Chapter Sixteen: The Sun Family Shows Their Kindness

  Feng's family headed north, Su Yiping was the eldest son and also the heir, they lived in Qingpingyuan which was behind Lu Furen's courtyard, located on the central axis of the Hou Mansion. She took a different route from Sun Shi and Yao Shi.

  Su Yu'an's Anju Yard and Su Yuxiang's Qixiang Yard are on the east side, one in front of the other. Anju Yard is shoulder to shoulder with Qingping Yard, which is the East Cross Yard. Qixiang Yard is behind Anju Yard, and the last wall of the yard is aligned with Qingping Yard. In other words, the total area of Qingping Yard's front and back yards is roughly equal to the sum of Anju Yard and Qixiang Yard.

  It's not anyone's fault, after all, it's an old saying that there is a proper order between the old and the young, let alone Su Yuping being the eldest son.

  Su Yunyun's maid, Xing Er's wife, who was a secondary wife of Feng Shi, was considered a confidante. As she overheard that Sun Shi wanted to send some fabric to Yao Yanyu, Xing Er's wife said to Feng Shi while walking: "Second Madam is being unusually generous today. In the past, Madame has given her many things, but I've never seen her give anything decent in return. Now she's even rushing to send things to others?"

  Feng smiled lightly: "Is there such a good thing to give? The second lady's maternal family has taken a liking to the second daughter of the Zhen Guo Gong Fu and wants to ask for her hand in marriage for her cousin. Didn't Lady Gao say that the second daughter of the Zhen Guo Gong Fu invited our third sister and Yao sister to play?"

  "It turns out to be so." Xing's daughter-in-law smiled and said, "The father of the second lady is the Minister of Rites, and it can be said that this family background is not low. However, the second lady of the Zhen Guo Gong Fu has always been proud, and this marriage may be difficult to achieve?"

  "You're also confused. Marriage has always been decided by parents and elders, even if the second daughter's vision is not high, can she still privately decide her own marriage? The Guo Gong Fu is not an ordinary commoner's family. In my opinion, the second lady is treating the disease with the wrong medicine."

  "The lady is right." Xing's daughter-in-law couldn't hide the mockery on her face, "But Miss Yao has made a good profit this time."

  "But the two pieces of satin are not something that the Yao family lacks. The Governor of the Two Rivers is a second-grade official position, and it's also a rich position. Moreover, the Yao family has been wealthy for generations, and although Miss Yao is an illegitimate child, I'm afraid she has more private wealth than the second wife."

  "It's true what they say, I heard that when Miss Yao entered the mansion, she brought with her tens of carts of belongings. Alas! Speaking of Miss Yao, she's a pitiful person, what status does she hold in our household now?"

  Feng sneered, "Originally, it was to replace her sister, and even brought the dowry, just waiting for next year's national examination to be officially recognized. But her sister's illness unexpectedly got better, and her identity is really awkward now."

  "Now that you've all entered the door, there's no reason to send anyone away. Are you saying a woman can marry twice?"

  "It depends on what Governor Yao thinks. As the daughter of a high-ranking official, she probably wouldn't be willing to become someone's concubine." By the time he finished speaking, Madam Feng had already entered her own courtyard.

  In the Qi Xiang courtyard, Madam Sun indeed sent two pieces of brocade through her personal maid: one was a dark green silk with golden thread and phoenix tail pattern, and the other was a light peach red satin with silver thread and plum blossom pattern. They were truly bright and beautiful colors, made from the finest materials.

  It's just that Yao Fengge's uncle, Wang Kezhong, is the current Jiangning Weaving Officer, and all the best silk fabrics in the world pass through his hands. Except for the imperial silk fabrics and brocades that must be used exclusively by the royal family, everything else can be found in the Yao household. Yao Fengge doesn't even bother with them.

  However, Yao Fengge couldn't afford to lose Sun's face. So she politely thanked him, accepted the gift, and heavily rewarded the servant who delivered it, asking Li Niangniang to personally escort the person out.

