Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 88 The Gift

It was just past dawn when Meng Shu and the others dragged the second young lady from her bed. Mingyue stared blankly at Meng Shu and the other two as they busied themselves.

One of them combed her hair, the other applied her makeup. Ruizhu took out the first outfit she would wear today from the rosewood wardrobe, and Mengshu presented the jewelry that Yongbaolou had sent yesterday. The three of them worked together to help the second young lady put on the narrow-sleeved short jacket and long skirt.

Mingyue received only one request: to hold the gossamer outer garment that the Second Miss would wear later. Immediately afterwards, Mengzhu helped the Second Miss's delicate wrists slip on a pair of beaded gold bracelets. Ruizhu took out a tourmaline and glass leaf-shaped earring from her makeup box, carefully placed them on the Second Miss's wrists, and then held up a bronze mirror for the Second Miss to admire. Mengshu focused on the hair ornaments; for the Second Miss's eleventh birthday, she had specially styled her hair in a cute, parted bun, emphasizing a charming and delicate look. A pearl-encrusted hairpin with eight treasures was inserted diagonally along the edge of the bun, adorned with a tourmaline carved hairpin, revealing only the delicate pink petals.

Before leaving, Meng Shu thought for a moment and then slipped a beige silk fan with a gold handle and floral pattern into the Second Miss's hand. Today, the Second Miss and Madam would be greeting guests at the Second Gate after paying their respects to the Old Madam. Although it wasn't outside the mansion, it was still considered an appearance. Having the fan in hand would help prevent any unsuspecting outsiders from barging in, and it would also allow them to cover their faces without losing their manners.

After all that trouble, it was finally completed.

The master and servants went downstairs, where Donggua and the maids had already set out a breakfast table. The second young lady had no appetite and only ate a bowl of fragrant herbal drink and two pan-fried buns. She only truly woke up after finishing her meal. Jinshu served the second young lady jasmine tea to help her rinse her mouth.

While they were at it, Donggua secretly brought out a lot of snacks and stuffed many into the purses of Meng Shu and the others.

Since Donggua didn't have to go to the front to make arrangements, she felt a little sorry for Meng Shu and the others. "If you get hungry later, just have something to eat first, don't go hungry. After the banquet ends in the evening, I'll prepare some good dishes to reward you."

Ruizhu hugged Donggua and said, "Donggua, you're so kind. I'll buy you a peach blossom hairpin when I get my monthly salary."

Donggua wasn't used to Ruizhu's coquettishness, so she tugged at Mingyue's purse, saying, "This purse is too small; it won't fit more than a few pastries before it's full. You can use mine." Donggua's purse was embroidered by Meng Shu herself and was more than twice the size of a regular purse.

Mingyue: "...Sister Donggua, I practice martial arts all year round, so it doesn't matter if I go hungry for a meal."

Meng Shu couldn't help but laugh. Dong Gua was shocked by Mingyue's appetite. Everyone had witnessed Mingyue's appetite in the small kitchen that day.

Today there's no need to go to Yun Gui Courtyard. The masters of the manor went to Fu An Residence to pay their respects to the old lady. However, all the masters were very tactful. They arrived early and waited outside Fu An Residence until Madam Yun and the second young lady arrived before performing their greetings and following Madam Yun into the courtyard.

Of the concubines, only Concubine Liu remained; Concubine Wen's illness worsened again the day before yesterday.

The maids following behind the young ladies were carrying brocade boxes of various sizes, which were presumably birthday gifts for the second young lady. Sure enough, after everyone paid their respects to the old lady and took their seats, they took out the gifts for the second young lady one by one, starting with the eldest young lady.

The young lady presented him with a double-pool inkstone and two round ink sticks with coiled dragon patterns, which was considered to be in accordance with his preferences.

The third young lady was quite thoughtful, presenting a chess manual, "The Thirteen Chapters of the Chess Classic," though Meng Shu remembered that the second young lady had such a manual in her study. When it was the fourth young lady's turn, she put on a well-behaved act and said, "Congratulations on the second young lady's birthday. Your Yunyi Courtyard has everything you need. I was confined for a while, but I did learn embroidery for quite some time, so I embroidered two handkerchiefs. Please accept them, second young lady."

As she spoke, she instructed Fu Zi beside her to open the brocade box. Fu Zi stepped forward cautiously, and Meng Shu saw through the shadows that there were two handkerchiefs embroidered with crooked bamboo patterns inside the box.

