Chapter 42: Presenting Gifts
Third Master Xue was recommended to be the Gate Commander, and the matter caused quite a stir.
Although this official position was not of high rank, only a mere eighth rank, it was not the idle post the Xue family had previously secured for him. Instead, it was a position with real authority. Moreover, Third Master had earned it through his own abilities, making it even more respectable than First Master’s position obtained through family influence.
In the afternoon, Xue Qingxiu returned in his official attire, looking incredibly proud.
Although Old Madam Cui was outwardly modest, saying it was not good to be too ostentatious, the mansion was still to have a lively celebration.
She therefore gave orders to hold a celebration banquet, inviting relatives and friends…
No one expected that the one who would benefit would not be others, but Xue Yueying, who was under house arrest.
Xue Qingzhi lifted her house arrest as if nothing had happened.
Ru Yi, after gathering information, was furious.
“First Master is too biased. Fourth Miss shed a few tears, and the matter was over, yet our young lady had to endure such injustice?”
Xue Sui showed no reaction.
At noon, Jinshu arrived and gave her a definitive answer.
“I heard from someone in First Master’s chambers that Fourth Miss had her maid deliver the blood letter left by her birth mother to First Master. After he read it, his heart softened. He personally went to Liuli Pavilion, ate lunch with Fourth Miss, and comforted her greatly before leaving.”
She then sneered, “As for Old Madam, he said that with Fourth Miss’s wedding date approaching and the mansion preparing for a banquet, confining the young lady to her room would be unsightly. It’s best to let the matter pass.”
Xue Sui simply said, “As he wishes.”
Seeing her reaction, Jinshu sighed, “This Fourth Miss has some ability. With her silver tongue, she managed to twist black into white. First Master is indeed biased towards her, causing you to suffer.”
Xue Sui’s expression was calm, “There is nothing to be wronged about. I never thought of bringing them down with just this one matter. No rush.”
There is plenty of time ahead.
The accounts will be settled slowly.
While it was not a big deal in Xue Sui’s eyes, Xue Ji was extremely uneasy upon hearing about it.
She was already timid and fearful. After years of oppression by Fu Shi, she lived her life in constant trepidation. Even with her daughter’s return causing upheaval in the mansion, she did not feel any stronger. Instead, she became even more frightened and anxious, fearing that Fu Shi and Xue Yueying would turn on them one day.
“What are we to do? Now that Fourth Miss is released, she will likely cause you trouble again…”
Xue Sui saw her pale face and the nervous sweat on her palms. She sighed inwardly and said softly, “Mother, shall we take a walk in the garden? The spring scenery is so beautiful, we mustn’t let it go to waste.”
The garden of the Xue Mansion was vast and meticulously maintained by dedicated staff. It was springtime, and the garden was a riot of colors, with a hundred flowers in full bloom, creating a breathtaking spectacle.
As the group of five, including servants, passed through the hanging flower gate, they saw Xue Yueying sitting in an octagonal pavilion by the waterside pavilion with several maids, laughing and chatting merrily, looking quite at ease.
Ru Yi couldn’t help but spit.
“How shameless, to come out so brazenly.”
Xue Sui glanced over, her expression indifferent, “Let’s go.”
“Sixth Sister!” Xue Yueying’s voice called out from the octagonal pavilion.
She smiled at Xue Sui from afar and approached gracefully, offering a slight bow.
“Congratulations, Sixth Sister, on being granted the title of Ru Ren of Prince Duan’s Mansion. In the future, my Young Master Gu will have to rely on your guidance.”
Xue Sui looked at her quietly, saying nothing.
The maids around them held their breath, not daring to exhale.
However, a young maid named Qiao’er, standing beside Xue Yueying, glanced at Xue Sui and whispered:
“What’s there to congratulate about being a concubine? Our Fourth Miss is the principal wife…”
Although her voice was low, it was just loud enough for everyone to hear.
Xue Sui glanced at her but remained silent.
