Chapter 46: Paying Respects (Four)

  Master Fu was smiling and introducing the horse to Ma, while Old Man Qiao and others were chatting and laughing on the side. Yao Cun Mei was looking at this horse and touching that one, her small face excitedly radiant with joy.

  Yao Cunhui was puzzled, her own paternal grandmother's birthday celebration, what was she so excited about?

  "Mother!" Yao Cunhui led Yao Shizan in, and the two siblings went to see Madam Ma together. Yao Cunhui had already received Old Master Yao's tacit consent and strict orders that unless it was Old Master Yao himself, anyone who wanted to take Yao Shizan out of Rongfeng Hall must first get her approval!

  "Hui'er is here, quickly take a look at these fabrics and pick out a good one. Tomorrow is your great-grandmother's birthday banquet, you can wear it then!" Madam Ma smiled lightly, her eyebrows showing no emotion.

  Yao Cun Hui smiled and replied, "Have Mother and Eldest Sister, Third Sister all made their choices?"

  Madam Ma smiled and said, "I'm an old woman now, just pick one at random, what's there to choose from? It's you sisters who are beautiful and should wear good clothes, dress up and look happy, it will also give your father and me some face!"

  Master Fu listened and smiled, saying: "Where is Mrs. Yao old? Not a bit, she's just right for picking out an outstanding outfit, dressing up in a dignified and elegant way!"

  Qiao's mother, Mingxia, Cai Xia and others also smiled and agreed. Yao Cunjia's sisters also smiled and echoed a few words.

  Ma was also a woman after all, and upon hearing others say so, she couldn't help but reveal a faint smile on her face as she listened intently to the master's introduction.

  Finally, Madam Ma chose a purple-red gold-threaded peony embroidered satin, Yao Cun Jia selected a pine crane longevity orange peacock crepe, and Yao Cun Hui originally liked the orchid competing for beauty lantern brocade. As a result, Yao Cun Mei insisted on saying she liked it, smiling and asking her second sister to give in, Yao Cun Hui was too lazy to compete with her over such trivial matters, so she smiled and gave it to her, and chose another piece of auspicious cloud-patterned satin for herself. Madam Ma also helped Yao Shi Zan choose a five-fortune longevity gold-threaded dark-patterned green-gold satin, and chose a suitable one for Old Master Yao as well, all of which were recorded by the master tailor.

  These are all top-notch materials, one of which is worth more than ten others, and the master craftsman was delighted, happily recording it.

  "Qun Fang's sister-in-law - aren't you going?" Yao Cun's gaze swept lightly, without leaving any trace, over Ma Qunfang who was watching the commotion with admiration in her eyes.

  Everyone has picked their materials, except for Ma Qunfang.

  Ma Shi glanced at Ma Qunfang and said with a smile, "How can this be good? She's not even from our family, and she's further away from your maternal grandmother's family. Of course, she won't go!"

  Ma Qunfang's body tensed up when Yao Cunhui mentioned this, and she immediately looked at Ma with some tension. When she heard Ma's words, the bright light that had just appeared in her eyes suddenly dimmed again, and she slightly lowered her head.

  Yes, she was just a humble woman living under the eaves of others' houses. What chance did she have to attend such grand gatherings? The threshold of the Yun family's home wasn't something that anyone could casually step over.

  In the mind, inadvertently flashed through Yunjin Zhong's warm and jade-like face, that elegant and refined demeanor, and the extraordinary temperament, my heart couldn't help but feel a surge of heat, instantly giving rise to countless worries!

  "My mother said so too!" Yao Cunhui smiled and didn't say anything else.

  Ma Qunfang felt a wave of disappointment and found it even more boring.

  For a moment, he sent away Master Qian and his apprentices from Qiansi Workshop, and Yao Cunhui also retreated on their own.

  As she stepped out of the hospital's main gate and stood in the sunlight, Ma Qunfang slightly raised her head, gazing at the surrounding buildings. For a moment, she felt a sense of disorientation and dizziness, and an unfamiliar feeling of isolation swept over her more strongly than ever before.

