Chapter 739: No borrowing
All credit to original author: Yi Yi Lan Xi
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The mother and daughter chatted while they waited for Nanny Zhou to come back.
The more she thought about it, the more impatient Li Wanrou became. Worried, she said: “Mom, what should we do if that country woman refuses to let us borrow it? Where has she seen such good things before, how can she be willing to let them go?”
Her mother said: “This is a life-long opportunity for you, how could she dare not to give it? It’s just a few pieces of jewelry! Hmph, if she refuses, it would be too stingy! Don’t worry, if Nanny Zhou can’t convince her, I will go there myself!”
Relieved, Li Wanrou smiled. “Thank you, mother!”
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As soon as Nanny Zhou was announced, Li Wanrou couldn’t wait for her to get inside and was greedily staring at her hands. “Where are they? Where is the jewelry?”
Nanny Zhou was so surprised that she forgot to salute, only stammering: “She, she didn’t lend them. The young madam said—”
“What did you say!” Li Wanrou jumped up angrily. Looking at her mother, she whined: “Do you hear that? She refused to lend them! That damn ignorant village woman!”
Second Madam’s expression was also dark. Coldly, she asked: “Did you make everything clear? Didn’t I tell you that this banquet is important to Wanrou’s future? Isn’t it good for her if her sister-in-law marries well? Did you make it clear? It’s just borrowing, why is she so stingy!”
Li Wanrou also stared at Nanny Zhou, her eyes almost boring a hole in her body.
Nanny Zhou trembled and quickly said: “Madam, Miss, the third young madam said that she had also received an invitation from Miss Zhu and was going to the banquet in a few days, so she was planning on wearing this jewelry herself—”
“What!”
“What did you say?!”
The mother and daughter shouted in unison, sharing a look.
“That’s impossible!” Li Wanrou screamed. “Who is she?! She’s just a vulgar woman from the countryside! What kind of identity is Miss Zhu, how could she be invited? You must have been deceived by her!”
Second Madam glanced at her daughter but her expression was a little uncertain.
Miss Zhu suddenly invited her daughter and then Lian Fangzhou?
Seeing that Li Wanrou was still demanding answers from Nanny Zhou, she sighed and stopped her. “Okay, Wanrou. Don’t blame Nanny Zhou, she likely hasn’t been fooled. No matter how stupid that woman is, she wouldn’t lie about this.”
“Mom! Are you really speaking for her?” Li Wanrou stomped her foot angrily.
“Why would mother speak for her?” Second Madam pulled her daughter to sit down and hugged her. Looking at Nanny Zhou she said: “You go out first!”
Relieved, Nanny Zhou quickly left.
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Second Madam’s eyes flashed. Sneering, she said: “Wanrou, do you still remember those rumors from a few years ago?”
“Rumors? What rumors?” Li Wanrou did not expect her mother to change the subject so abruptly and was both confused and annoyed. She only cared about the banquet, why would she care about old rumors?
“You!” Second Madam sighed softly. “What else could it be? Wasn’t there a rumor between Sixth Miss Zhu and your third brother?”
Li Wanrou looked startled, realizing what she meant. “That’s what you were talking about? Oh, that was so long ago, why are you bringing it up now?”
“Silly girl! If you think about it carefully, why would Miss Zhu suddenly invite you over and then Lian Fangzhou? Back then, she wholeheartedly admired your third brother and even wanted to marry him.”
“But Third Brother married Lian Fangzhou!” Li Wanrou’s eyes lit up, finally understand. But…
“But what does mom mean by telling me this? Mom, I don’t have any good jewelry, what will I wear to the banquet? I don’t want others to look down on me!” Li Wanrou whined again.
No matter how much Second Madam felt sorry for her daughter, she had to admit that her daughter could be a little stupid. She could only say patiently: “Think about it, a peasant woman married your third brother, how could Miss Zhu be reconciled? If I guess correctly, Miss Zhu invited you because she wants to make friends with you. This way, you can say some good things about her to your third brother and she will have the opportunity to make a fool of Lian Fangzhou!”
Thinking about it, Li Wanrou clapped her hands with a smile. “Yes, this must be the case! Otherwise, why would Miss Zhu invite someone like Lian Fangzhou?”
The second madam hummed. “So Miss Zhu will definitely try to get close to you. Wanrou, you must seize this opportunity to make a good friend of Miss Zhu. If she makes things difficult for Lian Fangzhou, remember to stand back and don’t talk to her too much, okay?”
Second Madam was thinking too highly of Li Wanrou.
Li Wanrou rolled her eyes. “Mom, what are you saying? How could I speak to her? Ha, I wish she would make a fool of herself! Hmph, I really can’t stand that vulgar woman! Just wait, when she becomes the laughingstock of the capital, let’s see if my third brother still wants her!”
“If your third brother abandons her, then Miss Zhu will likely become your sister-in-law!” Second Madam smiled happily. “Then—”
“Mother, don’t worry! I will definitely get close to her!” Li Wanrou’s eyes lit up.
The mother and daughter shared a smile, feeling quite pleased with themselves.
“But mother!” Li Wanrou cried, feeling distressed again. “What kind of jewelry should I wear? I really don’t have anything good enough for that crowd!”
Second Madam grit her teeth. “It’s fine, we will buy some now!”
Happy again, Li Wanrou hugged Second Madam’s arm and learned against her affectionately, saying: “Mom is the one that loves me the most!”
–
In the blink of an eye, it was time for the banquet. That day, Lian Fangzhou changed her clothes, combed her hair, and got ready to leave.
She had never been very particular about these kinds of things and this was not a good party. Since there was no telling what the situation would be like today, there was no need to show off. She picked out a lilac satin jacket embroidered with primroses and paired with a front placket narrow sleeved aqua blue shirt embroidered with bamboo leaves, a white sash, and a pine-colored skirt.
Her hair was combed into a loose bun and other than a simple eight-treasure aster flower hairpin with a silver tassel and a pair of mutton-fat white jade bracelets, there was no outstanding jewelry.
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This simplistic outfit revealed elegance and was fresh without being plain. She looked peaceful, calm, and elegant, without losing her identity.
Since Li Fu did not go to court or the yamen today, he spent the whole morning wandering around with Lian Fangzhou. Seeing her all dressed up, he said: “I will take you over! You can just go in and say hello, I will be there if you get bored. If you really want to admire the flowers, I will take you over to the imperial temple, I heard the chrysanthemums are growing very well over there!”
Lian Fangzhou knew that he was worried that she would be plotted against by Zhu Yuying but what should come would always come.
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