Chapter 34: The Mysterious Guest Wishes for Qin and Jin to be on Good Terms (Part 2)

  Xiang Shan was the youngest among the three maidservants, but others looked up to her because she had the deepest foundation in the Lin household.

  Xiang Wei clearly knew that if she wanted to surpass Xiang Shan, what she relied on was probably her loyalty to the young lady.

  She didn't usually compete with Xiangshan, but Zhao Dimei from Zhaojiazhuang was not stupid at all. Otherwise, her parents wouldn't have dared to let her go out and do things. Xiangshan's intelligence was obvious, even Zijuan and Yurong were more fond of her. But Xianghui's wisdom was hidden, she quietly observed everyone, and slowly revealed her good qualities to others.

  So after hearing Daiyu's words, Xianghui immediately realized that her opportunity had come. What is considered to be doing one's best! This sentence reveals the girl's thoughts.

  Xiang Hui looked into Dai Yu's eyes and said without hesitation: "Xiang Hui is stupid, maybe, Miss asks Xiang Hui to do something, Xiang Hui will try her best to do it. Is this being diligent?"

  Daiyu smiled and said, "Alright, I'm also tired. You go back to sleep first. Just think about what I said when you have nothing else to do, and let me know when you understand, okay?"

  Xiang Wei nodded and stood up, preparing to leave.

  Daiyu stopped her again, "By the way, that date paste cake last time, I had a piece and it was very fragrant and sweet. Your sister Zi Juan said you brought it from home, thank you!"

  Xiang Wei said: "You like it, I'll ask my mother to make some more next time. She's best at making these little pastries. You should get some rest earlier, Xiang Wei is leaving."

  Xiang Hua returned to the outer room, wrapped in a quilt and lying on the kang, thinking back and forth.

  Xueyan was also awake at this time and curiously asked: "What did the girl say to you?"

  Xiang Wei naturally couldn't tell the truth, "Nothing much, just said that the sweet potato cake I brought back last time was delicious and asked who made it."

  Xueyan listened and didn't suspect anything, smiling and saying: "Last time I also had a piece, it was really delicious, even more fragrant than the ones made outside. Xianghui, if you have time to go back home, ask your mother to make some more, everyone here loves eating them. When you're going back, let me know, and I'll give you the money."

  Although Xueyan is indeed stingy, she's absolutely not a petty or greedy person. If she wants to eat at someone else's place, how can there be no reason to pay?

  Xiang Wei's mouth was uttering perfunctory words, but her mind had long since wandered eight hundred miles away. She let out a yawn and lay down comfortably on the couch. Xue Yan saw that Xiang Wei was sleepy and also fell silent.

  The plum blossom pavilion was quiet, the sandalwood in the incense burner emitted a faint fragrance, and only the clock outside ticked away. Xiang Hua covered herself with a warm quilt, lying there, not feeling sleepy at all. Everything about Lin's house seemed so unreal to her, three meals were delicious, wearing new clothes, sister-in-law didn't scold or beat her, monthly allowance was generous, and the young master and mistress often gave rewards.

  Xiang Wei suddenly remembered the last time she returned home for Chinese New Year, when all the neighbors and relatives in Zhaojiazhuang heard that she was back, they went to see the commotion. Xiang Wei deliberately wore the Shuiyun Baifa skirt given by her sister-in-law, and put on a silver hairpin given by her sister Zijuan, stunning everyone, even the young lady from the Zhao family came to take a look at herself. Xiang Wei knew that all of this was given by her sister-in-law, wanting to live a different life than before, she could only believe in her sister-in-law.

  On the second day, Madame Wang saw that Daiyu was still not feeling well, so she only took Zi Juan and Yan Rong to learn etiquette, and told Xiang Xue to take care of her mistress.

  Rong Zhe and Xue Qi's two younger siblings, after visiting Dai Yu, reluctantly followed Chun Lai and Chun Xian to the courtyard to fly kites.

  Daiyu lay on the noble lady's couch by the window, holding a collection of poems in her hand, seemingly asleep but not quite. The window was wide open and under the eaves outside hung an oriole drinking water at its leisure, occasionally tilting its small head to glance at Daiyu with beady eyes.