  The scenery of the Yao Mansion is beautiful, the houses are tall and grand, the decorations are luxurious, the food is delicious, and the ladies of the Yao Mansion are even more resplendent in their golden headdresses and jade jewelry! But what does this have to do with her? She's just a guest living under someone else's roof!

  She accepts what others give her; she cannot desire what others do not give her. Because thinking about it is useless anyway.

  "Sister!" Yao Cunmei walked out from behind, pulling Ma Qunfang's sleeve and complained indignantly: "It's really infuriating, that little wretch Yao Cunhui, she's also attending our great-grandmother's birthday banquet!"

  Ma Qunfang glanced at Yao Cunmei with a tilted head, and suddenly had an eerie feeling of wanting to laugh. She couldn't help but laugh: "Yun Lao Taikun is the maternal grandmother of Hui's cousin, it's normal for her to attend!"

  "The real aunt" stimulated Yao Cunmei, her face changed, and she hummed coldly: "In the past, she never participated in such gatherings, today I don't know which nerve went wrong, it's really annoying!"

  Ma Qunfang suddenly came to her senses, knowing that she had touched Yao Cunmei's sore spot, and hurriedly laughed: "She went, well, let her go, I'm afraid she can't even remember the people in the Yun family, it's just a joke! Who doesn't know how much Old Lady Yun loves you?"

  Yao Cunmei felt a bit better after hearing this, and a few smiles appeared on her face. She linked arms with Ma Qunfang and headed back, muttering complaints about Yao Cunhui.

  In a few days, Qian Si Fang sent over the finished clothes. Madam Ma ordered Yao Cun Jia and her sister Yao Cun Hui to go to the main house to fetch them.

  Normally, they would just send any maid to fetch new clothes, but this time Madam Ma had her sisters go in person, which struck them as somewhat odd.

  Ma's expression didn't change much, still dignified and virtuous, smiling kindly.

  Each garment was unfolded, with exquisite workmanship and cutting-edge tailoring, using the latest styles of noble ladies in Beijing at that time. Everyone who saw it praised it endlessly.

  The maids carefully put away the clothes, and Mrs. Ma smiled: "Today's clothes are fine, take them back and let your senior maid collect them properly, they will be worn on the birthday banquet day, don't make any mistakes! As for the matching accessories, Mother has been to several gold and silver jewelry stores in recent days, but can't find a suitable match. This is a delicate thing that cannot be rushed out at once; what you sisters have on hand, it's okay to wear them normally, but it's not suitable to wear them that day. I have a few sets of my own here, today each of you choose one set to take back and wear for a day, and then return them to me to keep properly. They will be used as dowry when you sisters get married, and they will naturally be given to you at that time, so be careful not to damage them!

  Ma said with a glance and a smile: "Did you all hear clearly?"

  "Oh, I know, Mother! Hurry up and bring it out so we can take a look!" Yao Cunmei was the first to shout out, her voice barely containing her excitement.

  She is the biological daughter of Ma, she doesn't believe that Ma would be willing to give away her most precious treasures as dowry for Yao Cunhui's sister, these will all belong to her in the future anyway.

  Even if it's her, she rarely sees the best goods that Ma has to offer on ordinary days. Hearing Ma say this, how can she not be overjoyed?

  Yao Cun Jia and Yao Cun Hui respectfully lowered their heads, while Madam Ma scolded Yao Cun Mei with a smile, ordering Qiao Mama to instruct Ming Xia and several other senior maids to bring the items over.

  Yao Cunhui and her sister exchanged a quiet glance, their faces calm and serene, but each had their own thoughts. Yao Cunhui secretly sneered, Ma Shi was indeed good at scheming, using excuses that sounded grandiose!

  In the imperial capital, under the emperor's feet, what kind of rare treasures are there that she doesn't believe can be bought with silver for good jewelry? Why must they make a custom order? The Marquis is just unwilling to give it to them! Borrowing is better anyway, it maintains dignity and doesn't incur loss.

