Madam Shen directed the maids to lay out all the clothes and jewelry they had brought, selecting and comparing them back and forth.
Suddenly, she picked up a robe and skirt made of dark blue snow satin, but felt the color was a bit too plain. Another gauze skirt embroidered with white butterflies and golden patterns seemed more suitable, but she was troubled about what jewelry to pair it with.
"Han'er, what do you think of this one?"
Bai Sihan, who was asked, was leaning against the soft pillows on the bed.
Not only had her mother woken her up early in the morning, but she hadn't even had time to wash up yet.
Her face was like a peach blossom, her skin as white as snow; she was a truly beautiful woman. It was a pity that her enchanting fox-like eyes were listless and very sleepy at the moment.
She pulled the lambskin blanket closer around her, frowned slightly, and said to Madam Shen, who was adorned with gold and silver, with a hint of playful reproach.
"Mother, it's too early to be choosing these things. The Wei family's banquet is still two days away, we can choose them this afternoon. The weather in Dongdu is too cold, I didn't sleep well last night. It's much more comfortable in our Qiongzhou; the trees are still lush with leaves at this time of year. Look at these withered branches, they're an eyesore."
"Look at what you're saying. You only see the bleakness outside, but not the excitement within. If you don't prepare early, what if you're outshone by others? Just wait and see, after you return from that banquet, your mother guarantees your thoughts will become much more active, and you might not even want to return to Qiongzhou."
At Madam Bai's birthday banquet, although there were young masters and ladies, most of them came with their elders, so they were quite reserved.
However, the Wei family's banquet invited mostly young ladies and young masters from prominent families. When young people gathered, they naturally had to dress more meticulously.
Bai Sihan had heard these words too many times and was already impatient.
However, since the other party was her mother, she couldn't say much.
"Mother, if you compare me with all sorts of goods, won't I be at a disadvantage?"
"Hahahaha, yes, yes, yes. With my daughter's beauty, she could even be a noble consort in the palace."
Bai Sihan rolled her charming eyes and couldn't be bothered to say more.
Madam Shen, on the other hand, looked at the items in the jewelry box and couldn't help but frown.
"Qiongzhou doesn't produce many good things. These accessories can't compare to what the young ladies in Dongdu city usually wear."
She picked up a Ruyi golden hairpin with disdain. It used to be considered a good item, but now, after seeing so much jade and tourmaline, these seemed rather vulgar.
Recalling Miss Wei's opulent demeanor, even if she couldn't surpass her, she shouldn't be too far behind, otherwise, how could the spotlight fall on her own daughter?
Just as she was pondering what to do, she heard that Mama Qian, who was by Princess Wenyi's side, had arrived.
The mother and daughter exchanged a look of suspicion. After tidying their appearances slightly, they had Mama Qian invited in.
Upon entering, Mama Qian saw the bed piled high with clothes and jewelry. She didn't show any mockery but, adhering to etiquette, looked straight ahead and greeted them.
"Greetings to Third Madam and Second Miss."
"Mm, rise. Mama, you've come all this way, does the Princess have any instructions?"
Princess Wenyi's status could be overlooked in front of other members of the Bai family, but Madam Shen dared not be presumptuous, so she still addressed her as Princess.
"Our Princess said that since Second Miss entered the mansion, she hasn't sent a gift to an elder. It's not neglect, but the old shopkeeper of Zhenbaozhai had a family matter a few days ago, which caused a delay. Now that they've just reopened, the jewelry and hair ornaments that were prepared long ago have been sent over. Therefore, the Princess asked this old servant to deliver them quickly. Second Miss, please see if you like them."
As soon as she finished speaking, she gestured to the maids behind her to step forward and open four palm-sized jewelry boxes.
Instantly, everyone in the room gasped.
A golden璎珞圈 with a pair of mythical beasts, a Ruyi hairpin inlaid with white jade and red coral, a bat-shaped hairpin decorated with kingfisher feathers on dark blue, and a begonia-shaped hairpin made of tourmaline and jade.
Each piece was exquisitely carved and priceless, making Madam Shen's eyes nearly pop out.
"Are these all for Han'er?" she stammered.
Mama Qian bowed slightly and said respectfully, "Indeed. I hope Third Madam and Second Miss will not find them wanting."
"No, no, of course not. Dongqing, quickly accept them for Miss. Thank you, Princess, for your favor. I said it before, in this household, only the Princess is the best. She has a heart of compassion, and her status and position are undeniable. Humph, the one from the First Branch can't compare to the Princess even if they tried!"
Her words clearly expressed her disdain for the conduct of her elder sister-in-law, Madam Lin, almost directly accusing her of being snobbish and picking the best for herself.
Mama Qian inwardly sneered, but her face showed nothing.
She hated such people her entire life, like flies drawn to stench, pouncing on any benefit without regard for their dignity.
Not to mention speaking ill of her sister-in-law, and now trying to sow discord, she found these words unbearable. She suppressed the discomfort in her heart and said,
"Since the items have been delivered, this old servant shall take her leave. The Princess cannot be without me."
"Yes, yes, Mama Qian, safe travels. We won't keep you any longer."
Madam Shen's smile at this moment was entirely heartfelt. What she wished for had come true; the items sent by the Princess had truly saved them in their time of need. Therefore, her demeanor towards Mama Qian became more sincere.
After Mama Qian left, Madam Shen revealed a greedy glint in her eyes. "Han'er, do you see? The Princess likes you so much. It looks like marrying into the Prince of Kang's mansion is a possibility. People from the Prince of Kang's mansion will definitely attend this banquet, so you can pick whichever one you like."
She spoke with great confidence, as if the grandsons of the Prince of Kang's mansion were like cabbages in the market, for her and her daughter to pick and choose.
What arrogance!
"Mother..." Bai Sihan called out charmingly, a blush appearing on her face, as if a little shy.
Madam Shen, seeing her like this, felt even more triumphant.
In the East Courtyard, Bai Siruo was practicing the arrow-throwing game in the courtyard with great concentration. Seeing Mama Qian return, she immediately put down the arrow shaft and asked with a bit of excitement,
"Did they accept the items?"
"They accepted them. Third Madam was smiling so broadly her mouth couldn't close."
Bai Siruo raised her eyebrows. She knew that with their mother and daughter's penchant for showing off, they would be overjoyed to receive those accessories. It was worth her sacrificing her own cherished items, sending over the jewelry she had ordered from Zhenbaozhai earlier.
She thought to herself, her face beaming with joy.
However, Mama Qian beside her was a bit puzzled. "Miss, you've always disliked Second Miss, why did you send her so many good accessories this time?"
"Doesn't Mother say that the Bai family prospers together and suffers together? If we are to attend the Wei family's banquet, without anything to lose face over, it would be the Bai family's reputation that is tarnished, right?"
Mama Qian nodded. While the words made sense, she didn't believe them.