Song Qinghe’s face paled slightly as she looked at the Grand Matriarch.
Shen Shi added, “If Mother isn’t sure, I can let her see the candidates herself later, and I can help Qinghe review them too.”
The Grand Matriarch nodded. “That’s fine. Qinghe has grown up under my eyes; even in marriage, we mustn’t treat her unfairly.”
“Of course.”
As Lichu stepped out of Shou’an Hall, Chunxing patted her chest softly and whispered, “Madam Lu seems a bit strict—she’s not as kind as our Grand Matriarch.”
Lichu thought for a moment. “I don’t know… during the greeting, the atmosphere felt kind of… strange.”
“Well, no wonder. Even I was a little scared.”
Chunxing added, “Luckily, Madam Shen is looking out for you. From now on, you won’t have to worry about being bullied.”
Just then, footsteps sounded behind them. A few of the Lu family girls were coming out.
Lichu immediately stepped forward with a smile. “I just arrived at the Lu household and haven’t had the chance to greet you all properly. Today, since I was here to pay respects to the Grand Matriarch, I wanted to bring a small gift for everyone.”
Chunxing quickly presented the carved pearwood boxes she was carrying.
The three Lu girls hurriedly said, “You’re too kind, Cousin.”
The Lu household had no eldest daughter; these three were daughters of concubines. The third daughter, Lu Yanhua, was sixteen, born of Zhao Yiniang, a maid who had come with the first wife’s dowry. The fifth daughter, Lu Yanlan, was fourteen, and the sixth daughter, Lu Yanshi, only eleven.
“These are the latest hairpins from Jiangnan. I hope you like them,” Lichu said cheerfully.
The girls accepted the boxes and opened them. Inside were golden butterfly hairpins, delicate and lifelike. At first glance, they looked similar, but each butterfly had its own unique details.
The Lu girls were delighted. “These hairpins are beautiful! We’ve never seen anything like them in the capital. Thank you, Cousin!”
Having little attention in the household, they naturally didn’t want to offend this high-ranking cousin. They hadn’t expected her to bring such expensive gifts.
“If you like them, that’s enough. We’re all sisters—let’s play together in the future,” Lichu said with a smile.
The Lu girls nodded repeatedly.
After they left, Lichu waited a little longer.
Finally, Song Qinghe appeared.
Qinghe was even more favored by the Grand Matriarch. After the hall cleared, she had stayed to chat with her briefly before leaving.
“Miss Song,” Lichu greeted.
Qinghe paused, her tone cool. “Miss Shen, is there something you need?”
Lichu handed over one of the carved pearwood boxes. “Since I had the rare chance to speak with everyone today, I brought a gift.”
Qinghe shook her head. “Such an expensive gift… I can’t accept it. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.”
“Not at all. I bought it in Jiangnan especially for you.”
Reluctantly, Qinghe took it. “Thank you, Miss Shen.”
Lichu smiled brightly. “I heard you’re closest to Cousin Shiji. I was hoping you could advise me—what kind of gift should I give him?”
Qinghe glanced at her, her voice indifferent. “Brother Shiji has never cared for material things. He values principles. If he likes anything, it’s peace and quiet, not being bothered by trivial people.”
Lichu paused, a little stunned.
“I’ll be going now,” Qinghe said, turning to leave.
Watching her walk away, Lichu tilted her head slightly.
Chunxing, fuming, whispered, “What does that Song girl mean? These hairpins were made by the finest craftsmen in Yangzhou—masterfully done and expensive! And she calls them trivial?”
Lichu touched her chin thoughtfully. “Seems like she doesn’t really like me.”
“Miss Lichu noticed it too! You’ve never had much interaction with Miss Song, and today you’re being so friendly, and she still gave you that attitude! I don’t even know why!” Chunxing said, fuming.
Lichu shook her head, not wanting to waste energy over it. “Oh well… not everyone in the world will like me.”
She never lingered on things like that, and soon enough, she was cheerfully excited again.
“I just heard from Aunt that there’ll be a banquet at the mansion in a few days! It’s to celebrate Cousin’s promotion, and apparently half the noble families in the capital will attend. That’s going to be lively!”
Lichu loved festivities the most.
Back in her own courtyard, Song Qinghe frowned slightly.
Huashan, a servant, looked concerned. “Miss, today you might have offended Cousin Lichu. What if she tries to cause trouble later…”
Qinghe sneered. “Even if I don’t offend her, she won’t let me have it easy. Now that Brother Shiji is back, he’ll protect me. Let’s see what this Lichu dares to do.”
“This Cousin Lichu sure knows how to put on a show. She knows your relationship with Brother Shiji is close and still brings gifts. Who is she trying to impress?”
Qinghe opened the delicate box, revealing a golden butterfly hairpin resting inside.
Huashan blinked. “The craftsmanship is impressive.”
It didn’t matter what the material was; gold and silver were common in wealthy households. What mattered was the skill. The butterfly’s wings were as thin as cicada wings, every detail lifelike, as if it could take flight—truly a rare treasure.
“She gave the same hairpin to Lu Yanhua and the others too?”
“Yes. I was outside and saw Cousin Lichu waiting to hand out gifts one by one. The third daughter and the others were delighted. She really knows how to win people over.”
With a snap, Qinghe closed the box, her face dark. “She gave the same gift to me and the other concubine daughters. It’s obvious—she wants to humiliate me.”
“She must be jealous of your close relationship with Brother Shiji,” Huashan added.
Qinghe coldly said, “My bond with Brother Shiji… that’s not something she could ever be jealous of.”
Around evening, shortly after Lu Shiji returned to the mansion, Xi Ping came cautiously to report, “Second Young Master, Cousin Lichu has arrived.”
Lu Shiji sat in the octagonal pavilion, a chessboard on the stone table in front of him. The game was unfinished. He held a black piece between his fingers, eyes lowered on the board, and said nothing.
Xi Ping’s heart raced. Yesterday, the Second Young Master had been in a bad mood. He didn’t know if today was any better, and now Cousin Lichu had come to tempt fate again.
Even though he knew Shiji would probably refuse to see her, Xi Ping had to report it—after all, he couldn’t offend this cousin.
He waited a moment. Just as he was about to quietly leave, Shiji finally placed the black piece on the intricate board with a soft “click.”
Then he spoke, his voice cold. “Let her come in.”
Xi Ping froze, almost thinking he’d misheard.
Shiji looked up, his black eyes deep and unreadable. Xi Ping quickly lowered his head and replied, “Yes, sir,” then hurried off to summon her.
Ever since Shiji returned to the capital, Xi Ping found him harder and harder to read.
Soon, Lichu was called in.
He heard her light footsteps approaching from behind the thick flowering trees, her ginger-colored skirt swaying like clouds.
Her ribbon trailed behind, occasionally brushing a branch, scattering peach petals.
When she turned and saw him, her bright eyes seemed to sparkle even more.
Though they were still a distance apart, he felt as if there were no space between them at all.
They had once been entangled together on the bed, her eyes shut, refusing to look at him, yet tightly connected—he had felt unable to grasp her completely.
Lichu happily stepped into the octagonal pavilion, chirping like a little magpie. “Cousin!”