The third young lady couldn't help but be furious. She had clearly gathered a set of Yongzi chess pieces for the fourth young lady, including the game manual and pieces, making it a perfect gift for both of them. How could she have imagined that her younger sister would secretly switch out her perfectly good gift and shamelessly use two crumpled handkerchiefs as a substitute? Who was she trying to humiliate?

The second young lady was naturally not angry about this. After glancing at it briefly, she said, "Fourth sister's intention is very good, but she still needs to learn more about needlework."

The old lady kept her eyes closed, not even wanting to give the fourth young lady a proper look. The third young lady was sweating profusely, but couldn't come up with any nice words to smooth things over.

"Greetings, Second Sister. I wish you a happy birthday and many joyful years. This embroidered ball is my birthday gift to you, Second Sister." The Fifth Miss took out a pair of silver and gold openwork lion dance embroidered balls from the brocade box, which looked quite whimsical.

The sixth young lady also took out her gift. She said apologetically, "Thank you so much, second sister, for accompanying me back to the manor to take care of my aunt that day. I am very grateful. I originally wanted to make a special gift of fragrant herbs for you, but I haven't had time to do so these past few days while taking care of my aunt."

The gift from the sixth young lady was a peony and green leaf incense burner. "This was acquired by my aunt by chance at the incense shop. My aunt instructed me to deliver it. Please do not find it offensive, second sister."

The second young lady smiled and said, "It's all thanks to Aunt Lu and Sixth Sister's kind intentions. How could I possibly dislike them? Please thank Aunt Lu for me when you get back."

Madam Yun glanced at it, and Wei Mama whispered, "This incense burner seems to have been a gift from the master to Consort Lu before she entered the mansion." Madam Yun nodded slightly. Consort Lu had been quiet in the inner quarters for many years, but after the scorpion incident, she seemed to have changed.

The old lady, her mind unreadable, said, "It's a joyous birthday for Wan'er, but your father is busy out there, and Lin'er isn't home either. It's a bit less lively now. Guangbai?"

Guangbai responded, and several second-class maids brought out a number of items from the inner room. Among them, a silver sachet with a grape and bird pattern was particularly eye-catching, along with several gold, silver, and gemstone headdresses and coral and jade bonsai. A chrysanthemum bonsai carved entirely from jade was especially lifelike. Needless to say, not only the ignorant maids like Meng Shu, but even the young ladies were stunned by the sight. Any one of these birthday gifts from the old lady could be a dowry item.

The fourth young lady felt a mix of emotions. She clenched her fists tightly to suppress the turmoil in her heart and exaggeratedly said, "Grandma's gift is extremely valuable. I'm afraid any one of these pieces could be the crown jewel of Yongbao Restaurant."

The second young lady was also surprised that the old lady had brought out so many precious gifts today. She stood up and bowed to the old lady, saying, "Granddaughter thanks the old lady."

"They are just some objects. It is getting late. Today's banquet is being hosted by your Yunyi Academy, so you must not be negligent."

Madam Yun stood up and said, "Mother, please rest assured. I will take Wan'er to entertain the guests first."

The young ladies immediately got up to go to Yunxi Courtyard, but the old lady waved her hand and said, "Go ahead, Third and Fourth Misses stay here."

The third young lady twisted her handkerchief and glared at her younger sister in secret. She was really going to be driven crazy by her sister's stupidity. Of all days, she had to do something stupid today.

Madam Yun led the second young lady out of Fu'an Residence, while Meng Shu and several others, including Ruizhu, led people to deliver the gifts back to Yunyi Courtyard. Upon reaching the second gate, Guangbai and Huaying arrived shortly afterward to help.

The second young lady was a little nervous as it was her first time organizing such an event. She summoned Meng Shu and whispered a few words to her. Meng Shu then led Jin Shu and several other second-class maids to Yunxi Courtyard.

In Yunxi Courtyard, near Nongyue Pavilion, the head of the Fang family was directing the maids to serve tea, fruit, and snacks in advance. Everything else had already been arranged. Every few steps, there were maids arranged in advance by Steward Cui. These people were temporarily managed by Xia Zhuluomei. Outside the pavilion, there was a landscape painting screen and a moon-colored curtain to ensure a certain degree of privacy.

"Everything here is settled. Meng Shu, go to the back room and check it again." The head of the household saw Meng Shu from afar and gave the order.

The back room, being a place for rest, was crowded with people and prone to trouble, so Meng Shu hurried over there.