People are in high spirits when they have good news, and Mrs. Lu was so happy that she couldn't stop smiling.
Lu Yanzhao achieved the highest rank in the imperial examination, and now Yingniang is getting married, making it a double celebration.
Lu's mother gave large red envelopes to all the female workers at Meiwuzhai.
It was no secret that the county had produced a top scholar; everyone at Meiwuzhai knew about it. As soon as Madam Lu sat down, she was greeted with a flurry of congratulations.
When Yingniang was sold to someone to bring good luck, she had already cut off all contact with her family. Today, Lu's mother was so happy that she simply recognized Yingniang as her goddaughter.
Lin Ji only had one father, so Lu's mother acted as a member of the maternal family and discussed marriage arrangements with Lin's father.
When Lu's mother first arrived at Lin Ji's home, she was somewhat taken aback. Looking at the few dilapidated thatched huts in the fenced yard, the chickens, ducks, and geese in the yard, and the lame old man struggling to feed the chickens with a cane, Lu's mother had assumed that the optimistic, gentle, and refined Lin Ji family would be well-off. She hadn't expected it to be so similar to the Lu family she had visited before.
Come to think of it, Lu Yanzhao came from a poor peasant family, and there were many people in the college who looked down on him. Those he could get along with were naturally people from similar backgrounds who were also hardworking and ambitious.
Lu's mother quickly looked away. As the saying goes, a hero's origins don't matter; even a family like hers could raise such an outstanding son as Lu Yanzhao. Given time, Lin Ji would surely be no less successful than Yanzhao.
Failing the exam this time was just bad luck.
When Lin's father learned of Lu's mother's purpose for coming, he became somewhat excited.
It's astonishing that a woman from such a poor family would be willing to marry into their household.
Since Yingniang's previous marriage to bring good fortune couldn't be hidden, Lu's mother simply told her everything, and seeing that Lin's father showed no dissatisfaction or prejudice, the two discussed and set a date for the wedding: the eighth day of next month, which was considered auspicious.
...
At the Delicious Restaurant, Yingniang stopped fiddling with the abacus and exclaimed in surprise, "So fast?"
"Yes, we were thinking of setting the date for next year, but Mr. Lin seems to be in a hurry. He's afraid he won't make it through the winter. He can only feel at ease when he sees his son get married." Mrs. Lu also felt that the wedding date was a bit too close, but since the groom's family was in a hurry to get married, she couldn't say anything. As Yingniang's godmother, once the date was set, she had to ask Yingniang's opinion.
Yingniang rubbed the sweat from her palms. Hearing that she was going to get married, she felt a little nervous for some reason, with a hint of fear mixed in with her nervousness.
Seeing that Yingniang's reaction lacked the joy expected of a new bride, Lu's mother couldn't help but worry: "But the days are passing too quickly, and I'm feeling a bit nervous and uneasy. If you don't like this date, we can discuss changing it."
Yingniang let out a sigh of relief, feeling a little more relaxed. She said to Lu's mother, "Godmother, I've been married once, although my husband died before the wedding ceremony. But everyone says I'm cursed and bring bad luck to my husbands, and I'm a little scared..."
Hearing the word "godmother," Lu's mother's heart softened. She took Yingniang's hand and comforted her, "Child, birth, aging, sickness, and death are all part of life. You can't be blamed for this. You've been to school; how can you believe such nonsense? Lin Ji is also a scholar who has studied the classics; he wouldn't be so shallow. The most important thing for the young couple is to make a good life for each other. Although his family is poor, I believe that as long as you two work hard, you will definitely be able to get rid of your current situation."
Hearing Lu's mother's words, Yingniang felt a lot. Thinking about her upcoming marriage to Lin Ji, she blushed and buried her head in her chest.
Seeing this, Lu's mother felt relieved.
After a moment, Lu's mother took out an envelope and handed it to Yingniang: "Can you help me see who wrote this letter?"
Yingniang took the envelope, opened it, and said, "It's a letter from Manager Gu."
Mother Lu said happily, "So it's Jiao Jiao's letter! I've been waiting for so long, I was so worried about you."
Yingniang read the contents of the letter aloud, while Lu's mother listened intently.
After hearing this, Lu's mother was finally relieved. Knowing that Gu Nanjiao was doing well in the capital, she inquired about Lu Yanzhao in her letter. She quickly urged Yingniang to reply.
"Quickly write a reply saying that Yanzhao has passed the provincial examination with top honors, and that her father and Yanzhao have already returned. Also, inform her of your marriage to Lin Ji and ask her to come back as soon as possible to attend your wedding."
Yingniang nodded and immediately found paper and pen to write down what Lu's mother had said.
...
Gu Nanjiao and Lü Siniang were extremely busy. After Jiaoniang Pavilion gained a reputation, it attracted the attention of many wealthy and noble families.
A big order came in today. The young lady of the Minister's mansion wants to attend the Chrysanthemum Banquet next month. I heard that the clothes from Jiaoniang Pavilion are very popular. The young lady's nanny specially came to Jiaoniang Pavilion and asked her to come to the Minister's mansion to take her measurements in three days.
