Wu Xiaoquan's family was very dissatisfied with Wu Niang's tone and hurriedly smiled and said, "The eldest wife knew about it. But she didn't ask as carefully as the fifth lady."
Wu Niang, who was usually so smart, had a changed expression at this moment, and said seriously: "Mother is very particular, and she handed this matter over to the three of us. If anything happens, none of us can shirk responsibility. There are some things I can't help but say..."
Although Wu Xiaoquan was the general manager of the Luo family, Wu Xiaoquan's family did not work in the Luo Mansion. Usually, she just followed the eldest wife around, chatting with her, or helping her with some errands. The eldest wife seemed to like having such a person around her. Although she did not rely on her as much as Xu Mama, she still trusted her. Therefore, everyone in the Luo family gave her some face.
When Eleventh Lady heard Fifth Lady's lecturing tone, she couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Everyone acted according to the eldest wife's instructions, and sometimes, Wu Niang acted too anxiously.
For example, in this case, Wu Xiaoquan's family had described the appearance of the screen at the beginning, but Wu Niang objected and gave a bunch of reasons to make it difficult. Later, Wu Niang asked, "Does mother know?" Wu Xiaoquan's family said, "Madam didn't ask carefully." Everything was a tactful way of telling Wu Niang that the first wife knew about this matter.
Seeing that Wu Xiaoquan's family's smiles had become a little stiff, she interrupted Wu Niang and asked with a smile, "Mother Wu, the size of this screen won't be changed, right?"
Eleventh Lady's interjection interrupted Fifth Lady's teaching, and Wu Xiaoquan's family was naturally happy to see it happen. He hurriedly smiled and said, "If he grows up, he will look clumsy; if he grows up, he will look frivolous. It won't change." His tone was very gentle.
"Then sister, please write according to this size first!" Eleventh Lady looked at Fifth Lady with a smile, "Now there are more than three months before the birthday gift is given, let's start with it. When we find the right wood, it won't be too late to carve the screen base and make the screen frame."
Wu Xiaoquan's family couldn't help but sneer in their hearts when they heard this.
Look at Miss Eleven, she is gentle and polite, generous and magnanimous, and never offends anyone when she speaks or acts. That is called being good at dealing with people. Unlike some people, who think that being able to make people laugh is good at talking, but they don’t know that most people who can talk don’t talk, and those who can’t talk are afraid that others don’t know that they can’t talk, so they keep saying things that are not reliable. This is like a half-full bottle of water that makes a sound, while a full bottle of water never makes a sound... thinking that the first wife likes it, she really regards herself as a legitimate lady!
"That's right." She agreed with Eleventh Lady with a smile on her face, "Those who make wood are the most powerful in Hangzhou Prefecture. We have stock at home, but it just doesn't meet our requirements. If it doesn't work, we can just use a few pieces together, it's the same."
Wu Niang was startled when she saw the flash of sarcasm in Wu Xiaoquan's family's eyes, and realized that she had talked too much.
Then I felt secretly annoyed.
These evil slaves just relied on the power of the eldest lady and didn't even take the young lady seriously... To be honest, it's because they are not the eldest lady's biological daughter... When Yuanniang was at home, although she was young, she remembered some things clearly.
Once, Yuanniang thought the bean paste in the glutinous rice balls was too sweet, so she ate half of it and spit it out in the bowl. This Wu Xiaoquan family picked it up and ate it, and said, "Fortunately, the eldest lady doesn't like it, it's a bargain for me." That look is like a dog wagging its tail...
She couldn't help but clench her hands together tightly.
A little maid came in and asked, "Fifth Miss, where should we put the lunch?"
"I was so busy talking that I forgot to check the clock." Wu Niang took a long breath and smiled even brighter. She took out her pocket watch and looked at it. "It's a little late. You two should stay and have lunch together!" She then instructed the little maid, "Go tell the kitchen that Miss Eleven and Madam Wu are having lunch at my place. I've picked out the food you two like to eat and cooked it for you."
Thinking that things had not been settled yet, she didn't know if the first lady's meal would be prepared if she went back. If she went back to her own house to eat, she would have to light a fire and wash the rice. It would be better to eat at the fifth lady's place.
Wu Xiaoquan's family laughed and said, "Then let Miss Fifth pay for it."
We eat at the public restaurant, and every meal is customized. If you want to add dishes, you have to pay for it yourself.
Wu Niang smiled and said, "Don't worry, I won't go bankrupt."
Eleventh Lady was somewhat hesitant.
The little maid hadn't left yet, and suddenly asked, "Miss Eleven, are you worried that things in your room haven't been settled?"
Eleventh Lady was secretly surprised when she heard this.
She was indeed worried about what was going on in the house...
But I can’t tell Wu Niang.
Afraid that she would think that he valued Amber more than her - even though that was true.
After hearing this, Wu Niang turned her gaze to Shiyi Niang.
But before Eleventh Lady could explain, the little maid said, "Don't worry, Eleventh Lady. Sister Binju arrived early. Seeing you talking to our young lady, she didn't dare to report back. She said that Sister Dongqing has arranged everything in your room - Sister Amber's place has been cleaned up, and she has been taken back to Lujun Tower. She has also asked the kitchen to prepare some dishes to welcome Sister Amber. You can rest assured and have your meal here with us!"
She had a clear voice, was articulate, and spoke in an organized manner. Everyone's eyes fell on her, including Wu Niang.
