After Liu Yanran learned about the things Yu Luo possessed, she was so angry that she could not eat a single meal all day.
Although she had taken away Yu Yuan and Yu Che’s affection for Yu Luo, Yu Yuan and Yu Che were, after all, the young masters of the residence.
In Shunning Marquis Manor, the people who truly held power were Marquis Shunning and Madam Yu.
These two were elders, and in the residence, their word was final.
Cai Die also felt wronged on Liu Yanran’s behalf: “Miss, you are a guest in this residence. Everyone here likes you. I really don’t understand what Lord Marquis is thinking, favoring that willful Yu Luo and ignoring all your contributions.”
Liu Yanran pressed her lips together.
Regarding Marquis Shunning’s actions, she felt much dissatisfaction as well.
But she did not want to say it aloud; she only wanted it conveyed through the words of her maid.
Cai Die said, “Honestly, all of this is because Madam Yu favors Yu Luo. If someone speaks well of you in front of Lord Marquis, letting him know your merits, this servant thinks Lord Marquis will definitely treat you as a daughter.”
Liu Yanran’s eyes suddenly lit up.
She knew that Hui Xiang, who was close to Madam Yu, had always been fond of her.
Earlier, Hui Xiang and some maids had lost a gambling bet of more than ten taels and, having no money to pay, tried to steal Madam Yu’s jewelry, only to be caught by Liu Yanran.
Liu Yanran had kept this secret for Hui Xiang. Since then, Hui Xiang had always spoken well of her in front of Madam Yu.
Marquis Shunning was in his forties, elegant and refined. Hui Xiang had long admired him and wished to become a concubine in the residence. Madam Yu, in her ignorance, did not realize this, but Liu Yanran knew clearly.
If she helped Hui Xiang become Marquis Shunning’s concubine, Hui Xiang could help spread favorable words about her…
The more Liu Yanran thought about it, the more fascinated she became. She stood frozen in place.
Cai Die called her several times before she reluctantly returned to reality.
Liu Yanran said, “The rouge and face powder Eldest Cousin sent me yesterday, go get them so I can see.”
Cai Die hurriedly fetched them upon hearing the order.
Both boxes of rouge and powder were the finest sold outside, costing ten taels of silver each. Liu Yanran had received them and loved them so much she had not yet dared to open them.
She examined them again and again.
If she did not invest a little, how could she ever catch a big fish?
Liu Yanran said, “Give them to Hui Xiang. Tell her they are from me.”
Cai Die’s mouth dropped open: “Miss, such fine things—you don’t even want to use them yourself, and yet you are giving them away?”
“I told you to do it, so just do it quickly.”
Cai Die trembled with pain in her heart but dared not disobey. She quickly carried the items over.
Hui Xiang was sewing in her room. Hearing Cai Die call her, she felt intrigued.
Cai Die pulled two exquisite little boxes from her sleeve, twisting her mouth: “These are from our Biao Xiaojie for you.”
Hui Xiang could not read, but seeing the patterns on the boxes, she recognized them as the famous Yu Xiang Zhai rouge and powder. The products from Yu Xiang Zhai were exceptionally famous, affordable only to the ladies of prominent families.
Hui Xiang’s cheeks flushed red, her eyes suddenly sparkling: “Really for me? They won’t take them back?”
Cai Die said, “Do you think our Biao Xiaojie is that kind of person? She would never take back what she gives. Don’t worry, this is for you. Yesterday, Eldest Young Master gave these to Biao Xiaojie, and she had other rouge and powder. Thinking of your good relationship, she specifically asked me to deliver them to you.”
Hui Xiang happily accepted them: “Please thank Biao Xiaojie for me. I knew our Biao Xiaojie is a good person, much better than the other one.”
She could not resist dipping a little rouge on the back of her hand. The bright red color looked exquisite. She could already imagine how beautiful she would look when she used them to dress up.
With Marquis Shunning returning home this time, Hui Xiang planned to flaunt herself in front of him.
What if Lord Marquis noticed her and took her as a concubine?
The more she thought about it, the more beautiful the idea seemed. Her eyes darted around, and she said to Cai Die, “Don’t worry. From now on, I will always speak well of Biao Xiaojie in front of Lord Marquis and Madam.”
Cai Die smiled: “As long as you have that intention, it’s good enough.”
After Cai Die left, Hui Xiang hurriedly returned to her room with the items.
Madam Yu was not in the room at that moment.
Hui Xiang took advantage of Madam Yu’s dressing table to dress up carefully in front of the mirror.
Later, Madam Yu returned.
Recently, she had someone finish making a few clothes for Yu Luo out of patterned brocade satin. She sat on the couch, examining them, imagining how beautiful her daughter would look in them.
Marquis Shunning also walked in from outside.
Hui Xiang’s heart raced when she saw the elegant and handsome Marquis Shunning.
She had just finished dressing up and felt she must show herself in front of Lord Marquis.
Hui Xiang hurried forward: “Lord Marquis, would you like to change your outer coat? I can hold it for you.”
Marquis Shunning paid her no mind, waving his hand: “No need.”
He walked to Madam Yu’s side, smiling: “Are these your new autumn clothes? They look very suitable for you.”
Madam Yu smiled faintly: “I’m already old; I don’t need to wear such bright colors and styles. These were made for Luo’er. She said she liked them, so I had them made quickly.”
Marquis Shunning held Madam Yu’s hand: “Old? You look just about the same age as Luo’er. If you went out together, others might think you were sisters.”
Outside, Marquis Shunning was authoritative and solemn; inside, he was gentle and tender with Madam Yu.
The maids serving in the room could not help but feel envious.
A man with such appearance, status, and temperament was one in a million, rare even if sought with a lantern.
Hui Xiang, while jealous of Madam Yu, imagined herself sitting there with Lord Marquis.
At that moment, Nanny Zhang returned from outside.
Marquis Shunning asked: “Did you deliver the things for Eldest Miss? Did she like them?”
Nanny Zhang smiled: “Eldest Miss loves them and cannot bear to part with them. How could she not like them? Our Eldest Miss is truly filial; she even asked this old servant if Madam had these. If Lord Marquis had forgotten to bring them, Eldest Miss would have brought them herself for Madam to choose first.”
Marquis Shunning, busy with daily affairs, might not see his children for ten days or half a month. Even though he favored Yu Luo, he often heard that Yu Luo was not very filial toward Madam Yu.
Nanny Zhang had served him for decades; what she said could not be false.
Madam Yu was touched. Being sentimental, she could not help wiping her eyes: “Look at our daughter. She has really grown and learned to be filial.”
Marquis Shunning patted her shoulder: “It’s all thanks to your upbringing. Without your guidance, how could the children all turn out so well? Luo’er’s filial heart is rare. Increase her monthly allowance to fifty taels.”
Hui Xiang hurriedly asked, “Biao Xiaojie’s allowance used to be the same as Eldest Miss’s. Now that Eldest Miss’s has increased, will Biao Xiaojie’s increase too?”
Marquis Shunning, annoyed at her interruption, said, “The others remain as before; only Eldest Miss’s increases.”