CHAPTER 67: CHAPTER 67: VISITING AS A GUEST (PART 5)

Xiqiu admired Lady, such handling of affairs and even speaking skills are exactly what she needs to learn.

The three Misses walked behind Lady according to seniority, Lady paid respects to the women in the higher seat, and Xiqiu realized she was the Countess. When Lady introduced them, Xiqiu quickly glanced at the Countess, who was wearing a honey-colored cloud-pattern floral overcoat and a reddish-brown headband. She appeared plump and affluent, her skin was fair with no visible wrinkles, looking about fifty years old.

She smiled at the three Misses, commenting on each: "Third Miss is bright, Sixth Miss is adorable, Eighth Miss is dignified." Then looking at Lady: "Madam, you are truly fortunate."

Lady replied with a smile: "You praise them too much. I just fear their mischief might annoy Madam later." She turned towards her three daughters: "Quickly, pay respects to Madam."

The three Misses stepped forward, and there were attentive little maids who quickly placed three Qiuxiang-colored cushions before them. The three performed grand courtesies with decorum, and a woman named Han near the Countess handed out three boxes, presenting them to the Misses. The Countess smiled warmly: "The ground is cold, don’t mind this ceremonial formality, please rise."

Tong Xiyang received the gifts and stood up with a smile, Xiqiu followed behind her. The Countess’s gaze paused on the three, then settled on Xiqiu.

Lady’s eyes showed delight, and Madam Chen laughed: "Aunt... Madam Tong is still standing." The Countess affectionately glanced at her, teasing: "You are the one who knows decorum!"

Seemingly having a closer relationship with Madam Chen than with First Young Madam Ren.

The Countess pointed to a woman on the right to introduce to Lady: "This is Marchioness Huaining, this is First Young Madam Ma, Second Young Madam Ma."

Xiqiu saw First Young Madam Ren, unnoticed when, standing there speaking with Marchioness Huaining.

It turned out to be First Young Madam Ren’s maiden family. Lady paid her respects, as did the three Misses. Marchioness Huaining bestowed meeting gifts, and the Countess introduced several other women, including Madam Huang of Count Jinyuan, Madam Xu of Marquis Wuwei, and Madam Fang of Deputy Director of the Grand Secretariat...

Lady greeted everyone, and introduced several young misses, the room was filled with laughter, the sound of bracelets ringing.

After exchanging pleasantries, Lady sat next to Madam Fang across three chairs, the three Misses sat on small stools behind Lady, and maids came forward with tea.

After sitting down, Xiqiu noticed a Miss next to Tong Xiyang, wearing a peach-colored overcoat, a round-faced girl with dimples at the corners of her mouth, about twelve or thirteen years old, very cute. Seeing Xiqiu looking her way, she politely nodded and said, "My surname is Fang." She pointed to the Deputy Director’s wife in front: "This is my mother." Very enthusiastic!

"So, it’s Miss Fang." Tong Xiyang smiled with grace: "These two are my Sixth Sister and Eighth Sister."

Xiqiu and Miss Fang exchanged pleasantries, then resumed their seats, quietly listening to the adults’ conversation.

After chatting for a while, two women came hand in hand from outside, this time the Countess personally descended from the rose bed to welcome them: "Sister..."

Everyone stood up, some stepped forward to offer support, or laughingly greeted.

At this moment, Miss Fang next to Xiqiu looked at an elder woman ahead, saying: "It’s Old Madam Lou of Count Shouning." She then indicated the younger woman: "This is Madam Lou."

Seemingly accustomed to attending such gatherings, Xiqiu nodded to Miss Fang, expressing gratitude for her enthusiastic introduction, while Tong Xiyang, with a look of envy, chatted quietly with Miss Fang: "Miss Fang knows a lot, do you often visit Wujin Bo Mansion?"

Tong Xiyu grasped her handkerchief, seeming somewhat nervous, rigidly sitting beside Xiqiu.

Xiqiu observed Madam Lou of Count Shouning, appearing only forty-something, yet hearing the Countess call her sister, she must be older than that. Beside her, Madam Lou had a weary look, with faint marks on her powder-treated face.

"Finally I get to see you." The Countess smiled, offering support to Old Madam Lou, and they sat shoulder to shoulder on the rose bed.

Old Madam Lou, with a smiling gaze, surveyed those in the hall and waved: "No need for formalities, sit down." She then looked at the Countess: "Why haven’t I seen the children?"

The Countess replied: "There are many people in the garden for the performance, they are too mischievous, so I had them sent to Count’s outer courtyard." The two chatted for a bit more, the Countess then introduced Lady and Madam Fang to Old Madam Lou. Old Madam Lou smiling at Lady: "This is the mother of the young Advanced Scholar, I mentioned you to my daughter-in-law yesterday. You have raised that child exceptionally." As she spoke, her eyes glanced at Madam Lou, who showed a slight change in her expression, lowering her head.

Lady’s heart skipped a beat; recently she heard of Count Shouning’s eldest son getting into a fight at a brothel, presumably why Madam Lou was upset. She thought about it and then smilingly stepped forward saying: "Whether exceptional or not, he’s just a bookworm..." Madam Lou gratefully glanced at Lady, and Old Madam Lou pursed her lips, smiling, then looking behind Lady: "Are these the Misses from your mansion?"

Lady introduced Tong Xiyang, Xiqiu, and Tong Xiyu.

The three Misses stepped forward to pay their respects, Old Madam Lou bestowed meeting gifts, identical golden hairpins for each, nodding: "They are quite tidy in appearance, good children."

Seemingly with intention!

"Let’s not just sit here... after lunch, let’s hurry to watch the play." The Countess stood up with a smile to support Old Madam Lou: "Today’s dishes were specially prepared to suit your taste; I hope you find them agreeable..." Everyone laughed and chatted as they followed her out of the main hall, moving to a side hall of forty or fifty square meters for lunch.

The Countess, Old Madam Lou, sat together with Lady and Marchioness Huaining. Madam Chen, Madam Lou, Madam Fang, First Young Madam Ren sat together. Third Miss, Sixth Miss, Eighth Miss sat with Miss Fang from Deputy Director’s mansion. Everyone quietly finished their meal, then moved to the main hall to rest and have tea. At this point, First Young Madam Ren whispered something into the Countess’s ear, prompting the Countess to look at Lady: "Second Madam Xiao has arrived with Miss Xiao, heading to Lingxi Pavilion."

It turned out Tong Xihua had arrived, and Lady’s face showed a knowing smile.

The Countess rose and said: "Let us go over there too, the theater stage is prepared." Everyone again clustered around the Countess and Old Madam Lou heading towards Lingxi Pavilion.

Xiqiu quietly followed behind Lady, up the path, across an atrium, into a spacious hall with red lacquered pillars and hanging silk curtains. The theater stage was inside the opposite pavilion, surrounded by a semi-circle of red silk, a clever arrangement that allowed those watching to view the play clearly, while outsiders could not see inside, and actors couldn’t run rampant throughout the garden.