CHAPTER 552: CHAPTER 541: THE MARCHIONESS’S MAID

"Grandmother likes this gift, that’s wonderful." Zhong Lan’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the Old Marchioness, filled with respect and admiration.

The Old Marchioness couldn’t help but find humor in her gaze, gently rubbing the sword tassel as she asked, "Why did you think to give me this?"

Zhong Lan sincerely replied, "I’ve long heard from my mother about Grandmother’s heroic deeds on the battlefield and admired them greatly. Grandmother, you are truly remarkable!"

"Oh? Am I that good?"

"Of course, you don’t know how much I admire you. So many men can’t compare to you. Without a female hero like you, how could we peacefully live in Shangjing enjoying wealth and honor? And how could the status of us women be elevated?" Zhong Lan had been completely brainwashed by Ye Qiu these days, so her words now genuinely came from the heart; she truly believed the Old Marchioness was extraordinary.

The Old Marchioness, who had been to battlefields and stood up to powerful officials, having weathered decades of trials and tribulations, was undoubtedly clear-sighted when it came to human nature. Thus, she instantly recognized the sincere intentions in Zhong Lan’s words.

She couldn’t resist the warmth in her heart. Although she often reminded herself not to care about others’ opinions, having someone acknowledge her was still very gratifying.

"Good child, get up now." The Old Marchioness helped her up personally, which caused Duan Rongjing, who was kneeling by her side, to be slightly stunned and thus look at Zhong Lan with added warmth in his eyes.

"Oh my, now Mother has a new confidante by her side, this old woman will have to step aside," Second Mrs. Shen played to her usual talent for jesting, teasing the other two.

"Just can it, your niece-in-law has prepared the tea. As her aunt, have you prepared your welcome gift? Don’t think about fobbing me off with cheap trinkets," the Old Marchioness said, holding Zhong Lan’s hand.

"Mother truly plays favorites, alas..." Second Mrs. Shen sighed repeatedly, but her face was always smiling, her demeanor graceful, showing no ill will towards Zhong Lan.

Ye Qiu observed everything with clarity, feeling that their young mistress had truly married into the right family.

With no mother-in-law or father-in-law above her, and the only grandmother having a good impression of her, even the Second Old Master and Second Madam were not meddlesome people, and were even willing to offer extra care to her because Zhong Lan was the daughter of a good friend.

Indeed, Ye Qiu thought Second Mrs. Shen was a clever person, for only a clever person could maintain such a good relationship with her mother-in-law, offering her private savings willingly and even letting her choose for herself.

Zhong Lan made a favorable impression on her first day of greetings, for it was known that the main and second branches of the Marquis Mansion had separated long ago. Although the Second Old Master’s current position was not low, his wealth and splendor still paled in comparison to that of the Marquis Mansion, and forging a good relationship with Marchioness Zhong Lan would only bring benefits and no detriments.

Of course, even if Second Mrs. Shen was seeking to curry favor for her own family’s interests, it was still better than her creating obstacles. Having such an ally meant that their young mistress would have an easier time at the Marquis Mansion in the future.

Ye Qiu felt that the only thing that could disturb their young mistress’s fate was Marquis Rong Jing.

A woman follows her husband upon marriage. If her natal family is not prominent, she will have to rely even more on her husband in the future. If Marquis Weiyuan respects her, Zhong Lan will surely lead a worry-free life for the rest of her days. However, if he harbors other thoughts, the life of her family’s young lady may be difficult.

Even if the young lady continues to be favored by Old Marchioness and Second Mrs. Shen, it is Duan Rongjing who is the master of Marquis Mansion, and he is their closest person.

If he insists on having other intentions, could the Old Marchioness really deal with her own grandson for the sake of her granddaughter-in-law Zhong Lan?

Now, all we can hope for is that our family’s young lady can capture Marquis Weiyuan’s heart!

As the master of Marquis Mansion, Duan Rongjing’s marriage would naturally not be met with stinginess from Second Mrs. Shen, who provided a pair of mutton fat jade bracelets as the meeting gift for Zhong Lan. The bracelets were of excellent quality and evidently valuable at first glance.

Having Old Marchioness as a role model, Zhong Lan was not overly surprised. She accepted the gift respectfully and then presented her own token of heart.

For Second Old Master Duan, she gave a folded fan with the Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, Chrysanthemum painting by the great artist of the previous dynasty, Su Bai. Su Bai’s paintings are so sought-after that they are worth more than gold. As soon as this gift was presented, Second Old Master Duan was overjoyed and wouldn’t even let the servants touch it.

"Very good, very good!" Marquis Weiyuan comes from a Military General Family, but Second Old Master Duan happens to love literature, and his favorite pastime is collecting famous calligraphy and paintings in the antique street. He had only heard of Su Bai’s Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, Chrysanthemum and did not expect that not only would he see it today, but it would also become his own.

Seeing his joyous demeanor, Old Marchioness and Second Mrs. Shen were even more satisfied with Zhong Lan. Since the Elder son passed away, Old Marchioness was left with only this son, whom she naturally cherished. Seeing him delighted with the treasure, she naturally felt satisfied with Zhong Lan who brought the treasure.

Second Mrs. Shen, on the other hand, had simpler thoughts. Initially, she felt a bit pained to give away a pair of mutton fat white jade bracelets, but for the sake of forming a good relationship with the future Marchioness, she still decided to give them generously. She did not expect that her niece-in-law would offer such a grand gift in return. Her husband loved calligraphy and paintings, and she had come to understand a bit about them as well. Naturally, she knew how precious Su Bai’s originals were. Now with four pieces completing the Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, Chrysanthemum series, their value was even more immense!

She didn’t expect her niece-in-law, whose family background was not prominent, to have such a rich dowry. But then again, her friend comes from the Ying Family; although they don’t hold high official positions, their heritage is indeed profound. It makes sense for them to possess Su Bai’s genuine works.

"You ladies like to shop, Uncle Duan doesn’t have much to offer. Take these ten thousand taels of Silver and buy yourself something nice." Having received his beloved item, Uncle Duan was very generous, and Second Mrs. Shen was not the slightest bit displeased. Money can be earned again, but Su Bai’s original works are not something one can just obtain. These items truly have a value beyond price.

The gift Zhong Lan prepared for Second Mrs. Shen was also not subpar. In addition to a pair of embroidery shoes she embroidered herself, there was also a hundred-year-old wild ginseng.

Although she had no mother-in-law above her, Second Mrs. Shen, as an aunt, was considered like half a mother-in-law. Presenting a pair of embroidered shoes showed her respect, and the wild ginseng was offered by Ye Qiu. Of course, Zhong Lan paid the Silver, thinking it was purchased by Ye Qiu from outside.

This was the decision Ye Qiu made after gathering information, having heard that Second Mrs. Shen’s mother was not in good health and the Shen Residence was actively seeking doctors with high medical skills and precious medicinal materials. Although she had chosen the skill of Poison Scripture, she could not simply go and offer treatments, so giving a wild ginseng was just right.

Second Mrs. Shen was indeed surprised and stood up upon seeing the wild ginseng. She had also been collecting valuable medicinal materials and naturally recognized how good the quality of this wild ginseng was. Her hands trembled as she touched the box containing the ginseng, and when she recovered, her expression towards Zhong Lan carried even more genuine appreciation.