Chapter 116: Think Bigger

Finally sending Xu Zhen away, the weather had grown quite warm. Yuan’er didn’t want to go out again, so she settled indoors and ordered someone to bring paint and brushes, preparing to paint.

She planned to paint that very pot of peonies.

Cui Ming couldn’t help but exclaim, "Sixth Master has truly tended to this flower meticulously; the peonies at the Qin Mansion can’t compare."

Hong Ye pursed her lips, "They say it’s brought back from Gansu; probably cost quite a lot."

Yuan’er replied, "You vulgar thing, always talking about money. Don’t tarnish the beauty of the flower; quickly fetch the colors for me."

Hong Ye laughed as she walked away.

Cui Ming asked, "Will she not come next time? She hit such a big snag."

Even if she doesn’t understand, she should now.

Yuan’er said, "She comes here for a marriage proposal, and as long as the marriage isn’t settled, I won’t have peace here."

Whether she understands or not, it doesn’t matter.

Cui Ming said nothing further.

The young master’s marriage couldn’t be decided anytime soon; if Xu Zhen couldn’t find better prospects than the young master, she’d keep coming to pester.

Yuan’er muttered to herself, "I must think of a way."

In the evening, Yuan’er went to the main room, insisting on dining with the Old Madam. During dinner, she casually asked, "Mother, with the Qixi Festival approaching, I wonder how Treasure Bead’s needlework is coming along."

Old Madam Gu was initially quite happy, but upon hearing this, she said, "If she can learn to embroider a mandarin duck, I’ll say Amitabha Buddha."

Hong Ye almost laughed out loud.

Sister Yu asked, "Why embroider mandarin ducks?"

Nanny Rong explained, "Girls are supposed to embroider their trousseaus before marrying. Even if they embroider nothing else, they must embroider a pair of mandarin ducks on their veil or inner garments by themselves."

Sister Yu nodded, perplexed.

Brother Cheng, indifferent to such matters but very attentive to Yuan’er, silently listened to her speak.

Yuan’er then said worriedly, "Marquis has entered Treasure Bead into the Qixi Festival competition. Judging by Marquis’s demeanor, he surely won’t forget this matter."

Yes, even if Marquis forgets, she will remember.

Old Madam Gu said, "Then I’ll ask Sixth Sister-in-law and Zhenzhen; weren’t they supposed to accompany Treasure Bead for embroidery? Even if it doesn’t meet Hui’er’s standards, she shouldn’t go out and face ridicule."

With Treasure Bead’s nature, it’s already difficult to find her a match. If word gets out that she’s a lazy girl who doesn’t touch needlework, it’ll be even harder.

Yuan’er nodded with a smile, saying, "You’ve thought it through, Mother. I was just about to suggest it. Zhenzhen is a good natured, slightly older than Treasure Bead; if she earnestly supervises next to her, maybe Treasure Bead will manage to embroider a mandarin duck. Sixth Sister indeed has household duties to manage and can’t spare much time."

Old Madam Gu also laughed, saying, "Alright, alright, let’s heed you."

After Yuan’er left, the two little ones were also taken away. Old Madam Gu said to Nanny Rong, "Yuan’er is full of schemes; I see she is annoyed by Zhenzhen clinging to her, so she deliberately brought up Treasure Bead."

Nanny Rong laughed and said, "And yet you still agreed with her?"

"What else could I do? When Hui’er returns, he’ll undoubtedly question Treasure Bead. Haven’t you heard? Hui’er said he doesn’t hit women; that means he’ll have to hit Sixth Elder. I see that Sixth Sister-in-law also shows no tenderness when scratching Sixth Elder, perhaps it’s a grudge, wanting Hui’er to deal with Sixth Elder?"

Nanny Rong suppressed laughter for a long time before saying, "I see it’s Marquis looking for an excuse to deal with Sixth Master; just an excuse. Every time he’d punish him, he’d find an excuse to deal with Sixth Master afterward. It’s just that Sixth Master has always felt Third Master is the best to him. But then again, Sixth Master loves stirring trouble and provoking Marquis for no reason, so can’t blame anyone."

"These two sons... forget it... forget it..."

Old Madam Gu was also troubled, too lazy to meddle in their affairs; it’s been like this since childhood. Separated for many years, once together, it’s just the same.

It’s like a turtle seeing a green bean—eye to eye.

Since childhood, Sixth Elder liked following around Third Master like a shadow, closer than brothers born from the same womb. This child is weak-bodied; no one had high expectations for him—hopefully Third Master will support him in the future.

Being a bit foolish is good enough.

The next day, Yuan’er handled her affairs early and headed straight to Renhe Hall.

Xu Zhen again tried to catch her. Figuring she was out, she finally returned.

Sixth Lady Gu said, "Old Madam asked again about Gu Baoshu’s needlework, saying with the approaching Qixi Festival, Gu Baoshu’s needlework can’t be an embarrassment. You must come up with a plan for your aunt, so she can craft something well."

Xu Zhen wore a slightly troubled expression.

Sixth Lady Gu said, "Take care of Treasure Bead’s issue first; I called you here using Treasure Bead as a pretext."

Xu Zhen thought for a moment and said, "Not to hide from you, Aunt, Treasure Bead’s temperament is truly hard to persuade; she holds an innate anger, even the best embroideress can’t teach her, her hands are full of needle pricks, and the embroideress still can’t guide her. I feel they are bound by obligations to Marquis Mansion, unable to resign."

Sixth Lady Gu couldn’t help but laugh, saying, "It’s truly hard on you, but you must devise a plan. If it were easy, I wouldn’t persuade Old Madam to consent to your continued stay at the mansion."

Xu Zhen had no choice but to rack her brains for solutions.

The days at Marquis Mansion were indeed much better than at home. Moreover, only being in proximity could she seek more chances to encounter Qin Siyuan.

Nanny Zhao asked Sixth Lady Gu, "Why don’t you reveal your intentions to Miss Zhen, to set her mind at ease?"

With no regard, Sixth Lady Gu replied, "She must learn from knocking her head against walls to appreciate this aunt’s goodwill; too easily obtained, she’d take it for granted, my sister-in-law has always been like that. While residing here, aside from currying favor at Wutong Garden, what else has she done? Shouldn’t she ease my worries about Treasure Bead’s affairs? Even Third Sister-in-law advising her to learn embroidery diligently from the embroideress has some merit, but look at her..."

Nanny Zhao laughed, saying, "Madam has always been astute, even more so in these trivial matters; Miss Zhen is simply young and rushes her actions a bit."

Yuan’er arrived at Renhe Hall, where Doctor Li happened not to be out, sitting inside.

Seeing her enter, Doctor Li laughed saying, "Such a rare guest, why have you come in person?"

Yuan’er instructed Cui Ming and Hong Ye to guard the entrance, then took a seat, asking, "Uncle Li, has business been well lately?"

Doctor Li blinked and said, "A small business, how good could it get? Speaking of which, you married well as Marchioness, yet still keep me in mind."

"Even if I don’t keep you in mind, I must keep my prescriptions in mind."

Yuan’er responded.

Grumbling momentarily, Doctor Li then said, "In this heat, those cooling drinks are still the best sellers."

After speaking, he glanced at Yuan’er’s expression, saying, "If only there were a valuable ointment recipe, but I worry given your current Marchioness status, you might not care for a business like ours."

Yuan’er laughed and said, "You’re connected with the Chen family and know my maternal grandfather’s skills very well, though little was passed to me, many went to relatives of my maternal family. If I could find them, it would be great. Now, with backing from Dingbei Marquis Mansion, we ought to think bigger in business, don’t you agree?"