Chapter Ninety-Five: Auntie Sends a Gift

  The next morning, before Xiaotou called out, Qindai got up refreshed and washed up.

  Chunli combed her hair and softly told her about yesterday's events.

  "As you sleep so soundly, I didn't dare to call out to you. Instead, I quietly added a few more silver silk charcoal pieces in the room, thinking that perhaps Miss had been exhausted from last night's gathering and felt even more heartbroken. From now on, whenever Miss goes out, someone must follow her everywhere."

  Qin Dai Xin smiled and thought to herself that she wasn't so fragile, it was just a few maids who had heard about her argument with Qin Ruo Xin and were afraid of being taken advantage of.

  Ailian brought in a tray with painted lacquer, arranged the delicate breakfast dishes on the table one by one, turned around and lifted the curtain to go out again.

  "What is she doing?" Busy and bustling about.

  Ru Yi smiled on the side, "Miss probably hasn't tasted Ai Lian's cooking for two years, this girl is meticulous in making things! She started busy early today and made a lot of your favorite dishes."

  How thoughtful of you.

  In Qin Dai's eyes, dressing up seemed like a difficult task, but when it was handed over to Chun Lian, it was only a matter of half an hour. Today, she neither went out for a stroll nor received guests, and simply let the maid casually style her hair and put on a silk flower hairpin.

  There is a fragrant fish roe congee on the table, steaming hot soup dumplings, a plate of osmanthus cake, a plate of almond cake, a plate of cloud-like cake, and also eight-treasure dish that was pickled a few days ago, cold mixed silver sprout silk.

  Qin Dai Xin couldn't eat that much, but didn't want to disappoint Ai Lian, so she had a little of everything, even some sweets that she usually didn't touch, making Ai Lian tear up with joy beside her.

  The little maids cleared the table and served hot tea. Qin Dai asked Runchun Li and Ailian to withdraw, and let Ruyi find Xueqing to talk in the house.

  Qin Dai Xin saw that she was wearing a cyan jacket with a ring-shaped design, and her hair was also combed into the bun style that the maids in the mansion were accustomed to. With this dress-up, although not as elegant as Ai Lian or Chun Li, nor as calm as Ru Yi, it had toned down her original stubbornness, making her whole person look radiant.

  "Can't you all just learn to be obedient?"

  "Miss Hui, I don't dare to be arrogant, I've learned about 70-80%." The answer was given with a calm and composed tone, as if it had been practiced many times.

  At first when I asked her questions, she seemed to respond in the same way, with a very understanding and composed demeanor. How could someone who had never been in the palace before be so calm?

  Thinking of this, Qin Dai's gaze couldn't help but size up Xue Qing, seeing that her eyes were clear and without any evasive color, she slightly put down her guard, but used the corner of her eye to glance at her shoes.

  The maids in the mansion usually wear short jackets and skirts, which are convenient for working. These jackets and skirts are generally a little shorter, just exposing the shoes under their feet to prevent them from tripping over their long skirts.

  Very clean embroidered shoes, thick-soled embroidery of green branch pattern, with two small begonias embroidered at the toe.

  Qin Dai Xin withdrew her gaze and said softly, "I already have a senior maid, two second-class maids, you are knowledgeable and reasonable, I won't mistreat you. From today on, serve in the house with Chun Lian Ai Lian. If there's something to do, Yu Yi will instruct you, if not, you can get close to them and learn about the etiquette of welcoming and sending off guests in this courtyard. You've just arrived, I don't have any other requirements for you, just do your job well, understood?" The tone at the end had a hint of warning.

  Xue Qing's heart tightened, she nodded silently, but didn't say another word.

  It seems that he is not a deceitful and cunning person either.

  Qin Dai Xin gave Ruyi a look, and the latter understood, turning around and leaving.

  "In this house of mine, there isn't a suitable position for your mother, however, I have an estate that is currently short-handed and I was thinking of sending her over. What are your thoughts on the matter?"