  Xiang Wei quietly walked in, "Miss?"

  Daiyu slightly opened her eyes, but didn't look at her, only gazing outside at the fine scenery, and casually asked: "Have you figured it out?"

  "Returning to the young lady, Xiang Hui has understood. From now on, Xiang Hui will wholeheartedly obey the young lady's orders. Although I am stupid and dull-witted, my loyalty can be trusted." Xiang Hui deliberately emphasized the two words "loyal heart".

  Daiyu turned her head to look at her only after hearing this, "I indeed didn't misjudge you, I just hope you can remember what you said. Come here, I have something to entrust to you."

  Xiang Wei's heart was filled with joy, but her face didn't reveal a single hint of it. She quickly walked to the window.

  Daiyu whispered to her, "Go and pack the two packages of frosty fungus that were sent from the East Pinghou Mansion the other day. Send them to White Nian and Qian Nian, and tell them I'm not seriously ill, so they shouldn't worry. Also, let them rest assured that Master will take care of everything at home. When I get a bit better, I'll personally go visit the two nians. Did you remember what to say?"

  Xiang Wei hastily nodded.

  Daiyu fixed her eyes on Xiangyun and smiled meaningfully: "You're clever, find a familiar maid to ask about the two aunts' affairs. What did those two women say when they came the other day? And how did the two aunts respond? When you go to ask, don't arouse their suspicion, understand?"

  "Don't worry, miss. I and Bai Niang's attendant Xiang Hui are good sisters who entered the mansion together. Xiang Hui knows what to say."

  Xiang Wei got the girl's words and wrapped two packages of Tricholoma matsutake frost to go to Ci Yun Tang.

  It wasn't until nearly noon that this girl came back. As soon as she entered the courtyard, she was caught red-handed by Bixie.

  "Girl, I asked you to deliver the Tremella fuciformis powder, why are you back so late?"

  Xiang Wei stabilized her mind and said, "When I went there, the two aunts were talking together. They knew that the young lady had ordered me to deliver the ganoderma lucidum cream, so they pulled me over to talk. They asked how the young lady was doing now? The two aunts said that they had offended the young lady yesterday and didn't dare come again, fearing that she would be even angrier. So they could only pull me aside to ask about the young lady's situation."

  Xiang Hui handed over the food box in her hands, "The two aunts knew that the young lady didn't have much of an appetite, so they personally went to the large kitchen and cooked a bowl of noodles. They asked me to bring it back. That's why Xiang Hui came back a bit late."

  Bi Die sized up Xiang Hui for a moment, feeling that this little girl was not as dull as she used to be, but had added a few points of cleverness. She looked at the food box in her hand and said: "Lunch is ready, Miss's body is weak, so several masters will have lunch in Fangmei Pavilion today. Give me the food box, you go back and tell Miss."

  Xiang Hui handed the lunchbox to Bi Die and went to find Dai Yu. There was no one in the inner room, only Dai Yu practicing calligraphy at the table. As soon as she saw Xiang Hui return, she stopped her brush, "Back?"

  "Yes, miss. Xiang Hua handed over two packages of tremella snow to Bai Niang and Qian Niang, the two aunts thanked the young lady for her concern, saying that they had wanted to come see the young lady but were afraid that she was not feeling well, so they asked Xiang Hua to bring their regards. The two aunts also made some noodles for the young lady, which Xiang Hua has already handed over to Bi Die sister."

  Xiang Wei quietly walked forward two steps, lowering her voice: "I asked my good sister Xiang Xiu, when those two women came the other day, Xiang Xiu was serving in the outer room and overheard some quarreling. She said that the two women who came were even arrogant, saying that Jiang Niang had married a Li old master in Yangzhou city as his legitimate wife, with hundreds of servants and thousands of acres of good land in their household. The young brother of the Jiang family is diligent in his studies and will definitely pass the imperial examination this year. If the Lin and Jiang families become relatives through marriage, it would be beneficial for our young master's future prospects."

