"Miss Kuang, you flatter me."
"If Madam Cen doesn't mind, please call me Meiyun."
After we sat down, Wan Qing came over with a small box. Once the lid was opened, we could see two exquisite white magnolia hairpins lying quietly inside.
"Since it's our first meeting, Aunt Yun doesn't have much to give you. These two white magnolia hairpins aren't worth much, but I'll give them to you two as a small gift."
"You're too kind."
Yang Cui blocked her way; these two hairpins were obviously expensive, costing at least a hundred taels.
"I cannot refuse a gift from an elder, so please call me Aunt Yun at least." Kuang Meiyun forcefully stuck two hairpins into Er Ya and San Ya's hair.
Yang Cui had no choice but to accept it, but she was thinking about how to reciprocate. She felt bad about receiving such an expensive gift for no reason.
"Second sister." A girl's voice came from behind.
Kwong Mei-wan introduced them: "This is my youngest sister, Mei-yu, who is the sixth in her family. This is Madam Cen, and this is the second Miss Yang and the third Miss Yang."
"Greetings, Madam Cen." Kuang Meiyu curtsied to Yang Cui. "Greetings, both of you sisters as well."
“Calling her ‘sister’ might mess up the generational order. You’re about the same age, so please call each other by our names.” After saying this, Yang Cui took off the jade bracelet from her hand and gave it to Kuang Meiyu. “Sixth Miss Kuang, it’s a pleasure to meet you. This jade bracelet isn’t worth much, so please don’t mind it. Keep it for fun.”
Kuang Meiyu looked at her sister, Kuang Meiyun, and smiled. She found Yang Cui very interesting; she didn't like to take advantage of anyone. She noticed that the jade bracelet was of much better quality than the two hairpins she had given away.
"Since Madam Cen gave it to you, you should accept it."
Kuang Meiyu then accepted the gift and curtsied again, saying, "Thank you, Madam Cen."
Guests arrived one after another, and Kuang Meiyun couldn't just entertain Yang Cui alone. Among the guests were several acquaintances, including Mo Zhangshi and her daughter Mo Yalan, and Manager Song's wife, Zhengshi.
Upon seeing Yang Cui, Zheng immediately brought her daughter Song Jiarong to sit down.
After the younger generation greeted the adults, they went to play with the girls they knew. It was the first time Er Ya and San Ya had attended such a grand banquet. Although Yang Cui had taught them etiquette and Su Yutang had also taught them some manners, their backgrounds and years of life in the lower-class countryside still made them a little nervous and timid.
Kuang Meiyun was a clever woman. She said, "Madam Cen, would you like Meiyu to take the two young ladies out for a stroll?"
Kuang Meiyu was very well-mannered and a few years older than the two of them; she seemed like a steady and reliable person.
Yang Cui also hoped that the two children would be braver, so she said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Sixth Miss."
"Sisi, Qinqin, Jiarong, let's go play by the rockery. I'll introduce you to some of my girlfriends."
Er Ya and San Ya also wanted to go for a stroll, and they accepted Kuang Meiyu's friendly invitation.
Yang Cui was already very pleased that they were able to take this step so boldly; she was just afraid that they would be too self-conscious to go out and socialize.
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