  The voice was neither high nor low, neither urgent nor slow, but it sounded like thunder in Xue Qing's heart.

  "It's all up to Miss." There was a hint of hesitation in his words that was hard to decipher.

  Qin Dai Xin waved her hand and let her retreat, then began to think.

  As soon as she entered the house, she saw Qin Dai Xin with a thoughtful expression on her face. She didn't dare to disturb her and quickly moved a small three-legged stool to sit beside her doing needlework.

  Qin Dai secretly thought about the origin of this mother and daughter, and didn't know who arranged for them to be by her side. This person was probably not simple, able to arrange the scene where she was recognized on the street but refused, and might have also arranged everything else. Even if she went to ask questions, she wouldn't be able to find out anything. What kind of person would understand herself so well, knowing that she would definitely intervene in this matter? The identities of these two women were unclear, were they enemies or friends? What was the purpose of them coming to the Qin estate and approaching her?

  She thought for a long time, but couldn't make sense of it at all.

  It was just dawn, Qin Dai Xin usually got up at 5:00 am, and now it was only about 1:00 am.

  "Miss, it's time to go and pay your respects to the lady."

  Qin Dai'er sank into thought for a moment, then let Ruyi help her get dressed. Ruyi thought that the single camellia flower was too plain, so she took it upon herself to add two pearl flowers, and also put on sparkling crystal earrings. Only then did they set off.

  Qin Dai Xin let Ruyi call Xue Qing to follow, and Ruyi only said to her: "Miss intentionally lets you move around in the yard more often, this is your good fortune."

  The three of them went to Fang Wanru's courtyard, but because it was during the festival, there were many things to do in the mansion, and Fang Wanru did not warmly pull her over to talk like usual. She simply asked about her health and instructed Yu Yi to take good care of her before sending them off with tea.

  Qin Dai Xin didn't mind, but Yi was worried that it might be because of yesterday's incident when Li Gongzi came to the mansion and Second Miss was punished, which affected Fang Wanru's mood. The residual light caught a glimpse of Xue Qing's expressionless face, and her heart suddenly tightened.

  The three of them went to Fang's courtyard again.

  Since Gong Sun Jin's design didn't work out, Fang Shi's attitude towards Qin Dai Xin has become very subtle. She doesn't treat her as casually as before, nor does she show any dissatisfaction. Except for the initial period when she rarely saw her, now she even starts to care about her in a subtle way. When she sees her going to pay respects, she hurriedly asks how her body is and whether she has taken some nourishing products, leaving Qin Dai Xin perplexed.

  Perhaps it was for the sake of the Qin family and wanting to win over the Li family of Jiangdong, so there might be such a move.

  Qin Dai's silent laughter, she and Li Mu were eight poles apart, how did they get targeted by them?

  The days flew by like a white horse crossing a ravine, and before you knew it, the 15th of the first month arrived, which is also one of the most important grand festivals of the year. On this day, there was no quiet night in the city, and the streets were filled with laughter and chatter. The streets were crowded with people, and the stalls selling flower lanterns and guessing lantern riddles were lined up one after another. Even the young women who rarely showed their faces would come out onto the streets on this day to experience the most carefree joy of the year.

  On the fifteenth day of the first month, the Qin Mansion was bustling with activity from early morning as they prepared for the evening's flower lantern viewing and street tour. The carriage had to be made ready, and snacks, tea, charcoal basins, and warm stoves also needed to be prepared. Most importantly, several capable young servants and maids had to be selected to accompany each of the masters and mistresses, as the streets would be crowded with people coming and going, and if they weren't careful, they might accidentally bump into the ladies of the mansion, which would be terrible.

  Qin Dai Xin had not attended any of the Qin family's banquets, big or small, since she had been feeling unwell. So on this New Year's Eve, several maids by her side refused to let her stay at home and took turns persuading her to go out and have some fun.

  Qin Dai Xin had not appeared at the banquet before, because she did not like that kind of gathering where a group of women would get together to gossip about other people's family affairs, nor did she like being compared with others like goods, so she made an excuse that her body was not feeling well and pushed away Fang Wanru's opportunity to take her to various mansions.