Xue Yueying’s expression immediately changed, her eyebrows knitting in anger.
“Who gave you the courage to mock Sixth Sister? Slap yourself quickly.”
Qiao’er lowered her head in assent and raised her hand to strike her own face.
Xue Sui reached out to steady Xue Ji’s stiff arm, cast a casual glance at them, and left without looking back.
Xue Yueying watched her retreating figure, then turned to Qiao’er, smiling faintly.
“Don’t you like the butterfly hairpin in my box? I’ll reward it to you when we get back.”
Qiao’er’s eyes flickered, and she lowered her head, smiling in response, “Thank you, Fourth Miss!”
~
A gentle spring breeze wafted through the window, and it was already mid-February.
Although Gu Jie was a son born of a concubine, Chun Niang was highly favored by the Marquis, and it concerned the reputation of the Jingyuan Marquis’s Mansion, so the gifts were very generous.
The first half of the betrothal gifts had already been sent during the engagement. This second half consisted of gold and silver jewelry, silk and brocade, hairpins and ornaments, wine, tea, and snacks, all neatly arranged in the center of the main hall. At the forefront were a series of exquisite gift boxes, all wrapped in fine silk. The bundles were tied with red silk, and the edges were meticulously embroidered with gold thread patterns. A well-prepared gift list was also placed on top.
The two families exchanged auspicious greetings amidst much merriment.
Madam Zhou, the Second Madam of the Jingyuan Marquis’s Mansion, was searching for someone in the crowd.
“I heard that your mansion’s Sixth Miss has returned. Is it convenient to see her?”
First Madam Fu Shi claimed illness, so Madam Qian stepped forward to entertain guests. Upon hearing the request, she smiled and put down her teacup, “Of course, it’s convenient. Du Juan, go and invite Sixth Miss here.”
Seeing that the Third Madam was easy to talk to, Madam Zhou’s complexion brightened further, and she spoke with less formality, “When I came, my sister-in-law specifically asked me to check on Sixth Miss and see how she was. She also expressed her sorrow regarding her recent ordeal…”
Madam Zhou was the remarried wife of the Second Master of the Marquis’s Mansion. She had a good relationship with Chun Niang and, even though Chun Niang was not the Marquis’s wife, she still called her sister-in-law in private.
Madam Qian agreed to everything she said, engaging in a back-and-forth conversation.
“Sixth Miss was almost her daughter-in-law. No wonder she’s concerned.”
Madam Zhou glanced at Xue Yueying and said softly, “Indeed, it’s all fate.”
Xue Yueying sat beside them, fidgeting, unconsciously clenching her fists, her expression extremely unpleasant.
–
Xue Sui had not seen Aunt Chun in ten years, but she never expected her to still remember her.
She had Xiao Zhao select two boxes of pastries and took them to the guest hall.
She had met this Madam Zhou before. She was a kind and benevolent elder. They hadn’t interacted much, but she remembered her as someone who smiled a lot.
As expected, when Madam Zhou saw the small pastries, she was overjoyed and couldn’t stop smiling.
“Sixth Miss has grown up. Such a lively young lady, she brings joy to one’s heart.”
Xue Sui offered a bow and exchanged pleasantries. Madam Zhou then had her maids bring forward two exquisitely carved wooden boxes, each three feet long. She opened them in front of Xue Yueying and the Third Madam in the guest hall, then took Xue Sui’s hand and sighed.
“These are from your Aunt Chun. Your Aunt Chun has been worried about you all these years…”
Inside the boxes were jewelry and cosmetics for a young lady, a dazzling display of precious items at first glance.
Madam Zhou spoke frankly, holding Xue Sui’s hand intimately, completely ignoring Xue Yueying.
Xue Yue E, who had come to witness the ceremony, couldn’t stand it. She felt sorry for her Fourth Sister.
Especially seeing the generous gifts being presented by the maids, she wondered why an unrelated Xue Liu should receive them.
