Chapter 1314: Chapter 1110: The Suppleness Around the Fingers of Little Prince Xiao (22)
Here is the line-by-line translation:
“Miss, the red plum blossoms have been arranged. Co take a look.”
Xue Hua had found a vase and arranged the red plum blossoms gifted by Xiao Moxi. Seeing Ye Yueying still studying those two snow umbrellas, she pursed her lips in a smile and teased:
“Ah, that Xiao gentleman is really sothing. It’s just two umbrellas, yet he went to the trouble to co get them back. I wonder if he’s stingy or has ulterior motives.”
Ye Yueying cast a sideways glance at Xue Hua. “Don’t speak nonsense.” She then set the umbrellas aside, turned to the red plum blossoms, and, noticing that the vase was slightly crowded, asked Xue Hua to fetch another vase.
Ye Yueying divided the plum blossoms into another arrangent and placed them in a new vase. “There’s not much to appreciate in winter. Later, take this vase of red plum blossoms to grandmother’s chambers to brighten up her room.”
Xue Hua nodded with a smile, then added playfully, “That Xiao gentleman may be a bit tight-fisted, but he’s truly thoughtful. Seeing that Miss favors plum blossoms, he quietly went out of his way to fetch them for you. That’s sothing to admire.”
Listening to Xue Hua’s comntary, Ye Yueying half-laughed in exasperation. “It’s fine to say these things while inside, but don’t repeat them outside.”
Xue Hua certainly understood this and had spoken to probe her mistress’s feelings.
The main Madam lacked kindness, while the elderly Madam, growing older and frailer, had been less involved in family matters these past two years. Ye Yueying was approaching eighteen, and while the elderly Madam could still make decisions, it was imperative to settle her future marriage quickly.
That Xiao gentleman seed to be an excellent candidate. If Miss liked him, presenting it to the elderly Madam would likely ensure her marriage arrangent.
Ye Yueying gazed at the red plum blossoms, reflecting on Xiao Moxi’s background. She sighed and leaned on her elbow, silently lost in thought.
anwhile, Old Master Weng returned ho with his two sons. Shortly after, Madam Weng and her two daughters, who had attended the Yan Residence’s flower appreciation gathering, also ca back.
Old Master Weng and his two sons had been waiting in the sitting room for a while. Seeing the three won return, he imdiately asked, “How did the flower appreciation gathering at the Yan Residence go? Was everything smooth?”
The Weng Family had no connections in Beijing. During the wait for the Great Grandson’s summons, the father and sons could only wander the streets daily, gathering tidbits of information from opera houses, tea shops, and restaurants.
Now, the Weng Family urgently needed to align themselves with a Capital Official. Information about the political scene alone could benefit them greatly. Gossip from the public was often unreliable or widely known, of little value.
It was clear that the Yan Family presented an excellent opportunity.
If the Weng Family could establish ties with the Yan Family, they could gain a foothold in Beijing.
When Old Master Weng learned the Yan Family had sent an invitation, he was so pleased he didn’t sleep that night.
Looking at the expectant eyes of the father and sons, Madam Weng and her daughters’ expressions were dark and glum, especially after recalling the humiliations they had suffered at the Yan Residence today. The three won felt both discouraged and angry.
Noticing his wife and daughters’ bitter expressions, Old Master Weng furrowed his brows. Based on their personalities, he patiently asked, “Did you encounter trouble at the banquet?”
Madam Weng sighed. “Oh, don’t ask anymore, Master. It was maddening.”
Upon hearing this, Old Master Weng assud the three had truly been bullied. He imdiately said, “I’ve advised you before—Beijing is not Youzhou. Many nobles reside here. Our family’s roots are shallow; if you faced grievances, you must tolerate them and bear with it. You didn’t offend anyone, did you?”
The three won saw Old Master Weng misunderstood and chose not to explain.
Excluding Ye Yueying from attending had been a private decision among them, not disclosed to Old Master Weng. If he learned the failed attempt to connect with the Yan Family was due to Ye Yueying’s absence, they would undoubtedly be scolded.
Madam Weng deflected, “Don’t worry, Master. We kept your advice in mind and didn’t offend anybody.”
