When Luo Yining finished washing up and went to find Lin Hairu, the wet nurse was feeding Nan Ge'er, and Nan Ge'er's little mouth was puffing up as he ate happily.
Lin Hairu hadn't slept well, and she yawned as she said to her, "Mrs. Sun will be here soon, and a few ladies living nearby have sent us invitations early to wish us a happy housewarming." She didn't mention anything about last night, and pushed Yining to her dressing table to show her some jewelry she had collected.
The woman always had endless things to say about this. As the sun rose higher, Madam Sun's carriage arrived. When Lin Hairu came, he had sent invitations to all the neighbors, and today several wives had come with him.
This was Luo Yining's first time meeting Madam Sun, who was more distant than Sun Congwan. When she learned she was the daughter of the Duke of Ying, she took a second look at her and said hesitantly, "I heard you were fostered at the Luo family?"
These members of the Qingliu family have always valued poetry and literature, and looked down upon the powerful and influential. Madam Sun did not know much about the Duke of Ying's Mansion.
Lin Hairu smiled and said, "It was originally raised by our old lady."
Madam Sun nodded, took the cake from the jade dish, and held it in her hand, but didn't eat it. She smiled and said, "Cong Wan is not feeling well, so I didn't want her to come. The child has been practicing calligraphy at home all day lately, and I think she has made considerable progress. Her illegitimate sisters have all taken her calligraphy copies home to copy."
When Lin Hairu was asked about things she wasn't good at, she could only smile stiffly, or, as Yi Ning had taught her, nod or ask a question to sound knowledgeable. Around noon, when the stage was set up, someone handed over another visiting card: "...Mrs. Xie from Jiuqu Hutong next door sent you a card, congratulating you on your new home."
The ladies sitting with them were a little surprised: "Mrs. Xie from the family of Grand Secretary Xie?"
Lin Hairu was still unfamiliar with the people and affairs of the capital, so one of the ladies told her, "Don't you know Madam Xie? She was conferred the title of Second Rank Imperial Consort by the late Emperor. Her sister is the current Empress, and her family is very prominent. Her daughter is Xie Yun, a talented woman renowned throughout the capital."
While Lin Hairu didn't know about Madam Xie, Yi Ning was well aware of Xie Yun's background. Not only was she the granddaughter of Grand Secretary Xie, but her aunt was also the current Empress. Her family was a long-standing and prestigious family with a rich history. Otherwise, Cheng Lang wouldn't have married Xie Yun. Madam Xie was also quite famous in the capital in her early years.
Lin Hairu had them invited in. From a distance, Yi Ning saw a woman wearing a richly embroidered brocade jacket and a gold filigree headpiece descend from a sedan chair. Then, another woman with a pair of beautiful phoenix eyes descended. It was none other than Xie Yun, the second daughter of the Xie family. The two approached, surrounded by servants.
Mrs. Xie held a high position and possessed a natural authority. Other wives were reserved when speaking to her, but fortunately, Lin Hairu was not overly sensitive.
Xie Yun frowned when he saw Luo Yining.
There's always a difference between legitimate and illegitimate children, not to mention Yi Ning was adopted. To others, it's a noble birth, but to her, it's just an ordinary one. Of course, with her talent, there aren't many who can catch her eye. After all, they were old acquaintances, so Xie Yun smiled faintly and nodded to her, "Sister Yi Ning, long time no see."
Luo Yining knew that Xie Yun was always arrogant. She also stood up and returned the greeting, smiling but saying nothing.
Mrs. Xie and Old Lady Wei had some history, so she asked Luo Yining how Old Lady Wei was doing. Yining said everything was fine. Mrs. Xie then chatted with Lin Hairu, "...we'll be neighbors from now on, and we'll have a lot of interactions. There's plenty to talk about. Let's get to know you today."
After saying this, he asked the servants to bring over the gifts. Lin Hairu was used to such scenes. After accepting the gifts, she changed the subject: "I see that Second Miss Xie has also reached the age of marriage. With such talent, I don't know which family should I choose as her relative?"
Madam Xie glanced at her daughter and pulled her to sit next to her. "Her grandfather has rejected many marriage proposals. The last time I brought her to the palace to see the Empress, she said she'd keep an eye on her... She's the darling of the Xie family, and we can't let her suffer any hardship. But I don't know what kind of man she's looking for!"
Xie Yun felt a little embarrassed when her mother mentioned the marriage. She pursed her lips and said, "What are you talking about? You and my aunt are just making fun of me!"
Yining couldn't say anything. She asked the maid to pass the pastries to her. She thought it was always a good idea to talk less and eat more.
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