The Lu Residence occupied about 50 acres. To the east was the Xiaoxiang Pavilion, in the middle was the Four Knowledge Hall, and to the west was the Apricot Yard. Xiaoxiang Restaurant was the old lady's courtyard. To the south was the Pine and Bamboo Courtyard, where the young master lived. At the back door of the Apricot and Bamboo Courtyard was a gate that led to the lake from the outer river. After the gate, there was a small courtyard with more than ten rooms. It was called the Fragrant Book Room. It was the school where the young master and young mistress usually studied. To the east of the Fragrant Book Room was the back garden of the Lu Manor.
Fragrance Yard was in the northwest corner of the back garden. There were more than ten small attics in the courtyard that were the residences of the young ladies. And the Green Caltrop Pavilion was among them. Wan Qiu brought Zhilan out of the Green Caltrop Pavilion with Mother Wan. They passed through the corridor connecting the Green Caltrop Pavilion and Apricot Grass Courtyard and soon arrived at Xiaoxiang Restaurant. When they entered, they met Mother Wang walking out.
Mother Wang and Mother Yao were the most capable people around Madam. Mother Yao managed Madam's daily life and money. Mother Wang helped Madam manage the money and personnel of the Inner Residence. Mother Wan was the most capable mother by Old Madam's side. Even Old Master had to respect her. Wan Qiu respectfully called out,"Mom."
Mother Wan and Zhilan went forward to give Mother Xu a gift and greeted her warmly,""What are you busy with?" Mother Wang was in her forties and was fair and chubby. Although she was the most capable person around Lady Wang, she was not as honey-mouthed as Mother Yao. However, she was always smiling at everyone she met and everyone in the Lu Residence was willing to get close to her. She smiled and bowed to Wan Qiu, then returned the bow to Mother Wan and Zhilan before saying,""Furen sent me to Cian Temple to deliver incense money and specially came to ask Old Furen for instructions.”
Wan Mama was stunned." Didn't the abbot of Xiang 'an Temple come to collect it in the past?" she asked.”
Mother Wang smiled." Madam wants to light a lamp this year. There are always problems in the residence this year."”
Mother Wan found it even stranger. Furen had always been managing the affairs of the residence, so why did she come to ask Old Furen for instructions on such a matter? Besides, Xiangan Temple was more than thirty miles away from here, and it would take more than a day to go back and forth. Since he was going, why did he only leave now? She wanted to ask more, but Mother Wang had already started chatting with Wanqiu."Young miss, there are a few new crane cloaks this year. I'm preparing to distribute them according to the previous years. Madam even specially asked me to ask if you have any requirements in terms of color and style.”
Wanqiu smiled politely." Mother really dotes on me. Mother Wang is very thoughtful, so I can rest assured."
Dotes on me? Hmph, he was just looking at Grandmother's courtyard and doing it on purpose.
One of them was ordered to see the old madam, and the other was ordered by the madam to go on duty. They did not dare to stay any longer. After exchanging a few pleasantries, they went their separate ways. Wan Mama led Wan Qiu to the eastern room on the first floor where the Old Mistress usually sat and dined.""Young miss, please sit down. I'll go and report to the old madam!”
She left Wanqiu and Zhilan behind and went upstairs. There were maids serving refreshments for them. Zhilan couldn't help but size up the furnishings in the room. On the front of the bed was a tiger-skin girdle, and on the small table on the bed was a Wenwang tripod and a incense box. On both sides of the high table, there were green leaves and jade branches of Evergreen stone potted plants. In front of the glass fan, there was a stone green gold python chair. The floor tiles under their feet were as bright as mirrors, reflecting the shadows of people…Usually, it was Bi Luo who accompanied Wan Qiu to the Apricot Yard. This time, perhaps Bi Luo had not recovered fully, but the Eldest Miss brought her along.
Zhilan hesitated and said," Young Lady hasn't recovered yet. Old Lady has already said that she doesn't have to greet you. Why did she suddenly say that she wants to see Young Lady today?"”
Wanqiu looked at the pink tea cup beside her hand and said nothing. "Be careful of the ears next door." Wan Qiuniang's words made Zhilan blush. She knew that she was being too anxious, so she only replied with an " okay " and stood behind Wan Qiu, not daring to speak again.
The old madam had never liked him! In her memories, Wanqiu only had respect for this grandmother and was not close to her. Consort Li also treated her granddaughter normally. Consort Li must have called her over today because she had risked her life to save Xuan 'er. To Consort Li, the death of a granddaughter was nothing. What was important was that her eldest grandson was fine. Wan Qiu understood very well in her heart. However, Grandmother Li was a very important piece in this chessboard and could not be ignored. Wan Qiu smiled bitterly. The road ahead was truly rugged. There were many servants in Xiaoxiang Restaurant, and there were also a few YiNiangs in front of Eldest Mistress, so the atmosphere was always lively. On her way here today, she had only seen a few maidservants, and each of them had a cautious look on their faces…It was as if a storm was about to come. Could it be that Mother Wan had said something in front of Old Madam? At the thought of this, she touched the jade hairpin with the word 'longevity' inlaid with gold and bluestone that she had specially inserted before coming here…It was given to her by the old madam who had fallen ill a few days ago. He had to take this opportunity to please his grandmother.
Although Wan Qiu was secretly planning in her heart, her body was like a taut string, constantly paying attention to the movements around her. Not long after, she smelled a faint sandalwood scent and heard the sound of light footsteps and the rustling of clothes. The old lady had been worshipping Buddha all year round, so she always had the smell of sandalwood on her…Wanqiu quickly stood up and saw the curtain flutter. A girl walked in. She was wearing a colorful silk dress and a snow-white fox fur cloak. There was a colorful glass butterfly hairpin on her bun. The long pearl tassels swayed and shone, making her look very cute. Before she arrived, a delicate laughter came first. The girl was holding a sky-blue silk coat with the pattern of the Five Blessings. An old woman wearing an autumn-plate marten Zhaojun outfit inlaid with jade in the middle walked out.
It was her! Lu Wanling!
Looking at this person who was deeply imprinted in her heart, Wan Qiu's eyes narrowed. She clenched her hands tightly and then let go. Her smile was exceptionally gentle. Zhilan, who had been standing beside Wanqiu, saw the smile on her face and couldn't help but shiver.
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