Chapter 171 – Unexpectedly Running Short Of Flower Dew
This time, Wei Yuewu did not get off the carriage. Huamo got off and went to the powder shop to buy some dew made from plum blossoms.
There was no other dew in this cold season. However, there was still plum blossom dew.
After buying everything that was needed, Wei Yuewu went back to the mansion with Huamo. They spent a lot of time on the road, and Jin Ling had already returned to the mansion.
“Miss, something happened to Doctor Ming’s family. It was said that his son was a disgrace to family. Not only did he fail to become a doctor as his father, he also liked hanging around and visiting brothels. Some days ago, he competed with others for a woman, and was injured by a certain aristocratic family’s young master, who threatened to beat him to death unless he offered money to settle this dispute.”
Jin Ling brought Wei Yuewu a cup of tea and told her what she had heard.
Because they had become aware of Doctor Ming before, and knew his home very well, Jin Ling found Doctor Ming’s home quite easily. Moreover, since something like this happened to Doctor Ming’s family, how could they hide it even if they wanted to?
“Did you find out which family the young man comes from who beat Doctor Ming’s son?” Wei Yuewu took a sip of tea and said thoughtfully.
Coincidentally, Wei Yan was “dead” and Madam Li went back to her parents’ house to recuperate when Doctor Ming encountered such an accident. If it were in the past, Madam Li should be able to settle the matter for Doctor Ming.
“The people around couldn’t explain it clearly. They only said that it was a young master who brought a few servants with him. From the looks of it, they are not from ordinary families. Miss, I will let Yan Feng investigate it later.” Jin Ling saw Wei Yuewu’s concern and suggested.
Compared to someone like her who was dressed as a maid, it was more convenient for Yan Feng to investigate. This was also the reason why Jin Ling did not inquire any further.
“Alright, let Yan Feng investigate.” Wei Yuewu said. She took the bottle of dew from Huamo and opened the lid. She sniffed it. The faint plum fragrance was elegant. She could tell that it was an excellent product with a single smell. It was indeed a product from a large powder shop. The quality of it could be guaranteed.
This kind of high-quality product was not inferior to the dew made by Wei Yuejiao herself. Moreover, she really did not believe that Wei Yuejiao would personally make the dew.
The Madam Dowager and Wei Luowu did not expect that the low-key birthday banquet would become so high-profile all of a sudden, and for a moment, the entire mansion was in a state of chaos.
Not only did the heirs-apparent of the dukes come uninvited, even the Fourth Prince came with congratulatory gifts.
Originally, it was only a family banquet attended by ordinary relatives, but due to the arrival of these distinguished guests, the level of the banquet was raised enormously.
The relatives who had been invited all returned hurriedly because they were not qualified to attend such a high-level event.
When the other dignitaries heard that two princes and two princesses were present, they hurriedly prepared some gifts and rushed over. For a moment, the entrance of the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang was bustling with people and carriages, and even the street leading to the entrance was congested.
The arrival of these distinguished guests, who had not been expected, caused the entire mansion of Marquis Hua Yang to be in chaos.
Lady Zhang did not know how to receive such a large group of distinguished guests. The Madam Dowager had to personally take care of the matter and slowly straighten things out.
Fortunately, the stage was big enough, and more seats were immediately added for the audience. Of course, the banquet area was expanded. The mansion of Marquis Hua Yang was big enough and there were many servants in the mansion. Everyone was mobilized and progress wasn’t slow.
Of course, the several young unmarried ladies were all out to accompany the female guests. There were, however, not many female guests because some officials had come in a hurry when they heard that the Third Prince and Fourth Prince had come, so that they didn’t bring their wives or daughters with them.
The banquet hadn’t started yet, and the female guests were all in the flower hall in the back yard.
After the initial hustle and bustle, the Madam Dowager also relaxed at this time. She was now talking and laughing with a few old ladies and feeling quite at ease.
“So this is Marquis Hua Yang’s daughter? Sure enough, she has the demeanor of her mother. Back then, Marquise Hua Yang was an overwhelming beauty.” An old lady looked at Wei Yuewu and said smilingly.
The Madam Dowager’s eyes immediately darkened, but then she smiled and said, “Yes, it is Yuewu. She wasn’t well when she was a kid, so her maternal grandparents took her to their house. It was quieter there. In these past few years, Yuewu was well educated and she was also in good health. Therefore, we brought her back.”
With those words, the Madam Dowager tactfully explained the reason why Wei Yuewu had been raised in her maternal grandparents’ house. This was also the first time the Madam Dowager had made such an official introduction to Wei Yuewu on a public occasion.
In the past, everyone had been rumoring that this Sixth Miss Wei was neither talented nor good-looking, so that the Madam Dowager disliked her and hadn’t brought her back after so many years.
“I heard that the engagement between Sixth Miss Wei and Marquis Jing Yuan has been cancelled. I wonder if Madam Dowager has given any thought to other aristocratic families’ children? I guess she should be thirteen years old now and can get engaged at this age?” Another old lady chuckled.
They had all inquired about this Sixth Miss Wei and learnt that she was currently not engaged. Because of the trouble made by Wei Yan, the original engagement had already been cancelled.
As a result, many people had their own thoughts. No matter what, she was the daughter of Marquis Hua Yang. The mansion of Marquis Hua Yang was now highly valued. From the fact that two princes and two princesses had showed up at the low-key birthday banquet of the mansion’s second master, it could be seen that His Majesty attached much importance to the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang.
Compared with Wei Yuejiao, Wei Yuewu, the legitimate daughter of Marquis Hua Yang, naturally became the focus of attention of the various aristocratic families.
