Chapter 39: Enthusiastic - Rebirth of the Noble Daughter
Chapter 39: Enthusiastic
Madam Shen directed the maids to lay out all the clothes and jewelry they had brought, carefully comparing and selecting back and forth.
At one moment, she picked up a stone-blue satin coat and skirt, but felt the color was too plain, so she considered another dress adorned with gold-embroidered white butterflies, which seemed more suitable. However, she was puzzled about what accessories to pair with it.
"Han'er, do you think this one is good?"
Asked Madam Shen, turning to Bai Sihan, who was leaning on the soft pillow of the bed.
Having been awakened early by her mother, Bai Sihan hadn't even had time to freshen up.
With a peach-like face and skin as white as snow, she was a stunning beauty, but her bewitching fox-like eyes were currently lacking in spirit, appearing quite fatigued.
She pulled the sheepskin blanket closer around her body, furrowing her brows slightly, and said with a slight annoyance to Madam Shen, who was elegantly dressed next to her.
"Mother, why are you choosing these so early in the morning? Isn't it too rushed? The banquet at the Wei family's residence is still two days away. We can choose this afternoon. The weather in the Eastern Capital is too cold. I didn't sleep well last night. It's much more comfortable in Qiongzhou. At this time of year, there are still lush green trees outside. Look at these withered branches, they're just unbearable to look at."
"Look at what you're saying. You only see the desolation outside, but you don't know about the liveliness inside. If you don't prepare early, how can you compete with others? Just wait and see, when you come back from that banquet, your mother guarantees that your mind will be more active. You might even refuse to return to Qiongzhou."
At Madam Bai's birthday banquet, although there were some young masters and misses, most of them were accompanied by their elders, so it was quite formal.
Now, the banquet at the Wei family's residence was mostly attended by young misses and masters from prominent families, so they naturally had to dress more attentively.
Bai Sihan had heard this kind of talk too many times and she was already getting impatient.
But since the other party was her mother, she didn't say much.
"Mother, why are you comparing everything to me like this? Isn't this disadvantageous for me?"
"Hahaha, yes, my daughter's looks are something that even becoming a royal concubine in the palace would be worthy of."
Bai Sihan rolled her eyes and didn't bother to say more.
On the other hand, Madam Shen, after looking at the jewelry box, couldn't help but frown.
"The jewelry from Qiongzhou can't compare to what the young ladies in the Eastern Capital usually wear."
She picked up a golden hairpin, which used to look good in her eyes, but now seemed a bit too ordinary compared to the jade and gems she had seen before.
Thinking about Miss Wei's luxurious presence, even if she couldn't compare to her, she couldn't be too inferior either. Otherwise, how could she still have the limelight?
Just as she was thinking about what to do, she heard that Mrs. Qian, the stewardess of Princess Wen, had arrived.
Both mother and daughter could see the suspicion in each other's eyes. After tidying up their appearances a bit, they allowed someone to invite Mrs. Qian in.
As soon as she entered the room, Mrs. Qian saw the bed piled with clothes and jewelry. She didn't show any ridicule and greeted the two with respect.
"Greetings to Madam Bai and Miss Bai."
"Well, get up, Mrs. Qian, what instructions does Princess Wen have?"
"Princess Wen noticed that Miss Bai has not yet sent a gift to the elders since entering the residence, not out of neglect, but because the shopkeeper of Treasure Pavilion had some family matters to attend to recently, so it was delayed. Now that the shop has just opened, the jewelry and accessories that were already prepared have been sent over. Therefore, Princess Wen asked this old servant to quickly deliver them and see if Miss Bai likes them."
As soon as she finished speaking, she signaled to the maids behind her to open the four small jewelry boxes.
Instantly, everyone in the room gasped.
A ruby-encrusted coronet, a white jade hairpin with red coral inlays, a sapphire and emerald bat-shaped hairpin, and a jade and emerald hairpin in the shape of a begonia flower.
Each one was exquisitely carved and of considerable value, leaving Madam Shen wide-eyed.
"Are these all for Han'er?" she stammered.
Mrs. Qian slightly bowed and said respectfully, "Yes, I hope Madam Bai and Miss Bai don't find them unworthy."
"No, no, Han'er, hurry up and accept them. Thank you so much for Princess Wen's favor. I've always said that Princess Wen is the best in this family. She's kind-hearted and holds a high position. Hmph, that one in the main room can't even compare to Princess Wen even if she flatters her!"
The disdain in Madam Shen's words towards Lin, the wife of the eldest son, was particularly pronounced, almost explicitly stating that she was trying to elevate herself by stepping on others.
Mrs. Qian felt disdainful in her heart but she didn't show any expression on her face.
She hated this type of person the most, like flies attracted to filth, they pounced on opportunities for gain without any regard for their dignity.
Speaking ill of the wife of the eldest son, and even sowing discord, she couldn't bear to listen any longer, so she suppressed the discomfort in her heart and said, "Since the items have been delivered, this old servant will take her leave first. Princess Wen can't be without people around her."
"Alright, Mrs. Qian, take care. We won't keep you any longer."
Madam Shen's smile at this moment was genuine, expressing gratitude. The items sent by Princess Wen had really saved them, so she treated Mrs. Qian with more sincerity.
After the person left, Madam Shen revealed a greedy look, "Han'er, did you see that? Princess Wen likes you very much. It seems there's a chance for you to marry into Prince Kang's Mansion. Prince Kang's Mansion will definitely send people to the banquet this time. Just choose someone you like."
Her words were full of confidence, as if the descendants of Prince Kang's Mansion had become as common as cabbage in the market, allowing them to be picked by them.
Truly shameless!
"Mother..." Bai Sihan called out with a coquettish tone, her face showing a blush, as if feeling a little shy.
On the other hand, Madam Shen, seeing her like this, felt even more pleased with herself.
In the East Cross Courtyard, Bai Siruo was practicing archery in the yard with concentration. When she saw Mrs. Qian return, she immediately put down the arrow in her hand and asked excitedly.
"Did they accept the items?"
"They did. Madam Bai couldn't stop smiling."
Bai Siruo raised an eyebrow. She knew that, with their mother and daughter's love for showing off, they would be unhappy if they received those good jewelry. She didn't want them to be unhappy, so she sent over the jewelry she had ordered from Treasure Pavilion a few days ago as well.
Thinking like this, she couldn't help but be overjoyed.
On the side, Mrs. Qian was a bit puzzled, "Miss, you've never liked Miss Bai. Why did you send her so many good jewelry this time?"
"Mother said that when one Bai family member prospers, all Bai family members prosper, and when one Bai family member falls, all Bai family members fall. If we attend the Wei family's banquet without anything to show for ourselves, it would bring disgrace to the Bai family, wouldn't it?"
Mrs. Qian nodded. Although this was what was said, she didn't believe it.
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