At this point, the old butler took off his glasses and carefully wiped them with his sleeve before putting them back on, and continued, "Please wait here for a mont, I’ll go inside to ask for Master Du’s instruction."
Zhao Yu expressed his discontent, "It’s just a eting, and yet it needs so much complication to ask for permission! It’s not like he’s made of gold, losing an ounce with each sighting."
Ni Yang said with a smile, "Alright, just wait a bit longer. This place is neither Beijing nor Deming Pavilion, where you can co and go as you please."
The two probably waited for about ten minutes or so, and the old butler ca running, gasping for breath.
"Please, please co in, esteed guests! Co in!"
As soon as their feet crossed the threshold, Du Jiaojiao ran over from the other side, "Ah! Yangyang, Duoduo, you’re here!"
She excitedly hugged Ni Yang and Zhao Yu, "When did you guys get here? Why didn’t you tell in advance? Don’t you consider a friend anymore?"
Ni Yang replied, "We arrived in Shanghai yesterday. We didn’t want to trouble you all, so we didn’t say anything."
Laughing, Du Jiaojiao said, "What’s so troubling about that! By the way, where are you staying tonight?"
Ni Yang continued, "We’re staying at an Inn on Nallan East Road. It’s very quiet and convenient from here."
"Oh," Du Jiaojiao nodded, "Co on, I’ll take you inside."
As they walked, Du Jiaojiao introduced Ni Yang and Zhao Yu to the interior layout of the Du mansion.
The Du mansion was huge, and each pavilion and tower seed as if crafted by the hands of artists, a craft that could only be achieved by the old generation of artisans, unlike in later tis when machinery replaced handcraft, such skills had long been lost.
The servants of the Du family were also very polite, nodding and greeting Du Jiaojiao as they passed.
After they had left, soone curiously asked, "Who are those two young ladies who just arrived? Does anyone know them?"
"I don’t!"
"I don’t either."
"The one in the cheongsam is so pretty! Standing next to Miss Jiaojiao, you can’t even see her shadow."
"Never mind Miss Jiao, she probably can’t even compare to the Second Madam."
"Cough cough!"
Just then, a faint cough ca from behind them.
Everyone turned around and saw that it was none other than one of the main subjects of the conversation – the Second Madam.
Who was the Second Madam?
She was the second concubine that Master Du had taken three years prior.
The concubine, whose full na was Zhou Zixian, was known as the top socialite of Sichuan City before marrying Master Du, also nicknad Little Diao Chan.
One must know that Sichuan City is a city known for its beauties. For Zhou Zixian to stand out from among all of them, she definitely had sothing special about her.
Just her pair of fox-like eyes filled with affection were almost irresistible.
To secure her, Master Du himself had paid a considerable price.
"Greetings, Second Madam."
"What are you all talking about?" Zhou Zixian squinted.
"Nothing at all! You must have heard wrong, Second Madam," the crowd laughed it off.
Zhou Zixian continued, "If you tell the truth, I’ll raise each of your salaries by five yuan this month!"
Five yuan?
Five yuan can buy two jin (1kg) of pork!
Upon hearing this, everyone’s eyes lit up.
One of them asked, "Second Madam, are you in charge of the finances?"
Zhou Zixian took a wallet from her assistant, "What if I give you a lump sum right now?"
Everyone cheered and quickly told Zhou Zixian everything they had just witnessed.
Hearing this, Zhou Zixian replied disdainfully, "Pretty? How pretty can she be? Prettier than a fairy from heaven?"
She had seen many beautiful won, but she had never seen anyone more beautiful than herself.
"It’s just a kind of beauty beyond words!"
"Alright," continued Zhou Zixian, "do you know where they went?"
"They went toward the Main Hall with Miss Jiaojiao," a servant pointed in a direction.
Zhou Zixian imdiately headed that way. She refused to believe it!
That there was anyone more beautiful than her!
Zhou Zixian quickly arrived at the Main Hall.
Inside, Du Jiaojiao was chatting with a young lady, with the sound of laughter occasionally emanating from the room.
Zhou Zixian stood by the door, scrutinizing the person inside.
Since they were sitting down, Zhou Zixian couldn’t see her height.
As for her face.
It was passable.
Not as exaggerated as they had described.
Terms like "fish sinking and geese alighting," "flowers shad," were not even close to being applicable to her.
Girls of such appearance were a di a dozen in Sichuan City; at best, they could be considered sowhat attractive.
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