Zhu Jiayu opened the box and glanced at it. Although she didn't quite understand Yu Qinglan's standards of conduct, she considered herself to have a good eye for people, so she didn't refuse and accepted the jade carving.
There was a moment of silence between them. After a while, Yu Qinglan said again, "But Miss Zhu, please don't blame me for being nosy. You really went too far today. In the future, we'll all be running into each other in this capital city. Lu Xiang didn't mean any harm, she just speaks without thinking. Miss Zhu, have you ever thought about how you'll conduct yourself in the capital after your confrontation today?"
She didn't want to say much, but her grandmother's maid had told her that her grandmother and the old lady Xiao, who was visiting the mansion today, had witnessed their argument in the garden.
Yu Qinglan felt that she should try to persuade Zhu Jiayu.
After all, if Zhu Jiayu were to act in this way again, he would likely become the subject of gossip.
However, Zhu Jiayu smiled and said to her, "Thank you for your kindness, Miss Yu, but I have one flaw, which is that I'm protective of my own. Even though Lu Xiang isn't a bad person, she's wrong, and she shouldn't have let her run into someone like me who can't tolerate any wrongdoing."
She could have simply agreed to Yu Qinglan's request on the surface and then gone her own way afterward, but she could tell that Yu Qinglan's words were genuinely meant to persuade her. Since she couldn't comply, she could only reciprocate with a bit of sincerity in order not to disappoint Yu Qinglan's good intentions.
She looked at Yu Qinglan earnestly, her expression softening with a gentleness, unlike her previous aggressive demeanor in the garden.
“I know Miss Yu means well, but I am different from the other young ladies. I do not have a prominent family background. If I follow Lu Xiang’s wishes, belittle myself, and ridicule the Xiao family, how will I ever stand up in the future?”
"Miss Yu, thank you for your kindness."
Hearing her say this, Yu Qinglan lowered her eyelids slightly: "That's right. You have no intention of currying favor with the powerful and wealthy, and you are connected to the Ning and Xiao families. So you don't need to give way to Lu Xiang. Fine, everyone has their own way of life. If you are willing to compete, I have nothing to say."
Having said that, the two had come to understand each other's way of dealing with the world. Yu Qinglan was like a tranquil lake, with occasional undercurrents, but most of the time it was calm and peaceful; Zhu Jiayu was like a rushing river, eager to break through all barriers and shackles.
Zhu Jiayu smiled and nodded, saying, "If Miss Yu has nothing else, I'll head back now."
Yu Qinglan got up from the couch: "I'll see you off."
...
After getting into the carriage, Zhu Jiayu instructed Lüzheng: "That jade carving was made by the Leng family of Fu'an. The Leng family is skilled in jade carving, especially in carving figures. I heard that the lady of the Leng family likes embroidery and has been looking for Hanzhi Niangzi's 'Linhua Tie' these days. Take this 'Linhua Tie' in my hand to her and ask her for another jade carving."
Green Kite agreed, then said, "Miss, you really are something. Since you've already accepted Miss Yu's gift, why bother to return it? If that's the case, you might as well not have accepted it at all."
The "Flower Copybook" by Hanzhi Niangzi is extremely rare. It is a treasured possession of the Zhu family for generations. It was only because their master saw that Miss Hanzhi was indeed capable of taking on the Zhu family's embroidery workshop that he passed the copybook to her.
Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, it had to be sent out again.
Zhu Jiayu knew she was indignant, and smiled as she gently pinched her nose: "I haven't even said anything yet, and you're already feeling sorry for her? For a family like ours that has passed down the art of embroidery, the flower patterns on the calligraphy scroll are the most important thing, and I've already copied them. Only someone like Madam Leng would value Hanzhi herself more than the flower patterns on the scroll."
“Besides, He Guang is planning to open a new branch in Fu’an. If I can get to know Madam Leng in advance, it will pave the way for He Guang. You can handle the matter of going to Fu’an. I can’t trust anyone else to take care of it.” Zhu Jiayu rubbed his temples and said.
As the two were talking, a young man's clear, melodious voice, like a flowing spring, suddenly rang out from ahead: "Is that Miss Zhu from Zhaohua Lane in the carriage?"
Zhu Jiayu glanced at Lüzheng, who then lifted the curtain and looked at the young man riding a tall horse in front of the carriage: "My young lady is indeed surnamed Zhu, and who is the young master?"
"My surname is Yan, and my given name is Feng. I met Miss Zhu at the Ning residence before. Do you remember me, Miss Zhu?"
"Is there something you need, Young Master Yan?" Zhu Jiayu's clear voice, carried like water, traveled through the curtain and reached Yan Feng's ears.
Yan Feng raised the corners of his eyes, and a carefree smile appeared on his sharp and handsome face: "Originally there was nothing to do, but seeing Miss Zhu has brought up other matters. I wonder if Miss is free right now? I happen to have arranged to meet the young masters and ladies of the Lu and Xie families at Mingyu Pavilion today to drink osmanthus wine and eat crabs. Since we've run into Miss Zhu, why don't you come along with me?"
The Lu and Xie families?
These two families were prominent in the capital, even more so than the Yu family.
After all, the Yu family's current prestige is actually due to the Empress Yu's current honor in the palace, but the former's illustrious reputation is built on real merits and political achievements.
Zhu Jiayu would naturally be willing to have the opportunity to befriend the young masters and ladies of these two families, but not now.
Firstly, she had not yet made a name for herself in the capital, so she would inevitably have to be somewhat humble in front of them; secondly, judging from Yan Feng's words, today was not a grand occasion, but just a private banquet they had organized, so it would be inappropriate for her to attend.
Zhu Jiayu, though tempted, politely declined, saying, "Thank you for your kind offer, Young Master Yan, but I just came from the Yu family's Cold Dew Banquet, where I've already had tea and snacks. It's only early September, and if we were to eat crab, I suppose we should postpone it until later..."
Before she could finish speaking, Yan Feng interrupted her: "The Yu family's Cold Dew Banquet? Such banquets are held every few days in the capital. They're only novel at first, but once you go, you'll only feel tired and annoyed."
As he spoke, he spurred his horse forward, went to Zhu Jiayu's carriage, and leaned down to press against the Hangzhou silk curtain, saying:
"Don't tell me you don't know who the Lu and Xie families are. Being able to associate with them, Jia Yu, do you know how many people envy this? Since you know how to plan for yourself, you should also understand that sometimes, it's okay to take shortcuts. Besides, I'll take care of everything."
As he spoke, his voice softened, like ink gradually fading on rice paper, or like raindrops slowly dripping from the eaves.
"No, thank you." Zhu Jiayu said, "I think that as long as you are determined, it doesn't matter when you take a shortcut. But thank you anyway, Young Master Yan."
After she finished speaking, she tapped the carriage wall twice. The coachman outside heard her, immediately cracked his whip, and pulled the carriage away.
Yan Feng sat up straight, watching the departing carriage, a cryptic smile on his face.
Upon arriving at Mingyu Pavilion, Lu Zhaoxue, the third young lady of the Lu family, greeted him with a smile, saying, "Didn't you say you would bring someone with you? Why did you come alone, Yan Kuanping?"
Kuanping was Yan Feng's courtesy name. Because he was young and impetuous, he often acted impulsively and argued with others. Therefore, when he came of age, his teacher, Grand Tutor Chang, gave him the courtesy name Kuanping.
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