242 Who’s Crying?
Since they were invited over, they would be on good terms with Yu Youyao in advance and not close to Jia Jia. Then, she would not be able to achieve their true goal of befriending them. The small banquet would be in vain.
Yu Jianjia could only say, “Mother, don’t worry about this. When it’s my birthday, I’ll invite Seventh Miss Cao and Fifth Miss Lu over. They won’t be noble ladies from scholarly families, but in terms of status, there aren’t many noble ladies in the capital who can compare to them. With them, no one will look down on me.”
Yang Shuwan also nodded. “In any case, your birthday is still more than half a year away. There’s no hurry to manage this. It’s better to find a grandmaster to carve a seal for you first.”
At the mention of this, Yu Jianjia felt uncomfortable again. She blamed her mother for being too rash and mentioning yellow field stone, so that her grandmother could take the opportunity to give Yu Shuangbai the more expensive bloodstone.
At this moment, Yu Youyao’s longevity peach blossom stone was a part of the residence. Yu Shuangbai’s stone was not inferior to hers, and it showed that her yellow field stone was much inferior.
She opened her mouth and wanted to say that she didn’t want to carve the seal anymore, but then she remembered that Yu Youyao and Yu Shuangbai also had one. If she didn’t, it would indeed be unreasonable, so she closed her mouth again.
Yang Shuwan sighed slightly. “It’s a pity that Old Madam gave the blood stone to Yu Shuangbai and wasted the good stuff for nothing. Otherwise, that piece of blood stone would also complement the yellow field stone. The yellow field stone is a little lacking, but Mother can’t get a better seed material, so she can only pay a high price to find a powerful master to carve a more exquisite seal to suppress it.”
Hearing this, Yu Jianjia did not want to stay any longer. “Mother, rest. I’ll go first.”
Second Uncle had already said that Zhou Linghuai’s carving skills were superb.
She had seen the incense fan that Zhou Linghuai had made for Yu Youyao previously, and it was extremely exquisite. She had also taken a closer look at the longevity peach blossom stone. She wasn’t an expert and wouldn’t have been able to tell how impressive the carving skills were. However, she wasn’t blind either. That seal carving was ridiculously beautiful. How could she find a master who carved better than Zhou Linghuai?
Her mother’s words had stabbed her right in the heart.
The next day, Yang Shuwan got up at midnight and continued working. After breakfast, she went to An Shou Hall to mention this to Old Madam Yu.
Old Madam Yu said calmly, “Have you prepared the gifts?”
“Yes, I’m ready.” She did not expect Old Madam to even ask about this. Yang Shuwan’s smile stiffened a little, and she slowly handed over the betrothal gift list she had brought with her.
When Old Madam Yu saw this, her expression was indifferent, and it was impossible to tell if she was satisfied or not. She only turned around and instructed Nanny Liu, “Offer another 20 taels, gather 80 taels, five pieces of Song Jiang cloth, two boxes of tea, four-colored dried fruits, snacks, and two pure gold bracelets. Pick a few decent silver accessories and gather 50 kilograms of them. Get someone to send them over and make it more lively.”
Nanny Liu agreed and went to get it done.
She had only prepared 28 kilograms, but Old Madam had asked for 50 kilograms as soon as she opened her mouth. It was considered decent. Even if she carefully looked for a young mistress with a good background outside and accepted her, 50 kilograms alone would be more than enough.
Lady Qiu was just a concubine, so there was no need to give her such dignity.
She still had to brag and cause trouble. Old Madam was deliberately making things difficult for her. Yang Shuwan tightened her grip on her handkerchief. “Old Madam, isn’t this too…”
Old Madam Yu interrupted her. “Lady Qiu and I are master and servant after all. This thing will come from my own pocket, not from the public account.”
This time, Yang Shuwan couldn’t say anything else.
Since they were master and servant, Old Madam was willing to give Lady Qiu face. This was an elder’s matter. How could she interfere?
Nanny Liu helped send the betrothal gifts out and even sent the nanny along. Now, everyone in the capital knew that the Eldest Master of the Yu Residence was going to take in a concubine.
However, she couldn’t help but feel a little puzzled. Taking in concubines wasn’t a small matter. Why hadn’t she heard anything about it before?
Yang Shuwan was indignant, but she had no choice.
Yu Zongzheng rushed down from the government office when it was almost dark. This was only because the government knew that he was taking in a concubine and had asked him to return early. Otherwise, he would have been busy until late at night.
Yang Shuwan asked Nanny Li to help her comb her hair. She changed into a set of purple-gray clothes and combed her hair into a simple bun. She did not even have any additional accessories on her body. She looked dull but a little charming.
Nanny Li saw that her eyes were dark and wanted to cover them with powder.
Yang Shuwan shook her head. “No need. This is fine!”
Yang Shuwan welcomed Yu Zongzheng into the main courtyard and personally helped him change into a set of red clothes.
Yu Zongzheng saw that Yang Shuwan was silent and didn’t say anything else, so he couldn’t help but feel a little unaccustomed to it. He looked at Yang Shuwan, who had her head lowered, looked virtuous. Her neck, which was so fair that it was dazzling, formed a sharp contrast with her purple-gray clothes. He couldn’t help but think of Yang Shuwan’s beauty back then.
Coincidentally, Yang Shuwan raised her head.
Yu Zongzheng looked at her. She was still as beautiful as before, but her beauty had decreased in the end, and there was a hint of fatigue in her eyes.
He wondered if she had worked hard to organize the event because he had taken in a concubine?
Or was it because she felt terrible?
Yu Zongzheng held her hand. “Look at you. You look much more haggard. Even though I’ve taken in a concubine, you’re still my wife. No one else can compare to you.”
When Yang Shuwan heard this, tears appeared in her eyes, as if she did not want Yu Zongzheng to see them. She felt that it was inauspicious, so she quickly lowered her head and wiped them with a handkerchief. Then, she raised her head and forced a smile. “It’s also a good thing that Master has concubines. Although Master has three daughters and a legitimate son, they’re still a little lacking. It’s indeed time to plan so that the Yu Residence can have more children.”
Yu Zongzheng’s brows relaxed. Although Madam Yang was a little petty, she was still sensible.
Yang Shuwan sent Yu Zongzheng out of the door and returned to the house to change into a red and gold peony dress. She combed her hair and placed a large peony flower with red and gold embellishments on her head.
The rubies on it were bright red, pure, and flawless.
She exuded a dignified aura from head to toe, but it vividly displayed her status as the mistress of the household.
Before the sky turned dark, Lady Qiu had already put on the peach-colored clothes that Yang Shuwan had given her. She placed a peach-colored flower beside her ear and entered the small red carriage.
The small sedan chair quietly circled around the Yu Residence until it was completely dark. Then, it was carried into the Rain Autumn Courtyard from the side door.
It was dusk when she got married, and it was dark when she became a concubine!
It also revealed how different a concubine was.
When Lady Qiu arrived at the Rain Autumn Courtyard, before her butt even touched the bed, she was led to the main courtyard by Nanny Li.
Yang Shuwan sat on the main seat. She was dressed in a red and gold peony dress. It looked magnificent and expensive, making Lady Qiu feel a little suffocated.
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