When Wang Yan returned, she saw everyone in the small kitchen peeling pomegranates and then washing the seeds in clean water.
So he rolled up his sleeves and went to help, asking, "Are we making spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums?"
“That’s right, Fuling is inside cutting the pears and oranges we just washed,” Chunxi chimed in.
"Last time I ate it for the Double Ninth Festival, I forgot to add a spoonful of locust honey, so I must make up for it this time."
Chunye laughed heartily, "Aren't you afraid of being too sweet!"
"Spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums" refers to cutting and peeling three kinds of fruit and putting them together in a small bowl.
Then pour on some plum juice and drizzle with honey. Finally, sprinkle a thin layer of icing sugar on top.
This ancient-style fruit salad tasted sweet and fragrant. Wang Yan and the others each took a small bowl and ate it with spoons.
…………………………
Ten days later, the old lady's birthday arrived, and the Marquis's mansion sent an invitation to the Earl An's mansion.
Jiang Shiyi made an excuse to decline the invitation, but all the gifts were prepared.
Xu Shaoqing's eldest sister didn't come either; the scholar's residence sent another son and daughter-in-law to offer their birthday wishes.
There was nothing wrong with doing this, and the other guests didn't notice anything amiss.
Gu Ting, however, was filled with hatred. Both families knew perfectly well why the Earl's family and their relatives were not coming.
Jiang Shiyi did it on purpose. Does that mean you're allowed to use underhanded tactics to disgust people?
Xu Shaoqing was even more distressed upon learning of this situation. Her face changed instantly, and she swayed as if she were about to faint.
Gu Ting looked at her with disdain and coldly instructed the maid beside him to help her back.
Xu Shaoqing forced a smile, but didn't try to maintain it, and took Guixiang back to Moyuan Courtyard.
As soon as she entered the courtyard, tears streamed down her face. "Guixiang, what should I do? Mother seems really angry with me!"
Gui Xiang felt as if she were being pricked by a thorn when she heard her question. How could she ask such a question?
If you have an affair and someone catches you in the act, and that person comes to propose marriage while also humiliating your parents, what should you do?
When your audacity nearly led to the deaths of all the maids who had served you since childhood, why didn't you say what to do?
That said, if Jiang Shiyi hadn't been kind-hearted, none of the maids who went to Yuchun Tower that day would probably be alive today.
What can I do? What do you think I can do? Not knowing how to respond, I simply stood with my hands clasped behind my back, head bowed, and remained silent.
After returning from the birthday banquet, Gu Ting couldn't control himself and lashed out at Xu Shaoqing. The two had a fight, and their relationship plummeted to its lowest point since they met.
Xu Shaoqing was so angry that she wanted to go back to the Earl's Mansion, but when she arrived at the main gate, she was stopped by the gatekeepers.
It was Granny Gui who came out and advised her, "Miss, you should go back to the third house. After all, you're already married, and you shouldn't take your temper tantrums to your aunt's house."
Xu Shaoqing felt wronged. "What are you saying, Granny? Do you really think my parents will disown me?"
After speaking, she would burst into tears on a busy street.
Granny Gui gasped, rushed forward, grabbed her hand, and said in a cold voice,
"The Third Miss has already married her ideal husband. The Madam and Master went to great lengths to make her wish come true."
Miss, you have nothing to worry about now, but shouldn't you also consider the needs of your other sisters in the household?
"If this commotion at the main gate happens, what will outsiders think of the Earl's mansion? We've lost face! How can they arrange marriages now? You must know, the other young ladies in the mansion are all very proper and concerned with their reputation."
Xu Shaoqing was both ashamed and angry, and her whole body went limp with rage.
After speaking, Granny Gui forcefully helped her into the carriage, and then glanced at Gui Xiang.
Gui Xiang understood and immediately ordered the carriage driver to return to the Marquis's residence.
After hearing Gui Xiang's instructions, Xu Shaoqing finally recovered from her embarrassment and anger. She glared at Gui Xiang resentfully and snapped,
"Why go back to the Marquis's mansion? Go to the house on Liuli Street."