“I am just an old woman and can’t handle this matter properly. I’ll have to wait for her father’s return and consult with him.” The Madam Dowager rejected without any change in her voice or expression.
“That’s right. You have such an excellent granddaughter, and you really need to pick carefully.” An old lady echoed with a smile.
Wei Yuejiao, who was standing not far away, fiercely pulled the handkerchief in her hand a few times. She exerted so much force that the handkerchief was almost torn apart. She did not forget that all such praises would be received by her in the past years and that engagement proposals were all made for her. However, mother said that she couldn’t get engaged before she became a legitimate daughter. By then, she would have much better options than she did now.
Wei Yuewu was also sitting on the side. Wei Yuejiao’s pulling the handkerchief in her hand and her indignant expression were both noticed by her. A trace of mockery flashed in her eyes. So this Wei Yuejiao couldn’t stand it?
Nanny Hong hurriedly walked over and whispered in the Madam Dowager’s ear, who nodded and stood up. “Madams, young ladies, please follow me to watch the play. The Drunken Peony from the Seven Spin Troupe has been invited to perform over there, and she is going to perform the Seven Spin Dance she is best at.”
The seats outside the stage in the front yard had already been rearranged by Nanny Hong, and there were many seats there.
It was still early, and due to the chaos, the banquet was bound to be late. Taking everyone to watch the play was therefore the best entertainment.
Hence, the Madam Dowager took the lead and everyone followed her to the stage.
Lady Zhang, however, was pulled back by Wei Yuejiao, and she also took advantage of the situation to block Wei Yuewu’s path.
“Third Aunt, there are so many guests here all of a sudden. There isn’t enough flower dew to make pastries.” Wei Yuejiao had an anxious expression on her face.
“Well…we are short of hands right now…” Lady Zhang was really anxious. She had been reprimanded by the Madam Dowager before and was already in a state of anxiety. When she recalled that the Madam Dowager had specially introduced this pastry to other madams, she was worried that if she couldn’t get the pastry ready later on, she would definitely be blamed again.
“Third Aunt, let’s do it this way: Sixth Younger Sister and I immediately go and cook some flower dew. Fourth Younger Sister and Fifth Younger Sister stay and accompany those aristocratic young ladies.” Wei Yuejiao said as if she was helping Lady Zhang out.
“Alright… Alright, you two go immediately!” Lady Zhang was only thinking about getting rid of the trouble at this moment. She nodded her head and turned to Wei Yuewu, who was blocked by Wei Yuejiao. She said apologetically, “Yuewu, hurry up and make some flower dew with Yuejiao. If there’s anything you don’t understand, just ask her. She cooked the flower dew once. We are really running short of hands now. When the banquet is over, I will definitely thank you two generously!”
Wei Yuewu’s gaze fell on Wei Yuejiao’s face. She smiled at Wei Yuejiao and said with a smile, “Third Aunt, you’re welcome. Now that Third Elder Sister has said those words, I have to leave to make flower dew with her. I hope that Third Aunt will apologize to the several young ladies for me. I have agreed to show them around the garden.”
“There’s no need. We can finish making the flower dew very quickly. Third Aunt is busy right now, and we can accompany the young ladies to the garden later on.” Wei Yuejiao hurriedly stopped her and reached out to grab Wei Yuewu’s hand, not allowing her to say anything to Lady Zhang.
“Yes… yes, I’m very busy right now. You two go quickly!” Lady Zhang only hoped to avoid whatever trouble as best as she could. She repeatedly said yes to Wei Yuejiao. Then, she hurriedly turned around and followed the others who were already some distance ahead of her.
After Lady Zhang walked away, Wei Yuewu finally broke free from Wei Yuejiao’s hand. The corner of her lips curled into a sneer. Sure enough, this pastry was not that easily ready to serve…
“Third Elder Sister, I heard that this flower dew was made according to your exclusive secret recipe. I definitely can’t make it. I’m afraid you will have to make it by yourself.” Wei Yuewu’s eyes flashed with a faint light as she faced Wei Yuejiao’s beautiful face and turned to leave.
Wei Yuejiao thought that she really wanted to leave, so she hurriedly took a few steps and blocked in front of her. “Sixth Younger Sister, I can’t do it alone…”
“I can lend Jin Ling to you.”
Wei Yuewu stood still and said indifferently.
There weren’t enough hands today, so there was only one maid left beside each of them, and the other maids all went to help.
“But it’s still not enough. Sixth Younger Sister, let’s go together. It won’t take much time. Otherwise, grandmother will definitely blame us. There are so many distinguished guests today. If anything goes wrong, the two of us won’t be able to shoulder the responsibility!” Wei Yuejiao spoke earnestly and sincerely, as if she was thinking for the sake of Wei Yuewu.
“Let’s go!” Wei Yuewu did not decline this time. After thinking for a moment, she turned around and walked towards Wei Yuejiao’s courtyard.
This made Wei Yuejiao, who had prepared a bunch of words to persuade Wei Yuewu, feel as if her fist had landed on cotton. She was both aggrieved and depressed.
She bit her teeth and felt hatred in her heart. A trace of icy smile flashed through her eyes as she turned around and followed Wei Yuewu.
The two of them each brought a maid and silently walked forward. They didn’t say anything along the way. When they were almost at the entrance of the courtyard, Wei Yuejiao took two steps forward and stood in front of Wei Yuewu, blocking her path.
“Sixth Younger Sister, we are not going to make plum blossom dew here. We need to go to the garden in front of us. There are the most plum trees there. We can choose the right plum blossoms and make flower dew on the spot. Do you think you can go there first? I’ll bring the whole set of things to make flower dew over here!”
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