  The Yao family's wealth was impressive, and the treasures hidden away by Madam Ma were indeed numerous. The maidservants brought them out one after another, opening box after box of intricately carved red sandalwood adorned with mother-of-pearl inlays. The dazzling jewels sparkled and shone brightly, momentarily blinding everyone's eyes: a golden chrysanthemum hairpin studded with precious stones and jade, a phoenix-tail hairpin adorned with auspicious clouds and gold threads, a pair of earrings featuring rubies surrounded by gold filigree, a butterfly-shaped hair ornament made of gold threads and jade, an eight-treasures hairpin featuring crystal drops, a cloud-shaped hairpin studded with pearls and symbolizing good fortune, a warm jade pendant in the shape of a lotus flower, a pair of earrings shaped like a pair of mandarin ducks, a curved golden hairpin adorned with rubies, a pair of earrings featuring large Eastern pearls surrounded by gold threads, a white jade bangle, a necklace made of green jade and pearl drops...

  One after another, set after set, dazzling to the eye, making one's eyes spin. Not to mention the maidservants were all dumbfounded, even Yao Cunhui and her sister were secretly shocked, never expecting that Madam Ma had so many good things.

  Yao Cunmei cheered up early, with constant laughter and praise in her mouth. She picked up a sheep's fat white jade square pendant with emerald leaves on both ends and fondled it, then picked up a string of pomegranate-red gemstone necklace that she couldn't bear to put down.

  Yao Cun Jia's gaze suddenly fell on a set of white jade and gold ornaments, with intricate silk embroidery and precious stones, totaling over ten pieces, adorning her body. Her figure shook violently, she bit her lip, clenched her fists, and her chest was frozen in shock.

  She looked carefully and found that there were many familiar things among these ornaments, which were all left by her mother Yun Shi. They were her mother's dowry!

  Her mother had a deep grudge against her maternal family and didn't like to look at these dowry accessories, only occasionally taking them out to wear once or twice. However, they were all top-notch goods, and Yao Cunxia often followed her mother around when she was young, so as long as she saw them, she absolutely wouldn't mistake them.

  Especially this set of golden jewelry, she had worn it at her brother's full moon banquet, and she remembered it most clearly.

  Ma's family not only occupied her mother's things, but also dared to show them off. Yao Cun Jia couldn't help but burn with anger, and his chest hurt severely!

  Yao Cun Hui, who was beside Yao Cun Jia, soon noticed her sister's abnormality. Following her sister's gaze, she thought for a moment and roughly understood what was going on. She couldn't help but feel indignant too.

  Yao Cunhui got up, brought over the Yu Tang Fu Gui set, and smiled at Yao Cun Jia: "I think this set is quite unique, it suits your temperament very well!" As she spoke, she picked up a phoenix hairpin from the set and was about to insert it into Yao Cun Jia's hair bun.

  With a sudden emptiness in her hand, the hairpin had been snatched away by Ma Shi, who had appeared out of nowhere. Ma Shi let out a dry laugh and said, "Your great-grandmother's birthday banquet is a grand celebration, this white jade pin may look good but it's not festive enough, let's change it to something with peacock feathers and gold trim!" After finishing speaking, she raised an eyebrow and scolded the maid: "Who told you to bring out this set? Quickly put it away!"

  Yao Cunmei heard Yao Cunhui say this and also noticed the suit, her eyes lit up as she was about to come over to take a closer look, but when Ma said that, she lost interest.

  Qiao's mother saw that and hurriedly apologized with a smile, quickly walked forward to take the jewelry set, carefully covered it up and put it aside.

  "Will Jia'er blame her mother?" Madam Ma smiled at Yao Cun and Jia, a hint of probing in her sharp eyes.

  Yao Cun Jia smiled warmly and said in a soft voice, "Mother's words also make sense. It's just that I'm young and inexperienced, and didn't think things through carefully. How could I blame Mother?"

  "It's good that Jia'er understands her mother's intentions!" Mrs. Ma secretly let out a sigh of relief. Yao Cun Jia's tone was warm and gentle, with eyes full of respect and trust, making Mrs. Ma feel inexplicably comfortable and at ease.

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