Chapter Fifty-Seven: Invitation

  Zheng took out the thin invitation card in front of everyone, glanced at it casually, and smiled as he said: "It's Ning'er's aunt inviting me to take Ning'er to Dingguo Gongfu tomorrow to admire the flowers."

  What is called "appreciating flowers" is just a polite phrase. In fact, it's just an excuse for Mrs. Zheng to invite the Zheng family and Ye Qingning over as guests.

  Ye Qingning's mood at this moment was somewhat subtle. She wanted to go, even if she couldn't say a word, just taking a distant glance at Gu Xianyu would be good enough. But as soon as she thought of Gu Xiuyu, she felt awkward and uncomfortable again.

  Although Gu Xiuyu did nothing and was very innocent, as soon as she thought that Zheng Junyan's heart was thinking of Gu Xiuyu, the proud Ye Liu Miss felt uncomfortable in her heart.

  Ye Qinglan heard the news, but didn't have any reaction. Ye Qingning went to visit guests, and had nothing to do with her. She was now a patient, and her main task at present was to stay in the mansion and "nurse her illness", she couldn't go anywhere.

  Li coughed and said with a smile, "I heard that the Dingguo Gongfu garden has several pots of rare orchids. Ruo Jie has always liked flowers and plants, but unfortunately, she hasn't had the chance to see them."

  The implication was all too obvious, but Zheng pretended not to notice and just smiled without responding.

  The Li family's small abacus was indeed quick. They always wanted Ye Qingrou to follow Ye Qingning to enter these prestigious gates and show her face. Best of all, they hoped that the mistress of some family would take a liking to her and come to propose marriage...

  Hmph! Nice thought, though!

  Jiang's eyes flashed, and he smiled warmly: "It's rare to have a warm spring day, the children are cooped up in the house all day, it's really boring. Why not let Ruo Jie follow Ning Jie out to see the world?"

  The old lady spoke up, and Zheng Shi couldn't pretend to be deaf and dumb anymore, so she smiled and replied: "Whatever you say, Mother. Tomorrow Rong will follow us together."

  Ye Qingrou quickly got up and thanked her. Li Shi was satisfied with her wish, feeling naturally happy, with a hint of smugness in her eyes.

  Ye Qinglan saw it with her own eyes, and in her heart, another layer of doubt was added. Jiang's partiality to the second house was really too obvious. Zheng didn't even show a hint of displeasure, apparently having long been accustomed to it.

  Just then, Zheng's wife said to her, "Why don't you go with them too, Lan?"

  Ye Qinglan hesitated for a moment, then politely declined: "Thank you, Auntie, but I'm not fully recovered from my illness. If I were to pass it on to someone else, that wouldn't be good. I'd better stay in the manor!" In her heart, she couldn't help but feel regretful. Such a rare opportunity to go out had been wasted!

  "However, you have a weak body and shouldn't be cooped up in your room all day. Even if you're not sick, being cooped up can make you feel ill. Why don't you go out for a walk and clear your mind? A good mood might just help you recover faster."

  It got to this point and Ye Qinglan couldn't decline anymore, so she just smiled and agreed.

  It's strange, why is Zheng so insistent on bringing her along?

  Li also felt a bit suspicious, but didn't ask any further. In her mind, she began to think about what Ye Qingrou would wear tomorrow. She had to dress up beautifully and outshine Ye Qingning's style...

  When Zheng got up and bid farewell, Li did not get up and leave together, apparently intending to stay in Changhe Hall for lunch.

  Ye Qinglan's doubts grew bigger and bigger, after leaving Changhe Hall, she asked in a low voice: "Sixth sister, does Second Aunt usually stay in Changhe Hall for lunch?"

  Ye Qing's mind was in a mess, she didn't have the mood to care about anything else, so she just hummed a response and fell silent.

  Ye Qinglan had no choice but to put this question aside for the time being.

  After returning to Luomei Courtyard, Zheng Shi stayed behind to talk to Ye Qingning. Apparently, she had something to instruct Ye Qingning about.

  Ye Qinglan naturally understood the implication and busily smiled as she said: "I still have things to do, I'll head back first." Cui Wan also smiled as they both exited from Luomei Courtyard together.

  Cui Wan lived in the Xiangfang Garden, which was just in the same direction as the He Feng Yuan. Cui Wan and Ye Qinglan walked side by side, smiling and saying: "Don't you think it's strange that Grandmother is particularly fond of the second house? It seems that you are still young, and after leaving the capital for a few years, you have even forgotten such an important thing."

  Yè Qīnglán heard this and didn't dare to speak carelessly anymore, she smiled vaguely: "I have a bad memory, I really can't remember clearly, sorry to trouble you, sister-in-law."

  Fortunately, Cui Wan didn't suspect anything and lowered her voice to say: "Grandmother wasn't Grandfather's first wife, but a second wife. Father was born to the deceased Zhang Shi. Second Uncle is the biological son of Grandmother Jiang Shi."

  So that's it! No wonder Jiang treated Changfang's wife so politely, but was so biased towards Er Fang!

  Ye Qinglan squeezed out an embarrassed smile: "Look at my memory, I actually forgot something so important." No wonder the three brothers looked and behaved completely differently, their feelings were not from the same mother.

  Speaking of this, Ye Qinglan couldn't help but think of another important issue. Having been back for so long, it seemed like she had never seen Ye Chengli's birth mother...

  Cui Wan glanced at Ye Qinglan and suddenly said in a low voice, "Madam Mei's health is not good, she went to the villa to recuperate a few years ago. You haven't seen her since you came back this time, have you?"