She let out a soft hum.
“If one didn’t know better, they’d think the Marquis’s Mansion was marrying Sixth Miss.”
This was a veiled jab at the Jingyuan Marquis’s Mansion for their lack of propriety.
Xue Yueying moved her lips, lowered her head, and felt sorry for herself.
Madam Zhou’s desire to see Sixth Miss had already been a blow to her dignity. Now, with gifts and tearful sympathy, who was it all for?
Their dissatisfaction was deafening.
However, Madam Zhou was not one to be swayed by such things.
She glanced at the sharp-tongued Ninth Miss, her voice rising slightly.
“That’s true. If Sixth Miss had been found two years earlier, why would our Jingyuan Marquis’s Mansion have had to settle for second best?”
The phrase “settle for second best” was like a resounding slap to Xue Yueying’s face.
In front of the matchmaker and so many people, these words were somewhat excessive. But who could blame Xue Yueying for her lack of self-control? She was pregnant before even marrying, a grave violation of etiquette, and utterly disgraceful. They could only let others mock her.
“My dear aunt. If there is nothing else, I shall return to report.”
With so many people present, Madam Zhou could not truly embarrass the Minister’s Mansion. She smiled and glossed over the matter. Madam Qian quickly smoothed things over, as if nothing had happened, creating a harmonious atmosphere. Only Xue Yueying took out a handkerchief to wipe her eyes, but no one paid her any attention.
As Madam Zhou was leaving, she smiled and told Xue Sui to put the gifts away, patting her hand.
“When you have time, visit your Aunt Chun at the Marquis’s Mansion. Her legs haven’t been good since last winter, otherwise, she would have visited long ago…”
Xue Sui nodded.
“I will. Please convey my regards to Aunt Chun for me.”
Madam Zhou repeatedly praised her filial piety.
Xue Yueying watched this scene, grinding her teeth.
–
Emerging from the guest hall, Ru Yi couldn’t help but laugh, holding the heavy gift boxes with the satisfied air of a little treasure hunter.
“Fourth Miss’s face turned green with anger just now. I think she’ll have a hard time when she goes to her husband’s home.”
Xue Sui’s lips twitched slightly, showing no other reaction.
Ru Yi followed closely, tilting her head to look at her, “Young Lady, aren’t you happy? Did I say something wrong?”
The longer she followed Sixth Miss, the more Ru Yi liked her. If nothing else, Sixth Miss’s calmness gave her a sense of security, unlike being around Second Miss, where there was always a backbone to rely on, making life easier.
Xue Sui raised an eyebrow, “I would be even happier if you spoke a little less.”
Ru Yi stuck out her tongue and closed her mouth.
Xiao Zhao caught up and whispered, “Young Lady, when do we make our move?”
Xue Sui glanced at her, “Make a move for what?”
Xiao Zhao looked around before lowering her voice, “Fourth Miss. Didn’t you see what she’s wearing and what she’s carrying? And that long dowry list… If any of that is exposed, how will she have a glorious wedding? Not just her, even Gu Wulang will be implicated.”
Xue Sui: “No rush. Let the pigs get fatter before we slaughter them.”
Xiao Zhao was anxious, “What are you waiting for, Young Lady? Are you just going to watch her marry into the Marquis’s Mansion?”
Xue Sui smiled, “Of course, she must marry. She is destined to be bound to Gu Jie for life.”
Her target was not just Xue Yueying and Gu Jie, but the people behind them.
The money Gu Jie took from the Gold Department was more than enough to convict him, but it was too difficult to convict Ping Le.
This small amount of money wouldn’t even touch her, let alone the powerful figure behind her.
Ambition is fueled by greed.
She would wait, wait for them to become more arrogant, more reckless…
However, the gifts Aunt Chun sent today were too heavy for her.
Gu Jie was so fortunate to have a good mother.
She hoped Aunt Chun would not be too sad when the time came…