The little maidservant looked no more than eight or nine years old. She had not yet grown her hair, had almond eyes and rosy cheeks, and wore a light green cotton-padded jacket. She stood there gracefully, as fresh and tender as the young buds on the willow branches in March.
Wu Xiaoquan's family liked her and said with a smile, "Whose girl is this? She is pretty and has a clever tongue."
The maid smiled and stepped forward, bowed and introduced herself, "My name is Zhuo Tao. Because sister Qiu Ling is ill, the eldest lady asked to send her home to recuperate, so Madam Xu arranged for me to take her place. Zhao Sheng in the account office is my brother. When I arrived at the Fifth Miss's room, I learned the rules from the sisters, and then I knew how to behave. I don't deserve the praise from Madam."
"Burning peach!" Mother Wu laughed, "From what I see, it doesn't look like a peach, but more like a willow!"
Zhuo Tao was very smart and said immediately, "Thank you, mother. I also think this name is not good. Why don't you help me choose one so that I can also share in your blessing."
A few words made Wu Xiaoquan's family smile happily: "This is not my business. You have to ask your young lady."
Zhuo Tao knelt down in front of Wu Niang and said, "Please give me a name, young lady."
"Who did you learn this from?" Wu Niang looked at him in tears and laughter. "My body and skin are from my parents, and so is my name. You are not allowed to do this in my room." She added, "Go to the kitchen and serve the meal!"
Zhuo Tao nodded in agreement and turned to serve the food.
Wu Xiaoquan's family looked at her from behind and smiled, "This really proves the saying 'If you are not from the same family, you will not enter the same door.' This maid is also very eloquent."
*
After dinner, Eleventh Lady couldn't help but yawn.
Wu Niang was slightly stunned.
Eleventh Lady said embarrassedly: "I am used to sleeping at this time every day, even in winter. So I don't want to stay at my sister's place for dinner..."
The slight unhappiness that Eleventh Lady was about to go back home disappeared in Wu Niang's heart. She smiled and said, "In that case, why don't you go to my ** and take a nap for a while!"
"Let Sister Ziwei make us a cup of strong tea!" Shiyi Niang said with a smile, "The screen issue is more important. Otherwise, I won't be able to sleep well."
Wu Niang smiled and nodded, then went to the study with Shiyi Niang and Wu Xiaoquan's family, and asked Ziwei to make some strong tea.
After everyone had discussed some details, Wu Xiaoquan's family was about to report to the first wife: "...so as not to make her anxious." However, they took in their hands the several drafts that Wu Niang thought were the best.
Wu Niang understood what was going on, so she stood up and said with a smile, "Then let's go together - it's a good opportunity for Mother to take a look at the drafts I drew and see which one she likes, so that Eleventh Sister can embroider it based on that one."
Eleventh Lady couldn't help but smile bitterly.
The fight between these two people dragged her into it as well.
However, she would not refuse such an opportunity to report her achievements.
"I also want to know which look my mother likes best!" Eleventh Lady smiled and went with them to the eldest lady's place.
From a distance, a little maidservant greeted them and lifted the curtain.
As soon as I entered the room, I saw the eldest and second aunts sitting on small stools beside the bed, talking to the eldest wife.
The eldest concubine Duan and the second concubine Yuan were originally maids around the eldest master. After the eldest wife married, she decided to take in the concubines. The eldest concubine gave birth to the second and third concubines, and the second concubine gave birth to the second master. The second concubine died at the age of three, and the second master only lived for two days. The third concubine was born prematurely and had poor health since childhood. When she was fifteen years old, she was married to a nephew from her mother's family by the eldest wife. He died of illness within three years and had no children, so she had to adopt the concubine's daughter to her funeral.
From then on, the eldest concubine followed the second concubine and started to eat vegetarian food. The first wife also invited a vegetarian chef to cook for the two concubines. Because they were lay Buddhists, the two concubines had not served the first wife for several years.
Why are you suddenly talking to the first wife today?
Eleventh Lady was puzzled, but she didn't dare to show it on her face. She smiled and followed Fifth Lady to greet the first wife and the two concubines, then stood quietly half a step behind Fifth Lady.
Both of the two aunts had gray hair at an early age, but the eldest aunt was plump and looked very kind, while the second aunt was thin and looked a little stern. But no matter whether it was the eldest aunt or the second aunt, when they saw Shiyi Niang, they smiled at her.
The eldest wife also smiled as she looked at it: "But I helped you embroider a set of Buddhist scriptures and offered it to Ci'an Temple, and you were happy just by looking at her."
The eldest aunt smiled and said, "You are willing to study the scriptures with us, how can we not like you!"
As she spoke, Eleventh Lady blushed slightly and lowered her head.
The eldest wife looked at Eleventh Lady and smiled, very kind and amiable.
Wu Niang signaled Wu Xiaoquan's family to take out the paper: "We have discussed a few ideas and would like to ask mother to help us make a decision!"
Luo Qiao, another maidservant of the eldest wife, took the manuscript from Wu Xiaoquan's family and handed it to the eldest wife.
The eldest wife took a look and handed it to the eldest aunt beside her: "Can you help me take a look and see which one looks better?"
The eldest aunt picked it up, took a look at it with a smile, and said, "Madam, you know me. My eyesight has been getting worse in recent years. Let the second aunt help take a look!"
(I made a "Character Table" for everyone to refer to when reading the book...)