The next morning.
Inside the main hall of the Shangguan residence.
Qin was exchanging pleasantries with relatives from her maternal family who had suddenly come to visit.
She called out to the servants, "Bring a pot of good tea and some snacks." Then she smiled at the woman sitting below her and said, "It must have been two or three years since I last saw Sister Liu, right?"
What brings you here today?
This Sister-in-law Liu was the wife of Qin's cousin. She also lived in the capital. Although she was a close neighbor of the Shangguan family, she was more like a distant relative, and the two families did not have much contact on a daily basis.
You wouldn't come to the temple without a reason, so I wonder what brings you here this time?
Sitting below her, Sister Liu smiled even more brightly, and compliments flowed from her lips. "Sister, your memory is still so good. No wonder you were able to give birth to such an outstanding son as Tianlin. His good reputation has spread throughout the entire capital! I've come today to congratulate him."
After saying that, she gave a wink to the young woman sitting to her left.
"Yuwei, quickly greet your aunt. She doted on you the most when you were little, and she never forgot to give you anything good. Our two families should visit each other more often in the future!"
Qin glanced at the young woman with her head slightly raised out of the corner of her eye, and her previously familiar tone became a bit more polite.
She replied dismissively, "It's not as good as you say. That rascal has only become a little more obedient in the last few days. We just haven't let him out to cause trouble."
The young woman was looking around at the furnishings in the room.
The colorful porcelain gourd-shaped wall vase and the small-leaf sandalwood Pixiu on the south-facing display cabinet, though old, are still rare treasures and can be considered luxurious and magnificent overall.
In that case, she'll have more money to spend after she marries into the family!
Thinking of this, she finally showed a genuine smile, stood up and bowed: "Yuwei greets Aunt. How has Aunt been feeling lately?"
Madam Qin smiled faintly: "It's not a matter of good or bad, it's the same as always." But she was suspicious. What was she looking at? She had been looking him up and down as soon as she entered the room.
Aunt Liu looked around and said, "Where is Tianlin? Why doesn't he come out to greet people? Yuwei specially brought him a gift, hoping to give it to him in person."
The two of them need to spend more time together. With Wei'er's beauty, there's no need to worry about Shangguan Tianlin not taking the bait!
Qin Yuwei picked up a piece of chestnut flour cake and ate it, but didn't care much: "Mother is wrong. Brother Tianlin is so busy with his business, how could he have time to come and chat with us? When Brother Tianlin comes back later, I will go to find him myself."
She really prospered because of that plaster; even her pastries were more refined than those elsewhere. The addition of milk to these pastries made them even stickier, melting in her mouth, which suited her taste perfectly.
Milk is quite expensive; when she visits the mansion in the future, we can ask the cooks to keep some on hand.
Qin finally understood what these relatives, whom she hadn't seen for three years, had come for—they were after Tianlin's marriage!
Yun'er's peach blossom curse has been removed; now it's Tianlin's turn!
It seems that the trend of hand warmers has become so strong that they couldn't sit still and their minds started to wander.
Qin Yuwei took a framed painting from the maid: "I heard that Brother Tianlin loves horses the most, so I painted this 'Eight Horses' painting to give to Brother Tianlin in person. I wonder when Brother Tianlin will return to the manor?"
Delivering the painting in person? I'm afraid his real intentions are not what they seem.
Tianyun heard all this as soon as he entered the door.
Lingqi whispered to her, "This girl is really shrewd. Before the young master's plaster became famous, why didn't these people come to visit?"
Tianyun gestured for her to calm down and asked with a smile, "Mother, who are these two?"
"These are your aunt and your cousin Qin Yuwei. Come over and greet them." Qin Shi beckoned.
As soon as the person entered the room, it was as if light shone on her, drawing everyone's attention.
She had clearly seen Shangguan Tianyun a few years ago, and her appearance was far inferior to her own. But now she had changed so much, and she was completely outshone by her! Qin Yuwei clenched her fist, a hint of hostility flashing in her eyes as she looked at her.
"I haven't seen Tianyun for quite some time, and I never imagined she'd grown into such a beautiful young woman!" Madam Liu was also amazed.
Tianyun politely greeted them and sat down amidst Madam Liu's endless praise.
Qin Yuwei's words were interrupted by her sudden arrival. She wanted to continue mentioning Shangguan Tianlin, but Tianyun did not comply with her wishes.
Just a second before she opened her mouth, he suddenly said to her, "Sister Qin, this 'Eight Horses' painting is really well done. It is magnificent and imposing, and it has some of the style of Mr. Liu Wu. Mr. Liu Wu is famous for his 'horse paintings'."
Interrupted again, Qin Yuwei, already somewhat displeased, raised her chin: "Of course, you actually know Mr. Liu Wu? Then are you familiar with Minghuatang?" Inwardly, however, she rolled her eyes. Trying to show off her knowledge of painting in front of someone like Guan Yu?
Well, it's said that Shangguan Tianlin dotes on this younger sister the most, so it's not a wise move for him to give her the cold shoulder right now.
Tianyun's long eyelashes curved, and he shook his head in agreement with her.
So what if someone is beautiful? They're still shallow and lack refinement, unfit for high society!
This reaction was exactly what she expected. Qin Yuwei calmed down and raised her chin even higher, saying, "The Hall of Famous Paintings is where representative paintings by famous masters and scholars from all dynasties are kept. It is heavily guarded, and outsiders are not even allowed to get close."
Speaking of the Hall of Famous Paintings, Madam Liu, who was standing to the side, was quite proud and said with pride, "Don't underestimate our Yuwei just because she is still young. She is qualified to visit the Hall of Famous Paintings! This is not an honor that can be obtained easily."
Madam Shangguan asked Granny Wang to prepare afternoon lunch and chimed in, "This is quite rare." To be able to visit the Hall of Famous Paintings, one must indeed have some ability.
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