  Although Cui Wan said it very implicitly, Ye Qinglan inferred a lot of useful information from this sentence.

  This Mei Niang, should be Ye Chengli's birth mother. However, she is not favored and after falling ill, was sent to the countryside manor to recuperate. Ye Shengshou didn't even bring her back to the mansion for his birthday banquet, showing just how lowly her status is.

  It can be seen from what has been heard and seen in these days. Ye Jing attaches the most importance to the eldest son of the first wife, Jiang's family loves the second son of the second wife, but the third house is not loved by either father or mother. The status in the mansion is really not high at all.

  As a third-born daughter of a concubine, it's not an easy thing for her to stand firm and be at peace in the manor...

  Yeh Ching-lan's mind was racing, but her face remained calm as she replied, "Yes, I'd almost forgotten what she looked like!"

  Cui Wanyao smiled and changed the subject: "By the way, tomorrow we're going to visit the Dingguo Gongfu. Do you have any clothes or accessories suitable for receiving guests? If you don't mind, come over to my place and pick out some accessories that suit your taste to wear tomorrow."

  These days, watching with cold eyes, Ye Qinglan's attire is very ordinary. The clothes are fine, but decent jewelry is scarce. Going out would be somewhat shabby.

  Ye Qinglan was about to politely decline, but Cui Wan smiled and said: "Don't worry, I'm not planning to give it to you, just borrowing it from you for a day. When I get back, you have to return it to me."

  It's hard to refuse such kindness, so Ye Qinglan could only smile and thank her.

  Cui Wan is a gentle and smooth person, not difficult to get along with, and being friends with her has many benefits. However, it's unlikely that someone would be so kind to another person without any reason. Cui Wan's friendliness towards her is probably largely due to her unmarried younger brother.

  However, since Cui Wan didn't say it explicitly, she was happy to pretend to be ignorant and act as if she knew nothing. Anyway, she's still young now, and talking about marriage is something for the future.

  Qingfang Pavilion and Huancui Pavilion are roughly the same size, and their layout is also similar. The furnishings are very delicate and exquisite. It can be seen that Cui Wan's management is quite strict, although there are so many maidservants in the house, they all move lightly and quietly, not daring to make a sound.

  Clever sister was taken away by the wet nurse to feed, Cui Wan personally took out her own jewelry box, smiled and opened the first layer: "This was just sent a few days ago, some of which I haven't worn yet, you pick and see what you like, take it if you want."

  Ye Qinglan smiled slightly and lowered her head to take a few glances.

  It's really true that people can be envious of others. She originally thought her own jewelry was good enough, but compared to the ones in the box in front of her, she suddenly felt dull and lost her luster.

  Cui Wansheng sat quietly on one side, taking the opportunity to secretly observe Ye Qinglan's expression.

  A person's character and conduct are most easily revealed at this moment. If Ye Qinglan is a greedy and vain girl, she can't help but show some signs.

  Ye Qinglan lowered her head and looked at it for a while, smiling as she took an armband inlaid with various colored gems and put it on her wrist to try it on: "This armband is really beautiful!"

  This bangle is indeed exquisite and very beautiful, suitable for girls to wear, but it's not the most expensive one.

  Cui Wan nodded secretly in her heart, and smiled as she picked up another bangle embedded with cat's eye stone: "Try this one, it's got authentic cat's eye stone on it!"

  Yeqing Lan hurriedly smiled and declined: "No need, I quite like this pair of bangles on my hand. Tomorrow, borrow them to wear for a whole day, don't be reluctant, okay?"

  Cui Wan smiled and pursed her lips, no longer trying to persuade him, but in her heart, she had a better impression of Ye Qinglan.

  Although she was born out of wedlock, she knew her place and was humble and courteous, with a dignified demeanor, without any petty airs. If she could really marry her brother-in-law Cui Yu, it wouldn't be a bad thing either.

  Ye Qinglan sat for a moment before standing up and bidding farewell. Cui Wan personally escorted her to the gate of the courtyard.

  This scene fell into the eyes of the servants in the Qingfang Pavilion, with a different meaning. Cui Wan was superficially gentle, but actually had some pride as a noble lady. But today she was very affectionate towards Ye Qinglan. It seems that in the future, we should be more polite to this tenth miss.

  After leaving the Fragrant Pavilion, after walking for a while, the long-suppressed Guiluan finally couldn't help but say: "Miss, Young Mistress is really too good to you. She gave you such a beautiful pair of bangles!"

  "It's not a gift, it's borrowed." Ye Qinglan seriously corrected Guigui: "Tomorrow when she comes back, you have to return it to her."

  "It's already very generous even if it's borrowed." Rui Xue couldn't help but interrupt.

  Ye Qinglan smiled casually and didn't make any further explanation. If possible, she would rather have Cui Wan be a bit cold to her. She didn't want to get married early.

  The three of them returned to Hakufu-in with smiles and conversation.

  Xue and the others left, and the large He Feng Yuan suddenly became a few degrees colder. Except for Ye Qinglan and her five servants, there were only two rough servant women responsible for sweeping the yard and one gatekeeper mother. All in all, there were less than ten people.

  Although it's a bit deserted, but there is more freedom.

  Yè Qīnglán happily read a book to pass the time, and then took a nice nap. With nothing to do, she couldn't help but think about that invitation again.

  Madam Zheng invited Ye Qingning and Zheng Shi to visit her residence for a reason that is temporarily not clear, but why did Zheng Shi insist on bringing her along? ——