  Yao Yan also didn't like such bright colors and said, "These two pieces of satin are not suitable for me to make clothes either, sister, keep them to give to someone else."

  Yao Fengge smiled and said, "Forget it, I know you don't like such eye-catching colors either. I've picked out a few more fabrics, and I'll have the tailor come in to take your measurements later."

  "Thank you for your hard work, sister. You've just recovered from a serious illness and are still weak, so I don't dare to trouble you with these small matters."

  Yao Fengge let out a sigh of annoyance: "Since our parents are not in the capital, you and I can be considered to rely on each other for survival. Why say these polite words? If you're good, I'll be good too, and if I'm good, I won't let you suffer either. What's the big deal about a few pieces of brocade and some clothes? However, since sister is going to the Zhen Guo Gong Fu, it's already too late to make new clothes now." She then turned her head to instruct Shanhu: "Go get those few sets of clothes I made in spring for sister to try on. Sister's current figure is about the same as mine before I got sick, maybe they'll fit her."

  Coral agreed to go out and soon came back with a huge duffel bag.

  Yao Fengge has been pampered since she was a child, and her mother, Wang Shi, always gave her the best things as long as they were not excessive. When she got married, her dowry was rich, and after marriage, the Governor's Mansion would often send good things to their side.

  The clothes brought out by Coral are really dignified, with exquisite fabrics, styles, embroidery and inlaid pearls and jade. The colors are elegant and understated, luxurious but not gaudy.

  Yao Yan said with a busy smile, "This dress is a bit of a waste on me. Sister, you'd better keep it for yourself. You've just recovered from your illness and your body will gradually recover too."

  "What you wear is what I wear. Why did I just tell you so much? These few pieces of clothing are all yours, later when you go to the Zhen Guo Gong Fu with San Guniang, wear whatever you like, don't be restricted. When you arrive at the Zhen Guo Gong Fu, don't be too formal either. The second lady of the Zhen Guo Gong Fu is someone I've met before, she's also a sensible and dignified good girl, humble and magnanimous, not one of those girls raised in a small family, you should get along with her."

  These words, Yao Fengge said, Yao Yanyu could only repeatedly agree.

  After a while, Li's wife came in and said: "Our second master's residence has been arranged at the Tingfeng Pavilion on the west side of the study in the front yard. The bedding and utensils inside are all brand new. Just now, the steward from our house came to ask if there were any special instructions from the master, they can go and handle them together."

  Yao Fengge frowned and said, "The Listening Wind Pavilion is too far from the Qi Xiang Institute. Isn't the Embracing Moon Pavilion in the northeast corner idle? Have someone clean it up for Second Brother to live in. Second Brother will definitely go out during the day to take care of official business, and at night when he comes back, we siblings can talk more conveniently."

  Mrs. Li agreed and went downstairs to instruct, and Yao Yan took the opportunity to get up: "Sister is tired for a whole morning, it's time to take a nap."

  Yao Fengge smiled and said: "You go, I'll invite Second Brother over for dinner tonight, you come together. We siblings will talk about our own affairs."

  Yao Yanyu nodded and returned to her own room, Cui Wei carried a large bundle of clothes back, as soon as she entered the door, she put the bundle on the couch, took out the four sets of clothes one by one and compared them on Yao Yanyu's body, excitedly asking: "Miss, when we go to the Zhen Guo Gong Fu as guests in two days, which one do you think is good to wear? This jade-colored Douwen? Or this lilac-colored Quewen? This ivory-colored Yuanwen also looks good..."

  Yao Yan shook her head helplessly, pointing to the omitted light yellow skirt: "Just that one. You've gotten me a headache, can't you be more subdued? It's just a few sets of clothes, yet you're so excited, I'm really being too frugal, aren't I?"

  Cui Wei hastily gathered up the clothes, smiling and explaining: "Where, where! Miss, don't be angry, I just think this dress is made elegantly, look at these stitches, they're not inferior to those of the imperial tailor, that's why I like it."