changxing’s wife instructed an old maid who was following her, “Bring the two madams and young misses to the reception pavilion to talk.”
It was unknown if the old maid was deliberately showing off, or if the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence was indeed too big because she led them around the building.
Everywhere they went, flowers and trees were planted. There were begonia, crepe myrtle flowers, and evening jade peaches. There were also all kinds of flowers and plants on the railings in the aisle. They were all in full bloom at this time of the year, and there were many peonies.
It was really a magnificent scene.
Yu Shuangbai couldn’t help but whisper to Yu Youyao, “There are so many flowers and plants in the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence.”
Yu Youyao also whispered, “It’s really beautiful!”
However, she thought to herself that these flowers might not all have been planted by the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence. Most of them had been shipped into the residence from farmsteads. Some had even been bought or rented from flower farmers in the suburbs.
The old woman’s ears twitched, and she puffed up her chest with a smug expression.
After walking for about ten minutes, they finally arrived at the reception pavilion.
The reception pavilion was large and imposing. There were already many madams sitting inside, drinking tea and chatting. The young misses at home were also sitting obediently at the side, all of them dressed up.
With Yang Shuwan around, Madam Yao recognized her and had to go forward to greet her.
Yu Youyao and the other sisters also had to bow.
This was the first time the few of them were out and about. The madams had to size them up carefully and praise them one by one. Only then would their etiquette be considered thorough.
Yu Youyao and the others had to go through this ordeal.
Yu Shuangbai leaned over and whispered, “Fortunately, my mother chose a pair of shoes with cow tendon soles for me. I’ll have to wear something softer. Otherwise, I’ll suffer.”
Yu Youyao pursed her lips and nodded. “I’m also wearing cow tendon soles. I even asked Liu’er to put a pair of insoles in my shoes.”
With that, she picked up her tea and drank it. She inadvertently saw Yu Jianjia shrinking her feet beside her. Under her dress was a pair of jade-soled shoes. They were really exquisite.
The jade-soled shoes looked good on her, and they made a soft and crisp sound when she walked.
However, the foundation was also firm. She did not know if it was difficult to walk in.
How could it not be difficult?
After walking for a while, she did not feel anything, but all the madams did not come together. If anyone came, they had to stand up and greet them. If they met someone they were familiar with, they had to bow and greet them.
She was raised in her own room. Even on the furthest road from home, she only walked back to the courtyard every day. In addition, her body was a little weak to begin with, so how could she take it?
Now, her feet were sore.
In the morning, Nanny Qin had helped her pick out a pair of cow tendon soles. However, she despised the fact that the cow tendon soles were not as exquisite as the jade shoes, so she did not listen to Nanny Qin.
She bit her lip lightly. Even if she felt uncomfortable, she couldn’t show it.
The adults chatted together, but it was in full swing. It was really pitiful for the sisters in the room. All of them sat there in boredom.
At 10:30 p.m.
The Marquis of Changxing’s wife entered the house with another woman wearing red and gold embroidery.
This madam’s hair was combed into a high bun, and there was a large phoenix hairpin inlaid with red and gold on her head. There was a golden pearl in her mouth that fell onto her forehead. It was a shark pearl the size of a longan. Everyone present couldn’t help but gasp when they saw it.
Shark pearls were rare to begin with, and peanut-sized ones were already precious. This was the first time they had seen one as big as a longan.
No one present could compare to its grandeur.
The Marquis of Changxing’s wife said with a smile, “Bring the Marquis of Weining’s wife over.”
The Marquis of Weining’s wife also had a smile on her face, but she was too imposing. Even when she smiled, she gave off an indistinct feeling. “I’m late. Everyone has been waiting for a long time.” After saying that, she looked at the bright and generous beauty beside her with a reproachful expression. “My wife was about to go out when she saw that the sun was rising today. She felt that her outerwear on it was too thick, so she folded it back and changed into a thin one. It was torture.”
Everyone recognized that the person following behind the Marquis of Weining’s wife was Fifth Miss Lu, Lu Mingyao.
Lu Mingyao had been walking around the capital for two years.
She was also present at all the poetry gatherings, flower gatherings, and small banquets. She was beautiful, but she had followed Imperial Consort Lu in the palace. Even her talents were top-notch.
Today, she was wearing an orange-red dress with a smoky veil. On it, there were mountains, rivers, flowers, and birds. She was really beautiful and outstanding.
A madam smiled and said, “But it doesn’t matter. This is the year of the imperial examination. It started last autumn and it hasn’t ended until April this year. Not to mention the sisters, even we are feeling suffocated at home. This flower festival can be considered a breather for us. It’s lively and it’s rare for us to go out. We have to do it carefully.”