Qin Yuan had just woken up and was still a little drowsy. Upon hearing this, she asked, "Which Miss Xu?"
Hongye whispered, "The person is sitting outside. She is the Sixth Madam's niece, named Xu Zhen."
"oh."
Qin Yuan then came to her senses.
They arrived so quickly.
"Why don't you come and sit in the main hall?"
Hongye whispered, "She said they are all female family members, and they can just wait in the living room outside."
Qin Yuan fell silent, her expression not looking good.
Hongye hurriedly said, "I've hinted to her several times, but she seems not to understand and just keeps walking this way. It's good that the Marquis isn't home now. If he were home, what would it look like if he saw us? I never expected that she, an unmarried young lady, would be so familiar with people."
If the owner hadn't invited me, I really shouldn't have barged in.
To avoid future embarrassment.
Xu Zhen then asked, "Does he usually dislike painting or reciting poetry?"
Qin Yuan figured she wasn't that close to her yet.
It took Little Jo a quarter of an hour to get dressed.
As the saying goes, "You can't hit someone who's smiling." Xu Zhen said, "It's alright. You're a sleepyhead too. You'll just lie there for a bit. It's time to get up anyway."
I'm really worried.
Shu Shao, holding Hongye's hand, walked out.
"Oh?" Shu Shao feigned interest and asked, "What do you mean by 'same method'?"
Hongye reluctantly agreed.
Hongye said, "Since he no longer has that thought, I'm afraid he intends to have no connection with Master Tangduo. We still need to be on guard against any bad things."
It's possible that this is meant to arouse someone's interest.
Shu Shao sighed and said, "Your left neighbor is an old woman who married out of wedlock. She runs a small private school outside her house, teaching male students to read. She often saw you standing at the door listening to you recite your lessons, so she told your family that if a man knows a few characters, he can still manage the household and read the account books if he marries into a poor family. She was fooled by her superiors, and her family agreed."
Shu Shao kept looking at it again and again, and he was amazed.
Before that, Qin Yuan started coming more often. Whether she had something to do or not, she would linger outside the Wutong Garden and sit for a while. Xu Zhen would say less when she had time, but otherwise she would pay no attention to her.
Xu Zhen thought for a moment and said, "Well, after you do anything outrageous, just treat it as visiting a relative's daughter. Your cousin hasn't met the old lady yet, and Eighth Master will probably be visiting your cousin more often these days. You can mention it."
With Cui Ming absent and Hong Ye not very skilled at styling hair, Qin Yuan didn't bother with any complicated hairstyles. She simply tied her hair into a bun and inserted a gilded double-pronged gold hairpin with various sparkling gemstones inlaid on the handle.
In later generations, although my cousin barely made it to the end of the seventh class, he was still granted the title of "retired scholar".
Even if you're close friends, you shouldn't act like this.
Hongye said, "If they come like that every day, what kind of situation is that?"
Xu Zhen asked, "Does he usually do less needlework? His aunt said he should accompany Baozhu in embroidery. Have you seen what Baozhu's embroidery looks like? But from what you've said, it should be worse than Baozhu's."
If you're idle all day and have nothing to do, sticking to your older sister would be fine, right?
The implication is that we'll likely run into each other quite often.
Madam Gu was quite frank and said, "I heard that your cousin is a dragon among men and is still unmarried. Are you thinking that the good things will go to the other side?"
Xu Zhen then asked, "What kind of books does he dislike reading?"
In those times, the vast majority of men chose marriage as their way out, so Shu Shao's situation was exceptionally unusual.
After several attempts, Qin Yuan would wait outside the hall, often bringing her own embroidery to show Xu Zhen.
The two chatted briefly, but Qin Yuan, not wanting to sit any longer, said goodbye and left.
The two took their seats as host and guest, and Qin Yuan said with a smile, "I have often heard my aunt say that Madam is well-read and has an elegant demeanor. I have not had the chance to meet her now, but it is indeed true. Even the decorations outside Madam's room are different from others."
Xu Zhenren curled her lips and shook the round fan in her hand vigorously.
Qin Yuan snorted and said, "Just this once. Next time you come, find a way to invite her to sit in the outer room."
Qin Yuan smiled sheepishly and said, "How could you have read so much? People outside the family say that even though my aunt was well-educated, she still married a bad husband. You only read the 'Seven Books for Men'."
Shu Shao shook his head.
Qin Siyuan can only keep an eye on it himself.
Seeing your expression, Xu Zhen handed over the round fan in her hand and said, "Look at that fan. The design and the fan ribs alone cost nearly a hundred taels of silver. And we have to wait for the Imperial Household Department to finish purchasing before it's your turn to buy one. He said it's impressive, didn't he?"
Qin Yuan said shyly, "You've read quite a few books, and you're too outgoing. I just think the things you put outside your room are less tacky than what other people put inside. The fragrance is also quite unpleasant. It's so cold in the summer, but sitting here can calm your mind."
Since it can be passed down through generations, its weight can naturally be reduced when it is used for marriage.
Hongye only instructed these head maids to keep their eyes open, and as soon as Qin Yuan arrived, to lead her to sit in the hall, and then to let them leave the main room.
Xu Zhen will stay here for a while longer; once she breaks the rule, it will become a habit.
Xu Zhen couldn't help but laugh and said, "Your mother loves Baozhu dearly, and the embroiderer she hired for you is a top-notch Suzhou embroidery master. I've heard that even a single Suzhou embroidery handkerchief outside the capital costs tens of taels of silver, and people are still scrambling to get one. If you can't even hold a needle properly, this is such a waste. If she could learn a thing or two from him, she would benefit greatly. I've heard that many families pass down Suzhou embroidery as a family heirloom."
It is truly rare to find a retired scholar who has not yet accomplished anything in his old age.
Qin Yuan was still wearing the dress she had taken off earlier. When she saw you, a look of amazement flashed in her eyes. She stood up and smiled, "Madam Hou, you've come at the right time. Have you disturbed his rest?"
Kureha Shinobu secretly rolled her eyes.
Every time Madam Gu was in the servants' quarters, she would ask Xu Zhen what she thought of her nephew, Qin Yuan, and always say bad things about him. This made Old Madam Gu realize that some of her points were wrong, so she would avoid Xu Zhen and ask, "What is he trying to do?"
Xu Zhen said, "Since that's the case, the fact that the family is willing to let him study shows that they have high hopes for him."
No wonder Aunt Qi had such low standards, picking and choosing so carefully.
Qin Yuan couldn't help but laugh and said, "It's true, Madam. You know so many patterns and designs. Baozhu was so young, she probably hasn't even picked up a needle a few times."
Xu Zhen smiled and said, "It's because there was ice outside the house. He had just come out from inside and felt the coolness."
Of course, in that life, because of Qin Wan, you married even worse and became a Marquis's wife.
Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Auntie said that Madam is not very knowledgeable, so she asked Zhen'er to come and talk to Auntie often to broaden her horizons. It's true."
Did you also try to use your family background to scheme for a retired scholar's wife right under your stepmother's nose?
Qin Yuan seemed oblivious.
Xu Zhen said, "It's only natural for people to want to ruin a marriage, but you have a good education and your family background and character are outstanding. Your seventh aunt will surely help you."
After considering for a moment, Qin Yuan decided to wear a formal dress for receiving guests. The elaborate embroidery on the collar and cuffs made her smoky purple gauze dress look less dignified.
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