Liuli Street is where Xu Shaoqing's third uncle's old residence is. Upon hearing this, the driver turned the car around and went in a different direction.
…………………………
A third young mistress left the Marquis's mansion, but not a word of it got out. Because nobody cared.
The second wife's family wasn't taken seriously by many people, except when there were jokes about them.
Aunt Su from the main kitchen sent someone to deliver a box of Five Blessings Cakes to Aunt Sun.
The two collaborated again for the old lady's birthday banquet. Wang Yan asked Aunt Sun for advice for the kitchen, suggesting that they select glutinous rice flour and red bean paste to make pastries, which were then dyed red.
Then make a mini mold, imprint it with the characters for fortune, prosperity, longevity, and happiness, and make the pastries into bite-sized, exquisite shapes.
It was both festive and delicious. Aunt Su didn't call her over to ask questions this year, but the master of the Marquis's mansion rewarded her handsomely.
When Wang Yan saw Granny Sun approaching her with a beaming smile, she knew it was time to collect money again.
Wang Yan accepted two purses, a gold ingot, and two agate earrings.
It turned out that the second wife, seeing the person giving the reward, also threw down two purses, just like her sister-in-law.
In addition to the old lady and Madam Hou, Aunt Su received six purses this time. Half of them were given to Wang Yan, and two were given to her.
The basket was full of pastries, and Wang Yan and the others couldn't finish them all. They packed one portion and sent it to the sewing room, and packed another portion and sent it to Moyuan Courtyard.
When Yingjie saw her, she quickly told her that her family had already made arrangements to go back and redeem her from her servitude. Her foot was also going to be "sprained" the day after tomorrow.
After returning home, Wang Yan silently prayed that everything would go smoothly.
Unexpectedly, a few days later, the message from her brother was that their mother had been redeemed from her servitude, but the chef at their father's place wouldn't let her go. Even Steward Rong couldn't say anything forcefully.
Wang Yan felt helpless, but at least half the matter was accomplished, so it was alright.
Aunt Wang isn't home lately, so should we take Sister Ying out to get her injury checked?
So Wang Yan didn't go back during her vacation, and Fatty Wang also moved into the backyard of the big kitchen. As for Wang Xing, well, that goes without saying.
Since Xiang'er's mother couldn't see this family, her jealousy lessened, and her expression became much calmer.
"Serves them right. They got all cocky after a few good days. Now look what happened! I wonder if their older sister will be crippled?"
As Xiang'er's mother stretched the quilt out to air it, she chatted with Xiang'er, who was sitting at the door. When she mentioned Wang Ying's feet, she couldn't help but laugh with schadenfreude.
Liu Xiang'er didn't respond to that. She was worried because she couldn't see Wang Xing. She had originally planned to ask him a few questions when she finally saw him.
If we could find out where the Third Young Master usually goes when he goes out, we could try to ask him for help, and maybe we could even get a job back in the manor.
But now the Wang family isn't coming back, and Liu Dong'er is so dense that she can't say anything meaningful.
Xiang'er's injuries have healed for more than half a month, but no one from the household has come to inquire about her condition.
Xiang'er was still feeling uneasy and uncertain about what to do next.
She has no time to go around taking advantage of other people's misfortunes with her mother.
When Aunt Cui came out to air the quilts, she heard Xiang'er's mother's snickering laughter and couldn't help but glare at her.
"Your Xiang'er was injured a while ago, and Madam Wang even sent her a few bowls of nourishing soup. How dare you have the nerve to talk about her behind her back now!"
Xiang'er's mother patted the blankets under her hands, then glanced at Aunt Cui in surprise.
"It's just a few bowls of leftover soup from the kitchen, yet it's been called such a great favor?"
“You…” Aunt Cui was furious, her anger flaring up completely.
Seeing that things were not going well, Liu Xiang'er quickly apologized to both sides and tried to make peace. She also pulled her mother back into the house, thus avoiding a verbal battle.
Seeing them enter the house, Aunt Cui spat on the ground, "Who are these people?!"
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