CHAPTER 300: CHAPTER 287: MA XIYUE

As for Ma Xiyue’s coming of age ceremony, Yu Xiaolian originally didn’t want to attend, but somehow, she couldn’t refuse social engagements anymore.

After closing the shop in the evening, Yu Xiaolian, Zhao Erya, and Zhao Sanyan were on the third floor of Zhenpin Pavilion, bottling shampoo and face cream and such.

Yu Xiaolian casually chatted with Zhao Erya, "What do you think I should give Ma Xiyue for her coming of age gift?"

Zhao Erya was scooping face cream into a small jar and raised the jar in her hand when she heard this, "How about giving this? Don’t all girls love beauty?"

Yu Xiaolian gently shook her head, "No way!"

Giving this would be a bit too stingy.

Thinking for a moment, Yu Xiaolian said, "How about I give her a small mirror?"

Zhao Erya said, "Wouldn’t that be too expensive?"

Although the mirror was small, it sold for two hundred taels each in the shop.

Yu Xiaolian still thought the small mirror was appropriate; other things were either too cheap or too expensive. The mirror was reasonably priced and she wouldn’t feel bad giving it away.

"So, tomorrow prepare a box with this face cream, rouge, and lipstick for me. I’ll carry the small mirror on me."

When the time came, she would give these gifts. If she got along well with Ma Xiyue, she would give her the mirror privately; if not, she wouldn’t bring it out.

Zhao Erya nodded in agreement.

Soon, it was September 28th. Sun Mancang drove a carriage to take Yu Xiaolian and Zhao Sanyan to the County Magistrate’s Mansion.

Outside the mansion, it was bustling with people and carriages, very lively.

Girls from various families were holding invitations, entering the mansion in an orderly manner.

There were people specially designated to welcome them and some to announce the gifts.

Yu Xiaolian happened to run into the Feng family’s carriage. Feng Suyun approached her very familiarly, grabbing Yu Xiaolian’s arm, "Sister Xiaolian, long time no see. What have you been busy with lately?"

Yu Xiaolian pulled a slight smile, "Just keeping busy."

Feng Suyun noticed Yu Xiaolian’s perfunctory response, but she didn’t mind at all; instead, she became even more friendly in her conversation with Yu Xiaolian.

Yu Xiaolian took the chance to ask Feng Suyun what gifts they had brought.

Feng Suyun knew Yu Xiaolian might not have attended such occasions before, "Generally, between us girls, you don’t need to give anything too valuable; it’s the thought that counts."

"But..." Feng Suyue lowered her voice, "Ma Xiyue tends to be materialistic, so I had my family prepare something more expensive."

Actually, the Feng sisters hadn’t known Ma Xiyue for long, but they became close friends with her by constantly pleasing her in both words and actions.

They had no choice; it was something their grandfather ordered them to do, and they didn’t dare to disobey.

Conversely, even though Yu Xiaolian was indifferent to them, they found her to be genuine and not hypocritical, so the Feng sisters had a good impression of Yu Xiaolian.

Yu Xiaolian glanced at the gift box in Zhao Sanyan’s hands, then turned to pull out the small mirror and handed it to Zhao Sanyan, "Put it in the box!"

Even though she didn’t need to please Ma Xiyue, she didn’t want to make an enemy either, especially since Ma Xiyue’s father was the County Magistrate of Luocheng. A current official is worth more than one higher up, and besides, Jiang Han, who brought her the token on behalf of Prince Jin last time, was the County Magistrate’s brother-in-law, so it seemed that the County Magistrate Ma was undoubtedly a man of Prince Jin.

Of course, this was Prince Jin’s domain. Prince Jin might be foolhardy, but he wouldn’t let others take charge on his turf, especially since he wasn’t foolish, but rather cunning.

The Ma sisters entered before Yu Xiaolian, and she learned from the person announcing the gifts that the Ma family had given a complete set of jewelry, including a gold headpiece, golden hairpin, and golden earrings.

Yu Xiaolian curled her lips, the Ma family really was extravagant.

Even the few families who entered before the Ma family stopped to look back, curious to see what kind of people were so lavishly generous.

Zhao Yan’er didn’t recognize Ma Suyun and Ma Suyue, and asked her sister Zhao Qing’er beside her in a low voice, "This Ma family... I’ve never heard of them before, do you know them?"

Zhao Qing’er shook her head, "I don’t know, their family probably isn’t originally from Luocheng.

Or maybe the daughter of some merchant family."

But certainly not from the gentry class of Luocheng.

Country bumpkins, giving a set of golden jewelry, how tacky.

Zhao Yan’er nodded, agreeing with her sister.

Just as she was about to turn away, Zhao Yan’er noticed Yu Xiaolian coming in and stopped, putting on a smile to greet her.

Yu Xiaolian, holding her invitation, registered her name and the gifts she brought at the entrance before stepping into the courtyard.

Zhao Yan’er was about to greet Yu Xiaolian when she saw her surrounded by a group of girls.

"Listen, of the gifts Yu Xueguan just gave, there’s a glass mirror. I heard Zhenpin Pavilion sells them for two hundred taels each, and they’re really clear."

"I’ve used one before; my cousin bought one a while ago, and it’s so clear. I love it so much, but such a small mirror for two hundred taels, my father would never buy it for me."

"Hey, do you think... if I invite Yu Xueguan to my coming of age ceremony, she would also give me one?"

"That depends on how well you know her. Didn’t you see some people greeting her? Let’s go too; at the very least, we can get familiar with her face."

"Come on, let’s go!"

Ma Xiyue, dressed to the nines, saw Yu Xiaolian swarmed by admirers like the moon surrounded by stars and was disgruntled.

It was her coming of age ceremony; she was supposed to be the star, right?

Who was this person stealing her spotlight?

"Ahem..." Ma Xiyue cleared her throat, trying to catch everyone’s attention, but to no avail—the girls were too absorbed.

Seeing this, Ma Xiyue’s personal maid quickly raised her voice, "My lady is coming out to welcome everyone, please follow us to the hall to take your seats."

With the maid’s call, the crowd finally noticed Ma Xiyue’s presence and moved over to greet her, then followed the maid into the hall.

Once the crowd dispersed, Ma Xiyue could finally see who was at the center of attention.

Yu Xiaolian was dressed in a white shirt with frog buttons and royal blue wide-legged pants. Even if Ma Xiyue hadn’t seen Yu Xiaolian before, she knew who she was just by her outfit.

Yet, Ma Xiyue was quite annoyed that Yu Xiaolian had appeared and taken the spotlight meant for her.

"Who let this person in wearing short clothes?" Ma Xiyue pretended not to recognize Yu Xiaolian.

In Great Liang, typically only poor people wore short clothes and pants, whereas upper-class families and officials wore long robes for men and long skirts for women.

But Yu Xiaolian had been wearing such unconventional clothes in Luocheng not just for a day or two. Though it wasn’t known by everyone, it was close enough.

So, when Ma Xiyue asked this question, everyone could tell Ma Xiyue was purposely trying to embarrass Yu Xueguan.

The person at the door really believed their lady didn’t recognize Yu Xueguan, so they quickly stepped forward to explain, "Miss, this is Yu Xueguan from Shuren Academy."