Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 116 Mastering Physiognomy

Before dinner, the eldest young master came to Yunyi Courtyard carrying a scroll, followed by Mu Yu carrying an exquisite lacquered wooden box.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, the old woman in front sent someone to deliver a message. When the second young lady led Hua Yan downstairs, through a small pond landscape in front of the building, and entered the main hall through the back door, the eldest young master was also led in by Mengzhu.

Ruizhu served the warm milk tea at the right time, then walked away and stood behind Huayan. The young master nodded in satisfaction, took a sip, and said, "It tastes very good. The small kitchen in Second Sister's courtyard is indeed well-deserved of its reputation, and the people under it are very well managed."

Today, the young master wore a royal blue long robe with a plain floral pattern and a cross-collar, the collar and cuffs embroidered with silver cloud patterns. His eyes were deep and bright, carrying a gentleness unlike any other.

The brother and sister had only exchanged a few words when the second young lady looked up and gave the eldest young master a meaningful look.

Waving for Mengzhu and Ruizhu to leave, the second young lady put away the calligraphy and handed it to Huayan behind her, teasingly saying, "Brother, how come you've learned to beat around the bush? We were just talking about Scholar Song's poems and calligraphy, and then you turned around and said that milk tea was very delicious. I didn't think that you had drunk wine and came here to relax."

The second young lady only showed her playful, girlish side in front of the eldest young master. Hua Yan suppressed her laughter and clearly saw the subtle expression on Mu Yu's face, her gaze sweeping over the box he was holding.

The calligraphy copybook was a bribe, and it was somewhat obvious who the items in the box were meant for.

The young master's handsome face flushed slightly as Mu Yu obediently handed him the lacquered wooden box. To Hua Yan's surprise, Mu Yu clearly gave her a wink as she bent down, leaving Hua Yan somewhat puzzled.

She had no connection with Mu Yu.

Seeing this, Mu Yu could only point to the outer room and, while getting tea, she went over to it.

Hua Yan then realized that she had been asked to pass on a message to Mu Feng.

Speaking of which, they haven't had any contact since Mu Feng was sent to work at the hot spring resort by the young master three years ago.

"You mean, the eldest young master is planning to arrange a marriage for Mu Feng, and you want me to persuade him to get married?" Hua Yan murmured. "Could he possibly refuse his master?"

Mu Yu said cautiously, "You two had some prior acquaintance, didn't you? Mu Feng was sent away for three years. The eldest young master said that if he got married, he could return to Yunqi Courtyard. If he didn't want to, our young master wouldn't force him. I'm just afraid he'll never be able to return to serve the young master again..."

Even though Hua Yan was slow to understand matters of the heart, she had slowly begun to discern something from the subtle details. She had assumed that Mu Feng had already let go over time.

"There's no need to pass on the message. Brother Muyu should know that what's important for us servants is to stay by our master's side. I'm sure Mufeng will understand."

In truth, Hua Yan couldn't truly understand the feeling of 'love,' and naturally, she couldn't comprehend how Mu Feng could have so deeply imprinted her in his heart with just a fleeting glance. She only felt, inexplicably, that it was absurd...

Inside the flower hall, the second young lady was staring blankly at the two objects in front of her, not quite understanding her brother's intentions. Inside the exquisite lacquered wooden box was an ugly carved magnolia flower hairpin, clearly made by his immature handiwork. Fortunately, there was also a half-moon shaped Hetian jade comb inlaid with pearls underneath.

"This wooden hairpin is... nice, but it would be better to give something else next time."

Tang Lin gave the second young lady a flick on the forehead, "What do you know, you little girl? Have you forgotten what your mother taught you? The most important thing about giving gifts is the sentiment."

Hua Yan brought in tea and immediately noticed the ugly hairpin in the second young lady's hand. She sighed inwardly, thinking that the eldest young master was indeed not making baseless accusations. According to the information provided by Huan Yun, the eldest young master had intentionally made contact with Miss Su's brother when he was at Lushan Academy, and probably had some understanding of Miss Su's temperament and hobbies.

Madam Yun had chosen Miss Su long ago and had probably discussed the matter with Tang Lin. She was ready to send an official matchmaker to the family as soon as the eldest son passed the imperial examination.

The next day, upon arriving at the Su residence, Madam Yun led the young ladies of the household to pay their respects to the elders of the Su family. The second young lady then met her future sister-in-law, Su Wanwan, as she had hoped.

Su Wanwan wore light makeup, a light green emerald shirt, and a long, pleated white satin skirt. Her hair was loosely styled with a jade hairpin. Her natural beauty was not particularly striking, but her overall demeanor was elegant and graceful, like a lotus emerging from water. Every smile and gesture was pleasing to the eye.

She bowed her head and curtsied to Madam Yun. Madam Yun smiled and pulled her closer, and while speaking, she slipped a pair of exquisite jade bracelets onto Miss Su's slender white wrists.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Old Madam Su, Madam Yun briefly mentioned the young ladies of the Su family, saying, "Look at the young ladies in the family. As expected of a scholarly family, each of them has an extraordinary temperament. I also brought a few of my daughters here today, hoping that they can learn from them."

Grand Secretary Su had established a rule that a man in his household could only take a concubine if he had no sons by the age of thirty. Therefore, the inner courtyard was very quiet, and all the young ladies in the household were legitimate daughters, with harmonious relationships among the sisters. After exchanging greetings with Madam Yun, they all received a purse from her.

Grandma Su was very happy and couldn't help but hold Madam Yun's hand and say with emotion, "More than 20 years have passed since we last met. Today, when we meet again, you look quite like your grandmother. She was a blessed woman, and your blessings are yet to come."

Madam Yun felt a pang of sadness as she thought of her deceased grandmother, though she didn't show it on her face. She gently grasped the old lady's hand in return. "Grandma is right. With a daughter-in-law like Wanwan in the future, aren't I incredibly fortunate?"

Madam Su was extremely pleased to hear this and treated the second young lady and her companions very warmly. However, when the second young lady was about to bow first, Madam Su looked up and saw Hua Yan behind her.

Even with her head down, Hua Yan could still feel a probing gaze.

Madam Su's gaze lingered for only a moment before she looked at the second young lady again, staring intently at her features for a while before saying, "Wan'er has excellent looks and character."

When the old woman beside her brought over a few purses, Madam Su did not take them. Instead, she took off her own purse from her waist and handed it to the second young lady.

The second young lady was slightly surprised, but quickly accepted it and bowed to express her gratitude according to etiquette. Madam Su held her hand and massaged it for a while, her fingers tracing the lines on her palm, and said with a smile, "Now that you've settled in, you don't need to send invitations anymore. You should come and visit more often."

Madam Yun's heart stirred slightly, and she looked nervously at Madam Su.

Outsiders might not know, but she knew that Madam Su's family background was profound. Her maiden name was "Bu," and her ancestors were from a branch of the Ji clan. Most importantly, she inherited her family's learning from a young age and was proficient in physiognomy.