Lu Siniang was overjoyed. The Minister's Mansion! To be able to see it even once in a lifetime would make this trip to the capital worthwhile.
In comparison, Gu Nanjiao appeared much calmer. She knew that the more prestigious and wealthy a family was, the more rules it had, and every word and action had to be carefully considered.
As expected, Gu Nanjiao's guess was very accurate.
The Minister's residence occupied an entire street, its signboard bearing the words "Minister's Residence" in large, gilded characters, exuding an imposing aura. Two fierce-looking guards stood at the entrance, and two-meter-tall stone lions stood majestically, inspiring fear in those who beheld them.
Gu Nanjiao explained her purpose, and the guard, looking fierce, said, "Go through the back door!"
Lu Siniang muttered to herself, "Wealthy families have so many rules. Going through the back door will take a long and complicated process."
The gatekeeper's gaze suddenly sharpened: "What are you whispering about? Do you think you can just walk through the main gate?"
Gu Nanjiao tugged at Lü Siniang's sleeve, inwardly scoffing, "So what if you have a lot of presence?"
But the smartest people should avoid direct confrontation and backdoor dealings.
The two went around in a big circle and finally arrived at the back door.
The Minister's residence is truly magnificent; even the back gate is more imposing than the main gate of an ordinary wealthy family's home.
After another announcement, the two entered the mansion.
The head nanny said that the rules of the Minister's mansion are strict, and one must not look around aimlessly, but walk with a bowed back and head down.
Damn, isn't this the kind of thing a lackey would do?
They're here to do business, not to be slaves.
It's okay to keep your eyes from wandering, but you can't walk with your head down, or you might bump into someone.
The two followed the old woman to the gate and heard a pleasant female voice coming from inside the courtyard. They figured that this must be the young lady.
After another announcement, the door opened.
A beautiful woman in gorgeous clothes was sitting on a bamboo chair in the courtyard, chatting and laughing with her maid.
Upon seeing Gu Nanjiao and Lü Siniang arrive, the young lady stopped chatting and laughing, her gaze sweeping over Gu Nanjiao with a critical and scrutinizing look: "Is the manager of Jiaoniang Pavilion someone who can't be seen by others? Why does she wear a veil when she goes out?"
Gu Nanjiao touched the veil on her face and smiled, "When I first arrived in the capital, I heard that women in the capital were strictly disciplined and often covered their faces with light veils when they went out. The capital is not like my hometown, so I naturally have to follow the local customs here."
The woman seemed indifferent to Gu Nanjiao's answer. She had only asked the question casually, and naturally looked down on people from small towns like this.
However, they did have some skills, which were widely known in the capital. The newly opened Jiaoniang Pavilion had novel and unique clothing styles, which piqued her interest.
"Let's take your measurements!"
Lu Siniang quickly stepped forward to take her measurements, and Gu Nanjiao wrote down her preferences and taboos. She then leaned over the table and soon designed several garments.
A hint of amazement flashed in the young lady's eyes: "I really can't believe that a woman from a small county town can paint such stunning clothes. It's truly impressive."
This condescending praise made Gu Nanjiao very uncomfortable. However, it was normal for young ladies from wealthy families to be arrogant, and such people were not very common. In order to close this deal, Gu Nanjiao stood quietly to the side and waited for what was to come.
Just then, a third-class maid ran over, shouting, "It's terrible, Third Miss! Auntie broke the Eldest Miss's jade pendant. I heard it was a gift from the Imperial Concubine, and she was punished by the Madam to kneel in the ancestral hall. She also said... Miss is not allowed to attend the Chrysanthemum Banquet next month."
"What?" The third young lady stood up abruptly, her voice shrill, and the garment patterns in her hands scattered all over the floor.
"What is Aunt doing? I went to great lengths to get the First Madam to take me to the Chrysanthemum Banquet next month, why is she deliberately sabotaging me?"
"Quick, take me to see my eldest sister. She's the kindest person I know, I want to see her. We absolutely cannot let the Madam cancel my invitation to the banquet!"
The maids and servants bustled about, helping the third young lady change her clothes, put on her shoes, and open the door.
Gu Nanjiao squatted down, picked up the blueprints from the ground, and asked the maid beside her with a smile, "Do the clothes still need to be custom-made?"
Her boudoir was very busy, and she didn't have time to wait for this third young lady to deal with household affairs. Therefore, she needed to ask first if she planned to buy these items, so that she and her fourth sister could start preparing for production when they got back.
To everyone's surprise, the maidservant said arrogantly, "What are you ordering? Can't you see our young lady is busy? Get out of here!"
Gu Nanjiao "..."
Lu Siniang muttered under her breath, "Do all wealthy families speak so rudely?"
Gu Nanjiao's smile gradually turned cold: "Let's go, they've already told us to leave, what am I still standing here for!"
They traveled all this way, only to fail to make a sale. First, they were ridiculed, and now they're being kicked out. All their time and effort went to waste, and they didn't earn a single penny.
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