Chapter 722 The First Birthday Gift is a Western Mirror
The weather is getting colder.
The plum blossoms in the capital are in bloom, and many noble ladies have arranged to enjoy the plum blossoms and drink tea together.
However, because of the incident at Linxi, the outside world knew that Cheng Wanwan had suffered a minor injury, which gave her an excuse to decline many social engagements.
She had plenty of time in the capital, as she didn't need to manage workshops, work in the fields, or chat with villagers.
After more than ten days, the weapons she had ordered finally arrived, costing her more than three thousand taels of silver and filling her entire storage space.
Next, we need to figure out how to stuff so many weapons into the valley where the He family lives, and let the higher-ups know before the He family finds out... By then, the He family will be finished, if not destroyed.
This was a matter of great importance, and Cheng Wanwan dared not act recklessly, racking her brains over every single step.
The twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month was the first birthday celebration for Cheng Zhao's little daughter.
Actually, her first birthday was a month ago. But Sister-in-law Cheng heard some nonsense from someone, saying that if they held a banquet for their eldest granddaughter on the twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month, Situ Man would definitely get pregnant with a big, healthy boy. So, the first birthday banquet was postponed for a month.
Cheng Jinxuan was fair-skinned and chubby, with eyes exactly like Situ Man's, which were particularly beautiful. She was also very energetic and gesticulated.
Madam Situ, holding her granddaughter, smiled and said, "This child's eyes look like Xiaoman's, and her nose and mouth are exactly the same as her second great-aunt's."
Situ Man glanced at her daughter, then at Cheng Wanwan, and was speechless.
Her nose and mouth are completely different from her second aunt's, okay? Her mother is just making things up.
"Come here, let your second aunt hold you for a while." Cheng Wanwan picked up the child, then took out a small box from her sleeve and stuffed it into the child's arms. "This is a first birthday present from your second aunt. Keep it safe, or it will be gone if you lose it."
Situ Man hurriedly declined, saying, "My second aunt already sent a gift when she came to the capital, why would I send another one..."
"A greeting gift is a greeting gift, and a first birthday gift is a first birthday gift." Sister-in-law Cheng took the small box, opened it, and was immediately stunned. "What... what is this?"
A group of people gathered around.
Madam Situ looked surprised: "This is a peep show; these things aren't cheap."
Her family were salt merchants and very wealthy. Sometimes they would go to sea and bring back some exotic things. The craftsmanship of this Western mirror was very difficult, and there weren't many people who knew how to make it. It was very expensive abroad, and even more so when brought back to China. Sui Shuren actually gave it to a little girl who had just turned one year old.
"So this is a peep show. I heard that the Empress also has one, which is bigger than this one and can reflect half of her body."
"This thing reflects things much more clearly than a bronze mirror. Oh dear, when did I get so many wrinkles around my eyes? I look in the bronze mirror every day and I never noticed."
"Don't even mention it, I just found out I have a small mole under my nose."
The tiny mirror was passed around among the women in the room, who kept exclaiming in amazement.
Cheng Wanwan knew that peep shows existed in this era, which is why she dared to take them out.
However, these rare items were all tributes from foreign countries, and only nobles in the palace could use them.
Private merchants do have the means and money to buy them, but even if they do, they dare not use them openly, for fear of being sued and ruining their lives.
Cheng Wanwan deliberately chose a small mirror, so that it wouldn't be considered presumptuous by the nobles in the palace, and it would also elevate the status of her daughter, Cheng Zhao, so that Situ Man wouldn't be constantly nagged by her sister-in-law.
"What a lucky child, to have such a doting second aunt as Sui Shuren."
"Who says otherwise? This child will have even greater fortune in the future."
"My grandson is one year old, maybe we can arrange a marriage between them..."
The whispers of those around her reached Sister-in-law Cheng's ears, and she was quite surprised. Such a small mirror had made that third-rank lady want to arrange a marriage between her grandson and this girl.
Isn't this too hasty?
But the enthusiasm of those around them didn't seem fake.
She had to admit once again that the title of Third-Rank Lady Sui was indeed useful; distinguished guests who couldn't be invited before were all here now.
The Cheng family, a poor family, held a full-month celebration for their granddaughter, which was attended by many dignitaries and officials, bringing them great honor.
At this moment, a servant came in from outside and said respectfully, "The auspicious time has arrived. Please, ladies and young ladies, take your seats."
The banquet was set up in the courtyard, where heaters were placed in all directions. It was a bit cold, but not too cold. Everyone sat at separate tables according to their relationship to each other and their social status.
Cheng Wanwan is Cheng Zhao's second aunt, and the second great-aunt of today's protagonist, so she naturally sits at the main table.
Grandma Cheng raised a glass of wine and said, "I know what you mean by giving Xuanxuan the peephole. Don't worry, as long as I live, I will not let anyone look down on this child."
Sister-in-law Cheng's face turned ugly. Wasn't her statement a clear indication that she looked down on Xuanxuan?
She coughed and said, "Xuanxuan is Zhao'er's first child and my first granddaughter. Of course, I cherish and love her. Xiaoman, don't you think so?"
Situ Man smiled and said, "Of course."
Actually, her mother-in-law didn't look down on Xuanxuan; she just wanted a grandson more. She understood this feeling and there was nothing to blame her for.
That's all Cheng Wanwan can do. She can't even change Hui Niang's mindset, let alone outsiders.
She lowered her head and continued eating. At this moment, Madam Zheng from the next table suddenly came over and said with a smile, "They say the most precious thing in life is meeting an old friend in a foreign land. To meet Sui Shuren in such an unfamiliar place as the capital is like going to Dahe Town in Huzhou. Ever since I learned that Sui Shuren had come to the capital, I have been thinking about visiting her every day. However, Sui Shuren was frightened and needed to rest, so it has been delayed until now. I will punish myself with a cup of tea instead of wine. Please do not take offense, Sui Shuren."
Madam Zheng was the wife of Magistrate Zheng of Fenghuang County, Huzhou, and the mother of Zheng Wangfeng.
When Zheng Wangfeng got married, Madam Zheng came from Fenghuang County to the capital to help with the arrangements. Perhaps it was the environment of the capital that made her look more energetic.
However, Cheng Wanwan and this Madam Zheng had never been on good terms, and even had some hidden conflicts. It was unclear what Madam Zheng's sudden visit was up to.
But Madam Zheng was smiling and respectful, so Cheng Wanwan couldn't ignore her. She raised her glass and said, "Madam Zheng is too kind."
“We’re from the same hometown, so we should visit each other more often.” Madam Zheng said with a smile. “My daughter-in-law is also pregnant, six months along now. When the baby is born and we have a one-month celebration, please do me the honor of attending and having a drink.”
Cheng Wanwan followed her gaze and saw the young mistress of the Zheng family sitting at the next table. Her belly was already showing, and she looked to be five or six months pregnant.
The young girl had a calm and composed expression. When she saw Cheng Wanwan looking at her, she stood up and bowed.
“She’s sensitive to the cold; her hands and feet get icy after sitting outside for a while, so I took her back first.” Madam Zheng looked apologetically at the Cheng and Situ families. “It was really not easy for her to get pregnant with this child. I was afraid that something might happen to her health, so I left early. I’m so sorry.”
Madam Cheng said nonchalantly, "It's true that pregnant women are weaker than ordinary people. Anyone who has given birth can understand that. I'll see you out."
Madam Zheng apologized to Cheng Wanwan again before leaving with her daughter-in-law.
As soon as she left, Sister-in-law Cheng curled her lip and said, "This isn't like marrying a wife, it's more like marrying a tyrant..."
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