Lord Liu was a high-ranking official in the imperial court, and his children were of marriageable age. Whenever his family held a banquet, the house would be filled with carriages and horses, and guests would come in an endless stream.
When the lady and her two daughters arrived at the flower hall, it was already full of people.
Madam Liu, wearing a purple double-breasted jacket and skirt, sat on a high seat with a smile on her face. "Mrs. Du is here."
The lady hurried over to greet him, "I haven't greeted Madam yet. How is Madam doing lately?"
Mrs. Liu nodded, "Everything is fine."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, she turned her gaze to the back of the eldest lady and said, "Is this the daughter of the family? She is truly outstanding."
Yun Xuelan was very pleased with herself and walked over to her. "My humble daughter Yun Xuelan is here to meet Madam Liu."
"So you're the second young lady. I held you in my arms when you were one month old. Now you've grown into a big girl, haha."
After that, Madam Liu looked at Su Man and asked, "Who is this?"
The eldest lady smiled and said, "This is my eldest daughter, Yun Man. Her mother passed away early, and she was raised in the countryside, so you, Madam, have never met her. This is her first time attending a banquet, so please forgive me if she is offensive in any way."
When they heard that she grew up in the countryside, the female guests in the room all whispered to each other, and even Mrs. Liu's smile faded a little. "It's okay."
The eldest lady pointed out in public that she was a concubine's daughter and said that she grew up in the countryside. She was simply afraid that she would compete with Yun Xuelan for attention.
However, even though the eldest lady was deliberately suppressing her, Su Man did not hesitate to step forward and said calmly, "Yun Man greets Madam Liu."
"Get up." Mrs. Liu said lightly.
After Su Man stood up, she glanced at the landscape painting hanging in the hall and said with a smile, "Madam, this painting of Xiaoxiang is truly superb and unparalleled."
Madam Liu was stunned for a moment, looking surprised. "You also know this picture?"
Su Man nodded. "This painting uses malachite green and ink, giving it a light and moist feel. The rocks are dotted with brushstrokes, while the base of the hillside is rendered with hemp-fiber texture, giving it a rich and moist feel. The lush vegetation of the Jiangnan landscape is clearly revealed."
"Well said." Mrs. Liu cheered.
She loved collecting calligraphy and paintings, and now that she had found a kindred spirit, she felt a sense of relief. She ordered the maid behind her, "Go, get my painting of jackdaws and show it to the young lady."
...
Seeing Su Man and Madam Liu appraising paintings together, Yun Xuelan's nose was crooked with anger. The eldest lady was not much better. She had originally wanted Yun Man to be a foil so that Yun Xuelan could show her face, but she didn't expect Yun Man to steal the limelight.
Even at lunch time, Mrs. Liu asked Su Man to sit at the same table and was very cordial.
Yun Xuelan felt resentful, wondering where this bitch had learned these tricks and now showed off in front of Madam Liu. What made her even angrier was that Yin Hong didn't come today.
This series of troubles made Yun Xuelan so upset that she glared at Su Man fiercely on the way back in the carriage.
As soon as the carriage left, Yun Xuelan said angrily, "You've been in the spotlight today."
Su Man smiled brightly, "Second sister, you're joking. I just don't want to embarrass my family. What's the big deal about not being in the spotlight?"
Yun Xuelan sneered, "Don't think I don't know what you're up to. You're just trying to climb up the social ladder, aren't you? What kind of family are the Lius? How could they be interested in a country girl like you? I advise you to give up and marry into Prince Chai's mansion!"
"Prince Chai's Mansion?"
Su Man deliberately angered her, with a look of surprise on her face, "Sister, are you talking about Prince Yin? How can I be worthy of marrying a prince?"
Yun Xuelan was so angry that she blurted out, "Do you think you can hide? Your portrait has long been..."
"Xue Lan."
The lady said in a warning tone.
Although Yun Xuelan kept her mouth shut, Su Man became more alert. It seemed that the mother and daughter were ready to make a move.
Sure enough, when Su Man was changing her clothes, Xiaochun came in hurriedly and said, "Miss, someone has touched your dressing box."
Su Man stretched out her arms from her sleeves, put on her coat and said, "What's missing?"
"I lost a hairpin."
Su Man nodded, "Do you remember the style?"
"I remember. After the young lady finished speaking last time, I carefully checked the inventory. The hairpin was made of gold inlaid with jade, and was made into the shape of a hibiscus flower."
Su Man looked approvingly at him, "Very good, go out for a while later and don't let anyone see you."
"Why."
next day
Not long after Su Man got up, the servant of Master Yun came in and told her that the master wanted her to come over.
When Su Man arrived, Lu Shusheng was kneeling in the hall, and the eldest lady and Yun Xuelan were also there.
Su Man stepped forward to greet him, "How are you, Daddy?"
Master Yun slammed the table and said, "How can I be at peace with a daughter as disgraceful as you?"
The lady pretended to persuade him, "Sir, calm down. The young lady was confused for a moment. It would be bad if she alarmed others."
"Alerting others? If you alarm others, I will beat this evil creature to death with sticks!"
Master Yun saw Su Man standing there calmly, pointed at her and said, "Kneel down!"
Su Man knelt down obediently, tears welling up in her eyes. "Dad, I don't know what I did wrong to make you so angry."
Seeing that she was still quibbling, Master Yun threw the letter on the table in her face, "Look! What is this!"
When Lu Shusheng saw Su Man open the letter, his back visibly tensed.
The powdery fragrance of sweat wets the pegs of the jade zither, and the spring rain melts the soft cream.
After bathing, my lover touched me and felt the coolness of my soul seeping into the purple grapes.
After reading this, Su Man's face turned pale. She was amazed at how fast this scholar was driving.
Although she had clicked to collect it in her heart, on the surface, Su Man still put the letter aside as if it were hot, and said shyly, "What is this? Why is Dad showing me this?"
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