CHAPTER 155: CHAPTER 155: MARQUIS MANSION (PART 5)

Madam Qian praised several times before releasing Tong Xiyan’s hand. The First Lady introduced Xiqiu and Tong Xiyu to Madam Qian, who casually nodded. Her nanny then presented Tong Xiyan with a pair of cat’s eye stone earrings, Xiqiu with a gilded Ruyi hairpin, and Tong Xiyu with the same gilded orchid hairpin.

Such generous gifts.

Each of the three Misses accepted their gifts and curtsied to Madam Qian. The First Lady smiled and said, "You’ve been too generous, Madam!"

Madam Qian laughed, "Madam Tong, you’re too kind. The three Misses look quite pleased. When you have time, bring them to visit me." The First Lady responded with a few more polite exchanges.

Meanwhile, the Marchioness turned to greet the ladies opposite her. The First Lady turned as well and was momentarily surprised; Xiqiu was also surprised as they encountered someone familiar.

"Countess!" It turned out to be the Countess of Wujin Bo Mansion. The First Lady walked over with a smile, while Count Wujin came over to greet her warmly. The First Lady said, "I didn’t expect to see you here; what a pleasant surprise."

The Countess of Wujin Bo Mansion laughed, "Madam, no need for formalities, you should change your address." The First Lady responded with a laugh and changed her address to, "Dear friend."

Both ladies burst into laughter.

Next to them, Madam Qian looked puzzled and teasingly asked, "What’s going on? Are the two ladies playing a game of charades, making my head spin?"

Marquis Jinxiang’s Madam Ruan, laughing, pulled Madam Qian aside and said, "Auntie, you’re a bit out of touch. Count Wujin’s mansion arranged a match with the Third Miss of Tong Mansion last month."

Xiqiu raised an eyebrow, realizing Madam Ruan called Madam Qian ’Auntie.’ Could Madam Qian’s family be from Marquis Jinxiang Mansion?

Understanding the intricate connections among the Capital’s nobility, Xiqiu’s gaze fell on Madam Qian and noticed her eyes gleamed as she looked at Tong Xiyan. Xiqiu felt curious.

The Countess of Wujin Bo Mansion’s gaze moved over Xiqiu and the others. The three Misses stepped forward to greet her, and the First Lady introduced Tong Xiyan specifically. The Countess presented a Nephrite Jade Pendant as a meeting gift.

"It’s indeed bustling today. The Grand Dowager said she invited family for a gathering, and here we are." Madam Qian laughed with her sleeve covering her mouth as she approached the Grand Dowager.

The Grand Dowager pointed at Madam Qian and said, "It seems only you could be considered an outsider here." Madam Qian turned to the First Lady and said, "Look, dear friend, she thinks little of me."

The room burst into laughter.

The First Lady sat side by side with the Countess of Wujin Bo Mansion below the Grand Dowager, and Countess Wujin asked the First Lady, "How is the Third Miss?"

"Very well," the First Lady smiled, holding the Countess’s hand, "She spends her days stitching her wedding dress; rest assured, Madam!" The Countess smiled, nodded slightly, and said, "With you overseeing it, I have no reason to worry."

The First Lady laughed softly.

Tong Xiyan and Xiqiu, along with Tong Xiyu, sat on stools beside the First Lady, while Xiao Yanzheng returned to sit on one side near the Grand Dowager and the Marchioness. The First Lady spoke to Nanny Fang, "Bring out our gifts."

Nanny Fang left briefly, returning with a red lacquered box inlaid with gold. The First Lady took it and approached the Grand Dowager, saying, "As usual gifts might not impress you, we asked the girls to make a set of clothes. I’m not sure if they’ll fit."

The Grand Dowager smiled, "Even if your young lady made it, there’s no reason it wouldn’t fit." Madam Ruan chimed in, "Gifting clothes—must be extraordinary. Open it, let’s see!" She seemed delighted.

Nanny Wu looked toward the Grand Dowager, who slightly nodded.

Nearby, Madam Qian appeared interested, thinking that presenting such a gift in front of everyone must indicate excellent embroidery skills. It’s said Tong Mansion is a scholarly family, where children are well-versed in literature. Yet, she wondered about the young lady’s needlework skills.

The Countess of Wujin Bo Mansion, with a sidelong glance, watched Xiqiu who listened to the others with a gentle smile, holding a teacup and elegantly brushing away the floating tea leaves with the lid. She recalled Xiqiu’s visit to the mansion and hearing Bihuai speak about Third Miss. The Countess sighed lightly and looked away.

Nanny Wu opened the box and took out the clothes. Madam Qian exclaimed, inspecting the hem, "Look at the craftsmanship; it’s finely measured." Touching the flower stuck to the coat, she turned it over, saying, "Was this flower attached? You can’t tell at all."

Madam Ruan laughed, "The flowers are well-embroidered, looking like but not entirely exotic; the green leaves are jade-like, the petals ethereal, as if their fragrance tingles one’s nose as soon as they are seen." She looked at the First Lady, "No wonder Madam gifted clothes. Such embroidery—it might rival Brocade Pavilion’s skills!"

The Grand Dowager nodded with a smile, "Which young lady embroidered these flowers? Such skill—might be wasted on an old woman like me wearing this fine piece."

The First Lady’s eyes flashed, putting down her teacup, smiling at the Grand Dowager, "All three girls worked together; even I can’t distinguish who embroidered what. As long you like it, it’s the heartfelt devotion of three girls!"

Tong Xiyu felt pleased; the First Lady’s remark distributed credit evenly, naturally making her happy. Tong Xiyan looked at her mother with surprise before understanding her intention, surreptitiously squeezing Xiqiu’s hand. Xiqiu turned and gave her a gentle smile.

The First Lady expected this outcome long ago!

"The bright red double gold coat suits today’s festive atmosphere. Why not wear it, Mother?" Suddenly, Fifth Madam entered, cradling her belly, greeting the First Lady with a smile and bowing to the ladies. She playfully took the coat adorned with begonia flowers from Nanny Wu, saying, "Such beautiful clothes, both festive and elegant. Mother, why not wear it to delight dear friend as well?"

The Grand Dowager’s gaze focused slightly before she smiled and nodded, "Why not, why not! Let’s not waste the dear young lady’s thoughtful gift."

Fifth Madam accepted the coat from Nanny Wu, her fingers brushing over the begonia flowers, glancing contemplatively at Xiqiu, then casually assisting the Grand Dowager, "Shall I help you change, Mother?"

The Grand Dowager laughed and tapped her hand, chiding, "You’re expectant and still acting lively. Sit and converse with the ladies."

Fifth Madam laughed, "Yes!" Then she watched Nanny Wu accompany the Grand Dowager into the inner green gauze cabinet and turned to chat with Madam Qian, "I’ve missed seeing you. Yesterday, my maternal family visited; I wanted to invite you over, but you weren’t home. My mother said she was disappointed not to see you, feeling her visit was wasted."