  Xiang Wei paused for a moment, then continued: "Xiang Quan said that the two madams were very angry and wanted to get rid of those two women, but they didn't expect one of them to say that Young Mistress Jiang's younger sister is now married to the Salt Inspector, and if the Lin family doesn't show respect, Madam Jiang won't care about their past relationship either. The two madams had no choice, fearing that if they didn't tell Miss and Master, they would get into even more trouble, so they came together yesterday."

  Daiyu carefully savored Xiangyun's words in her mind, trying to glean something from them. Suddenly she thought of something and asked: "Did those two bring any gifts when they came?"

  Xiang Wei shook her head, "This wasn't asked, but I think that if the gift is for the two aunts, then it's fine. If not, the aunts will also tell Miss and then hand it over to Luo Da Niang!"

  Daiyu understood that Lao Da Niang was naturally her brother's confidant, and if she rashly asked for the gift list, it might arouse suspicion. She just wanted to know if her brother was hiding something from her. Every sentence of Jiang Yiniang's words made people feel a chill, what did "the two families should interact like relatives" mean? After sending two women to Lin's family back house, she also called a young scholar to pay respects to her brother, what was she going to do?

  Xiang Yu saw Daiyu not making a sound, and had the intention of reminding her a few more times, but behind her came the sound of footsteps.

  The person who came in was Xiangxue. Today was her shift, but the young lady had just called her to go to Shanlou to fetch a collection of poems. As soon as she came in, she saw the young lady in a daze, and Xianghui, who was not on duty today, standing there.

  Xiang Xue was on good terms with Xiang Hui, but whenever she thought about what they had said that morning, and how the young lady had spoken to Xiang Hui last night, Xiang Xue felt a growing sense of discomfort in her heart. Xiang Shan was originally one of the top three maids, this was her natural talent, who let Xiang Shan have a good brother? However, if even Xiang Hui were to gain the young lady's favor, Xiang Xue would not be so willing to accept it.

  So, seeing that neither of them spoke up, Xiangxue took the initiative to speak: "Miss, I've brought back your poetry collection. The young master is reading a book and asked me to bring this painting along with me."

  Xiang Wei and Xiang Xue opened the scroll together, Dai Yu looked over and was immediately drawn in. The painting had rich colors, imitating the layout of "Along the River During the Qingming Festival", with the distant mountains, stone bells, maple bridge, and tourists all painted on it. The scenery was beautiful, the characters were vivid, and it was absolutely a rare masterpiece. It must be that one from the young master's house!

  Daiyu savored it carefully and then had them properly put away.

  When Zhiyan came in, she happened to see Daiyu picking up a paint bucket.

  "Sister, take a good rest and let the little maids clean up. What are you doing getting involved yourself?"

  Daiyu personally poured good tea for Zhiyuan, and Zhiyuan smiled and said: "I don't drink tea, sister don't bother."

  "I know you don't like drinking tea here because it's too bland. I specially brewed Xinyang Maojian for you, isn't that your favorite?"

  Daiyu saw Zhiyuan drinking tea, and her heart couldn't hide the matter, frequently glancing at Zhiyuan. Zhiyuan could no longer pretend to be unaware, so he reluctantly put down the fragrant tea in his hand and asked: "Speak up, what do you want to ask your brother?"

  "Brother, when Aunt Jiang sent someone over, did they bring something?"

  Zhiyuan asked back: "Did you send someone to the two aunts' place?"

  Daiyu covered her mouth with her hand in surprise. How did Brother know? These two sentences didn't seem to have much connection, so how did he guess that she had sent someone to Aunt's place?

  Daiyu's head was lightly patted by Zhiyan, who laughed and scolded: "Can you still deceive me? However, you're quite clever, it's just that you can't calm down. I was wondering how you could get the gift list from Lao Da Niang, but I didn't expect you to ask me directly!"

  Daiyu was so embarrassed that she couldn't help but think that her brother knew everything about her. "Brother"

  "Alright, alright, I won't laugh at you. I didn't want to bother you with this kind of thing, but since you asked, I have no choice but to say it - Jiang Yiniang's brother only sent one hairpin, a phoenix hairpin."

  PS: This week's first update! Surprisingly, I'm asking for votes, PK votes, let me climb up from the bottom of the PK chart! Surprisingly, not a single PK vote has been cast... so sad, so sad! Save me~~~~~