Old Master Weng exhaled in relief. “That’s good. Then tell us, what was the situation like at the Yan Family’s gathering today?”
Madam Weng deliberated, and together with her two daughters, began describing the grandeur of the Yan Residence and the bustling scene.
As for which families had specifically attended the gathering—they didn’t know.
Why? Because no one bothered to introduce them!
As the father and sons listened, imagining the prestige, the butler hesitated yet decided to report an incident from the afternoon: the two gentlen who had personally escorted the elderly Madam and Ye Yueying back ho.
Old Master Weng gestured for his wife and daughters to pause and asked the butler, “What’s the matter?”
The butler replied, “Master, today the elderly Madam and the young Miss went out to pray. Upon their return, they were escorted back by two gentlen. Judging by their deanor, they seed to be sons of official families.”
Hearing this, Old Master Weng’s gaze shifted sharply to his wife and daughters. His tone was both astonished and angry: “You didn’t bring Yueying to the Yan Residence today?”
Madam Weng’s heart sank. She hastily defended herself, “It was because my mother isn’t in good health, Yueying insisted on personally caring for her.”
Old Master Weng pointed at Madam Weng, his hand trembling in anger, “You foolish woman! Now tell every detail about what happened at the Yan Residence today.”
Madam Weng dared not conceal anything further and quickly recounted the reactions of the Yan Family and Prince Ping.
Upon hearing Prince Ping’s involvent, Old Master Weng shook uncontrollably with fear, pointing at Madam Weng: “You… you…”
Seeing his father overwheld by fury, Weng Eldest Son stepped forward to calm him: “Father, please don’t anger yourself. Since Cousin didn’t attend, the Yan Family rely ignored Mother and my sisters. There’s no sign they harbor any resentnt. It seems unlikely anything grave will occur.”
Old Master Weng regained his composure and shot a cold glance at Madam Weng: “I know you’re foolish, but I didn’t think your foolishness could reach this extent! Yueying is our key to establishing ourselves in Beijing, and you discarded it. How are we supposed to find footing here now?”
Seeing her mother entirely humiliated, Weng Eldest Son spoke again to moderate: “Father, the situation is as it is; dwelling on it changes little. If the Yan Family truly holds past ties with Aunt, we can let Cousin attend if they issue another invitation.”
“For now, it’s more important we inquire about the gentlen who escorted Grandmother and Cousin back ho.”
Finding rit in his son’s suggestion, Old Master Weng suppressed his anger and looked at the butler.
The butler imdiately detailed the events that unfolded at the door that afternoon.
“One of the gentlen’s surnas is Xiao, and the other is Wu. Their exact identities remain unclear, but the elderly Madam seems deeply grateful, and her words hinted at matters involving Young Master Ye.”
“Xiao?”
Old Master Weng pondered deeply. Xiao was the surna of the royal family, though he doubted his niece, Ye Yueying, could have any association with the Imperial Family.
Weng Eldest Son’s gaze flickered. During their ti in Beijing, they hadn’t gleaned nothing. At the least, they had learned public knowledge.
Xiao was indeed a royal surna, and Wu wasn’t insignificant either. Those two n who escorted Grandmother and Cousin back might indeed have noteworthy backgrounds.
Weng Eldest Son looked at Old Master Weng: “Father, Grandmother and Cousin must know the identities of their benefactors. Why don’t we go ask them?”
Old Master Weng nodded, stood up, and left the room. His two sons quickly followed.
“Mother, let’s go to Grandmother’s chambers too and listen in,” Weng Eldest Daughter urged her mother, noticing Madam Weng hesitating to move.
Madam Weng side-eyed her daughter. “Do you want to be scolded again?” After all, the Master had shown her no rcy today.
Weng Eldest Daughter retorted: “Mother, aren’t you curious to know which family’s gentlen Yueying has been connecting with outside?”
These words successfully persuaded Madam Weng. While the three of them suffered humiliation in the Yan Residence, Ye Yueying had managed to “connect” with soone outside.
The three won hurried to the elderly Madam Weng’s chambers as well.
Reviews
All reviews (0)