  But Lantern Festival was different, she had long wanted to experience what ancient Lantern Festival was like, and of course wouldn't miss it.

  Several maidservants heard this and were naturally delighted, busily helping her collect the clothes and accessories she would use that evening. Ruyi finally helped her choose a suit of dark-patterned jacket and skirt made of smoke-rain brocade, chose a pair of thick-soled green shoes with twisted branch patterns, and had Chunli help think of a simple hairstyle, braiding a double-spiral flower hairstyle, tying bright pink ribbons on the two "spirals", and only inserting one pearl hairpin flower. Although it was simpler, it also looked very neat and tidy.

  Qin Dai Xin felt a bit cumbersome and suggested that everyone dress up as men, but was vetoed by several maids shaking their heads.

  "Miss, if you always dress like this, we servants will follow your example. But today is the Lantern Festival, and every young lady with any face to show is dressed up beautifully to go out. If you wear men's clothes, won't it be a great disappointment?"

  Xue Qing said from the side, "I'm afraid Madam won't agree with your outfit either." She has now fully adapted to this life and has become close friends with Ruyi, Chunli and Ailian.

  This is true. The Qin family had prepared several horse-drawn carriages, which would be used when they left the mansion in the evening. Although Fang Wanru agreed that everyone should go their separate ways, she probably wouldn't agree to her dressing up as a man and swaggering through the streets.

  Sigh, I really miss jeans!

  In the end, Qin Dai Xin compromised. She didn't want to be treated as an outcast, although she was one in reality. This was her biggest secret, even from Su Shi.

  "Alright, alright, ladies, can't I wear this? But I'd better change into something else. This fabric is too expensive, with so many people on the street, it would be a pity if it gets torn."

  Ru Yi thought for a moment and felt that Qin Dai's words made sense. This set of clothes was exceptionally beautiful and should be paired with a complex hairstyle adorned with expensive hair accessories to bring out its extraordinary qualities. Now, the young lady only wore a simple double braid hairstyle, although Chun Li had done some special handling, making the two braids intertwined into a flower shape, slightly different, but she only wore a pearl flower and tied a pink ribbon, which really didn't show off the noble and beautiful effect.

  "Why not wear that apricot-yellow satin jacket with sleeves, and underneath, a dark green embroidered auspicious cloud patterned satin skirt? The colors are soft and harmonious, making Miss Qin's skin as white as snow, even more beautiful. Qin Dai's skin can be described as tender and delicate, like a peeled hard-boiled egg, and even without makeup, she has a natural peach blossom complexion."

  Qin Dai's heart was silent, which could be considered as an acknowledgment. She recalled the shock she felt when she first saw her reflection in the mirror. Even if she wasn't stunningly beautiful, she should at least be considered radiant and captivating.

  At this moment, laughter came from outside the door. Yini listened and thought it was Fangqiu, the big girl beside her aunt, so she quickly asked Xiaotou: "Is Sister Fangqiu here?"

  Before the little maid could respond, Fang Qiu lifted the curtain and came in, curtsied to Qin Dai, and jokingly said: "This little maid of yours has grown a weather ear, hasn't she? She heard me coming from far away."

  "My good sister, if I couldn't even hear your voice, wouldn't that be asking for a beating?" As soon as Ruyi's words fell, everyone in the room burst out laughing and covering their mouths, because they all knew that Fang Jiao was a spicy character.

  Fang Qiao said: "What's the use of you guys teasing me like this? My skin is thick, let's just say I've heard some good words!" Everyone laughed again, and Fang Qiao continued: "Auntie's body is heavy, so she won't go to see the lanterns. Let me send this to Third Miss instead."

  P.S: I'm just someone who wants to write a good story sincerely! Yesterday's chapter was written incorrectly, and surprisingly no one reminded me. I don't know if everyone didn't notice or if they were too busy during the New Year? Facepalm!