Chapter 125: A Hint of Intent
This day, the First Madam Fang Shi and Fourth Miss Zhong Meier of the Changrong Marquis Mansion came to visit Wen Mingqian’s home.
“Sister Wen, the Jade Cup Clear Dew you gave me is truly effective,” Zhong Meier said, “Everyone says my skin is much finer and whiter than in previous years.”
“Who can say otherwise? Our Fourth Miss especially loves to go out now, all because her skin has improved and her mood is pleasant,” Zhong Meier’s personal maid Yunong said with a smile, “Even we who serve her have benefited.”
“Fourth Miss is naturally beautiful; I merely added a touch of embellishment,” Wen Mingqian said, “That Jade Cup Clear Dew is most suitable for summer use; once autumn arrives, it will need to be replaced with something else. I am making some now and will send it over in a few days.”
“Mingqian, you are truly too troublesome,” Fang Shi said, and indeed, she felt this way in her heart, “You still have to manage your household every day. And to make these things, it’s truly taxing. My Madam also said that she must invite you to visit our garden properly one of these days.”
“Last time we went boating, we couldn’t enjoy ourselves fully, and a delay of over a month has passed.”
“Please don’t be so formal; it’s because we get along well,” Wen Mingqian said, “A few days ago, I was bored and made some scented pastes, with green bamboo, agarwood, and lilac.”
“The scent of lilac is a bit too strong,” Zhong Meier said, “I’m a little afraid of it.”
“You’ll know once you smell it,” Wen Mingqian asked Sang Er to bring over those scented pastes, “You might like it.”
These scented pastes were all contained in small, exquisite bottles. When using them, one would scoop out a little with a silver ear pick and apply it to the inner wrists or the sides of the neck below the ears, allowing for a lasting fragrance.
“Oh my, this scent is so refreshing,” Fang Shi said, taking a bottle of green bamboo scented paste to smell, and praised it highly.
“This agarwood is also good; it makes one feel very calm,” Zhong Meier said.
“Smell this lilac one too,” Wen Mingqian pushed a pale purple porcelain bottle towards her, “I think this scented paste suits your attire today quite well.”
Zhong Meier picked up the porcelain bottle with half-belief, opened the stopper, and sniffed. Her eyes immediately lit up: “This lilac scent is truly pleasant. It’s called lilac, but it’s not quite the same as usual. It doesn’t sting the nose at all; it just feels distant and ethereal, with a hint of wistfulness.”
“Indeed, lilac’s fragrance is strong, but in the rain, there is no flower scent more captivating,” Wen Mingqian said, “Fourth Miss is truly intelligent and sensitive. The poem says, ‘The banana leaves do not unfurl, the lilacs are bound, both in the rain, each with their own sorrow.’ For you to smell wistfulness means you deeply understand its essence.”
Zhong Meier was enamored with the bottle of lilac scented paste. Today, she happened to be wearing a light sweat-purple embroidered gauze dress. Because she had been using Wen Mingqian’s medicated powder for a long time, her skin was clear and fair, making her look both noble and sweet.
“Mingqian, my Madam was saying yesterday that next month the Grand Princess has invited her to Yuzhen Temple for a leisurely chat. If the opportunity arises, she will definitely speak well of you to the Princess,” Fang Shi said quietly to Wen Mingqian.
The Zhong family members were not fools. Although they didn’t use the medicated powders and face creams made by Wen Mingqian for free, Wen Mingqian wasn’t exclusively making these products and didn’t rely on them to make money for her household; rather, she was earning goodwill.
The Marchioness Changrong was adept at social maneuvering and had extensive connections. Wen Mingqian’s closeness with her naturally aimed to gain more connections through her.
In previous conversations, Wen Mingqian had also subtly revealed her intention, which was to befriend the current Grand Princess.
The Grand Princess was the Late Emperor’s only surviving bloodline, and her status was exceptionally noble.
If she could gain her favor, the benefits would be immeasurable.
However, the Grand Princess was extremely fond of Taoism and rarely stayed in her mansion for extended periods, often residing in a Taoist temple. Therefore, meeting her was truly not easy.
The Marchioness Changrong had received many benefits from Wen Mingqian and also found her to be a genuinely good person, which was why she intended to help her in this regard.
“Thank you for your trouble, Madam,” Wen Mingqian said gratefully, “It’s still early. How about you two accompany me to the East Courtyard to see the Old Madam? Would that be alright?”
“I was just about to suggest that. We should definitely go see the Old Madam and the First Madam,” Fang Shi said, standing up, “When we arrived, Madam specifically instructed us to send her regards to the Old Madam and the First Madam.”
Thus, Wen Mingqian, along with the two sisters-in-law, leisurely proceeded to the room of Old Madam Gong, where Wei Shi also happened to be.
“I was wondering why two magpies were chirping in my courtyard this morning! So, distinguished guests have arrived! Please, sit, sit,” Old Madam Gong said with a warm smile, and then ordered tea to be served quickly.
“It’s been some time since I last saw Old Madam; I missed you, so I came to chat,” Fang Shi said sweetly, “I was saying at home, I can’t quite explain what it is about your mansion that makes me want to visit every few days.”
“That means we’re compatible! The more you visit, the better. As long as you don’t mind this old woman rambling,” Old Madam Gong chuckled, “It’s only been a few days since I last saw Fourth Miss. You’ve become even more beautiful, truly a delicate flower!”
Zhong Meier blushed slightly and lowered her head, saying, “Old Madam, please don’t tease me; I really don’t deserve it.”
After chatting for a long time and having tea and dim sum, the two sisters-in-law stood up to take their leave.
Old Madam Gong naturally insisted, “Please stay for a meal; I’ve already told them to prepare it.”
“Old Madam, please don’t trouble them. We’ll accept your hospitality another day,” Fang Shi said, “Today, our family’s eldest and second daughters-in-law have returned, and we’ve agreed to have lunch back home.”
“Since that’s the case, I won’t insist. But you must stay next time you visit,” Old Madam Gong said with slight regret.
She had a maid help her escort the two guests out. Just as they reached the steps, Gong Changan and Gong Yu’an came running in from outside.
Seeing guests, they immediately stopped their charge.
“Look at you two, both the older and younger one are like untamed horses!” Old Madam Gong said, “Quickly, greet the guests.”
Gong Changan and Gong Yu’an quickly bowed to the two ladies, and Fang Shi and Zhong Meier returned their courtesies.
Gong Jing’an, however, arrived unhurriedly afterward.
“The eldest and second young masters are truly talented and handsome!” Fang Shi, being a married woman and slightly older than Wen Mingqian, felt no shyness in seeing Gong Yu’an and instead scrutinized him carefully, “No wonder your aunt always praises you to us.”
“Grand Madam Zhong is too kind; this humble student is humbled,” Gong Yu’an, though spirited, knew when to be modest.
Old Madam Gong, who already intended for Zhong Meier to be her granddaughter-in-law, was very pleased to hear Fang Shi say that Wen Mingqian praised these two grandsons in front of others.
Although Zhong Meier kept her head down, she was also quietly observing Gong Jing’an and Gong Yu’an.
She had also heard long ago that these two young masters of the Gong family excelled in their studies and were exceptionally good-looking.
Now, seeing them with her own eyes, she found it to be true.
